ami's in LA » Blog

03-28-2012

Farewell

Well, the time has come to say goodbye. Or, well, at least see you on the other side!

Wow, this really sounds like I’m dying, doesn’t it?

Luckily I’m not dying (KNOCK ON WOOD) but I’ve just moved!

To the brand-spanking new ami-martin.com!

There’s a new site there, as well as a new blog, so I’d love to see you there!

Thank you so much for supporting this site, and I hope you’ll like your stay at the new site site even better (I think I might have seen some folded swan-shaped towels and mints on the pillows).

xo ami

no comments

add a comment

03-21-2012

Life in iPhone Photos: An Ode to The Brentwood Country Mart

When I was a kid my family and I spent a lot of time at flea markets. When I lived in Japan, the flea markets were so awesome. Everything was so well taken care of, it honestly felt like you were buying things new. And in some cases they really were new! I would scavenge at these markets, making my way from booth to booth and going head to head with the older ladies who would elbow you over a good deal. I loved finding what I saw as treasures: comic books and stationary and stickers and erasers and all of the things 10 year-olds freak out over.

When I would go to sleep at night my most satisfying dreams revolved around finding the best items and each thing would be 10 yen (10 cents) a piece. It was wonderful.

…I realize now that I sounded like an extreme coupon-er in the making.

But now that I’m older, in my dreams I’m surrounded by food, cafes, gardens full of flowers, plants, vegetables, and fruits, cute tailored (I know, specific) clothing and, well, more food. Specifically desserts. And tea. Clearly I am a person obsessed with the most fabulously simple life possible. If that sounds like an oxymoron, it probably is, but hey, it’s my dream so I deem it possible.

One of my favorite places to go for fabulous simplicity is the The Brentwood Country Mart. If you are in LA and have never been, it’s absolutely one of the places that I recommend visiting. It’s like the Finer Things Club come to life (if you know what I am talking about I am high-five-ing you right now). There is cheese and wine and plants and tea and basically all of my dreams come true. Well, except everything is slightly more than 10 yen a piece.

Let’s start with the succulents. I love succulents. These are from Botany and I love their simplicity and the fact that everything is so thoughtfully displayed there.

Around the corner is Caffe Luxxe, where they brew delicious chamomile tea and Bryan loves their coffee. I love an afternoon spent with tea, Bry, a book on my iPad, and a delicate, delicious chocolate macaron.

More beautiful flowers at Botany.

Super cute facebook and twitter logos on the Sugar Paper windows and I just loved the cover of the Inspired Weddings book they carry at the shop. I love me some blues and pinks.

Farmshop. I’ve talked about Farmshop before but man oh man. They’ve expanded into a market and my head exploded the moment I walked in. It’s so exactly what I think of as food heaven, AND they serve chocolate hazelnut danishes. We literally walked miles when they shut down the roads because of the LA Marathon for a danish. I am either dedicated or crazy or both. Bryan goes along with it so I love him for that.

Cheese. Need I really say more?

Love these tins, even if I don’t drink coffee! And I love the blackboard signs behind.

Just kill me now. Or feed me then kill me.

Rows and rows of only the best foods.

It’s a dream I never want to wake up from.

P.S. If anyone is wondering, I used the CrossProcess app for all of these photos!

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

03-20-2012

Earl Grey Tea & Late Nights

I have a theory that in a lot of ways people are like dogs. In the way that different breeds have different personality types, I think that people also have similarly different personality types. I guess you’d say it’s like Type-A, Type-B personalities, but relating dog types to human types. So, say if I were a dog, I’m pretty sure I’d be an australian shepherd. Loyal, but kind of nuts. If you don’t get them out for enough exercise, they start losing their mind and tearing things up. They can be extremely productive, but also extremely destructive.

Now that we know each other better, hello again, my name is ami and I’m kind of crazy. I also have watched too much Cesar Milan.

But just hear me out.

So because of my personality I generally stay away from things like coffee which only exacerbate the nervous energy that I tend to have. Instead I mostly stick with herbal tea. Lately, though, you’d think I was on drugs. Something illegal, I don’t know, something strong but not to strong? Honestly I couldn’t differentiate between them so let’s just say speed.

Except my speed is Earl Grey tea.

…does anyone even do speed anymore?

