Hanh Nguyen - Photography

A Little Preview

2012-02-05T22:20:00.001-08:00

Here a little sneak peek of some of the things I have been working on! Stay tune for a full blog soon!

LC + Licette's engagement session in LA

A bridal shoot at the Mission in San Juan Capsistrano

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Engagement Session Giveaway...

2012-01-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

***UPDATE*** Angie from Angie Hair and Makeup has collaborated with me to provide hair and makeup to the giveaway winner!!! :)

Are you or a couple you know engaged? Well if so, I have some awesome news to tell you. Hanh Nguyen Photography is giving away an engagement session to one lucky couple! You can nominate yourself or your friends!

The winning couple will receive the following:
- 2 hour engagement session
- DVD of images
- 16 x 24 print
- Hair & Makeup by Angie

How to enter!
- Head on over to the Hanh Nguyen Photography Facebook page and click "Like"!

- Send a picture of you and your fiance with your proposal story to info@hanhnguyenphotography.com with the subject E-session Giveaway. (100 word maximum for your story.) Your photo and story will be uploaded to Hanh Nguyen Photography Facebook page under the album "Engagement Giveaway".

- [UPDATE] The last day to submit your photo and story will be Feb. 10th at 11:59pm.

- On Feb. 13th, I will post all the contestants' photos and stories. The couple with the most Likes will win the engagement session. You can tell all your families and friends to Like your photo. Voters MUST also Like the Hanh Nguyen Photography Facebook page for their vote to count and sorry, comments will not be considered as a vote.

- Voting will end on Feb. 20th at 11:59pm

Rules:
- One entry per engaged couple. Couples outside the SoCal area can still submit as long as traveling cost will be covered.

- Session will take place in LA or Orange County unless travel costs are covered for an engagement destination.

- The session expires Feb. 20th, 2013.

- The session will be featured on the blog.

- By submitting into the giveaway, you are allowing Hanh Nguyen Photography to use the your images for our website, blog, print material, and advertising.

Last but not least, Facebook is not sponsoring, responsible or anyway associate with this giveaway. All content will be provided by Hanh Nguyen Photography.

Hao + Thuy | Married

2012-01-25T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last month, I had the pleasure of second shooting this beautiful wedding with Phi Nguyen from Cine Studio Photography.

The wedding day started with a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony followed by the wedding ceremony at Hue Quang Temple in Westminster. The day was filled with fun and laughter, but the wedding party was ready to REALLY celebrate as the day went on. And when it was finally time for the reception, you can tell the bride and groom were ready too. Hao and Thuy went all out for their reception, decking out their venue with wall-to-wall drapes, pin lighting at every table and purple up-lighting. The place looked gorgeous! The perfect atmosphere to celebrate with your loved ones.

Thanks Phi for letting me come and shoot with you!

I can't forget about the Christian Louboutin!

The ballroom at the Hyatt in Costa Mesa was transformed to an elegant reception!

Snyder & Arradaza's Family Session

2012-01-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

Kirk contacted me to photograph his family when he was back home from the Army for the holidays. Kirk has been in the army for 3 years and during his service he has been to Iraq, OIF and OND operations and is now currently based in Georgia and he wanted to do something special for his mom, since they haven't taken any family pictures in years.

When the day finally came, I met up with Kirk and his family and I was immediately able to see all the love they had for one another. They were all joking around and you can tell that Kirk's mom was enjoying every moment of it. She was so proud of both of her kids and truly cherished the time they had together. Soon enough, they will be together again!

Kirk, it was great spending part of the day with you and your family and I'd like to thank you and all the soldiers out there for sacrificing yourselves to protect and serve our country.

Well, here are a few of my favorites from their family session!

During the session, Kirk was stopped by many people thanking him for serving.

Alainea + Ruben | Married

2012-01-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

This past summer I helped second shoot for Christina Chico from Christina Chico Photography at her cousin's, Alainea, wedding.

Here are some of my favorites!

The happy family!

Emmanuell + Susan | Married 11.6.11

2012-01-04T23:31:00.001-08:00

A couple months back, I had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding on the Electra Cruises with the dynamic duo, Drexelle and David from D. Park Photography and I have to say it was so much fun working them. At the beginning of the day it was raining cats and dogs, but lucky for us the sun finally came out and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Emmanuell and Susan's wedding was very fun and intimate. They were surrounded by their closest family and friends and had a celebration to last a lifetime.

Thanks Drexelle and David for allowing me to come out and work with you guys! I had an amazing time and can't wait do this again!

Well, here are some of my favorites from the day. Tell me which ones are yours. :)

Cheers to 2012

2012-01-01T23:35:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that 2012 is already here. Looking back at 2011, it has been an exciting year for me both personally and professionally. I married my best friend, took a leap of faith by quitting my daytime job to pursue my dreams and photographed my first wedding. And of course, with any ups there are always downs, but I have learned that sometimes you have to let life take its course and see where it takes you. Lucky for me, I have a great support system I can always depend on and couldn't ask for better friends and family. Thank you to everyone that has made my 2011 a memorable one. Thank you for all your support and love and Hanh Nguyen Photography wouldn't be what it is without each and everyone of you. Love you all!!!

Well, I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store. Stay tuned for a new blog coming up soon!

Happy New Year!!! I hope 2012 is going to be a great year for everyone. Live, love and laugh with each other! Cheers to 2012! :)

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Linh | Senior Portraits

2011-12-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

Meet Linh, she's a beautiful senior at Bolsa Grande High School (the same high school I attended many years ago, go Matadors!).

A few months ago, Linh and I were talking during a family function and she was telling me how excited she was to become a senior and be nearly done with high school. Talking to her about this made me reminisce about how exciting it is to be a high school senior. Oh, I remember those good old days. The anticipation of graduating and the fear of not seeing your friends again, you really felt like your whole world was changing.

Well during our conversation, I suggested that I would love to document such a big and special time in her life. So we took some senior portraits so she could always remember this big moment. Congrats Linh on all your accomplishments and I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for you!

This is my first senior portrait and I'm very excited!

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Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:46:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope everyone is spending their Christmas with love ones, eating a lot of good food and getting everything you want this year. I'm enjoying my first Christmas as a Mrs. hehe :) Happy Holidays!

Mini Christmas Giveaway

2011-12-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

With Christmas just a few days away, I just couldn't help but to get into the spirit of giving. I thought giving away a little prize would be a great way to say thank you to everyone who has supported and shown me love through this year (and it's been a pretty eventful year for me). So to show my thanks, I'm giving away a $20 giftcard from one of my favorite store to shop, Forever21! Forever21 is a great place to shop if you are looking for something fun and that won't break the bank.

This is how you can win: go to Facebook, like my page (if you haven't already) and leave a comment on the page. That's it! I will announce the winner tomorrow. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Daniel + Amy | SoCal Wedding

2011-12-20T23:10:00.000-08:00

Back in August, I had the pleasure of photographing Daniel & Amy's wedding at the Martinelli Winery in Livermore, CA. A couple of months ago, they held a second ceremony in SoCal so that their extended families could attend. This ceremony was held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (a special place to me as this is where Don and I got married as well) and it was definitely fun to be able to photograph there. In contrast to their wedding back in August, this wedding was a lot more laid back and relaxed. Daniel and Amy just wanted to have a good time and celebrate with their family.

