Top Banana Studios

Recent Thoughts

2011-08-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Me in high school

I've been feeling somewhat reflective these last couple weeks - for a few reasons.

I graduated from high school exactly 10 years ago. I remember all the discretionary time I had when I was younger and how time never moved fast enough for me. Adults would say, "The older you get, the faster time goes." I know what they are talking about now and I could not agree more. In fact, I've made that same statement to others these last few years. My long term memory is pretty bad, but I remember feeling really tired during my high school years. I know the main reason is because I had to wake up at 5:30 or 6 AM in order to beat the 7 AM school bell - it actually beat me most days. It was like a dream come true when I started college and was able to choose what time I started and what time I ended. It's been a few years since I graduated from college and I really, really miss it - the interesting lectures (for the most part), sitting in the grass studying or thinking, getting into the zone in my art classes. One of my goals is to return and pursue another degree.

I'm leaving the country soon and heading to Spain. It's been 4.5 years since I've lived there and I'm excited to return and see the people and country again - Barcelona in particular. There is something magical about that place and I would love to live there again.

The downstairs part of my house flooded last weekend. When I opened my garage late Saturday night and saw water coming out, my heart sunk. The only household fear I have is water damage/flooding - and it happened. I quickly turned off the water and got to work. I'm about halfway through getting my house back to normal. All the responsibilities of adulthood make me want to revert back to being a child sometimes.

Speaking of, my sister is set to have her third child (girl) very soon. Her due date is tomorrow. We are so excited for her!

Lastly, I changed from being a sole proprietor to an LLC (Limited Liability Company) this month. Since I plan to be in business for many more years, I realized it was finally time to take the appropriate business steps. (I'll discuss this in more detail in a future post.)

Those are the things that have been on my mind lately. This summer has been very enjoyable and I'm already looking forward to the holidays - especially Christmas.

Caesar's Palace

2011-07-29T08:48:00.001-07:00

Seven Sisters

2011-07-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Alli
Portrait
Seven Sisters, Valley of Fire, NV
Big thank you to Alan and Aaron for assisting

Summer Sale!

2011-06-21T11:30:00.001-07:00

Love is a flower which turns into fruit at marriage.

2011-06-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Kerri and James
Wedding
The Strip, Las Vegas, NV

Love is like a roller coaster. Once you have completed the ride, you want to go again.

2011-06-06T07:59:00.000-07:00

Leslie and Ted
Engagement Session
Downtown Las Vegas, NV

The Big Reveal

2011-04-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

My website is finally done! I've been working toward this point for awhile now and I'm feeling good about the final result. I started making changes to my website late last year and my goal was to have it completed by the first of this year. Like most projects, it ended up getting bigger and bigger and bigger - as a result, it has taken until now to finish it (although it's never really finished). Feel free to check out the changes from the links below:

Wedding Photography Packages

Wedding Videography Packages (I am now offering video services!)

Photo Galleries (All four sample weddings are brand new)

Client Testimonials (My clients are the BEST! Really.)

Us (A couple are missing, but they will be up soon)

Las Vegas Wedding Tips (I only made a couple small changes, but I think they're pretty helpful so I'm including them)

Referral Program (If you refer me to someone, this is what you get. Oh yeah!)

Free Engagement Session (Yep, another freebie - check it)

More changes coming soon. Thanks for looking!

Sunglasses, Cigars and Peacock Feathers

2011-04-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

A very fun wedding indeed!

Sal and Mindy
Wedding
@ Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church and Red Rock Country Club
Las Vegas, NV
Click HERE to view entire wedding

A Beautiful Summer Wedding

2011-04-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

And isn't she stunning?

Stacey and Robert
Wedding
@ Private Residence
Las Vegas, NV
Click on the link above to view entire wedding

Tree Man

2011-04-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

San Diego, California

Spring Session

2011-03-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Check out those eyes.

Kayla
Headshots
Las Vegas, NV

Marathon Wedding

2011-03-15T12:55:00.000-07:00

Remember the Run-thru Wedding I shot in December? Here are the rest of the photos from that day. Be sure to check out the video below to see what a Run-thru Wedding is all about.

Dani and Stace
Wedding
Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Random Tandem

2011-02-26T11:23:00.000-08:00

Forget about cutlery and matching bathrobes...wouldn't a tandem bicycle be the perfect wedding gift?
Photo from justbicycles.com

Another Day in Las Vegas

2011-02-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

Downtown Las Vegas, NV

Love is a Friendship Set to Music

2011-02-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

Shooting Jenny and Nick's engagement session made me even more excited for their April wedding. They are an amazing couple and I am so happy they found each other--in elementary school. :)

Who: Jenny and Nick
What: Engagement Session
Where: Lake Las Vegas, NV
Title quote by E. Joseph Cossman

Megapixel Madness

2011-02-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

Oh, so true! I liked this article from Adorama. Read it HERE.

Vacation Idea!

