Ahhh! The Grainy goodness, bokeh-licious look of film is how I fell in love….and what do they say? The rest is history? Yep, that’s the truth.

When I was browsing FIND Workshop schedule late last year and found out Jonathan Canlas was coming to Austin, I knew immediately that I had to grab a seat, FAST! Jon and his team sure know how to get their workshop attendees excited.  First, a gorgeous package arrived at my door a month before the workshop.  This package included a BEAUTIFUL silk hard cover 40 page FIND book, a FIND T shirt, a print press hand signed card, a CD and a sack of 10 rolls of film!

Not only the pre-workshop package was first class, the workshop itself did not disappoint!    The workshop was well organized and well ran by Jon and his coordinator , Catherine Abegg.  Both are such sweet, fun and kind souls!!  I have never met any workshop instructors as down to earth as Jon.  When I first met him during our meet and greet dinner, he introduced himself and gave me the biggest and warmest bear hug.

Each day during our workshop, we laughed, feasted, learned, hung-out, photographed, feasted, joked, cried, feasted, hugged, shared…and feasted; and even got filmed (by the pesty neighbors)!!  We had so much fun shooting the models and each other, even the APD had a cameo on our Instagram!  Jon is not one to keep secrets….he whole-heartily shared EVERYTHING he ever learned about film in those 3 short days.  He was an open book!  We got to watch him in action with 3 different couples and 3 families.  We also got to walk around together and did some personal work.  Jon is not only a genius at film photography, he is an awesome business man.  He taught us secrets to his successful business in every little detail.

Not only I came away with more confident in shooting film and using my film cameras, I also made life-long friends with every workshop attendees.  In fact, another meet up has been planned and I hope to get to hang out with my FIND friends soon

first day // Couples

second day // families

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As my boy watched in awe, Timothy Reger managed to grab a second place on the podium in once of the many races against more experienced drivers.  Timothy was only 16 years old at the time and was up against veteran car racers.  I don’t know all the jargon of car race but I know I had a great time with a wonderful friend and family.  I am very sure one of these days we will see Tim racing in the Formula One  We love you Regers!!

Mamiya C330S with Ilford 3200 and Portra 800

 I am throwing in some Instagram shots here just for fun

A photo session with older kids doesn’t have to be painful.  All you need is to find what interest them the most.  In this case, it was car race.  Not only everyone had a wonderful time, we got to document the day with beautiful photos.  Let’s go check out my friend Kerry, to see what she go for us this month!

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We have been blessed with long spring season this year in Austin Texas. To take advantage of the gorgeous weather, I met up with the C family for a fun filled photo session. The first thing that caught my eye when I met up with them was these two handsome duo’s hair! Love love love the children’s curls!! Cuteness over load!  I made sure I capture some of these yummy goodness in my photos

I always enjoy a family photo session at Butler Park, next to Palmer Event Center. I love the huge wide open field of grassy area where kids can run and play. Just let them being kids are the best photos I can get for the parents. The genuine smiles of the kiddos always light up the portraits and bring out “oooooo’s” and “Ahhhhhhhhh’s” from friends and family

Here is a little peek of what we got this past weekend, enjoy!!

Are you planning a photo session of your family this year?  Don’t wait, schedule yours now!  I am booked into October 2013 so make sure you grab a spot on my calendar

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I admire my friends.  I admire them because they give selflessly!

Not only do they have love for their own biological children, they also have the kindness, compassion and more love to adopt kids who have been placed in the foster care or orphanage overseas.  Let’s face it!  It is a difficult task to raise children period.  We faces challenges daily that push us to the edge of our patience.  Nothing speaks more about these families than the acts of adoption!

I believe God has given these families a special gift –  A heart of Unconditional Love.

With some of the difficulties and experiences these adopted children might have had, the adoptive families are faced with bigger challenges in raising them that required delicate nurturing.  God loves us unconditionally and He made us in His likeness.  Adoption is the perfect example of His love for us!

My husband and I had light-hearted discussion about adoption after our 4th son was born.  There was a talk about adopting a little girl from China (since it is probably our last hope of having a daughter).  However, with our financial situation, we know adoption not a good fit for our family.  Perhaps you can?

Adoption Coalition of Texas is an organization that works closely with public and private agencies as well as Child Protective Services to find forever home for children.

Foster in Texas is where you will find information on the procedure needed to become foster parents.

Mother’s Day is tomorrow and you don’t have a clue about what to get? As a mother of four boys, I know the best gift I ever gotten was the gift from the heart! Something I can look back 10 years from now and warms my soul!  A Gift Certificate to a family session is one of the best gift you can give to a mother!  Every photograph will make her smile, laugh, and cry the happy &  joyful tears!  An photo album will not only becomes her favorite thing, it will be an heirloom in your family for many years to come!