And thanks to Mike & Alicia for second shooting for me.

Gorgeous photo from Mike!

Amy wore a gorgeous traditional Vietnamese dress called an Ao Dai during their table greeting.

Ceremony | Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Reception | Seafood World
Hair & Makeup | Phuong Anh Nguyen
Photographer | Hanh Nguyen Photography
Assistant Photography | Mike Gilgren & Alicia Vaughn

Keith + Kady | Married

2011-12-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

I met Keith and Kady through Christina from Christina Chico Photography. I didn't get a chance to get to know them as much as I usually do with my couples, but the thing that struck me most about them was their calm demeanor. On a day where most couples are nervous and anxious, Keith and Kady were just excited to be getting married and celebrating with their families and close friends. Congratulations Keith and Kady, I wish you guys many years of happiness and a beautiful marriage!

I'd also like to thank you two for trusting me to photograph your special day on such short notice. I hope you enjoy the pictures. And thank you to Aimee for second shooting! Like always, we had a good time!

Featured: Le Magnifique

2011-11-17T00:09:00.000-08:00

You may have remembered Amy & Daniel's bay area engagement session that I posted a few months back. Well...it was just featured on a wedding blog - Le Magnifique!!! This wedding blog is all about beautiful, pretty, and chic weddings for all type of brides and I am so honored and excited that they featured Amy & Daniel's engagement session! This is my very first time my work has been featured on a blog, I'm beyond ecstatic! (Doing the happy dance! haha)

Much love to Le Magnifique for the feature!

Also, if you want to get updates and etc. on facebook, click here and hit like!

Rich + Andrea | Just because

2011-11-14T16:05:00.000-08:00

I love when couples want pictures taken just because. A lot of couples like to take pictures after getting engaged or for an anniversary. But why wait? It's so much fun capturing couples who are simply in love and are smitten with one another. Andrea and Rich are one of those couples.

Rich has been wanting to take pictures with his Andrea for some time now. However, Rich recently moved back to Florida, so he and Andrea have been doing the long distance thing for a few months now. This past September, Rich came back to California for a friend's wedding in September, so it worked out to be the perfect time for some couple pictures as well! Both Andrea and Rich love the beach, so we naturally went to Laguna Beach for their session. Rich and Andrea, you guys are awesome together and will be seeing you guys hopefully soon. :)

Rainy day...

2011-11-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to some light rain and just wanted to stay in my warm bed all day. Something about a rainy day that makes it a lazy one. On a day like this, it's perfect for a bowl of Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup, and if you haven't had it, you're missing out) that will keep you all warm inside. Luckily, I made a big pot of it the other day and still had leftovers. It was perfect!

So here is my homemade Pho Ga (Chicken). Enjoy your rainy day, stay warm and keep dry! :)

It's Fall...

2011-11-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well, it might not feel like fall in Southern California yet, but I look forward to layering up and cuddling in bed watching a chick flick. I love it when I go to places and see the leaves on trees turning to a different color (even though they don't really change here in So Cal). The arrival of fall also means that the Holidays are just around the corner. And if you like clothes, like me, fall collections are just so pretty as well! There's just so many things I enjoy about the fall season.

Happy Autumn and enjoy the season.

Oh, and here's a picture that I took while I was in Seattle last month. There's something about it that just screams fall to me and I love it. :)

Happy Birthday & Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween and Halloween is not the only thing we're celebrating at the Dangs, it's my husband's birthday!

Here's a picture of us, as Batman and Robin for Don's superhero birthday bash!

Tony + Anna | Married 7.30.11

2011-10-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

All you need is love... Anna and Tony got married back in July and their wedding was absolutely beautiful! I second shot this wedding with Aimee from Aimee Tran Photography and I'm so happy that she asked me too.

Anna and Tony had everything set for their wedding to take place at the church that Anna and her family have been attending for years, but with only weeks before the wedding date, a fire tragically burned the church down. Faced with such devastating circumstances, Anna and Tony refused to let the situation ruin their special day. The two continued on with their plans and got married at the church's recreational hall. There were no pews. No grand organ. No stained glass. Not even an alter, but all of that didn't matter. Anna and Tony had each other and their loved ones on their big day and they couldn't be any happier.

Throughout the day, Anna was just beaming with joy and did not look nervous one bit. And once it was time for the priest to announce that they were man and wife, she somehow got even happier as she looked simply overjoyed to be married to Tony! They threw an intimate reception at Anna's aunt backyard and it was the perfect setting. Anna also had a big surprise for her groom, she serenaded him and it was the sweetest thing ever. There was not a dry eye in the place. (Oh and Anna you have an AH-MAZING voice!)

Congrats to Tony and Anna! Here are some of my favorites from their special day!

All the bouquets and boutonnieres were handmade origami flowers made by Anna's friend! So unique and pretty!

The dress was design by Anna and the cool thing is that it's a convertible dress.

Anna, you're absolutely GORGEOUS and beaming that day!

Aren't they just cute or what?

The newly weds with all of Tony's sister.

Anna serenaded "Baby, I'm yours" by Barbara Lewis. I cried while taking pictures. It was beautiful! The song was still in my head weeks after the wedding too. haha

Our Honeymoon

2011-10-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

In the midst of planning our wedding, Don and I talked about where we wanted to go for our honeymoon. I definitely wanted to go somewhere tropical, where I could just lay in the sand and not have a care in the world. We debated between a few different spots, but at the end we picked Bora Bora and it was the PERFECT place. I highly recommend this place to any honeymooners! The customer service is exceptional and super friendly and the view is breath-taking. We stayed at the Le Meridien Bora Bora and one of the great things about it was their turtle sanctuary, a lagoon in the middle of the resort where you could swim with turtles!

The clear water, soft sand and amazing view definitely makes Bora Bora wonderful honeymoon spot. It was the trip of a lifetime and also a perfect start to our marriage.

Happy to be on our honeymoon.

Fresh mango ice cream! Perfect for the humid weather in paradise.

There's always a wedding taking place at the resort at sunset. So romantic!

And off they sail into the sunset.

Kiet + Kim | Engaged

2011-10-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

Kiet and Kim met through mutual friends six years ago and have been dating ever since. Kiet is serving in the army, so much of their relationship has been long distance. But when Kiet came home for the holidays last Christmas, he was ready to propose to the love of his life in front of their families. She said yes (obviously) and now they are busy planning for their wedding this coming June.

Kiet was home for a short amount of time and we were able to squeeze in their engagement session before he had to leave again. We started their session at the beautiful Venice Canals and ended at the nearby beach. Thanks Kiet and Kim for a fun session. And thanks to Mi, Kiet's sister, for coming along as well and helping out! After the session, we had some delicious Vietnamese food. Thanks Kiet and Kim for dinner.

One of my all-time favorite pictures!

