Leric's Photography

Chung Family Holiday Photo Session

2011-11-12T21:22:00.000-08:00

Lisa + Thang = Dream Wedding

2011-09-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

Denise + Eric = I got your 6

2011-08-27T23:06:00.000-07:00

Lisa + Thang Engagement Session

2011-08-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-05T01:01:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July from the Bay Area!

Denise + Eric Engagement Session

2011-06-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Mission Peak

2011-06-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Hiked up Mission Peak in Fremont, CA for the first time last week. Great views of the East Bay! Next time I try to run up this bad boy!

Michelle + Craig

2011-05-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Engagement photo sessions have always been enjoyable to us, but when it’s your personal friends, it takes it to another level. Michelle and Craig are two very special friends to us and when asked if we could do their engagement photos, we wanted to provide them with nothing but the best. This Prince and Princess like couple will be getting married this September at the world famous, Disneyland. This day will mark a storybook introduction for the first chapter for their lives. As our friendship grows, and their marriage blossoms, we hope to continue these special moments with them for many more years to come.

The Lee Family

2010-12-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

While on vacation in Hawaii last month, we had the perfect opportunity to meet up with some old friends and do a family photo shoot for them. Lina and Thomas moved to Hawaii a couple years ago where they settled down, got married, and started a family of their own. We also got to meet Kaelyn, their sweet and spunky two year-old little girl. Their Terrier, Tonka, also came along for the day and it was amazing how well-behaved he was! We had an awesome time hanging out, grubbing on poki, and catching up. Hopefully we'll get to return to Hawaii really soon and do it again!

Nomi's Maternity Shoot

2010-10-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

Babies, babies, babies! Who doesn't love babies?

Nomi and Jason are having their first baby together and they wanted to make it extra special and memorable. Not only was it a maternity photo shoot, but it was also a family photo shoot with Nomi's almost 12 year-old son, Owen. We took them to a very secluded spot that we love to frequent in the Tri-Valley area and it turned out to be such a warm and beautiful day that the the shady surroundings worked out great!

Since it was Autumn and very close to Halloween, we decided it would be nice to also take them to the local pumpkin patch and do some fun pictures there. The colors during Fall are so awesome and vibrant, and there's always something extra special about pumpkin patches. Here are just a few of the images taken that day. Enjoy!

Amelia turns four months old...

2010-09-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we met 4 month-old Amelia De Jesus. This cutie pie was such a joy to be around, warming the hearts of the world with her glowing smile, laughter, and frequent genuine expressions of concern.

We took a quick visit to the beautiful campus of Santa Clara University on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. Jennie and Richard wanted to do a family photoshoot with their baby girl and their dog Skooby, and quite frankly, 4 month-olds and beagles would've been a hectic photo session! But Amelia and Skooby were at their best and we couldn't have been happier with the end results.

Paula + Andrew = Timeless

2010-09-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

The bride and groom exchanged vows at the beautiful Martinelli Event Center in Livermore on a warm September day. The weather forecast for that Saturday was "cool with a chance of rain" and instantly we thought, oh noooo! Although the pictures would've been awesome if it did rain, no one ever wishes for rain on a wedding day. Luckily, as soon as we showed up at Paula's mom's house, the sun came out and greeted us with a warm smile.

Every wedding is unique and special in it's own way. And every couple that we've ever met has a different story to tell leading up to their big day. We love learning about how they met and how far they've come. Paula and Andrew started out as roommates more than seven years ago and today, they are husband and wife. These two lovebirds couldn't be more crazy in love than they already are, and every time they look at each other, you can totally see it. The chemistry between them is quite magical. That's why it made our job that much easier! We wish them all the best on their life long journey together. Cheers!

Something blue...

The dress

The ring

The flowers

The love letter

The beautiful bride

A stud in hand is worth two under the bed.

The humorous groom

Chloe turns 1...

2010-09-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

Isobel turns 1...

2010-08-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

In a family filled with nothing but destructive big brothers and boy cousins, Isobel, or Izzy as everyone calls her, was born as the much anticipated only girl. Upon turning one, her baptism and birthday was held on the same day; and of course, Mommy and Daddy went all out. The Sycamore Clubhouse was decked out in a Hawaiian theme with plenty of party favors for the boys, the girls, and even the adults! The event was catered by Manila Gardens and there was 3 times more food than people... and there was tons of people! The most important part was that the birthday girl seemed to enjoy herself and even tried to stay awake long past her nap time.

Happy Birthday, Izzy! Cheers to many more!

Diana & Kaovang E-Session

2010-07-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

Some people have been together for so long that it's hard to visualize them without the other. Diana and Kaovang have been together since they were practically kids and come September, they are finally tying the knot. They have two beautiful and healthy girls, Annabelle and Aubrey. The poor girls shivered in the morning fog when we met up with them for the shoot. Summer in the bay area just wasn't what we expected this year. But instead of screaming and complaining, they stuck it out for their parents and smiled for the camera.

