Asha & Glenn: Wedding

Asha was all smiles when she opened the door Sunday afternoon, her hair and make up already done up and behind her, her family a buzzing in preparation for her big day.  She breathlessly went on to explain all the little snags that she and Glenn had to iron out in the morning and had just taken care of 5 minutes before Clara and I go there. I was so amazed at her calmness, she seemed so relaxed and easy going – while i was thinking if i were the bride i’d be freaking out!  Suffice to say, Clara and I found that Asha & Glenn were totally laid back and the rest of their day was beautiful and went as smooth as butter.  Sneak preview!

Nathan & Michelle

Clara and I have been to our fair share of weddings but we’ve never really attended a tea ceremony before!  When we walked up the winding driveway up to Nathan’s Aunts’ place, you could already see the house was adorned with the Lucky Chinese characters and we could feel ourselves starting to get in touch with our roots.  

I’m ashamed of my 10 years of Chinese school.  The typical Chinese characters: i have no idea what it says.  But i know it means something good!

Inside the gorgeous house, it was all prepped up in anticipation of Nathan and Michelle’s arrival.

Clara and I were greeted by several members of Nathan’s family…

- and a roast pig sitting out by the window!

Finally the bride and groom arrive with the incense.  Michelle’s dress was the traditional Chinese capo and i loved the cool collar.  

After literally feasting on the roast pig and a smorgasborge of other food  (Nathan & Michelle kindly fed us and we ate with the family!) the tea ceremony begins!  I loved that the house has such LARGE windows letting in so much warm light!  Nathan and Michelle’s outfits really soaked up the sun. 

They have a big family but they’re a well oiled machine… 

- an entire system of one relative after another in the chair receiving their tea….

Giving marriage advice and blessings….

…receiving the red envelopes!

…And the efficient around the room tea distribution!

The couple also had us attend their reception at the Regency Restaurant to begin the 2nd half of festivities. 

We snagged a quick picture of the two before the guests started arriving!

And again they kindly invited to stay and eat with them and their friends and family  - it was really fantastic.  The food was awesome and you could tell everybody was having so much fun.  It’s amazing how close knit the family is, which was to be admired.    Congratulations to you both - Thank you for having us shoot your ceremony and treating us so well, it was an honor!

 

 

 

Nathan & Michelle Tea Ceremony Preview

Clara and I were invited to photograph a way cool Chinese tea ceremony – none like i’ve ever seen.  It was super traditional complete with incense, lots of red envelops and a whole roast pig – which Nathan & Michelle kindly let us sample.  Ok, sample is not quite the word, we feasted with their tight knit HUGE family even before the pouring of the tea AND right before the banquet.  MMmmmmm!   Here’s a preview for now! 

 

Catherine, Dean and Family!

It was 9am Saturday morning when Clara and I pulled into the 2nd Cup at McKenzie Towne.  Both of us were bundled up in parkas and Ugg boots.  It was hovering around zero degrees.  Ok, maybe not – but both of us have an aversion to winter so we tend to embellish and exaggerate when it dips below 10 degrees.  The family and kids however were good to shoot like it was spring.   Some of them had already been up since 6:30am playing hockey!  Sipping their hot chocolate and huddling together, they suspiciously eyed each other to see who had to brave the cold and have their photos taken first – it ended up to be chickie:

I was excited when i saw her piercing blue eyes and couldn’t wait to see how it would turn out in the photos.  I wasn’t disappointed!

You’ll see in a second her where she gets her good-looks from.

Catherine’s way cool almost teenage son.  He brought a prop and i’ve never seen anything like it!  You’ll see it in a sec…

Dean’s carbon copy son.  I almost melted seeing Dean’s kids in ties, were they ever adorable!

Even with winter coming these boys have the most beautiful tanned skin.

Catherine and Dean, working it like true models and looking like it’s cozy and warm when it’s super cold out!

Check out what he’s cruising on…i hope i get this right…it’s a rip stick!  Not a skateboard.  I’ve never heard of these things before but is it ever cool!

These two really knew how to ham it up.  They look so handsome hanging out in the 2nd Cup alleyway!

Bench shot.  Hahaa…you know your creative juices are on hiatus when you start stating the obvious….

