sooji kimn

throwback thursday

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:56:00 +0000

this may or may not be a permanent feature on my blog, but seeing as i spent years taking photos and not sharing them (haha) i have thousands of photos that have never seen the light of .... the internet.

we had some snow here in atlanta in 2011. and we had sooo much fun running around with bailey :) he looks so so young in this photo that it kind of startles me that dogs can age so visibly in just a couple of years. i never experienced this with kibbo because westies are well.. they always look like puppies to me! looking back though, this may be the only photo we have together as a family (with the exception of kibbo) :(

excuse david's half squat pose... self timer was not kind haha

i really love this photo. bailey's expression cracks me up whenever i see this. hahaha

week 3 | lines & texture

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:15:00 +0000

allison & i have so many collaborations in the works... i can't wait to share them with you all :)

week 2 | light & portraits

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:11:00 +0000

two of my favorite things.

to think that there was a point in my life where i thought i didn't enjoy taking portraits...

week 1 | the love of love

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:44:00 +0000

one of my goals for 2013 was to start shooting for myself again. after all, that's how i came to love what i do today. i think sometimes it's easy to forget why you're here, specially once you stop nurturing your passion.

lifestyle | the sons

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 07:54:00 +0000

i was so surprised when miriam reached out to me to do some portraits for her family! thing is, miriam and i were first introduced 3 years ago when i was planning my wedding - she was actually the amazing baker behind the cupcakes we served on the day of! to this day, david still raves about how perfect her mint chocolate cupcakes were! haha it's so amazing to be able to cross paths again in this manner and i'm so honored that she would choose me to capture this special time in their lives.

since i last saw her, the sons have grown by one little precious abigail! i love how quirky and inquisitive she is! ♥ whenever i meet babies, i'm always so amazed at how large their personalities are at such a young age... it could be because i wasn't surrounded by babies growing up, but it's so fascinating to me! haha

thanks again sons!

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:51:00 +0000

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson

portraits | gloria

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:11:00 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLORIA ♥

i'm grateful for the past 16 years of friendship and all the stretching and growing we've done. i think our friendship is a true reflection of the internet era... haha i still remember the first day we met in school after months of chatting online (before internet creepers went mainstream)... the roller coaster ride that ensued and your patience and love for me throughout the years. thank you.

regardless of where we thought we might find ourselves today, i hope you remember that we're exactly where we're meant to be. i'm so proud to have you as my friend :)

lookbook | golden stella

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:36:00 +0000

this shoot was such a dream to work on. y'know those moments where everything kind of falls into place? yeah it was like that, but with the entire shoot! i have to thank golden stella for the amazing opportunity to work with such talent! :) you can find the lookbook that the ever talented allison put together here.

i have to share this with you all though... while working with brittany i developed a huge crush on her haha, and i recall sharing this with allison only to have her answer with, "welcome to the club!" hahaha!

i hope you enjoy these photos as much as i enjoyed taking them :)

model: brittany hellmeister
creative director/stylist: allison rhee
hair stylist: grace kim
makeup artist: stacy oh

portraits | allison

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:31:00 +0000

i love doing mini sessions that aren't elaborately planned at times... there's no expectations to be someone you're not and it's simply about who you are in your own skin. i think that's why i love these little moments i have with allison sometimes -- we're always so awkwardly comfortable when we do them... and it's so. stinkin'. hilarious. you wouldn't believe that we're laughing at absolutely nothing. haha

inspired

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:32:00 +0000

i've been a little quiet around here and i can't exactly say what was the matter (or i could give you tons of reasons), but overall it comes down to the creative drought i've been going through. a friend of mine asked whether it would be resolved with a pause or a push, and seeing as i've had my break... it must have been a push.

i typically don't do well with pushes though, perhaps it's due to my rebelliousness(stubbornness might be more apt) but i want to arrive at each crossroad through my own decisions/mistakes. how foolish to think that i have complete control over the twists and turns that are ahead on the road. i digress though, sometimes you just need a little push :)

... and i got that push as i was doing a shoot for golden stella with allison. there's an amazing creative catharsis that happens sometimes when a bunch of creatives get together :) it was definitely one of those and i'm once again filled with that itch... that itch to shoot for myself and nurture my love for what i do.

i can't wait to show you the rest of this shoot!

lifestyle | alice + andy

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:01:00 +0000

It's always such an honor when friends ask you to take part in their milestones. I had the honor of shooting Alice and Andy as they prepare for the arrival of little Audrey (yayyy!!). It's been so amazing how Alice and I have crossed paths and I'm so so grateful in the friendship we've continued to cultivate as we both got married!