Paula and Andrew's E-session

2010-07-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

When there's magic between two people, it definitely shines through. We spent the day with Paula and Andrew and I must say, there is such a natural chemistry between these two that it's a wonder why they didn't get married any sooner. They took us out to Marin Headlands and retraced their steps toward the bluff where Andrew asked Paula to marry him. Although it was foggy and cold, the view from above was absolutely breathtaking.

Like most couples that we shoot, the first initial moments are always somewhat intimidating, but it definitely didn't take long for these two to warm up to the camera. They wanted the day to be natural and comfortable, which pretty much sums up our portrayal of them. They also took us to the sushi spot where they had their first date and the cute little truffle shop across the street for dessert. It was such a fun shoot and we're really excited for their big day!

Please enjoy!

Ashley & Jason's Tahoe Wedding

2010-07-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

We finally had a chance to return to beautiful South Lake Tahoe in one of it's two finest seasons. If anyone's been to Tahoe in the Summer time, you would love it's natural beauty just as much as you do during the Winter. Ashley and Jason said their "I do's" on a warm, sunny day on the sands of the Riva Grill, a beach front restaurant set against the backdrop of Heavenly Ski Resort. Unlike the wedding rehearsal on the day prior, their wedding day turned out to be a bit too hot and too sunny that we had to wait quite awhile for the perfect time to quietly steal them away from their guests.

As redundant as it sounds, being able to work with a great couple always makes our job so much easier, and Ashley and Jason are two of the nicest and most easy going people ever! Even with a destination wedding such as Tahoe, the second floor restaurant hosting the wedding reception were completely filled with their friends and families, each one wanting their undivided attentions just so they can genuinely say congratulations. We can fall in love upon first glance, or it may take years to develop even a semi crush, but whether or not it was the first or the latter for these two, no one can deny the fact that maybe, just maybe, the stars above started aligning way back when little Ashley and little Jason were running around chasing each other as kids. It was definitely a pleasure to have been part of their special day, and yet again help them capture one of the most memorable and sentimental moments in their lives. We wish Ashley and Jason all the best as they continue their journey down the road together as husband and wife!

Please enjoy!

Ashley and Jason's E-session

2010-05-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have met Jason and Ashley this weekend! Upon meeting up with them in Discovery Bay, they immediately took us on a bike ride along the water's edge to the exact spot where Jason got down on one knee and proposed. It's the sentimental moments in life that we cherish the most, and for these two, one of those moments happened on that levee, at that exact spot overlooking Mount Diablo from afar. Hopefully we were able to help them relive that special moment again, but this time, capturing the love and happiness in our photographs. Enjoy!

Gifted with Music

2010-04-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am always amazed whenever I meet someone who can play an instrument. My good friend Sheila is someone I totally envy and who is truly blessed with the gift of music. This photo shoot first originated when she asked me to take some pictures of a guitar. I quickly responded with a yes, but thought it would be more meaningful if she was actually in the pictures. Sheila agreed to the session, but only after a few words of convincing. She was a bit shy when we first started, but quickly warmed up to the camera. She did a great job and even entertained us with a song while I snap the photos!

Please enjoy these photos and big thanks to Maria and Nora for helping out with the session.

The crew wanted to do a jumping photo after they saw Sheila doing it in the previous photo. Thanks Maria and Nora!

Canon G11 Test

2010-04-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Canon G11 came in the mail today and it's also Kellie's new toy! I had to do a small test session and observe what the G11 is capable of! I was soooo amazed with the clarity and ease of use. After playing with it for only 10 minutes, here are the quick images (unedited) I got from it. The photo kinda speak for themselves! Check them out and let me know what you think.

Rattanasack Family Photo Session

2010-04-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Full write-up coming soon! Please enjoy some of these photos for now.

Gong Hey Fat Choy!

2010-02-27T18:38:00.000-08:00

This year I had the pleasure to work with Verizon Mobile, Plan C Agency, and Mellange at the 2010 Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade. The streets were literally littered with thousands of people ready to ring in the New Year! The bright colors, exotic costumes, and sounds of local school bands empathized the importance of this parade. All these people were here to celebrate the year of the Tiger, which represents courage, passion, power, and royalty.

As the floats and crowds traveled through the streets, we quickly captured the excitement and energy through our photos. So to ring in the New Year, Gong Hey Fat Choy!

Silva Family Photo Shoot...

2009-11-15T01:12:00.000-08:00

Please Enjoy...

Davidson Family Photo shoot

2009-11-15T01:08:00.000-08:00

Please enjoy...

Emily and Noah's Fall Wedding...

2009-11-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

It has been such a pleasure to be able to work with the Salinger family again. Earlier this year, we photographed Justin (Salinger) and Danielle's wedding and had the pleasure of meeting these wonderful people. This time, it was Emily's turn to get married.

Emily and Noah's perfect fall wedding was held at the Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, CA. And as luck would have it, the weather turned out to be beautiful! Thank yooooou, Mother Nature! On top of that, this wedding has got to be one of the most organized weddings we've ever encountered and we are always grateful for that!