Anyway, yeah, that’s how hard core I am. Earl Grey tea. I’ve been caffeinating and therefore staying up until the wee hours of the morning. It’s probably not very healthy, but since I can’t sleep anyway, I’ve found a couple of ways to entertain myself and therefore not go insane (although at this point you’re thinking it’s too late for that).

1. Downtown Abbey. I watched the entire first season in one night. One night! All seven episodes until four in the morning. It had me in its grip from the first episode, where it had me screaming things like, “Oh no he DIDN’T!” It’s like an easier to understand Jane Austin novel with beautiful 21st century cinematography. If you like drama, intrigue, and old-timey talk, this is the series for you. Netflix it! (I know I’ve been pushing Netflix a lot lately, but it’s what I use!)

2. Apparently I’m not alone in my insomnia because other people have been up with me playing Draw Something. This is slowly starting to trump my first love, Words with Friends, which I wasn’t sure could ever happen. You basically are guessing what the other person is drawing from a group of letter tiles. It’s really fun and will have you laughing at the crazy things your friends draw. Here is one of Bryan’s masterpieces:

Interestingly, that’s also what I look like as an australian shepherd at 3am after a cup of Earl Grey. I think I should really lay off the caffeine.

But for fun, what kind of dog would you be?

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

03-19-2012

Shooting Editorially

I really love editorial photography and have slowly been working my way toward shooting more in an editorial fashion. I started thinking about what it would look like to have my images printed and next thing you know I’m mocking up my own layout.

I actually really enjoy the process and look of incorporating text into photography. It helps to tell a story, and it gives context where there might not otherwise be any with just the images. I love how it rounds it all out.

no comments

add a comment

03-15-2012

Keeping the Dream Alive

I really enjoy working with people who are working to break through in the industry. Actors, models, musicians; I love collaborating with people for portraits who are working hard every day to pursue their passion. Maybe it’s because when I first came to LA, that’s what I did, too. I remember getting in my car and driving all around the city to different locations and lots and shady looking back-alleys. I auditioned and did extra work and honestly, it didn’t get very far (sad but true!) But it was still one of the most fun, exciting, and interesting times of my life. It’s funny because sometimes now I’ll turn on the TV and see people who I knew back then who are making it now. People who others said wouldn’t. It’s crazy, and awesome, and it makes me happy that they kept at it and are now reaping the rewards.

Keeping the dream alive.

Meet Milli Moto. She’s a model, singer, and actress. A triple threat! Milli is one of those people who you look at and one moment looks so sweet, but the next she looks like she’d take you out. Her versatility made her so fun to shoot, and I think it’s what will ultimately make her very successful. She’s definitely one to watch!

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

03-12-2012

Being Elmo

Hi friends! Happy Monday! Last week I was on vacation, and on our way to Napa it seems I caught the flu and am still getting over it. Not fun, but since I’ve been confined to the couch, I’ve been catching up on all of the titillating episodes of The Voice, The Real Housewives, and The Shahs of Sunset.

I know. We all have our vices.

Hey, it can’t be all life-changing and world saving all of the time, right?

So anyway, before we left for vacation I did watch something non-Reality centric that I really loved and I think everyone should see! I think some of you already may know that I am a big fan of everything Jim Henson and the Muppets (I was that 20-something year old in the Bear in the Big Blue House attraction at Disney World with the 3 and 4 year olds clapping along. If that is weird to you then we might not get along). So when I saw the trailer for Being Elmo I knew I had to see it.

Being Elmo is the story of Kevin Clash and his dreams of working as a puppeteer and his journey to becoming and ultimately being the beloved Elmo on Sesame Street. It is inspiring, sweet, and at times heartbreaking. For creatives and honestly anyone who has had a passion that they’ve tirelessly pursued, this is definitely a must-see. As someone who is relentless in pursuit of something creative as a career, sometimes it can feel extremely lonely. This film is a reminder that we are all not alone:

Definitely check it out and let me know your thoughts! It’s even on Netflix’s Watch Instantly (I think that’s what it’s called) right now, so you can watch it there too!

no comments

add a comment

03-06-2012

How to not look crazy in photos

Let’s talk about angles. In my last post I talked about how if you have the right photographer, they will not make you look crazy. Okay, those weren’t my exact words. But basically, a good photographer will know how to flatter your face and body, and not deliver photos to you where your expression looks “off”. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes you look at a photo and your face and pose look right, but something about your expression is just weird? It’s that hard to describe “off”-ness that makes us feel like the photos don’t look like ourselves. But that’s a whole ‘nother post entirely.

