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Joy Yi
Locations for Outdoor Photo Sessions in Orange ...
Locations for Outdoor Photo Sessions in Orange County
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Lincoln + Claire's Anniversary Session {Irvine & Orange, CA Photographer}

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2 years ago, they entered the Training College as newlyweds. 2 years later, they are now commissioned as Lts. of The Salvation Army and have moved to their first appointment to Aberdeen, Washington. 2 years ago, the bride wore a firey magenta, purple, red ballgown for her reception. To remember that time, she brought it out for this session. Elegant, classy and bold. If I had to use one word to describe these two as individuals and as a couple, I'd use the word BOLD, which I hope is reflected in the images.

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Kat + Anton's Wedding {Brea Community Center}

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One of the characteristics that stand out about Kat and Anton as a couple is that they love their friends.  Yes, the 16 person bridal party and the VIP treatment they received is one evidence of that. 

They also had the longest processional I've seen.  It was great!  Their Filipino background meant they've got a large family and people you're not related who you call family.  Family is important.  I learned from this wedding that they have Sponsors - grown ups usually older than them who support them in lots of different ways.  $$$ being one of them.  Cha Ching!!  Coming from a Korean background, I get it.  We have a similar kind of support system where our parent's generation (and their friends) lavish gifts on the children who get married.  But with a Filipino wedding, the Sponsors get to be part of the processional AND they get a seat on honor in the ceremony.  That was so heart warming.  Again, it wasn't just about the couple.  It was about the people are involved in the couples' lives - the community... the family.  

Ok, I know they care a lot about their friends and guests, but I just have to say a few words about the couple. Kat and Anton.  They are a fun couple!  They are also adventurous, active, smart and hot, but they are the first to admit that they both have a geeky side.  Speaking of fun - Anton gets the Best Dancing Groom award.  He gets so into the music while he's dancing - as if he is putting every ounce of this soul into the moment.  Kat gets things done.  She's the one who organized the details of the wedding without being excessive, but having it be AMAZING and meaningful.  As Anton said in his vow, she does everything so well and sets a high standard that she inspires everyone around her to want to be better.  She can also kick off the heels and party when she wants to!  

It was a blast being a part of this day.  You could tell there was so much love being poured out on this couple who gives to much to their friends and family on all the other days!

 

 

Ceremony + Reception Site: Brea Community Center
Coordinator - The Cucumber Bride
Floral Stylist - Beyoutiful Blooms
Hair and Make-Up - Luong Lasting
Linens, Chargers, Glassware - Something Borrowed Party Rentals
Dessert Table, Giveaways Table - Party Pieces by Perry
Draping and Lighting - Adrian, XL Entertainment
Photo Booth -  Photonometry
Videographer - Dustin, Cinema Life Weddings
DJ - DJ Roial1

Food and Drinks:

Alcohol - BevMo
Bartender - Paul, National Bartender Staffing of Southern California
Cake/Desserts - Carmen's Bakery
Catering - Peris Restaurant

   

Arthur's Dohl {First Birthday}

I can't get enough of this charming and stunning Le Petit Prince themed party!!! Happy First Birthday Little Prince! May you grow up to be a wise and brave King Arthur Solomon! Coordination by Amy by whiteblossomevents.com | Florals by milieuflorals.com | Cake + Macaroons by sweetleemadedesserts@gmail.com | Mini Banana Puddings by @sweetsbykeeks | Cake Topper + Name Sign by delovelydetails.com | Calligraphy Signs by susanchiang.com | Food by crepebonaparte.com | Silhouette Artist by SilhouettesbyNancie.com | Eugenia Chung aka Genie

Coffee & Lunch with Elaine {4th Street Market}

The day after rain, thunder, and lightning, (I LOVE the morning after the rain!) my friend Elaine and I met up at the 4th Street Market in downtown Santa Ana.  She is the co-founder of E2Beauty so she does make up and skin care at her salon.  Don't you love her blue hair?!  She introduces me to the coolest little places to eat and hang out.  On this day, we split a massive breakfast burrito at the food court, had some ice-cream and caught up.  We talked about forgiveness and not letting bitterness imprison us.

4th Street Market makes it a mission to revitalize their community and act as a cultural hub.  It is artist-friendly as they host events for live music, poetry and other art forms.  Mmmm, sounds like something I’d want to support. I could just sit in one of the comfy couches and work here for hours!  

Larissa

It was a delight capturing Larissa.  She's easy going, comfortable in front of the camera and that huge smile of hers just lights up the room.  A former tax lawyer in Brazil, this beauty's got brains too!

I got some new backdrops I wanted to try out and I think they're all a keeper!  Location of this shoot? Our backyard!

Welcome to Orange County!

