Bailey Island Wedding: Flor & Ri.

When I drove to Bailey Island to scout Flor and Ri’s wedding, I almost didn’t want to get out of my car.  The region was hit by a Nor’easter storm with heavy rain and gusty wind that lasted for days.  I didn’t have any rain gear on me.  I sat in my car, listened to the howling wind, and said a prayer hoping the sky would clear tomorrow, then jumped out and braved the rain.  As I talked to Flor, who seemed to be in impeccably happy spirits despite the weather conditions, I couldn’t help staring at the majestic ocean with soaring waves.  It was truly mesmerizing.

Luckily, the weather gods cooperated.  The storm blew through overnight, and by Saturday afternoon, there were little patches of blue in the sky. 

 

The wedding was an intimate affair, put together with the help of friends and families.  Flor and Ri have tons of awesome friends who took care of the catering, flower arrangement, decor, and even the wedding cakes. 

 

By the time the bride walked down the aisle, it was a beautiful summer day in Maine.

 

 

 

 

Dogs just love to play

Over Christmas holidays in 2013, my husband and I decided to adopt a little pup.  We named her Kona.  She was 3 months old when we adopted her, an Aussie Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix (we think).  Even though she has been living on the streets with a broken leg from a hit-and-run, she has tons of character and lots of energy.

One day after Kona’s arrival

Before long, I started documenting her time with us, and eventually, her play time with all the doggie friends she has met in the park.  Here are a few of them.

Her first friend Kasumi

Since she was a stray, at first we were concerned that she wouldn’t play well with others.  Turns out that we worried too much.  Within a week of visiting the park behind our house, Kona has made more friends than I did in the five years I’ve lived here.  Kasumi was her first friend.  From the first time they met, Kasumi was like a big sister to her.  Whatever Kasumi did, Kona followed.  She learned her first tricks from Kasumi.  When these two run, they look like two flying bullets darting across the field.

Kona learned her first tricks from Kasumi

 

Then we met Lady, a mild-tempered red-haired Golden Retriever who shares Kona’s love of tennis balls.  

Lady and Kona share a love for tennis balls

Lady is more like a mother figure for Kona.  Whenever Kona gets too rowdy or nippy, Lady sits on top of Kona and tells her to stop.  Their play time is often gentle and fun.

 

We thought that Kona might be a mix of Aussie Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and maybe Border Collie or Chow chow.  Sometimes she herds us when we walk her in the park, and sometimes she prances.  Like a sheep.

Baaaa…ram…you…

Frankie is a Terrier/Bassett Hound mix.   Don’t underestimate her prowess.  She might have short legs, but she’s an expert in chasing games, and she specializes in the “Frankie Rolling Technique”, aka the somersault.

Frankie and Kona

Frankie and Kona meets almost everyday for some play time in the park.  It’s unbelievably sweet how they wait for each other at their favorite place in the park for the other one to show up.  Whenever they play, we joke that it’s the Tough Mudder for dogs, because they always end up muddy, dirty, but super happy.

When Kona can’t keep up with Frankie, she holds on to Frankie’s leash, harness, or even her tail.

 

Chasing Frankie

Usually, Kona plays with one friend at a time.  A few days ago, we ran into Frankie AND Kasumi in the park at the same time.  They all made friends.

Kona, Frankie, and Kasumi chasing tails

Timmy watched the other dogs play

Timmy is a Chihuaua and Iba Shinu mix.  He was having a slumber party at Kasumi’s house over the weekend.  A little timid and shy, he watched the three dogs play for a while. 

Finally, he decided to join the party.  Here, he is whispering something in Kona’s ears, probably sharing some tricks about hiding socks and slippers.

“Just hide one of each pair of your Daddy’s socks…”

After three months with us, Kona has settled into her life nicely, with daily walks to the park and play dates.  Everyday we discover something about each other – it’s an adventure.  Just yesterday, she discovered her own reflection in the mirror.  I grabbed my camera just in time to capture her barking at the strange dog in the mirror.  Made me smile, and also made me realize that her puppyhood will fly by SO fast!

