Here you go!

It has been brought to my attention that I have been neglecting my duties as a blogger. Yes, I do admit that it has been awhile. And, yes, I do have my excuses...but I will refrain from listing them. I really haven't done much of anything except...well, I really don't know what I have done. The days have slipped by like melted butter through your fingers.

These past few weeks have been so hectic with the holidays attacking the masses with its commercialized goods. I use to like the whole rush and buy and rush and buy &%^$! No can do anymore. My patience has worn thin and that revelation hit me like a freight train in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. No more will I deal with people stealing my parking spot when I have already claimed it with my left signal light. No more can I tolerate the pushing and shoving in the mall as reach for that awesome red jacket. I will stay at home and shop online or head out during early morning/very late hours when only the old people and freaks roam. I can no longer bare the disapproving looks of people as I walk pass the Salvation Army donation bin without dropping in a penny. I feel bad about that but who shops with cash anymore? Maybe if they had a credit card scanner I would be able to donate something. I will just have to find a way to be jolly without the stores presence.

It's all over now. At least for another 10 more months. The past few weeks have not been all bad. Most recently my boyfriend and I went and did a photo shoot with John Jacobsen. I wanted some pictures of the two of us as we didn't have any that I exceptionally liked. I threw a few ideas out at John as far as the type of background and location I wanted...gritty, urban, graffiti...and he knew exactly where to go. The place he took us to was exactly what I had in mind and then some. Tara, John's wife, came along as an assistant. She kept things in check...made sure my hair was good, and Damir didn't make any weird faces. Not only did the pictures come out amazing but I had so much fun. My favorite picture is the one above. Now if only we had some music we really would have gotten down and partied. Next time I will have to bring the boombox!

Another Person Hitched

Denise M Godfrey Photography was hired to shoot a wedding in Boca Raton this past weekend. Incidentally, I was hired as a contracted 2nd photographer by Denise. Of course, I don’t mind working with Denise and accepted the chance to work with her without hesitation. Its refreshing to work with people who are down to earth and sincere in their concerns and requests. She easily develops a sense of warmth and trust with her clients so stepping into the position was easy and without tension.

The wedding itself was on Saturday, but we drove out on Friday to pictures of the rehearsal. This also gave us a chance to scope out the scene and find the angles we would need to get the best shots. Karen, Denise’s friend, also came along as an assistant. In the end she ended up using Denise’s spare camera and grabbed a few shots. The wedding was amazing and the reception was even more so. I was impressed with how much was put into this wedding. Pictures will be able to tell you more than I can with words right now, considering that I am sick with a cold and am physically exhausted. So, pictures will be up in the next blog…or the next after next.

The Height of Fashion...In The Backyard

John had asked me if I could take some pictures of him for his website. He has recently revamped his photography site and needed to finish up his bio section. We figured a picture of him taking a picture of something or someone, hell! just him holding the camera would be suitable. I had plenty of ideas going through my head but when the time came it was a little harder than I anticipated. This was not going to be just the point..smile..shoot! type of picture. I wanted something creative, something that would stand out. I also wanted a wide angle lens, less wind, fluffier clouds and more time, but as life has taught us all...you can't have everything your way.

Jenny came along as John's model. So the idea was to shoot him shooting her. Reminds me of an episode of Animal Planet where three monkeys sit in a tree grooming each other. Anyway, those shots didn't come out as good as I hoped..that is where the wide angle would have come in handy. I did get some good individual portrait type shots. I also took advantage of having Jenny there as a model and grabbed a few good shots of her. She was definitely a natural at it. She needed no direction at all and was able to convey everything from big bright smiles to sexy sultry glances. It was a lot easier to get pictures of her than of John. That's only natural though. Women can play up to the camera a lot more than men can.
Imagine the look on John's face if I had asked him to give me: coy, innocent, surprised, serene, dangerous, shocked...or even worse...come hither! That would be interesting indeed......

