Hmong Fashion Fusion

CREDITS:
Model: Adriana Hernandez
Fashion Stylist & Art Director: Sheng Moua
Assistant Stylists: Myeshia, Claudia & Kristina
Hair & Makeup: Sunny Thao & assistant Lina
Cookie Lee Jewelry provider: Kia Moua & assistant Michelle
Production Assistants: Ge, Prince & Christian
Backstage Photographer and Lifeguard: Christian
Location: Joe & Joanne's Mansion - Yorba Linda, CA

The creation of a classic:

As you can see in the credits, it took alot of manpower AND womanpower to get a final photograph such as this. With collective minds working towards one goal, creativity has no end. What was apparent with this crew was the honest pure drive and passion to be a part of a creative process. This above all else is what makes this photo very special to me. Everytime I look through this photoshoot I come across this image and think to myself, wow that is a classic.

Sheng Moua was the genius behind the styling. Fusing Hmong traditional clothing elements into her fashion styling, she's able to create a style that's both classic and very modern. Although it was Adriana's first time modeling with a whole crew there, she did an incredible job as a model. As for Sunny's makeup - it was phenomenal. It brought the whole image together. Also, it was great to bounce ideas with Christian on composition and lighting ideas since he's a cinematographer (yay someone to speak photography lingo with). So although this 12 hour photoshoot resulted in many great photos, this one keeps me coming back to say that yes this was real and I really was a part of this awesome shoot.

As many of you may already be able to tell, my lighting is quite simple. Keep it simple stu--(silly) : ) Yes, one softbox angled 45 degrees towards the model from the right. Big silver reflector on the left, very close to the model. Black cloth background taped, nailed, glued & something or other to get it to stay on the wall (now this was the hardest part actually - it wouldn't stay on and I hadn't had enough resources at that time to get/construct a background stand). There you go. Voila!

Back in time at Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle

If you have never been there, then you should absolutely go. It's truly spectacular to see the hard work and detail in every crevice of that place. We went on two tours on Saturday. The first one was tour two which was visiting the bedrooms and second & third floor of the castle. Later on that night we went on the night tour which was very romantic because the lights were lit and the gardens looked so beautiful. Inside was very dim though and there was even people dressed up in costumes which made the experience feel like you were traveling back in time.


The outdoor pool is so beautiful. Details, details everywhere. The guide told us that Mr. Hearst once poured tons of salt in this pool because he wanted some salt water fishes and sharks swimming in there with his guests, but he soon realized the damage that did to the pipes. Interesting fellow.


I love the details in the ceilings. Yes, this is a ceiling. Everything is a work of art. Can you imagine if you were the one painting this ceiling, how much your arm would hurt? Nonetheless, it's worth it because now everyone can enjoy it.

This sight reminded me of Pemberly. Perhaps it's the grandness of it all and the dark elegant wood used to build the bookshelves. Too bad there wasn't a Mr. Darcy roaming around.


During the night tour, all the lamps were lit. It looked like the stars in the skies was here on earth and we were walking through it.


Mr. Hearst also had many marble statues decorating his gardens, walkways and pools. This one was a little surprise because it was tucked away on the side of a building. It looks so at home and peaceful. I kind of felt like I was intruding on its privacy. Well, how could I not when it was so beautiful.


Again, statues were a big part of the decorations. This was a very large statue that hung on the wall inside his private home theater. There must have been five more statues like this in his theater room. I loved the theater room. It looked like it could seat 100 people or more.

Honestly though, these pictures don't do this place justice. You will have to see it for yourself and experience the grandeur of it all. I shall go back one of these days to walk the gardens. Maybe on a nice summer day with the sun shining on my face and the breeze dancing with my hair.

Ms. Melissa Moua

Meet Ms. Melissa Moua. I've known this gal ever since my frosh year in high school. I have to admit that when I first saw her, I was a little intimidated because I just was. Over the years I've come to know her much better as a person, a woman and a true friend. I am truly appreciative to have grown up with a lively and lovely individual such as her.

Although I have many portraits of her to choose from, this has got to be one of my all time favorites. To me, this portrait shows fierceness and strength. Perhaps that was what intimidated me the first time I met her? The fierceness comes from the direct full frontal eye contact with the camera, as well as the unruly hair at the top left corner and helping all that along would be the asymmetrical opening of her shirt. I would have to say that, if not for the hair detail, this portrait would have a totally different mood.

Secondly, it may just be me, but the "strength" I see is all held within that one eyebrow. It stands alone without its other, yet it's there bold and strong. When looking at the whole portrait, it's the most unique detail of all. It's like a painter brushed the eyebrow on there and it became the star of the show.

It may or may not be a surprise to you, but this was actually an accidental shot. I had asked her to come over and be my model for the day because I was shooting a spread for the HmongArtists.Net magazine. After a good 4 to 5 hours of shooting we decided to wrap things up. She started to wipe her make-up off and I quickly yelled at her to halt what she was doing. (I certainly startled her) At that moment, I had an immediate idea that I just had to do.

We were in my tiny room. I used my sliding closet door as the background and luckily the window was straight across from her, so I was able to use soft available light to light her. The even lighting from the window highlighted her key attributes such as her cheek bones and her eyes. After goofing around with her half made up face, we called it a day. It's amazing what you get when you actually don't plan on it. It's like a little chocolate surprise and Mel is certainly just as sweet.

Ms. Chong Ali Moua

Chong Ali Moua:
A rare being indeed. I've known her since about the second or third grade and we have shared many special moments. She was there for me when I had my point and shoot, when I was spending tons and tons of $$ buying and developing film, and even through the hardest seperation of all...college. As adults (we like to believe that we are), we get caught up in life, but make the effort to keep in touch. If you want to know what a true friend is then you would want to know Chong.

At her most recent trip home (Feb) she came and spent a day with me. We had planned on a shoot but wanted to keep it light, fun and casual. I spent about 45 minutes doing her make-up and about another 45 minutes doing her hair. While I was doing all that we were watching the movie "Persuasion" an adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. After some gushing and aaahhing of the romance that may or may not exist in today's world, we finally started shooting.

This portrait is one of my favorites because it's simple but strong. Althought there are bold shapes and high contrast of tone, it doesn't take away from her face. We used to joke about how her eyes close when she laughs, but they are truly the center of attention in this portrait. It draws you right in.

I told her that her face is so expressive (and it IS) and that's why I love to shoot her. Her face shows confidence, maturity, strength and yet it's elegant and soft. We had a conversation about this and she said that perhaps I see that in her portraits because I know her personally. I understand her understandings and project this intimate connection onto the image that I capture. If you can sense her personality, characteristics, and uniqueness then perhaps I'm doing something right.

Dedicated to My Art

Wow. Who would have thought I would and could come this far with photography (although some would say I technically haven't really gone anywhere). This is certainly a personal accomplishment for me.

It has been about 6 years since my initial pursuit and interest in photography began. I am learning more each and every time I do a shoot. It's a never ending learning process (which is the best part of all, right?). Of course it is. Well, let's get to the more important point here.

After all these years, I finally decided to blog about my photography. I will dedicate this site to reflecting, commenting, deconstructing, and detailing some of my personal favorite photos. Alas, this will not be the place to find me explaining what and how all the technicalities of a camera work. I feel that there are already a lot more people who are willing, able and have the expertise to do that already. Google is a power tool for learning. Let's get this rolling shall we?