A List Make Up

Love Transforms People | Bay Area, Glamour Photo Shoot | Dee. 2013

There's no doubt about it that I am excited about building and growing a photography business that focuses solely on getting the message out there that every woman is beautiful. This focus and mission sits squarely in the middle of the heart and direction of Heartbox Photography because it's something I personally believe in as a woman who has battled my own challenges with confidence for many years.
Every new technical aspect of my camera I learn, every new client's story I get to hear, every new look my stylist creates for the client, every new result I see captured in the final image - I love it all and am inspired by it constantly.

But even in the midst of all of this awesomeness, I too can easily lose sight of the inspiration and what drove me to start Heartbox Photography in the first place. Sometimes, I get way too caught up in the what ifs of failure, the fear not knowing, the opinions of naysayers, worrying what others think of my efforts as an artist, a photographer, a young entrepreneur with big ideas who also still has to work a full time job until what I dream of comes to fruition to do this beyond the weekends only. There were countless times when I have talked myself out of even trying something new because the fear that it would not work practically debilitated the hope in my heart. It's not a fun feeling and can instantaneously get me to focus on the half-empty rather than the half-full glass. And while in this slump, inspiration and direction can seem like a million and one miles away.

Which is why this particular photo session is special to me. 

As I watched the last of the edits being produced for the final images and video footage, I couldn't help but notice a little jolt in my heart with every re-watch. A little smile every time the music played, every time I heard the story. It was as if I was getting a big reminder from God that this journey is more than just about taking a nice photograph and certainly way more than building a successful photography business meant to satisfy my whims. It was a reminder that this can grow into something much bigger than what my plans limit and can help reach into the lives of women on a whole new level. And most importantly, I am reminded to aim for something bigger and beyond me, myself, and I. Because of this reminder, I am inspired and excited once again to keep walking down the path of what I know will be a mind-blowing journey. 

I am proud to present the latest photo session from Heartbox Photography, "Love Transforms People" a makeover and photo session of a good friend of mine, Dee Murphy. 

Here's to always being inspired to help transform people...and the world.

Happy Tuesday!

To see more of this photo shoot, feel free to view the photos and video below or also view the video here!

Special thanks to Tammy Do of A List Make Up for a beautiful job on hair and make up 
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Older Women Makeovers

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Older women makeovers

Laura, 2013. Cannery Row, Monterey, Glamour Photo Session

One of the things I love the most about being a photographer is that I have the rare opportunity to get to know new faces. And being a photographer of women means that the conversation with my clients and models are always interesting and can be sprinkled with topics that vary from the challenges of being a mom, a career driven woman, why our hair just won't always behave itself in the morning as we rush out the door or yes, even the confessions of the time our eye lash curler attacked us. 

As I'd mentioned in her preview post, Laura had contacted me for a makeover and photo shoot to take place in the beautiful coastal area of Monterey. As the sun gently lit up the late afternoon, the talented Emily Nguyen of A List Make Up set to work on Laura's hair and make up for the photo session. 

After a quick outfit change (because ladies, we all know that awesome hair and make up is never complete without an awesome outfit to match, amen!) Laura and I took a stroll through the beautiful Cannery Row of Monterey to capture the afternoon light for her photos. We chatted about everything - from her being a mother, an aspiring law student, to the trials of walking around in a fabulous pair high heels. 

Laura, thank you. It was an honor to be able to not only photograph you, but to also learn more about you as a person. You rocked the shoot and I hope these photos remind you every single day of your beauty and your fabulousness - simply because you are you. 

Here are a few of my favorites. To see more, feel free to check out the video here or at the bottom of this post.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hair and Make Up by:

And boom. Model status.



Go on with your gorgeous self, Laura! Absolutely loving this Monterey light...

Laura and I share a similarity in that we both freeze when it's below 75 degrees. Even though the ocean breeze left Laura almost frozen, I'm happy to say she summoned her inner model and bravely pushed through, resulting in these beautiful shots.






One of my absolute favorite shots...


Preview: Laura. Monterey Photo Shoot. 2013, Cannery Row, Monterey

Every mom's story is different. 

From the details of how they dealt with sleepless nights with their newborns, the ways in which they toughed out the challenges of raising teenagers, and to the way their hearts reacted to the day their young ones left home fort to venture out into the world of college, new jobs, and adulthood. 

In my book, moms pretty much deserve the lifetime achievement award. With a box of chocolates and a serious high-five.

Meet the lovely Laura. Laura had received a gift certificate from Heartbox Photography during a fundraiser auction and contacted me for a time to set up her make over and photo session. We picked a day that was blessedly filled with the beautiful coastal sun and breeze that is Monterey - perfect for an outdoor photo shoot. 

As we chatted, I found out Laura was not only a career woman and soon-to-be-law student, but also a mom. And I thought it was tough for my own mom raising three children, but my jaw just about dropped when I found out that Laura was a mother who had successfully raised six beautiful children. That right there? Well, that's just proof to me that Supermom does exist. 

It was an incredibly fun photo shoot for me, and in my book, not only is Laura Supermom/Supercareer Woman, but simply a beautiful woman inside and out. 

Below is a sneak peak of Laura's shoot, so stay tuned for more!

Many thanks to Emily Nguyen of A-List Makeup for her fabulous work on Laura's hair and make up.

Happy Wednesday!
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Vy. 2012. Photo Shoot.

I love, love, love the transformation and art of makeup. If I possessed even a fraction of the talent out there among many great stylists, I think I'd have a little more pep in my step with all the different looks I could create each day as I headed out to work or heck, even as I head out to Target on a Saturday. Because, really, who said there were rules on where a woman could look and feel fabulous? 

But even more so than makeup and hair, I love being able to collaborate with other stylists and help showcase a girl at her absolute best. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to collaborate with Trang Le of A List Makeup. Our model, Vy, (who will soon be entering her college years and conquering the world in her own way, I'm sure!) graciously spent an afternoon with us as her hair and makeup were done and later photographed in an afternoon shoot. 

As I'd mentioned before, what I love about being able to photograph women of all ages and backgrounds is that it's a chance to not only celebrate diversity, but to celebrate the beauty of a woman overall. With each photograph I take and with upcoming photo shoots you will see later on, my hope is to communicate a bold message to the world and to women everywhere that she is worth celebrating simply because of who she is today

Vy, as a young woman, you have the potential to do great things and change this world. Thank you for taking the time to model for this shoot. And Trang, I hope you know that you are more than a makeup and hairstylist. You are an artist with a rare talent of being able to help a woman feel her absolute best, both inside and out. 

Rock on, you two. Rock on.

Because her beauty is timeless.











Happy Tuesday!