2011-02-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

I am SO looking forward to our traveling family reunion this summer. Every year, one of us is in charge of picking the location and making plans. This summer, my sis Megan chose beach camping in Carlsbad. She's done it before with her family and loved it, so she thought the rest of us would too. She better be right. jk But seriously, the nice thing about this setup is that there are bathrooms and showers, so we don't have to totally rough it. This is a huge bonus (ie: dealbreaker) for my family. Another perk is the 7-11 around the corner....Cherry Coke runs anyone? Depending on the campsite you choose, it's $35 or $50 per night, up to 8 people. Killer deal, I know. But the catch is you have to sign up fast. Really fast. Check out reserveamerica.com for more info. Besides Carlsbad, there are a ton of other places to vacation. How exciting!
I will be spearheading next year's family reunion. Destination: Oregon. We will be tubing down the river, spending time on the coast, and if they're in season, picking blackberries.
Photos below are from my Taiwan trip...we spent a day at the beach in Kuoshuing.

Pink and Orange Sky?

2011-02-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

I'll take it! I'll also take this 60-something degree weather we've been having.
Although fleeting, desert sunsets are the best.

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, Chinese New Year really sneaks up on you! Must be because the date changes every year. Anywho, right before I left for Taiwan last year, I had the opportunity to document Edward and Yuechen on their wedding day. CNY was on February 14th last year--also Valentine's Day--so it made the occasion doubly special. Of course, I never got around to blogging these photos (surprise surprise) but here they are now in all their glory. Enjoy.

Who: Edward and Yuechen
What: Wedding
Where: Venetian, Bellagio, Las Vegas Sign, Las Vegas, NV
P.S. Click HERE for info. on Las Vegas ChinaTown's festivities on Feb. 13th.
P.P.S. I looked it up and the Year of the Rat (my year) will not be happening for another 8 or 9 years. Bummer. It's okay because next year is the Year of the Dragon and it will be huge!

Revamp

2011-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

Man, I feel like I'm just coming up for air. These last couple weeks have been intense, but in a good way. It's been business as usual, but I've added project upon project upon project. I'm starting to see the results unfold and it's a really great feeling. My website has been my biggest recent project. It started with a tweak here and a tweak there...all of a sudden, I'm revamping the whole thing. It's come so far, though, and I'm proud of it. It's not entirely done, but you can get a good idea if you check it out. The moments of frustration are nothing compared to the moments of euphoric discoveries.

Besides the website, I've also been learning about business, myself and what I want for my future. I've really been pounding away at my goals (they aren't New Year's resolutions) and have put more pressure on myself. Being self-discplined is certainly not the easiest, but when I think of the growth in the everyday sacrifices and challenges I make, it is extremely satisfying. More on this later. Getting back to work now.

Updates, Changes and Maintenance

2011-01-11T12:39:00.000-08:00

At the end/beginning of every year, I like to make changes to my life and my business--a fresh start always feels good. I've spent last week updating content for my website and this week I will be plugging it all in. If you visit my website, you will notice that it is partially "under construction." Stay tuned for some exciting changes!
These two videos give you a behind the scenes glimpse into my photo shoots. I will be adding these to my website this week as well.

Thanks for watching. Enjoy.

Fashion Show

2011-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas, NV

Jiminy Christmas!

2010-12-31T07:27:00.000-08:00

(I've always wanted to say that)
I can't believe the holidays are practically over! Christmas ends so abruptly; it's kind of sad. But at the same time, it gets me pumped to make new goals and see what I've accomplished during the year. I'm looking forward to watching the always-amazing fireworks display here in Las Vegas tonight.
Enjoy your night and I'll see you in 2011!
Photos taken in the Bellagio Conservatory

2010-12-25T02:16:00.000-08:00

Photo taken from I-15

Let It Snow [Popcorn]!

2010-12-23T11:26:00.000-08:00

#11: Danielle's Snowy Popcorn

This stuff is bomb and perfect for anyone who likes white chocolate and has a sweet tooth--so pretty much everyone.

P.S. Let's pretend that I already did gift ideas #8, 9, and 10.

Flora and Fauna

2010-12-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

#7: Plant (any kind)

My love of plants comes from my mom--I think she would be perfectly content living in a terrarium. But seriously, it's good feng shui to have plants around. I like having mine around and I get bummed if one of them dies. Ex: my basil last week.

With all this rain, I'm sure plants throughout the Las Vegas valley are in heaven right now.

Terrarium aliens found HERE

Merry Christmas Top Banana!

2010-12-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

#6: Top Banana Jelly Bellies

Personally, I think it's pretty awesome that Jelly Belly has a flavor called Top Banana. Even if you don't own a business called Top Banana Studios, you could still give these to someone special and tell them they are the "Top Banana" in your life. Maybe a little cheesy, but whatever...it's the holiday season and sentimentalities are expected.

Real Simple

2010-12-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

#5: Magazine Subscription

Real Simple is my favorite magazine at the moment (DWELL is runner up) I can't say enough good things about this publication--it's practical, it's basic, and it's not full of celebrity gossip that I couldn't care less about.

O Holy Night

2010-12-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

#4: Nativity Set

I had the opportunity to see a live nativity performance last week...it was so wonderful. Afterward, there was a creche display with sets from all over the world. Seeing all the detailed, sculpted arrangements made me want one of my own (preferably made in another country).

This particular one is from Nigeria

It won't melt in your stocking

2010-12-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

#3: Popsicle Soaps

I saw these in Wal-Mart the other day and thought they were clever. They make great stocking stuffers for the ladies!

