Flash Back Fridays

#FlashBackFriday

A long, long time ago when trying to decide what style of photography I wanted to create, I did what most newbie photographers do - I practiced on friends with the promise that I wouldn’t make it too painful.

And then on the day of the shoot I remember feeling ridiculously terrified, hoping they’d cancel our hangout. 😬🤷🏽‍♀️
#ConfessionsOfAChickenWithACamera #ThatWillBeMyBookOneDay

And I am so glad they never cancelled. Their willingness gave me a chance to be brave and simply try. I got to see that couples’ portraits can absolutely have a contemporary and magazine feel to them, a look that I admired but was unsure I could even try to create.

This image still makes me so proud as it’s a reminder of something huge to me.

Take a chance.

Try.

And daaaang girl, go on and make ‘em look like a magazine ad for a cologne or something!💃🏽👏🏽🙌🏽📸

#workit #fashion

Behind the Scenes

To see the final results out of a client's photo shoot with me is by far one my favorite parts of the process. I love finalizing edits on every image, be it the last touch of color or last bit of sharpening for printing at the lab. If I could describe the feeling, I'd say it's very similar to when a painter is putting the final brush strokes and touches to a masterpiece that's ready for the gallery. It's like the baker who is putting the final swirl of frosting and decor onto a sweet creation for others to not only enjoy the flavor but the aesthetics of it. It's even like the dancer who has practiced for hours and has finally, with an exhausted breath, perfected every move of the performance ready for the stage.

What makes it even more satisfying to see the images is to also look back on some of the behind the scenes images that capture the process of it all. And SOMETIMES, as in this photo below, I'm lucky enough to capture a behind the scenes shot that is just as exciting as the final portrait images. 

A behind the scenes glimpse into the shoot I was was fortunate to do with owner and founder of San Francisco-based company Future Glory, Theresa Lee. On point for hair and makeup in this photo is stylist, Tammy Do.

This light? Oh man. #swoon

Happy Wednesday!

Special Announcement| Headshots by Heartbox Photography | Bay Area, CA

Along the way of this journey in photography, I've had the awesome privilege to meet other business owners, designers, actors, models and community leaders in the Bay Area. In addition to my love of providing contemporary portrait services to women, I also provide outdoor headshot sessions and am excited to continue to do so this year!

Prices for headshot sessions will officially be going up as of April 30, so if you or anyone you know of needs an updated, polished, and fresh headshot for Linked In, website use, or other profiles, please contact Heartbox Photography today!

Always Practice Seeing

One of the things I am learning as a portrait photographer is that you can never spend too much time seeing. 

Awhile back I took a workshop taught by a seasoned photographer with the intention of simply picking up a few tips and tricks I thought would be useful in my work. Interestingly enough, the biggest tip I received in this class didn't involve the use of a camera, but my eyes. 

As someone who never wants to miss a moment with my camera, the thought of not having an active camera in new surroundings didn't make sense and frankly, made me a little fidgety and uneasy. However, when I finally took the assignment seriously and actually sat quietly observing my surroundings without taking a single photograph on a random sunny day, it was then I finally saw the value in this lesson. That anyone can take a picture with a camera, but the ability to really see are what separates the picture-takers from the photographers who make and create a photograph.

It as a beautiful weekend in the city of San Francisco - perfect for taking the time to practice the art of seeing and creating a few memorable photographs of the city I am thankful to live near. 

Happy Monday!

Hiking Muir Woods and A Side of Fries

On my commute this morning, I got to thinking about health and weight. I'm not sure why weight crossed my mind - maybe because I'm a woman and that topic ranks right up there with chocolate-for-dinner as far as our daily thoughts go. Or, it might have something to do with the fact that in a few weeks I'll need to fit into a bridesmaids dress for my sister's wedding and extra weight isn't an accessory I'm wanting to sport in the photographs.

As much as possible, I try to be as healthy as I can. High blood pressure and high cholesterol run in my family which means that the gym and I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship for most of my adult life. (Really, why do people run for fun on a machine that goes no where?!?) I just don't want to have to suffer the possible diabetes and heart attacks and all the other health issues that tend to follow unhealthy habits. Believe me, there are days that eating broccoli when I'd rather eat a bag of potato chips with my dinner (mmmmm, Ruffles....) - can be a real challenge, but thankfully there are benefits that result from the effort.

We had recently hiked the beautiful trails through San Francisco's Muir Woods with some friends. It was a clear day and the fresh air mixed with the spectacular view of sun rays softly beaming through the towering trees along the path made for an awesome way to get some exercise in. Muir Woods is definitely a must see, a hike I truly recommend to anyone visiting the beautiful Bay Area.

Confession time - is it ok to say that halfway through our little adventure all I could think about was a burger and a side of fries? Mmmm...fries....

Happy Monday!

My Yummy Sammich: Sanguchon Peruvian Food, San Francisco

Be forewarned.

This post has nothing to do with photography. Or my loveable dog. Or colorful jar-lid sized earrings or my husband's affinity for Star Wars vintage lunch boxes. Rather, this post chats about a love for a subject that makes my heart smile and makes me BFFs with my local gym.

That subject? None other than food. Like, for real good food. The kind that is so yummy it sends you into a middle of the afternoon coma and makes you wonder who decided to invent that nonsense word "diet?!" The kind of food that makes you not care if it was grilled, fried, or contained sticks of melted cheese so long as you got it with a side of juice. And a receipt.

This afternoon's sunshine and warm weather was perfect for a little outdoor lunch adventure and hence my colleagues and I found ourselves in front of the Sanguchon Peruvian Food Truck.

Everything on the menu looked and smelled too delicious. After debating if I should just put in offer to buy the entire truck, alas I ended up ordering their Lomo Saltado, a stir fried (ooooh, friiiied!!) New York steak with tomato, onion, cilantro soy sauce and fries that came in the sandwich.

People, I repeat.

There. Were. Fries. In. My. Sammich!

It took about, oh, five seconds or so for me to wolf down that goodness and now I am ready for a nap.

If you are ever in the mood for a Peruvian experience that come with fries in your sandwich, a trip to a Sanguchon Peruvian Food Truck or any of their sister restaurants in San Francisco, Mochica Peruvian, La Costanera, Piqueos Contemporary Peruvian is something I would highly recommend.

Fries in my sandwich and a beautiful afternoon of sunshine during lunch?

I gotta say, today was a good day.

Happy Wednesday!