405 & 101

Last Friday I was invited to the shoot with new faces from LA Models at Khoa Bui studio in LA. There was a bunch of lovely people getting together enjoying their creative times. I met some great photographers, videographers, makeup artists, bookers from the agency, stylist and the models. I found the LA creatives very energetic, friendly, down to earth and basically easy to hang out with. Some said I'm just lucky to get to meet nice people only here... true or not??

Khoa and his studio crew were amazing. They worked closely like family and very generous to share everything they had with the stranger, which was me.

I was also inspired by the way they worked. Very professional, accurate and detail oriented. At the same time They knew how to enjoy themselves.

I had so much fun and didn't just want to leave the studio even after the shoot.

On my way home I was thinking back of the great day and that really helped for not falling asleep in the traffic. I was traveling on 101 & 405 towards OC at 5pm on Fri. You know what I mean if you live in So Cali..

The girls under the bridge

A few days ago I was lucky enough to work with great creatives for a spring editorial.

The models were Sofia(VISION LA) and Erica(NEXT LA) who had beautiful looks and awesome personalities. It was so easy to work with these 2 girls. And the makeup artist Angel(http://thedolledup.com/)created amazing work on the girls. Then the stylist Krystal styled them up real edgy. Kind of D&G inspired.

We drove around in Silverlake area and stopped by at a few spots then shot. We got some cool images under the bridge capturing the arches etc. I love shooting on location mixing models with the background and making stories that match the feel of the location. Since I moved to So Cal, I've never had to worry about the weather so trying to set up as many location shoots as possible. It is simply fun to shoot outdoor using natural light.

I am sharing the images here very soon!

winter wedding

Last weekend I was at my friends' wedding capturing their beautiful moments.

My main focus is fashion photography but I enjoy reportage style for change sometimes.

When you shoot documentary, there are lots of elements that you cannot control(e.g lighting, weather, how people are positioned, trash can on the back ground, etc) but it's challenging and fun to move yourself back and force to find a right angle or wait for a right moment. Also shooting a wedding is a pretty heavy exercise for a lazy fashion photographer like me! I totally respect the professional ones who do this every weekend.

My friends' wedding was happening at some beautiful country club in OC. It was raining and that added a mysterious and dramatic effect to the entire day.

The smell and sound of rain always bring me childhood memories. They remind me of the rainy season in Japan and the dark sky in England. I personally think it's important to put yourself in the certain mood before you start shooting. The mood of course depends on a kind of shoot, but on that day, the gloomy weather was perfect for me to work on the romantic and dreamy styled wedding photography.

Oh by the way for those who have never been in Southern California, it does rain here! I didn't really know that before I moved to Cali!!

The sky got clear in the afternoon, the ceremony was beautiful, the reception was crazily fun.

Congratulations guys!!

The most beautiful girl in town

A few days ago I finally got to work with this amazing model Aly from LA Models for a spring editorial at my favorite place studio OC (studiooc.com).

I've been in love with Aly's look for a long long time. She looks beautiful of course, and also delicate, mysterious, innocent, sensual and strong.

A great model has to have hundreds of expressions and they confuse you which personality is real her. I love the moment when she steps into the studio with some beautiful atmosphere around her. I cannot really describe what it is but it just fascinates me.

Aly is definitely one of those models.

And the team was my favorite girls. A super talented stylist Charity, lovely hair stylist Nycole and great makeup artist Christian. And this time we had a videographer Taro to film our behind the scene, also had Andre and Ellen to help me out.

Here are some bts pics by Charity:

I cannot wait to share the images here!!

:)

01.13 photo diary

Living like a local

Last year I was lucky enough to get involved in the great life style shoot for LOCALE magazine. I got 9 pages for "LOCALE LOOKS" and this January issue is finally out now. Go grab a copy today!

You can find this publication at The Camp, The Lab, Memphis Cafe, some stores at Orange Circle, etc... They are cool places to go out by the way. My favorite spots in OC.

It was refreshing for me to work on life style as my main focus is fashion photography, but I had lots of fun with locals.

Eric, Ashley and everyone in the team, thanks very much!

bts...

a bit of the 60s please

My 2012 started with a super fun shoot with a great team.

My favorite stylist Charity pulled lots of beautiful pieces and made the cute 60s inspired looks for 2 models. The outfits were colorful and playful, a perfect mixture of independent designers and high street brands.

The models, Stevie and Samantha were cool girls with great looks. They happened to be from the same agency, so quickly became good friends as I planned on my mood board.

The hair stylist Nycole was lovely as usual. Who doesn't love working with this cheerful lady!?

And a very talented makeup artist Christian created beautiful work on the girls and I was so happy.

Stevie getting ready.

Samantha waiting in her cute little skirt.

Shooting on the balcony. It was a nice & warm day. We were lucky :)

Charity's puppy, Sydney! You're so handsome and sweeeet!

Editing in progress at the moment.

Cannot wait to share the images here!!