Sunday Morning

2011-10-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to go to an antique flea market for awhile now and finally had time to go this past weekend with one of my girlfriends, Mai. We went to the Long Beach Antique Market and it was so much fun walking up and down the aisles, browsing through what everyone was selling. There were toys, clothes, furniture, gadgets, all sorts of fun things. You name it, they got it! One person's trash is another person's treasure, right? I came in wanting to buy some fun decor for my future office space and came home with some really neat things.

Oh and when you go, don't forget to bring some sunblock and a rolling cart for all the goodies you're buying! I learned these lessons the hard way.

I remembered playing with something like this growing up. Unfortunately, I don't know what this toy is called.

Some of the treasures I found and came home with. Cool, huh? :)

Baby Zak | Family Portraits

2011-10-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

Adorable baby Zak will be turning one tomorrow and his parents wanted to commemorate the occasion with a first birthday photoshoot. So for the session, I met up with Zak and his parents, Tiffany and Frances, in a park in Huntington Beach for an afternoon photoshoot.

Zak was such a little trooper as he beared the chilly breeze without much of a fuss the entire time. And near the end of the shoot, he was rewarded with a treat as Zak got to experience cake for the first time. When his parents first put the cake down in front of him, he seemed a little cautious. But after a few small samples, it looked like Zak was liking what he was tasting as he started to go in for some handfuls. It wasn't long until his hands and face were covered in blue frosting. So cute!

Zak has just started to walk a few days ago!

He was happy to be turning one! :)

Love this picture of them.

Happy birthday Zak!

Siblings | Portrait Session

2011-10-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

I don't have kids of my own yet, and I can't wait for the day until Don and I become parents, but being an Aunt to these three kids has been a joy. Kevin, Kenny and Kayla (16, 12 and 8, respectively) are one of my closest cousin's kids and I was honored when she asked me to be Kayla's godmother. I have been there for them since the day they were born. I've seen them grow up before my eyes and can still remember the days of changing their diapers, rocking them to sleep, and looking after them at the house. The kids would always come over for slumber parties to watch movies, play games and just hang out. Now that they're getting older (I can't believe Kevin is already a junior in high school!), it's been so hard for me to no longer view them as kids. I'm trying my best, but I still have a hard time hearing Kevin talk about girls!

Kevin, Kenny, Kayla, I love you three so much and can't imagine not having you guys in it.

Isn't see adorable! Love her to pieces!

What's going on?

2011-10-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

So Don and I have been a married for almost 5 months now (time is definitely flying by!) and we've been busy doing some traveling and slowly turning our place into a home. Last month, we went to Chicago and we recently came back from a trip to Seattle. I will be posting about our travels in another post. So keep an eye out for that.

Here at Hanh Nguyen Photography, there are some exciting new things on the horizon. I've been working with a friend on a developing a new blog site (along with a new logo and branding effort) and can't wait to launch it in the beginning of 2012!

In the meantime, here are a few sessions that I have been working on and will be hitting the blog soon!

My niece and nephews.

Andrea + Rich | Just Because

The Trans | Family Session

Zak's 1st Birthday Session

Ea Family | Family Portrait

2011-10-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

I have known Racheal since high school and I remember being in English class with her and having her and our other classmates over to my house for Mr. Anderson's book assignment. Those were the days when all we had to worry about was school and friends. Now fast forward to the present, we're all grown up! I'm married and she has a beautiful family with 2 girls, Sammy and Rylie. The last time I saw Racheal and her boyfriend, Ue, was at the beginning of the year at our friends' housewarming party and at the moment she was pregnant with her second child. So when she contacted me in the beginning of August to photograph her family, I was excited to finally meet her baby girl!

Racheal and Ue, I had so much fun hanging out with your family and catching up. We need to grab dinner soon! I hope you guys love the pictures! <3

I LOVE this picture of Sammy & Rylie! So cute and innocent!

Melinda + Tim | Married

2011-09-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks back, I second shot for Melvin from Melvin Gilbert Photography. It was certainly a beautiful day for a wedding. The wedding ceremony and reception took place at El Adobe de Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano where Melinda and Tim tied the knot in front of their family and friends.

Melinda and Tim did their first look at the Mission. It was a beautiful background for portraits afterwards! I was super excited inside when I found out that they were doing their first look here because I have been dying to photograph a couple at this location!

They had a cute, choreographed dance mixed in with their first dance.

Blue Shoes.

2011-09-27T22:50:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I plan to post more personal and fun stuff about the things I love.
This will be the first post.

So, what girl doesn't like shoes? Dolce Vita makes some very sexy one. Don't you agree???

My Fair Lady Pt.2

2011-09-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

The other day I posted the first session from Tonya Joy's workshop, a family photoshoot. Today, I return with the second half from that day, a couple session.

The couple session from Tonya's workshop was so absolutely gorgeous that I'm still swooning over how beautiful it was. I really loved all the details. The outfits, tablescape, bouquet and accessories were just dreamy and fit the theme perfectly! Tonya did an amazing job styling this session.

Thanks to Tegyn & Darren for being such amazing models for us! You guys were wonderful to work with and were looking HOT!

Wardrobe change!

The tablescape is just beautiful period! Love it!

I LOVE all details!

My Fair Lady Pt.1

2011-09-19T23:22:00.000-07:00

A month ago, I attended a wonderful workshop by Tonya Joy! The theme was My Fair Lady and it turned out to be everything I had hoped it was.

As I was driving out to Riverside for the workshop, I was super excited to see what Tonya had in store for us. I mean, from the looks of her previous workshops, it was going to be oozing with awesomeness! Tonya is an amazing photographer. She opened up her business and heart to a room full of ladies in the industry and I believe it has made me a better business woman and photographer. I came home so inspired that I couldn't sleep that night.

Tonya had two styled sessions for the workshop and the first one was a family session featuring the Wulfemeyers. The second session will be coming to the blog soon, so stayed tune. But in the meantime, enjoy the Wulfmeyer family!

Heather, you're GORGEOUS!

Warren is such a cutie!

Michelle + Cesar | Engaged

2011-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

These two met way back in high school and are finally going to be tying the knot a year from today! After spending a day with these two, I was able to see why they're meant for each other as their love for one another was evident and it spills out to their families and friends as well. Cesar proposed to Michelle in front of their family and friends at a Christmas party in 2010, so it is only natural that they will be playing a big part on their wedding day.

When choosing out a location for their engagement shoot, Cesar and Michelle wanted to incorporate another passion they share, wine. So what better place to go than a winery? With its beautiful landscape, South Coast Winery provided the perfect backdrop for their session. Plus It's one of their favorite winery!

Michelle, you're going to make a beautiful bride!

Daniel + Amy | Married

2011-08-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

I've been so excited to share these pictures of Amy and Daniel's beautiful wedding ever since I came home from their Livermore wedding at the Garre Winery's Martinelli Event Center.

The wedding was just perfect and fitted them to a tee. Amy and Daniel's wedding went off without a hitch and every moment was so sweet and touching. Their wedding was a labor of love as well, with most of the decor being done by Daniel's sister, Anna and the bride herself!