Alright, so we all know what the Money Dance is, right? But how many of us actually know or heard of the Longevity Dance? The Longevity Dance is a dance to acknowledge love and marriage. Basically, all the married couples get on the dance floor and slow dance as the Deejay calls out the number of years that you've been married for, ("if you've been married for 5 years or less, please sit down, etc."). The last couple standing is the one who has been married the longest and receives the admiration and applause from the entire party. So the name of the dance speaks for itself. We've been to many weddings and when we were introduced to this dance at Emily and Noah's, we thought it was so cool and unique. What better way to acknowledge and celebrate lasting love and marriage than at a wedding, right? In the end, the couple that was still going strong for over thirty years was Emily's parents themselves. What a coincidence!

Here are some of the shots taken from Emily and Noah's special day. Enjoy!

For full gallery please see here.

Rattanasack Family Session

2009-11-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

Please enjoy these photos, full write-up coming soon...

Moop, I Love You!

2009-09-10T22:28:00.000-07:00

As soon as we met up with Emily and Noah for their engagement shoot, we knew that we had to loosen them up. Like most engaged couples being in front of the camera commemorating their love, they seemed a tad bit nervous at first. So they told us this cute little story about themselves. "Moop" is a shared term between these two lovebirds. The meaning of the word originated from a shortened way for them to say "I Love You" to each other in public. They even have the saying on a stuffed elephant's t-shirt, which Emily collects... elephants, that is, not t-shirts!

The photo shoot took place in the hidden little town of Yountville, where their love first began. We traveled the town for photos from the original table where they first met 6 years ago to Chandon Winery, The Veteran's Home, and the quaint little market square. The afternoon was filled with all the past stories of their relationship, followed with continuous smiles, laughs, and endless kisses. From the time that we spent with Emily and Noah, we're already looking forward to working with this wonderful couple at their wedding. Check back to see those photos late next month!

Please enjoy some of the images from our day in wine country!

Lyric's being Born!

2009-09-06T22:53:00.000-07:00

Joy and Tom are expecting their very first child. Like any other excited grandma-to-be, Tom's mother, Charlotte, hosted the shower at her lovely home in Berkeley. One of the coolest things about being able to share in the special events of the clients we photograph, is seeing new and creative ways of doing things, whether it be weddings, birthdays, or in this case, baby showers. Charlotte put together these little plant seedlings, each in its own pot, as party favors for each family to take home and enjoy. We thought that was totally cool and very thoughtful.

Before we go on, let us introduce the parents to be. Both have been in the spotlight for quite some time now and if you don't recognize them, you better ask somebody! Tom, better known as Lyrics Born, is a Hip-Hop artist whose been in the music industry and relentlessly touring all over the world for over a decade now. His beautiful and talented wife, Joy, better known as Joyo Velarde, is a soulful songstress from the Quannum Projects label and has been recording music as well as touring alongside her hubby.

These two are so humble and down to earth that it's hard to believe they're part of the celebrity world. We wish them the best in their music careers and congratulate them on the brand new addition of their son to the family.

For full gallery please see here!

Good Eats!! Lemongrass

2009-08-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, the food at Lemongrass Bistro is just simply delicious. And we're not just saying that because we did a photoshoot for them! This family owned eatery opened it's doors for business just a couple weeks ago and is ran by two sisters. It is located on Main Street in downtown Martinez, right alongside the hustle and bustle of the Contra Costa courthouse, which I'm sure many of you have frequented if you're from Coco County.

They've invested alot of time and money into this place and it shows as soon as you walk in the door, from it's chic and modern decor to the massive paintings on the walls. So if you're ever in Martinez and feel like trying some Asian fusion specialties, check out Lemongrass Bistro. It's surely a delight!

Address: 501 Main St., Martinez, CA

Thai Iced Coffee And Thai Iced Tea

Filet Mignon Salad

Grilled filet mignon tossed with Southeast Asian herbs and spices.

Drunken Noodles

Wide rice noodles, bell peppers, bamboo shoots, basil, shiitake mushroom, and chili peppers.

Lamb Curry

Coconut milk, yellow curry, potato, carrots, and fried onions.

Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon lightly marinated with Southeast Asian herbs served over spicy spaghetti noodles.

Lettuce Wrap

Paper rice rolls stuffed with pork, cellophane noodles, onions, and mushrooms. Served with lettuce, bean sprouts, cilantro, carrots, and dipping sauce.

Spicy Chicken Wings

Chicken wings marinated with herbs and spices. Topped with basil and hot and sour sauce.

Salt and Pepper Calamari

Flash fried calamari served spicy with lime dipping sauce.

Cherry and Tristan's Wedding Reception

2009-08-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

So Cherry and Tristan had their wedding ceremony in Maui at the beginning of August. Knowing that everyone would not be able to be there with them, they hosted their wedding reception back home in California the following week.

With so much going on before leaving for Maui, they scrambled around trying to find another venue for their reception. Apparently, The Lexington Plaza Waterfront Hotel, the original venue, had decided to close its doors without any prior notice. Just imagine how devastating that must've been! Fortunately, The Hilton was able to squeeze them in the very same weekend that the formal invitations had stated. Much props to Janice Coloma, Cherry's younger sister and maid of honor, who played a huge part in organizing and re- organizing the special occasion.

