Despite the high tide at Laguna Beach, nothing can stop us from getting these amazing photos. Please see for yourself. Call us and let us know your love story and we can create them with beautiful photographs.
]]>
1. Reflections and Shadows. Here's a concept that you will no doubt love, and it's to creatively take pictures with reflections. Whether you use mirrors, water, or the night sky think about taking portraits that are not only artistic, but showcase simple photography tricks. You can do this in a variety of ways, and each path is going to give you amazing results.
2. Create Movie Scenes. For parents with small children, get creative with movies. Think of your favorite movie scenes and dress up your child as the main character, and then put yourself into the background as part of the famous sequences. Done right, you'll be able to relive some of the most iconic pictures from Hollywood and beyond. This is made easier when children are very small, as it is easier to get them into costumes. Sample of everybody's favorite no matter what age you are is the Star Wars Movie.
3. Silhouette. This is a everybody's favorite scene. Taking a silhouette picture of your family in the field, in the beach, in the park or anywhere else that has a nice clean background is the perfect image that can be framed and placed on top of your fireplace. Simple and easy to create.
4. Hold up a Picture Frame. Frame the family within the confines of a picture frame. This unique concept can be done in a lot of different ways. Mom & Dad holding the frame while the kids are inside the frame. Or the other way around where the kids are holding the frame and Mom & Dad are inside the frame. A lot more can be done with just one prop. It can be fun for everybody and worth exploring.
5. Happy Feet. Take photos of everybody's feet. This style can be done in the beach barefooted and with the texture of the sand this gives a very interesting image. Your guest will be guessing whose feet were those.
There's a lot more creative ideas and these are just a few things that you can take with you today. When in doubt, hire a professional and tell them some of your ideas, you'll be surprised by what you can have done when you think outside of the proverbial box.
Happy photographing and don't forget to give us a call for your next family portraits.
]]>
Planning for your big day? Still undecided if you want a Traditional Home Wedding or Destination Wedding. I have a breakdown on the price point of both Home and Destination wedding for you.
When it comes to weddings, you are no doubt going to have to consider venues of various types. For most people, this becomes a point of contention. Some people want to go with the destination wedding, a magical experience that is away from home and a very intimate wedding where only family and close friends are invited. Others want to stick close to home so that family, friends, and visitors can join the blessed ceremony with ease. There are pros and cons that come alongside with all wedding planning, especially when you start to look at the budget needed to fund either option. Regardless of which you choose, take a look at a few points of interest in regards to the financial element of these two options.
Getting Away To a New Destination
The first option that you are going to want to look at is the destination solution. This means that you will take the wedding party, and anyone else you want to join you and literally go somewhere else to get married. Whether you choose a different state, country, or any idea you may have, you'll find that this could be economical, right? Well, it all depends on who's going to pay for the people that will join you.
The positives here are simple, you will find an exotic chapel, will be in a romantic arena, and will have only our closest of friends and family with you. However, you're going to find that the cost can exponentially grow depending on a few factors.
Flight and Accommodations. This is the first big issue, and it's beyond bride and groom. What about the groomsmen? Bridesmaids? Who's paying for them?
Venues. Venues will still cost you even if the currency rates are below the USD. Are you shouldering everybody's stay in the hotel?
Food. Are you paying for everybody's breakfast , lunch and dinner while they are at the hotel?
Photographer and Videographer. Who's going to take the photographs and take video of the ceremony? Are you going to fly them in? Are you going to hire somebody at your destination wedding? Not knowing anybody at the location will be a problem. Photographers are the most important vendor in your wedding. So having them flown in can hurt your budget.
These factors are just some of the things that can end up costing you a great deal when you think of destination weddings. It's also just the beginning in regards to expenses.
Staying Put With Traditional Wedding Options
Looking at the other end of the spectrum, consider staying home. This may seem like an economic staple, but you're going to find that things can easily get out of hand here too. Some analysts have stated that the average wedding could cost upwards of $20,000.
The positives here can be simple as well, with local venues, lower costs for travel, and no need to pay for accommodations, airfare, family members and more You won't have to pay nearly as much in travel, but things can get out of hand in this arena as well.
