A Life of Pictures

End of an Era!

2010-12-02T23:03:00.000-08:00

I am kinda shedding a symbolic tear over the end of this blog!

We have been through some good and bad but mostly awesome times together!

I will keep this blog up because I want to be able to remember. Remember things I shared about my personal life but also my photography life...which to be honest, are meshed and mushed together into one big heap of love. Which is exactly what I want it to be!

So now it's time to share with all of you the new link to the new blog. Like I said, the new website is still in the works! I will apologize in advance still for my lack of posting during that time.

But here it is!

www.blog.loriwongphotography.com

There is still some tweaking, so bear with me, but I hope you like it! Take a look around, check out the new features. All that good stuff. And please leave a comment (on the new blog, of course) or email me what you think!

Much aloha!
Lori

MIA

2010-11-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

Alright...I know I said I was going to post pictures of Disneyland, but I have a really awesome excuse as to why they are not up yet.

I am putting some final touches on my new...wait for it...BLOG!! Wooohooo!!

And along with the new blog will be a new website!! Sorry that the website has been down for anyone who has been wondering! But the blog will be up before the website. Lets just say the perfectionist in me is rearing it's ugly head! haha!

I am extremely excited about all the changes and new look! I will also be sharing some exciting news in the beginning of the new year as well.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! I know I was able to remember yet again how extremely blessed I am and how much I am loved by my amazing family and friends.

Sneak Peek: Disneyland Details.

2010-11-14T22:22:00.000-08:00

Gotta love some Disneyland shots...

More to come...I promise! :)

Interstate Sunset.

2010-11-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

One thing I hate to do is ask those I'm driving with to pull over on the side of the road because I want to take a picture. I feel like I am keeping them getting to or from where they want to go a heck of a lot slower than they planned because of the lady with the camera. ;)

Well, this trip, I was driving all by my self. I was wishing I would get the chance to photograph the perfect sunset, with the perfect location, and the perfect sky.

Wish granted!

Here is a time line of what I was able to witness.

I started with what I thought was a good location, but wasn't exactly feeling it. There was...bite my tongue...too many mountains, too close. Plus, usually, this doesn't phase me, but people were gathering, watching me shoot. Awkward. haha!

So, I drove a little more.

And then, I found my spot. It was WIIIN-DY! But worth it.

Shucks...it's almost over.

Aaaaand gone.

We all know how much I love sunsets! I took a ton of pictures. It was kinda ridiculous. haha! I definitely edited myself for this post.

Sneak Peek: Interstate Sunset.

2010-11-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of a sunset that was meant to be witnessed...

The General Store.

2010-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

The General Store is a little country town. It had wonderful old details, a little train that runs on a track around the store.

My favorite, or I mean favourite (that's how the Canadians spell it) part is the owners. They were a little camera shy as you will see in the pictures.

Holiday sessions still available!

2010-10-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

Please excuse our regularly scheduled program for this awesome discount off of sessions!!! Woot! Woot!!

Arguing about music. Gotta love it.

2010-10-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

I love Sara Bareilles. I've posted blog posts about her before here and here.

So I hear in the other room while minding my own business, some boy singing her new single "King of Anything". I find my dad watching a YouTube video someone had sent a link to him.

I then argued with him for a good five minutes about how this song was an acapella version and all the parts were done separately and then the tracks were laid together to sounds like the original. He didn't believe me! It was hilarious. He kept telling me there had to music. I told him those dudes are the music. It was pretty funny to argue with one of the main people who has been the foundation for my love of music, aaaaand be right. :) hahaha!

Canadian Sunsets.

2010-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

First, is a sunset in the country. Now take a deep breath. Sigh it out and think of nature.

Yes, there are places like this that exist in this world. Peaceful and lovely.

I thought I'd show you what shooting in manual can do...the first picture. I metered the light according to the sun. This is why everything else is so much darker than what it seems it should be.

Then with this one I metered according to everything but the sun, so it's a little washed out, but I still tried to show the color the sun was setting off by letting that flair come into the lens.

My dear friends waited in the car while I stood on the side of the rode in a ditch taking pictures of things like this.

See! They are so amazing. :)

Second is a sunset in the city.

This is the capital of Canada, Ottawa. Their buildings were old and new mixed together. Beautiful architecture. And no tulips. Yep, one of the main reasons we chose the time we went was because of the Tulip Festival. Well, they came early that year so most of them were dead. It was kinda typical of the irony that is involved in my life. But irony makes me laugh, so it was okay, especially when I was able to witness this beautiful sunset. What was the hardest thing for me to believe was that it was almost 9pm before the sun actually was set. I'm not complaining it was awesome.

As we walked to where we were getting to we were walking towards the sunset, so this is the progression of the sun going down. I only had my point and shoot camera on me at the time, so they weren't everything I wanted, but when all was said and done, I was pretty happy with what my lil' ol' p&s captured.

Canada has candy too! The Candy Store.

2010-10-21T23:45:00.000-07:00

Well, hello cameo! What? What's that? You can barely see me in the mirror behind all that wall of awesome goodness...I don't blame you. haha!

Love the way they package things. I am a nerd for things like that. And the wallpaper...so fun!

Seriously...yum.

As much as I could have shot there all day, the lighting was super glowy and dim. It was to make you feel cozy about buying a lot of sugar, but not conducive to a photographer trying to not draw attention with a flash! I didn't want to be kicked out of what had to be a window into what heaven will be like! ;) hahaha!

Sneak Peek: The Candy Store

2010-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of Halloween and basically any excuse to eat candy...I give you a sneak peek of The Candy Store. One of the cutest little shops I've ever seen.

More to come of the whole shop...keep a look out! :)

Picture of the "week".

2010-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! It's the 2010 Holiday Promo!

2010-10-03T01:57:00.000-07:00

Which one is your favorite?!

2010-10-03T00:41:00.001-07:00

Vote for your favorite and win a free mini shoot!

I had a hard time picking a favorite 2010 Holiday Promo picture, so tell me what your favorite is!

Here is how you enter a chance to win:

Head over to the Lori Wong Photography Facebook page (here is a link).
There are three different photos for the Holiday Promo.

Click that "Like" button for Lori Wong Photography if you haven't already. Make a comment on your favorite Holiday Promo picture that is on the Lori Wong Photography wall photos and consider yourself entered.
You have until October 9th, 2010 to have a chance to win.

Don't have Facebook...no problem. You can still click that link to view the Holiday Promo pictures. Then email me (lori.wong@gmail.com) your contact info, include your name & phone number!

Your free mini shoot includes:
30 minutes
One location
Online proofing for 90 days
5 edited photos on a disc with printing rights

Here are some samples of what your mini shoot could be, and well, I just wanted to show you some awesome people I was able to photograph.

Maybe some headshots...

Or a bridal session....

Or family portrait session....

Engagement photos or updated photos of you and the other half....

How about a fun session with some friends, or maybe senior portraits...

Okay, so I like headshots, but maybe you just really want to have a new photo for Facebook...

Or your cute kids...

And if you don't win the Holiday Promo mini shoot...you can still book a session that is $75 off the regular session price during the holiday promo! Awesome! Details are on the blog or Facebook, or email me with questions!

Bun in the oven-mini shoot.

2010-09-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

First, a confession.

I am by no means a maternity photographer.

But when one of your closest friends who is prego with her fourth kid and you have not been able to take photos of any of the previous pregnancies or newborn photos, asks you to take maternity shots what do you do?

Welp, you push back your fears of never shooting a gorgeous pregnant woman, maybe hold your breath a few times and snap away.

I love this family SO much. Mama Beth and Daddy Adam decided not to know the sex of the baby. I mean, c'mon, they are boy factory...they have three other cutie boys (that I love). I was willing to bet money they were going to have a boy. Plus Beth was built to a mother of boys. I love her so much for that too. The way she interacts with her kids cracks me up. And I love when Adam calls any of his boys "son".

I'm not sure if I've really said it enough, but seriously, no really...I love this family! :)

See! Isn't she beautiful!!

I love this guy's curly locks. So cute!

I've seen this look a few times. Classic!