The celebration was held in Stockton on a beautiful, warm day. By the end of the night, everyone was pretty much glad that Cherry and Tristan's special day had ended with a huge success. Once again, best wishes to the happy couple as they embark on another chapter of their lives, together.

Band: Native Elements

Coordinator: Gail Lada

To see full gallery please click here.

Cherry and Tristan's Paradise Wedding

2009-08-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

Love is always patient and kind.
It is never jealous.
Love is never boastful or conceited.
It is never rude or selfish.
It does not take offence and is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins,
but delights in the truth.
It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope,
and to endure whatever comes.

- A Walk to Remember

Tristan and Cherry are from Manteca, Ca and decided to have their wedding ceremony in Hawaii, on the beautiful island of Maui. Tristan has been going to the island almost every summer to visit family, but as for Cherry, her first time there turned out to be her wedding destination. The bride and groom exchanged vows right before sunset on the beautiful beach of Po'olenalena in Wailea.

We are very excited about the opportunity to photograph this amazing wedding. For many of us, whether a hopeless romantic or not, we truly believe that love can conquer all and get us through anything. As for this newlywed, they are not an exception. They had many, many obstacles to face in trying to put their big day together. Hurricane Felicia lurking miles away, a missed flight, a forgotten dress, and a last minute venue cancellation, just to name only a few. What better way to test a marraige if not from the very beginning, right? Along with their close friends and family who were there to witness the junction of their marraige, we are so happy that these two were able to pull it off and kick "bad luck" right in the face. Love does conquer all, doesn't it? We wish Tristan and Cherry all the very best in their life long journey together as husband and wife. Aloooooha!

For full gallery please see here.

A night out on the town...

2009-07-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

As I get older it seems so difficult to gather all of my closest friends together for an outing. Last night we were finally able to assemble our old hangout crew!! It all started out at Yoshi's jazz club and Japanese restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco. The night was filled with some overdue catching up conversations, fantastic eats, and fabulous music! Overall it turned out to be a great night and hopefully we wont have to wait so long to see each other again...

Yoshi's even serves cameras!

Baby Catalina...

2009-07-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend we drove out to Granite Bay (Sacramento area) to do photos for baby Catalina. It was over 100 degrees when we got there and stayed in the 80s when we left at 9pm. With the scorching heat outside, we had no other choice but to do the entire shoot inside.

Considering that baby Catalina is only 3 months old, she was so cool, calm, and collected. We still can't believe how good she was! She never complained or cried while her mom did countless wardrobe changes during the entire 2+ hours. As good as she was while she was awake, she allowed us to take adavantage of the opporunity when she fell esleep for her short nap. Those shots were so precious! We'd like to thank the Perez family for allowing us into their home and meeting their beautiful family.

Here are some of our favorite shots of that day. Enjoy!

Tammie and Joshua's Wedding

2009-07-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

"When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams." - Dr. Seuss.

Tammie and Joshua tied the knot at the Palm Event Center located at Mitchel Katz Winery in Pleasanton, Ca. It was a perfect summer wedding that had class written all over it! The deep crimson colored theme, candle lit rooms, and vintage wine barrels added the perfect touch to the wedding. But even being surrounded by all these breathtaking details, it could not compare to the love that was shared between the bride and groom. Watching these two interact was so surreal, their actions seemed timeless. There's nothing more pleasing to a photographer than to be able to work with a couple who's down to earth and easy going. We wish them all the luck in their new life together. Please enjoy some of the highlights from their special day!

Big thanks to Brian Gross Photography for allowing us to share in this special moment.

Picnic Day!

2009-06-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Barbecue, cotton candy, and unlimited games!! That is just a short list of what my day to day job did for our company picnic this year! The day was filled with fun instead of the normal grind of paper pushing. It was a break well deserved from all of hard work we have put in for the year. Big thanks to our HR department that did a tremendous job in creating our little getaway!!! Here are a few of my favorite images from the party!

Best Group Ever!

A day at the Zoo!

2009-06-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

"You know why it's called a squirrel monkey? Because the mom is a squirrel and the dad is a monkey!" (LOL.. Best joke ever!)

When was the last time you've been to the zoo?? The child in all of us seemed to awaken that Sunday afternoon as we strolled around the Oakland Zoo in celebrance of Tony's 7th birthday. If anything, the adults were probably more in awed by the monkeys swinging from tree to tree than the kids were! It was definitely a day to remember. Happy birthday, Tony. We wish you many, many more birthdays to come!

Happy Birthday Tony!

Kids will be kids!

The Zoo!!

A little photoshop work! What do ya think?

A New Shining Star..

2009-06-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

"Twinkle twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!"

Much props to Judy and Boi for effortlessly raising two incredible kids. Now, they're getting ready to welcome their third child into the world. The sex of the baby is unknown, which is a surprise that the parents are excitedly anticipating. Here is a moment in time with mommy and baby before first glance.

Jessica and Jacob's Wedding

2009-06-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." - David Viscott

Jessica and Jacob were a wonderful couple to work with! They both decided to keep their wedding small and to be surrounded by the ones who truly meant the most in their lives. The start of their marriage took place in the backyard of the home where Jessica grew up. Both families pulled together to create a phenomenal night that went into the early morning of the next day. They are truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love. We wish them all the luck in the future!