Today I want to talk about how to flatter your face, even if you’re not a photographer. I decided to use myself as an example, because if I can’t show myself looking crazy, I can’t expect anyone else to, either.

I think we can all agree that the photo above is not flattering. At all. Forget about the fact that I have no makeup on, it makes me look like I have a triple chin. You can count them. There are three. The thing is, I don’t care if you’re skinny or curvy or anywhere in between, it is not a cute look for anyone. I also want to mention that I did not use the Photobooth application that makes your face larger or applied Photoshop or anything like that here. I was simply watching TV, turned on my phone and camera to take a picture because I was bored during commercials. You don’t take photos of yourself during commercials? Wow, weird. Must just be me (yeah, right, don’t lie!).

When I saw the screen, I was just relaxing into the couch cushion and wasn’t intentionally squishing my chin. That’s just how I look relaxed, apparently. I was a bit horrified at first, but then had a lightbulb moment and thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about what makes a flattering angle and what doesn’t.

Here is a photo that I took a few minutes later. I’d like to think that’s more like what I look like naturally. I also think everyone can agree that it is a more flattering photo. But why?

It’s an extreme example, of course, but there are three main reasons:

1. Camera position

2. Posture

3. Chin position

Whether you are taking a photo of yourself or someone is taking your photo, generally for girls the camera at their eye level or slightly above will be more flattering. The higher you go, you would think the more flattering it gets, but a lot of the times your head will just be ginormous and the rest of your body really tiny in a very weird way. So be careful how high you go (the higher you go, the more “Myspace photo-ey” it becomes- you know what I mean).

Posture is important. If you slouch, everything bunches together. So you want to have straight posture to elongate your body.

Chin position. The closer your chin to your neck, the more crowded everything will look. Pushing your chin out slightly and downward (but again, don’t go too extreme or that will look wonky too) helps to create a nice jawline.

These things might be obvious to some people, but it’s amazing how these three concepts can really alter the way a photo looks. Keeping these things in mind, a good photographer will remind you to do these things, and correct them if they are too extreme.

Hope this was helpful!

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

03-04-2012

Have fun, look beautiful, and take great photos

I love portraits. I love them. I can shoot portraits all day every day and twice on Sunday. I think it’s because I really like being with people in an intimate setting. I’ve never been great in big crowds, but I feel like I connect really well with people when it’s just a few of us. I like to laugh and joke and share stories. I like to act silly (full of corny jokes is more like it!) and take photos. It’s just what I love to do.

I know that some people might want to do a portrait shoot but feel intimidated, especially because everything seems to be shrouded in mystery (…ystery….. yestery…) but it is seriously FUN. This is how it all works: you and a friend (or friends! or sister! or mom!) get your hair and makeup done, wear your best outfits, look beautiful, act silly and serious and everything in between, then you can go out afterward because you’ll already look so freaking great! Then you come back to check out your photos, purchase the ones you want, end up with fantastic portraits that you’ll be able to keep forever. What’s not to love?

I remember taking portraits at a department store with my friend Maria our senior year. We were best friends (we still are– after over a decade!), and had become so close and had so much fun together over the years that we wanted to document that time in our lives before each going off to college and work and moving away. I love having those photos, but how I WISH we had somewhere to go to get our hair and makeup done! How I WISH I had known that it was possible to go to a great independent photographer and not to a department store! How I WISH I knew how accessible it was! But, I just didn’t know.

So, you might be thinking: But I don’t look like a model! I need to lose 10 pounds! I look CRAZY when I try to be serious and my eyebrow does that weird… thing. Well, let me tell you something. Even models aren’t perfect, believe it or not. There are birthmarks and moles and a little or a lot of curviness here and there, and honestly we all have those things. It’s all about the light and the angle and the direction you are given. If you’ve got a good photographer, they will show you in your best light. They will know when to angle you and they will LISTEN to what you want. They will bring out your beautiful.

