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2013 Feb 2

Darling… You Are Enough

Ok, for those who know me or had conversations with me, knows that I am a lover and not a hater (ha!). No, seriously. One of my pet PEEVES is when I hear a woman tearing another female down. I lack the eloquence of words to truly express my thoughts on this … and then one day I stumbled upon these 2 AMAZING articles (see below) that expressed perfectly what was in my heart. That was the beginning of my love affair with Darling Magazine whose slogan truly encapsulates how I live:  ”The Art of Being a Woman”.

I love that they break down the article categories into the different personas that defines the different parts in us. You have to go and explore their site to truly understand why I *LOVE *LOVE *LOVE this magazine/blog. I have always wanted to be a catalyst for change in the “culture of a women’s world”. And here it is, Darling Magazine starting the wheels in motion to making it happen (as seen in their Kickstarter Video). It’s a movement for true inner confidence, a sense of self and acceptance of our own flaws (and others’) with grace and humility. It’s also bold to not shy from mentioning the spiritual realms, in acknowledging God (the bigger picture beyond this physical world) in their articles. And below is probably the best mission statement I have read!


You can also purchase their digital or print subscription here.
As mentioned above, these were the 2 articles that made my heart sing:

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And if you love this, you will also love Making Things Happen, started by Lara Casey, another HUGE INSPIRATION of mine. So huge that I am working with her right now on the revamping of my business and brand… Be prepared with a new look and site coming late Spring! I am soooooooo excited and soooo overwhelmed but sooooooo ready!!!
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Bre lyn sessions - These are great articles, thanks for sharing! Love the idea of what DARLING is promoting.

2013 Jan 8

Boudoir….

I always get asked “What is a boudoir shoot?” Well, I wouldn’t be doing it justice by saying it makes a great gift for him. Because it can be so much more. “Boudoir” is literally defined in the dictionary as a women’s private sitting room, or as defined back in the 1700′s as “a room where a lady may retire to be alone, a pouting room”. I laugh at that old definition and how women have come a long way in society from having a place to “pout”. But some believe in order for women to be empowered, they must dress like a man, act like a man and be void of emotional vulnerability. I could not disagree any more. The female creature is wonderfully and beautifully made. We have a softer side and sensual side that defines our gender. Isn’t it more empowering to embrace ourselves, our curves or lack thereof, our scars, our build, our faces that are not symmetrical, our weaknesses… and make those our beauty and our strengths?

Having a boudoir session, can be like a place to retreat… but not to pout, rather to embrace… to celebrate who we are, how we’re made and being ok with our femininity and desirability. Having shot so many, I see how even the look in my client’s eyes are transformed after a shoot. They stand taller and float as they walk because we have just pulled out of them that inner vixen that they weren’t aware existed.

But I do want to clarify, that embracing your sensuality is not the same as using it to demean yourself… thinking that’s the only way a man would desire you. That is temporary desire and that is not what I am talking about. It’s digging deeper into your soul and pulling what you believe is true and love about yourself… because that is what shines and that is what becomes the deep rooted kind of desire that not only you will have for yourself, but will draw others to have for you as well. We are human and we long to be desired and accepted. And that is ok.

I am actually inspired from doing these shoots to want one for myself. Why not appreciate where I am now, before I get along in age and before the children come along….

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2012 Dec 28

Founder of Orphan’s Future Alliance is Engaged!

When Thai-Anh & I sat down in the East Village over Macha green tea, our conversations did not start with wedding talk. What should’ve been a client meeting to discuss wedding details turned into something more along the lines of “life aspirational” conversations.