I love this boy's blue blue eyes!
My favorite part about this series...the last picture kiiiinda shows where his cute fingers were on his mom's tummy!

All the big brothers together! :)

p.s. I wanted to put this up before she had the baby, but I didn't get it done in enough time. Buuuut that means I can tell you what she had. Let's just say, I was right!! (duh!) haha!

Blessed. Loved. Happy.

2010-09-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am an extremely blessed girl.

I forget how blessed I really am sometimes, probably more often than I care to admit to. Somehow though, I get snapped back into forgetting what I don't have and want to finding peace and gratitude for what I have and need.

I don't speak a whole lot about my personal life on this blog. I do share my cute nieces, or things I like to do here and there, but when I struggle, I usually don't publicly look for solace. I find my different outlets to get past my struggles, but they are far from being public. Most of the time it's internal and I eventually find ways to see the upside, find lessons in my trials and become that blessed girl I was all along.

Usually every year for probably the past 3-4 years I've tried to come up with a theme for the year. Things that I have learned from the previous year usually lead me to the theme for the following year. Most of the time, I don't have my theme until maybe the end of February beginning of March. This year, I've been stuck. I have had the hardest time figuring out what I needed to remember to keep striving for. What my focus needed to be this year. Finally, I realized about two months ago that I've had my theme for a while, I just didn't admit to it.

Love.

Not like the "oooh, I'm so in love with you" love, or the "I just loooove your shoes" kind of love. I'm talking about unconditional. I forgot how important it is to love unconditionally. To just care about someone because they need it, and maybe even want it, but more importantly deserve it. This doesn't even have to be love. This is about giving without receiving. Caring without motives....I hope I am making sense here. It's about being kind, unconditionally.

This has been easy in some ways and hard for me in others to follow. I have realized while trying to remember to give unconditionally how much I can put a side my loved ones to try and give to those that don't know me from that one person who went out of their way to hold the door open for me because they saw my hands were full.

The other day I was standing in line to get a movie ticket and this woman turned around and said "hey, I have an extra coupon to get a discount on your movie ticket, do you want it?" She had no need to do that, I didn't know her, she didn't know me. She was just being nice. I had my own coupon, so we said thank you anyway. Where as I would have saved that extra coupon for another time I'd go to the movies, she was willing to give it up for nothing in return.

It's about trying to see outside of myself to see how I can reach out to help others in spite of my quick judgments, my fear of rejection, my time, and so many other things. And more than anything doing those things daily, without thought, but just to do them because I should. I have been lucky to be reminded constantly by the examples of the loving and caring people around me how much more I need to work to be like them.

I think I will be working on this for a lot longer than this year. I'm sure I will make it a sub theme for some time after this year. I am happy because I know how blessed I am. How loved I am. How much I know that even though I can be grouchy or complain that I am able to find my way back to the kindness, care and love BECAUSE I am given those things daily, hourly, in minutes and seconds even when not deserved. Which means, I need to give it back in return with that same gratitude and unconditional love.

Baaaaby, oooh baby!

2010-09-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

I love Daddy Adam's smiles in these pictures. What a proud dad! :)

More to come of my mini pregnancy shoot of Beth and her cute baby belly, gorgeous smile and fun kiddos.

Canada...a home in the country side.

2010-08-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Part of the time we stayed at a cute house in a small little town in the country side, thanks Kate. I was able to sleep with my windows open at night and listen to birds chirp in the morning and weird animals make noises at night, but still sleep in a lovely comfy bed.

Head Shots - Jackie!!

2010-08-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have known Jackie for around 6 years. We use to work together, aaaaand that basically means we laughed, joked, grubbed and have had ourselves some fun through the years. It kinda happens when you are around me. hahaha! Juuuust kidding!

When Jackie called me up and asked me to do some headshots for her, I was so excited! I mean look at the woman! She is kinda hot. I'm super jealous of her eyes! Loooove 'em!

We are starting with these awesome jump shots right off the bat because I wanted you to see that Jackie is THAT much fun to be around. So you can only imagine that we had ourselves a good time despite the stinkin' hot Vegas weather.

Love the brick wall.

I rarely, if ever do this...but I loved this photo in color and black and white SO much I had to show you both versions. Goooooorgeous! Wow!!

It's a toss up for me between the above and below picture for favorite shot of the day.

After we took these shots, I told Jackie to expect these on the blog. ;)

Aaaand here are the ladies that made hot Jackie look like SUPER hot Jackie!

Make Up Artist:
Retro Cosmetics
Debbie Entin
702-541-6000 Ext. 142

Hair Stylist:
Krisha Peterson
702-759-2592

Sneak Peek: Jackie...headshots!

2010-08-22T00:21:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty jealous of Jackie's gorgeous blue eyes!

More to come...keep a look out!

The answer can be SO simple, you feel silly.

2010-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

I found this quite a while ago from another blog I was reading and loved it instantly that I "ran" to the artist's website and bought it without the need to think twice.

Sorry, I tried looking, but I can't find the link to put up here to actually buy it. The blog and website has changed a lot since I had last been on there...and also it might possibly be because it's not available anymore. It was a limited edition print (if you want it bad enough, maybe you can find the link easier, if it exists, sorry). But the artist, Alex Koplin, is pretty awesome, so check out his other work. Support artist and BUY their work. Don't steal it, please...it's really sad when that happens.

Canada...Dinner in the city.

2010-08-14T19:26:00.001-07:00

We spent part of the trip in the city. Obviously, we were going to do some good grubbin'. Here is one of many places we ate at.

It was delicious!

From Across the Pond to say "I do!"!!

2010-08-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to show you these pictures!

Madeleine emailed me months and months ago, starting the beginning of an awesome back and forth about how she is from England and her and fiance Terry, were making plans to get married in Las Vegas.

I could tell by her writing she was much more proper than this plain ol' American girl. But I really could hear that wonderful English accent of her's when I asked her to tell me about how her and Terry met. And she ended it by saying "We are a right soppy pair and so excited about getting married..." She said "right soppy pair"!! It's so English! I LOOOOVE IT!

When Madeleine opened the door of her hotel room and she was all dolled up in her wedding dress I was not only excited to meet her but to see what a gorgeous bride she was! She was beaming! It was amazing. I spent some time alone with Madeleine since she didn't want Terry to see her in her wedding dress before the ceremony. Let me just tell you that I was so excited to spend some time with her after spending 5 minutes with her (ooookay, yes, she bought me Harrod's English chocolates, that will always win me over! haha)!!!

The two of them talking about each other separately was sweet, but seeing them interact with each other was wonderful! Terry and Madeleine are such a great couple! I felt beyond privileged to spend so much time with them on their wedding day! Once they got married, I was basically the only person there to celebrate with them, and I felt extremely lucky that they asked me to help them remember their wedding day! I went home that night feeling not only lucky to do what I love for people in love, but to meet people that I feel like I can now call friends. I will always remember photographing this wedding. It was one in a million for so many different reasons.

I hope you all like the pictures.

The ceremony was so intimate! They look SO happy being pronounced Mr. and Mrs. for the first time! I was so excited for them!
This is after the ceremony they were able to take a moment to take it all in. I know this picture seems random, but they look so happy!
Isn't she GOOOR-GEOUS!!
I asked Madeleine to pop her foot and Terry wanted in on the action too! hahaha!
I love this shot because this is Terry and Madeleine just being Terry and Madeleine!Of course we had to get this shot! :)

Twirling! :)
During the water show in front of Bellagio, Terry grabbed his bride and started to dance. So sweet!

This is my close second favorite!
This has to be my favorite shot of the day! Looooooove it!

Terry and Madeleine,
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. It was a pleasure beyond words to meet you and document your beautiful wedding. Thank you also for being such troopers about the bloody hot weather! I became a better photographer that day because you are such phenomenal people and wonderful to work with. I can't wait to visit you across the pond next year! ;)

-Lori

Editing Photos...how I do! ;)

2010-07-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of folks ask me about what kind of Photoshop editing I do. I try and do as minimally as possible. I won't remove a mole or a bunch of freckles, because, that makes you, YOU. ;) But I will get rid of zits and maybe if you have some dark circles under your eyes. I will also add a little flair to your photos if I see a pattern of it developing as I edit your pictures.

