And what a year it’s been.

This year was the first year I got myself a studio, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I’d made to grow my business. While it’s been a scary milestone, I am so proud of this space that has come to represent my “style”, if there ever was one. When someone looks at a picture I’ve taken and is able to recognise it as my work, it is because of this space. It has allowed me to develop this “brand”, if you will and for that, I am truly grateful.

This was also the year I invested in my journey back to film. In that, I made so many new friends through Film is Not Dead. This was a pivotal point in my career as a professional photographer, the decision to incorporate this beautiful medium into what I truly believe now represents the soul of what my work has become. While I won’t ever give up on digital, I am arriving at a happy fusion of the two that not only is magical but makes me happy. And that has become essential to keep my going for art is a passion that burns fierce and too hot sometimes for me, so much so that I am easily burnt out (forgive the deluge of metaphors!). It is hard to stay genuinely inspired in a market saturated with the same ideas. However, each time I get a scan back, each time I commune with my fellow film shooters, this passion is reignited. For that, I thank my dear friend Catherine. Thank you for introducing me to your world, without which I would forever been content wandering idiotically through a wasteland of tacky mediocrity. And thank you, Jon, for being so REAL about it all.

Thank you to my family for enduring another year of half-assed being-there but always backing me 100% without fail because for SOME reason, you still believe I am capable of so much more because I AM.

Most of all, thank YOU, JTPA friends, new and old. I must also apologize for having sometimes been overzealous in my desire to please and to be perfect, and in that, succeeded miserably in achieving neither. I’m afraid the passion is also the poison.

Auld lang syne, 2011 and hola 2012.

Surprise me

Trisha and Ali got married in a civil ceremony one year today. They decided to finally have their reception. A simple dessert dinner with lots of good music – and liquor! My kind of party Congrats and Happy Anniversary Trisha and Ali!

Venue: Embassy Suites, Bellevue

When I met Julie and Luc at a local Starbucks almost a year ago, I knew instantly that these were people I could hang out with. Easygoing, funny, charming and photographers themselves! After the meeting, I remember thinking that if they’d hired me for their wedding, it would be SUCH an honor. A few days later, after a few email exchanges on the details, the deal was done. I could not stop smiling.

Julie and Luc met at an Art Wolfe seminar and their story, as told by various friends and family members at their wedding, is romantic, funny and just warms the heart. From their engagement pictures to their Trash the Dress (below) session, I could not help but feel their deep love for each other.

By the way, Julie has her own photography business and used to be a photo journalist – check her work out at www.fotomura.com).

It has been a privilege to get to know both of you, Julie and Luc. I wish us many years of friendship together!

Venue: Delille Cellars, Redmond WA
Venue for TTD: Pioneer Square
Second shot by Hannah Marie Photography and assisted by Bryce Graff
Wedding makeup by Jena Easton (who also makes cakes by the way!)
Trash the Dress makeup by Samantha Ang of Samantha’s Paintbox

This wedding is extra special because everything was made by Abby’s super mom Debbie, or by church friends and family members. Also, it’s my first mostly indoors wedding because it was pouring out. And on top of lighting challenges, the hotshoe on my brand new PocketWizard MiniTT1 broke. Literally. Into pieces. So I had to scramble and light using just one strobe. My fabulous assistant and friend Amber was a trooper and helped me through it all with my white reflector.

11.7.2009
Ceremony: Christ Church Kirkland
Reception: Northshore Baptist Church
Cake: Abby’s sister Tiffany Sutton
Food: Abby’s mom Debbie and her church buddies. And they fed like 400 people too!
Gown: Abby’s mom! I know, can you believe it?!
Makeup: Abby’s friend Andrea who will be graduating soon from beauty school.

Thanks for a great experience, Abby, Rick and most of all, Debbie. You are an inspiring and amazing mom!

For more weddings, please visit jennifertai.net

Where: Normandy Park WA
When: July 2009

Where: Shilshole Beach Resort, Seattle WA
When: July 2009

I second-shot with the fab Lawrence Kim for this Chinese wedding. Irony is this is my first Chinese wedding (I’m Chinese). It was good fun, really colorful and I learnt a lot from Lawrence.

Bruce and Mabel paying respects to their ancestors at the start of the tea ceremony.

Beautiful tea cups for the tea ceremony.

The beautiful Holy Sacrament Parish in Seattle.