After providing tips and mini-makeovers, Stacey, along with the other instructors at Unveiled Fitness, showed improvisation moves on the pole.  The women exuded beauty and sexiness – not to mention strength!  I was utterly amazed at how they were able to do back bends, hold their bodies up with their forearms, and do handstands!  It was more than just pole dancing; there was cardio and yoga.  I applaud the instructors and students who not only showcased their moves, but showed the difficulty level of pole dancing and what a workout it really is!

It was a great seeing Stacey again (Almost a year later!) and capturing the beauty of the instructors and students who participated in the Girls Night Out event.  Thanks again for letting me be a part of it, Stacey, and hopefully I will see you again…sooner rather than later!

For the online gallery, please click here.

Beauty in motion:

Jiraffe had a nice ambiance to it and I loved that there were giraffes subtlety embedded into the decor.  The menu even made me smile because it was the Eiffel Tower turning into a giraffe!  We were pretty lucky because when I called the restaurant, they told us that they would have a table ready for us in 25 minutes and by the time we arrived, we didn’t have to wait long.  As always, Taro and I share food, which really allows us to try more when we only get one entree.  We decided on the ceviche (which was the special of the day), the Purple Peruvian Gnocchi – with rock shrimp, pearl onions, Mandarin tomato concasse, and herb-infused tomato nage, and the osso bucco (another special of the day).  To start off the meal, there was an amuse-bouche which was gazpacho.  It was actually great because we were considering soup and instead, the gazpacho satisfied us.  It was really refreshing and I really enjoyed the bits of croutons and the light tomato base.

Before our ceviche came out, Taro and I had a funny debate over the bread.  I said that it was olive bread while he claimed it was raisin bread.  In the end, we were both right.  It turned out that because the bread looked nearly identical, he had given me an olive one while he had raisin bread.  It was really funny just because both of us were so adamant AND confused at how the other could possibly mistaken olive for raisin and vice versa!  So after this the ceviche came out and it was very good.  I enjoyed the chunks of fish and it just soaked in the lemon/lime.  Shortly after the gnocchi and osso bucco came out.  The gnocchi was amazing!  The texture was soft, but still had some chewiness to it.  It was not overdone and the shrimp was also cooked nicely.  The osso bucco just came apart with the fork and what I enjoyed most about it was the abundance of vegetables (I love veggies!) with the meat.

To finish off dinner we had a toffee dessert which was sweet, but very good.  Overall, we had a great night at Jiraffe after a wonderful session at LMU.  I feel like I am living a dream – meeting really nice people from engagement sessions, doing photography which I love, discovering and eating at great restaurants, and best of all, doing it all with Taro.

Loyola Marymount University holds a special place for Jessica and Glen.  As they were attending law school at the sister campus, Jessica and Glen would head over to the main campus and prep and study for the bar exam.  Nooks and crannies like St. Robert’s Hall might just be a classroom or study area for ordinary students, but for Jessica and Glen, it means a little bit more.  Even as we walked around a portion of the campus, Jessica even noted that they have a bench!  And it was so perfect that as we were heading toward that very bench, the sun was setting beautifully against the Marina Del Rey sky.

Both Jessica and Glen successfully passed the bar – they both were playful and spirited in the engagement session and Glen gave Jessica a hand on the bike so I can only imagine that they supported each other in the same way during their studies – and now they are both practicing attorneys.  I love that they work in different neighboring offices and that they enjoy each other’s company every once in a while during their lunch breaks.  They share all aspects of life together and from the couple of hours we spent at LMU, I could see how they make such good friends and companions for each other.

Congratulations again, Jessica and Glen!  You two are a beautiful couple and your summer wedding will be fantastic!

The relationship started out as a friendship, Daana and Cory meeting through a mutual friend.  He would ride his motorcycle up (and slightly across) from Arizona to California and at the time, you have to wonder if Cory knew there was something more, that the friendship would progress into a companionship where the two would share an enjoyment of freediving and a puppy that would symbolize their future together.

I love hearing proposal stories and Daana and Cory’s involves that said puppy.  Daana was looking to get a dog and one day, she arrived home to a brand new puppy.  The catch was there was a note attached: “Marry me.”  So in front of her family, Cory proposed to Daana.  The part of the story that both Daana and Cory laugh at is when Daana tried to take the note off in order to keep it, but the puppy was too busy trying to eat the note.  Since then it has been Daana, Cory, and their new addition to the family.