Sawatdee Kha

Being asian and growing up here in the US was not easy. With the US history of discrimination, some of what I could remember growing up was not healthy to a child's developing self esteem. Although being a teenager and not being accepted into either the American crowd because of the way I looked and the Asian crowd because I was too American, I managed to dig my way out of that hole of self doubt. It was ok to be myself and if being Asian was part of that...then that's who I am.

To learn more about my culture, the traditions and to get some good Thai and Laotian food to eat (my parents live across country, so I am missing this terribly), my friend Laura, her son, Nick and I headed to the Asian Pacific Rim Festival. I just knew there was going to be an abundance of bright colors spread across the scene. The reds, yellows, blues ...textures and designs. It was absolutely amazing. I was so taken aback by the crowd and performers that I forgot about how heavy the camera was. Indeed, I felt it the next day...my arms and shoulders were killing me.

Just the smell of food wafting through the air was enough to fill empty stomachs. I got pictures more colorful than any I have taken in a while. It was a good day. It was a peaceful day of togetherness...Americans and Asians alike.

Make Me Look Good

Sunday was the day to pull out all of my tricks. I went to Honeymoon Island to model for a few photographers taking a photography workshop. Robert LaFollette was teaching the group that day. I have known Robert for about a year now and he had asked me, as well as a couple of other girls, if we would be interested in modeling for them. Why not? I love being behind the camera but I figured being in front of the camera would give me a different perspective on the world of photography. I have taken a day workshop with Robert before. He is an incredible photographer and an easy-going intelligible instructor. He knows his way around the camera and how to get the best images.

Now, we have all looked at magazines and thought about how easy these girls have it. They get paid to just sit there while photographers snap away. Then, BAM! These beautiful magical photos come to be. Well, speaking from experience, it was not just about sitting there looking pretty....and no BAM!

The day was windy and our hair was blowing all over the place. Mainly, in our faces. God's way of warning the camera? We will soon find out. So, as we were fighting our hair and trying not to squint at the sun, we had to keep a big bright smile on our faces. I do smile, I just always felt that having a smile plastered on your face all the time meant you were not all there in the head. But my smile was there. The part that was the hardest was trying to interpret the photographers instruction into something tangible. Smile a little, but open your mouth and don't show teeth. I didn't this it was impossible until I tried. I'm gonna have to practice in front of the mirror more. It wasn't all bad. I thought it was kind of funny...like the feet shot where we had to bend down towards our feet while we were sitting. The photographer asked " Can you bend down some more?" My response, "That's as far as I can go." It wasn't very far either.

As the time passed with the continuous click of the shutter, I grew more comfortable. It helped big time that I knew Jenny (the other model), John Jacobsen (one of the photographers taking the workshop) and Robert. It was so much fun and getting that attention wasn't so bad either. John has already put up some of the pictures. I was very happy with the outcome, but he is good so no worries there. Now, to wait for the rest.

What I take from that day......its fun being in front of the camera, the pay is good, but I miss having the creative control behind the camera. Several times throughout the day I was thinking how I should have brought my camera. Oh well, I still had fun.

Sunday for Two

This past Sunday Laura and I went to downtown St. Petersburg. I have been there many times but this was her first time getting a feel of the true St. Pete. Not the quick drive-thru tour, but the walk down the streets and brick road alleyways in-depth tour. I love it when people experience things for the first time. The sense of awe of your surrounding is still fresh and the excitement of seeing something different reveals itself in your childish enthusiasm for the slightest detail. We tend to lose these feelings when we become accustomed to being in the same environment time after time. You become neglectful of its beauty and its luster fades into the distance along with any memory of the new beginning.


This was not to be the case on Sunday. We roamed the streets with our cameras, ready to capture timeless images and document the detail in the old time architecture that will someday give way to modern condos of the future. We felt brave with our cameras ready to use it as an excuse for roaming into areas that could possibly be off-limits to passersby. We covered the inner downtown area of St. Pete, but I am pretty sure there are a lot more things that we missed. Thats why multiple trips are called for.