But again, I try and do as little as possible with obvious editing to your photos. What I mean is, I want photos to look like they were never touched by Photoshop. Girls, just like when you first started to wear make up and you would douse it on so the world knew you had make up on, and it wasn't until your mom or big sister saw what you were doing to your probably wonderful natural beauty and taught you, less is more and only enhance what you have! I take the same approach with editing photos. When I add Photoshop techniques, I don't try to hide it. I won't make a person's pupils bigger or try and make them skinnier, or take off a layer of a double/triple chin. It takes away from the truth of what I just captured and where the subject was at in their life at that moment.

Here and there I like to take some creative license and add a little more flair to a photo for fun. If some of that fun is added, it will always be obvious.

Take a look at one of Rachel's photos. I did a side by side so you could see what I mean. The photo on the left is straight out of camera, and on the right, after I did my usual edits in Photoshop.I just bumped up the color a little, got rid of a small blemish, made some of the lines a little crisper and BAM! Done. :)

I know I keep saying it, but I have a lot more to share. It's a-comin'!

Rachel J....Anytime!

2010-07-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

Rachel is super awesome, because she would do whatever I wanted and more! I totally love the fact that she didn't mind all the "super great non-scary people" that are downtown. Especially near the court house and bus station. Oh man, if you want adventure, come do a photo shoot with me downtown! Aaaand here we go.

The next two are my FAVORITE! Loooooove these two, especially together!
Rachel did not let the wind keep her from doing her thaaang. Work it guurl! ;)

Love this series. So cute. Which means, so is Rachel! :) Duh.

This was a happy accident. I ended up really liking this over exposed picture. It helps that there is a super cute girl in the picture. I know. I know.

So, as we are walking around downtown, I see a cool set of stairs. Rachel goes and sits on them, and I suddenly hear banging. I look around kinda not sure where it's coming from. Aaaand then I remember, we are near the court house which means we are also near the jail. Scary men while in their C-E-L-L-S were banging on the windows at Rachel. Holy crap. Frightening.
Aaaand then promptly after we leave the jail area, we are standing in front of this lovely wall and Rachel does this thumbs up move to cars I can hear coming up from behind me. I turn around and it's a bunch of senior citizens (i.e. some of them were creepy old men)in a van gawking at Rachel. Gee Whiz, what have I done to this poor girl! hahaha! Luckily their light turned green and on they went.

There is one more unsung hero from this photo shoot. He was a purse and balloon holder. Body guard. Faulty bubbles inspector and he didn't say too many times how much he "hated his life." Thanks Mike. :)
And he totally held back from doing the below in all the pictures. He only did it in this one. I'm proud of you Mike. Thanks again!!

Canada...eh!

2010-06-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

I seriously am THE luckiest most blessed girl ever! Part of that luckiness has to do with the fact that I have some pretty AMAZING friends. Some of my closest friends don't live anywhere near me. I have four friends that I share my life with through email because we don't live close by each other. Two live on the east side of the country and two live in Canada.

Well, we have never been together all at once. Here and there parts of the group have been together but never all at once. We finally said enough is enough and planned a trip, the first of many reunions!! The first trip we decided would be out to visit Kate in Ottawa, Ontario. Canada's capital! How awesome is that right?!

So we figured out dates and times and all that other junk that has kept us from finally having this reunion and we started to wing our way out to Ottawa...except one thing happened two days before the trip. One of the girls got sick, and not just sick. Pneumonia. Now that is a sickness you can't mess with. :( Needless to say, we were all beyond bummed out about this. We STILL were not all going to be together in one location. I'm still sad as I type it. :( We love you Marty!!

So unintentionally I was in a different photography mood on this trip. I shot a lot less from the hip and a lot more thoughtfully. And I have never taken more picture of food in my LIFE! ;) It was becoming obsessive and annoying as our stomachs growled waiting for me to get my shot. haha!

There is going to be a lot of different posts from my first trip to Canada. So expect a LOT of different post all about it. Here is the first one.

Oh and long story short we have an inside joke for the name of our emailing group it's "Everything Between White & Wong" or EBWAW for short. So whenever you see the above picture of the Canadian flag, you will know it's another installment of the trip. :)

We went to brunch, well, it became lunch...honestly, we had a hard time waking up that morning! It's in a quaint lovely small town that Kate lives in outside of Ottawa.

I love details. While we waited for our food to be made we went into their gift shop that was also apart of the restaurant.

The food was really good. And made fresh, on the spot. And we knew that because we saw them making it from the kitchen. I love places like this!

And lastly, the river and stone bridge right next to the restaurant. It was a beautiful day. (my wimpy friends were complaining that it was super hot, and it was only in the mid/high 80's. Dude. That is perfect weather for Vegas. I dream about that kind of weather! haha!)

A LOT more from the trip to Canada coming. :) I'm so excited to post more! I'm missing my girls a lot more as I have been going through the photos! Shout out to my EBWAW girls! ;)

Sneak Peek: Rachel...Anytime Session!

2010-06-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

Rachel was willing to do whatever I wanted her to do and I know I only hit the tip of the iceberg of her willingness to do anything crazy. I even had a hard time picking one photo as the sneak peek! ha!

So here is the one photo I forced myself to pick.

More to come...including my trip to Canada!! :)

The Brimhall Eye Center - Open House

2010-06-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

I am so beyond happy to be a part of this institution. Dr. Brett Brimhall is an extremely wonderful doctor, ophthalmologist, boss, and person. I could go on but when I show him that this blog post is up, I don't want him to think I'm brown nosing. I've been called out more than once for doing that! ;) hahaha!

By circumstances that fell into wonderful perfect place, I have been blessed to say my other job besides photography is working for Brett and Holly Brimhall. In short, they are amazing people. Genuine and kind people I hope to grow up and be like one day.

There was an open house for the Brimhall Eye Center and I was able to take some photos of the fun, that is when I wasn't stuffing my face with the most AMAZING food ever!!! The Brimhall family came down in family supporting greatness and helped Holly throw the best food party...I mean open house I've ever been able to say I was slightly attached to. ;)

Here are some shots!

Yes, that's right. I'm gonna start the series of food pictures with the desserts. Duh.
I love oranges, but orange butter...seriously...heaven!

The amazing "catering company"!

Some of Dr. Brimhall's family...he has some pretty awesome sisters & dad! I totally loved them before the open house was over and hugged them good bye like I had known them forever when they left! I appreciate that they went with it! haha!

I had a hard time putting this next picture on here. I mean look at me...ruining this picture of extremely photogenic people!! hahaha!

If you need your eyes checked for any reason, or maybe you need contacts or glasses. Even cooler thinking about LASIK or BoTox...The Brimhall Eye Center can do it all!! 702-263-2020! :) We are in the medical office building next to Centennial Hills Hospital. Hey, maybe I'll answer the phone! haha!

The Gronning Family!

2010-06-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Alright, so how did I meet the Gronning family? I work for Mike and Julie! Soooo, no pressure right?! Only my job is on the line!! Juuuust kidding. It wasn't! I was pretty excited to take pictures for them because they are such good genuine nice people.

We went out to Lake Las Vegas (go out there for summer fun events! keep it alive!!) on a beautiful day and had a great time.

My favorite shots have to be the jumping pictures. Thanks Gronning family for trusting my kooky idea on that one!! :) haha! I love how they turned out....but I loved a lot of 'em! It's hard to pick when it's such a good looking family! Take a look:

This picture and the other jumping picture below are my favorites of the series, but if you read it left to right line by line, that was basically the progression of getting the shot! So fun!

This next one is my favorite of the day. I just love the lighting and the background. And it helps that I'm shoot a pretty good looking family too! ;)

p.s. I still totally have a crush on Cody. haha.

Cody...Mini Senior Session!

2010-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

I didn't tell Cody this, but by the time we were done, I totally had a crush on him! And I don't care what anyone says, to me, he looks a tiny bit like Michael Buble. He is such a good kid and charming in a quite subtle way. During his family's session, Cody and I went off on our own for a little while and took photos for his graduation announcements.

