| Monday, June 1, 2009 |
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My beloved pug, Bogie, passed away last Tuesday. He was nearly 15 years young. He was the best friend a girl could ever ask for (sorry, Gene), my fur baby, and the inspiration for my dog portrait business.
I first met Bogie on December 24th, 1995. He was just 11 months old and as scrawny as could be. He was rescued and placed in a pug orphanage located just 20 miles south of San Francisco. When he was introduced to me, he looked at me with his big brown eyes and pleaded, "Get me out of here!" Since that day, Bogie has always been by my side. He's also traveled across the United States with me countless times. I used to joke that he had accrued more frequent flyer miles than my friend and destination wedding photographer, Gene Higa. Bogie's last big excursion was a trip to New York City for my birthday last June. He stayed at the Westin and had his own "Dream Bed." Only the best for Bogie.
The outpouring of love and support that I have received since Bogie's passing has been like a warm embrace. I'm deeply touched by every call, gift, email, text, Twitter and Facebook message that has been sent in remembrance of Bogie. I'm still trying to get through all the messages and will do my best to reply to each and every one. I appreciate you all for taking time to write and think of Bogie and I. I've included a slideshow below with the many kind words we've received via Twitter. I take great comfort knowing that Bogie lived a long, happy, much loved and very spoiled life!
The day Bogie passed, my friend and colleague Jasmine Star said: "Today is beautiful and bright, and amazing because SO many people, like myself, are thinking of Bogie." Gene always said Bogie possessed a "je ne sais quoi" quality. Many would agree.
Bogie was a little dog with a big heart. He touched the lives of all those who met him, both in person and online (his Twitter account had over 650 followers before he passed). He had fans worldwide, and was quite "famous" within the photographic industry, according to Rangefinder magazine.
Bogie's passing brings to mind the words of one of my favorite novelists, Edith Wharton:
"My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet."
That was my Bogie. |
| Monday, May 4, 2009 |
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| I just love it when my grooms are sporting a fabulous tie! One of the best spring or summer looks for grooms is to wear a khaki or dark suit. The right tie will add the perfect flair to a groom's attire. Since a khaki suit is not so formal, you can go for a more colorful or patterned tie (and don't forget to add a pair of whimsical cufflinks!). |
| Friday, April 24, 2009 |
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For the second year in a row, I'm happy to support PAWS PETCHITECTURE, a fundraising event which provides essential pet services for low-income San Francisco residents living with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses.
Petchitecture 14 will be held today, April 24th, at the Fairmont San Francisco atop Nob Hill, from 7-11pm. Over 800 human guests and their canine companions will be treated to a gala evening that includes live music, silent auctions including a dog portrait session donated by yours truly, lots of treats for your dog, hosted cocktails and great food for you, and lots more.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (415) 979-9550 Ext 309. |
| Saturday, April 18, 2009 |
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| Cupcake has "The Last Word"! |
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My image of Cupcake, the bulldog puppy, is featured in this month's issue of Rangefinder Magazine! I knew Cupcake was going to be a star the first minute I laid eyes on her. To download the PDF, CLICK HERE.
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| Thursday, April 9, 2009 |
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| Top 10 Wedding Photographer of 2009! |
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When I received the email a couple of weeks ago, I just stared at it. It seemed so surreal. Considering all the amazing talent out there, I couldn't believe what the email had said -- that I was chosen by the editors of American Photo magazine as one of their "Top 10 Wedding Photographers of 2009." I immediately forwarded the email to my friend, Gene Higa, who was on last year's Top 10 list. His reply was an emotional one, and he confirmed that I wasn't imagining things.
Wow, what an incredible honor! Thanks to all those who made this possible. I love what I do, and I'm lucky to have great clients who allow me to be a photographer. This is definitely one of those "defining moments in my life," and my dad would be so proud.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
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| Thursday, April 9, 2009 |
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| It's a Wrap! liveBooks Webinar - Smile & Say Bone! |
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Today I did my first liveBooks webinar! What fun! For those of you who don't know what a liveBooks webinar is, please click HERE. It's a great resource for photographers. My topic today was the trick to getting great dog portraits.
Thanks to all those who listened in, and for your kind words. I hope I was able to provide some inspiration and information that you can apply to your own businesses.
Happy Shooting! |
| Monday, April 6, 2009 |
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| Featured on Project Wedding! |
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Today I received an email from the editor at Project Wedding letting me know that they've selected one of my images to grace their home page all this week! The image is from Anna + Seth's gorgeous May wedding last year at Manka's Boathouse. Makeup and hair by the talented Sherrie Long.
Anna + Seth's wedding was featured on Project Wedding a while back, and you can see more of their beautiful wedding images here.
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| Thursday, April 2, 2009 |
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| Featured on Etoile: by Bliss'd |
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I was so delighted to be featured on Etoile by my former bride and now wedding planner extraordinaire, Michelle Miyairi of Bliss'd!
It's no surprise that given the care and attention that Michelle had put into her own wedding almost three years ago that she now operates a successful wedding and event planning business. I just adore Michelle and highly recommend her to all my brides!
Michelle's blog, Bliss'd {Something to BLOG about} is definitely one to bookmark! It's packed with great ideas for brides and features some of the best-known vendors in the Bay Area.
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| Here are a few of my favorite shots, as well as details, from Michelle's wedding to Tosh in June 2006. I was fortunate to have Gene Higa shoot along with me that day, and I believe he's being featured on Etoile tomorrow! |
| Wednesday, March 25, 2009 |
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I'm in love with the work of Seattle dog artist, Ken Bailey!
Ken combines his love of dogs with vintage advertising to create art that makes you smile. His whimsical art deco style paintings of Terriers, Pugs, Labrador Retrievers, Boston Terriers, just to name a few, are depicted with items such as candy, juice, tea and chocolate bars. Below is one of my favorites, "Naturally Sweet Pug Orange Juice."
Recently, I purchased a collection of Ken's limited edition prints, which I will frame as a series and hang on one of the walls in my new dog portrait studio. You can purchase prints as posters or on canvas through the Ken Bailey Studio. If you're a dog or cat lover, you will delight in Ken's work!
Ken also has a blog that you can visit for news and updates about his work and products.
Side note: Upon purchasing the prints, I invited Ken to view my dog work and he wrote me the kindest note, which, coming from such a world-reknown artist such as he, I was completely humbled by his words, below:
"I did go to your site and the most eloquent thing I can say is "Wow" Photography rarely impacts me and I don't look at much wedding photography, but you do something special. I was impressed. Your work is fun and energetic. You get the artistic use of space and movement - really rare. Your work makes me smile."
Ken, your work makes me smile! Thanks for sharing your art with us.
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| Monday, March 23, 2009 |
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Isn't she darling? This is Marley at her first baby portrait session. A year or so ago, I had met her parents who were neighbors of ours at our old studio in Cow Hollow, and I had photographed Marley's older brother, Max. Now it was Marley's turn to shine in front of the camera, and that she did!
The shot at the very end of the slideshow is Max during his first portrait session (I swiped the image off my old blog). I just love his little tuft of hair!
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