Happy hanging!

2010-12-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

#2: Folding Laundry Rack

I know you're probably thinking, "Whoa, left field!"...but let me explain. I own one and love it. My sister owns one and loves hers. My mom has been hanging her laundry on the pool fence since before I was born--it's the same idea. I guess hanging out clothes to dry is genetic. Anyway, more than anything, it's good for the environment. In this very dry Las Vegas climate, clothes dry in a matter of minutes and I'm not even joking. And because this bad boy is collapsible, it only takes up a few inches of space.

12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas...

2010-12-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

Starting NOW!

#1: A Cool Watch

My mind is on time (constantly). My watch battery died a couple days ago and I have been feeling out of sorts lately because of it...weird, I know. If I were to buy a new watch altogether (which I'm not going to do because I still love the one I have) I would buy this one from Swatch.

It reminds me of a favorite art book called Vitamin P, Joan Miro paintings, and ice cream sprinkles--all of which are good for the soul.

Jeremy's Creation

2010-12-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

My friend made this for me...I quite like it.

Run-thru Wedding

2010-12-06T11:47:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was the Rock'n Roll Marathon in Las Vegas and I had the chance to photograph a unique "run-thru wedding" on the Venetian bridge....only in Vegas :) This is how it works: the couple runs, stops for a 3-minute ceremony, and then continues the race. Pretty awesome if you ask me--and my couple ended up on the news! Rock on!

[Brief] Thoughts on Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

Apparently it snowed this morning. Snow in Vegas?! Yes. At least that's what my mom just told me.

I've come to the realization that I only eat pumpkin pie because it's traditional. I never crave it; I'd actually prefer banana cream pie or blackberry pie. But I'll eat it regardless because it always, without fail, makes an appearance after the dinner plates are swept away.

Wouldn't it be nice if the spirit of Thanksgiving lasted all year long, even during tax season? Speaking of, I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that read: Do I Own The White House? I've Made Enough Payments On It.

Who knew that the day after Thanksgiving had a name? I didn't. A few years ago I learned what Black Friday really was. Before that, I thought it was similar to Ash Wednesday. For serious shoppers, it probably is a religious holiday, though.

No matter how good they look, steer clear of Paula Deen recipes. They will get you in trouble.

And lastly, the best things in life aren't things. Cliche, but true.

Photo of my two little angels

I really do shoot weddings.

2010-11-22T13:48:00.000-08:00

Since wedding season has simmered down, I will be posting my weddings on a more regular basis. At last, a little down time--I'm liking this.

Who: Victor and Nicole aka "Vic and Nic"
What: Wedding
Where: Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

My passport is begging me for an adventure...

2010-11-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

or maybe it's the other way around. Point is, I'm itching for another vacation. I have a couple smaller ones lined up for 2011 (by smaller I mean California) but I think an international one is in store. I was flipping through Nancy Pearl's Book Lust To Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers and I felt like packing my bags right then and there. For the time being, I may just have to travel vicariously through books. A few that sound interesting are:

Nowhere in Africa by Stefanie Zweig

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Sahara by Michael Palin

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

and last, but certainly not least....Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

Photos from my 2010 Taiwan trip

Alice and the Lion

2010-11-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to dress up on Halloween since I had zero time to put anything together--I barely had time to think of something to put together. The only idea that came to mind was that maybe, possibly I could just wear my "I Voted" sticker and say that I was a registered voter. My friend Eric shot down that suggestion. Anyhoo, he saved the day and brought me an extra Alice in Wonderland outfit from his work.

I think the costume looks better with a lion's head.

Let Us Remember

2010-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to visiting the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery tomorrow. I really like cemeteries--they bring me peace and help me put life in perspective.

Photo taken in Jacksonville, Oregon

Momentum

2010-11-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

I looked at a recent post about how September passed so quickly. Well...October passed even more quickly and now we're a week into November. Yikes. I write that because there is still so much to do and time seems to be building momentum. Despite my busy October, I found some time to garden a little and read the first Harry Potter book (and vote--I can't believe I remembered). My little plants have perked up lately due to the rain and change of temperature. Yard-wise, I'm really looking forward to my next project: a little grape arbor with a bench underneath (maybe I'll add some lights too?) As for Harry Potter, I absolutely loved it and I definitely see the appeal. The next two books are waiting to be read, but alas, I still don't have time right now. The plan is to finish all of the books, watch the movies, and then see the final movie when it comes out in July.

But first...I'm going to focus on the holidays because they will be here before we know it. Yes!!

Stuff White People Like

2010-10-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

This book had me laughing out loud! It's a good, light read and most of it is so true. The next book, Whiter Shades of Pale, comes out next month.

Forget about bats and ghosts

2010-10-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

....next time I carve a pumpkin, this is the stencil I will use.

Found here.

Daily Inspiration

2010-10-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

I'm one of five people who have never read or watched any of the Harry Potter stories. I'm an all or nothing kind of person and I just haven't had time to read 7 books...that or I just haven't made time. Either way, it's time. I was compelled to jump on the bandwagon today after reading this quote from J.K. Rowling:

"I had this moment where I suddenly thought--it was like another voice speaking to me--and the voice said: 'The difficult thing is going to be to get published. If it's published, it will be huge. And that is exactly what it was."