Check it out...

SEE! Isn't he such a stud! ;)

And he has a great smile.

Coming next, the whole Gronning family! :)

Laughing.

2010-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love laughing. Who doesn't?!

More than anything I love to make my nieces laugh. They are so much fun.

My youngest niece was showing me her pretty dress but she wasn't really working the camera for me like I wanted her too. So I tried to use my charm and wit on an almost three year old and it wasn't really working.

Go figure.

I had to resort to other measures...tickling.

So that finger poking her to get her to laugh, it's mine.

I was going to tickle, step back and take the picture, but then I saw what was happening...the moments we forget to remember.

I'm kinda in love with this series of pictures. Aaaand, yes I know I say that a LOT. But for reals. My cup runneth over for this little girl. It makes me smile and ache at the same time since none of my nieces live in Vegas too.

Now go make someone laugh...or laugh with you. ;)

Senior Session...Nick!!

2010-06-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Nick is the nephew of one of my grooms/brides. I love referral clients, mostly because they are usually as awesome as the client that referred them. Aaaand, welp, it was the truth yet again! Nick and his older sister...ahem, I mean his mom, rock! Nick is a pretty cool guy. What made him even more cool, he was up for pretty much whatever I threw at him. Who wouldn't be with the pretty sweet kicks he was sporting(and yes, the shoes got their own picture below)!

Nick and I spent some time on our own taking pictures but when we met back up with his mom, I could tell right away why Nick was such a great kid. Lisa is pretty awesome. I could tell that Lisa and Nick have a great relationship. I loved the way they interacted with each other. You could tell they are really close and are best friends.

Here are some of the highlights from Nick's senior session!

One of my favorite series of pictures. We had such a good laugh in the grass! ;)

All the above happened to get the below picture. haha!

Love the yellow and blue contrast!

You two are so much fun! Thanks for allowing me to come out and take your pictures!

Happy Graduation Nick!!

Sneak Peek: Disneyland!!

2010-05-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

The happiest place on earth of course involves fireworks!!!

More on the Wong Family Reunion to Disneyland coming soon!!

(I swear!! haha!)

Sneak Peek: Gronning Family!

2010-05-05T00:00:00.001-07:00

A sunny beautiful day out at Lake Las Vegas with the Gronning family!

More to come!

Details, details...Limelight Weddings & Events

2010-05-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

I adore details! They are almost the unsung heros of any occasion. A lot of folks don't notice them when they are around, but when they are missing, it stands out like a sore thumb. Well, the owner and master mind, Marleah Ramos of Limelight Weddings and Events knows the unnoticed like no other!

I was delighted to have the opportunity to stop by a bridal shower for one of her clients Amanda to take shots of all the details that made the shower GOOOORGEOUS! There were details left and right that I could have shot for hours and well, it made this post practically a book!

I have known Marleah for years now. We met at an old retail job soon after high school, where I actually trained her and then the follow week, we discovered that we both went to the same church and it was over from there, we were friends. She is personable, adorable, kind and I'm so happy that I know her. If you are looking for a wedding or event coordinator she is your gal!

Here are a LOT of shots of her handy work! You will see what I mean by details!

Oh the candy table...sooo sweet! (hehe, pun intended)

Notice the chocolate "A" on the cupcake for Amanda, the bride. See! Details!

Marleah doing her thang, which includes laughing! I was in love with the set of glasses sitting on the counter. It wasn't even on purpose, but they looked so pretty!The bride and Marleah.
Sisters!! Like you couldn't tell! ;)
Aaaand the whole bridal shower group!

Thanks again for Marleah asking me to come by and take some shots! You are the sweetest! Love ya woman!!

Sneak Peek: Limelight Weddings & Events - Amanda's Bridal Shower

2010-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to work with Limelight Weddings & Events!

Here is a completely meany of a teaser of Amanda's Bridal Shower. :) But I was in love with these yellow fabric flowers that were a part of the center pieces!

Aren't they adorable?!

More to come REAL soon! Promise!

Quenching that thirst.

2010-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

I drink a LOT. I am part camel, I'm sure of it. On a good day I can probably drink about 5 liters of water. That doesn't include the glass or two of o.j. I probably drink in the morning, or the can of soda (sometimes two) I drink here and there at dinner.

Well there is a restaurant that my sister has to eat at whenever she is in town. Here is what they serve the drinks in.
I am in heeeaaven when they bring these jars out! And I think, "oh good, I won't be waiting forever for the server to come back around to fill up my empty glass." I can almost guarantee you that I can have probably 4 of those jars in one sitting.

It's the little things in life I tell ya!

Sun bathing.

2010-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I was trying to decide if I was one of those people that does blog posts about their pets...and then I realized, I have posted pictures of my dog before soooo, I guess I am.

This is my dog Mandy. When my brother left on his mission in 2004, soon after, to fill my void of lack of a little brother (hahaha), I adopted Mandy from the shelter. She is a sweet dog that loves to hug...literally. I've broken her of the habit of jumping on people, but when it comes to me, she jumps up and wraps her paws around my waist and digs her head into my stomach and hugs me. Since I love hugging, I'm pretty sure we were meant to be! ;)

Well anyways...

The other day, I was walking past the back doors when out of the corner of my eye, I see her sleeping in the sun. She usually does, and in the spot she was in. She loves to lay in the sun to be warm during the winter. Buuuut this time, she was sleeping in the funniest position. I had to double take, and also quietly run and grab my camera.

She looks dead, right?! But I assure you she is still kickin'! You can tell she was sleeping good, she was rolling all around in the dirt!

Pretty funny.

Sooo ONO!!

2010-04-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ono is a Hawaiian word that means good or delicious...and it's what I'm about to talk about! It is said how it looks, O-NO.

Having a dad that is part Hawaiian that grew up there and has family there, I've been lucky enough to have been able to go there a few times. Granted I was fairly young when we did go and I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have. I hope to have the opportunity to go back there as an adult and enjoy the islands more fully.

The one thing I did appreciate and really loved as a young naive girl was something I didn't realize was the best of the best until I came back to the main land and have never enjoyed anything quite like it.

That little something is manapua. I first tried it when we were in Hawaii from the best place on earth, Libby's.

It is a special sweet tasty bread roll with meat inside. There are different types of meat for manapuas but the best/my favorite is the one with a sweet roasted pork.

Picture of the "week".

2010-04-08T00:00:00.001-07:00

January.

Sneak Peek: Nick's Senior Session

2010-04-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun with Nick out in Boulder City at the beautiful park over looking Lake Mead.

Here is a sneek peak!

Looooove the yellow park bench.

More shots to come!

Starchy, smarchy...deliciousness!!

2010-04-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love homemade french fries...probably too much. And I probably make it the wrong way, but it's my way and they are delicious to me.

I have discovered one thing for sure, vegetable oil will make the potatoes stick to the pan and extra virgin olive oil will not.

Good Driver Test.

2010-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many of you really know, but I get motion sickness. Sometimes more easily than other times. It's a bit odd. I never know if it will hit super fast or if it will not effect me at all.

There are few people that I call "good drivers" in my mind because most of my motion sickness comes from driving with other people. So if I am road tripping, I have to be the driver or be with someone that I feel is a "good driver" so that I can actually enjoy the road trip. Don't feel bad, my list consists of like 3 people of all the people I've driven with in my life. And they only made that list because consistently I've never had motion sickness from their driving. If I willingly let you drive my car while I'm riding shot gun, you have passed the test. But the true test is when I get off of an airplane and you still don't make me feel motion sick on the drive home.

Well one of those people is my sister Lani. She is just a good driver in general, not to mention she passes MY good driver test. So I am usually a passenger when we drive anywhere, especially on trips.

I remember we were driving home from Utah and usually the sun has already set and it's dark as we drive into Vegas. But this time we hit the sun setting. All I had on me was my point and shoot camera...and the picture is blurry because it was just too dark...but I had to get the colors of the horizon. This is straight out of camera.

It's amazing right?! Plus when I look at this picture (which, though blurry it grows on me every time I look at it) it reminds me of all the times Lani and I drive together. We turn the music up loud. We sing specific songs that we love to sing together. And I'm happy to be sitting in shot gun next to one of my big sisters that I love so much. And plus...I'm not feeling motion sickness so it's an even bigger bonus of awesome!

