The An Family

First picture: Elyse + Her "Bubby" = OMG SO CUTE

An outtake. My assistant husband going from carrying the reflector duties to carrying... balloons.

Hi Readers,

I wanted to share some photos from a recent family shoot. We've been friends with Young and Angela for a long time now so I think its funny they just ignore me when I whip out my "big" camera- they have gotten so used to it by now. I guess it works out for me because they are very natural and comfortable while I am snapping away. You may recognize Angela from one of my previous posts. They are two of my biggest supporters of my work and open to my ideas to try out. I really appreciate this as friend and artist!

Anyways, they asked me to take some family pictures to be used for their Christmas cards this year and I obliged, of course. I do love photographing Elyse (toddler). I know kids generally do/say cute and silly things but Elyse is in a league of her own. She's fearless, very animated and already speaks with a southern accent! Her baby sister seems to be a bit more reserved and quiet. Its truly amazing to see how different their personalities are at such a young age. As always, thank you for letting me photograph your beautiful family!

Enjoy!

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Sammy and Irene in anticipation...

Dear Readers,

Hope you had a lovely and a not too hectic holiday this past week. My husband and I just came home from visiting our friends Sammy, Irene and their new baby girl. She is really super cute. She even makes cute faces when she poos. =) I have to mention that Rocky, their Malti-poo, has been a very good "big brother". I hear all time about dogs being jealous of new babies but he's been great! This session is one that is near and dear to me. We've been friends for years now, traveled together, Irene was one of my bridesmaids, we celebrated their awesome wedding in Mexico a couple of years ago and now they are welcoming their first child after almost 10 years of being together! I was honored when they asked me to capture these pre-parenthood moments for them. They even treated me to lunch at a pizza joint that offered gluten-free pizza! Enjoy!

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Coming up next!

Greetings!

We just got back from attending our friends' AMAZING wedding in Puerto Vallarta! We actually got back a day late due to a mechanical issue with the plane so just going to try and catch up this week with work, housework and editing.

I just wanted to do a quick update on some of my recent sessions that I am working on. These are my faves from the sessions. Stay tuned and have a lovely week!

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The day it snowed in Houston

Hi Readers,

Sorry for the lack of updates and comments on your pages. I just completed a year long project for work and now just joined a new project. I literally was on my last day when HR gave me a call to staff me on my next project the following day. I was hoping for a week break but thus is the life in IT consulting.

Anyways, it snowed today in Houston and since it rarely snows here - everyone freaked out and stayed off the roads due to hazardous road conditions. Some parts of Houston actually got a layer of snow. We had some flurries that lasted us a few hours. My 19 month-old nephew has never seen snow so I grabbed my camera and headed over. I took these in about 15 minutes freezing my tail off while my nephew had a ball.

It was also a special day for me as he was able to call me "Co An" (Aunt An) as before he could only say single syllable words. The formal way of addressing an aunt in Vietnamese is by prefixing the name with "Co". He had been calling me (well, everyone) by my first name so it sounded funny hearing a baby calling an adult by my first name. So yea, HEART MELT!

This is his usual expression when I ask him to smile.

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What's cuter than a baby in suspenders?

Hi readers! I am in the mist of editing a recent family session and wanted to post some of my favorites so far. It was a joy photographing this beautiful family. The suspenders on the baby had me going "omg too cute"! It was the perfect fall day (we don't have too many perfect weather days here in Houston). I drove around to scout for a location before meeting them up, parked and grabbed my camera. While exploring, I took a moment to take in all the gorgeous fall foliage around me- the world astounds me sometimes in all its awesomeness! I know its almost the end of November but the mosquitoes were relentless. I didn't know they could bite through jeans! Lesson learned- always bring a can of bug repellant to outdoor shoots. Anyways, hope everyone will have a relaxing Thanksgiving with their friends and family.

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Requesting fashion advice!

Hi readers, I am reaching out for some fashion advice si vous plait!

When my last birthday rolled around I decided that I will wholeheartedly try to dress better. I've never been good with putting outfits together- I picture Tim Gunn giving me his trademark crossed arm look of concern. I pretty much go with whats comfortable. I can barely pick out which shoes to wear let alone attempt accessorizing. (OMG SO MANY CHOICES) Adding jewelry makes me feel like its too much. Anyways, I will be attending my friends' wedding soon and need some help getting my outfit together. Fashionistas, feel free to point and laugh let me know if the shoes/accessory goes with the outfit or if you have any suggestions!

Please vote for one of these 3!

I chose these because:
1. The wedding will be at a tropical climate- so need to stay away from winter wear.
2. I will be helping with photographing so will need something fairly comfy to move in.
3. Unless I can get my legs all nice, smooth and tanned in time- tights are a must for now. (The back of my dress flew up once while I was photographing an outdoor summer wedding. Lesson learned.)

Yes, I realize this dress is a silk bag but its very comfortable. Would a big blingy bib necklace work for this outfit?

Must remember not to bend over much while photographing.



Flats or heels?



Close up of the second outfit's shoes.

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Warning: cheese ahead!

I came across this picture while editing a set today. I just love photographing babies. They are not aware of the camera thus they have the most natural expressions. This photo astounds me of the beauty that constantly surrounds us and in the cycle of life. This child will not look the same in a few weeks nor months and to be able to capture this photo in this moment is so completely fulfilling.

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