Also, a big thanks goes out to Brian Gross for allowing me to come and help assist in shooting this wedding. Here are some images, please enjoy!!

Jessica and Daren's Wedding...

2009-05-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

"Some of the greater things in life are unseen, that's why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream..."

I was lucky enough to accompany good friend Brian Gross as a second shooter for Jessica and Daren's Wedding during memorial weekend this year. The wedding took place in Stockton, CA at the Classy Country Wedding and more. It was a beautiful ceremony and the weather was perfect for a spring wedding. I wish Jessica and Daren a wonderful life and congrats on their new life journey! Please enjoy some of the images from the wedding.

Into the waters Nyree...

2009-05-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

Nyree Sophia Malig was baptized at St. Augustine's Church in South San Francisco. The 3rd child of Jason and Denise, her very special day was joined by many good friends and family. Following the baptism was an early dinner at Hon Lin, a quaint and tasty Chinese restaurant in San Mateo, which has apparently become a tradition for the Malig family since the baptism of their first child, Zhari. As they say, a child is god's most precious gift, and we share in the joy and happiness of Jason and Denise as they raise their precious daughter in the Catholic faith.

Day out on the Marina...

2009-05-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

"To like and dislike the same things, that is indeed true friendship." - Sallust

Last Saturday we were able to spend some time with friends from out of town! We spent the afternoon strolling the shores of the Berkeley Marina and enjoying the sunny weather along with the fresh sea breeze. Spending time with friends is always well worth it!

Ready! On 3...

1, 2, 3!! Jump

Miss Lisa, working it!

Family :)

Welcome to the World, Baby Madden!!

2009-03-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." - Pablo Casals

Madden Daniel Rattanasack was born at Kaiser in Walnut Creek on Sunday, the 29th of March, 2009 at exactly 12:26pm. He was 6 lbs/15 oz, and according to the nurse practitioner, he was beautifully made. We were anxious to rush to the hospital so we could get the first glimpse of our newborn nephew. These photos were taken less than 2 hours after his birth.

Very First Moments With Daddy

Cute enough to Squeeze!

Soft and delicate.

Now leave me alone! I've only been born for 2 hours!!

Justin and Danielle's Wedding

2009-03-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

"Don't find love, let love find you. That's why it's called falling in love, because you don't force yourself to fall, you just fall."

And that's exactly how these two lovebirds met, became friends, and fell in love. Justin and Danielle are the kind of people who are so down to earth, that it explicitly reflects on the bond they both share with their family and friends. Those closest to them can say that they were made for each other, undoubtedly seen by the love and adoration being exchanged from her to him and vice versa. It was a pleasure for us to work with these two and be a part of their wedding. There's nothing more enjoyable than to work with a couple who's down for whatever- and by that, we mean getting dirty, enduring the cold, standing in the pouring rain, and anything else we asked- just to get the shot!

The ceremony and reception took place at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center in Santa Rosa, Ca. Right before the bride was to arrive, the rain decided it would make a little visit... and consequently never left! With very limited "dry" space to work with, we had to compensate with what we had. In the end, the groom's initial worries and fears of his bride's disappointment due to the sudden rain all ceased to exist. Surrounded by very close family and friends, the rain faded into the night as the love and support, the toasts and speeches, the Uncle Franks and their jokes, all came together to share in the love of the two people venturing into a life long journey together.

Please enjoy some of these highlights of the day and for full gallery please see here!

Justin and Danielle's Engagement

2009-03-08T00:33:00.000-08:00

This weekend started off right with our new friends Danielle and Justin! The adventure started off at the Palace of Fine Arts and ended over at Chrissy Fields. We had such a great time spending the day with them and learning about their lives. It was a pleasure to work with these two lovebirds, because despite the cold, they were down for anything! Please enjoy some of the photos from the day and stay tuned for their wedding in the next couple weeks!!

Subhash and Renu celebrate 25 years of Love...

2009-02-28T18:23:00.000-08:00

This weekend was truly a celebration of love! Subhash and Renu have been married for 25 years and what better way to celebrate their anniversary with friends and family!! The celebration was located at Mayuri Indian Restaurant in Santa Clara and planned by their 3 great children Priya, Meeta, and Rahul. The night included family portraits with the celebrating couple, a skit with speeches, and ended with a night of dancing! We wish Subhash and Renu 25 more years of marriage and thank them for allowing us to celebrate with them! Please enjoy some photos from this celebration and for full gallery please see here.

Bree and Windy's Birthday party

2009-01-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

This weekend was a double celebration of birthdays! Bree and Windy were luckily to be born on the same day. The party was draped with pink and held a princess/Hello Kitty theme. All of the guest were extremely impressed, due to all the planning that went into this party. All in all happy birthday Bree and Windy and we hope to celebrate many more with you in the coming years. Please enjoy some of these images and for full gallery please see here.

Happy Birthday Bree!!

Happy Birthday Windy!!

How old are you now Miss Bree?

It's all about the kids!!