Well IT MUST BE SO EXPENSIVE might be another thought. Here’s the first part of my answer to that: you get what you pay for. Remember that. If you hire a shoddy photographer, well then you probably know what happens next. Here’s the second part of the answer: Personally, I try to make the experience accessible to anyone who values photography. I KNOW what it feels like to want just one good photo of myself. I can’t stand the left side of my face (I’m not even kidding), but I have to tell you, so many people won’t listen to me when I tell them that. It’s weird, it’s quirky, but it’s me. I know my weirdness, that’s why I can understand yours. I do consultations to make sure we’re a good fit, and at that time we go over everything it is that you want out of your shoot.

My sitting fee which includes hair and makeup for two people is $199. After the shoot, we set up a time for you to view your images, and you just buy the ones that you want. The prices for photos range start at $175 for a wall print and goes up from there (I’ll also be introducing some new products in the coming months which is REALLY EXCITING). I’m telling you, these new products are really the best products that I would want in my own hands, on my own table, on my own walls, in my own home. I wouldn’t operate my business any other way.

So, that being said, doesn’t it sound like a freaking awesome time?

If you have any questions, or want to book a session, feel free to contact me using the form on the Contact page. Don’t let us all have fun without you!

Because posts are better with photos, I wanted to share Yumi’s photos from a recent shoot. She looks bananaaaaaaaaas! Doesn’t she?

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

02-17-2012

Life in iPhone photos: February 2012 Edition

Happy Friday everyone! Sorry posting has been a bit spotty this week. I’ve been preparing for WPPI and getting a lot of done around the office. Of course by “the office” I mean the small dining room space that we converted into our office because hey, isn’t dinner more fun to eat on the couch, anyway? And also hanging out in traffic for 2+ hours one way because that’s where all we LA people like to do our business: on the road. Not that kind of business. Wow, that got kind of weird fast.

But anyway! When we haven’t been working, we’ve been taking fun trips to that place they call the outside (sunlight? woah.) to eat, and drink, and also work some more while we are at it. We’re like Australian Shepards in that way, we just can’t seem to stop moving. B on his projects, and me on Words with Friends. Facebook. Twitter. I mean, also on projects! Hey, I get distracted easily okay? I guess I’m a bit like a sheepdog in that way, too.

I also enjoy getting distracted by the soft glowing light of the tv, watching things like my two new favorite commericals: WH-heat Thins and The Netflix Beaver. I’m not generally a Family Guy fan, but that commercial is really cute. And the Beaver reminds me of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox which was freaking fantastic as the name implies.

But anyway! Again! So many distractions! More of the past couple of weeks in iPhone photos:

At the library. Bry is hard core and brings many gadgets with him (like that robot pen). He also usually has headphones on and I’m that annoying person who taps him on the shoulder every two minutes to share the amazing paragraph I just read! It’s so amazing! No, really! Yeah, I should really stick to decaf tea.

Doing what we do best: eat. There’s some butternut squash soup there, with something called a yoga sandwich (it had white bean spread that was really good), a Starbucks iced tea (totally not decaf), and another sandwich (avocado & jack cheese) with sweet potato fries. Bryan also made us dinner one night, whole wheat spaghetti with a marinara chock full of veggies.

Sometimes you just need a dose of reality. By reality of course I mean Reality TV! Yes, I am a Real Housewives watcher. I pour myself a glass of wine, light a candle (obviously necessary) and watch as these crazy ladies claw each other’s faces off. What about that doesn’t say relaxation? Also, the pretty porch lights that we hung on the balcony. I love the way they twinkle at night and just stare at them between commercials. In that creepy transfixed way, of course.

I headed out to Pasadena one day to meet up with a new friend (hi Jaqueline!) at Intelligentsia for coffee. Or, well, in my case tea because I am not a coffee person. Everyone always tells me their coffee is amazing, though, and I will attest that their tea is wonderful and their Nutella danish is sublime. And I’m pretty sure I’ve never used the word sublime to talk about anything. They also have a location in Venice that B and I usually go to, but the Pasadena location is much bigger with lots of seating and they offer lunch too.

You know how I love me a good snack. I’ve been eating these Japanese Karl snacks since I was little (they’re like a less intense puffy cheeto), never noticed that they were labeled “Karl Cheese Flavor”. What does that even mean? Oh, Engrish, you never fail to amuse. I also finally tracked down a Starbucks love cup. I’d been seeing them everywhere and I am a sucker for cute packaging. Speaking of packaging, how about the matching spoon on that Menchie’s yogurt, eh? Eh? And also, ramen at midnight is just sometimes a necessary snack. I cracked an egg in it, of course.