Even though it was breezy and a bit on the chilly side, it was a fun session at Santa Monica beach with Daana and Cory.  We were able to talk more about their wedding – they are having a reception in Utah first and then one here in California – and I was able to witness more of the duo – Daana is the more bubbly one while Cory is a bit more shy.  They bring out the best in each other and you can see it when Daana looks fondly at Cory and Cory has a serene smile as he looks at his bride-to-be.

Congratulations again, Daana and Cory!  You two are a lovely couple and it was wonderful sharing an evening out on the beach and pier!

The sunset was absolutely stunning…and super romantic!

After our journey on the beach, we headed up the stairs to have some fun on the pier.  There was no luck on the rings game, but Daana and Cory had a good laugh trying to win a gigantic stuffed animal.

Congratulations again, Trisha and Duke!  I hope you enjoy the new path and may it be filled with even more happy memories!

To view all photos click here.

Daniel and Darbi are two amazing parents.  Daniel is overprotective of his baby girl and when you see him provide shade from the sun beating down on Daphni’s head or making sure she is far, far, far away from people smoking, you can see how much he cherishes Daphni.  Darbi is always trying to make her girl smile, whether it is dinner time or bath time.  Both of them radiate this glow about them, obviously proud to be parents.

It was a joy capturing the love you share with each other and Daphni, Daniel and Darbi.  I cannot wait to see Daphni grow up!  Thanks for a lovely time in Rowland Heights and also introducing me to a great Chinese restaurant to eat at!

This month’s Menu Molière featured veal.  My mom and I decided to order from this menu while Taro and my dad ordered from the Menu Rabelais.  I decided on the Sautéed Crispy Veal Sweet Bread with Green Salad in a Honey Pepper Sauce and the Roasted Medallion of Veal Tenderloin in a Shiitake Mushroom Sauce.  Taro decided on the Crispy Soft Shell Crab Tempura on a Hijiki Potato Mousseline, Japanese Hamachi Sashimi and Momotaro Tomato Appetizer, and the Snake River Farm “Kobe” New York Steak in a Bordelaise Sauce.

The dinner started with an amuse-bouche, which was salmon.  It seemed like a weird mixture – was it sashimi or smoked? The texture itself was different and I am not quite sure whether I liked it or didn’t.  However, the Sautéed Crispy Veal Sweet Bread was delicious!  It was juicy pieces of veal, light and crispy.  The only downside was the salad was filled with carrots (I am allergic to carrots.), but the upside was that I just ate the veal, which I was perfectly content with!  The Crispy Soft Shell Crab Tempura was good as well, but pretty similar to the type of dish found at a sushi restaurant or bar.  What I enjoyed most about the Hamachi Sashimi was the wasabi infused masago.  It was very different and provided a nice pop of spice into your mouth.

The Roasted Medallion of Veal Tenderloin in a Shiitake Mushroom Sauce followed next and the veal was oh so tender.  And since I love mushrooms, I made sure that each piece I cut had some mushroom sauce on it.  Taro’s Kobe New York Steak was equally as tender and it was nice to have a duo of meat.  In the end, I don’t think you can have too much veal…or steak.  I also had a bite of the fish my dad ordered and it was a nice piece of bass.

To finish off, each of our dinners had dessert so we decided to order one of each!  It is awesome eating as four because I can try a bite (or two or more) of each dessert.  So at the end of the night, we ended up with Brioche Pudding with Raisin and Cream Fraîche, Macha Green Tea Cream Brulée, Grand Marnier Soufflé Classic, and Baked Alaska with Green Tea Ice Cream and Raspberry Sauce.  I love that the Baked Alaska comes out on fire and you get a nice charred meringue as you dig your spoon into the packed green tea ice cream underneath.  This one is a favorite, but the soufflé definitely rivals it.  I love soufflé and this (so far) is one of my favorites next to the raspberry soufflé from Arnie Morton’s.

It was a great dinner with Taro and my parents.  I can’t wait to go back to Maison Akira.  I really enjoy the quiet environment, the staff – I love their French accents! – who really help to make the night enjoyable, and the sheer fact that Chef Akira (who studied under Joel Robuchon, who I love, love, love!) walks around every table to say hi and ask how things are.

Until next time…next month for Scottish Salmon, perhaps?

