Daniel’s Bachelor Party

June 4th, 2011:

Next weekend Daniel, one of my best friends, will be getting married to Scherrie – but before that can happen we were required to head out for one last weekend of intoxicated debauchery to celebrate all that is man. We spent the long weekend in a house on golf course drinking too much, eating too much and other forms of assorted overindulgence. Here are a few of my favorite images from the weekend that incriminate no one (sorry – for the well being of everyone, I had to leave those out…)

This random dude was on the streets at 2:30am and insisted I take his picture so he can be in the newspaper. I tried to explain I wasn’t with the paper, but he wouldn’t have it. Glad I got the shot anyways.

4am on the putting green, sobering up and photographing the few stars that were out.

Liz + Brent: ‘I Do’ at Tivoli Too

May 31st, 2011:

Liz & Brent came recommended to us last year from John (who is one of their co-workers), shortly after his and Nathasha’s wedding. We had a great time shooting their after-dark engagement session in downtown LA last November, and before we know it, it was time for their wedding – one of the two we shot shortly after returning from Singapore.

Laguna, Beach, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, California, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Destination, Tivoli, Too

This Mikimoto pearl necklace was Liz’s “something borrowed”, kindly loaned to her by Brent’s Mom Debbie. The necklace goes back a long way: It was a gift Debbie’s Dad brought from Japan for her mother.

Laguna, Beach, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, California, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Destination, Tivoli, Too

Kudos to Liz’s bridal party who, without hesitation, kicked off their high heels and struck a pose on the sand as we did photos before they headed over to Tivoli Too for the ceremony & reception.

The overcast day caused some concern, seeing as both the ceremony and reception were outdoors. Thankfully, the skies held up, and the dense cloud cover meant nice diffused light which made for awesome pictures without harsh shadows. Perfect natural lighting!

Laguna, Beach, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, California, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Destination, Tivoli, Too

Laguna, Beach, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, California, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Destination

Laguna, Beach, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, California, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Destination, Tivoli, Too

Congrats Liz & Brent!

All I Want for My Birthday…

May 28th, 2011:

Today I turn 32 and over the course of the last few months I have been staring at my bike hanging on the garage wall – longing to be taken out – but I have always been “too busy” and/or lazy. Then a few days ago as I started researching how to sign Robert Paetz Photography up to be a contributing member of 1% For The Planet, I came across this “Climate Ride”. It is essentially a 320 mile ride down California’s coastline starting in Fortuna and ending in San Francisco with the added benefit of supporting a cause I adamantly believe we need to concern ourselves with – climate change.

Now some of you may remember back in 2006 when I successfully rode 500 miles from Santa Monica to San Francisco, over 10 days, with a tent and a sleeping bag strapped on the bike. So, when I started thinking about tackling the next 320 miles of coastline whilst raising awareness and money for this cause, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I kept bringing it up to Felicia, and she could tell I was excited. She cautiously reminded me that I would have to get back in riding shape to tackle the 80+ mile days that take over the course of the 5 day ride. all the while not wanting to diminish my excitement. I mulled it over for a few days, kept worrying about how I would ever meet the fundraising goals and finally registered and made the commitment to raise $3000 for this cause.

Instantly I have been given a twofold goal of bringing Climate Change awareness to this blog as my primary public platform and forcing me to oil up the chain on my bike and head out for some long rides. This is a new year of my life and I get to start with some renewed goals.

Now for the part where you come in: Family, Friends, Acquaintances and Random Readers – all I want for my birthday this year is your support in reaching my fundraising goal. Just click the “Climate Ride” link below, and give what you can. $5, $25, $50, $100 – it doesn’t matter. Every little bit helps.

Thank you.

Jo + Red | Middle Ranch

May 23rd, 2011:

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Jo and Red got married at Middle Ranch, a wedding full of handmade details that would make any DIY-er proud. Felicia was especially intrigued by Jo’s use of a ‘Silhouette’ cutter – a gadget like a printer, but instead of printing, it has a blade that cuts whatever shapes/words you want. I suspect Felicia might want a Silhouette now, although I’m not sure what she wants to make with it… Anyway, Red was not to be outdone, handcrafting wooden signs, boxes and other projects that added to their woodland-themed wedding.

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Jo and her sister, Becky, found it absolutely necessary to jump on the couch – and why not?. Of course Felicia and I began shooting at 7 frames per second to capture the perfect mid-air jump.

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Jo and Red love camping in the great outdoors, and chose to have a symbolic ‘tree planting’ to commemorate their marriage.

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Instead of a wedding cake, Jo and Red had cookies & shots of milk served to guests instead. A very delicious idea indeed.

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Don’t challenge them on how low they can go.

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Yes, at some point in the evening there was a chicken fight dance-off between the Jo and her bridesmaid Niki and Red and his groomsman Aaron.

Middle, Ranch, Wedding, Tujunga, Canyon, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, DIY

Another very happy couple that we’re very thrilled for! One of our greatest job perks: being surrounded by super happy people every week!

Anggia + Andi | Santa Monica & LACMA

May 18th, 2011:

Santa, Monica, Engagement, Photography, Session, Los Angeles, Wedding, Photographer

Anggia and Andi gave us a call after being recommended our way by Michelle (who we photographed in/around Vegas in March). Despite being based in San Diego, they wanted their engagement shoot to include unique locations in Los Angeles. They decided on Santa Monica Pier and LACMA, which I have to agree, are major LA landmarks. We started at the pier, and even though we were kicked out of the “Fun Zone” (not so fun when security says “No pictures!”), thankfully the rest of the pier provided lots of photo-ops.