There are several factors that you'll need to consider when going with the traditional wedding solution.
Venue. The venue could end up costing you quite a bit, especially if you want a traditional chapel.
Reception. The reception could cost you as much as several thousand dollars, and that's just for decorations, tables and food.
Cake. The wedding cake can end up costing quite a bit, especially if you're going to have to get a big one to feed a lot of guests.
Which is better?
Ok, there are ups and downs to every wedding plan you can think about. Which is going to be cheaper in regards to venue and locations? That's truly up to you. These are ways to make a wedding a bit more manageable financially. It starts with focusing on simplicity. Focus on the notion of simplicity and you could very well drive the price down. One big advise I can give is prepare for this big day way ahead of time. Do not use your credit card to pay for your dream wedding. You want peace of mind after the wedding because you are starting a fabulous family with your future husband or wife. If there's one necessary expense, however, it's in regards to wedding photography. That's where you don't want to skimp, as you want to preserve memories forever. So you can share your happiest days of your life to your kids, grandkids and grand-grandkids.
]]>
Studio 9 Photography is a newborn-baby-family photographer located in Walnut, Ca. We are serving the Los Angles County area. But the good news is because of everybody's busy schedule, we do travel to your home.
Here's a Tip for Preparing your Newborn Session:
You're in a new and exciting time in your life. You've now got this adorable, precious little soul and are ready to document his or her first memories in photographs. We at Studio 9 Photography want to make this a joyous experience for you and your family. We know how nerve racking picture day is, especially when you're running on little to no sleep. To help you out with this process, we've compiled a list of prepartion tips to ease some of your stress. If you have any questions are all, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we can get you the answers you're looking for.
What to Bring
*If we are doing a session in your home, you don't have to bring anything. However, we suggest that you take a look at this list and have these items readily available in case we need them during your session. If you are doing a studio session, please follow this checklist to avoid under or over packing your diaper bag.
*We try to keep our session pretty basic and focused in on your new little bundle of joy and therefore take a minimalistic approach to prop usage. Especially if we are traveling to you, we do not bring a lot of props with us. We will take care of the backdrops and headbands, etc. but we tend to pack light prop-wise. If there is something you'd like to include in your photos - a special outfit or blanket, a favorite stuffed animal or toy, heirlooms, etx, we will be more than happy to incorporate it in your session. The more personal items we use in your session, the more unique these photos will be to your child and your family's personality.
*To ensure that your baby is happy and calm during the session, we suggest bringing a blanket that we can swaddle him or her in as well as a pacifier. Also, be sure to have fresh bottle - if your child is currently using a bottle and diapers ready to go.
What to Wear
* Newborns are not very patient when it comes to outfit changes. We suggest having your child in an outfit you'd like him or her to wear for the photos before you get to the session, covering the outfit with a bib or burp rag in case of little incidents. After we take a few photos in this outfit, we prefer to take the rest of the photos in just the diaper or completely in the nude. In our opinion, babies photograph best this way and they will also cooperate longer if we are not constantly changing their outfits. If you are not comfortable with this, we can stick with one to two outfits for the session.
*If you are going to be in photos with your child, we suggest bringing a backup shirt, just in case. We also suggest that you wear a white or black shirt in case we need to photograph parts of you with your child on the backdrop so you don't stand out. For mommies, we suggest keeping jewelry to a minimum, as babies like to grab hold of these items.
If you have any wardrobe questions, please contact us. We'd be more than happy to help. Hope this article helped and thanks for reading and we lok forward to your session!
]]>
This photo shoot with 8 month old Myah is specially dear to my heart. She is an amazingly brave little angel. With a feeding tube attached to her tummy, she still gave us her utmost beautiful smile. Lots of limitations in posing but that did not hinder us nor Myah hesitated on what was given to her. This session was one of the hardest session I have ever encountered in my career but the self-fulfillment and inspiration from a little girl are is such a big trade off. That little smile I got from her fills my heart with joy. Kudos to her mom, dad and grandparents. Amazing family!