That single quote inspired me today.

Historic Boulder Dam Hotel

2010-10-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

Boulder City, NV

I just ran across these photos from my last visit...now I want to have a charming little tea party. I want to try the homemade scones, savories and Lavender Cookie. Maybe I'll do it for my birthday. Or someone else's birthday.

Invierno

2010-10-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

The temperature has dropped below 80 degrees. My friends....winter has arrived.

Hello October!

2010-10-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

September made a brief visit and vanished in thin air...I feel like October might do the same.

Last night

2010-09-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

Mt. Charleston, NV

Psychic

2010-09-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV

Oh the frenzy!

2010-08-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the cast of Takers, the action/drama/suspense movie that comes out tonight. After the red carpet, there was an after-party at Lagasse's Stadium inside the Palazzo. As you can see for yourself, there was quite a bit of excitement.

Happy Friday!

Aha!

2010-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

So here I am on the brink of completing my updated event gallery. I have about 5 more photos to edit and other things to do like resize, put in order, and number. Anyway, it's relatively close to being done when I realize most of the event photos I selected are portraits. There are a few atmosphere and location shots, but most are portraits of people. I had been feeling like my event gallery was not as cohesive as my wedding and portrait galleries, but I pushed on through and figured it would come together eventually. Well, it really didn't. Although I love shooting events, I am going to remove the event gallery from my website altogether and expand my portrait gallery--I just don't think it would be strong enough to stand on its own.

And that was my "aha moment" for the day.

Now will somebody tell me why I am eating a very large piece of German chocolate cake with coconut frosting?

Meet Louie.

2010-08-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

While visiting my great aunt in Jacksonville, Oregon, I met her neighbor Louie. With photography, especially portraits, words are generally not necessary--the photo reveals enough. (I do want to share a few interesting tidbits, though).

Louie is 95.

Louie is an easy laugher.

Louie was born inside my great aunt's house which was constructed in the early 1900s (photo below). The physician who delivered him was Dr. Pickle.

6 career secrets no one ever told you.

2010-08-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

A couple posts ago, I recommended Daniel Pink's book, A Whole New Mind. I loved it so much, I checked out his other books. Johnny Bunko discusses the 6 most important lessons of a satisfying, successful career:

1. There is no plan.

2. Think strengths, not weaknesses.

3. It's not about you.

4. Persistence trumps talent.

5. Make excellent mistakes.

6. Leave an imprint.

Oregon. We love dreamers.

2010-08-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Why right-brainers will rule the future...

2010-08-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

..that is the topic of Daniel Pink's book, A Whole New Mind. He believes that we are transitioning from the Information Age (left brain era) into the Conceptual Age (right brain era). I think he is right. As cliche as it sounds, this book is a breath of fresh air for me. As a right-brainer, it helps me understand myself better. It is refreshing to read a book that not only validates right brain thinking, but also encourages it. I have always felt like our society has put more importance and value on left brain subjects and careers. For a time, despite my constant interest in the visual arts, I bought into this belief. However, it still didn't stop me from pursuing the arts. I knew that I had to stay true to myself and my capabilities. If I had chosen a different path, I wouldn't have been happy. And although I second-guessed myself at times, I always knew this was true.

It's hard to pick out the best parts of this book; you just have to read it. Get ready to be inspired...get ready for the future.

Spain on my walls

2010-08-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

I finally got a few of my Spain photos printed to hang up on my living room wall...over 3 years later. The ones posted below are the ones I enlarged to 11x14". The final two photos show how they look on my wall. While I was in Spain, I only had a little Sony Cybershot (I think it was 5 megapixel). Anyway, I did very minimal editing to them, but really like the way they turned out. Let's hear it for regular point and shoots! Not that these are amazing or anything (they're more personal than anything), but it just goes to show that you can still take great photos without a professional camera.

P.S. I put them in clip frames that I found at Michael's. I love clip frames.

Hey y'all

2010-08-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

I still have some dates available for 2010 and 2011. Contact me if you're interested in having me shoot your wedding or event. Or your friend's wedding or event. Or your co-worker's wedding or event. Or your hairdresser's second cousin's wedding or event.

There's nothing better than word of mouth. :)

Thanks a bunch!

The Palazzo, Las Vegas

2010-08-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

So whimsical...I wish my ceiling looked like this.

kenny guinn

2010-07-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

last week, nevada's former governor kenny guinn passed away. although his 8-year term ended in 2007, his legacy will last much longer. like many other nevada graduates, i was directly affected by guinn. he used the tobacco lawsuit settlement money to create "the millennium scholarship." along with over 60,000 other students, i was able to take advantage of this scholarship when i graduated high school. most of my college education was paid for in this way and i am beyond grateful for that. like guinn, education has always been extremely important to me. college was never optional; i always knew i was going to attend and because of guinn, i was able to graduate debt-free. several years ago, Time magazine named him one of the top 5 governors in the country. that's pretty amazing considering he had zero political experience before running for governor in 1999. to me, though, he is number one. seriously.

the end

2010-07-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

finishing a good book is bittersweet. you want to see how it ends, but you don't want it to be over. thus, all good things must come to an end. the help is one of the many books i adore. a thought-provoking work of fiction for sure.

i love this bride...

