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

Preview | Elizabeth, July 2017 | Glamour & Contemporary Portraits | Fremont, CA

"She walks in beauty, like the night
   Of cloudless climes and starry skies; 
And all that’s best of dark and bright
   Meet in her aspect and her eyes"

-Lord Byron

I recently had the privilege of meeting Elizabeth - a wife, the mother of two, and a local businesswoman who has used her skills as a massage therapist for the past 17 years to bring healing and wellness to her clients through Pure Heart Bodywork.

To me, Elizabeth exudes a beautiful and quiet strength that I often think about when I picture women who are devoted to their families and who have passionately pursued their goals in life as well. I am so proud and excited to share with you all a sneak peak Elizabeth's photo session with Heartbox Photography - be sure to stay tuned for more to come!

Happy Friday!

Photography: Heartbox Photography

Hair/makeup: Kalani Brown

Ruchi | 2016 | Glamour & Contemporary Outdoor Portraits | San Jose, CA

I once heard my old pastor say that in a marriage, a woman is a reflection of what what her husband gives her. I remember him saying that she is the valley that will flourish healthily if the streams of water and care flowed down to her are filled with love and care. For all these years, that sentiment has stuck with me and recently came to mind when I had the opportunity to photograph Ruchi.

Ruchi is a software engineer who just recently graduated with her Master's degree from San Jose State University here in the Bay Area. While the afternoon was planned for a portrait session exclusively for her, her husband, Manas, patiently tagged along to not only help assist, but to also capture a few shots with his own camera. And who could blame him? She is not only a beautiful woman outwardly, but has the cheery smile and spunk that was as bright as the golden light we photographed her against. In every way that she spoke of him and in the quiet smile he returned in response to her teasing, one could tell they absolutely shared something lovely and special.

Ruchi is confident, smart, sassy, genuine...and it is obvious she is filled with love. A woman who is overflowing with all these wonderful things simply brings this beautiful "extra" that you can see in her eyes, in every photograph. And it is beyond stunning.

So proud to share with you all not only a behind the scenes video into Ruchi's photoshoot but also some of my favorite photos from our time together! 

Ruchi, you are stunning. Both inside and out. It was such an honor to be able to capture you in these photographs as a celebration of the woman you are now and the woman you will continue to grow to be in the future. Thank you for the opportunity to not only meet you but also your husband and to see a glimpse into what you hold near and dear. It is indeed special in ways that can not be captured by words. Cheers to you both, to your recent graduation, and to shaping the world as a woman in the engineering world!

**

What do you wish you could say to yourself when you were 18?

"Believe it or not, you are beautiful and always will be. "

"Oil painting and glass painting has always been my passion. In my free time, playing with the colors to decorate my house - and life - makes me happy."

"[I think} there is nothing that can "make" a woman beautiful because [I think] we women are [already] beautiful."

"God has given me a special person who thinks I am beautiful. And having him makes me the happiest person on earth."

Many thanks to Keziah Dauz for her styling of hair and makeup!

Glamour & Contemporary Portraits | Bina | 2016 | Santa Clara, CA

"A beautiful woman is someone who is wise, kind, classy, and whose eyes light up when she smiles..."

These are words directly from a lovely wife, mother, and woman named Bina. Her eyes twinkle with a ready smile. Her love for her daughter, husband, and life itself is evident in the way she describes this season of her life and shares about who she is. We spent the afternoon in hair/makeup with the talented Kalani Brown Kalani Style and had a wonderful time capturing Bina's beautiful smile in these photographs.

It is my honor and privilege to share with you all the latest feature, story, and photoshoot along with a behind the scenes look into Bina's time with Heartbox Photography - check it out below!

Bina, thank you for trusting me to capturing that twinkling smile of yours and for sharing your story with me! Your daughter is fortunate to have a mother  and role model who embodies joy and pride in being who she is as a woman. Here's to continuing to empower your daughter, as well as future generations, of young girls that will shape this world. 

**

"I was born and raised in Bombay, India. I'm a textile designer by profession, but have been a stay-at-home mom looking after my beautiful daughter for the last 10 years. I've loved every bit of being a hands-on parent. The bond we share is priceless."

"It's an interesting time for me. My daughter just finished elementary school and is getting to the point where she is more independent. I'm looking to get back to designing. I'm a foodie and love experimenting and cooking wholesome food for my family and friends. I've also been assisting with Ayurvedic cooking classes. "

What is one thing you wish you could tell yourself back when you were 18 years old?

"I wish I would have told myself to be fearless!"

"Over the years, my focus has been on simplifying my loving husband and daughter's life and on just being happy. Traveling is something we like doing as a family and we've been fortunate enough to travel to many places around the world, experiencing different cultures. No matter what my week looks like I always make time for hiking and reading, my two favorite activities."

What would you tell young girls with regards to beauty, self-confidence, and growing up?

"I would tell my daughter and other young girls to not let the world tell you what perfect is! Just be yourself.

Speak your mind, be uninhibited, be authentic and in the moment. And keep smiling!"

What you appreciate most about your life now?

"I am comfortable in my own skin, I'm following my heart and loving the journey!"

PREVIEW | Nicole | Glamour and Contemporary Portraits | Santa Clara, CA

A writer, DIY'er, editor, tutor, and yoga instructor.

A soon-to-be adventure finder in Spain.

A woman with talents she uses and generously shares with others.

All these things are just a few ways to describe the lovely Melissa, whom I had the privilege to recently photograph.

It was an afternoon of smiles and laughs as we experienced the fun of capturing just the right amount of fan breeze to highlight her gorgeous red hair. I am so proud and excited to share with you all the sneak peak into Melissa's photo shoot below. As always, stay tuned as there are more images to come!

Many thanks to Kat Tinney for her styling of Nicole's hair and makeup!

Preview | Nancy, 2015 | Contemporary Portraits | Fabulous Series | Santa Clara, CA

Everyone's got a story. And as a photographer and writer, I have the opportunity to share the unique beauty in those stories for some pretty awesome and unique women.

Meet Nancy.

Nancy is the type of person whose warm smile and easygoing laugh immediately can make you feel at ease in a roomful of strangers.  And for someone like me who immediately gravitates towards hiding behind the refreshments in a crowd, well, you can bet this personality trait is one that I absolutely appreciate!

I recently had the opportunity to photograph this lovely lady and am so excited to share a little sneak peak with you all - there's more to come so stay tuned!

Photography: Heartbox Photography
Many thanks to Ashlyn Taylor for her lovely work on Nancy's hair and makeup!