Michael and Jhen's Family Session...

2009-01-04T00:41:00.000-08:00

2009 started out with a terrific family! And this family is a very special one for me, because it involved my cousin Michael, his wife Jhen, and their children Divinity, Desirae, and Jamison. Although it was a chilly day, we made the most of the session as the family smiled away before freezing! It was great to see the kids and being able to spend some time with family for the new year. Please enjoy some of the images from the session.

Divinity

Desirae

Sisters...

Daddy with his angels...

Gines Family with a winter sunset...

As we say good bye to 2008...

2008-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

Hello all!! I just wanted to say thank you so much for checking out my work! With this being my first year with photography, I can quickly look back to where I started out to some of my newest works! My workflow and eye for photography has greatly changed over the year and it seems that with everything I look at, I am always framing the image in my mind. Thanks again for continuing to view my work and here are some of my favorite images of the year! I look forward to 2009 and all that it may bring!!!

This is one of my favorite photos from my children's collection.

This was shot at a wedding held in Marin, CA earlier this year. To me this photo represents the true meaning of a loving family.

Model: Alyssa Rattanasack & Chassy Phan

This photo was from my very first staged photo shoot.

The long lines created from the railroad tracks along with the warm lighting from the afternoon sun quickly made this one of my favorites.

Model: Nora Seto

This photo was taken earlier this year and had a lot of Photoshop post production done on it.

The model's attitude with his sharp facial lines gave this a very serious feel to it.

Natural lighting also contributed to why I like this photo so much.

Model: Jerome Dizon

This photo was one of the first photo I took with my canon 70 - 200 mm IS f/2.8.

When I got home I was quickly amazed by the range of colors that were given off and

sharpness of the lens. The falcon in the background gave off seriousness of the playoff game!

The reflection in the glass says it all for me in this photo! The idea came to me when I was eating lunch and noticed an image within an image through a glass.

Models: Lee Gines and Nga Nguyen

For this, I wanted to capture the true curiosity of a toddler's 1st birthday.

Of course, this was all staged and was pulled off well! Photographing children is so much fun and difficult at the same time.

Model: Alyssa Rattanasack

This was shot out at the Berkeley pier and was one of the first photos shot with off camera flash. A Canon 580 Ex was placed at lower right at 1/4 power with a CTO gel. Wireless flash was controlled by Canon ST-E2 and Radio popper.

Model: Peter Eugenio

This photo was done out in Santa Cruz during mid day. The direct sunlight caused the bright light and sharp shadows. I really like the texture of the rock with the ocean background.

This photo was shot on the very first day of all the Bay Area summer fires.

I believe there were about 5 different fires surrounding the Bay Area. The location was over the Berkeley Hills. The smoke from the fires gave off the spectacular sunset.

And last, this was my favorite series of shots and sparked off my passion for photography. Big thanks to my girlfriend for helping me during the events this year and being my support.

Models: Kellie Ngongvongsithi and Leric Gines LOL!

FILAH ALUMNI OPEN MIC

2008-12-26T23:28:00.000-08:00

I am so glad that I was able to attend UC Davis's FILAH (Filipinos in Liberal Arts and Humanities) alumni open mic held at Paddy's coffee house in Union City. It was amazing to see old and also meet new friends at the same time. The event featured powerful words and soulful music that captivated the audience's attention from performer to performer. I truly hope that the planning committee makes this an annual event and if it does I plan on being there for the coming years. Here are some of the performers from the night. For full gallery please see here.

In preparation...

John Yap doing his thang...

Miss Larrah up on stage again! Check out some of her thoughts on Leaves and Grass

Brian Rivera on the guitar

Lisa Rockefeller... The mastermind behind this event!

Such a great duet!

Young poet / song writer in the making...

It just takes your thoughts and a microphone...

The words may be in black and white, but the sound is in full color...

Coffee and spoken word... Truly inspirational!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I am very blessed to be surrounded by my family and friends for this wonderful holiday. I hope that your Christmas is the same!!

Michelle turns 24...

2008-12-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to our dear friend Michelle Jocson who turned 24... or should we say 34! LOL. Big thanks to Chelle's mom who fed us before we headed out to Azuli Lounge. The night was filled with nothing but alcohol, alcohol, and more alcohol. Thank goodness no one got drunk tanked! Here are some pictures before all the craziness. Happy birthday once again, Chelle!

Kay and Max's Family Portrait Session

2008-12-14T00:06:00.000-08:00

We were heavily anticipating rain today for the photo shoot. Luckily, Mother nature was on our side and it turned out to be quite a sunny day in Pleasanton. On the down side, however, it was freezing cold!!! Lucky for us, poor little Ethan didn't really seem to mind at all. Hopefully, we'll be able to do another session with Kay, Max, and little man Ethan where it's nice and warm! Please enjoy some images from the shoot and for full gallery please see here!

The Wonderful New Family

Hide and Seek!! Look behind you Ethan!!

Ethan and Grandma

One of Many Family Outings!!

Up, up, and Away! We outta here like Ethan!! Until next time...

Judy & Boi's Family Photo Session...

