P+F // BERKELEY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Phan and Fred met in a film photography class at UC Berkeley years ago, and decided to fly back from the east coast to get married at their alma mater.  They were wed on the lawn of the faculty club and had a sweet reception for their guests at Revival Bar and Kitchen in downtown Berkeley, a wonderful space.  I love clients who appreciate the longevity and aesthetic of film as much as I do.

JACK'S ADOPTION STORY // KOREA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Becky and Brian finally welcomed Jack Hwan into their family last week. The whole adoption process took them about two-and-a-half years.  Needless to say, it was pretty amazing watching a beautiful couple with so much love to give become a family of three.

Becky had shown my work to some of her coworkers, but never got in touch with me because she didn't think she could afford to have a photographer present.  Her co-workers secretly pitched in and arranged to have me document their adoption story; they surprised her at work a few days before she and Brian were scheduled to leave America for Korea.  I'm so grateful that I was able to be there and help tell the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

SUNG + MIKE // SINGAPORE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Sung and Mike met while attending NYU, and were friends for years before Mike boldly ventured outside the friendzone and finally asked her out on a date. (Good job, Mike!)

I've known Sung since we worked together in church youth group half-a-lifetime ago. She's told me for years that she expected me to document her wedding someday. I was thrilled when she contacted me last year to say that she was getting married to Mike in his native Singapore.

Sung is a Jersey gal, representing the Korean-American blood -- you'll notice she wore a modern, yet beautifully subdued, take on the traditional Korean hanbok. They had a traditional Singaporean tea ceremony at Mike's family home, in which they presented tea to family elders. Afterwards, they had an intimate Western-style ceremony at the Goodwood Park Hotel, officiated by Sung's brother.

It was an honor to be a witness for them. Thanks for trusting me to tell your story.

MY FAMILY  //  FIRST YEAR IN KOREA

I am grateful for my wife, Jenny, whose love saves me everyday; without whom I would have been lost to darkness long ago; without whom I simply feel lost.  For my eldest, Justin (Juju), whose fearlessness inspires; whose love is redemptive and forgiving; whose wonder reminds me to be a child sometimes. For little Joel (Joely), whose smile makes me swoon; whose laugh makes me melt; whose curiosity reminds me to slow down.

   

AMARISSE // SHIFT/TILT: SEOUL BRIDAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Amarisse has become an adopted sister, friend, and a bit of a muse in the few months that I've known her. She also rocks the half-Korean blood and hails from Seattle.

I had a chance to shoot her in our traveling workshop wedding dress with Fer just before he had to dash to the airport to catch his flight home to Mexico. A delightful close to his all-too-short trip.

All shot on Leica M6 / 35 Nokton on Ilford 125. Enjoy! :)