We headed out to Tofu-Ya which is a Korean restaurant on the west side. My tofu soup had tofu and beef. Nice and spicy. I love the way the little plates look.

B was in love. He loves Asian food. Fortunately he ended up with an Asian girl. Well, a half Asian one. You know, that one, the one with the cream puff. Yup, yours truly. Aww yeaaahhhhh.

Finally, that’s Christa Meola on the left, teaching her CreativeLive course. I feel like three out of four of my posts lately have mentioned CreativeLive, but I can’t help it, they’re all great! I guess I’ve been spending a lot of time with them. But hey, it’s not all work, I definitely make time to play. Play some old school Mario, that is! (Look at that freaking adorable dolphin!)

That’s about it from me for this week! There’s also always lots more activity going on over at Instagram (amisinLA) if you want to hang out with me there. Next week, like I mentioned in my last post, I’m heading to WPPI for a photographer’s conference in Las Vegas. I will be live tweeting and Instagramming from there, and most likely won’t be posting on the blog until later in the week. I will see you then! Have a great weekend!

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

02-16-2012

Thursday Think: On Listening

This is a series that I’m calling Thursday Think– It’s loosely based on when I used to work in animation and the studio that I worked at had monthly speakers come in and talk about their experiences. I’ve always found it really interesting to hear about what others have gone through and how they think. My version can get kind of long and wordy, but I wanted to discuss some things outside of just photography. I think it gives a little better idea of who I am and the things that are on my mind. Sometimes they’ll be weird and short. Other times they’re a little longer and more serious. If it’s not your cup of tea, please feel free to just come back on other days for the photos! Either way, thanks for stopping by.

——————————————————————-

Sometimes living in LA it can feel like a fight. A fight to be heard. Everyone is talking over everyone else, and it almost verges on comical how no one is really listening to each other.

But the thing is, I don’t think it’s just a LA thing. I think it’s actually just a people thing. Especially in our society people just want to talk. Talk, talk, talk. About themselves. Bryan and I are definitely big talkers, that’s no secret, and even though we make an active effort to listen to each other, too often it becomes the race of who can get their thoughts out first. Is it healthy? No. Is it productive? No. Does it make either of us feel good in the end? No. In fact, it’s exhausting.

B proposed an idea the other day of each limiting what we have to say to five sentences or less and then letting the other person to speak. That might sound crazy to have to put boundaries on a conversation, but, well, what can I say, even after six years we are a work in progress. The funny thing is, I said to him, “Well, what if I can’t get it all out in five sentences?” He replied, “Why would you need more than that?” I thought for moment before I laughed and said, “Because I like to hear myself talk!!”

That’s just it. Sometimes we are so focused on what WE want to say, that it’s less about the conversation and what we feel we need to get out of our mouths. Because it makes us feel heard, it makes us feel important. It’s a release. The problem is, after a certain point, you’re just the jerk who goes on and on about themselves. No one ever wants to be on the listening end of that. But what would happen if everyone just shut up and listened to the person that they were talking to? Like really listened? I think a few things would happen:

1. The person you are talking to feels that you are really interested in them, and really care about what matters to them.

2. They therefore appreciate you and want to hear what you think, too.

3. You have a stronger bond, and they go out of their way to help and listen too, because they now value you. You make each other feel important, which is something we all need.

Who doesn’t want to be heard? If you are thinking right now, “Well, no one ever listens to me!” then you are missing the point. It’s the magical thing about listening. When you stop being selfish and worrying about yourself so much, and care and put effort into building other people up, it comes back to you ten-fold. The more we listen to everyone else around us, the less we will feel the need to put a megaphone to our lips and the more we build real and lasting relationships.