You can purchase the Gift Certificate here.  It is valid 9 months after the purchase date and available to download immediately.

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When I was a rebellious teenager, I didn’t quite get it when my mother said to me:  ”…you will understand one day when you have your own kids!”  And Oh boy, did I get a HUGE slap in the face with those same words after having my four boys.  Heck yeah!  Now I understand clearly!

What I learned about being a mother:

It is to

• teach about Jesus
• give selflessly
• discipline with love
• be the shoulder to cry on
• let your children know they are specially made by God
• give kisses and hugs no matter how old your children are (and how embarrassed they are at receiving them)
• raise law-abiding citizens and future leaders
• learn to give a little (note to self:  it is okay to be wrong)
• be patient (failed at this one so far)
• be a mother

oh I am sure the list will go on and on as I evolve in the years to come.  Being a mother is one of the best things that ever happened to me and I am honored that God gave me a chance to be a mother of four.  I am pretty confident that He will not be disappointed…  Happy Mother’s Day!!

Time is running out and you still haven’t had  a chance to get to the store and grab that first bottle of perfume you saw at the store last week?  I have the solution for you this Mother’s Day!  A photo album is something that is treasured in our family because it holds so much wonderful memories.  How about gift her a photo session she always wanted?  A gift certificate is available here.  It is valid for 9 months after the purchase date and can be downloaded within an hour after purchase.

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Since the loss of my mother 7 years ago, I have dedicated my photography business to capture the essence of families and children.  A few years before my mother passed away, she had casually mentioned that we need to have a family portrait done in some (better) near future.  Unfortunately, that (better) near future never happened.  I would give my everything to have her back just for one hour so I can photograph her with my children.  AND my children can look at the photos and know who their grandmother is.    Don’t let your (better) near future past you by!

This year, I would like to celebrate Mother’s Day by sharing images from some of my clients photo sessions.  There are so many great shots where I caught wonderful emotions and love between moms and their kiddos.  If I had to put them all up, I would have to write a blog post everyday for the next 6 months to post them all!  I quickly went through the archives and pick the ones with just moms so if yours are not up, it just means that dad was also included in the pictures- I have to wait to show off dads next month

Here is the first installment of images, Happy Mother’s Day!!

A perfect gift for mothers of your life may be material things.  But in my opinion as a mother, that heirloom photo albums of full of memories… is my most treasured possession!  Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift for your mom, sister, daughter?  I have Gift Certificate available here.  It is valid for 9 months after the purchase date and can be downloaded immediately after purchase!

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What would a mother want on mother’s day?  As a mother, nothing is more important than my family.  Everything I do, I do it for my kids, my husband and my family.  Being a mother, my priority is no longer “me”.  I think mother’s day should not just be one day a year.  It should be at least once a week…ha!  Wishful thinking, I know!

Since it is only once a year, we need to make this day super special for our moms.  What is more important than the gift of her own family?

I have the perfect gift idea for this mother’s day!  How about professional portrait sessions for moms who have loved and cared for her family selflessly?  I think the last time I had a professional portrait session including hair and makeup stylist, of which I truly had fun and enjoyed, was my bridal portrait over 12 years ago.  And I know for a fact that EVERY SINGLE TIME I have a family photo shoot, mom was the one who get the least attention, whether it’s wardrobe styling or getting her hair done.  She always worries about her husband, her children or even pets before she even begin to think of herself.

Here are some of the ideas you can use this gift certificate for your mom on this Mother’s Day:

1. Makeover, Glam Session-she will receive complimentary wardrobe styling and pre-session consultation.  She also get the option of professional hair and makeup application before the shoot for a complete make over.  This private glam session can be at an outdoor location, at home or anywhere she loves.   The possibility is endless!
2. Mom and Me Session-She get to choose anyone from her immediate family for a private photo session.
3. Family Session-How about getting her a session with the entire immediate family?

So What would your mother want for her special day this year?  Get herGift she will love and treasure for many years to come!!

Gift your mother the Best Mother’s Day present ever! Get a Gift Certificate here.

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While some of you up north still weathering snow in April this year, us down south in Austin, Texas are ready for summer!  Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a pair of designer shoes!?  I do!  When I was single, I was a designer shoe-a-holic.  If you take peek in my closet now, you will still find my favorite Jimmy Choos sitting nice and pretty in their boxes.  I would browse every sale and shoe rack at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue or Nordstroms in search for the next pair of  sexy stilettos.