Amy and Daniel, I am so honored to be your friends and that you chose me to document your special day. Also, a special thanks goes out to my friend, Connie for assisting and second shooting with me that day.

Sorry, I couldn't narrow it down, so this post has a lot of pictures! Enjoy!

Amy & Daniel opted to do a "First Look" and I'm so happy that they did because it allowed some time to take wedding pictures!

Amy, you look AH-MAZ-ING!

And Daniel agrees!

This was Connie's view.

First kiss as husband & wife!

Their first song was to Blake Shelton - Honey Bee sigh....

Aren't these the cutest caketoppers you've ever seen! Anna hand-painted them! So crafty!

A choreographed dance by their family and friends.

Jenna + Travis | Engaged

2011-08-22T00:33:00.000-07:00

Jenna and I used to work together and when she contacted me about photographing her engagement session with her fiance, Travis, I couldn't resist!

Jenna and Travis first met in high school, but were just friends. It wasn't until several years later that they would reconnect and have been together ever since. So for their engagement shoot, they wanted to start it where it all began, Costa Mesa High School, and we ended the session at a near by park.

While we were walking through the campus, Jenna and Travis had a blast, as they reminisced about their days in high school. They revisited the spot where they hung out and checked out where their classes used to be, (somehow, everything looks so much smaller now that they're older).

It was nice going back to where they met and reliving those happy memories as they prepare for their future together.

David + Ly | Expecting

2011-08-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

One of my dearest friends are expecting! You may have seen David and Ly on my blog a few times before (here and here). Well they have been happily married for over a year now and will be welcoming their first child very soon! They can't wait for his arrival and I am so excited to meet little Brayden as well!

It is absolutely amazing to see friends go through life as we grow up together. Being able to document it for them is such an honor and brings me so much joy!

And here is an ultrasound of Brayden!

Happy Thursday!

2011-08-18T15:51:00.001-07:00

Today is not just any Thursday, it's National Cupcake Day! So indulge yourself with a yummy cupcake on this hot summer day! Pass the milk :)

Yvonne + Leo | Engaged

2011-08-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

I had such a fun time hanging out with Yvonne and Leo while taking their engagement session in Laguna Beach. The sun was out and the weather was nice, a perfect day for a session.

These two lovebirds met when they were in pharmacy school and have been smitten with each other ever since. While hanging out with them, they really made it easy for me to capture their love for each other in these pictures. They were being genuine the entire time, laughing and enjoying each other's company, and it really shows up in the pictures.

Thanks Yvonne & Leo for allowing me to capture your love!

We got gelato ice cream!

The Trans | Family Portraits

2011-08-04T17:13:00.000-07:00

I got the pleasure of photographing the Tran family again this year while they were here on their family trip, but this time it was a little different. There was an addition to the family, baby James! It was definitely nice to see their family getting bigger.

I hope to photograph their family portraits again next year and see how much the boys have grown!

Anh + Dung | Trash the Dress

2011-07-19T23:39:00.000-07:00

My first Trash the Dress session and it was such a blast! The newlyweds, Anh and Dung, were ready to have some fun and literally trash the dress as they came equipped with bottles of paint. Once Anh got over the fear of getting paint all over her beautiful wedding dress, they were both able to let loose and just enjoy their last time in their wedding outfits. Thank you to Peter from Icons Photography for letting me come along with him on this session!

Amy + Daniel | Engaged

2011-07-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

2001: she was a freshmen, he was a resident assistant, and they met at a game night at the dorms. They briefly dated that year, but nothing serious. A couple of years later, they met again in August 2004 as both just so happen to be out celebrating at a popular college bar, Blake's. Amy was celebrating her 21st and Daniel was celebrating his last day of LSAT classes. They reconnected and have been inseparable ever since. Fast forward a couple years and they're now happily engaged and eagerly planning their wedding.

So it was only appropriate to have part of their engagement session be at the place that they first met, Cal Berkeley! Go Bears! (My husband is an alumnus and LOVES the Cal football team!) As we were walking around, Amy described all of their great times they shared together on campus. It was so sweet to hear and see where their journey began. As for the rest of their session, it took place around different parts of the Bay Area. San Francisco is so beautiful, I just love doing photoshoots there!

Amy & Daniel, I can't wait for your upcoming wedding next month!

I LOVE these next few pictures. Daniel used to play for Amy on these steps.

Isn't she gorgeous?!

Hair & Makeup - Margie from Salon Mia Bella

Thao + Theresa | Married

2011-07-08T23:40:00.001-07:00

Thao and Theresa were college sweethearts when they were attending UCI and have been together ever since. For most of their relationship, they've lived a few hours away from each other, but their love for one another kept them together. Distance could not keep these two apart and now they're together as a happily married couple. Theresa is an outgoing and fun-loving girl and Thao is a calm, collected and laid back guy, but they are a perfect match! Like peanut butter and jelly!

Thao and Theresa got married in sunny San Diego at the Mission Basilica San Diego De Acala and their beautiful outdoor reception was held at the Japenese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.

Congrats Theresa and Thao!

I didn't photograph their wedding, but did photograph the portrait session and it was at the Old Town San Diego.

I love the centerpieces and all the details at the wedding! All the centerpieces and bouquets were by Flowers by Helen.

OC Photog Shootout | Gypsies

2011-07-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to be attend another OC Photog Shootout and it was so much fun! The theme for this shootout was gypsies. Super cute! It took place at The Tangled Vine in San Juan Capistrano and all the leaders and models were awesome to work to with. I made friends with some great photographers and definitely learned so much! Thanks to Hanssie for putting together such a fun shootout!

Model: Rachel Amara

Model: Blayke Ashley Harker-Fuller

Model: Kristin Keating

Model: Tami Montgomery

Model: Devon Shanahan

Model: Maisha Lassiter

VENUE: The Tangled Vine http://www.thetangledvineonlosrios.com/

LEADERS:
Matthew Saville - www.matthewsaville.com

Erin and Gavin Wade - www.gavinwadephoto.com

Pye Jirsa - www.linandjirsa.com

Joe Barnet - www.barnetworkshops.com

Salvador Ceja - www.studioceja.com

Corina Shauntele - www.photogsunleashed.com

VIDEO: Kiera Faye and Joshua Voelker of Jakfoto Productions - www.jakfoto.com

STYLISTS:
For Models: Heather Skelton - www.thesoundoflace.blogspot.com

For Tablescapes/Venue: Kaylee Sizemore - http://www.twoworldsphotographyandart.com/

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

Makeup –
Jeanette Pulecio - www.jennettepulecio.com
Heather Renee - http://www.mirroredimages.org/

Hair -
Diego Ortega - http://DiegoOrtega.net

Assisted by: Kristen Macchio

Special thanks to the sponsors of our giveaways:
UNDFIND www.undfind.com
Kelly Moore Bags www.kellymoorebags.com
Pixel 2 Canvas www.pixel2canvas.com
Spwebbooks www.Spwebbooks.com
Kelly Moore Bag www.kellymoorebag.com
Kubota Image Tools www.kubotaimagetools.com
Barbour Backdrops www.kubotaimagetools.com
Photographer’s Unleashed One2Ones www.facebooks.com/unleashedworkshops

Bolsa Grande 10 Year Reunion

2011-06-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been 10 years since I've graduated from high school (I'm so old!). For me, high school was so much fun. So when it was time to plan our reunion with my fellow class officers, I was definitely looking forward to re-living some old memories. And after a few meetings and months of planning, we organized our 10 year reunion at Mon Cheri and it was so great seeing old faces and catching up with everyone that was there. There was a lot of familiar faces, amazing prizes, lots of dancing and, of course, drinking! It was a great turnout and when the night ended, our class was already asking when is the next party.