Happy driving! :)

March Mustache Madness.

2010-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Yes...that's what it says. Growing some facial hair in the name of March Madness.

Here are some photos of the fun.

I asked for goofy faces...they delivered.

Blue Skies. Old Signs.

2010-03-24T13:29:00.001-07:00

I love old neon signs.

It reminds me of classier time.

Taunting me with emails!

2010-03-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

I love music.

I love live music.

There was one point that I was going to a LOT of different concerts within a year span...I went as far as Tennessee for 2nd row seats to a concert.

Well, I outgrew that phase...mostly. I still love live music and I still attend concerts here and there. I have tried really hard to not go to as many shows as I use to back in the day.

Well places like House of Blues, the Joint at the Hard Rock, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have been taunting me with emails left and right of all these different artists I would love to see live. The summer time is coming, it's standard of course. But I am holding strong and I'm not doing it!!

So to feel better about it all, I got nostalgic and found some old concert photos. My best seats (and therefore shots) were back when I was still shooting film...so I don't have those right off hand. Except for this first one. I randomly found it mixed in with some old concert photos.

It was shot on film and scanned on a not so great scanner, so forgive the pixelation! This is back in the day with Maroon 5 tickets were only $15-20!! haha! Miss those days!

This is one of my favorite concert pictures and funny enough has no artist in it. It was also shot on my point & shoot camera. This is when I went to see Jet, which is one of my best concert stories!

I might have to try and find some more old concert photos! This was fun!

Picture of the Week: Rays of Sunlight. Rays of Happiness.

2010-03-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Shot this with my point & shoot camera on a drive back into to Vegas.

It makes me happy.

Liz...headshots!

2010-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have known Liz for a few years now. We had talked about taking headshots for a while but just never really finalized any real date or time. You know how life goes! But finally Liz and I nailed down a date! Liz was a brave soul for allowing me to push her out in the middle of the public to get the shots I wanted! She got a few whistles and "work it guuurl!" so I think it was a successful photo shoot! haha! Thanks Liz for workin' it for the camera!

I love how they turned out! Let me know what you guys think! :)

Gotta enjoy some of that sun flare!

I think these two are my favorite from the day. I just love the lighting. I also love that we hopped over a small fence to sit on the couches! I felt like a rebel! ;)

Just a few candid shots.

Love the black and white shot. It's my second favorite.

Blue eyes make me happy!

It's what I'm aaaBOUT! - Taking a drive.

2010-03-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

I kinda enjoy taking a casual drive.

Actually, I would take a lovely early evening stroll, walking around a neighborhood any day over driving, but there are safety issues involved with walking around at night, especially alone, darn it. Plus, I'm cute, so I'm an easy target for getting stolen...kiddddding! ;) So to suffice, I like to drive around.

Well, I don't get to do that very often lately. I've realized how much I miss it. I like it as a way to think about things going on in my life. I like to listen to music that is a part of my life at the moment and just drive and think. It calms me down. I am able to regroup. I am reminded of how blessed I am. Sometimes I do it just to get out of the house. I love going at sunset or late at night when the roads are a little more empty.

I also looooove driving with the windows down when the weather is just perfect. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

One night, I was driving home after visiting a friend of mine. We hadn't hung out in a while. We chatted, laughed, cried, smiled, and just remembered why we need to do this more often. We both had recently had big things happen in our lives and we just felt a commendatory that we didn't feel anyone else understood at that moment. It was nice. It was a beautiful night. The stars were super bright. And the weather was oddly really nice for it being "winter". So I drove with my window slightly down and listened to music. Drives are just that much better when I am able to think about the conversation I had just had with a good friend.

I took the above picture with my phone to remember that night.

I enjoy taking a casual drive.

Family pictures at Red Rock.

2010-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

I love shooting family pictures at Red Rock. There are so many options of places to shoot.

Jill contacted me for family pictures by email. She told me how she met and fell in love with Dave and they married a few years ago. They both had kids from previous marriages and had not had a picture with the now blended family.

I was so happy to be able to take pictures for them! I have to say, when I got them laughing (I'm pretty funny...just in case you were wondering! hahaha!) they have some infectious laughs in their family! It made me laugh just at their laughs which might have looked like I was laughing at my own jokes...I promise I wasn't! :)

Here are just a few shots!

When I shoot family pictures, I will almost always ask your family to do some goofy shots! Most of the time your family isn't all prim and proper, I know there is goofiness in there, so expect this if you book a session with me! :)

Red Rock...White Rock?!

2010-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Near the end of January, there was a pretty good storm brewing around the outskirts of the Vegas valley. Red Rock Canyon was one of those places that got a huge pile of snow thrown on it. The funny thing is, further down into the valley, though cold, the temperature was night and day in comparison to how cold it was up at Red Rock. I was dressed somewhat warm, but not nearly as warm as I would have been had I known how cold it was going to be. Same went for a lot of people that were also around taking in the gorgeous snow capped mountains.

For instance, I was standing next to another photographer. We were clicking away and behind us was a few guys around my age standing there watching. They were doing that "I'm cold" jittering wobble as they stood there. They were dressed like I was, hooded sweatshirt, jeans. They had beanies on and I was jealous of that. Finally they said, "Duuuuude! We want to get back into the car!!" And their friend, the other photographer I was standing next to handed them the keys to the car. I laughed and said, "You guys can't take it, c'mon?!" And they said back, "Oh you know you are cold too!" Yes. Yes I was. And when I got back into my car I saw how red my face was!

I saw one guy getting out of his car with a short sleeve polo shirt on and I had a look of shock on my face as a cold gust of wind swept my hair across my face. He must have seen my face because he started laughing. So I owned up to my obvious shock and said, "Are you crazy! It's freeeeezing!!" and he replied back with a chattering jaw, "Yeeeaaaaaah, I'm regretting not bringing a jacket with me." Uh, yeah.

I know a lot of people who are in places that get snow all the time think, "what's the big deal?!" I'm a girl from the desert. This is a big deal for me. I loved it. Though I'm grateful to not have snow all the time, this was the perfect amount of snow for me to enjoy this year's winter.

Sorry, enough talking...here are just a few (but a lot) of the pictures I captured.

Second favorite shot of the day...but a really close second. I love that you can see just enough down into the valley to see there is only snow at Red Rock.

My favorite shot of the day. I was in my car driving slowly and saw this awesome bare tree. I looked behind and saw no cars were coming, stopped and took the picture.

Sunshine & Sand.

2010-02-25T00:31:00.000-08:00

I thought of the beach today.

I hope we reunite soon.

Engagement Session: CT & Kirsten

2010-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

CT has a big personality (and muscles), enough for two people! :) So when I found out he was dating and then marrying reserved and sweet Kirsten, one thing came to mind: Paula Abdul and MC Kat Skat's "Opposites Attract". hahaha!

But there is one thing for sure, as long as I've known CT, I've never seen him so smitten as he is with Kirsten. I loved seeing these two interact and how well they fit each other. It just made me happy for them and happy in general about that lil' thing we like to call love. (I'm cheesy sometimes, I can't help it.)

Thank you CT and Kirsten for being so patient with me that day!
Congrats on your big day!

Blast from the Past! A-woo-hooo!

2010-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

My niece Kealani, loves to watch the old cartoons that my parents still have. Well when I say 'old cartoons' that means, tapes. VHS tapes.

She usually likes to watch "Bongo".

Which I love/loved this movie too, so I'm happy to watch it with her. I too like to sing along about how bears tell each other they love each other with a slap...but by the 5th time, it gets old.

So I told her to pick a new movie. She picked Duck Tales. So we stuck it in, and just like riding a bike, when the theme song came on I automatically started to sing with it. I had to laugh at myself kinda surprised that I remembered the words like I watched it yesterday.

I thought you might want to take a little trip down memory lane with me too...I found the theme song on YouTube. Enjoy.

(seriously though, this theme song is like the Kenny Loggins soundtracks of cartoon theme songs, right?!)