Victor and Rebecca met in college and since then, they dated for six years.  Two years ago, Victor proposed on New Year’s Eve and since then, their lives have been very busy.  Rebecca was attending graduate school when Victor proposed and instead of balancing the hectic life of a student and trying to plan a wedding, they decided to have a longer engagement so she could finish up her Masters Degree.  That also allowed for Victor to continue saving money for the wedding because, in his words, Rebecca deserved it.  Isn’t that just the sweetest thing?  He said it with such sentiment and a loving glance over at Rebecca that it could make anyone swoon.  The longer engagement also allowed for them to reserve that perfect Saturday, January 1, 2011, for their wedding to coincide with the proposal.

The way that Victor and Rebecca describe themselves as a couple is like the characters Carl and Ellie from the movie Up.  They see themselves that much in love with each other and when a family member said, “But Ellie dies in the movie,” Victor responded that they are living that type of lifestyle, the younger Carl and Ellie.  I thought it was adorable because after all, don’t we want that Carl and Ellie relationship?  Sigh…and swooning again at how much Victor and Rebecca mean to each other.  What is even cuter is that they did photos based off of Up and Victor even made a mailbox where they painted their handprints on it!  Too cute!

So for their engagement session, Rebecca expressed how much she loved the colors of Olvera Street, which remind her of where the ceremony and reception are taking place, a Spanish hacienda.  There were vibrant colors everywhere and before the restaurants and vendors opened up, even the stalls provided these wonderful backdrops.  The session ended up being a tour of Downtown L.A., moving to Union Station, riding the metro, hopping off at the Walt Disney Hall, and even exploring the Music Center.  It was a wonderful adventure and not only was it fun capturing Victor and Rebecca’s love for each other, I felt like I was giving them a quick tour of Los Angeles!

Victor and Rebecca, congratulations again on your engagement!  I hope you have a wonderful ride together and may the two of you find your version of Paradise Falls!

We grabbed some coffee before we headed off to Union Station, eventually hopping on the Metro to discover more of Los Angeles.

Off we headed to the Walt Disney Hall and Music Center:

I love seeing the different dynamics in a family.  Macey is the bubbly, talkative one, filled with excitement as she describes an event.  Chun is much more laidback, cool and reserved.  However, when it comes to Lauren, they both shower her with kisses and love, motherly affection from one end while a strong father-daughter tie is evident on the other.  Lauren is a combination of the two – vivacious in personality once she gets to know you (Simply think it is adorable when she dances and does her booty shake!), but overall calm and serene like her daddy.

It was a lovely morning taking photos at the beach and we were glad that we shared in Lauren’s first experience at the beach.  Even though the waves and water running over her little toes was a somewhat scary experience, she laughed and clapped her hands throughout the day, showing just how much of a trooper she was.  You have a lovely and beautiful daughter, Chun and Macey, and Taro and I had so much fun hanging out with the two of you…along with Andy, Amy, and Kaitlyn!  The family portraits was a fun session, but even more fun when we added the extended family.  We cannot wait to see you again and hope that the rest of your trip out in California is awesome!

Lauren and Kaitlyn are adorable girls.  I loved how they had matching dresses and the flower hair accessory!

The entire family:

And of course, the two sisters:

Back in February when we saw Joe Romero perform his Anti-Valentine’s Day stand-up routine, he mentioned that I could come along to any of his weddings to second shoot for him.  I thought it was a generous offer, especially since it would help in learning hands on the time it takes to get all the necessary shots – ceremony, family shots – while balancing out the photojournalistic style.  So this past Saturday, I was able to accompany Joe to Leticia and Daniel’s wedding.  Even though I was a stranger, Leticia welcomed me as she was getting ready for her big day.  Her hair and make-up were getting the final touches before she stepped into her fluttering, layered wedding dress.  It was a breathtaking moment before the hustle of jumping into the limosine to head to Our Lady of Soledad where Daniel, standing at the back of the church, awaited his bride.

Despite not understanding the ceremony (conducted all in Spanish), you could still feel the beauty of the music, singing, and feel the words that were addressed to Leticia and Daniel.  The idea of commitment, love, and mutual understanding was clear and the joy and happiness were evident in each set of parents’ eyes.  When the ceremony ended, there were plenty of hugs, kisses, and congratulations.  Shortly after, the wedding party headed over to Pasadena for photos and portraits before the celebration continued at the Rococo Room.

Joe, thank you so much again for letting me second shoot at Leticia and Daniel’s wedding.  It was a wonderful learning experience and I hope to work with you again very soon!  Leticia and Danny, congratulations again and I wish the two of you a lifetime of happiness!

I loved the vibrant colors of the wedding along with the recurring image of the bride and groom pictured below.

Loved, loved, loved the bright yellows and blues!