With the sun coming up it bounced off the opposite wall and cast a beautiful glow on Catherine and co.

Dean and the boys utilizing the same wall reflection here – with their super tanned skin.

I love this picture.   The kids ran down the hill and beckoned me to follow – and posed themselves.  There were so awesome – well mannered and cute!!  Chickie-pooh here was so cold though that she slipped off her ballet flats and asked if she could put her feet in my Uggs for a while….she’s so sweet.

Dean and Catherine were a blast to work with.  Catherine blinged herself out for the shoot and Dean humored us, joking about firing his agent for not getting him modeling gigs in more warmer tropical climates.  I hear you!  Thanks guys, you were a riot and we can totally see why your kids are they way they are – you’re super parents!  =)

 

Encroaching 30

I chuckled to myself when asked if i were a student at the Photo Expo as i went to pay my entrance fee.  My face looks young, but my body feels as every bit as agile as the Tin Man.  Last weekend Clara and friends took to calling me “Old-Man-Glenna”.  

I woke up Saturday morning completely immobile and my lower back in intense pain.  The chiropractor was kind enough to see me last minute - I don’t know what i did!  I exclaimed to which the chiro replied do you engage in any physical activity?  I look at him, my face completely non-registered.  So I’m pretty much surmising this is a result of a lack of me doing nothing at all.   Rockstar had to help put on my shoes, Clara did all the bending that i couldn’t do, and my younger sister and Ed basically cooked and practically hand fed me.  

It hurts to stand, sit, bend-over, twist, walk, sleep…I take my youth and mobility for granted.  Thank goddess for modern medicine:

After a weekend of popping advil and smelling like a medicine cabinet, i vow to do yoga once i’m back in commission.  And once i get my lululemon outfit together.  =)

Ben & Pam Engagement Session

I got an email a few weeks ago from Pam asking if she and Ben could pose for a couple’s shoot.   Emails were exchanged about what to wear and what to bring with Ben’s intermittent interjections about what to do with HIS make up and potential modeling career.  I knew it was going to be a fun shoot – Ben is super animated, laughs at everything, Pam is super chill and up for anything – together they make a fine couple.  At the beginning of last week Rockstar emails Ben and Pam with a CONGRATS and cc’s me…and I’m all confused.  What’s up with the congrats?!  to which Ben replies, could you turn your shoot into an engagement session?  I was stoke!

We decided to shoot @ Prince’s Island Park.  I thought that was where Ben proposed, but it was the start of an evening that eventually led to the proposal!

They said they were up for anything, so i made them dance!

Can you see Pam clutching a stuffed monkey?  They brought Benny-Bear-Monkey which was given to Pam by Ben so that he could keep her company while he moves down to Houston first.  Sweet huh?

I told them to lie down on the grass…they were most compliant, even though their bottoms were getting really damp from the am dew!

They look so good!

This shot was taken by our trusty 2nd shooter, Edward Lee here capturing Pam’s winning smile.  More of his shots to come…

Ben stopped running…

Working the foreground/background pose…

Beautiful bride to be!

Good timing on the proposal, the fall colors were totally in our favor.

It was getting a little breezy so leaves were snowing everywhere.  We also got our 2nd shooter to shake up the trees a bit!

The afternoon sun was getting a little glaring so we decided to take a break and head out to Inglewood.  Costume change!  Loved Pam’s sweater. =)

Our 2nd shooter was also the fashion consultant and put together Ben’s outfit.

Inglewood has lots of character…a bit of urban decay if you will.

At this point Ben and Pam were naturally posing themselves – which i love.  The couple in their own element!

Ben teasing Pam, naturally…!

While i got pooped on by a pigeon and had to beg the diner to let me use their bathroom to clean up, Ben and Pam were still hard at work outside the diner…

And after four hours of fun, this was the last shot of the day – grande finale!   I spoke with Pam the next day and found out modeling is hard work, she most deservingly zonked out the rest of the afternoon.  Congrats you two, it was a privilege to photograph you.  We’ll miss you when you’re down in Houston – all the best!

Props to our 2nd shooter, Edward.  =)  Thanks for matte-tifying  their faces and shaking the trees to create the autumn feel in our photos!