HyStudio – Life Behind the Lens

Tonight, when I got back from my 2 days business trip, there was this letter (below) on the kitchen counter. For those of you who had followed this blog for a while, you probably notice that I worked super hard and worked super long hours. Hy and I both thought I got paid ok, until we got this letter ..

BTW, Hy did the underlying and handwriting .. and of course, he took this non-artistic photo too .. .

Since this is our company’s annual compensation review period, Hy suggested I bring this letter and wear some clothe with holes to show my boss that I need a raise. Yup, I am just going to do that ~

Caitlin and Alex had a second day tea ceremony in Sacramento. After the tea ceremony, Hy took the opportunity to do some day after photos with the newlywed at the State Capital. Videographers, Vincent and Stephanie, from Cinematic Touch tagged along.

I love the classic black and whites

This is my favorite photo out of the bunch.

Lastly, the ring shots

Congratulations Caitlin & Alex ~

Booking a Day-After photo session is always a great way of capturing the joy of newlywed right after your big day, most importantly, an excuse of wearing your gown again worry free of getting dirty.  Regarding the gown, “trash the dress” session are now getting really popular.  Getting down and dirty with your be-loved gown before sending it for cleaning is another fun way to spend the day with your gown while you are still in the best shape!   ok ok . ., I am talking about myself, my wedding day was my best shape.  Now, it’s just too hard to say no to yummy food. 

Raining day in Southern California. I forgot to pack my umbrella with me for my 2 days trip. I had to walk under the rain for 15 minutes this evening, was quite wet when I arrived the hotel.

In Feb., I will have a business trip to Asia for 15 days (just me, I don’t think Hy will be tagging alone). Will be travel to 2 countries, 2-3 cities in each country. Since some cities are not close to each other, so more flights will be required. I will be visiting 4 offices that my company has in those region. I called the travel desk of my company this morning, the lady told me she would need 2 days to research and get the itinerary together because it was quite complex. This is not the first time I travel international for business, but I will be visiting offices/countries I haven’t been to. It will be a fun trip. I just hope I don’t get sick.

On an unrelated but related topic of month of Feb. (V day), gossip from HyStudio headquarter, I can’t say much, but 2008 is a year of ‘love is in the air’ for HyStudio. So excited on what’s coming ~

While I am on this topic of traveling, folks, for those of you who’s planning a destination wedding and still seeking for photographers, talk to me. You never know what HyStudio has in store for you ~

Broken Window

Frank called Sunday afternoon.

“Did Hy drive Hy’s car away from my company’s parking lot?”

Frank borrowed Hy’s car for about a month to practice stick shift.

“No. Why?” I asked, knowing that doesn’t sound good.

“Hm.. the car’s missing. I will inform the security of my company.” Frank answered, nervously.

“Maybe it was just tolled” I tried to comfort him.

Hy was next to me. “Why would anyone bother to steal that crappy car?” Hy thought it was tolled as well.

End up, it wasn’t tolled. The car was stolen, which marked the first case of stolen car for Frank’s company, according to the security.

It’s a pretty old and crappy car. I used that car to practice stick shift as well. The car was quite broken that during summer time, Hy needs to use hand break to break the car on the freeway because the normal foot break sometimes doesn’t work. Hy and I dated long enough that there weren’t much of romantic feeling we have with that car. There weren’t any important info on the car either. So, it was an emotionally low cost car for us to loose.

I hope whoever stole the car wouldn’t try to drive the car in hot summer day.. Cuz it would be really dangerous without knowing all the trick this car would play on the driver ..

Venue: San Jose Scottish Rite Center
Wedding Coordinator: Crystal of Amazae Special Events
Makeup/Hair: Jonathan Nguyen
Florist: Duc Quach of Flower Decor
Lighting/Rentals: Natti Pierce of NATT

Caitlin wanted to incorporate she and Alex’s background culture into the wedding. Last post, we saw Buddhist ceremony and Lion dance. Today, I will be showcasing the details.

First of, the culture of Chinese/Vietnamese/West was well demonstrated in 3 gown Caitlin wore throughout the day.

I love the detail of Caitlin’s wedding gown. It looked great hanging and looked amazing on her.

I love this shoe shot ~

I love Caitin’s hairdo. Jonathan did an amazing job. This is the 2nd time we worked with Jonathan. Our first time was with Mai Han & Tim’s wedding early 2007. BTW, we will be photographing Mai Han & Tim’s baby in couple months

Classic shoes under veil shot ~

I love the back of the gown too.

Bridal bouquet close up.

Into the reception, I love the details of plate decor.

Cake.

Lighting done at the reception was amazing.

Lanterns that changed color throughout the night.

Not sure how to explain, but I just love this shot.

Lanterns in classic and elegant mode.

Now the lanterns are in party mode.

The teapots were the sitting card holders, very Asian.

There were so many events and decors and vendors to coordinate during this wedding.  Crystal of  Amazae Special Events did an amazing job making sure everything happened as bride envisioned.  Thanks Crystal for your work so we can capture so many amazing photos.