2008-12-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

Once again it was a great pleasure to photograph another wonderful family. This weekend we were lucky enough to get some great weather, giving us some beautiful and warm autumn images. Judy and Boi and their two terrific children, Tony and Bree, were enjoyable to work with. Please enjoy some of the highlights from this wonderful session. For full view of gallery please see here.

The Family

All's well, that Ends well!!

Leric is giving Thanks...

2008-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

With doing photo's from parties and events it is usually customary for the customer to send out Thank You cards. I have recently gotten more involved in creating photo cards for greetings, thank you, and holiday cards. Here are just a couple of recent examples of events just done within the last couple weeks. The customers ended up loving them and we hope to do more in the future.

Savannah Turns 1...

Eli turns 1...

2008-12-01T22:41:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving weekend was one filled with friends and family all around. Sunday was no exception for little Elijah Benjamin as everyone came out to Hs. Lordships to celebrate his very first birthday with him. The little guy wasn't feeling too well, but he flashed his bright, warm smile whenever he could.

The birthday party was held inside Hs. Lordships at The Tartan Room where Eli's guests feasted on all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. Plenty of pictures were taken and everyone wrote down their hopes and dreams for little Eli on 4x6 cards. Wonder if his parents will have him wait twenty years before he can actually read all those wonderful wishes for him...

To view all images from Eli's Birthday please see here!

Decor of the Day

Cake Time!!

Kids enjoying Eli's Day!

Daddy, Mommy, and Eli

Thoughts and wishes!

Too much partying = nap time...

To freeze or not to freeze... That is the question...

2008-11-18T22:57:00.000-08:00

So this week I felt a little more creative than normal and decided to try something different. For awhile now I've been thinking about doing some fine art photography that would look good in a kitchen setting. The idea came from dropping vegetables or fruit into water and trying to photograph them as they pierce the surface. The journey began at your everyday supermarket as I looked for props. After a few moments it soon became apparent that bell peppers would be my weapon of choice. These photos were all done in my kitchen and I had a great time doing it! Take a look at my top choices for this project and let me know what you think!!

The Bay at night...

2008-11-18T21:13:00.000-08:00

Night photography has always been a passion of mine. There is nothing better than bringing my camera and tripod, to spending an hour or two trying to capture that perfect image! I know night shots have been commonly done throughout the history of photography, but every time I'm out there it still gets me. The image below was done at pier located in San Francisco at the end of Van Ness Avenue where crabbing and fishing are quite popular. Also this was taken about 2 weeks ago right after a huge rain storm to give off that super clear sky. Enjoy and more to come soon!

Canon 40D w/ EF 28-70 f/2.8L

30mm; f/16.0; 60 sec exp

Princess Savannah turns 1...

2008-11-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

This weekend we were lucky enough to be part of Savannah's 1st birthday party! With a Princess theme, the party featured a surprise special guest of Cinderella. The afternoon was filled with delicious food, a magic show, balloon animals, and the laughter from children and adults. Congratulations to Princess Savannah for turning #1 and we look forward to celebrating future birthdays with her. Please enjoy some of these images from the day and for full gallery please see here!

Savannah and her parents on her special day!

Savannah with family members.

LOL, Savannah and her personal birthday cake!

My favorite image of the day!

94.9 Wild Jam - November 2008 Edition

2008-11-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

Well it's that time again! Radio station 94.9 of the Bay Area put together their famous Wild Jam along with sponsor Boost Mobile. The show was a smash and featured some today's hottest artists like T.I., Akon, Ciara, and Ludacris to name just a few. The show itself ran fairly smooth and gave all it's guest their money's worth! Big props to 94.9 and boost mobile for putting on such a successful show and we all look forward to them having more in the future! Here are some highlights of the night and enjoy!

The set-up

Shontelle

Cassie

Ciara

E-40

Ludacris

Akon

T.I.

Team Mellange the multimedia experts

Nikki's Photo session...

2008-11-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

Long-time friend Nikki Tuminez needed to update her modeling portfolio and I was happy to help her out. The session was done in downtown Dublin against a abandoned business's exterior brick-wall, which made an excellent backdrop. We had a great time working with her and look forward to seeing all her success in the future.

Where the heck is Waldo!

2008-11-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Dressing up for Halloween at work can sometimes lead to questions like "Ummm do you think this is appropriate at work?" or "Am I going to be the only one dressed up?". But this year none of these questions crossed my mind. A bunch of people in the department participated in trying to reenact Where's Waldo! And believe it or not I think we did a good job and pulled it off! Enjoy some photos from yesterday's #1 holiday for adults!!

Photoshop Before and After...

2008-11-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

Recently some people have asked me how I get my photos look so vivid or crisp, and the simple answer to that is Adobe's Photoshop. Now photoshop can not save your "bad" photo's, but it surly can enhance them. A not so great photo, can easily be turned into a magnificent one! I truly believe that the art of photography is how a photographer can pose an individual or object, and make them come alive to give your audience a feel that they are actually there. It is also about understanding the characteristics of light and making it work for you! Without understanding these 2 concepts, photoshop will do little to help you. Below is just a sample of an image as it was caught in camera and an after edit in photoshop. Enjoy and go learn some photoshop!