2010-07-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

and i love this photo of her.

so real, so natural.

all together now....

2010-07-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

awwwww!

this is my cutie pie niece, tyra, right before her dance recital.

yikes

2010-07-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

today, i have to be in FRONT of the camera....the video camera, that is. and i have to look into it and speak. this part is not my idea of fun, but the completed project will be wonderful and worthwhile. stay tuned...

the art of influence

2010-07-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

although i can't remember how, i stumbled upon this book recently and thought it was pretty good. it's brief and insightful. it reminds me a little of how to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie.

Base Your Life on 7 Areas of Excellence:

1. Physical Appearance

2. Emotional Health

3. Intellectual Growth

4. Spiritual Depth

5. Relationships

6. Financial Success

7. Charitable Giving

4 Golden Rules of Influence:

1. Live a life of undivided integrity

2. Always demonstrate a positive attitude

3. Consider other people's interests as more important than your own

4. Don't settle for anything less than excellence

a pretty good way to start off the week if I say so myself. Happy Monday.

loving this shot

2010-07-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

from a recent wedding at the red rock hotel. the sun was setting and the hotel started glowing. it felt like paradise.

let me see that jelly roll

2010-06-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

i just noticed in one of my last posts that i referred to my nephew as "little guy." well, that was a little misleading considering he's in the 100th percentile for weight. he's a big boy and the whole family is real proud of his rolls and thick thighs. (he got them from his mama. whaaaaat?)

p.s. i wish i had taken a shot of the setup for this shoot. it was super quick and easy. we gathered up a couple blankets and headed for my mom's balcony. since it was almost sunset, the light was very flattering and natural.

p.p.s. don't let that last photo fool you. 3 seconds later, christian pushed his baby brother off of him and started to laugh. :)

i'm not gonna lie....

2010-06-07T02:22:00.000-07:00

robin thicke is a sexy performer (and i think he knows it).

my kind of photo

2010-05-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

i'm in the process of selecting photos for my updated wedding gallery and am finding some killer images...this is one of them.

and they smiled all day

2010-05-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

who: andrea and jake

what: wedding

where: lds temple

extra, extra, read all about it!

2010-05-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

i just added some more wedding tips to my website.

apparently i'm not as concise as i thought.

quick read

2010-05-10T12:26:00.001-07:00

good message.

xoxo

2010-05-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

my mom has mastered these arts:

kindness

generosity

humility

service

acceptance

patience

gratitude

devotion

affection

optimism

recycling

hard work

faith

love....

this list could go on forever.

she is the mother i needed.

she is "perfection plus."

xoxo

alligators and hedgehogs

2010-05-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

i stumbled across this website recently and thought it was funny. it's called clients from hell. it is a collection of anonymously contributed horror stories from designers. some of the requests kill me!

here are a few of my favorite:

Client: “I need you to illustrate 360 jokes for my book.”

Me: “Ok, what’s your budget?”

Client: “I don’t have much, I can pay X”

Me: “That works out to be less then minimum wage for me per illustration.”

Client:” But thats ok, you probably do this stuff for fun anyway right? Artists just sit around drawing for hours working this stuff out for kicks, I know.”

Me: “Sir, I do this for a living [click]”

***

In deciding on what characters to use to represent a large insurance firm in a series of interactive training materials.

Client: “I know what people like. I’m around people all day and I watch people - like a student of human behavior - so I know what people like.”

Me: “Ok. What do you have in mind?”

Client: “What people like… Alligators and Hedgehogs.”

***

Client: “I googled my name and there is some nasty stuff about me on the Internet. There is this guy saying in his blog that I am an idiot. I want you to remove that blog and block the Internet if they write shit about me.”

Us: “We cannot do that.”

Client: “Well, get someone else to do it then. I want every nasty stuff about me removed from the Internet today, and make sure nobody can write bad things about me. I want you to control the Internet.”

Us: “We can’t control it and neither can you.”

Client: “Right, if you won’t do it I’ll find someone who will.”

Us: “Good luck, let us know if you succeed.”

***

Client [A California law firm]: “For the home page we’d like a photo of San Francisco. Lots of tall buildings, and it has to include the Golden Gate bridge.”

Me: “Sure, I can do that … but your offices aren’t in San Francisco.”

Client: “No, but we want people to think we are. It creates trust.”

my nephew poking his eye out

2010-05-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

more of this little guy coming soon...

neon nuptials

2010-05-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

for those of you planning on getting married in vegas, this is a good book to check out. it gives a thorough analysis of venues (mainly wedding chapels) and other tips to know when visiting "sin city." the author keeps it interesting by adding a healthy dose of humor.

portrait gallery...check

2010-04-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

i've been wanting to update my web galleries for ages. actually, i've been wanting to update my website in general. i realized that taking on such a huge task like that is daunting--where do i start? with big projects like this, it is definitely best to break them up and work on them in sections, one at a time. i've already updated my wedding tips page (with more tips to come soon) and just barely finished editing and uploading my portrait gallery. go to my website here and click on the portrait image to see new work. it's been nearly a year since i've updated any gallery.