Now I am a wife and a mom of four boys, my priorities have shifted to the more affordable kind.  I love to score a pair of new shoes that scream “designer!” without the price tag.  I am often asked by my senior, family and boudoir clients on shoes idea and what to wear for their photo sessions.  Use my fashion experience and my thrifty shopping sense, I found several pairs that are beautiful, hot, and most importantly, affordable.  These are the current trending styles only light on your budget, but they will also make your husband smile!

Where to shop:

1. Piere Balmain at ShopBop | Chinese Laundry at Zappos
2. Gianvito Rossi at Net-A-Porter | Nina Bouvier at Zappos
3. Gucci at Net-A-Porter | Seychelle at Zappos
4. Derek Lam at ShopBop | Michael by Michael Kors at Zappos
5. Gucci at Net-A-Porter | Badgley Mischka at Zappos

The post 5 Hottest Sandals of Summer 2013 | Senior, Beauty and Boudoir Photo Shoes Ideas appeared first on Family, Kids, Seniors & Boudoir Photographer in Austin.

As a personal trainer “back in the days”, I was always looking for ways to live healthy and had an active lifestyle.  I used to lift weights and do my cardio workouts at least 6 days a week.  Now a wife and a mom of four active boys, we are constantly looking for ways to exercise as a family.  Living in Austin Texas, it is definitely a plus!  There are abundant outdoor activities and parks for us to live a healthy lifestyle and have fun at the same time.

I had the pleasure to meet and photograph one of the most inspiring ladies in Houston back in February. Dr. Rowe spearheaded a healthy lifestyle movement after giving birth to her adorable baby boy.  Now with over 900 members, she motivates everyone, both man and woman, to get in control of our lives, get in the habit of living healthy and strong.  What is better than reward your success in fitness by getting a custom portrait?  We started with Dr. Rowe’s individual fitness photos with different gym equipment.  Because of my previous experience as a personal trainer, I was familiar with different exercises and posing came very naturally.

Here is what Dr. Rowe of Houston Family Medicine said about this movement:

“The Rowetation Nutrition Challenge is created to promote a healthy lifestyle. I noticed not only were my patients suffering of chronic medical conditions related to obesity, but so were the people around me including my colleagues.  I created the challenge as a way to motivate friends and family members to eat healthier and become more active. I find juggling motherhood, practicing medicine and staying fit ‘a challenge’ but one that is very doable with the right advice and support. The Challenge is an opportunity for people to become connected to individuals with similar goals through an online support system. By following the ‘rules’ of the challenge and staying connected to the network, Rowetation Challengers have lost over 750 pounds in just over 3 months. The network includes over 900 members, 4 support groups and 15 group leaders.”

Rules of the challenge:
THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

1. No fried food
2. No more than one serving of dairy per day
3. Low carb: no cereal, crackers, bread, white rice, pasta,or red/white potatoes. Instead eat whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, barley, or bulgar. L
4. No sweets (cake, candy, cookies, or sweetened coffee beverages). Instead eat fruit and nuts.
5. No carbonated beverages (soda) or juices. Limit alcohol to once per week (ONE GLASS). Instead drink tea and water.
6. One Cheat meal between Friday & Sunday
7. Exercise 45 – 90 minutes per day

I also got some group shots for Rowetation Nutritional Challenge group in Houston.  What a fun experience and a blast to work with these wonderful gals!!  Dr. Rowe and I are thinking of an anniversary photo session with this group next year to see where each of these ladies are at their goal of reaching healthy living.  What do you think?

Ready to COMMIT to the Rowetation Nutritional Challenge (RNC) visit her website Rowetation Online or join the challenge at Rowetation Nutritional Challenge Facebook Group today!
Challenge created by Houston Family Medicine Physician Dr Latisha Rowe.

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Next time when you go on an outing with your family, take a look around.  Because that perfect family photo spot might just be right in front of you!  Pay extra attention to places your family love to spend time at.

When I first stumbled upon this little piece of heaven, I knew it is the perfect spot for my next outdoor photo session. First W. Family and I had decided on another location nearest to our neighborhood. Ha! Was I glad that location didn’t work out. This park became our alternate spot and wow! I was right! This park has every ingredient in the recipe to convey the feeling of nature we all love so much as Austinites. This park has it all! It has hills, nature trails, picnic areas as well as a shallow creek.

Here are some sneak peek from my session with Mr. and Mrs. W and their two beautiful kids and fur baby Miss Lucy. I had a blast shooting their family portraits and I seriously can not wait to edit them all!

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