I’ve had a huge interest in my next marathon boudoir session and I’m excited to announce that it’ll be taking place Sunday, March 28th! Again, the hotel suite, hair & makeup, and styling/props will be included in this marathon. I have a interest/wait list of about 20 girls that I’ll be sending information and details to. Contact me with “marathon boudoir” in the subject line if you’d like to be added to the list! Space is very limited as we do factor in plenty of time for you to get all dolled up and it’ll be on a first come, first served basis.
Natalie & Tyler’s 100 Day Portraits
Do you all remember this little munchkin? I shot these 100 Day portraits of baby Alison back in 2008 for her parents, Sue and Dean.
Look at how big she’s gotten since then! And not only that, she is now a big sister to baby Natalie.
Here’s baby Natalie working that gummy smile for me! Sue and Dean are now the proud parents of two beautiful little girls!
When we turned her over on her belly her face instantly changed and you can see it written so clearly on her face, what is this fuzzy white stuff?
How cute is this little outfit? I love the wispies peaking out from under her hat.
Sue’s sister Grace and her husband Jin also welcomed a new addition to their family! Meet baby Tyler! He and cousin Natalie were born just TWO days apart! Can you believe that?
Baby Tyler’s already got such a spunky personality. He giggles and squeaks and screeches to let you know how he’s feeling.
Isn’t he so cute? I love those cheekies!
Park’s 30th Anniversary Portrait Session in Palos Verdes
I love being involved in the lives of my couples past their wedding day. I shot David and Beatriz’s wedding in the Spring of 2009 – rememeber this ultra fab wedding? Beatriz contacted me last year regarding an anniversary session for her parents as they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and the kids are planning a celebration in their honor. How amazing is that? 30 Years! Not only do I get to witness as my couples start their new lives together, I get to partake in the big milestone anniversaries as well. I just want to congratulate the Parks in their love, commitment to each other, for raising their babies into fine adults who recognize and appreciate the love of their families, and to their upcoming 30th wedding anniversary!
We started off our session on the beautiful grounds of the Wayfarer’s Chapel in Palos Verdes. The Park’s arrived dressed to the nines and perfectly coordinating. I love how stylish these two are. This is one of my favorite images from our session.
How cute is the soda pop bottle and bendy heart straws?
Oh…… the bag envy! And totally rocking the whole look from head to toe!
Afterwards, we headed to the Korean Bell of Friendship just down the road where Mrs. Park donned her beautiful hanbok. It was perfect for the setting and the other patrons on site paused to ooh and ahh. Check out the lone seagull on top of the pagoda!
Film
I recently added a Contax 645 medium format film camera to my family of Canon digitals and I am in love. I’ll admit that I had no idea what to do with it when it first arrived. Who am I kidding? I still don’t really know what to do with it. When I went to buy film, I sweetly asked the guy if he could show me how to load the film because the last time I used a film camera all I had to do was just pop a cartridge into my brick of a point and shoot. Remember those? Thankfully, he obliged.
I shot frames here and there and although I had no idea how the shots were turning out, I was already in love with the process of shooting film. It makes you slow down and really think about each frame you shoot. And something about that feels so artful. I missed shooting for me and the Contax brought that joy and excitement back. I’m learning. I’m discovering. And I’m enjoying the process even with all the mistakes and uncertainty. I’m also learning to be patient. Digital is all about instant gratification. I can view it immediately, download my cards as soon as I get home, upload files asap. Film is a bit of a waiting game and I’m trying to be a bit more zen about the process. Because in reality, a week and a half after I’d sent my film to the lab I was convinced that it had gotten lost in the mail and was quite depressed about it. I know, such a drama queen. I have my second roll of exposed film ready to be sent in and I don’t even remember what’s on it. Getting those images back will be like a little surprise.
A few shots from my first roll that I got back from Richard Photo Lab this week.
I told you Akira likes to hang out on this stair landing. I’m really digging the softness of this shot compared to the digital version I posted not too long ago.
Here’s a couple of Linda and her sweet little Sophie at Mochilato in Irvine. Look at how tiny Sophie is!
I want to thank my friend Brandon Gresham for answering my spaz-tastic emails regarding shooting film, Jonathan Canlas for being such an open book of awesomeness on his formspring page, and Michael Norwood for making dreams come true. 
He gave me the info I needed to access my photos from Richard Photo Lab’s FTP site because you know, I couldn’t wait until morning to contact Richard Photo Lab for the info. I’m working on that whole zen-patience thing, but thank goodness for twitter & helpful friends.