Santa, Monica, Engagement, Photography, Session, Los Angeles, Wedding, Photographer

Everyone was famished by the end of the photoshoot – with 3 outfit changes, no less! – and Andi & Anggia were very generous to buy us dinner at a well-known Indonesian restaurant here in Los Angeles, introducing Felicia and I to their hometown cuisine. I loved the food so much I even bought some sambal terasi (a spicy chili pepper paste) from the grocery store attached to the restaurant! Mmmm…..

The Reason We Came

May 17th, 2011:

Our second to last day in Singapore was the one year anniversary of Felicia’s fathers death – and the reason for this entire trip to Singapore. Arthur passed away from lung cancer with his wife by his side and his daughter across the Pacific. Felicia had seen him a few weeks prior to his death and had those very important conversations while he was still lucid and aware, but this was the first visit since his death and our first trip to the cemetery.

Standing in the slow drizzle, we placed flowers, incense, food, beer (his favorite) and the quiet prays of Felicia’s mother on his grave. Needless to say, it was an emotionally taxing day for everyone and the grief I saw in Felicia’s eyes only increased my feelings of ineptitude at comforting my wife during this time.

Watching my new family come together around Arthur’s headstone makes me realize how short life can be, how important our loved ones are, and reconfirms my belief that everyday has to count – because before we know it, we will all return to the earth.

The Lee Family

May 12th, 2011:

Singapore, Family, Photography, Travel, Asia, Ann, Siang, Hill, Photographer

During our shoot with Bernie and her family at the airport, Samantha had tagged along, and ultimately proved very helpful as a second assistant, helping with lighting and taking care of everyone’s belongings.

By the end of the shoot, Sam was brimming with excitement and wanted to have pictures done with her family too. Thankfully a quick preview of Bernie’s session was sufficient to convince Samantha’s family to also have a photoshoot of their own.

Luckily for me, the Lees are a super fun bunch and needed very little coaxing or direction, preening and posing with confidence despite the sweltering heat and a surprising number of mosquitoes that were buzzing around Ann Siang Park!

Singapore, Family, Photography, Travel, Asia, Ann, Siang, Hill, Photographer

Felicia and I had a lot of fun on this shoot, and definitely enjoyed the yummy kaya toast and iced tea that they bought for us after! Thanks Sam & family!

“Uncle Rocket, take my picture”

May 10th, 2011:

Each of our Saturdays in Singapore were filled with one, if not two, photoshoots, and on this overcast day, the Ongs braved a slight drizzling rain for a humid photoshoot in the park.

Their 3-year-old, Evan, certainly made up for his sleepy little sister’s meekness. He sprang out of the car and called me “Uncle Rocket” (his Mommy had prepped him to say hello to “Uncle Robert”, but I guess “Rocket” is close enough, and probably sounds a lot cooler to a kid), and then apparently he went home and made pretend phone calls asking for me to take more photos of him.

He has the best impish little grins, doesn’t he?

My favorite photo of Erin: a one-tooth, squinty grin!

Thanks Chocks & Edmund for having us photograph your beautiful family, and even bravely having lunch with us even though I sweat so much and probably stank really bad!

In The Airport

May 6th, 2011:

Rain is inevitable on the equator, and it always seems to come at the worst time – like when you have a family photo session scheduled. Fortunately for the Low family, rain doesn’t matter, they just quickly rescheduled to Singapore’s Changi Airport, one of the few uncrowded (and air conditioned!) spaces in Singapore. That said, the air-conditioning didn’t stop me from profusely sweating. Sweating so profusely that Mrs Low actually referred to me as a “han bao bao”, a pun where she meant “sweat baby” instead of the regular transliteration for “hamburger”.

I’m glad everyone had a good time, and I’m really darn glad that Singapore’s airport – ranked World’s Best Airport for many years now – also has a nice range of cool backdrops!

Justin + Cindy – Marina Barrage

May 5th, 2011:

Singapore, Engagement, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Travel, Marina, Barrage

When word got out that Felicia and I were going to be back in Singapore we received half a dozen inquiries about doing various photoshoots. Even though we were supposedly on vacation, we still were able to make our schedules work for 4 of these clients and kept ourselves overly busy during the entire stay. If we had an empty Saturday afternoon, we booked it up with a photoshoot.

Cindy and Justin were actually surprised by their friend, Bryan (who is an ex-collegue of Felicia’s), who paid for the shoot and told them to dress like they were headed to a fancy dinner, then he introduced them to Felicia and I and sent the four of us on our way for a sunset/twilight shoot at Marina Barrage. Even though the session was a complete surprise, Justin and Cindy took it in stride and instantly became models for us, and although it may not look it from my pictures, the entire area was absolutely jam packed with people on a Saturday evening — as is the situation for almost the whole of Singapore.

After working with this spectacular couple for about an hour and a half, I changed out of my sweat saturated shirt (Singapore is ALWAYS hot) and we four met back up with Bryan and another ex-collegue of Felicia’s for a dinner of chicken rice and conversation about the upcoming Singapore elections.

Singapore, Engagement, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Travel, Marina, Barrage