Thai-Anh and I share a common bond & goal which is to always find ways to empower women. We both love mentoring young women in giving them the tools & guidance to create a successful path for their future. Thai-Anh inspires me as she is a “make it happen” kind of women. Not only does she volunteer in a mentorship program for girls but she has also founded a non-profit organization called Orphan’s Future Alliance (ORFA) which provides education for orphans in developing countries. There are tons of organizations out there that provide daily needs and necessities for orphans. What ORFA does is provide these children with an education to give them a better chance at an independent life after leaving the orphanages. In speaking with Thai-Anh, there was such sincerity of heart to want to improve life for these children and a passion for philanthropy that makes me re-evaluate what more can I do to make a difference in this world. I even love that Thai-Anh gave me great advice for my own my business because she “wants to see a woman business-owner succeed”.

I thought this is an appropriate post to end the year with as the Holiday Season wraps up and the spirit of giving tends to fade away with the ornaments and the lights… As 2012 comes to a close and we look ahead to the endless possibilities of 2013, I hope that you resolve to find ways to give and make a difference (big or small) in someone’s life in the new year…

Below are images from the recent engagement shoot I did for Thai-Anh and her wonderful fiance Elvir.

I really enjoyed hanging with Thai-Anh and Elvir as they goofed around in the New York City’s early morning… and they didn’t stop even when it started to rain. 
Thai-Anh has a twin sister, Chau who is also on ORFA’s Board of Directors. Chau came along to serve and help her sister carry stuff. Watching the interactions between the two sisters made me miss having my own sisters around. In the Image below, Chau was scrolling through images of wedding dresses to show me the finalist that Thai-Anh is contemplating on.

Make-Up done by Nam-Vo. Dress by Monique Lhuillier.

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2012 Dec 12

Looking at the End of 2012…

Happy 12.12.12
Wow this year is almost over. My goal before the end of 2012 is to add 1 more full wedding post on this site… In looking at the amazing list of weddings from this year made me a bit overwhelmed with too many different options to choose from.  So many beautiful brides, so many wonderful emotions and so many funny/love-filled moments I had the honor to witness and document.

So cheers to nearing the end of 2012 as we are on 12.12.12.

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2012 Nov 30

PREVIEW | NEWPORT R.I. | Chasing the Sun

Dream a little Dream… My heart has not stopped palpitating out of control as I finished this edit.

This Bride had her heart set on a beautiful sunset scene. But with her venue being on the East Side of the Island… A little creative timing allowed us to venture over to the West side and how worthy it was in chasing that sun. Can’t wait to post about this wedding!

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2012 Oct 18

MARRIED | Erin & Brett

I have been meaning to blog about this wedding to fill you in on the details and experience. But can’t seem to find the time right now. Sad face. Hope you enjoy the slideshow till my schedule slows down a bit. In this wedding, the guests do a flash mob to “All the Single Ladies” which was hilarious!

Click on Image below to View Erin & Brett’s Highlight Slideshow (May take a few seconds to load):


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vencanice blanche - Pink shoes, amazing idea. The bride is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Jaclyn - Thanks S.A.L for posting this beautiful wedding. I love the gray scale of the bridesmaid dresses, the pop of color in the shoes. Also the hidden surprise that the bride is in on it! It’s all in the details and your photography captured all these little inside jokes. I don’t know Erin or Brett, but I feel as though I went to their wedding and had a fantastic time. Congrats to them and you for capturing these memories!!

2012 Sep 29

A LITTLE SURPRISE….

Sometimes I like to surprise my couples with a little fun to make their wedding special or different. I brought 2 sparklers (left over from my own wedding) for Susan & Jun to do a “good night” shot. It’s usually a shot I like to do to end the event with, sort of like the grand finale shot. Since I shoot my weddings like a story, there has to be a beginning, middle, crescendo and grand finale.  Also for venues that I have shot at several times over such as Blue Hill At Stone Barns, I always try to come up with ways to make it different from the last time I shot there. So adding a sparkler scene to this venue was just the perfect touch to end the night. Plus if you can’t already tell from the picture, Susan looked so happy as she bursts out in laughter (like she did the whole day!) and Jun looked like the world’s most content man, looking at Susan as if she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Man I love what I do!

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vencanice blanche - Wow, what a nice photo. This couple is so happy, we can see that.
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