Play.

Oh blog! Forgive me for my lack of posts lately. It's been a full week of work/school, and a weekend of play. JD and Michelle were in town this weekend. It's their very first time in San Francisco so we got to pretend like we were tourists while showing around actual tourists. I'm not gonna lie, I love playing tourist in my own city. Sara even came along so all of us had a great time. They flew back to LA this morning, and I spent the rest of my day sleeping. No joke, I was asleep for most of the day.

But anyways, here are some photos from yesterday.

JD & Michelle enjoyed seeing the Golden Gate Bridge.

Chris and Sara laughing about something on the trolley

Chinatown was packed with people for the moon festival.

JD's first time on the trolley. I'm pretty sure it was his favorite part of the day. His expression tells it all.

I took this while the trolley was moving. I'm talented, and I love Chris and Sara.

Hope you've had a fabulous weekend!

Things I can do everyday.

*Watch Friends

*Eat Tuna

*Take Photos

*Edit Photos

*Look through bridal magazines

*Read Jasmine Star's Blog

*Eat cupcakes (but I don't)

*Smile

*Laugh

Here's a sneak peek of Sara's shoot! Happy Tuesday!

Happy Weekend!

It feels like it's been forever since I've blogged. Time is precious around here. Especially because I'm in school. I wish I could spend all of my time taking pictures, editing, and blogging. But I simply can't. Not at this moment in my life at least. I'm at the end of my college career, and I can't wait for it to end. Because then I'll be able to take pictures, edit, and blog as much as I'd like :)

I did ask my bff if I could take pictures of her. I've been so stressed with school that I needed photography therapy. So we did that last night. Those are coming up.

Other than that, it's school, wedding planning, and photography :) Life is good.

Happy Weekend!

To you, From Me.

"How do you know what it feels like to kiss a grouper?" I asked. He replies, "We had to kiss them in college as a part of our fraternity initiation." I laughed and told him he was full of bologna.

I don't know where he comes up with such ideas, but it's one of the many things that I absolutely love about him. His weird sense of humor matches mine. Sometimes we have the most ridiculous conversations about nothing. But it all ends the same, in laughter. He has a bump on his hand very similar to a mole, but not dark. If pressed against my hand, lands on the exact same spot as my mole. It's perfect. He chews differently when he eats cereal in the morning. It's cute and always makes me smile. His passion for life and his drive for pursuing passion is nothing but inspirational to me. Because of him, I am not afraid to follow mine.

He has no idea Im blogging about him. At the moment, he is dancing in the kitchen while eating string cheese. There is nothing else I'd want to see. I'm laughing out loud, but not at him. If my laughter were a song, its lyrics of love would bring a smile to someone's heart, just as he brings a smile to mine. He is my inspiration, my all, my love, and my future husband.

What Julia is to Paul, Chris is to me. "The butter to my bread, and the breath to my life"

Passion or Equipment? (The Story)

The other night, I was told something that really ticked me off. Here is the story...

Mr. X just got engaged. Mr. X and I are good friends. Mr. X actually inspired me to take on photography because he taught himself, and I figured if he could do it, I could too. Anyways, we were g-chatting the other night and I jokingly asked if I could take his engagement pictures. He replied with a "Yes, and No." He later says "I'd love for you to come out and take pictures of us. But she's going to want a real photographer, someone with equipment not passion." At this point of the conversation, I said "Ok, well congratulations!" Then I signed off.

I'm surprised I didn't cry after he told me this. Then I realized that I didn't cry because I know I'm better than that. I know I have a lower end canon, but the only reason I have it is because I had no idea about photography when I bought it. I wanted to buy it for fun. It's my first camera, give me an effing break. It's not like I don't rent the higher end canons for my shoots to give my clients better quality photos. I know, this.

Also, I take pride in my photos. I may not be the best photographer in the world, but I know that my photos are great because of my passion. In all honesty, if I had the best equipment in the world and absolutely no passion for photography, I know my photos would look terrible. Why? Because there is no love, no passion behind it. I believe in my photography, and I want nothing more than people to look at it and feel happy, love, and passion. I want it to be seen and felt.

So say what you want Mr. X, but there will be people out there who'd love for me to take their photos.

I needed to vent. Thank you blog.

Portraits: Iris MacCarthy

With her, it's always a first meeting. Even so, I'm still greeted with a warm smile every single time. She is Iris MacCarthy, Chris' grandmother. It's a guarantee that I'm laughing whenever I'm around her because she is f-u-n-n-y, funny! She and I become best of friends when I try to help her with her crossword puzzles. But I find it absolutely hilarious when she tells me that I'm wrong :) Then she compliments me on the shoes that I'm wearing or the ring on my finger. In the end, we're BFF's again.

Oh Iris, you are such a wonderful lady. I'm glad I had the chance to take these beautiful portraits of you. Chris and I love you, and I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Tied Knots: Rachel and Frankie (Sneak Peek)

A couple of months ago, I checked out the events section under gigs on craigslist. There was an ad from a girl asking for a cheap photographer to photograph her wedding. All she wanted was someone who'll be able to provide all of the photos for her on a disc. She even said "if you're looking to get experience, contact me." And because I was looking to get experience, I contacted her.

Early Saturday morning, Chris and I headed out to San Jose to shoot Rachel and Frankie's wedding. (Chris was my second shooter for the day. So cute!) I thought I was young for being engaged at 23, but Rachel is only 20 and Frankie 21. It was a small wedding, but it was everything they wanted. I am so thrilled to have had the chance to shoot my very first wedding on my own. But I am even more thrilled to have done this for Rachel and Frankie on their special day. Congratulations!

Rachel and Frankie: The Newlyweds!

Ok, I'm twisted and totally kidding. This is actually Rachel and her younger brother, Robert. This picture is too cute for words. I just had to post it. Enjoy!

Engagement: Jay and Jessica

It was by far the hottest day in San Francisco. Normally, I would praise the heavens for sun in the city. But because I was shooting Jay and Jessica, I wasn't very fond of the brightness that the sun was giving out that day. Aside from all the sweating, and extremely bright natural lighting, Jay and Jessica were absolute supermodels. (sans the attitude)

It's obvious that these two are a very attractive pair. But besides that, Jay and Jessica complete each other. Jay is very relaxed, calm, and chill. Jessica on the other hand is excitable, cheery, outgoing. Together, her excitement and his calm energy blend into a perfect mold that is their relationship. It's such a beautiful thing!

Jay and Jessica, thank you for hanging out with me in the heat. I enjoyed every single moment of it, and I hope you did as well :)

Passion or Equipment?

Blog readers,

What makes a hardcore photographer? Passion or equipment?

Let me know.

G.

Love: JD and Michelle (Part 2)