]]>I had the privilege to be a part of California Journal for Filipino Americans 21st Anniversary last August 22, 2015. US Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee was honored by Caljournal for his work in fighting land grabbing in the Philippines. Also honored was Assemblywoman Young Kim and City of Cerritos as the 21st Community Leadership Award Recipients for their outstanding commitment and dedication to the Filipino-American community. Among the attendees are Mayor Pro Tem Victor Manalo of Artesia, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Pulido of Cerritos, Mayor Carol Chen of Cerritos and many more officials. More details at www.cjfilam.com. Thank you to Joey and Carlyn Quinto of the publisher of the journal for their dedication to help fellow filipino-americans.
]]>
If you want your pictures to really showcase your love story, we have some ideas to help you plan the perfect engagement session. Let us help you prepare for your session by sending us over the answers to the following questions:
]]>
One of our most frequently asked questions is: How long should I book my wedding photographer for? This is a great question, and we’re here to help you find the answer.
What do you want covered?
First, you need to decide what important details you want covered. Do you want a lot of getting ready shots prior to the ceremony? Do you want us to stay for the entire reception? These details will affect the length of time you will need us there. If you want us to stay until your reception exit, and you want a lot of candid, getting ready shots, you will need full day coverage. If you just want a few getting ready shots, that will knock off some time. If you want us to stay for just the main events in the reception and not until the last guest leaves, then this will also shorten the day. By deciding on a start and/or end time, this is the first step to booking your package.
Ceremony Length
Next, you need to think about the ceremony length. For a Catholic wedding, the ceremonies tend to be longer, so you will need to allot more time for that. If you want us to cover you getting ready, the ceremony, and the reception, I suggest 10 hours for Catholic weddings. If you have a shorter ceremony, you won’t need to take out as much time from your schedule.
Location Transfer
Now let’s talk about location. If you have a shorter ceremony and your reception is at the same venue as your ceremony, then you won’t need as much time because you can take out travel time. I would say something like this would be good for six to eight hours, depending on the formal photos.
On that same note, if your reception is at a different venue, you will need to include travel time into your schedule. Also incorporate the amount of time it takes to pack up all of your stuff to take to the reception. If you are going to take photos along the drive to the reception, more time will need to be added for that as well.
Formal Photo Requirements
For formal photos, you have to consider how many people are in your bridal party, and how many people are going to be in your family photos. If you have a small bridal party and a small number of family members having photos done, (and you’re at the same location the whole time), then six hours will suffice. If you have a larger family or bridal party, you will need closer to eight hours.
Special Exit
If you’re doing a special exit from the reception, like a sparkler exit, you’ll need to have full day coverage.
Some weddings can be covered in just four hours. If you’re having a backyard wedding or a courthouse wedding where your reception is short (for example, no dancing, etc.) and maybe just like a sit down dinner at a restaurant, then this could all be covered in four hours time.
]]>
A recent Photo shoot at Yorba Linda Regional Park. An afternoon photo shoot with the sun was scorching hot. Despite the heat, we were able to shoot with no problems. Here were some few images taken last Sunday.
]]>]]>
Few weeks ago, at around 1 am, I was scrolling my emails using my iphone in my bed. I came across Canon's workshop and saw Sue Bryce's workshop. I jumped off my bed immediately and went straight to my computer and signed up for her workshop. I know how this workshop will be sold out immediately if I don't do so.
On the day of the workshop, true enough. There's a lot of Sue Bryce's followers who would love to see her in person and see how beautiful this person is. I have been following her via Creative Live, Facebook and her website. One thing I admire about her is, she is such an inspiring person. Her life experience will get you motivated to keep on working hard because anybody can achieve anything as long as you are willing to learn and practice.
Sue Bryce may be an International Award Winning Portrait Photographer, but she is so selfless to teach other photographers what she has learned from her 25 years of experiences. She has shared all her knowledge on how to succeed in photography, tips in posing, tips in marketing and so forth. In short, she wants is - everybody to succeed and achieve their dream. There was one thing I cannot forget about the workshop is how she taught us on how not just to keep on taking pictures. But she taught us how to CONNECT with our clients. Look at them in the eyes, pause, then smile at them using your eyes only. Once you got the connection, its pure magic! Client will give you their best poses without a force smile.