Engagement Session: Julia & Dan

2010-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

This post is waaaay behind. Julia and Dan are already blissfully married! Yes, I'm that behind on this one.

Julia is one of THE best people in the world. She is one of those people that you want to have in your corner. She is a great friend and I am so happy that she is a part of my life. One of my favorite things about Julia, she is pretty stinkin' funny and yet, she thinks that she isn't. I can go on and on about her, I love her that much, but I will just say that she is amazing.

I remember when Julia first told me about meeting Dan. Her initial impression was that he seemed like a great guy. Then not long after that she was smitten. She would tell me, "Lori, I don't know...I don't want to jinx it, but, it's just different with him...." And then suddenly she was more than just smitten and then she was in love! I couldn't have been happier for her. I remember conversations we would have about guys, dating, love and relationships and here is one my best friends, in love and then getting married!

I'll stop talking...sheesh! :)

Second favorite shot of the day.

Favorite shot of the day!

Sneak Peek: Liz

2010-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here is what I am working on right now.

Love the lighting...and the jump shot!! :) I had to convince Liz that it would be an awesome shot, and luckily I got it the first time!

Rasmussen Family

2010-02-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have known the Rasmussen family for a really long time. So I was really excited when they asked me to take their family pictures. It was great to see how grown up all the kids were. I pretty much want to grow up and be as cool as the oldest, Jacklyn, a senior in high school. ;)

The lighting was A-mazing and it was a gorgeous day! I had a lot to pick from, but I thought it was best to edit myself! :)

Love the first shot.

This is my favorite shot of the day.

This was my second favorite of the day...so much so that I had to throw it in! I like the feeling of it. It's like she belongs on a beach in California. :)

Picture of the "Week"

2010-02-03T00:00:00.001-08:00

This is at Sea World in San Antonio. I just randomly found this shot and thought I'd share it.

I find it so...uh, weird I guess..how much everyone loves penguins. I think they are cool, but meh...whatever. haha! But I did like watching them swim, that was pretty sweet. They are fast little buggers in the water.

It's what I'm aaaBOUT! Music-Rosi Golan

2010-01-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

"Moment that I wait, or I hesitate's a moment that I waste"

This is a line from the song "I Don't Wanna Wait" from my new favorite artist...

Photo by Laura Crosta

Rosi Golan!

I am soooo in love with her music. I found her randomly on someone's blog. They had a link to her album on iTunes. I checked it out and instantly fell in love with each 30 second clip of music.

I can be pretty protective of artist/albums that I fall in love with that are not super well known. I don't know why I do that, but I do. It's completely selfish of me. I need to share amazingness when I find it. So, I am trying to give up my selfish musical ways and share this.

Go and get her album "The Drifter & the Gypsy"! (one of my favorite songs on the album, by the way)

Here is a link to her website to listen to full versions of the songs.

A Package of Three!

2010-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

I have known Kiffyn since she was...wow, maybe since she was 10. And now she is a junior in high school. I'd be lying if I said that didn't make me feel a lil' old. But more than anything it just makes me glow with happiness to see such a great girl still be as great and cute as ever.

Kiffyn brought along her friends Jessica and Kawai. They were a TON of fun from beginning to the end. It started with them trying to stuff their things into the trunk of my car; talking on the drive about boys, football games and group dates (telling them the bad news that dating gets more complicated as you get older, not more fun as it is in high school, haha); and all the way to getting in a little bit of nonsense trouble with a very unhappy grouchy park ranger.

They also taught me how to do my hair cute like they have it too! They were a ton of fun and I was just there for the ride! Oh to be in high school and have that much energy again! ;)

Second favorite shot of the day.
When I was taking individual shots of the girls, Jessica kept coming up with all these goofy faces, and all Kiffyn and Kawai could say, "Oh man! That is such a Jessica face!" I had to show you at least a few of them!
I asked the girls to 'vogue' for me...it was a fun little moment.

The only shot I could find that I was willing to do in black and white. I was just loving the colors everywhere.

My FAAAAAVORITE shot of the day. Don't ask me why, but it just about makes me giddy when I look at this shot!

Thanks girls for being pretty much kick butt! (hehe) The funny thing, my favorite shots were all after that kill joy park ranger shook her finger at us! :) Thanks for being the cutest girls ever! You made my job easy peasy!

Picture of the "Week"!

2010-01-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

I love clouds and sunsets because they usually include lovely moments that make me grateful, hopeful and faithful of the things I have learned in life.

This picture is not from this week of rainy weather. I took it a year or two ago (while driving, of course). But the weather has made me think of this shot so I dug it up.

Happy rainy weather! :)

2009 Catch up.

2010-01-18T00:50:00.000-08:00

I have a TON of blog posts from photo shoots done in 2009, which I know...is sooooo last year. But I wanted to still share them with everyone. So be prepared for some posting left and right!

Sideways...

Up and down....

Loopy loos...

Okay. I'm stopping. :)

Every post needs a photo...here you go! It was a beautiful sky, so I ran outside and took a quick picture.

p.s. this was done hand held, no tripod...boooyah! :)

A horse is a horse of course...Easy & Lindsay!

2010-01-15T12:08:00.000-08:00

I love it when past clients contact me again for another photo shoot! Well, one of my favorite brides, Lindsay, sent me an email saying she wanted to take some photos. Now let me just tell you, Lindsay is gorgeous so I was VERY willing to get her in front of my camera again, but this time it wasn't so much about her as much as it was about someone else in her life...Easy!

Easy is Lindsay's horse. And the name fits perfectly. :) I won't ramble on about how fun it was to see these two interact with each other, or how grateful I was that Easy was willing to let me shove a camera in his face and not eat it, or that we had some gorgeous light...I'll let you just check out the photos!

See, like I said, Lindsay is gorgeous!!

Favorite shot of the day...I love the lighting. Just a girl and her horse.

Thanks Lindsay...and Easy! I had a really great time!

Neon Boneyard-PART TWO!!

2010-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here it is...with growing anticipation and many people rightfully pestering me for this post...thanks for waiting!

Wendy and I had been emailing and chatting on the phone back and forth and then one day she said, "We were thinking of a..uh..(pause)...wardrobe change?" I didn't see this as a problem, I don't get why she paused. But it must have been to add dramatic effect because well, it deserved some dramatic effect.

"We want to dress up like Elvis and Marilyn Monroe!!"

No greater words could have been spoken to a photographer when the photo shoot location is in the Neon Boneyard. This is just one of the MANY reasons why I love my clients, they are pretty stinkin' RAD to think of these things without me trying to convince them to do it!

So here is the math: Elvis + Elvis/Marilyn x 2 =AAAAWESOMENESS!!

Like Father...
...Like son.

I yelled out "Marilyn and Elvis...give each other a kiss!!" and the kids both look at me like I was crazy! I forgot there was two of each! Mini Elivs is most effected by it, just watch his reaction in the series of pictures below...it starts with "eewwww!" to looking at his parents to see the icky kissing!!

Just a little individual yet family love. :)

I loooove this shot, not only because of the PERFECT sun flare but because Kevin looks so rock star walking towards the camera!

Preview of Neon Boneyard Part TWO...I couldn't hold it in anymore!

2009-12-31T10:21:00.000-08:00

I couldn't take it. I edited this and was so in love with it...I had to share it now!

I call this: The many faces of Mini-Elvis.

So now that you've seen this, just wait for the rest of the pictures of part two! I told you there was a wardrobe change! It's AAAAAWWWESOOOOME!I have so many to pick from and I'm so in love with them all, I can't decide!!

Consider this a New Years gift from me to you!

Have a fun and safe holiday everyone!
Thanks for being a part of my crazy year this year!!!

Cheers!
Lori

If you don't get verklempt...

2009-12-28T00:26:00.000-08:00

....your heart is made of STONE!!!

This guy is amazing. Drew Renner of Shade Tree Films.

Enjoy.

Kaitlin+Travis=Awesome Sauce from Shade Tree Films on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! I hope that this holiday season will bring some good times and special memories in your life as they already have mine.

I'm very excited to have family here and to enjoy a nice warm crackling fire!