A Patch of Pumpkins

2008-10-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin patches are not only fun for kids, but fun for all!! The rich colors of autumn can truly be represented by your nearest pumpkin patch. Lucky for us we we able to take Kellie's niece to enjoy a day Moore's Pumpkin Patch located in Castro Valley. The curiosity of a child is priceless, enjoy!!

Pick one, there's plenty!

Keeping the crows away...

We are just big kids!

Hey Alyssa, what's that over there!

Work and Pizza

2008-10-09T21:49:00.001-07:00

So it's been about 2 weeks since I've gotten a chance to pick up my camera. It's really no excuse, but work has been super intense!! It's really nice to take a break sometime, and a break is what I did! As some of you may know, photography is truly a passion of mine, but what really pays the bills is my 9-5 job at ThermoFisher Scientific. Over there, I am lucky enough to lead a group of 10 wonderful coworkers who are absolutely the best to work with!!

So yesterday we arrange a group lunch with pizza's provided by "The Last Honest Pizza" RoundTable. Not only was I looking forward to hanging out with my team, I thought why not document the event. So I came up with the idea of an old school elementary class picture with the pizza as our prop. Everyone was a bit shaky with my idea, but all in all we had a great time. Enjoy and I hope to post more soon...

The #1 Team

May and Xan...

2008-09-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

Saturday was quite a busy day! After an eventful morning, we rushed home to meet with longtime friends, May and Xan. Originally, the photoshoot was supposed to be of May, so that she could update her real estate business cards. But these two were long overdue for some cupcakin' shots in front of the camera.

Like the synopsis of May's favorite movie, "My Best Friend's Wedding," the story of these two is one of a movie script ending. They have been best friends since forever, both having their fair share of infatuations, crushes, and heartbreaks. Through out the years, they've remained each others confidant and best friend, never in a million years expecting to fall in love! Let's just say that May and Xan's movie script ending turned out better than her favorite movie, because Julia Roberts didn't get her man!

For full gallery please see here!

Ethan's Baptism

2008-09-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend, we were lucky enough to be a part of Ethan Lunes's baptism. The ceremony took place at the beautiful Our Lady of Grace located in Castro Valley, CA. The ceremony was filled with positive messages from the priest, to Ethan's parents Kay and Max as he begins his Catholic journey. As the ceremony ended, little Ethan was found crawling on the ground making wonderful little babbling noises!

Directly after the ceremony, the guest traveled down the road to Castro Valley's community center for an afternoon BBQ. As BBQ grill fires were lit, and the sounds of laughter from the guest along with the smells of enticing foods, we all knew we were there for one reason! Thank you again to the Lunes family and we look forward to working with them in the future! For full gallery please see here!

Little Ethan already getting involved in church!

The parents, busy preparing!

Kids are going to be kids!

Bio-Rad vs. Oakland Athletics

2008-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Friday night was Bio-Rad's baseball outing, to see the Oakland Athletics vs Seattle Mariners! The game started out with family and friends enjoying catered food filled with hamburgers, hot dogs, and cookies galore! As stomaches became stuffed we were quickly shuffled to watch the game, where Oakland ended up winning the game 2-0. Big thanks to the Bio-Rad crew and inviting us to be part of their outing. For full gallery please see here!

Being silly and enjoying the day, it must be the Bio-Rad way!

Sometimes there's just more important things than the game!

1/2 of the photo team enjoying the day!

On the way there...

2008-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last night on the way to the Oakland A's game, me and Kellie were mindlessly bored on BART. Ok ok maybe I was the one who was bored, but I did have my camera and with it, life is always interesting! Anyway here some images on the way to the game!!

Calm, cool, and collected...

What 2 people on bart do with their iphones, when no one is watching!

Idea came from a super talented photographer from the Bay Area Ed Pingol! He did something very similar to this a few months ago in a shoot. Never the less check out his work, he and his wife freakin' rock in the photography world!!

Lights, Camera, Coco...

2008-09-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

So a couple days I put in a order for in for some new equipment! Lately I have been moving into the direction of controlling light with photography. In my spare time I have been reading anything I can grab my hands on that deal with light. How light travels and dissipates over time... The thought of controlling it truly blows my mind, the idea seems so out there!! But with the experience of being behind the lens, I now know it is possible to bend it and control it to your favor.

With that said, I basically got a full on lighting studio! My new portable studio now includes two 48'' shoot through umbrellas, one 5 in 1 reflector, one 48'' soft box, and two canon 580 EX II flashes. I was so excited about the new gear that I had shoot something. So with no one home, my dog Coco was my only victim. In both photos she is lit up by one soft box to the left and one canon 580 EX with a shot through umbrella to the right. I love the way that the light shows nice soft shadows! Well hopefully in time you will all get to see more from me and how I use light in many different ways. Until next time, enjoy!!!

Here's Coco!!

Shot with Canon 40D; 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

115 mm; ISO 1oo; f/ 2.8; 1/60

Shot with Canon 40D; 70-200mm f/ 2.8L IS

88 mm; ISO 100; f/ 2.8; 1/60