Mr. & Mrs. Pet | {Tacoma Wedding Photographer}

Melinda and Samrach contacted me and said they were having a traditional Cambodian wedding.  It was a beautiful look into another culture and something very different then my usual weddings. Even with cultural differences some things remain the same, nervous groom, giddy bride, tons of jewlery and hairspray.  Lots of hairspray!

The wedding took place in their home.  Family and friends took part helping them through the traditions of the day-can you believe Melinda had never been to a single wedding! 

 She made a gorgeous bride, calm and relaxed. These smiles, contagious!

 

To prepare the bride and groom for their life as a married couple, their hair is symbolically cut. Trimming their hair represents a fresh start to their new start as husband and wife.

 

This is called the pairing ceremony, family and friends tie string to their wrists and wish them well. Lots of music and talking and gong.

Another outfit change for the reception! A gorgeous white dress, she is stunning and her groom is so handsome with that same great smile.

Congratulations Melinda and Samrach!

Jackie & Peter | {Tacoma Engagement & Family Photographer}

What a beautiful family Jackie, Peter, and Vincent make.

 I loved the ease and silliness they had in front of the camera.

 I met these three at a local wedding show, so happy they chose me to document their day!

 Next month, these two love birds will get married!

 Jackie, you will be stunning on your wedding day!

You both just radiate happiness.

  I just know this cutie will be stylin in his wedding duds.

 Love these!

Love.

 So looking forward to capture more beautiful photos next month, it's an honor to be your wedding photographer!

Beautiful Alaska and Beautiful Friends | {Destination Photographer}

I was blessed with a visit to Anchorage, Alaska this summer to surprise my friend Sarah with family photos. It was so hard keeping the secret, her face and tears when she saw me at the airport were well worth it. He was talking to her on the phone and telling her their friends flight was late, she thought she was picking up someone local.

Sarah moved to Alaska years ago to take a chance on love. She made a wonderful choice, while I sure do miss hanging out with her and wish our kids could grow up together, she couldn't have made a better choice. Her husband even hatched the plan to surprise her, what a sweet guy! We just hung out the first night played football with the kiddos, Maggie, Aeryk, and Winter.

We spent a few days sight seeing, Anchorage is a beautiful place!

I'm still a little disappointed I didn't see any Moose while I was there (minus the game farm) We did see mountain goats and this amazing scenery.

How these guys navigate those rocks, I just don't know. Loved the little ones.

While I was super excited and had grand ideas of amazing photo outings, the kids however, did not share my enthusiasm for the camera.

 I was amazed at how much daylight there was in the middle of the night, we were so busy site seeing that we didn't leave until after midnight to do these solo photos of Sarah, it wasn't until near 1am when we decided on a spot and about 1:05am when we decided the mosquitoes won and made a mad dash to the car! Mosquitoes in Alaska were no joke! In one photo you could actually count them as they were swarming her!

When we finally decided to buckle down and do some photos wouldn't you know, Winter fell fast asleep and slept the whole way through! We were still able to get a family photo, even if it was just in their backyard.

 These poor kiddos, Maggie, Aeryk, and Winter they are no fan of the camera and were such good sports! I decided to try and win 'coolest Auntie' and show them photos could be fun too so we made color dust! Sadly, it was more color mush and didn't stick as I had hoped, but they had a BLAST throwing color on each other and were sad when it was gone, love these SMILING faces!

I had such an amazing time visiting friends and meeting some family who also lived nearby, felt truly blessed to have been able to travel and capture sweet moments for amazing friends, love you guys! Thank you Chris, for setting this all up and having me out!