Eventually, the workshop ended. Wish we could still be listening to her soothing voice and humorous jokes all day. I am glad I get to meet my favorite teacher. I just can't leave the workshop without taking a picture with her. This will serve me as a reminder that Sue Bryce will chew your head off if you don't succeed. Lol.
]]>1. Dress appropriately. Summer means hot and humid weather, which can lead to sticky bodies. Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics that don't weigh you down. As for shoes, sweet flats or loafers are a great option.
2. Think about your hair. If you or a family member's hair reacts to humidity in a negative way, opt for a hairstyle that won't leave you feeling insecure. For example, a pretty braid or an updo is a good choice. Or you can wear a headscarf, or use a little extra product to keep frizz at bay.
3.Pack necessities. When packing your photo shoot necessities, we recommend bringing the following items: Lots of water for all, a snack for sustenance, sunscreen, umbrella for shade, water mister, makeup touchup.
4. Get creative with session ideas. Summer offers a host of activities that lend themselves to amazing photo sessions. For example, there's the fair (elephant ear, anyone?), the circus, festivals, and plenty more. I'd be more than happy to shoot a really creative session with you.
5. Think about head to toe details. For example, if you're wearing flip-flops or open toed shoes, you want to have manicured feet. If it's really breezy, a hat or scarf can keep things under control.
6. Rest assured knowing I won't let you overheat. Sometimes it's hard just to walk outside when it's scorching outside, but know that we're going to have an amazing shoot. We'll spend lots of time in the shade, dive into the cool A/C when we can, and I will never push your family into staying longer than they can or want.
7. Incorporate props. Outdoor summer shoots are loaded with imagery as is, but we can always incorporate a few props into the mix. Vintage step stools in a field look gorgeous, as do blankets, balloons, and even visually striking treats (lollipops, ice cream, etc.).
]]>
Michelle Chegini's bridal shower was held last June 20th, 2015 at The Waterfront Beach Resort Hilton Hotel at Huntington Beach. Studio 9 Photography had an honor to capture this bridal shower moment with Michelle's friends and relatives at the event. Getting married to Raphael Traver. They were both fraternity brothers of USC's Delta Sigma Pi. And became lovebirds during a fraternity retreat in Cancun. After 6 years, now they are getting married on August 22, 2015 at St. Monica Catholic Church. Honeymoon to follow at Bali and Thailand. Photos with mom Mila Chegini
]]>1. Your wedding day will be crazy busy. No getting around it. You have so much to do and so little time to do it in. If you have a first look, it helps to calm down the day a bit. Instead of trying to rush around to get everyone together and have pictures taken between the wedding ceremony and reception while your guests are waiting, you'll have that time to relax and enjoy your guests and not have to worry about being late to your reception. We can do all of the main portraits before the ceremony even begins - at the very least, the bride, groom and bridal party photos. This way, your hair and makeup are still perfect, as they were just finished. If your family is coming earlier, we can do their photos beforehand, as well, or we will only have to worry about those portraits after the ceremony and not the bridal party shots.
2. A first look also gives you a very special, intimate moment with your new spouse. If you are nervous or stressed out, this will especially help to relax you, and your spouse can comfort you and let you know it will all be OK. During the ceremony, there are many of people around and you can't fully take in the moment because everyone is staring at you. With a first look, that moment is just between you and your spouse ( and your photographers, of course).
3. Even if you have a first look, your husband will be just as happy to see you walking down the aisle and you'll still take his breath away. Don't worry that you'll be spoiling the moment by seeing him prior to the ceremony.
]]>As this Father's Day celebration is coming up, it's a time to reminisce some fond memories with your dad. Whether your father taught you how to catch a fish, ride your first bike, lent his car for your date or even give you advise on your boyfriend or girlfriend. Let's have this year Father's Day turn into something that can be treasured for always.
Well, I see it's going to be real difficult getting a present knowing men hardly show their affections. Every father appreciates every simple card and a genuine hug but giving out some nice gift that he can treasure will make him feel honored.
Gift for New Dads. These dads don't want same gifts they have been wrapping for their own dad. Look into stuffs he can use for work, things he can do with his new family and something he can show off to his friends. How about a large size coffee mug since sleep for them is hard to come. Mixie Baby Bottle, Pocket Nanny, Stroller Organizer, T-shirt of his favorite sport team or and a new DSLR camera. New dads will always love to take pictures of their cutest baby in the world.
Gift for Middle-Aged Dad. Not a boring tie again. There can be a lot of things you can have for him depending on his interest from outdoor-adventurer to indoor-couch type. These dads are usually into sports. Buy him a sport teamed gloves, a sport gadgets or equipments. Tools that will come in handy for them like Swiss Army knife. How about a gardening and grilling tools. Instead of the usual tie, why not go digital? An Auto drive Tie Organizer, iwatch, ipod nano, even state of the art auto shaving system?
Gift for Older Dads. Retirement is approaching. Your dad will be looking forward for things the he aspired to do without going against the clock. Upgrade his cable service provider. Set him up for a premium channel whether it's sports or movies. Purchase an out of town travel for him and your mom. Let them travel and see their long lost friends, or relatives he has not seen for quite sometime. Another great gift idea is give him a digitized family pictures and put them on his computer. Set up an email or messenger or social networking with family members.
Even if you are not good on words expressing, just merely saying "I LOVE YOU" will have a great effect. And most of all a great big HUG says it all. Let us honor the person who gave us life and has been giving all his life for us.
]]>Mother's day is this weekend. No ideas yet how to celebrate or have something for your Mom? This day is sneaking up again and this happens only once a year. You might want to get this really special chance of honoring the person who brought you to life, molded you and guided your every way. Treat this special day an opportunity for you to say how much you appreciated her unselfish love to you.
There are tons of mother's day gifts you can choose everywhere and ideas to celebrate it. The question is which one will be for your mom? You can keep on searching out there for stuffs and even personalized items that can be really cool. Well, we are sucker for sentimental presents. It doesn’t have to be costly for it to be special. Time and effort is always appreciated. So I’m rolling out some thoughts and tips for you and your mom on this special day. You can get this throughout the day.
Now the 5 tips:
1. Start the day with a breakfast in bed. Cook her favorite dish. If you don’t know how, no harm in learning, right? Check YouTube or search for the recipe. It may not be of the best or delicious but at least you made an effort to cook. Sharing a meal with Mom is a great way to spend time with her and get the chance to catch up. That’s always the classic. Give your mom a day off from the kitchen.
2. Set aside all other plans and treat the mother in your life as a queen for the day. This could be the best gift of all. Let your moms sit back and relax as you do all the chores and run an errand for her in the morning. They deserve it! Check your home or your mom’s if there’s something need to be done. Do something from her “To Do List”. This for sure will be appreciated.
3. It’s her day. A little pampering will make her happy. For some working moms, all they’ve wished for is a day free of stress. What about treating her to a spa or salon in the afternoon? Have this time to bond with her with few giggles and laughs. You can also take her to shopping spree or drive her to a place she’s dying to visit. Those little things can really mean to her.
4. There’s this thing you can do to highlight mother’s day. You can make a memorabilia. There are always these unspoken emotions that you can’t put right into words or say directly to her. You can write a poem or message attached to a photo and framed it. A scrapbook or portrait of her will do. You can even have a short film or video to show her in the evening in your big screens or even just your tv to remind her how beautiful her motherhood has been. This may like a saccharine moment and I can imagine your mom teary-eyed here but this really works fine.
5. The day won’t end and complete without a gift to give before your mom hits the bed and calls it a day. There will be a long list of choices you can have for your mom. Your mother may have a diverse array of interests but no one knows your mom better than you, her quirks and passion. Few days before mother’s day, you might want to check her Facebook or Instagram what’s into her lately. Buy a gift related to your mother's favorite hobby. If she’s into cooking, buy her a new pan or pot. Gardening for some takes her free time, get her a plant or flowers. Those things that she can actually use because they will always be proud to tell people, “My son gave this to me.”
That's easy 5 steps you can have for the day. No need for an extravagant spending. With out busy life," TIME" with you beloved mom is the most precious thing you can give. All that counts is happiness that will be treasured for a lifetime.
