I wasn't really looking....I started off seeing people's facebook photo posts online and I started looking at the company that took their engagement, baby, wedding photos. I found that Hong Photography photos were very beautiful, light, whimsical so I decided to look further into the company. I looked into their website and I found out the many different kinds of photos they took whether it be babies, pets or wedding. Overall I like the quality of the images that were taken so I decided to email them about the package prices. At first when the photographer sent me the package pricing I thought it was too pricey at that time so I blew it off. This year I decided to go for it. I was worried about my appearance, not being as fit as I wanted too, my fine lines etc. But I realized time was too short to care about the little things in life so I realized since I was turning 30 I decided to go for it. As a gift to myself.
So once I decided I wanted to get the photos taken I waited to hear back regarding an appointment booking. That took a little longer then expected. I thought the photographer was probably swamped with things to do. Last minute she finally contacted me regarding a day that would work for the both of us.
Next thing was to book all my appointments. Firstly it was the hair. I had to dye my roots and change my hair color. I went to Chura to do that. Got a trim as well. Next was my nails and my eyelash extensions which I had done at Pure Essence on Arbutus. I decided to go for the gel nails with the white nail tips and a full set of eyelashes as well as my pedicure with a simple pink nail polish.
Afterwards I decided to book a spray tan because I just came back from Hawaii in January and I had a underwear tan so I was hoping that would cover it. My overall experience was it was too orange. My hands and feet were too orange and that showed in the photos. I wish I had spray tan a couple of days before so I can wash it off slightly to get the orange off.
There are a lot of rules of things to think about before taking photos:
1. Hair must not be washed 2 days prior to the photoshoot so the updo or hairstyle will keep its place
2. You must not use oily products near the eyes because the eyelashes would fall off.
3. Must wash your hands a certain way to avoid the spray tan from drying a certain way. Sometimes it would show the water residue on your hands.
Then I had to go shopping for new clothes, shoes, accessories.
When I first got to the place there was instructions of when you should be there 5 mins before apt no earlier no later and no later then 5 mins after your scheduled appointment time.
For someone who travels around on the bus that was super difficult to plan ahead. But I did it.
I arrived at a beautiful french loft. The photographer felt like she just woke up. The loft was her place of residence. The makeup artist was late so I decided to take out my outfits I had 4 in total. The limit was 3. I got everything out and placed neatly on the couch and soon after the make up artist arrived.
Her name was Anita Lee and she was amazing at what she did. She is a makeup artist teacher at VCC (Vancouver Community College) and a hairdresser at a salon.
She did an amazing job in making me look beautiful. The conversation I had with her was interesting and appealing. I had a lovely time with her.. After the make up and hair session it was time for me to get my photos taken.
Ellen Ho was my photographer. She was very pretty I loved her bangs. It really framed her face. She was nice and so was her little dog, Ginger. During my session I wished she gave me more direction but she did make me feel comfortable. Overall the photos looked great. My photos came online the night of the day of my session.
My overall feelings of the shoot. I felt more confident, more beautiful and I realized that even with or without photoshop I still look the same. And the photos that weren't photoshopped I looked amazing. I loved my photos. There were definitely some awkward ones but overall it was great.
I've decided to create a photobook for myself for memories. Overall would I do it again? yes I would...I am already thinking of doing couple photos with my bf next year, engagement, wedding, baby photos. I'm not sure if I would stick with Hong Photography for all the photos but probably for sure the couple photos. Until next time...Ciao!