my next goals: wedding gallery (mucho work, since i shoot a LOT of weddings), event gallery, home page, overall look, and logo tweak. as i work on each project, i get all sorts of ideas and sometimes they become big and out of control. i write them down in a notebook/sketchbook and come back to them later. taking on too much too quickly is something i try not to do, even though it comes naturally. although it is a lot of work for one person, there is a tremendous amount of satisfaction in learning and discovering new things. at some point in the future, i would like to delegate certain responsibilities to others...but in the meantime, i am establishing a foundation for my business and i like to be on the "up-and-up" with everything.

p.s. in case anyone is curious, my website is created in dreamweaver and my web galleries are created for free in j album (i just upload them to the server and link everything up). it is definitely not fancy, but i love being able to maintain it myself.

miss abby

2010-04-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

seniors are becoming one of my favorite subjects to photograph. this was a fun, relaxed shoot and i thoroughly enjoyed it. abby is a natural beauty with dark hair and light eyes--one of my favorite combinations. enjoy.

who: abby

what: senior portrait session

where: springs preserve, las vegas

mother earth

2010-04-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

yesterday, my mom and i got together and planted a garden in my front yard. i have been wanting to do this for a while and she was sweet enough to lend her expertise. i already had inside plants in my house, but needed something outside too. plus, i wanted a place to compost.

we planted bottlebrush, snapdragons, begonias, sunflowers, chaparral sage, peanuts, basil, tomatoes, marigolds, and a nectarine tree.

happy earth day!

mr. happiness

2010-04-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

meet mr. happiness

photo taken from my car window

wedding tips

2010-04-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

i updated my wedding tips page on my website the other day. after a couple years, i figured it was about time. i also started another tips page (a more general one), but it is still a work in progress. i'll post it when it's complete.

photo of neal and lisa at the wynn

it gives me the chills

2010-04-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

growing up, it was a tradition to pull out Christmas in America during the holidays. i loved looking through the photos even though i had seen them many times before. the idea behind the book was to have a ton of photojournalists cover every state (and even more cities) in the united states and document christmas during a 24 hour period. i loved, and still do love, the realness of the photos and how the photographers captured human nature, american traditions, and familiar scenes so effortlessly (or so it seems).

i stopped in a thrift store the other day and what was waiting for me? A Day in the Life of America. this book was compiled a couple years earlier in 1986, but is based on the same idea.

this is the intro--it gives me the chills:

The book you are holding in your hands is a visual time capsule, an impression of life in America taken on Friday, May 2, 1986, by 200 of the world's leading photographers. No picture here is more than twenty-four hours older or younger than any other, and no picture here has been shot for any purpose other than to document the harmonies and paradoxes of life in America as it was lived on this one ordinary day.

America is a complex country and a proud one. It is an idea, a beckoning, an opportunity. It has always been an improbable country, and to set out to capture it in a single day was an improbable, some would say, impossible, idea.

A Day in the Life of America does not claim to be the true record of even one day. A day cannot be collected as it passes by in a blaze of light between shadows. Yet on May 2nd America yielded some of its secrets to these world class photographers. There are several hundred photographs here, culled from more than 235,000. But even 235,000 images barely hint at the infinite moments that passed through the hills and homes and hearts of America on that day. On May 2nd America was frozen in time and, for decades to come, our children and our children's children will look at these pages with wonder at a day when 200 photographers made time stand still.

"extraordinary photographs of ordinary, everyday events." that's what i love about this book. i would adore being part of a similar project in the future.

time to eat!

2010-04-09T13:17:00.000-07:00

ah, one of my favorite phrases.

my mom was organizing her cookbooks the other day (she has a lot) and gave me a few. the pressure is on (in a good way). i really like looking perusing cookbooks, marking the recipes that sound good, and then making the meal. when i have the time, it's very therapeutic and i thoroughly enjoy it. the second photo is my collection of cookbooks...i think i'm all set for the rest of my life.

the last photo is one of my favorite plants. it just hangs out on my kitchen counter and grows.

bride descending stairs

2010-04-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

i love this photo from this wedding.

q&a

2010-04-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

a few interesting tidbits from marilyn's book:

Dear Marilyn,

Why does almost every human being feel peaceful when walking through the woods or seeing a lovely landscape?

Valerie

Dear Valerie,

I'd say it's because our instincts have prepared us to feel comfortable with nature, our native environment. We can and do learn to live with things like stereos, subways, and skyscrapers, but they are no more natural to us than an aquarium is to a goldfish.

***

Dear Marilyn,

What do you see as the most important function of the elementary school?

Pat

Dear Pat,

One of the most useful would be to instill motivation.

***

Dear Marilyn,

Are people who hate being alone lacking in understanding?

Gary

Dear Gary,

I'd say instead that they're lacking in self-respect.

***

Dear Marilyn,

What is the biggest room in the world?

Adrienne

Dear Adrienne,

The room for improvement.

***

Dear Marilyn,

To acquire knowledge, one must study. How does one acquire wisdom?

Donald

Dear Donald,

To acquire knowledge, one must study; to acquire wisdom, one must observe.

***

Dear Marilyn,

If there were a Pandora's box in our time, what do you think it would be?