Mele Kalikimaka!!
Lots of love!!
Lori

Picture of the "Week"!

2009-12-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

I should start calling it picture of the WEAK! Because it's weak how often I don't post a picture of the week! hahaha! I need to be better at it!! Add that to the list of things I will work on for 2010!

I found this very randomly. This was from 2007 when I visited my sister in Texas, when she lived closer to the coast.

I couldn't decide...black and white or color? What do you think?

Workin' it at the Neon Boneyard! Part ONE!!

2009-12-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

This photo shoot was a long time coming with the Boyles Family. Last holiday season we had a photo shoot schedule and then something happened and they had to cancel last minute. Then this season, we had to keep rescheduling over and over, but finally...the wait was worth it!!

I had so much fun with this GORGEOUS family! And gorgeous means life was not rough for me behind the camera!

Enough talking....

The boys gave me a GQ look.Aaaand the girls got sassy for me!I had to get a close up of the sassy girls, because look at their shoes!! Love 'em!!!

Like I said, a sneak peek of a sneak peek....then there was a wardrobe change...oooh, the goods. They are-a-comin'!!!

Sneak Peek of a Sneek Peek!!!

2009-12-19T01:58:00.000-08:00

Oh...be excited. The anticipation is building....this photo shoot was AAAAMAZING!!!
I PROMISE I will post something soon...and by soon I mean before the day is over!!

Ryland...too cute for words!

2009-12-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

Don't look too long into those big brown eyes or else you will get fall for the little guy too!!

And a picture of the whole family! :)

Washington, DC

2009-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with DC. The energy and vibe of Washington is so amazing it is almost palatable to every part of yourself that wants to make change and be a part of something big and life altering. You can't help but fall in love with the city that I could only imagine falling in love with someone would be just as easy.

My favorite and most memorable moment came a day before we left. We had finished touring the US Holocaust Museum and fitfully it was pouring outside. We made our way towards the rest of the National Mall and by the time we had come out of the Natural History Museum it had stopped raining and the sun was shining. It was beautiful outside. We found a food stand and sat down to eat. I remember seeing people set up for a festival and a police officer riding on a horse. Families of all shapes and sizes walking, talking, some kids crying. People jogging. Couples reading on blankets or whispering things in each others ear. Boy Scouts in uniform walking with their troops. And here I was sitting under a shaded picnic table looking at the Washington Monument about 500 yards away eating a quick bite while the breeze cooled down my now frizzy head of hair.

I felt blessed and lucky.I decided to show photos only in black and white. There is something so classic and timeless about black and white shots. And that is exactly how I felt about Washington, DC.

Another one bites the dust!

2009-11-16T22:55:00.000-08:00

Aaaaand another year DOOOOWN! Take THAT life! I made it another year! And though there were some bumps and bruises (literal bruises, mostly on my arms...near veins) I made it pretty much with flying colors to my 29th year!!
I know that I would not be where I am at in this moment in my life if it wasn't for the love and support of my family and friends. This year has helped me realize more than any other time in my life how much I love and appreciate my family and even though they drive me crazy sometimes, I also wouldn't trade them in for any other family.

(sorry, i only have pictures of me with people. i searched and i'm never alone...with my niece Jordan right before my birthday)

Don't ask me why, and maybe I'll change my mind later,(I'm a girl, and I'll play the girl card at that time if called for)but I'm pretty excited to face my 29th year and I'm going to face it head on! I have so many things that I am ready to do as I ride out the last year of my 20's. I never thought that I would be as ready as I am to face my 30's. And even more so, ready to face them single, growing successfully professionally in many different aspects and vastly changing my outlook on life and the perspectives that I have held for so long. I never expected to learn and grow as much as I have this year. Even though I have my moments, like most of us do, I am so happy to be where I am at right now.

I love and appreciate all of you who visit my blog and choose to share in my journey!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And just for an added fun note...this is what happens after you come to a Lori Wong Party...theme for this birthday party
"Ain't no Party like a Lori Wong Party, cus a Lori Wong Party don't stop!"

(no one was drunk, impaired or harmed while in this shot...they were just tired from all the awesomeness of a Lori Wong Party)

Disneyland...just because.

2009-11-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

I went to Disneyland, for the day, a while back...here are a few shots, nothing special. :)
It's a real tragedy, but I can't ride the tea pots. They make my motion sickness gland (hehe) rage out of control. But they looked pretty at night, all still and motionless! hahaha!One of my favorite Mickey faces is the one on the actual lollipop, not on the tag. I'm pretty sure it's because I give that face all the time.That's me, in front, a classic Disneyland shot, at night.

Sneak Peek of cutie Ryland-Contest Winner Session!

2009-10-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of contest winner Erin's session of her cutie son Ryland!

More to come!! :)

Sneak Peek-Acoustic Night

2009-10-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

More to come! :)

They will reunite...

2009-10-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

...yet again! I'm sure Mandy (my dog) is looking forward to it! :)
I'm so excited for next week! I miss my sister and my cutie niece!!

Bonus...all three nieces will be together again next week! Good times all around!
Here they are with Grandma and Grandpa or I mean "Gamma Nila" and "Papa".

My family makes fun of me when I take the stairs...

2009-10-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

...but see...it can be fun AND exercise!! :)

I'm addicted to sunsets.

2009-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here is my new favorite sunset picture I took a few weeks ago.

I usually don't get sentimental and mushy gushy on my blog, but I have a memory attached to this photo of how I was feeling when I took it. I just want to express my gratitude for all those who have been a part of my life. This has been a crazy year for me of complete change and growth. I am so grateful to have had the love and support from some pretty amazing people, especially my family. I remember feeling completely blessed with where my life has taken me, even with all the struggles I have faced this year, because there were also some awesome and happy moments too.

I was getting into my car and I looked at the sunset just grateful for where I am at in my life. I took a deep breath and tried to take a mental picture of the sunset I was witnessing. I luckily remembered I had my camera on me...and I am so glad I did. So whenever I see this shot I can remember how I felt when I took it.

I am honestly blessed beyond what I deserve.

Holiday Photography Package!! Sale!!!

2009-10-10T15:24:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!! Here is that Holiday Promotion I was talking about!

It's that time again!! The holiday season is just around the corner! Can you believe it?!

Our popular holiday promotion is back!!
There are VERY few openings available.

The package includes:

HOLIDAY PACKAGE
One hour session.
One location.
Up to 10 people.
Free Online Proofing of photos from session.
Disc of 25 edited images from session with all printing rights.
$150.00

I have also added a new promotion that I am really excited about:
For every 3 referral photo shoots booked between 10.10.09 - 03.13.10 you will get a FREE Spring/Easter photo shoot!!
(make sure at time of booking your family or friends lets us know you were their referral or else it won't count, sorry!)

Don't forget, we have VERY select openings and this is for a very limited time.
First come, first serve.

Florida or bust...traveling like it's going out of style.

2009-10-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't been one in the past to go out on big adventures or take random trip or really plan a vacation unless it was well in advance. I just felt like things needed to be well organized and put together if you wanted a "successful" vacation.

And then something changed in me. It didn't have to be that way at all. Random trips can be awesome. Doing things spur of the moment can be great. Having things planned out doesn't always mean they go as planned. I have come to find a oneness with traveling that I've never had before. I like it.

I have many MANY trips I still want to take. I know that now is the time for me to do it too. Well, the past few years, especially this year, I have traveled a lot. It might not seem like a lot for most, but for me, it's a lot. And I hope it's just the beginning of the kind of traveling I want to do.

A very close friend of mine, Jackie, was moving from Vegas and though I didn't want her to leave I knew it had to happen. I also knew she was going to have to drive. To Florida. I wanted to be there for her, and if that meant driving a moving truck, well, then bring it on. Due to some scheduling (on my part, boy was she patient with me), we had to make the trip in 5 days. It was not going to be a lot of sight seeing, but I was still looking forward to seeing parts of the country that I've never seen before. We traveled through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama & Florida.

I'm so grateful that I was able to help out my friend but that really she gave me the opportunity to see things and go places I've never been before. I appreciate more than ever the country I am privileged and lucky to be born in. It is gorgeous and magnificent for so many different reasons beyond liberties and justices I take for granted daily. But for the natural beauties that God graciously placed across it.

