Multiple Uses

For my photo shoots I usually have to use what I have on hand.  I don't have a big budget for props, styling, set productions, etc.  So when I actually do buy something, I have to think about how many uses I can get out of it.  One of the most useful thing I've purchased is a whole roll of white tulle.  At first I wasn't sure what I would do with it all, but it has become a very versatile item.

It can be cut and pulled together to make a poofy dress.

How about using it to create airy flowy-ness?

Or just use it to create a soft background as well as utilizing it as sheer texture in the foreground.

Sometimes it's just plain pretty.

All in all, always keep in mind the many different things you can do with just one simple item.  It's how you can keep your creative juices flowing while on a budget.  I wouldn't think about ever throwing this tulle out.  Who knows what else I would do with it.  

One Woman Show

I call myself a one woman show because in my photography work I do everything from start to finish (unless I am specifically collaborating with others).  It's easy to see a photo and not fully understand all the hard work behind it.  Whether it is mental work or physical work.  

It's a long list, but when I say I do everything from start to finish I really do have to start from the beginning, which is visualizing and putting the concept together before even reaching out to models.  Once I have an idea down, I'll contact the people who I think would fit the concept.  From there on I'll do hair, make-up, styling, directing, lugging heavy equipment around, setting up lighting and then finally I get to click the shutter.    

   

After I finally get the images captured, then comes the fun of editing and post processing.  I get to view all the photos and look through the different shots to see which ones grab my attention.  If a photo does not grab me, I will not work on it.  It could be a simple beauty shot like the one above, but behind that are hours of work.

Depending on my mood, sometimes I prefer to finish the photo with a more playful and whimsical finish.  On this rainbow colored photo, the hair alone took about one and a half hours to do because her hair was so long (down to her waist).  I curled it with a half an inch curler and then teased the bejeebus out of it.  If I remember correctly, it took her about an hour of conditioning to get it back to normal.
  

In this colorful swimming suit shoot, I decided to incorporate the traditional Hmong sashes.  It was my way of making an ordinary beach shoot different.  In my mind I saw the beautiful vibrant colors flowing in the wind and sought to create the vision.  Despite the bitter cold, super strong winds and having to lug a super heavy battery pack for my strobe light through the beach, it was all worth it to get images that I love.

This Kid Named Kami

I had the most wonderful time taking photos of this little boy over the weekend! It was about a 45 minute session. Kami is so adorable and makes the best facial expressions.

This four shot black and white set was when he sat down at the dinner table and his mom was standing behind me saying "Aiiyeeee" to make him laugh. He was distracted because his dad had food and was giving him little bites in between too. So he had to split his time between taking photos, eating, laughing, and making faces.

For this shot I used my soft box on the right and then the window as ambient and back lighting.

This shot was lit only with my softbox on my left hand side raised to about a 45 degree angle. Again, his mom had to keep saying "Aiiyeeee" and I'm sure that as she was saying this she was making a funny face. I couldn't see her since my back was turned to her, but I can just tell.

Here is one of my favorite shots from the session. Kami's stance and expression makes me think about a tough little boy who is standing on his turf and seems like he totally owns this back yard.

It was so fun to shoot this and he really has such a great smile. I'm looking forward to having the chance to take his photos again as he grows older. It was so cute a couple days later when his mom told me that Kami said "I have a new friend named Pao! She takes photos."

Family Portraits Are Important (and fun)

I may be biased when I say this since I am a photographer, but photos are so important in helping you to remember life and to help preserve your family history. We all grow older and travel where life takes us. Sometimes siblings can live on the other side of the country or maybe even on the opposite side of the world. No matter what, I cannot stress how much a photo means 30 years down the road and sometimes it is sad when you realize that you don't even have a full family portrait or a portrait of all the siblings together. Take the time and make the effort to get everyone together because it is worth it!

So I had my say on that subject and on a happier less serious note, below are a few shots of the Vang siblings. My very last shoot of 2011. See....family portraits can be very fun. Also, it may lead to epic posing.

Black Trash Bag Dress

A simple trash bag can be the star of your wardrobe if you give it a chance. It gets a little sticky if you are someone who sweats a lot so maybe only consider wearing it in the winter time. However, it works wonders when trying to accomplish the look of a glossy poofy dress.

One of the best things about being creative is learning how to take some of the simplest things you can find in your home and make something completely different out of it. Here is an example of taking an ordinary black trash bag and transforming it into a dress. The glossy quality of the trash bag lends itself to performing well in direct sunlight at the beach. The contrast of black against the lighter solid colors of the sky, ocean, and sand makes the model stand out from her environment.

It took a couple snips, twists, and ties and the trash bag was transformed into a dress. I added a simple black belt to define the waist and added a metal slinky as a large bracelet. With an hour of hair and another hour for makeup (all done by myself) the look was complete.

A little bit of breeze that day helped to create the poofyness on the rump and added some drama to the composition.

With a setting sun, there was plenty of beautiful warm lighting and wonderful sun flare to add just a little bit of color and interest. Some people hate sun flares and I agree that sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Whatever the case, it only matters that I like it. I hope you all get a chance to do your own trash bag photoshoot. I might have a go at it again just to see how different of a dress I can make out of it.

Time Flies

It is amazing how fast time flies by. I can't believe that my last post was from June of 2008. Well...I guess I CAN believe it since I'm the one not posting. To be honest though, I actually haven't posted because I couldn't remember how to log in and wouldn't take the time to try. At last, here I am again!

It's time for me to pick this back up. I have a renewed energy in life, in my art, and my photography. There were changes in my life and tough choices that I made which brought me to where I am today. I am the happiest I've ever been and can see that I have a blessed life.

Onwards to amazing photographic adventures and creation!

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.