Dorothy

Dear Dorothy,

One good candidate would be television. However, instead of unleashing all the evils on the world, the way Pandora did in Greek mythology, it gathers them together and entertains us with them on the daily news, like a conga line in a floor show.

***

Dear Marilyn,

I can see why painting was so popular before the development of photography. But aren't the master painters now eclipsed by the master photographers?

Joseph

Dear Joseph,

I don't think so. For one thing, an artist can combine the essence of a hundred photographs into one painting. And for another thing, no photographer can capture a unicorn.

p.s. many of her answers are much longer and detailed; i just included a few short ones i found interesting.

ask marilyn

2010-04-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

i'm really enjoying marilyn vos savant's book, ask marilyn. it is a compilation of her readers' various questions--they ask, she answers.

in case you didn't know, she is the woman with the highest IQ in the world. i figured i could learn a thing or two from her.

the family is one of nature's masterpieces

2010-04-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

i photographed this fun family a year ago when the little guy was only a newborn. how quickly a year has flown by and how good it was to reconnect!

who: valdes family

what: family portrait session

where: mountain's edge park, las vegas, nv

title quote by george santayana

egg drop, pants drop

2010-03-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

the aforementioned egg drop event this weekend was worth checking out...however, the demand was certainly greater than the supply. the lines for everything were loooooong and there was lots of crowding (and lost kids).

cake wrecks

2010-03-24T12:47:00.001-07:00

there is book called cake wrecks and it is hilarious. i learned that the author (jen yates) had created a blog a few years ago, and due to its success, decided to put together a book with the same title. if you want to laugh out loud for 15 minutes, flip through this book. below are some true cake wrecks.
p.s. of all the weddings i've shot, i've never seen a "cake wreck."
all photos found on cake wrecks blog

a teacup of taiwan

2010-03-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

food food food
when it comes to food, i'm game for trying anything--assuming there is no potential health risk, of course. for example, i've heard that the puffer fish is poisonous and must be prepared carefully and specifically by someone who knows what they're doing; otherwise, you'll end up dead. do you see what i'm getting at here? i'm not going to "be adventurous" and put my life in the hands of a *hopefully* well-trained chef. so besides unsafe foods, i'll try anything. i don't promise to love it, but i'll try it. while in taiwan, we tried various dishes; sometimes i asked what they were, other times i didn't. here are some visual examples of my taiwanese food experiences. enjoy!

1. have you ever wondered what poultry guts look like? yeah, me neither. well here they are in all their glory. these were on display at a typical morning market in taiwan.

2. mastering the art of chopstickery. in the states, i'm usually so hungry by the time my food arrives, i don't want to fiddle with learning how to use chopsticks. i ask for a fork and that's it. when in rome....or should i say, when in taiwan....do as the taiwanese do. i got to the point where it felt natural to be eating with chopsticks and i quite liked it. now that i'm back home, i'm back to using forks and knives.

3. roadside restaurant before the lunch rush.

4. miss jasmine with a tasty treat. it's really hard to describe, but it was strawberry-flavored and squishy.

5. jasmine and i ate at an amazing seafood restaurant. this fish was SO good!

6. on the left is ostrich. on the right are squid balls. both were divine. the ostrich tasted like beef; the squid tasted like squid.

7. typical taiwanese beef dish.

8. more seafood. the food on the right were about the size of your fingernail and you had to suck out the insides. not bad, but kind of a hassle because they were so small.

9. i want one of these right now. shaved vanilla ice cream (awesome texture) loaded with all kinds of fruit. you can get it with any topping you like. very refreshing.

10. first restaurant we ate at. the chef on the right is also the owner. he made some good eats.

11. some of his work. i ate pig intestines here; they had a fatty texture which really wasn't my thing.

12. ice cream break.

13. night market food vendor. i felt bad for her because she was vigorously working alone. i wanted to pull up a chair and tell her to take a rest.

blake break

2010-03-11T15:35:00.000-08:00

so last weekend, ashley and i headed over to LAX (luxor's nightclub) to check out blake lewis. i almost forgot how amazing amazing amazing his beat-boxing is. check out the video below to see him perform "time of the season." i think i like his version better than the original.

p.s. we hurried and grabbed a couple snapshots before the bouncer told everyone to put their cameras away. the one of me and ashley directly below was taken by her very persistent admirer. fun times for me, not so much for ashley. :)

a teacup of taiwan

2010-03-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

serendipity

i believe in plans. i believe in backup plans. this being said, i also believe in serendipity. anyone who has traveled, near or far, can attest to the reality of surprises and unexpected encounters. if you resist serendipity, you will be let down. let her be your guide and she will introduce you to experiences of every kind.

1. a typical crowded sidewalk during the day. all along the left side were food vendors. we tried mochi from one and it was powdery and squishy, just how i like it.

2. on a mad dash to find a bathroom, we stumbled upon this temple and i grabbed a quick photo.

3. aloe vera and other greenery spill out from an indoor market. if you look closely, you will see the seller hidden in the plants.

4. a close up of the seller.

5. the peace sign. see what i mean?

6. as we came out of a temple, this caught my eye.

7. colorful decoration right outside the doors of the longshan temple.

