Have you ever met someone who has the magic of attracting people and is always the center of attention? I met a dog last weekend who has that kind of charisma. Let me introduce to you, Bao Bao, a Saint Bernard who is turning one soon. We were stopped by by-passers so many times in the middle of our photo session just because people wanted to pet him and know more about him. I think he has just that kind of magnetical charm.

Bessie and Gary wanted to capture moments of Bao Bao, the way he is now. Bessie told me when they brought Bao Bao home, he was like a little pea. So tiny that an eagle may pick him up and fly away.  I’m sure he will still grow to be stronger and more muscular. But now with these photos, he will be remembered at this size and age.

Bessie, Gary, and Bao Bao, you guys are the friendliest people, and dog, I’ve ever met. Although I was losing my breath chasing after Bao Bao, I had such a great time! Because it was a much needed workout for me indeed. I look forward to more fun sessions with you!

His pastime is taking off people’s shoes and socks…

My Finao album arrived yesterday! I am more than impressed with its top of the line quality. I chose Finao because of the unique two-tone leather cover that they offer. There are so many options to choose from, and the colors are all fabulous! I decided to try this combination of textured accent and distressed leather, which gives it a modern and unique look.

The album was lovingly packaged in handmade paper made from recycled pineapple leaves and mulberry leaves.

Main leather: biker chic. Accent material: femme noire.

I like the seamless spread pages which make full page spreads look wonderful!

“Sporty!” Out of a sudden, Annabelle was crying with tears over her face, as we were exiting her school’s parking lot last Friday. Every child in her class takes turn to bring Sporty home and do their favorite activity with him, and then document their weekend with pictures on a poster. It was her week and she had forgotten about it, but remembered later in the car. Of course, I had to make a u-turn so we could take Sporty home and have the following pictures…

How could she live a day without drawing pictures?

We went to her favorite yogurt place for snack, but it looks like Sporty didn’t get to pick the topping…

Then going shopping with mommy…

The clock read 4:13 am when I woke up unwillingly, again, this morning. Waking up in the middle of the night is my worse nightmare. Because nine out of ten times, sleep is over at that hour and minute. The only time I slept through the night this week was when we had the 4.4 earthquake at 4 am. So bummed that I missed it!

So whenever I tried to fall back to sleep because I was so tired, my brain just would not stop. Sometimes, I see a replay of the exciting part of my day. Sometimes, I think about things. Things like, how I should decorate my bedroom’s empty walls. Or, if Jesus was on twitter today, how many followers would he have?

All these hard thinking makes my head hurt. As I was struggling to get through the rest of my day, I received a phone call from a hospital staff asking if I was available for a Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) photo session. So there I went. My second time.

Due to the privacy agreement, I cannot share any picture, except this from the hospital lobby. But I can share my thought with you — every life deserves a celebration today, not depending upon whether one is going to live tomorrow. Celebrate yours today!

I was looking through some old photos and noticed the posy side of Annabelle. When it comes to posing in front of my camera, she is  a pro!

I just finished reading the book of Matthew. It was part of my new year resolution to finish reading the Bible, em, cough cough…before I die? Hope not! I really want to tell you how much I enjoy reading the four gospels together. It’s very much like watching a 4D movie about Jesus, except it won’t give me motion sickness. How good is that!

The authors of the four books describe the same things that they see from totally different angles. It’s like I could see Jesus in front of me, showing me His miracles and teachings, right there in my bedroom. Every time I read these true stories about our Savior and His disciples, I am so amazed, at Jesus’ might, power, and compassion. So glad to have Him in my life!

I do not have a photo of Jesus to show you. But here’s me at church shooting group pictures after a baptism service. Thanks George for the photo. I love seeing myself in a picture. Peace!

It remains a mystery in my mind that 99% of little girls like princess. I don’t remember if I ever did when I was that age. I know I’ve never played with Barbie for sure.

Not only was I not an advocate of these Disney ladies, I tried my best to stay away from buying Annabelle one of these. But only until she started preschool. That’s when peer pressure kicked in to wash her brain that these princesses are the coolest creatures on earth.

Last night , she asked me which princess I like the most. I was honest and said “none”.

Why mommy?
What do princesses do that make you like about them? For example, do they go to school?
No.
Do they work?
No.
Do they help others?
No.
You see, they don’t do anything except dressing themselves up as a princess.

Please don’t tell her that the above discussion was just to make me the mommy sound so — hmm, holy. The real reason I don’t like princesses is — I think they’re ugly! Shhhhh….

I love capturing actions. It adds dimension to a 2D photo.

Quite a few parents asked me how to take photos for their little ones when they are always going 60 mph. I would tell them just to capture them moving because those moments are so real. I would think most parents are glad that their children are active and moving, than not. Staying still and smiling at the camera is usually not their true self. Except if they’re like Annabelle.

My camera setting depends on how fast the subject is moving. It is usually slow enough for a shutter of 1/60 to capture fast moving objects, and 1/20 to 1/45 for people movement. I found these examples of my action shots and hope that they won’t give you motion sickness like Avatar on IMAX 3D gave me.

I’ve been down with a cold, or flu, or whatever…for a whole week and still not recovered.

So one of my past weekend activity was building mountains of tissue wads from nose blowing. Having runny nose and cough that I cannot stop in public is the Most. Fun. Thing. What about coughing non-stop in the middle of leaving a voice mail with a client? Can anything be worse than that? That’s right. Feel sorry for me.

Aside from being sick, seeing leaves grow out from a lima bean makes me smile. Ricky was the one who grew this. He wrapped it in water-soaked cotton, put it under sunlight, and then after it sprouted, he found a little pot and planted it in soil. Never did I know he was such a good gardener.