Before There Were Condos

Destruction of material. There is just something about it that draws me in. Much like my affinity to pop the bubble wrap enthusiastically, I revel in awe at demolition sites that have quickly popped up all around the Tampa Bay area. In anticipation of the mass building of condos for the wealthy, small shops and old warehouses have crumble in the hands of these machines of destruction. Just a replacement of one's prized possession to another's. So the cycle continues as there is no end to new ideas.

As we drove around the area we noticed that the warehouse that once housed an art exhibition for several local upcoming artists was now in shambles. It was partially demolished. Two of the walls were still up which left a very eerie and lonely atmosphere. It's destiny was set and there was no turning back.

Do you like it?

The Little Green Bags

I have been trying to be as eco-friendly as possible. Recycling, being less wasteful. Only the beginning. A few weeks ago I opened up my storage closet and what do I find? Bagfuls of plastic bags tumbled to my feet. Yes, this was from several months of grocery-, clothing-, household supply-, whatever-I-feel-buying shopping. It was enough to provide a small country with a years supply of bags for their small room size garbage bin. I grabbed them all and drove over to Publix, where they have several green plastic recycling bins. Unfortunately, anyone one coming in after me to throw their bags in was out of luck. I completely filled it, and it sure as hell felt good.

So my next step on this war on plastic bags: Just today I went grocery shopping at Publix and at the register I picked up a couple of the "Green Bags". These bags take the place of about 4 plastic bags and are reusable. Good enough for me. I was beginning to get annoyed with those pesky plastics anyway.

Now to figure out what next to do....sometimes taking little steps get you further.

Out To Nowhere

Florida Aquarium - I didn't drive so we didn't get lost

We decided to head out to the Florida Aquarium this past Sunday. I was debating whether to bring my camera or leave it at home. If I brought it than it becomes a photography excursion and I wouldn't get to really run around and enjoy myself. Of course, with this in mind I decided to leave my Canon EOS 20D camera at home. Instead, my boyfriend's brother brought his point and shoot Nikon. Not as bulky but very limited in its capabilities. Especially after working with a DSLR. It was a bit frustrating and I kept putting the camera up to my eye. The one good thing I was able to do was record a video at the Shark Tank. The subject was good, but lets just say that no one will be hiring me as a videographer anytime soon. Of course it seems I am also not very good at uploading the video.

I haven't been to the aquarium since I tried volunteering there while I was attending USF. I kept getting lost in downtown Tampa every time. I even held up traffic on I-275 one time when I didn't have the proper change to get through a toll. How I ended up at a toll is beyond me. Needless to say, the volunteering was a no go. Anyway, it was a typical aquarium. Although I was not as impressed as I was hoping this time around, I still had fun. My boyfriend and his brother were quite taken by the attractions, so I guess its always good the first time. After that its been there done that. Next time I'll take my camera.

Hello...I'm back

With the help of an awesome friend, John, I got my computer back and rolling. No more sitting at the library waiting for a computer to open up so I can surf the internet and continue my blog. I didn't get my files back. What do I take from this? Always back up your sh*t! You just don't know how much you depend on these things until they crash and burn on you. But, hey, positive thoughts, right? I got it back and going for now, so let the good times roll!