Thank you to everyone that made that night such a fun event! See you guys in another 10 years!

Venue: Mon Cheri
DJ: Temo

Sophia + Chris | Engagement Party

2011-06-24T00:41:00.000-07:00

I'm back!

Sorry for the long hiatus, but the last few months have been amazing! I quit my office job, went on a few trips, and best of all, I got married!!!! But I'm back, fully charged, and ready for some great, new things for Hanh Nguyen Photography. First and fore most, I promise to be blogging a lot more. Starting ... now!

In the midst of all the wedding planning, I had a few opportunities to photograph some great events, including Sophia & Chris' Engagement Party. The had an intimate, traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony with their families and closest friends. During the ceremony, I got to see how perfectly their personalities match each other. Sophia and Chris both have an interest in fashion, which you can immediately tell based on their outfits that day. Their attire was super stylish and just right for this special occasion.

Congrats Sophia and Chris! Thank you for letting me photograph such a beautiful day!

Aaron + Kasey | Engaged

2011-03-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Engaged and in love, simple as that! When you meet the one you just know. And Kasey knew Aaron was the one when he made her feel special and loved when they were apart. She knew he was it. It wasn't long till Aaron popped the question and asked his girl to be his wife and they will be getting married in 2012.

This engagement session is particularly special for me because it took place in Arizona (Yay, my first destination shoot! How awesome is that?!). Plus, Arizona also has a special place in Kasey and Aaron's hearts, it's where the got to know each other, where they fell in love and where they now call home.

An additional bonus is that I've known Kasey, formerly known as Chau, since elementary school and because of facebook we have reconnected. Yay to facebook!

I want to thank Aaron and Kasey for their hospitality and showing Don and I around town!

Kasey, you're looking gorgeous here!!

The Marchbanks Two

2011-03-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago, I had the pleasure of photographing the Marchbanks. Back then, it was Jerry, two-year old Jared, and Kim, who was about six months pregnant at the time. You could check that session here in case you forgot. And this past month, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to photograph them again. Except this time,they had a new, adorable addition to the family, baby Connor. Enjoy!

Can't forget about Dusty!

What's in store...

2011-03-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

February was a super busy month and I am truly bless to do something I absolutely love.

Here are a few previews of what's to come...

Danica & Mommy | Portraits

2011-03-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

Melissa wants to capture every precious moment in her sweet daughter's, Danica's, early years. And when Danica's 1st birthday was soon approaching, she contacted me with an interest in doing a daughter and mommy session so that she could savor all the great memories.

Melissa mentioned how fast children grow up, one moment you're taking them home from the hospital and next thing you know they're starting to walk and talk. I don't have any kids of my own just yet, but just the thought of having a mini Hanh or Don running around like cute little Danica will be awesome one day.

Rafay | Newborn

2011-02-20T18:31:00.000-08:00

It's always such a pleasant surprise to reconnect with friends from the past! I knew Bobby from high school and haven't seen him since then. When he contacted me in December through good ol' Facebook to photograph his soon to be born son, Rafay, I was ecstatic. From the beginning of January, I would get regular updates from Bobby's wife, Iram, about her pregnancy. As the due date got closer and closer, I waited patiently to hear some good news and finally on January 17th, baby Rafay decided to it was time to come into this world!

Here are a few precious moments that I captured of Rafay and his parents!

Randy + Jessie | Engaged

2011-02-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's day everyone! And what better way to end a day of love with an engagement session! Here's a couple that is so in love that the whole time we were shooting they couldn't keeps their eyes off each other.

Randy and Jessie met at a friend's wedding a few years back. He was the best man and she was one of the bridemaids. Who would have guessed that they'd be walking down the aisle again years later, except this time as bride and groom.

I have known Jessie for awhile now and she is a bubbly, sweet and beautiful person and Randy is definitely lucky to have found such a wonderful girl to spend the rest of his life with. When I asked Randy what did he love must about Jessie, his response was "she's my best friend, she lights up my life and I have fun everyday with her". I melted when he said that and got all gushy inside! I am beyond excited for their upcoming wedding and am honored to be documenting their BIG day!

Tony & Darlene | Married

2011-02-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time coming for Tony & Darlene to finally get married. Darlene is actually one of my dearest cousins and I was beyond happy when she told me that her and Tony were going to tie the knot. Tony proposed to Darlene three years ago at the Eiffel Tower when she was studying abroad! So romantic, right? And now they are husband and wife.

Here are some pictures that I took while attending their ceremony. Enjoy and congrats Darlene and Tony!

The Nguyen Family | Family Portrait

2011-01-30T20:52:00.000-08:00

I had such an amazing time photographing the Nguyen family! I have gotten to know them lately, since Danny is one of my friend's brothers. One of the things I love about the Nguyen family is that Danny and Phuong are big time foodies. My kind of people! But most of all, they absolutely adore their little man, Hunter, to pieces! Phuong is gentle and motherly with Hunter while Danny is goofy and playful. The perfect combinations! So when Phuong asked me to photograph her family, how could I resist?

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T22:56:00.000-08:00

Aiden Lin | Newborn

2010-12-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

Aiden Lin is the latest addition to the growing Lin family. And oh, was it a joy to photograph this charming twelve day old boy! He is the second child of Hong and Tino, who I met through a close friend.

During the shoot, Aiden was such a little trooper, only crying when he needed to be fed. His older sister, Emma, was screaming and running around the entire time but it didn't bug him at all. And in the midst of all this madness, Hong and Tino were so calm, attentive and loving to their kids that it gave me that mushy feeling inside. It makes me anxious to have my own kids after Don and I get married!

Preview of things to come...

2010-12-14T21:15:00.000-08:00

The Marchbanks | Family Potraits

2010-11-27T16:11:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are officially here and this is definitely my favorite time of the year. Time for family get-togethers, dinners with friends and trying to stay warm in the crispy cold air. Oh, and it's also time for adorable family portraits like this one!

Kim and I are co-workers and when she approached me about photographing her family, I knew I was going to have so much fun! Kim wanted to take pictures at the pier in Huntington Beach because her adorable two year old son, Jared, loves the beach. When I met up with Kim (who's expecting another baby boy), her husband Jerry, and Jared, they were all dressed in their matching outfits and ready for the session. Especially Jared, who was smiling for the camera and screaming out "Cheese!" any time I asked him to look in my direction. The most adorable thing was when I asked Jared what his favorite cartoon was and he responded "Football!!!". He definitely made his dad very proud.