Alice + Andy congratulations again, I can't wait to meet her and I have no doubt in my mind that you'll be amazing parents!

wedding | kahi + raymond

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:26:00 +0000

After falling in love with these two at their engagement session, I was thrilled to be a part of their wedding day as well. Throughout their wedding day, Kahi and Raymond would have these brief moments where they would look at each other and you could palpably see them fall in love even more! I live for these moments! haha needless to say, there was no shortage of love on their wedding day!

There's something so special about a day where everyone present is celebrating the love between two people-- if only we could spread this love dust every day of our lives, our world would be such a beautiful place! <3

Thank you again Kahi & Raymond, I wish you years of never ending love dust! <3

[a special thanks to Johnny for second shooting!]

floral design//wedding styling by Enamored With

portraits | cindy

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:27:00 +0000

if you and i are acquainted in real life, it's very likely you know who cindy is.

she was my maid of honor on my wedding day.
we were roommates in college.
and i've known her since we were 11 years old.

i think everyone should have a friend like cindy... just as everyone should also have a friend like me (hahaha).
but no really, cindy has been my biggest cheerleader ever since i can remember. even through the times where i've pushed and pushed, her love and persistence for me has always stretched and grown me.

and i mean, who else would be willing to plan a shoot at 3am just to sleep a couple of hours, meet me at sunrise and brave the freezing weather just so i can test some lenses? haha

engagement | julie + james

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:36:00 +0000

When I first met Julie + James, it really felt like I was catching up with old friends. They made me, someone they had just met, feel like an old friend and I think that's the charm of their relationship - they bring you into their world and make you feel like you're a part of it... and that innate ability to make someone comfortable is not something every relationship can boast of :)

Julie and James, thanks for taking me on and sharing your love!

styled by Allison Rhee

lookbook for kittenmasks II

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 06:45:00 +0000

I figured I should go ahead and post this while the weather is still a little warm and relatable (though I have a feeling that by the time this goes up it'll be cold)! This is also part of the lookbook that Alicia put together -- and y'know, since she's a fashion blogger and all she just happens to be modeling as well ;)

Alicia is actually one of the first people to really encourage me into portraiture. I was always 'comfortable' with my photography and out of the blue, she suggested that we do a shoot together. That lead to another shoot and another and well... here I am today :) I love shooting portraits and never in a million years would the past me have thought that. It's really true that there's no harm in trying something new. I mean honestly, I'd be embarrassed to show you the photos I took back then, but I suppose that's just how it is, no? always a work in progress...

I'm so thankful for my friendship with Alicia, she's always been so accepting (for the most part haha) of my strange taste in things, not to mention she's always pushing me to strive for better and higher goals for myself... and honestly, don't we all need a friend like that?

happy birthday gavriel!

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:26:00 +0000

happy 2nd birthday to my dearest godson! <3 i pray that the coming year will be filled with as many adventures a two year old can have! :) not to mention, i hope i get to capture those adventures with you dear boy! love you oodles and noodles!

happy birthday bailey

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:29:00 +0000

If you couldn't already tell, I'm back from my hiatus!! and with a mini re-vamp on my blog and with lots of updates to come! yay finally! :) Thanks for your patience and encouragement (you know who you are). I'm so grateful to have people that constantly believe in me.

I'm a little late with this post, but better late than never!

You must think I'm a crazy dog lady, but no... really I am (haha), and I just love animals. I'd love a cat just as much as I do my dogs if I had one... and though I've tried (incessantly) prodding David for a cat in the past, we've concluded we're happy as we are right now, a pseudo family of four.

We don't know how old Bailey is because he was a rescue and the shelter's guesstimation puts his birthday sometime in September. I've decided that I will celebrate his birthday on the first day of fall, September 22 (I just decided this a couple of days before his `birthday` actually haha). We've had the pleasure of being his human parents for 2.5 years now and I'm constantly learning new things (about him and myself and David)... is this what parenthood is like?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think everyone should have the privilege to grow old with a dog by their side. They bring so much enrichment and joy to your life that I really... really can't imagine my life any other way.

Happy 4th birthday my dearest Bailey!

(those are doggy cupcakes btw, though I have to say I kind of questioned the owner's word on those not being real sprinkles... um they sure look like it. Thankfully he didn't get sick so I'll try to believe him)

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:34:00 +0000

“Artists are some of the most driven courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day to day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, artists face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get ‘real’ jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again. Everyday they have to ignore the possibility that the vision to which they have dedicated their lives is a pipedream. With every passing year, many of them watch as other people their age, achieve the predictable milestones of normal life - the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. But they stay true to their dream, in spite of the sacrifices. Why? Because artists are willing to give their entire lives to a moment - to that line, that laugh, that gesture, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul. Artists are beings who have tasted life’s nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another’s heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.”