Brittany + David {Maternity Session}

They say that the parents' example of love toward each other is like a protective covering.  It can provide a safe place in which a child can grow.  You can tell that Brittany and David's love for each other is so great that this little baby will be the recipient of abundant love, not just the leftovers.  This couple has journeyed ten years together in the sacred bond of marriage and now, after years of battling with infertility, they finally have this precious gift that will arrive in September.  Brittany shares her struggles openly in her blog Live In The Longing.  Her vivid and very honest writing connects the reader to the human heart.  Although you may not have battled with infertility yourself, her posts reaches into the depth of your soul and awakens that which has been numbed.  It certainly has opened my eyes to what a battle with infertility might look like... to what living in genuine, honest, real longing might look like... to what being human might look like. 

Who Am I Without

Pasadena Convention Center Civic Auditorium

This was my first Commissioning - an giant event of Salvationists - where I was not working as the Territorial Creative Arts Director.  I was not a point person to any group this time.  I was not running around rehearsing groups or coordinating events this time.

Instead, I just rehearsed and sang with the Western Territory Staff Songsters as an unassuming member.  Not in charge.  Just a member.  

As a mom, it was nice not to have the stress that I would have had if I had been working, but it was.... well, different.... not being an "important" person and not being in charge of an event.

Whether I am a stay at home mom or an "important" working professional that people turn to, my value as a human does not change.  Silvie Paladino, the AMAZING guest vocalist of the weekend shared a story of when she had to do a minor surgery on her vocal chords.  As a vocalist who has sung all her life and whose voice directly effects her livelihood and sense of being, it must have been absolutely terrifying to face the possibility of loosing the thing that made her who she is.

She asked herself, "Who am I without my voice?"  But she found comfort in knowing that she is the child of a King of Kings and that she's in his hands.

This story stuck with me this weekend.  By all means, I CHOSE to be a stay a home mom.  I didn't have to undergo surgery, but I could identify with the line "Who am I without .... ?"

Who am I without others coming to me for help?  Who am I without the authority to impact a group of people?  (Who says I can't do this now?!)

I just have a little baby I have to keep out of drawers, keep clean, and feed upon demand.  

It's not the most glamorous scenario, but this is a season of my life I will cherish and I want to enjoy.  While there are many others who can do what I did in the office, I am the only mom that Ezzy will have.  

Even without my old job, I can still be a dreamer, a voice for the voiceless, an encourager, a joybringer, a wife, a mom and yes, a child and image bearer of the King.

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Alex + Faith

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If fairies exist, their names would be Alex and Faith.  Pretty, confident and add a sprinkle of a sass... you would think these two were magical creatures the way they made themselves at home in nature.  We had a morning photo session at the Peters Canyon Regional Trail in Tustin, California.  Not only are these two young ladies were confident in front of the camera, their confidence spills over into their outlook of the world.  Yet, it's not a mean confidence, it's a confidence that is bundled in kindness and in caring for other kids and little babies.  So not only do they take gorgeous photos, they have a beautiful heart.

Gypsy Den Cafe

If you want a cool place to hang out, Gypsy Den Cafe is the place to be.  We hung out at the Santa Ana location for a few hours in the afternoon.  A combination of deep jewel colors, vintage furniture and mix & match aged deco creates an aesthetically inviting little corner.  The food is pretty good too.  So be ready to be taken away to another land, by the roaming spirit of gypsies.

Hanging out with the Wikles

We had lunch with the Wikles.  They have 4 kids... 4 WONDERFUL kids.  And now with one of our own, I appreciated the immense work and love that goes into raising little munchkins.  There is a lot of coordination and teamwork that goes into executing even a simple meal.  

In the end, my soul and stomach were satisfied after sharing a meal and fellowship with good friends. 

Happy Two Years

For our second anniversary, we ended up having Korean BBQ for lunch and doing an impromptu photoshoot at the Great Park because we missed the dollar theater show time.  Keeping our celebrations simple.  :)  This private man's willingness to be photographed shows his support for my desire to grow as a photographer.  That's love.  

Simple Yet Meaningful

"I want to live a life that's simple yet meaningful."  

This was written in my high school yearbook's random quotes section by an anonymous classmate.  Maybe I still remember it after all these years because this is how I've always wanted to live my life.

Simple: For me, this means living a life that's not dictated by materialistic desires to keep up with the Jonses or Pinterest.  As someone who appreciates art, craftsmanship and beauty, simplicity turns out to be a balancing act.  Simplicity doesn't have to be drab nor does beauty have to equal excessive luxury.  A large part of it has to do with my heart.  Where are my treasures?  Is there room in my life for the things that matter?

Meaningful: I think we find meaning when we connect with other people and live in community.  Only Connect.  I want to serve and walk alongside others, from my own family to people in completely different cultural categories, as they experience their full creative and created potential.  Learning, growing & building memories together.  Doing life together.  Working through the mess together.