 

 

Hip hop Dancer Naomi

Naomi came to me two years ago for her headshot.  On the phone, she sounds super cute and sweet.  And in person, she’s just as adorable…until she started busting out her dance moves.  It was almost surreal – she moves with such energy and sassiness that people stopped to watch.

Two years later, she found me on my website, and asked to update her headshot after she got a brand new haircut.  She had a very specific location and look in mind.  So one early Saturday morning, I met up with her on a street in Hollywood.  Her new haircut gave her a funky look.  She told me that she was booked so many jobs from her last headshots – something I ALWAYS love to hear from my clients!

Then she pulled out her red stilettos and started dancing.  I thought I heard music…or was it just my imagination?  Cars drove by honking, people clapped, and I saw a star in the making.

For her second outfit, she picked a cute Hello Kitty shirt with a fuzzy winter hat.  Look how cute she is?!

Family tradition – Christmas photos

Another year has passed, and it’s time for my annual visit to photograph these girls for their Christmas portraits.  Their beautiful faces light up as they show me their favorite ornaments on the Christmas tree.  The season of love and giving – isn’t that what Christmas is all about?  I count my blessings, thankful that I have the chance to document not just their Christmases, but also their  childhood.

Lovely girls!

Noodles – from Asia to Europe

With ancestry from Northern China, I was brought up on noodles and dumplings.  One of my fondest childhood memories was sitting around the kitchen table with my mom, aunts and grandmother, listening to the women chat about life, while making dumplings together.  I don’t think I’ve ever met a kind of noodle I didn’t like: the Chinese knife-shredded noodle, pho, ramen, lasagna, pierogi, dumpling…

Therefore, I was ecstatic when I read an article about a journalist from China who traced the supposed journey of noodle from China to Europe.  Here’s an interview with the writer Jen-Lin Liu on Bon Appetit: On the Noodle Road.

I’m planning to get the book from the library as soon as possible and read up on her adventures with noodles.  Maybe I’ll even plan a trip following her journey.  Meanwhile, I guess I’ll reminisce some of my favorite noodles from around the world…

 

 

 

Devore No More: Giant Steps Away…

A dog lover ever since I was a little girl, sometimes I’d much rather spend time with a dog than hanging around people. One of my dreams as a kid was to make enough money for an animal shelter where I can keep all the stray dogs and cats away from harm.
New of the Devore Hoarding Dogs have been floating around my Facebook page for a while. Here’s an update on a few of the lucky dogs that were adopted by The Mutt Scouts… The conditions of the dogs were much worse than I expected. But, the improvements, even with just a little bit of love, is astounding…

Fall 2013 Wedding & Engagements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marie Chao Photography is now accepting reservations for Fall 2013 weddings and engagements!

Crystal Cove Beach Engagement Photo

Photographing Ava and Bruce was like reading a romance novel.  When they lock eyes with each other, the love is so thick that it makes me melt!

We picked a slightly European setting for the first part of the engagement photo session.  Who knew Orange County could double for cobblestoned Paris?

Then we moved to the Crystal Cove Beach for a more casual feel!

Crystal Cove Beach

Christmas Family Photo

Sisterly Love

This is my third year photographing these two beautiful sisters for their Christmas portraits.  It’s truly amazing to see how much they have grown!  Here they look like little princesses from a fairytale!

Flower girls

New England Wedding

Emily and John chose the historic landmark New Haven Lawn Club for their fall New England wedding.  Luckily, the weather cooperated, and although the sky was overcast, there was not a single drop of rain that day.

New Haven Lawn Club

The Lawn Club is a gorgeous and classic location, with vintage details everywhere.  Both Emily and John are classically trained musicians, and I can see why they have picked this location.

The ceremony took place at the hall overlooking the club

Emily and John are one of the most relaxed couples I have photographed.  They made it seemed like the whole wedding is a pleasant stroll in the park!

The rings

Emily’s beautiful dress and bouquet

John’s father also officiated the wedding ceremony.  Here, he goes over some last minute details with John before the ceremony began.

The Newly Weds

Mr. & Mrs.

Followed by the mid-morning ceremony is a scrumptious feast of brunch, complete with an omelette bar and trays of desserts.  This is my first time photographing a brunch reception, and I have to say, it’s a lot of fun!

The Omelette Bar

Desserts!