I fell in love with shooting runway fashion show after last year’s Adorn Style Show and Brunch. Invited by Harvest Ball Society as the official Adorn Style Show fashion photographer, I photographed this year’s Adorn Style Show and Brunch at Bartle Hall of Kansas City Convention Center. As one of the incentives of being a Tres Chic Sponsor this year, I was given a booth to showcase my art work and promote Bokeh Story Photos. Unfortunately, I could not be at my booth for even one minute because I was busy taking pictures for the vendors before the fashion show started. With generous help from two friends, my booth had a great flow and coverage. My two beautiful friends were mistakenly thought as runway models by several guests. The great thing about taking...
This is another piece of work from mommy and me team. We had so much fun shooting in my studio when grandma was visiting in town during labor day weekend. I was going through Audrey’s wardrobe and found that she has way too many clothes than Wesley and a lot of them that she has not even worn. Why not find something nice and do a themed shoot? OK! I picked a few dresses and started. She was wearing the green brown flower dress that day, so the first two shots were just testing lighting. The second white and navy dress is brand new. That one I ordered from a boutique in Hong Kong. She said she wanted some pictures with grandma while she was not dressed up. She knows...
Ever since Bokeh Story Photos was born, I started this journey of photographing a variety of portrait sessions, including lifestyle, engagement, newborn, babies, children, family, senior, fashion, and headshots. These all fall under the main category of portraits. I decied that I do not want to be a wedding photographer long time ago. For most photographers, sometimes it takes years to know what you really want to do. Among all the sessions, I enjoy shooting styled or themed sessions the most. You all know that I started photography seriously since my daughter Audrey was born. I almost take pictures of her every day, so she has been in training for almost 4 years. We have been “working” together for a long time and we are a great team! A few...
Miss Sarafina Kankam is currently a contestant running for the Miss Kansas USA 2014. On top of her beauty pageant headshots, we decided to do a styled concept shoot. The key of a concept shoot is the story line. We already arranged makeup artist and hair stylist. Normally before arranging a fashion editorial shoot, photographers will work with the fashion designer to brainstorm ideas for a concept. This one is tough because we do not have a designer to sponsor for our shoot, so I took over the styling part. I provided wardrobe for Sarafina with this gorgeous gown that I ordered from a designer in Asia. It fits perfect on her. I knew that I wanted a male supporting character from the beginning because it would be a little boring to illustrate...
I first met Matthew when he was only 5 years old when we moved into our current residency. He is our neighbor Janet’s boy. We always see him riding his bicycle in our neighborhood. His bike’s sound system is so unique that was invented by himself. I first thought he installed a motor on his bike, but no. He just stuck a plastic empty water bottle in between the wheels, and it makes fantastic sound. We have been living in the same neighborhood for 8 years now and Matt is thirteen. He is such a talented teenage boy. Invited by Janet, I had the honor to photograph a themed session for him. Janet said Matt hates getting his pictures taken. I suggested that we should make it as fun as it could be. We...
It was my honor and pleasure to photograph baby Eli’s 8 months studio session! I photographed this cutie pie’s lifestyle newborn back in January and now he is 8 months! Time flies… Eli is almost a toddler now. Eli’s mommy Michelle and I brainstormed ideas before the session. She hand picked two sets of backdrop/floordrops for Eli. I love the aqua whale on his romper, which matches perfectly with my aqua chevron backdrop. First we had Eli sit on a crate to test his sitting skill. He aced it without any complains. Michelle said that Eli loves the camera. She takes pictures of him almost every day and he is very familiar with the picture concept. I could tell that he is a natural baby model. Eli also loves my Mr. Owl...
Remember baby Elliott from the Elliott’s Fresh 48 two weeks ago? He came back to my studio for his newborn session. This little boy showed same characteristics from his Fresh 48. He was almost awake the entire time from his newborn session. Elliott’s mom loves to bake and wanted to a baking theme. He decided he wanted to be awake while he was starring in the baby bakery as the master chef. He was so strong to kick off the mixing bowl and pul off his own chef hat. I shot in tethered mode, so we could see the images right on my computer screen. His daddy and mommy said that newborn babies do not have to be asleep in all images, so we passed on the chef theme. Still baby...
The first six years in a person’s life is really important. According to theories of Dr. Montessori: “From conception to age 4, the individual develops 50% of his mature intelligence; from ages 4 to 8 he develops another 30%…This would suffest the very rapid growth of intelligence in the early years and the possible great influence of the early environment on this development.” Audrey and Wesley were going to an in-home daycare for two years. It was the perfect place for little kids. Their teacher has a garden in the backyard, cooks homemade meals, teaches them preschool curriculum, and loves them so much. They also love her so much. It was such a hard decision to make when I heard from my company’s daycare… The prestigious Montessori learning center had...
I had the honor to photograph baby Eliott’s first 48 hours in Shawnee Mission Birthing Center. After more than 24 hours labor, new mommy Suzy was exhausted. So do new daddy Kendell. Baby Elioot is their first baby. I could imagine how excited they are to welcome him to this world. Baby Elliott was having a rough day when we were shooting his Fresh 48. He was awake almost the entire time, but that’s okay. Fresh 48 is all about capturing the interaction among family members with the newborn baby. Suzy was already doing a great job feeding and burping her baby. Kendell also took the tough job – diaper changing. I could feel the love between Suzy and Kendell. This is the firs time that I brought Audrey to...
It has been a busy and fun summer. We’ve taken Audrey and Wesley to Virginia to see my mom in early July followed by another weekend trip to Iowa City to attend a good friend’s wedding. They did great in both road trips. This is also my first time to Iowa city. I truly this college town. It reminds me my college town Blacksburg, VA. Since we only had two and half days in town, we had to take any opportunity to explore town. Audrey was the youngest flower girl for the wedding, so we were in both rehearsal and wedding. We made the effort to walk in downtown Iowa City the morning of the wedding. Kids are so excited to see Herky in different outfits in downtown. This big...