Stay tune for ‘day-after’ photos

Venue: San Jose Scottish Rite Center
Wedding Coordinator: Crystal of Amazae Special Events
Makeup/Hair: Jonathan Nguyen
Florist: Duc Quach of Flower Decor
Lighting/Rentals: Natti Pierce of NATT

Caitlin’s the prettiest doctor I’ve ever known. Caitlin is high school classmate of my close friend of Jenny. Hy and I are honored to get to know Caitlin and to be part of Caitlin and Alex’s big day.

Caitlin and Alex had a Buddhist ceremony. This was HyStudio’s first Buddhist wedding ceremony.

The happy couple.

Outdoor photo session.

Jonathan did an amazing job with make up and hair. I love Caitlin’s look.

Caitlin and Alex incorporated lion dance into the reception.

I love the reception lighting for the dance floor. They change color through out the night. I will show case more details tomorrow.

I absolute love Caitlin’s look in the Chinese Chi Pao. Don’t know what’s a “Chi Pao”? Here is a link.

I will show the details of this wedding coming up.

Hy and I plan to have some fun this long weekend, I can’t wait   If I am lucky, maybe I will have some photos to show!

Following are from my point & shoot camera, then with the magic touch of Hy’s post-processing.

This Sat., while Frank’s working hard on an engagement photo session in SF., Hy and I went out for a late lunch date at Los Gatos Downtown.

We had lunch at Caffe Siena. Searching on a foodie’s forum, Caffe Siena is famous for its European style Panini, bitter sweet Mocha and tiramisu. So, we had exactly that plus couple more. All are delicious. The owner’s super friendly. Give the caffe a try next time you are around the area, tell the owner Hy and Annie of HyStudio send you.

After lunch, I scored a private photo session. Well, the truth is, the surrounding was beautiful and Hy needed someone in the frame. Regardless, I enjoy the attention I got and I loved the photos.

While walking into residential area up hills, 2 little boys were walking down hills toward us. One little boy kept on looking at me, looking at me while he walked, without looking at the road, then he tripped. I was like .. “ohhhh….” I felt so bad…. But after he got up and no harmed done .. I realized what just happened .. “hee .. i am over 30, and still got it .. ” I told Hy that. Hy shook his head and said .. “you think too much .. “

I know it’s silly, but when you are over 30, you will rejoice when you are asked to show id.

Ok ok, I know for those of you who wants to see wedding photos, I promise next post is going to be a wedding Stay tune ~

Tonight, I attended a house party as a Mrs. with Hy this evening. I dressed for the event this morning. When I arrived work, got some raising eyebrows. In my line of work, where there are mostly men (or boys), if you wear a skirt, you are over dressed I was apologetic and explaining to my office mate that I would be attending a dinner event with my husband.

When the host’s son, a little boy, opened the door, it was eye opening. The house was so well decorated that I felt that I walked into a model home, yet, it was surrounded by candle lighting just perfectly, bringing a warm and welcoming spirit to the living room. Hy and I were led to a dinning room where most guests arrived already. The dining table was professionally setup with centerpieces and tea light candles. Hy’s friend were chatting away nibbling on artistically plated variety of horderves. The hostess, nicely dressed, coming in and out of the conversation brought out more variety of beautiful looking and tasty horderves.

While folks were chatting, I sneaked into the kitchen to chat with the hostess, on her secrets. I found out, she actually owns a restaurant business with some friends besides being a full time mom. She showed me albums of her kids’ birthday parties. She does one album per year for her kids’ birthday. She never bought food for the parties. She made all food herself. Flipping through the pages, wow, every year, different style of cakes (that she made) show cased through the photos. The food for birthday party looked like professional catered. I saw chocolate fountain one year and fruit arrangement the next, not to mention many delicious looking dishes line up for both parents and kids. There’s one year, she made small individual cakes with a candle for all the kids attending her son’s birthday party. She told me, since all the kids want to blow candles, so she made each kid their little personal cake with candle, so her son can enjoy the candles on the big cake himself.

Dinner was exceptional with great pairing wine and ended with freshly home made cold dessert fruits/jello/tapioca mixer drinks. Because we were so full after dinner, Hy and I packed home the dessert drink in those take out cups similar to Starbucks’ Frappuccino without the logo. While enjoying them at home couple hours later, I was so hooked.

In her, I saw a capable woman, living with passion and love for her family. But at the same time, never gives up her dream.

I am actually into this new show “Cashmere Mafia” on ABC this season. ABC’s version of “Sex and the City“, except the women’s background are successful high ranking women in their line of work. In these women, I saw my life, which is very different from the life of the hostess today. In today’s show, one of the woman was given a teddy bear made by her kids, when pressing on the arm, would said “I can’t talk now; I am on a conference call.” Hy was mocking that line in front of me all night long. OMG .. believe it or not, that was exact line I said to Hy probably multiple times a week, especially during those late night international calls to Asia. I am that lady, carrying my name brand handbag, walking around with a ear phone dialing into conference calls, driving to places, on taxi and rushing in and out of airport.

Being a career woman, I am aware of my life style differ from many of my married girl friends who decided to devote their life fully to the family and kids. Not sure when/whether I can make that transition. The hostess of tonight’s party was an inspiration to me. She devoted her priority to her family and kids, but at the same time, she figures out a way to live life fully without abandon her passion and dream.

Here’s today’s photo, a home. Taken by Hy at “John Oliver Cabin“.