some days i sit and shed a tear for all of the unblogged, amazing family sessions i have. i want to show them all to everyone, but can't figure out how to make the time.
since this was my second time photographing the kwong family, i wasn't about to let another opportunity to blog their gorgeous love slip by again....
WENDY LAUREL FAMILY SESSION
wendy, wendy, wendy. you may know her from her incredible film photography http://www.wendylaurel.com/
or as the creator of my favorite family photography blog http://letthekids.com/
but to me, wendy, welllll....
you know how they ask you in school---who do you admire? you do you look up to? who do you want to be like? and its really hard to think of an answer outside of your mom, or a teacher you had, or someone oprah famous (or should i say ellen, oprah was so 15 years ago)---for me that answer is wendy. a. she knows who she is. b. she's learned how to love that person. c. she loves her family way more than she loves herself and d. she doesn't let all the other b.s. and hullabaloo, keeping up with the joneses, mumbo jumbo, whatever you want to call it distract from what actually matters.
wendy has been trying to get me out to maui for quite some time to photograph her family in the gorgeous hawaii sun, and her beautiful white bedroom---and of course the day we scheduled to do it is the one stormy, rainy, dark (ish, i mean, come on, its still hawaii) day. i don't think it held us back one bit. wendy and her crew brought all the sunshine and rainbows we needed.
xxxxxx
Announcing the Yan Fam Way Workshop
announcing....
Its no secret that i go back and forth on whether or not to teach workshops. every time i've taken that leap the results have been above far beyond my expectation. i leave with my heart touched and inspired. i leave with the satisfaction of seeing the look on an attendee's face when you help them get a few bounds closer to realizing their own unique potential.
further, i love to teach. that love has been alive far longer than i've been a photographer. in fact, my bachelor's degree is in education. teaching is as much a passion for me as photography.
but.
the.
nerves.
the self doubt.
the fear of being thought a phony, even when you know you have something to give. the self imposed pressure to absolutely make sure you deliver on what you promise your attendees. because how could you possibly feel good about sending them home otherwise?
so i put myself out there, i pour every last part of me into the work and the teaching. i take a deep breath, say "ready, set, go....." and then----i'm shocked by the positive reception. the successes of those who come. this totally mental, possibly crazy emotional roller coaster i put myself through ends up being such an intense experience that afterwards i find myself retreating. to replenish. to evaluate. to take it all in, learn from what has happened, and re grow my courage, so to speak.
until i find myself at this place again. yanking at my eyebrows nervously, taking 2 hours to write a blog post announcement that should only have taken about 15 minutes.
ready, set, go.
the concept is simple. something intimate. somethething straightforward. something AFFORDABLE with a narrowed focus. a day with me teaching you everything i possibly can about what i love to photograph best - families. so come be with me for a day. if you wanna, because i'd love to meet you.
email me at photography.yan@gmail.com with questions.
*workshop is for film AND digital shooters *non refundable (see next note) *i reserve the right to cancel the workshop in the event that not all seats are filled. however, if the workshop is cancelled, you will be fully refunded.
buy seat for vegas:
buy seat for Salt Lake City:
kate
i've never seen a bride match the elegance of her name so perfectly.
Tamara and Isla in Old Montreal
Tamara was the right person to cross my path at a really difficult time. i will forever be greatful for her bright light and the evening i was lucky enough to photograph her with her beautiful daughter, isla in Old Montreal. and p.s. i still have just a few seats to my SLC Yan Fam Way workshop in April. and ONE seat left for the vegas slot in march. I'm really excited about how much content and fun we're packing into just one day. you can sign up via the paypal link in the blog post before this one. would love to see some of your mugs there!