Gia & Matt’s Wedding at Greystone Mansion Beverly Hills
It all works out how it’s supposed to. I’m a firm believer in this and I think Gia and Matt are too. Originally, the love birds were to get married at Pasadena’s City Hall but a few months until their wedding day they were notified that the building was under construction and that there would be scaffolding up on their wedding day. We hoped that maybe the construction work would be done on a side area, but I mean really, who wants to take that kind of chance? So they ended up booking Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills for their ceremony. Perfect, right?
But then it rained. And rained. And rained some more. Remember all that rain last month and how much havoc it caused us because we never get that much rain? Even Gia and Matt’s engagement session had to be rescheduled twice due to rain. How is this fair? But miracles do happen. And although it rained every day for weeks and even stormed heavily the night of their rehearsal, we saw nothing but blue skies the morning of Gia and Matt’s wedding. It couldn’t have been a more gorgeous day for the blessed couple!
We started off at The Langham Hotel in Pasadena.
Gia made all the bouquets herself and I have to say that she did a beautiful job.
I am in love with the soft femininity of these next portraits of Gia. Aren’t they just gorgeous?
Gia also made all the bouts for the guys. I love how clean and modern they look against their suits.
Gia quietly writing her vows to say to Matt later on at their ceremony.
I’m completely smitten with these bridesmaids dresses. It’s something that you could totally wear again! And get this, the skirt has pockets! And how’s this for a small world? I kept staring at the bridesmaid on the far right trying to figure out how it was that I knew her face. All morning long it nagged me – church? No. UCLA? No. Friend of Jeff’s? No. So during a lull in photos I asked her how I knew her and she told me that she was a bridesmaid in another wedding that I shot a couple years back! 
Hi again!
Matt getting emotional seeing his bride walking down the aisle. Their ceremony was filled with so much genuine emotion it was hard not to get choked up myself.
We were blessed with some beautiful light after the ceremony. And again, I thanked God for clearing the rain clouds on this day. And of course, the heavy downpour started right back up the following day so we totally lucked out.
You know what else is crazy? A guest came up to me during the reception and it was an old friend I had gone to high school with in the Bay Area! Her husband was the groom’s best man. Danae, thanks for coming up to me and saying hi!
Wedding Coordinator: Sassy Girl Weddings
Ceremony: Greystone Mansion
Second Photographer: Kenny Phan
Sweet Treats: Sweet and Saucy Shop
Blush Boudoir – Anna
I don’t even know if Anna knows how absolutely beautiful she is. Actually, I don’t think any of my boudoir clients realize it. Up until Friday evening I received emails and texts from my girls saying how excited and nervous they were, how they wished they were in better shape for the shoot, etc. And then every time a new girl arrived for her session I balked. You look like that and you’re worrying? We spend way too much time nit picking rather than celebrating our bodies. So here’s to women everywhere: you are gorgeous!
I loved hearing back from the girls about how much fun they had and how it wasn’t as nerve wracking as they thought it would be. I already have girls inquiring about another marathon so I’m hoping to run another one sometime in March! If you’d like to be notified of a future Blush Boudoir marathon special, just email me and I’ll put you on the list.
Here’s some of my favorites from Anna’s session. It was hard to narrow them down they were all so beautiful.
Anna pulled out a bag full of the best shoes ever! A girl after my own heart. I’ll have to say that leather and lace go quite well together.
And if looks couldn’t kill, this would have to come with a warning… so hot.
Anna brought out her sexy cute side and had some fun with a cupcake from Sweet and Saucy. How cute are these?
I love the combination of dark hair and light eyes. It’s so exotic and enticing.
Thanks to everyone who helped out with my Blush Boudoir marathon! And thank you Anna for allowing me to share these on my blog! The other girls from the marathon have all opted to keep their images private, but they all turned out sexy, sweet and stunning as well!
Hair & Makeup: Muse Makeup Artistry
Styling: Grand Soirees
Sweets: Sweet and Saucy Shop
Blush Boudoir – Arielle
Arielle has a sweet, yet sexy look that we accentuated with the flirty pink birdcage veil and a girly over the top peony flower hair pin that was made by Linda Ly of Grand Soirees. The hair piece totally made her look and I’m so in love with these images! Margaret of Muse Makeup Artistry did an incredible job dolling Arielle up for the shoot too!
We also had vintage furs, sparkly retro headbands, birdcage veils in different colors, pearls, and sparkling jewels for all the girls to choose from and wear for their shoot. It was great having so many options to really complete each girl’s look and style.
