Archive for the ‘PERSONAL’ Category

LOS ANGELES COMMERICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER : { PARK TAE-HWAN } GOLD MEDALIST SWIMMER

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Congratulations Park Tae-Hwan, You did it again!  When I heard that he won few more gold medals in Guanzhou Asian Game this month, I knew it was time for me to post these images on my blog.  This was my humble celebrity moment.  A while back, I had an amazing opportunity to photograph this young Korean athlete while he was training in the States. Park Tae-Hwan is a gifted south Korean swimmer and 2008 a China Olympic gold medalist. He’s already had excellent records when I photographed him last year. He is now one of the biggest celebrity in South Korea. Can you blame them?  He is quite handsome and charming in person as well.  He worked very professionally with me even though he was very tired from his training. I have to say, I really wasn’t nervous about photographing him at all. I was able to demand signed model release so I could use these images for my portfolio. ( so please do not use these images on your site without permission everyone) I was first trained as a commercial photographer,  so technically and mentally I was fully prepared.  However what made me nervous was that the agency gave me less than 2 hours to photograph him plus 20 other product shot in two different locations. On top of that I had to photograph production images.  I guess that’s normal for photographing celebrities,but I certainly wasn’t experienced in that. I guess I was lucky to get more than 5 minutes. Here are what I was able to produce for myself .  Sunny California sky, Korean agency wanted didn’t happen. These were concept images that I submitted for their review.  A Special Thanks to my day of assistants :  Mike Kim and Daniel Kim

21 years old, being the best at what he does. It must feel so good Park Tae Hwan, Congratulations Again!

Los Angeles Portrait Studio {Ambient Photography Studio} in Brentwood

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

You all know that I am a foodie but this image deserves first place because I couldn’t have done this party without my friend, Jean. She took care of all the food for me. It was like having a professional caterer.  Thank you darling xoxo!  Her red velvet cup cakes were to die for.

Rock of my strength.

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So our studio looked like this when Marie and I first visited.  Thanks a million to our dedicated husbands.
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My partner in crime, Marie Teagardin
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Night before the party, AK putting up my photos. I love you baby!
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Seattle, Friends, Food and Wine

Friday, September 12th, 2008

Jen & Barry are both foodie just like us so Jen made several reservations at their favorite restaurants. Friday night we went to theWild Ginger in Seattle for Tyler’s birthday! Sleek and modern atmosphere. Delicious Asian Fusion food and nice service. Then Saturday Morning we went to Salty’s at the Alki beach for the brunch. Loved Fresh Oyster bar the most but you gotta try their waffle station. If you sit by the window you can enjoy breathtaking view of Seattle downtown. Sunday night, four of us went out to dinner at the Cafe Juanita in Kirkland for nice and cozy adult only dinner. Jen and Barry shared their Aubert 2006 Chardonnay with us. Very fruity and smooth Chardonnay. I prefer little fruity over dry Chardonnays. I had the halibut dish so it was perfect. For the appetizer, we had “Seared Foie Gras with Bing Cherries, Candied Ginger and Cocoa nibs” was delicious! You have to try this one if it’s on the menu when you go there. Cafe Juanita offers five Star service and the quality. And of course house made desserts are to die for. Please make sure to reserve your table in advance. Okay, There was more than just food & Wine during this vacation. We went out to see the Tropic Thunder (not my kind of movie but I had a good laugh), shopped and of course did little sightseeing. I couldn’t have asked for better vacation. Great food, wine and the wonderful friends to share the table.
With Jen at the Cafe Juanita

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Back from the Friday Harbor

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

I am back from my two weeks journey. Refreshed and encouraged. For next few days. I am going to try to tell you little more about my trip but I need to catch up on my life here in LA. For now, I am going to have these photos to tell you the story.
This is the last image that I captured in workshop before I left the island.
Friday Harbor is the kind of place that you would like to just sit and soak up on the beauty of life.

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Out of Town until 9/6/2008

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

I still have few more things squeeze into my carry-on bag and I will be leaving in few hours. There always is so much to pack when you take your camera gear. Not to mention trying to take 20 rolls of film in your carry-on. I’ve been running around like a mad woman last week just to get few things done before I go out of town for two weeks. It’s little scary to leave everything behind for 2 weeks but I know everything will be okay. Okay, I have been to Passport agency and my passport disaster has been resolved. I can finally leave. Because I recently took Andy’s last name and I did that before I change name on my passport, Agency has suspended processing name change on my passport. They are now asking for additional documents. I shipped them over night but when I tried to confrim with them on the phone they told me that I won’t be able to get my passport back for another 2 weeks! So I rushed in to get an appointment with the Passport agency in Los Angeles. I was lucky to be able to get an appoint in such a short notice. Last friday morning in 405 traffic, I drove down to agency. A nice supervisor lady at the window #12 said “NO” at first but she took pity on me when I told her I really really really needed to take care of this before I leave so my husband can bring passport with him next week. ( They won’t give your passport on the spot unless you are leaving the country on that same day!!! ) She said maybe she can get around the rules and see if she can get my information transfered by next Tuesday. I can finally take our anniversary trip with Andy to Canada after Rod Dresser workshop. Here is my advice to future brides, if you are going to take your husband’s last name, do that first on your passport then change everything else. It will make your life so much easier. So I am off for two weeks, please bear with me if I cannot get back to you right away. My dear clients, you know where to reach me for your photo emergency! I won’t be able to post things here until I come back so please bear with me.