I think it’s important to remember that most people care mostly about themselves. I think that’s a natural instinct for most all of us. But if you are the one person who listens, you actually become very valuable and it’s also quite powerful. Because the moment you listen is the the moment that people start caring about you because you are one of the few who does. Imagine what that would mean to have so many of those deeper connections with others. I think it would make life much easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

These are all things that I’m experiencing now, and that’s why I wanted to talk about it. If it sounds like I’m on a soapbox, I don’t really mean to be. They are things that personally I never thought about and feel like I’m late to the race in learning. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long, and it’s all honestly really changed my outlook on the way I interact with people. I’m also making deeper connections with them, which feels so rewarding. If you’ve ever struggled in a similar way with your relationships (love, friendships, business, etc) with others and building strong bonds with people, I really hope that you find them useful too.

show hide 2 comments

add a comment

02-13-2012

WPPI 2012

Last year was the first year that I went to WPPI. And was I scared. The truth is, I didn’t even register. You’re probably scratching your head. But it’s true, I didn’t register. I was able to get my hands on a trade show pass and Bry and I drove to Vegas. I told myself that I’d figure it out once I got there.

I had seen so many people online talk about how awesome WPPI was! And how excited they were to go! And holy crap I had to go to! So I did.

But it didn’t quite turn out that way. I was scheduled to work the Shootsac booth, and I did. It was fun, but I was too shy to really try to connect with the people I worked with. I walked the tradeshow floor more than once, roaming in that awkward, aimless sort of way. I moped as I ate french fries in the same restaurant two days in a row. It was sad and lonely, even though Bryan was there, and I was so frustrated. Because I wanted to get to know other photographers but I didn’t know how. How could I have expected to? I was an introvert who hadn’t even registered! The whole experience isn’t really the easiest thing to talk about, and it’s embarrassing to admit to having been so pathetic and unprepared. Especially since when I blogged about it last year, I made it sound like it was so great. It wasn’t. I was trying to look at the bright side of things. Did you notice that almost all of the photos were all of the inside of hotels? That’s because that was my default for not knowing what I was doing– check out the hotels and restaurants.

I know, it’s sad, let’s not talk about it anymore.

The good thing is, I vowed never to do it again. At least not the way I did it that year.

So this year I’m pulling up my britches and giving it another go. Luckily, it’s a year later, and man how things have changed. It’s different now having made friends in the photography community. My technical skills have improved, and so have my people skills (talking to people was always a problem for me!). I still don’t think I’ll be hanging from a chandelier at any parties, but I’ve at least prepared. I know which classes I’m going to, I have a plan to seek out the products that I specifically need for my business, and I’ll be staying with friends who I can geek out over everything with. My only goal this year is to have a good time.

So if you are going, and maybe it’s your first year, I know you’re probably freaked out. But it’s okay. Things are going to be cool. If all else fails, just tweet me and I will be around Monday through Thursday. I know what it’s like to know NO ONE. I’d love to meet anyone and everyone who is around. So we can all not aimlessly wander together.

no comments

add a comment

02-09-2012

Sue Bryce and Kneecaps

For the past couple of days, there has been a car downstairs that revs its engine so hard and so loud when it starts that it sets off a car nearby. It also has the world’s most obnoxious horn. This morning it happened and it wasn’t even 8am. When you purposely plan on sleeping in and then get woken up by a vanity rev and the honking, you want to break someone’s kneecaps.

Or at least I do.

Lucky for me, I’m not a) crazy b) stupid or c) strong enough to attempt that, so I just silently stew until it stops, close the window, and try to go back to sleep.

Then I dream about breaking their kneecaps.

Just kidding!

The reason I wanted to sleep in was that I got home late last night. I went out with my photo friends to see Sue Bryce speak at our local PUG meeting. If you’re a photographer and have never been to a PUG meeting, I highly recommend that you go. The first one I went to I went alone, but everyone was really nice and I even ended up winning a raffle. So you know, you should go. Anyway, if you haven’t heard of Sue, she is doing a CreativeLive course in March, and was named Australia’s Photographer of the Year in 2011. She’s an amazing photographer, wonderful speaker, and informative teacher.

That’s Sue. She’s also really funny. She had the entire room cracking up.

I was buzzing with so much information that I needed time to just decompress from everything that she went over. Here are some tips that she gave, which I think are helpful in both life and in business:

1. The face that you’re looking at mirrors your own – If you are looking or talking to someone and they have a scowl on their face, check yourself because you are probably scowling too. Try smiling, homie.

2. What you say is your truth. - You have to believe in what you do, or else no one else will. Say with confidence who you are and what you do.

3. It’s not what you do but why you do it. - It’s more important to share why you love something than the specific technical details of what you do.

There were a lot more photography centric tips that Sue gave, but I think she explains them way better than I could here. For more info, definitely check out here blog, go to her WPPI Platform class, and watch her CreativeLive!