Melody of Sweet and Saucy Shop baked us these amazing sweets to use for our Valentine’s Day shoot. And each girl got to go home with a yummy treat or two! Thanks, Melody! If you’re looking to sweeten up a special someone for Valentine’s Day you must check out the couture desserts she’ll be whipping up just for the occasion!
We vamped it up a bit and Arielle changed into this red hot number for the rest of our shoot. The color looks amazing on her and completely changed her attitude. Meow!
Thank you Arielle for allowing me to share these! You are so beautiful and so sweet! Hope you (and your boyfriend!) love these!
Blush Boudoir Tease
Just a little sneak peek of what’s to come! My Blush Boudoir marathon session this past weekend was a total blast for me and everyone involved. I have to thank Linda of Grand Soirees for styling the shoot, Margaret of Muse Makeup Artistry for dolling up the girls, Melody of Sweet and Saucy for the delectable sweets, and of course the beautiful girls who came out for this session. I can’t wait for my next marathon session!
Posted with permission, here is the drop dead gorgeous Anna.
More to come of the girls who have graciously allowed me to share some of their images with you all.
Kerri & Rob’s Wedding at Rancho Las Lomas
My first wedding of 2010 was that of Kerri and Rob at Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado, Ca. The venue holds such a special place in my heart since that’s where I became Mrs. Chen and now it will forever hold a special place in Kerri and Rob’s hearts. We arrived for the getting ready photos and Kerri was a vision of calm and grace. Nothing could keep the smile from her face that day and it showed. Check out these amazing details.
When it came time to tie the sash on Kerri’s dress, her Mom calmly walked over and tied the most perfect bow you had ever seen. It was as if she’d practiced and waited all these years to be able to do so on her daughter’s wedding day. It brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Such a special moment. I am so lucky to have been able to witness and capture it. Have I mentioned how much I love what I do?
The guys were looking pretty darn good too. Well, better than good. They looked down right handsome!
The heart shaped brooch belongs to Kerri’s grandmother. It was a brooch that her grandmother used to let her play with and wear as a child. To have it pinned to her bouquet on her wedding day meant a lot to Kerri. I love hearing snippets of stories from my couples about the little details of their day.
Don’t the girls look stunning? And those bridesmaid dresses are so cute. I loved that the skirt had pockets. So chic and so convenient to stash away tissues or lipgloss.
Rob’s an artist at heart. As a designer, I could see Rob’s touch on everything. The clean modern designs, color palette, even the type faces for the escort cards were perfection.
I just had to include this next photo. A guest did a quick crayon drawing of the couple that looked SPOT on!
24 Carrots is always on hand after the ceremony to bring drinks and appetizers for the wedding party. Having your own private waitstaff to refuel and recharge you on your day is amazing service. And that way you don’t completely miss out on cocktail hour! It just comes to you.
And then it was time for some portraits!
I was loving the winter foliage at Rancho Las Lomas this time of year! It complimented their florals perfectly.
Rob decided to have a little fun with his bride and started swinging the bench before Kerri was aware of what was happening. I love a couple who knows how to have fun with each other. The look on their faces is priceless.
As night approached we snuck back inside for a few more portraits. I love these next two. So romantic.
The reception hall was decked out in warm candle light. How cozy does this look?
Melody of Sweet and Saucy Shop decked out the dessert table. I won’t lie, we hovered over that table drooling over all the goodies.
The first dance for the new husband and wife is always such a sweet moment.
I just had to include this shot from the Mother and Son dance. Her only child all grown up and married. There were tears and as a Mom I could feel all the emotions running through me. And I’m sure that’s only a tiny piece of what Rob’s Mother was feeling at that moment.
Congratulations you two! I am so happy for you both!
Coordinator: Isabelle Gomilla
Second Photographer: Jeret Slack
Florals: Flower Allie
Caterer: 24 Carrots
Baker: Sweet and Saucy
A Dog’s Life
Akira thinks she’s a lioness. She likes to perch on the landings of our staircase and watch the action from above. Technically, she’s not supposed to be on the carpeted areas of our house, but sometimes she just looks too comfy to move. Besides, she just matches the staircase so perfectly it’s almost as if she belongs there.
The sun peaked out this afternoon for a few minutes and I grabbed the opportunity to take a couple shots of Akira. She was happy to oblige and spent the time sniffing the air and lolling about in the wet grass before the rain started pouring down again. I’m hoping that the rain will give us a reprieve this Saturday for my wedding at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. I love shooting that venue and want to make the most of it’s grandiose estate! Everyone keep their fingers crossed for a little sunshine this weekend, ok?
by Sarah K Chen
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