shutter to think

When two worlds collide

Over Labor Day weekend, this city gal found herself immersed in a quaint village in the middle of Wisconsin. This time I wasn't on assignment. I was hired by a colleague, who otherwise assigns me stories for NPR, to photograph her wedding. Honored and touched, this moment also terrified me: I'm photographing my picture editor's wedding! As soon as I touched ground, met all their closest relatives and friends, I soon enough felt like I was part of their extended family. Here is a colorful snapshot of mixed iphone and hasselblad images from Ephraim, Wisconsin.

Thank you Coburn and Brad, and your families and closest friends, for a memorable time and having me document one of the most celerbated days of your lives....

Top Doc for US News & World Report

I was so fortunate to photograph this very touching story of this young family, and their amazing little boy, for US News and World Report, on finding the right doctor and hospital. Please see pg 25 of the 2012 Edition of Best Hospitals.

archive: a dip in the bucket

Many people don't know this but I would love a 1961 2-door convertible Ford Falcon. Thats right. Specifically. One that runs well, and not a pimped out hot rod. The color would be blue. or white, but definitely not red. My first car was almost a mid-1970s bmw. it was orange. we saw it on Mission Blvd in Fremont, but my mother thought that the diesel gas it took was too impractical and worried that this cute little car would leave me stranded, out of gas, somewhere. So she bought me a 1983 mint green Honda Civic. For $100. It was the closest thing to a vintage automobile that i could get. and that was in 1993. damn. It didn't last long, after I blew the head gasket. ah well. I also have a thing for vintage motorcycles, but thats a story for another time.

Here's a portrait of a short, surreal moment. As I looked down into the viewfinder (hasselblad), I felt like I was taken back in time. It reminded me of my family pictures - my mother's side. The stoic, for the record, kind of portraiture. This is a quinceneara I photographed in Napa. Originally I was suppose to photograph a family that I had met prior but I couldn't find them. So this family let me photograph them.

and from the sidelines, they watched:

Dying at Home - portrait for the NY Times

I photographed a very touching story several weeks ago. Here's the clip and link to story, about dying in the comfort of your home. The shoot took some time to draw out some emotion for the picture to be compelling. I photographed Laurie by framing her in several different ways in front of the cabin that she and her former husband built when he was sick. After photographing the zen garden that they made together, and inquiring about her husband and what he loved to do, she pulled out a dusty picture frame from the cabin, now used as storage. I stepped back a bit more so that I could give her that moment. He was the love of her life, although she is remarried now. This picture was made at the very end of the shoot.

To read the story: Dying at Home

a walk in the park

Wedding: Trish & Lyle at the Clift

Here's a teaser of a fun wedding I photographed at San Francisco's Clift Hotel. Intimate space, great for small weddings, beautiful light, and views of the City. It was a joy to photograph this young couple, who made their ceremony a thing to remember -- a reflection of themselves and their families. I don't think I've laughed so much during a wedding ceremony! They were so fun and I thank them for having me be a part of their day!

recent assignment for nyt

This is from a recent assignment on a teenager who suffered from tooth decay. she nearly died from an untreated tooth decay. she's recovered pretty well, but unfortunately, there are families out there who are unable to afford proper dental care. luckily she's recovered well and we wanted to show that. here's a clip from the new york times, and an outtake.

  

Expecting parents

It was such perfect timing to photograph an old high school classmate and her partner before I left for my se asia trip as she was due only weeks after. Through facebook, I found out the Jenny was expecting, so I quickly contacted her to see if she would be interested in some family portraits in exchange for a sign model release that i can use for my stock collection. She and her partner participate in Burning Man every year so I wanted to photograph them wearing something that reflect their bohemian lifestyle.

philanthropic love

Naomi Lawler, 34, an American expat living in San Miguel de Allende, originally from Wisconsin by way of San Diego, dedicates her weekends to two orphaned sisters, Angeles and Elena. She has been a host mother to the girls, whose ages are around 5 and 8-years-old, for nearly two years.

“I feel that everyday they are integrating and its complimentary because it expands their minds to understand various cultures,” said Madre Chuy, Mother Superior of Casa Hogar Santa Julia. There are four nuns who care for 40 girls at the San Julia de Hogar, where the sisters live during the week.

The city of San Miguel de Allende has a population of about 60,000 residents and is one of the wealthiest cities in Mexico. Nearly 8,ooo expats from mostly America, Canada, England, and Australia live in the city and boasts 130 non-profit organizations supported by grants and donations from the expat community. Virtually no funding comes from the Mexican government. 75% of expats are retired and live on fixed incomes.

Surfer Portraits

I'm working on a storyboard about a little surf town in Mexico and got distracted in making these images of local surfers for the blog to share. These guys have seen their little fishing village transform over the past 10 yrs to a tourist destination. And now, themselves have gained a little from the tourism, such as providing a business teaching surfing, or taking surfers out on charter boats, and family business of restaurants and bars.

Burro -

Tigre -

Jose Luis -

Chile -

Tarzan -

Lovely little summer wedding

I photographed a little wedding in Yountville, Ca., a few weeks ago and here are a couple of my favorites. They were a very sweet couple.

An afternoon at the farm in Fremont

A recent shoot of my best friend and her family in Fremont. I've known Stephanie since high school, well over 15 years ago. Its been a blessing that I've been around to see her through her pregnancies and to be "Auntie LiLi" to her children.

cuties

My friend Jenny's adorable son that i photographed for a family portrait -

And my best friend's son being so good and standing so still for this old hasselblad -

Fall in Napa

Upvalley and Carneros

Family and a happy dad

pictures from an old hasselbald

I recently began shooting with an old hasselblad. Its been an interesting adventure. my pace of shooting is definitely slower. which is nice. i love the sounds of this camera. now i just have to shoot better with it. its like seeing new all over again. anyway, here are my trials: