Retain the Memory Before It's Gone Forever - Los Angeles Portraiture Photographer

I was one second too late.  She's gone.  And I don't have a single image to commemorate her life.  In the 2 years that our paths crossed, I learned that her husband had just passed away and she misses him with great pain every day.  I learned that she struggles health-wise and yet always manages to show up with a graceful demeanor.  And I also learned that she's an extremely gentle soul - she always tells me that she likes my smiles because she sees sparkles in my eyes.  She says it with a smile on her face, as always.

The last time that I saw her, I told her what had always been on my mind - I wanted to photograph her.  To me, documenting a life with portraiture and listening to their life-long stories is a beautiful thing.

She was so excited and said would call me to arrange a time for the photo shoot as she'd have company soon.

Then, she left us.

Would her family have memories of her to hold on to when she's gone?

I thought I'm on a mission as a photographer.  I feel that I've failed in this case ...   

What would YOU do to retain memories of the loved ones in your life?

Happy Father's Day - Los Angeles Fine Art Photographer

OK, I admit that this flower is a little too "feminine" for guys.  But hey, it's the thought that counts, right?  Plus, I don't think anybody would mind beauty, when it is intrinsically beautiful.

So, you know you won't receive a tool box from me as a Father's Day gift.  And here's my wish to all the guys out there for a happy Father's Day!

Peonies for Happy Father's Day - ©Jean Huang Photography

An Authentic Japanese Portrait - Los Angeles Custom Portrait Photographer

Many of you know that I've just had a trip to Japan.  As exciting as it is to share the experience, it can be overwhelming when you try to tell the stories through photography.  Especially when you visit many unique and vastly different cities, the question that begs to jump out is "where do you start"?Well, hulling through all images and process and edit to make a 2012 calendar in itself can feel like a paramount project.  And yet, the remaining tasks seem a bigger mountain to climb.  (Side note: for those that know me or will get to know me, I do not like climbing mountains. :-))  And of course, I never forget my mission in this photographic journey - it's a beautiful world and I'm here to share the beauty the way I see it.  So, I decide to pick an image from an encounter that leaves the most impression to me on the trip.

This started when we ran into a real beauty while visiting the Ritsurin Park in Takamatsu.

Ritsurin Park is among the many beautiful parks/gardens that we've visited in Japan and is one of my favorites.  As I always say, people make part of the scenery anywhere you go.  When you have  great interaction with people at any locale, you end up liking this place for the fond memories.  I won't digress into too much details of what this Park is about as this will be the subject of my travel blog.  I just feel that it was my lucky day to have met Arisa with her hair dresser/make-up artist Doiko (I hope I didn't butcher her name. :P).

They were so nice to allow me to take portraits of Arisa while they were there for business.  Arisa was a natural and with little directions, she looks really good in this image.  A Japanese girl, in the beautiful kimono, with a real Japanese setting.  What an authentic experience! 

Japanese Girl in Kimono at Ritsurin Park, Takamatsu, Japan - ©Jean Huang Photography

What do you think?