8. while ruby slept, her mom and i zipped up to the market to check things out. (in case you can't tell, her mom is a total sweetheart).

9. right as we stepped out the door, ruby's shoe broke and it was hilarious. you just had to be there.

a teacup of taiwan

2010-03-05T14:57:00.001-08:00

arrival and the weather

i could not get warm enough during my first couple days in taiwan. the sky pounded down bullets of rain and the cold air seemed to flow straight through to my bones. nevertheless, we (me and ruby) skipped about the streets of taipei, using our umbrellas as shields, but still getting wet. the rain eventually ceased and became extremely pleasant. we stripped off our puffy coats and gushed over how spring-like the weather had become. throughout the two weeks i was in taiwan, i think i experienced all four seasons: it started cold, warmed up, became really hot and sticky, then cooled down the day i left.

below are a few photos we took upon arrival

1. umbrellas abound at a downtown temple.

2. on our way to our first restaurant. (okay, okay, it was a buffet. but not like a vegas buffet...) ruby is holding up a peace sign--the first of many to come. she says it's an "asian thing." i learned she was right.

3. i can't remember where we were. all i know is that i look overly excited, my hair is in the initial frizzy stages and ruby is expressing concern about something (maybe my hair?)

4. the ubiquitous peace sign.

5. in front of the national palace museum (i'll post about this later)

6. at a local temple. not sure what i'm doing. this is precisely why i'm usually behind the camera.

7. little girl looking outside at the temple crowd. i love those bunny ears!

my view

2010-03-02T21:17:00.000-08:00

i floated into las vegas tonight, safe and sound. as expected, the view from the airplane kicked on the nostalgia. some people have a local spot that represents home--maybe a prominent statue or a favorite bakery. others are taken back home with the smell of honeysuckle or a familiar childhood logo. for me, it is the moment i see the vegas lights after being away. they appear as if a giant took a massive handful of glittering gold chips and scattered them in a valley; and when i look out at the millions of glowing lights, i look in the direction of where my house should be and wonder if i am looking at it in that moment. having a place to call "home" is one of the best feelings.

signing off now....sweet dreams.

year of the tiger

2010-02-14T23:23:00.000-08:00

for those of us who may have fallen a bit short on our new year's resolutions....we can start again today (we'll just follow the chinese calendar).

photo from today's wonderful wedding

let the games begin!

2010-02-12T14:50:00.000-08:00

apparently the 2010 olympic winter games kick off today. i'm totally out of the loop. anyhoo, i'll be photographing the opening ceremonies viewing party tonight at lagasse's stadium at the palazzo. swimming gold-medalist amanda beard will be hosting. should be fun. i'll try to post photos as soon as possible.

photo swiped from web

dollface

2010-02-11T17:38:00.000-08:00

as the bride and her bridesmaids were getting ready, the little flower girl decided that her doll needed some primping too.

this is a shot from my very first wedding.

open wings-broken strings

2010-02-08T13:37:00.001-08:00

last weekend, i had the opportunity to shoot musicians art alexakis (everclear), eddie kowalczyk (live), and leigh nash (six pence none the richer) during a meet and greet after their "Open Wings-Broken Strings" performance at the venetian. the meet and greet ended up being very quick, but it was fun to chat with art and his manager before they performed the last set. we covered all the necessary bases during our conversation--kentucky derby, may-december romances, snowboarding vs. skiing...both were very personable and i made sure to grab a photo with them before i left. tough gig, huh?

happy birthday jackson pollock!

2010-01-28T08:40:00.000-08:00

one of the most influential painters was born today. i loved learning about him in art history and coming to understand the impact he had on 20th century art.

p.s. this is one of the coolest websites and it is extremely clever. (also happens to be one of the most famous works of internet art).

the man in the crowd

2010-01-27T09:26:00.000-08:00

the first time i flipped through garry winogrand's book, the man in the crowd, i was drawn to the "vintage" styles and architecture. beyond the surface, though, is an interesting juxtaposition. the photo below depicts a trio of young, stylish women--probably walking to the movies or another place of diversion. winogrand clicked his shutter at the very moment that they glance over at the hopeless, forlorn man in the wheelchair. meanwhile, a little child stares at the man, while his adult bench mates wait for the bus, too preoccupied to be concerned with anything or anybody. if winogrand had taken the photo a moment earlier or a moment later, the scene would have been lost and the composition, boring. his photos, however, are captured at the precise moment when an interaction occurs, a relationship is formed, a reaction expressed. he has brilliantly turned "street photography" into something of substance. his photographs appear accidental, as if he quickly reached for his camera and snapped. upon further analysis, his photos are clearly deliberate; they depict human nature, human tendencies, human reactions....and that is timeless.

sidenote: another thought that crossed my mind after looking through his photographs was that everyone was so skinny. they were not, however. they were just average. we live in a time where obesity is the norm and to see so many people of a healthy weight, we automatically contrast them to our generation. just a thought.

mr. and mrs. hospitality

2010-01-25T18:34:00.000-08:00

who: clark family

what: maternity/family session

where: their home, murrieta, california

considering the baby is already here

2010-01-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

i probably should have posted this session last month...i'll just blame it on the holiday madness. come back tomorrow for the rest of the images. isn't my sis pretty?