- David Ackert

lookbook for kittenmasks

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:20:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to shoot a lookbook that my friend Alicia put together a while back. and while I'm far (like galaxies away) from being a fashionista myself, I know I can always count on her for the inside "do's and don't"'s of the season (sadly i'm always in the don'ts, it's a wonder she still chooses to be seen out in public with me haha). It's always a lot of fun getting together with Alicia and getting updates on her life (and the craziness that is fashion and Alicia herself). Since she is also a foodie, it's always a must that we catch up over yummy food... Oh, how far we've come from those days of SAT prep school... bahaha.

It was definitely a challenge to have a photo session where the people in the clothes were not the main focus! Not to mention, I also got to work with two amazing models - one of them being Jessica, whom I met during my internship last year with Leah and Mark. It's amazing how some friendships are cultivated! Jess has been such an encouragement in my life ever since I first met her that I can't help but to acknowledge the fact that people really do come into your life for a purpose (albeit it might not always be clear to us initially).

engagement | kahi + raymond

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:00:00 +0000

From the first moment I saw Kahi and Raymond interact, I knew that their engagement session would be a treat to shoot. I think as a photographer it's always such an honor to be able to capture two people that are as much in love as these two are and let me tell you... these two are not just in love, they're head over heels for each other!! I hope that seeing these photos will fill you with as much love as I felt when I shot them :)

Kahi + Raymond, thank you for letting me take part of such intimate and lovely interactions.
I wish you both years of growth and happiness :)

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:03:00 +0000

You must learn to understand that all your deficiencies,
even those that come from your past sins and vicious habits,
are part of my loving providence for you, and that it is just with those deficiencies,
just the way you are now, that I would love you.

Therefore you must overcome the habit of judging how you would make yourself acceptable to me.
When you do this you are putting your providence, your wisdom before mine.
It is my wisdom that tells you, "The way you are acceptable to me, the way I want to love you,
is the way you are now, with all your defects and deficiencies.
I could wipe them out in a moment if I wanted to, but then I could not love you the way I want to love you,
the way you are--now."

- Julian of Norwich

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 07:53:00 +0000

"If we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that really belong to us,
so it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of persons we are.
And it is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life.
I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of humanity,
is to sacrifice ourselves for something higher--that which we believe in and love deeply."
- Cesar Chavez

broken promises

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 03:18:00 +0000

i know i said i'd be better about updating, and i really do have several posts drafted waiting to be published. i just find myself a little lost at this moment... and there's that hesitation, y'know?

how personal do i get in here without baring myself of the privacy i fiercely cloak myself in? it's all such a thin thin line and i'm scared to cross it.

my mind's been racing against all my thoughts and fears... it wanders off into this stream of disillusionment that's constantly chased by my consciousness. ironic isn't it?

just for a little bit... until i can still my thoughts and hear the quietude of my heart.

just a little bit longer...

simple moments

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 07:38:00 +0000

Sometimes, it really is those spur of the moment photographs that end up resonating with you, It's the simplicity of the moment captured in a photograph that tends to "stay" with us when you look back in restrospect.

I think I had one of those moments this day.

moments like these are so fleeting, yet i LIVE for these!

slump

noreply@blogger.com (sooji) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:42:00 +0000

At the end of Jessica's portrait session in May, my camera and the concrete had a very unhappy meeting.

What I thought were solely cosmetic damages, ended up being internal as well... and silly me didn't figure this out until AFTER I shot an event (ugh someone shake me). Honestly I took it much better than I expected, and to my husband's chagrin I simply abandoned my camera in a corner of our office... I mean, what was I to do? After researching online, I realized that the repair costs would end up being about the same amount I paid for the camera -__-;

What followed after that, was a slump in my productivity and creativity.

What's shocking is that it didn't occur to me to put two and two together, and that perhaps the reason I had hit a creative wall was that I was no longer shooting for myself. You know, you hear it all the time, that no matter how busy you are, you should always make time to work on personal projects. IT'S TRUEEEE!!! and though this is probably no excuse for having neglected my blog, it's a pretty legit reason wouldn't you say? haha

I'm still in the process of figuring out which route I'm going to go as far as my next camera goes, but in the meantime you guys are welcome to follow me on instagram (hahahaha!) @ soojikimn.

overall... *sadface* but no worries friends, I have enough posts backed up to last me a good while! XD