Preethi's Bridal Shoot - Dallas Arboretum

We got lucky with the weather on this shoot b/c it has been over cast with scatter thunderstorms most of the week.  It was a little hot, but I'll take that over rain anyday.  Sometime when you're shooting in public places, there will be other people in your shots.  Usually I just wait for them to leave or they see me with my camera and a bride and move out of the way.  At one point I decided to have a little girl stay and be part of the scenery i.e. prop.  That picture just make me smile.

I found out during the shoot that we both went to OU during my last two years.  I'm sure I will recognized most of her guests at the wedding...  that's always nice.

Jennifer's Bridal Shoot - Ft. Worth Botanic Garden

I haven't been over to the Forth Worth Botanic Garden in a few year, so this was a great chance to see what's new.  Due to some recents tornadoes  and heavy rains in the area, the garden wasn't at it best.  As we were walking, I could see trees that was snapped in half, due to high wind, still laying around on the ground.  I was a little sadden but know that it's just nuture way of balancing out things. 

I really enjoyed taking pictures at a recent doctor's office party.  Not only was the food great, but they also had great entertainers such as Austin Power and Foxy Brown.  I felt like i was in an Austin Power's movie b/c he was in character all night, which was hilarious!

Go Mavs!!!

Time to step it up boys.  Dirk, this is a great opportunity to show everyone why you should be MVP.  I didn't draft you as my #1 fantasy pick for nothing, I know this is your break through year. 

Don't worry about game 1, I still have you guys beating Golden State in 6 games.  No let down, it's all or Nothing!

oh yeah... almost forgot.  Go Rockets! 

Back from vegas

So I've been back a few weeks
now from Vegas and it was well worth the trip.  I'm feeling pretty good
because I just mailed off my tax return yesterday!    That thing has been hanging over my head the last few
weeks.  I couldn't really do anything else but think about it.  Aargggghhh! 
That was my first year itemizing though.  It will be different this year;
I'll have my taxes ready by the end of next January.

Back to the convention.  For those of you who haven't gone, I highly
recommend it.  I've meet so many great photographers like Scott Robert (again).  Learned more about flash from Bob Davis and meet his wife, Dawn from Lastoriafoto.  Learned about
digital workflow from Kevin Kubota.  Got inspired from Joe Buissink,
Yervant, Jeff & Julia Woods along with a sleuth of other photographers, whose
work I admired.  Learning work flow from Kevin Kubota, alone, was worth
the price of my trip.  You know how when you bought a new piece of
equipment and been using it all this time and you're thinking to
yourself..."Man!  This is pretty sweet."  Until one day you
saw the inventor or a professional using it like it was meant to be use and it
just blow your mind.  Yeah... that's how I felt. 

All these ideas from the convention that I wanted to try but couldn't b/c I was
busy w/ taxes, well not anymore.  I've already started implementing a lot
of these ideas and methods into my daily routine, which I know will save me
days of extra work.  If any of you still editing a couple hundred of
pictures from each wedding, you should really rethink about your work
flow. 

I also want to say "Howdy" to other xanga member whom i met, Mark & Kerri from lydellphoto, Junshien, Serena Grace and Ingrid Liang.  And a few other whom I met Heather Waraksa, Paula Leyba and Olivier Kpognon.   

What's a trip to Sin City without bringing something back?  Here are some
images of Sin City inspired by the movie of the same name. 

Off to Vegas!

So I joined WPPI earlier this year just because I heard their yearly tradeshow
and convention are the best in the business.  It members includes some of
the best wedding photographer in the world.  To me, it’s like going to an All-Star game and
actually getting to meet all the players. 
I'm totally psyched about attending some of these photographer’s seminars. 
Although I'm having a hard time deciding which seminar to attend and which to pass. 
This is a good thing because it shows the quality of speakers attending. 

But first I have to shoot a wedding tonight and another on Saturday (woo
hoo!  My first back-to-back wedding), then off to Vegas on Sunday.  I have to say this does feel kinda weird.  This will be my first time going to vegas with no intention of gambling.  I guess that 12 steps program actually worked!

Have a great week and I’ll be back next Thursday. 

Brian+Linh's Engagement

Haven't update in awhile have I?  I know this isn't an excuse,
but I've been away during the winter months to work on the business side of my
photography.  Also, I've isolated myself from photography for a few months
so that I could develop my own Jason Vo Signature style, if it even exists. 
Now that my wedding season is starting up, you guys can be the judge to see if
there is a difference. 



I'm starting out 2007 Brian and Linh's Engagement shoot.  Brian and Linh are
both a little on the shy side, so I had to work really hard to try and make
them feel comfortable.  They didn't know it, but they really pushed me to
my limits to try and come up with new ideas for all their shots.  
But I loved it when a couple pushes me... it keep me honest.  If it's too
easy then I know that I will be giving them cookie cutter shots and their
pictures are no longer unique to them. 



Btw, Brian is my youngest brother!!!  Congratulation to you and
Linh.  I think Linh's mom was a little skeptical when she heard that I
will be their photographer... I don't think her mom had seen my website
yet.  Thanks Linh for sticking with me!!!

Happy New Year of the Pig!

Wishing everyone's year is filled with good health, long life and good fortune for the coming year.  As part of tradition during the new year, our family worship our past ancestors... it's a reminder that we still think of them and asked them to watch over us throughout the year (at least that's what I asked for). 

my parents started cooking at 6 in the morning, they made every dish. 

i didn't even noticed the cd coasters until i edit the photo.

Reply Etiquette

I was wondering what's the proper way to reply to question that people asked on my blog?  Do I reply after their comment on my own blog or on their blog? 

I keep running into this issue and don't want to offend someone b/c they didn't kown where I post my reply. 

Dazzling eyes tutorial.

I usually save this step for last, after all my other edits are done.  Start by making a copy of your layer in Photoshop, Ctrl+J or Command+J(for Mac).  We will work on this top layer.  Here's a picture of my eyes.

Select the Dodge tool, it’s the one above the Text tool, or hit keyboard letter "O".  Then select a brush size that is about the same size as the iris.  I find it's easier to work at 100% zoom. 

Look up along the row of menus, leave the Range: Midtones, but drop the Exposure: 10% and Hardness = 0%. We want to slowly build up the effect.  Now dodge over where the iris suppose to be.  Don’t worry if it’s too white.  As long as both side are of the same shade then you’re fine.

Be careful not to dodge the whole iris away, but leave that black, outside line around the eye.  It will help give definition to the eye. 

Now that both sides have about the same amount of dodging, drop the Opacity of the top layer to your liking.  There isn’t a correct amount because each picture will have different lighting condition or different mood that you want to project.