Moody Days

I woke up earlier than I should have this past Saturday. I had vowed all week long that I was going to sleep in as late as possible to make up for the missing hours. And what do I do? Wake up at 10. Okay, for some people 10 is late but not for me. The morning hours did do me some good, though. I always thought I was more creative at night but it seems that the morning hours can kind of crank my brains a bit too. The result of churning creative juices? This lovely but oh so sad of a poem:



The Naive Adult


My eyes are tired so I close them wearily
As this harsh world hungrily tears itself into me
Not just one gaping hole but inflicted by many
Maybe, if I close my eyes then I won’t see any

Like a child who hides behind innocent lies
Hiding to be seeked, out in the open I’ll close my eyes
The world will disappear with the quick flicker of my lash
But sadly, I know that this momentary peace won’t last

So I’ll just close my eyes but do so wearily
As this harsh harsh world continues to tear into me
Not just this one gaping hole but so so many more
Until I close my eyes once again and seal the door


Yes, sad I say. I wanted to post this poem but wanted to have a picture accompany it. So Sunday we drove over to Clearwater beach in the evening to get some “moody” type shots. I got some pretty good ones and was anxious to get them up. Then the tragedy occurs. After uploading them and slaving over them for a couple of hours I finally finished. I got up to get my boyfriend so I could show off these wonderful pictures, but of course we got back to the computer only to find that it has crashed.

Aarrgh. So here is the poem. No picture so you’ll have to use your imagination.

I'm Not Scared...Really!

So after work yesterday I downed a large bowl of spaghetti before I headed out to Downtown St. Pete. I figured I could walk it off while I scout the area for some hopefully amazing shots. As I headed towards St. Pete the sky was perfectly blue with just a tinge of orange from the oncoming sunset. But as I got closer to the downtown area my heart dropped slightly. I could see the clouds brewing in the distance. No, I am not scared of clouds, rain, thunder or even the lightning. Well, maybe the lightning. You have to admit that we have some crazy lightning storms here in Florida. I could see flashes of light here and there across the murky ominous gray of the clouds. I didn't want to be caught in the rain, but if I wanted to be a photographer I would have to learn how to work through any condition. At least to be the kind of photographer I wanted to be. Sigh.

My first stop would be the Holocaust Museum. I use to live in downtown St. Pete and absolutely loved the area. I use to walk by the Holocaust Museum endless times and although I couldn't afford to pay to get in (I was a starving student at that time…$5 was even too much for me) there was an outdoor installation on the back of the building covering the electricity meter that took my fancy.

As I turned in to the back parking space I noticed that they had moved the installation higher out of reach of most hands. I parked my car and being the only one there, of course, the security camera followed my every move like slimy anemone fingers constantly gliding over my body recording the slightest bodily function….(take a deep breath) and now you know where I stand on big brother. Anyway, I grabbed a few shots of what I call 'Caged Hands'. This installation consist of multiple black bodiless metal hands grabbing at barb wires. Very telling of the past years of torture and genocide in our worlds history. You would think as humans we would learn from such historical atrocities, but we don't and we doom ourselves to repeat the hell.On a lighter note, I spotted a couple of colorful buildings over to my left. Very artsy design with stenciled logos next to the door that I took as a signifier of the business type. I didn't bother checking to see if that is what it was as I was more taken by the motif of the building.

As soon as I heard the thunder I hurried into my car. I briefly contemplated heading home but decided to go ahead and charge into the storm. It would be cool to get some shots of those dark clouds and the feel of the breeze from the storm was so welcoming after enduring the heat during the day. Of course, I totally underestimated the 'breeze'. When I got to the beach, the breeze turned into strong wind. I'm a petite girl, so trying to stay steady while snapping the pictures got a tad bit difficult. I managed to anchor myself on a palm tree. The cloud and lightning show over the bay was amazing. Its too bad I wasn't able to catch any lightning shots. It seemed like it struck only when I put the camera down. As I sat there my fear subsided and watching nature at work brought me a temporary inner peace.

Is this a good idea?

I finally broke down and started a blog. Not quite sure why I was so against it. Maybe it's the fact that I was never able to maintain a handwritten journal before. God knows I always had the good will to start one but to actually keep it going...that was a different story. But here I am. I am more of a typer than a handwriting person anyway so this should be good. I have to say I am quite excited about this. It should get my butt more active in writing and photographing again. It never hurts to try, right?

Well , here we go.