Valerie and Patrick: Save the date!

Valerie and Patrick are getting married next year! I can't tell you where and when but we know it is going to be a great event at an exotic location ;p

They want to send out their save the date cards to families and friends soon so we went out and here are some of our favs from the shoot.

Daniel's Bar Mitzvah

Warnings: there will be a lot of images in this post ;p I can't help it. There were tons of great moments and details and we had such a good time photographing Daniel Sanders'Bar Mitzvah. The Ceremony was held at The Ritz Carlton in Dallas. We also would like to give some props to Mary-Frances Hurt and Karen Rector from DFW Events, what a wonderful job you ladies did. Check out some of our favs.








Explaining the meaning of some of the ceremony.




An overall shot of the ceremony.




Daniel's dad was saying how it's much harder these days to kiss the top of Daniel's head, but it looks like he managed. ^_^


The Torah.


"Nope... it's not a Vulcan symbol" said Rabbi Jeffrey. Then he proceeded to tell the congregants where Leonard Nimoy (Spock) got that Vulcan salute from.




A kiddush Luncheon.




Maharilika Dancers.


Everyone getting dance lessons. ^_^








Reception at The beautiful Marie Gabrielle. Cocktails and hors d’vhoures in the garden. All the kids and adults mingled and had a good time.






Guess what theme are they going for?! ;p Wonderful details of everything, we are seriously impressed!!!




Blessing given by Craig Sanders.


Surprise! They made the all-glass wall into a live aquarium!






Moved out to the Aqua Lounge after dinner. And... the action starts!


Daniel and his friends making a flipbook! A neat party favor from PicFlips.


The diver and the clown fish get in on the dance action.




PileUp! Daniel is under there somewhere.


Mary Frances Hurt on the Surf Machine.

Cocktails for a Cause

I am honored to a part of "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraiser, a charity fundraiser benefiting ATG Against The Grain Productions' community outreach initiatives and orphanages in Vietnam. Their theme for this event is showcasing the work of up and coming Asian American photographers. Each of us (photographers) will auction off one special 'Hope" themed print for charity, so don't miss out the opportunity to help raise money for a worthy cause!

Date: Friday, September 25, 2009
Time: 9:30pm - 11:30pm
Location: Dallas Center for Architecture


Also check out the Dallas premiere of Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam! An award-winning documentary screening with filmAsiafest at 7 pm at the Dallas Museum of Art. A Q&A with the producing team will follow, with several of the cast in attendance.

What it's about:
"Operation Babylift" was a $2 million US initiative that airlifted over 2,500 Vietnamese orphans out of a war-torn country to protect them from the impending threat of the Communist Regime. Coined by some as "one of the most humanitarian efforts in history," it was also plagued by lawsuits and political turmoil. Even with the best intentions, these adoptees grew up facing a unique set of challenges in America, including prejudice overshadowed by a controversial war and cultural identity crisis. Now, almost thirty five years later, this documentary takes a candid look at a significant yet untold event as seen through the eyes of the volunteers, parents, and organizations directly involved, as well as uncovers the "lost" stories of the the adoptees and who they have become as adults.

Follow the link to see more details here: http://www.againstthegrainproductions.com/