I am blessed.

Here are just a few shots from the trip. :)

I couldn't decide: color or black & white?!

These I took with my point and shoot camera mostly if not all when I was driving...hehe..ahem, I mean, SAFELY DRIVING!!

One of my favorite parts we drove through was Mississippi and Alabama. It was the most scenic and had a lot too look at. Being a girl from the desert, I wasn't use to seeing so much green and water. It was beautiful.

Swaplands. My first time really seeing them.

So why did I take a picture of cars driving? I thought that too when I first looked at this shot and then I remembered, I took it because this was the freeway...lined with trees! I love trees and I would love if this was apart of my commute! And it went on for forever!

Texas, stand on a tuna can and you could see for miles and miles around. I actually really kinda like this shot.

Inspiration...photographers that move me.

2009-10-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

You've seen this photo before. It's extremely famous. It is by Steve McCurry; Peshawar, Pakistan, 1984

He works for National Geographics. He is an amazing photographer. I have a few dream jobs I'd like to have as a photographer. Working for Sports Illustrated. And working for National Geographics. I don't think there are many photographers who wouldn't want to work for one if not both of those magazines. I love looking at his work to feel inspiration to travel and to capture photos of complete strangers that just move you.

Here is his blog.

Here is his website.

Another photographer that I was lucky enough to go to a seminar of his, that also works for National Geographics is Sam Abell. This photo, Pears in a windowsill, National Hotel, Moscow,(June 1986) is one of many of his famous works publish by National Geographics. What he is best known for is his ability to have more than one scene in a photo. He is able to capture more than one subject/story line in a photo. His composition abilities are amazing.

This photo is also another famous piece of work by him that shows his "two-view concept". The photo on the bottom showing what he is best known for. Two views of the annual branding and castration
Ken Rosman Ranch, Utica, Montana

It had been awhile since that seminar I had attended, but when I saw this photo recently, I remembered his composition abilities and was awestruck yet again. Not only for his abilities to tell a story by a photograph but his actual story telling. I could have sat there for hours looking at his work and listening to him. I was engulfed in this romantic photographer glow and my mind was filling with so much inspiration I could have burst.

While searching online for the pear photo, I found a website where Sam Abell is recalling his life and this photo and story moved me. It made me miss working in a dark room....because it is so true.Mother and Daddy, Flower Hospital, Sylvania, Ohio, 1975

I continued recuperating at home in Ohio. Things weren't good there. My mother was dying of emphasema, which she only referred to as asthma. She was the strongest person I've known, an esteemed teacher of Latin and French who imposed high standards on both her students and sons. She just wasn't stronger than Lucky Strikes.

I still have the hammered copper ashtray that I emptied every morning as a boy. In it were stubs of cigarettes with her lipstick stains on them.

My dad lived alone when Mother was in the hospital, and after she died in 1981 he didn't move or remarry. He wasn't unhappy living alone so one time in the darkroom - where you could say such things - I asked him "When was the happiest time of your life?" After a silence he said "When your Mother and I were courting."

And one last one that I couldn't help but share...go to the website and you will see what I mean by his story telling. Amazing.
My Dad and I,
International Center of Photography,
New York City, November, 1990
I suppose everyone has a moment in their lives they wish could 'stay'. This would be mine. I'm with my dad at an opening of my work at the International Center of Photography in Manhattan. My dad is the guest of honor. I've asked him to stand. The applause makes him emotional and to keep from crying myself I grip his shoulder, smile and look down. We are a long way from our tiny darkroom in Sylvania, Ohio.

The title "Stay This Moment" is drawn from a diary entry of Virginia Woolf written on New Year's eve 1932. She writes "If one does not lie back and sum up and say to the moment, this very moment, stay you are so fair, what will be one's gain, dying? No: stay this moment. No one ever says that enough."
But photographers say it when they make a heartfelt photograph, as this one by my friend David Alan Harvey proves.

And the winner is (drum roll)....

2009-10-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

I was so excited by the response that I picked two winners!!!

Yay!!!

Winner number one: Erin Freeman!!!

(picture me closing my eyes again and picking out of the hat, holding my breath)

Winner number two: Kiffyn Smith!!

Wooohooo!!!

Thank you so much everyone for your amazingly kind comments! You have no idea how much it means to me!! I was holding my hands over my mouth gasping with love and excitement for the super kind things you all said!

Erin and Kiffyn, you will be getting an email from me in the very very near future! :)

Keep a look out though, I will be posting a special offer for a limited number of portrait sessions since the holidays are right around the corner! October & early November is the best time to get them done!

p.s....I'm sorry I was SO late picking the winners! I have not been home or near a computer all day! I just got home 10 minutes ago and I ran up to my computer to do this!

again...thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Free Mini-Shoot Contest! Tell your friends! :)

2009-09-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

If you follow Lori Wong Photography on Facebook, you knew this was coming. If you don't and just check out the blog, well, hey thanks!

Here is the contest, nothing hard, though it might be in the future!

Make a comment on THIS blog post, it doesn't have to be anything fancy and flattering, though flattery is ALWAYS accepted (hehehe), it will not get you closer to winning. And on October 1st, I will stick everyone's name in a hat that made a comment and pick a winner for the free mini shoot!

ANYONE can enter! Even if you don't live in the area and want to give this mini-shoot as a gift to someone else, I will accept that! Families, high school seniors, couples, new babies, or maybe just the kids having fun, pictures of your nieces and/or nephews, guys or gals that need to update their profile pictures or a photo shoot with a group of friends (which would be SUPER fun)...this will be AAAAAAWESOOOME!

And for proof that it will be awesome, here is Allecia. She is a recent high school graduate (link to past post of her photo shoot) and this is a picture of me making her laugh. Proof of awesomeness that will ensue.

Mini Shoot includes:
Up to one hour shoot at one location. (preferably the Las Vegas area, but I will go to St. George, UT for this contest)
Pictures posted online for viewing.
10 edited high-res pictures on a disc with full printing rights.

GOOOOOOD LUCK!! Don't forget, make a comment before October 1st!

Sneak Peek-Washington, DC

2009-09-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with DC. It was amazing.

More to come.

:)

Sisters....Sneak Peak!

2009-09-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

More to come! :)

The Elsmore Family!

2009-09-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

I met Beth through a group of friends that I hung out with in my early 20s! (whimper. saying that line really made me feel old.) We became instant friends. We just clicked! As time went by we became really close and then Beth met Adam. Funny thing, I knew Adam before I knew Beth. Back in the day I played softball once a week with a bunch of people and Adam was one those guys! I always thought he was pretty cool, so he got a passing grade when he started dating Beth! ;) Soon they got married and left Vegas. I was so sad to lose not only one of my closest friends but one of my favorite married couples where I like BOTH of them! :) hahaha! (kidding, but really, I love them both)

I was extra excited when the Elsmore's were coming into town. I was even more excited when Beth asked that I take pictures of their family (okay, okay...I did tell her that I would have demanded to if she hadn't asked). It was GA-A-OOORGOUS outside during the photo shoot! We ran around and played in the grass. I had such a good time with their boys!

Here are some from the day:

Aaaand then we started to run around!!The artsy nerd in me loves this picture. A mom of only boys, Beth was hard to focus in on due to constantly running around! But it became a very happy accident!
Then we plopped down for a little rest! hahaha! :)I took their engagement pictures too. So it was kinda a full circle!
Loooooove this shot.

It's what I'm aaaBOUT-New Guilty Pleasure

2009-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

I LOOOOOOOOVE "Giuliana & Bill", it's a reality show about the marriage of Giuliana Rancic of "E!News" and Bill Rancic, the first winner of "The Apprentice".

It's on the Style Network, Wednesday nights at 9pm.

Giuliana is hilarious! I also love that she calls her hubby by his last name all the time...I guess that she calls a lot of people by her last name, but either way, it's funny!

I love that they are normal. And by normal I mean, she says "homie" as often as I do! hahaha! And he says and does things that are like any dude would to avoid a fight or further discussion. :)