Or I’ll break your kneecaps.

no comments

add a comment

02-08-2012

My Favorite Wedding Moment

I have a favorite wedding moment. I do– and if that’s wrong, then I really don’t want to be right.

What is it? It’s… the moment the groom sees the bride for the first time.

It’s my favorite moment t because I am utterly convinced that you just know– you can see it with your own two eyes– by the way that a groom looks at his bride for the first time, just how much he truly loves her. It’s unfiltered, pure, amazing, and tear-jerking.

Often there is so much attention on the bride walking down the aisle (as there should be) that sometimes people forget to just glance over at the groom’s face. His gleaming, glowing, and sometimes even teary-eyed face.

But that’s one of the many reasons I feel so lucky– because it’s my job to see the moments that sometimes get overlooked, and catch them to keep forever.

This groom was so happy to see his bride– a wedding I helped Candice Benjamin with– at a sunny seaside wedding in Manhattan Beach.

show hide 1 comment

add a comment

02-07-2012

Surprises

I love surprises. LOVE THEM. Some people don’t like to be surprised, and I have to say, I don’t get it. I mean, I wouldn’t want you to wait around a corner and jump out and scare the living daylights out of me (would YOU? I guess some people do like that sort of thing…). But in general, I love surprises. Let’s just say good surprises. The problem is, I’m un-surprisiable. It’s a known fact that I usually will figure out anything nice that anyone anywhere in the universe attempts to do without telling me first. I don’t even try to figure it out! I just… happens. We’ll just call it an unfortunate curse.

I always wondered what it would be like if and when Bryan proposed to me. I was convinced it would never be a surprise and when it happened, I would have to pretend that I didn’t already know (yes I think about those sorts of ridiculous things– that is indeed how I spend my time). I think it takes a special someone to understand my insane neuroses, and he did. Because he planned. He planned real good. The day that he proposed? Complete shock, and sobbing. It was one of the best feelings, ever.

For one day, one monumentally important day, the universe lifted my curse. Something I thought never would happen, did. Maybe that was the universe’s plan the whole time. Maybe, right?

You may have seen this video before, but I can watch it again and again. It makes me cry every time. The love, the story, the surprise, it’s all so perfect. The guy took so much time to put this together. They are really lucky to have each other. Hope you enjoy:

LUCK – An NYC Wedding Proposal from Aria Melody DJ on Vimeo.

no comments

add a comment

02-06-2012

My Home Office

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Today I’m taking time to organize and really prepare for the rest of this week. The weekends tend to be a bit of a “WEEKEND! WOOOOO!” period for us, so we typically let loose and you know, not pick up after ourselves and turn a blind eye to a sink full of dishes or clothes on the floor. After all, the weekend is for fun, AM I RIGHT?!

Okay no, seriously. We are actually huge nerds and went to the library this weekend and both worked on projects. We did have some fun too, namely through eating and more eating. I also indulged in a little Netflix and burrowed under blankets on the couch with cups and cups of hot tea. But today is Monday and that means back to serious business. Or, well, as serious as is ever gets around here. And to be honest, that sock on the floor is really starting to drive me nuts.

Luckily to distract myself, I try to keep pretty things on the walls and on shelves, and thought I’d share a bit of that today. Just don’t, you know, look down at the floors.

Clockwise from upper left:

My inspiration board right now. I like to mix photos that I love from magazines or that I’ve found online and mix them in with photos that I’ve taken and am proud of. It helps me identify what exactly I like about what I see vs. what I’ve made, and helps me refine my style. It might be a weird method of going about it, but it works for me.

The Hawaiian girl Britney Lee art that I mentioned in my post a couple of weeks ago, plus another one of her pieces. Bry actually surprised me with the one on the left- I think it’s really sweet. I love them both and plan on filling that entire wall with framed art (there are a few more from other artists on the wall that aren’t shown too).

The pig. It was an art project that Bryan made when he was really little. I love it because it embodies the complexities of human emotion and despair. Not unlike The Scream. I wish you could see it in person. It’s a masterpiece. I also quite like the juxtaposition of the monumental pain with the beauty of the flower and the framed packaging.

The Joey Chou art that I also mentioned in my post last week. I think it’s probably my favorite piece of art that I own. Looking at it just makes me happy.

no comments

add a comment

« Older posts