A real treat from the session was when Kim and Jerry had Jared change into a sailor outfit that has been passed down for generations. His Great Great Grandpa wore it when he was Jared's age and so did his Great Grandpa and so on! Isn't that cool or what? I love it when the client incorporates something personal into a photoshoot. I can't wait to pass something down to my kids some day.

Jerry & Kim, congratulations on your growing family and I had so much fun hanging out with you guys and Jared. Can't wait to meet baby Connor!

La Collectique

2010-11-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

My super talented friend, Dureen, is in the early stages of opening her very own online vintage boutique, La Collectique. I was honored and beyond excited when she asked if I would help her create a lookbook. And Dureen is not only selling the clothes, she's also showing you how great they look by modeling all the clothes herself.

Dureen, I had so much fun hanging out with you all afternoon and girl, you totally rocked the shoot! Can't wait to see your boutique up and running!

La Collectique that will be opening very soon and all of these outfits will be available to purchase. I just can't wait!

Kelly + Chad | Rancho Las Palmas, Palm Springs

2010-11-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday morning and I'm on my way driving out to Palm Springs. As I passed the familiar family of windmills, my excitement started to build. I was excited because I got to assist on a wedding with Marielle! And even though there were light showers sprinkled across Southern California, it was still a perfect day for a wedding at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort.

Kelly and Chad got married during a gorgeous outdoor ceremony overlooking the desert mountains and palm trees in front of their families and dearest friends. Their personalities really showed in their vows as they joked about their gym regiments and the end of their long distance relationship. And soon after that, they were all on the rooftop for the sunset reception and celebrated late into the night!

When the dancing and toasting were all done, I hopped in the car with Don to head home but just couldn't get over it. This wedding just reminded me of how much I really enjoy photography. I was blabbering the entire ride back about how much fun I had and how I really enjoy capturing the moment. I just couldn't stop smiling! I was that excited! I love what I do! I LOVE weddings and everything about them! I want to capture it all. I'm so happy that I've found something I love to do and thank you Marielle for this opportunity.

There's just something about this picture that I just LOVE!

Trick or Treat

2010-10-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween is definitely a fun time for everyone. I enjoy seeing friends get creative with their costumes and kids getting excited to get dressed up to go out trick or treating.

Happy Halloween everyone and happy birthday to my main squeeze, Don! Also, be safe out there!

My friend's niece. Isn't she the cutest witch?!?!

Keith + Rosemary | Married

2010-10-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to help with this wedding with Patrick from P.Binder.Photography. I met his wife, Holly, at a WPPI seminar in March and a few months ago I got an e-mail from Patrick asking me if I was interested in assisting him at Holly's cousin's wedding in California. I was more than happy to help.

10-10-10 ... a day to remember for Keith & Rosemary! On October 10, 2000 they became an item and ten years later to the day they became husband and wife. WOW! What a way to start their new lives together. Surrounded by their family and close friends, the day was full of joyous tears and a lot of laughter.

It was a great experience shooting this wedding. Thanks Patrick and Holly and congratulations Keith and Rosemary.

They had a tea ceremony right after.

Aren't they a good looking group of ring bearers and flower girls?

SoCal Photog ShootOut

2010-10-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

This post is long over due! In August I went to my first Shoot Out with my friends Alicia and Mike from Andie Rae Photography and boy were we nervous! We didn't know what to expect or who we would meet, but we knew that we had one another and an amazing estate that just took our breath away. Once we got into our small groups, we found out that all of us were there for the same reason. We all wanted to learn something new and to take amazing pictures. The theme for this event was housewives meet Lady Gaga. Fun, huh? So here are a few of my favorites from that day.

Thanks to everyone that made this day run so smoothly and fun! Can't wait for the next Shoot Out!

Andrew & Amy | Lafayette Wedding

2010-10-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting to blog about this wedding for months now, but I like to blog things chronologically so it had to wait. At the beginning of the year, Connie Sithi asked me if I would like to assist her with a wedding in August and of course I jumped at the opportunity. I mean, I LOVE weddings and to document one was a dream. So when the day finally came and I was in the Bay Area, I was ecstatic! I just couldn't wait to meet the bride and groom, see all the details and take some pictures. I was in heaven....

Andrew always knew Amy was the one for him since the first moment he laid eyes on her in high school. He told his family and friends that he was going to marry her one day and that day finally came on August 14. The day was full with love, laughter and tears of joy. I'm so happy that I was able to assist Connie document this day for them and wish the couple many years of marital bliss!

All You Need is LOVE

2010-10-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Today, Don and I celebrated our TEN year anniversary! Yep, ten years! A whole decade of my life with an amazing guy and I can't believe that we've been together for that long. It didn't seem long ago that we were going to each other's high school dances and attending college, but when you're having fun, time always flies by, right?

Happy anniversary babe! I can't wait for us to grow old together and call you my hubby soon! I love you!

A picture of us at our engagement party!

Lanh's Bridal Shower

2010-09-28T23:29:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of August. The weather is gorgeous and it's the perfect day for an all white bridal shower affair at the beach. Lanh's wonderful bridal party did an amazing job putting this wonderful event together. Seriously, these girls could be event designers! Everything was thought out to the T and the event was just beautiful. All the by standers thought a wedding was going to take place, that's how nice it was!

And this particular location was just no ordinary beach, but it was where Lanh's fiancee, Vu, popped the question a year ago. So it had a special place in both of their hearts. Understandably, Lanh was very emotional and happy to see all of the great women in her life to celebrate her last few days of singlehood. And after the food and a few games, her bridal party had another surprise up their sleeves. They had arranged Vu to come out and surprise Lanh with a mock-up dream wedding. And was she surprised! They exchanged some heartfelt words and there was not a dry eye in the house. I was trying to keep it together myself, but it was so hard! I can't help it. When I see two people so in love and about to share the rest of their lives together, I get all teary eyed! I'm such a hopeless romantic.

Lanh and Vu got married a month ago! Congrats to the happily newly weds and I wish you guys many years of happiness!

Game time!

The amazing ladies behind the whole event!

Mr. & Mrs. Vu Ho

Karen Quyen Chu | Just Because

2010-09-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

I love my friends. Karen has definitely been one of my longest friends and has always been a great supporter in my life. This is a special shoot because I got to photograph one of my close girlfriends. YAY!

Karen wanted a very classic and youthful photoshoot and I hope I was able to achieve it. I tried to keep things simple, with a little hint of vintage elements. Hope you all like the pictures!

Oh, and I almost forgot, the wardrobe styling was done by the ever so talented Kailee Nguyen. Thanks Kailee!

I LOVE this picture of Karen! So dreamy, huh?

2010-08-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

Last month, I had the opportunity to work with a couple of my talented friends on a collaboration photoshoot. Maida did an awesome job on the hair and make-up while Kailee did an amazing job on styling the models. I had a fun time during this casual photoshoot because it just felt like hanging out with a bunch of girlfriends. We were laughing, cracking jokes and just having good, old-fashion time.

