Time really flies!

I was truly honored when my baby cousin Genievie and her fiancé Brian requested me to photograph their engagement a few weeks ago.  It was so much fun being creative with them!  I’m totally excited about photographing their wedding at the end of the year =)

Some of my favorites:

Following on the year 2011 were some of the best photography lessons I personally ever learned.  There were several things that I learned, though more of them were really a reflection of my personal self.  I learn more and more as I get older that one goes from one extreme to another in order to learn about themselves, like waves in the ocean.  As you gain more experience and learn more, you find that perfect median that truly represents who you are and what you’re about.  A life lesson that can be applied to photography amongst many other things.

A few of the things I learned:

1.  Trends and things you like come and go, but your signature is your signature.  It defines you, who you are, and how you’re recognized by the people, public, and fans of your work.  No need to rush and find yourself, for experimenting is half of the fun.

2.  Look to other things outside of photography for inspiration.  Some of my greatest inspirations don’t come from photographers at all.  Some of my biggest inspirations come from philosophers, painters, and artists from other mediums.  I used to draw portraits before I got into photography, some of my influences come from there.  And none of them could have

3.  Enjoy yourself.  This one is pretty self explanatory, but when you enjoy yourself, your true, favorite work comes through and you learn more about what makes you tick and what makes you “You”.

Now onto some of the highlights of 2011…

From Christine & Andrew:

From Sharleen & Brian:

From Spring, Addison & Carl:

From Mar & Steve’s Engagement:

From Atsuko & Karl’s Engagement:

From Cristine & Scott’s Wedding:

From Hana & Nate’s Wedding:

From Fawaz & Hoorya’s Wedding:

From Mike & CC’s Wedding:

From Fawaz & Hoorya’s Wedding:

From Denise & Paul’s Wedding:

From Jenny & Eddie’s Wedding: 

From Denise & Paul:

From Eddie & Jenny’s Wedding:

From Atsuko & Karl’s Wedding:

From Teri & Chris’s Wedding:

Eddie & Jenny:

From JoAnn & Danny’s Wedding:

Fawaz & Hoorya’s Wedding:

Teri & Chri’s Wedding:

Karl & Atsuko’s Wedding:

From Denise’s Wedding:

Jasen & Michelle’s Wedding:

From Hoorya’s Wedding:

From Jasen & Michelle’s Wedding:

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The Setting for Denise’s Wedding:

Denise & Paul:

Jasen & Michelle:

Atsuko & Karl’s Wedding:

From Mike & CC’s Reception:

Relaxing with Jasen & Michelle:

A Shot I took with Fawaz & Hoorya:

The reception from Denise & Paul’s Wedding:

Jenny & Eddie’s First Dance:

Jasen & Michelle Posing Together:

Denise & Paul’s First Dance:

Last Picture of the night with Hoorya & Fawaz:

Last Picture of the night with Atsuko & Karl:

Here’s to 2012, and all the wonders it may have!!!

Cheers!

I’ve known Atsuko since we both went to college together. It’s during weddings like and moments when Karl saw Atsuko in her dress for the first time, that I truly feel privileged to photograph and record moments like theirs.

From her bouquet to her dress, from her ceremony, to the Tonka Drummers, I feel truly honored to have been a part of one of the most important days in your life guys!

Many congratulations and best wishes on a long happy marriage to you both!

Chris Avery contacted me about two years ago and we only finally managed to meet up just recently for me to photograph a few behind the scenes shots for his press kit dedicated to his LP that’s coming up.

Some of my favorites:

Let me know your thoughts! =)

Brian is the younger brother of one of my grade-school classmates and is getting married the same weekend that I am! Cheers to him and Sharleen for many happy years and for many children!

To see more images and order prints, you can go here