Even with just a half hour nap, her performance was exceptional. We could not have found a better model to work with than this sweet-sweet-little-cutie-pumpkin-pie. Sweeter than Costco’s cake icing! Her smiles melt my heart.  I so missed her after the session!

We started the photo shoot with the Chens in their home, and then walking around the neighborhood. I got Ricky to come along with me that day. What a treat! As we walked into their home, Miss A looked just like that, smiling and warmly welcoming us…

This is the heart-melting smile that I was talking about (left photo). Just about anyone would fall in love with her…

Her mommy and daddy are just as lovely…

Then we went to the pumpkin patch at the Tanaka/Strawberry Farm in Irvine. I’ve had several portrait sessions there before, and this time, I was still in awe at the scenery. With the sun setting in the background, this place is a photographer’s dream…

This is one of my favorites from the session. The colors are soooo yummy…

Say hello to Mr. Scarecrow…

Someone was very curious…

She really did not mind that we moved her around and put her on the spot. Thanks for letting me have fun with you…

Shan and Rebecca, thanks for sharing your sugar bomb with us. Honestly, I am quite happy with the photos from this shoot. And you guys were the ones who made it happen! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

One year has past. Two birthdays to celebrate. It has been a whole year since my website and photography business has launched. It is totally God’s grace that I could find my passion and turn it into a real job. I am not saying that it is easy. My stress level has been much higher in the past year because of new responsibilities to all the stakeholders of my business. Stakeholders are my clients, blog readers, future clients, and more. Despite of getting tons of breakouts on my face as a by product, I still love (x10) what I do. Minus the zits.

I had a wonderful session with the Chen family last Saturday as their little girl was also turning one. To have a little celebration, I am giving my blog photos a new look. It is time to grow BIGGER. Here is one for you to preview:

I photographed this baby doll last year when she was ten days old. This was taken in front of their home:

And then two days ago at the same spot:

Stay tuned for more sugar treats…

Not the black flats above, nor the converse below, only these sparkling point toe shoes that he loves. Every time Christian comes into my bedroom, he turns right into my closet to look for my brown and gold glittering shoes. Happy clicking then he goes. Doesn’t he look cool in them?

Our family is a four-course meal. The idea was invented by Annabelle. One day she gave each of us a special name. She is the pumpkin. Daddy is noodle. Christian is pineapple.  And I am cupcake. I happened to be baking cupcakes for the first time for Annabelle’s birthday party at school today.

After writing this post two weeks ago, I went to Pavilions and ordered three dozens of princess cupcakes. I wasn’t brave enough to bake them myself.  So I crossed my arms and waited to pick up the cakes. Two days ago, the bakery called me and said the princess accessories have been discontinued by the factory. “You mean you have no princess cupcakes?” What am I going to do?

Finally, I rolled up my sleeves and baked three dozens of me. Even with the help of Betty Crocker, it wasn’t easy. As I was frosting and decorating them, I noted to myself: every task takes experience in order to reach perfection. I can read all the instructions and tutorials but still fail. Because the box instructions do not come with experience. That’s why the berries were dripping water on the frosting, making a mess on the first round of cupcakes that I made. The frosting instructions did not warn me not to put anything wet on it.

At least they turned out edible. As long as they are sweet, I think the kids will be happy.

I got this revolving cupcake stand at Costco. It’s such a darling! With this, I will try having revolving sushi at home.

My website needs to move. The address will stay the same so there’s nothing you need to change. I just found it a different landlord. Why? Bad customer service. Something that I cannot stand.

We went to a pumpkin patch yesterday. They tried cotton candy for the first time. Christian was not too crazy about it. We could tell by looking at the melted piece in his hand. It was there for at least 15 minutes. Annabelle finished the whole thing. And then she said, “Candy is bad for you. That’s why I only ate one.” Yes girl, but a big one. Bigger than your head.

Have you ever opened up a program on your computer and realized all your work or contacts were gone? That was how I felt when I opened up my Firefox one day and saw that all my bookmarks have vanished. Being the VIP client – I mean wife – of an IT professional, I emailed Ricky right away to take advantage of the 24/7 unlimited IT support. “Rebooting resolves 90% of all computer problems.” He just told me a secret that he didn’t want his boss to know. And he was so right because it did solve my problem.

When I thought about it, I realized this wisdom applies to life. Spending time with God helps me reboot my brain. It clears out all the junk that is sitting in my “heart-disk”, letting me start fresh each day from a good state. Have you rebooted today?

This is my IT consultant in action:

Then back to his thinking mode:

It struck on us without warning.  All of a sudden, we no longer felt the hot summer heat simmering under our skin. I woke up and breathed in the smell of fall. We went across the street and saw the foliage covered fields.  It was the first sight of a season of anticipation,  of fruitful harvest, of thanksgiving. And a celebration of abundance and goodness of earth.

We spent our morning celebrating the arrival of this wonderful season. Ricky blew some bubbles, which were dancing on the brand new stage of fall. Light breezes carried the bubbles under gleams of sunlight, giving them the most colorful outfits of all. Unlike dreams, they die and fade. It is up to us whether we want to give it a touch. Or to capture and show off the best of them, with the camera that I love.

My mind has been obsessed with cupcakes lately. It all started when I went grocery shopping with Annabelle one day. We walked by the bakery isle and she saw some beautiful princess cupcakes. At that moment, she made up her mind that she must have those at her four year old birthday party. Birthday party? What, what birthday party? I was trying to delay the discussion of this topic until she was 16. Wishful thinking!

Okay, so here I am swimming through the fascinating cupcake world out there. I found these that I want at my 80th birthday party.

These are made by Sugarbloom Cupcakes in Australia. Don’t they look gorgeous? I love every single one of them.

Then I found these amazing wedding cupcake towers by Le Cupcake, also in Australia. Forgive my lack of experience, I have yet to attend a cupcake wedding despite its increase in popularity. To my engaged clients if you’re reading this, you may consider having these cuties at your reception. I will be so stoked to photograph them.

As for Annabelle’s birthday cupcakes, I haven’t decided whether I want to make some mommy’s cupcakes, or just buy her the dream cupcakes she saw at the store. Since I’m not very good at baking and have never baked anything other than blueberry muffins from the Betty Crocker box, there’s a good chance I will go for option two.

Happy Friday!