If anyone is looking for a talented make-up artist or stylist, feel free to contact me for Maida's or Kailee's information.

These are some of my favorites, what's yours?

John + Desi | Engaged

2010-08-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

So sorry for not blogging for almost a whole month. I've been super busy and finally had a chance to sit down and blog. I can't wait to share with everyone all the things I have done in the last month or so. And I have to say I can't believe that August is almost over and the heat is finally here. Enough about me and lets get to tonight's post!

Desi is a coworker of mine and her and her fiance, John, have been together for 14 years! Yea, you heard me, FOURTEEN! I can't say enough great things about these two. They understand each other, laugh together and they have an adorable dog name Chewy! You guys will meet him soon. Well, without further ado here is Desi and John!

Coronas | Family Photoshoot

2010-07-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

Liset and I had been discussing taking pictures of her daughter, Crestela, for some time now. Whenever she was free, I would be out of town and when I was available, she'd be busy. After months of trying to schedule a photoshoot, we were finally able to get on the same page and ended up doing a complete photoshoot of not just her daughter, but the entire Corona family as well.

We took some pictures of Crestela in her adorable nursery and shifted to a near by park for the family photos. And although Crestela was a bit fussy and had very little interest in posing for the camera, Armando, Liset and Isaac were great models and I think the pictures turned out real well.

David + Ly | Anytime

2010-07-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

A love story that started back in high school ...

David and Ly have been together for over ten years and these two love birds just tied the knot two months ago. I am honored to call these two my friends and was flattered that they let me take these pictures of them. It was so easy to photograph them because they're still in newlywed bliss and so much fun to be around.

David and Ly, it has been great knowing you guys all these years and I can't wait to see everything that life has in store for you guys. Maybe some babies in the next few years??? :)

Aren't they just cute?!

Their inner models unleashed.

A little Teaser...

2010-07-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

I've been a little backed up with my blogging lately, mostly due to all the wedding planning, but here is a sneak preview of my last two photoshoots. The first two are of the Corona family and the last one was part of a collaboration among talented friends this past weekend. Enjoy and see you guys soon!

Our Engagement Session

2010-06-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

As many of you guys know, I got engaged last year. Since then, Don and I have been busy planning our wedding while also enjoying our engagement. A few weeks back, we took our much anticipated engagement pictures with my dear friend, Connie. Let me tell you, I am just smitten over the pictures and absolutely LOVE them! Don and I were so nervous before taking these pictures. I'm much more accustomed to being on the other side of the lens, but Connie made it so much fun! Connie, thank you for capturing such beautiful pictures for us.

A special thanks goes out to Kailee for styling our outfits, Dureen for doing my beautiful hair and Mark for being a great assistant to Connie!

Here is one of my favorite pictures from our session!

Check out the rest of our engagement session and some more of Connie's great photography work at her blog!

Jayden's 1st Birthday

2010-06-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

A clown, train rides, caricatures and even Elmo were all there! You would think that I'm talking about a fair or circus, but it was all at Jayden's 1st birthday. Jayden is the adorable son of my friends Kevin and Linda and the first grandbaby for both families. So a BIG party was a must.

While planning for the grand event, Linda did not hold back. She went above and beyond to throw the best party possible. She made sure that the party was fun for everyone, from the babies to the grandpas. Now that is a good party! And to top it all off, Linda did all this while being pregnant with her second child. Wow, can you say SUPERMOM?!?!

Don and I had lots of fun and a big thank you goes out to Kevin and Linda for throwing a great 1st birthday party for Jayden!

Jayden and Elmo.

All abroad!!!

Isn't this an amazing cake or what?

Sneak Peek | David + Ly

2010-06-21T23:13:00.001-07:00

It's the official first day of summer and I want to kick it off with this steamy preview of David and Ly as husband and wife!

Remember to come back soon to see the rest of this session.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there!

Trans | Family Photoshoot

2010-05-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

Family photoshoots are so much fun. It's great seeing parents being so loving while the little ones run around making funny faces. The Trans are no exception.

Tran, Dat, and William are here from Florida to visit their families and friends. And in the midst of their two week stay, they made time between the graduation, Disneyland, the zoo, Sea World and the baby shower to squeeze in a family photoshoot. Oh ... did I say baby shower? That's right, they will be expecting an additional family member in a few months! Tran is expecting baby #2 and they already have a name picked out for the little guy ... James. Congrats to the Tran family and I can't wait to meet baby James! We definitely need another photoshoot once James pops out!

Isn't he a cutie? Definitely he'll be a heartbreaker later on.

Such a beautiful looking family!

Trans | Family Teaser

2010-05-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to post this teaser. A lot more images of the Tran family to come!

Have a great weekend!

Engagement Photoshoot | Donnie + Tien

2010-05-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

I've been friends with Tien for quite a few years. When she first introduced me to her new boyfriend, Donnie, almost three years ago, who would have guessed it was going to evolve to this? Tien said they were taking things slow at first, but when the guy drives out to Vegas by himself to bring her forgotten driver's license, you sort of know this might be something serious.

Donnie proposed to Tien last December during an intimate dinner date and they've been enjoying the engagement life ever since. When they approached me to photograph their e-session, I was more than happy to capture this joyous time in their lives.

After debating about the photoshoot location for a bit, we ultimately decided to do it in and around Chapman University, Donnie's law school alma mater. So we gathered up some props and headed to Orange for a beautiful photoshoot.

I hope you like it & congrats to Donnie and Tien!

Sneak Peek | Donnie + Tien Engaged

2010-05-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

I know it's been awhile since I last posted, but things have been a bit slow lately. However, business is starting to pick up again and here is a little tease of what's in store from my latest photoshoot!

Spring has sprung...

2010-04-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and is in full bloom! Wow, I can't believe it's already April! I love Spring, with it's blossoming flowers and birds chirping in the morning. Plus, the sun sets later and I finally get to run outside again. Orange County is beautiful in the spring time and we are truly spoiled with some of the best weather around.

To celebrate the change in seasons, Don and I headed to The Flower Field in Carlsbad to check out the acres of blooming flowers. It was a lovely Sunday as crowds of people swarmed to the fields to check out the first blossoms of the season. We strolled through the colorful grounds, soaking up the sun and enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Southern California. It was the perfect end to a relaxing weekend.

And if you want to check out the ranunculus and other flowers there, they'll be in bloom until about Mother's Day. Don't forget your sunscreen!

A sea of ranunculus!

Engagement Photoshoot | Tina + Alekhine

2010-03-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight's post is an extra special one. Not only is it with two dear friends of mine, but it's also my very first engagement photoshoot! Woot woot!!!

Alekhine and Tina, it all started innocently enough during a snowboarding trip with mutual friends. Tina caught Alekhine's eye first, but she was no easy catch. Tina wanted to concentrate on school and was not looking for a boyfriend, but love had other plans. Alekhine was persistent and Tina eventually gave in. They went on a coffee date and not too long after that, became an item.

This past Thanksgiving, Alekhine popped the big question and they are now planning a beautiful wedding this Novevmber. And in the midst of all this, they recently became homeowners. YAY! So what better setting to photograph their engagement than their new home?

I can't wait for their wedding in November and to be a part of it is such an honor! Congrats to the happy couple!

One of my fave from the session.

Isn't she going to be a gorgeous bride or what?

Cake-Pops

2010-03-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

I have a sweet treat for you this Wednesday afternoon.

So a few weeks back, my good friend, Cheryl, told me about these great dessert items that would be perfect for a wedding candy bar. She said they're called cake-pops and basically, they're exactly that, cake popsicles.

When Cheryl initially told me about them, I thought it was a unique idea but didn't give it much thought beyond that. That was until a couple of days ago when Cheryl stopped by with a surprise, two cake-pops! They come in an assortment of flavors and Cheryl got me a red velvet and cookies n creme. There's just two words to describe them, YUM-MY!

The cake-pops were so cute that I just had to take some pictures before devouring them. If you want to try some yourself, check out CAKED Los Angeles.

Teaser | Alekhine + Tina

2010-03-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

Over this past weekend,I had the opportunity to photograph my dear friends, Alekhine and Tina, at their new home. Here is a teaser of what is in store!

Newborn Photography | Troy Alexander Don

2010-03-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

I am ubberly excited to be posting about little Troy Alexander Don. I could not have asked for a better client for my very first newborn photoshoot. He was so delicate and precious, it just melts my heart into tiny pieces. I just love how he curls up into a little ball and looks so peaceful.

Baby Troy is the adorable, lovely child of Tran and Trevor Don. When I arrived for the shoot, the proud parents were so excited to show off their 12 day old son. Yep, he's less than 2 weeks old! He was such a great little baby, barely making a peep the entire time. And the few times he did, Tran was able to soothe him with her motherly voice and he would be calm. Incredible! It gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling to see the bond between a child and its mother. Trevor and Tran could not keep their eyes off their son, being so attentive to their little "Snuggle Bug". Tran and Trevor, you guys are going to be some awesome parents and Troy is one lucky boy!

Special thanks to my friend Mai, Tran's parents, Thu, Monica, ~~Robert~~ Ryan (my apologies!) and baby Ginger for helping out, having fun and making it a fabulous photoshoot for the Don family!

I just have to say that I absolutely LOVE this photoshoot! So excited!

Troy and his cousin Ginger. Isn't she CUTE!?!

Sneak Preview | Troy Alexander Don

2010-03-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

OMG! I cannot wait to post the rest of this fun and amazing NEWBORN photoshoot that I did today. I was originally planning to post this sneak peak in a few days, but I was just too excited. So here is a hint of what will be coming soon from the rest of this shoot.

Portrait Photography | Dr. Le

2010-03-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing the smart and beautiful Dr. Le. I am good friends with her younger sister, Connie, and we've gotten to know each other better since Connie's wedding last year.

Dr. Le approached me awhile back to take some professional headshoots for a conference she will be attending in Chicago and, of course, I was more than happy to oblige.

Here are some of my favorties from the session.

Will + Diana

2010-03-02T23:24:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, Don and I went to San Francisco with our good friends, Will and Diana (which I blogged briefly about here). While there, we visited Napa Valley and the wineries created such the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot that I had to do one. So I convinced Will and Diana to "model" for me in this impromptu shoot. Thanks for being such great sports, guys!

Don and I have known Will and Diana for years now. Don was good friends with them in high school and I got to know them through him. Nearly ten years later, they are still two of our dearest friends and will be part of our wedding party next year. Love you guys!

Will and Diana have quite the history together, as well. After a back-and-forth courtship that lasted half a year, they finally got on the same page and started dating back in 2002. That's right, they've been together for eight years! But for some reason, they've always teased Don and I for being being together for sooo long. Even though we've only dated a year longer than they have.

But the two of them together make one of the most adorable (and tallest) couples around. They're so playful around one another, bringing out each others childhood innocence. Always getting into playful wrestling matches, these usually end when Diana gets hurt. They just love being together. C'mon, what other couples sit together in the backseat of a car with just one person driving in front by themselves?

Thanks for letting me photograph you two and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Sneak Peek | Will & Diana

2010-02-24T22:34:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak peek of my mini-photoshoot with my friends, Will & Diana.

Mini Vacay

2010-02-21T21:52:00.001-08:00

I'm BACK! Sorry that I haven't blogged in awhile, but I've been busy with the holidays, family get togethers and the rainy weather definitely makes it hard to have photoshoots. I do have exciting news though ... I'm engaged!!! Check out Connie's blog for photos of the proposal (While you're there, take a look at her other work as well. She's AMAZIING! Connie Sithi Photography).

Well, a couple of weeks ago, Don and I took a mini vacation to San Francisco with our friends Diana and Will. It was a needed a vacation for all of us, so it was nice to get away. During our visit there, we decided to take a ride to Napa Valley for some wine tasting. If you ever go there, you should check out Castello di Amorosa (It's the castle that was on The Bachelor!). It's an incredible place with an amazing view of the mountains.

The rest of the trip was fun and relaxing. We met up with some friends, ate some great food and did some shopping. What else could a girl ask for!

Here are some pictures that I captured from our trip.

A full rainbow. Make a wish!

The beautiful view from the castle.

Beautiful sky!

Me and Don, my fiance. Hehe.

Family Photography: The Rodriguezs

2009-12-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!! And do I have an adorable family photoshoot for you this Chistmas day. I'm so excited to post this session because it was my first chance to take photographs in the SNOW!

Joe and Monique are a young, styling couple and their adorable daughter, Jolie, is as adorable as can be. You may remember her from a previous photoshoot. Well, the family was so happy with little Jolie's photoshoot that they asked me to do a family portrait set.

So the happy family and I went to a near-by mountain skiing resort for some holiday family photos. They were all such troopers, battling the freezing cold to play around in the snow while I captured the precious moments. There were lots of laughs, some snow tossing and one successful photoshoot.

Well, I just want to wish you and your family a happy, merry and safe Christmas. Hope you are all spending time with your loved ones and staying warm!

David & Ly's Engagement Party

2009-12-22T22:13:00.000-08:00

My longtime friends, David and Ly, approached me awhile back about photographing their engagement party. Of course, I accepted and was ecstatic about the opportunity to photograph their momentous occasion. However, I've never photographed an event like this before so I was a bit nervous as well.

David and Ly had a traditional Vietnamese engagement party for their family and close friends. It is custom for both families to meet and accept the announcement of the engagement through a tea ceremony. I tried my best to stay out of the way and capture the special moments of this day.

Up next, I'll be photographing David and Ly's engagement session. So stay tuned for that.

The happy couple.

Boudoir: Ms. Kimi

2009-12-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

Ms. Kimi was my lastest boudoir photoshoot and I have to say that she brought her A game with her that night.

Kimi came in contact with me through a mutual friend and wanted me to photograph her as a Christmas gift for her husband. She was very comfortable with her body and was a natural in front of the camera. I had a great time and it wasn't too long until we had all the images that we needed.

Check out how beautiful Ms. Kimi is in these hot photos from the session.