**Don't forget to share this to your friends**
]]>
Megan came in to have her graduation photos taken, but during the photo shoot, my hair and make up artist arrived 2 hours early for my next appointment. I asked Megan if she wants me to create a glamour portraits for her that moment and she immediately agreed. Our artist fixed her up and picked a wardrobe (available at our studio). Without modeling experience, she was very comfortable with every pose I asked of her. Finally during our viewing session, she was surprised to see the beautiful outcome of the portraits. Again, our team has succeeded in bringing in a beautiful portraiture of Megan. Congratulations, Megan! Best wishes for your career ahead.
Photos by Studio 9 Photography | Betty Chua
]]>
Studio 9 Photography had a successful FAIRY PHOTO SHOOT with these beautiful fairies trying on their custom made costumes and head dress. It was an awesome experience for these little fairies which they will treasure forever "that they were once a fairy in an enchanted forest." With the NEW digital background used here in the photo, we can easily change it's theme in a split second. Lastly, these fairies get to spread their magic with a special treat....PIXIE DUST especially made for these beautiful fairies.
]]>For more photos, follow this link http://www.studio9photography.net/p481035151
]]>Carbon Canyon Regional Park is located in Brea, Ca. They have a great hiking trail, pond, dock, playground and flat green grass area to relax. It was a hot day at the park on the day of the shoot but the park has lots of shades. We were able to find a perfect spot without any problem. Victoria and her brother, Gabe who assisted me on this photo shoot made my job enjoyable and fun. We laughed and joked around the whole time. Wishing Victoria all the luck in her upcoming job.
]]>
It seems like just a few months ago that I photographed Jayden for his newborn session. Now he is turning 1. Happy FIRST BIRTHDAY, Jayden!
Photo Session with one of the best personal trainer in Los Angeles. Photo taken by Studio 9 Photography | Betty Chua
]]>
A recent photo shoot with Jennie Carroll who is a professional model, actress, choreographer, and a model.
]]>Congratulations to the newly weds, Mathew & Sarah Sanchez. Wishing you both the joy and happiness a marriage can bring. Thank you for letting Studio 9 Photography be a part of your memorable day.
]]>
With the decline of imperial dynasties and the rising popularity of Western music in China, this new system of classifying instruments was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. Shifting from the emphasis on material and timbre to how the instruments are played, one can see the Chinese have become more practical in their approach to music making. Such a change is crucial to the recent popularity of concerto and large-sized orchestra.
Erhu also takes the name of huqin 胡琴, the full term for hu 胡. It was generally known as xiqin 奚琴 (string instrument of a Mongolian tribe called Xi) in the tenth century. Now as an important solo instrument for the recital hall, it is appropriate both for deep tragedy and for overwhelming emotions. Besides, it also assumes a central position in the modern Chinese orchestra as well as in the accompaniment of singing and dancing.
]]>
Class of 2014 - High School Senior Portrait taken at Heritage Park at Covina, Ca. Wishing you best of luck in the future, Jomarie.
]]>
]]>
Jimmy and Justine's engagement session at English Park of Chino HIlls was one of my memorable one to photograph. Considering Justine's family has been my long time family friend, it is my goal to make sure the images came out perfectly nice. Congratulations to both of you!
]]>During this Headshot Session, it was such a pleasure to work with Kevin. He does not need any posing tips at all. With his background as an actor, it really helps us a lot as a photographer in capturing his different personality and emotion.
His advise for other people getting their picture taken is... "Don't be square on the camera." , "Wear make-up even if you are a guy." and finally, "Lot of rest the night before your photo shoot. "
"My experience was splendid, to be honest. The photographer was very courteous and professional."
~Kevin Ventulan
]]>
Beautiful Julie Valles celebrated her Quinceanera at Industry Hills Expo Center. Despite the heat and humidity at that time, weather did not stop them from having fun and dancing. Guests and families had a blast showing off their best poses at the photobooth.
Congratulations, Julie!
**FAMILY & FRIENDS: More images are uploaded for you to share with your friends at "Client Viewing" tab. Under "Julie Valles's Quinceanera" folder.
]]>
Annual Formal Event for the Army was held at Eagle's Nest Country Club (Cypress, California) last June 21st. It was an event to commemorate our brave soldiers who has unselfishly served our country. We salute all our SOLDIERS!
]]>