shiela hizon

Sorina & David [Wedding]

A week after their Asian ceremony, Sorina and David Highfield exchanged vows at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. We had a long day, but it was an eventful one. The reception was crazy fun: so many people! Some familiar faces were a sight for sore eyes [Pamela, Melissa, Veronica, Edith, Keith, Dennis and Sekla]… It’s been too long since.

To the happy couple, it was a pleasure. I wish you both nothing but the best.

[*passage shown below]

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [John 13:34-35]

A Week of Photography in Review

I graduated from Hallmark Institute of Photography and walked away not only with a great education but some wonderful friends. We just finished a workshop in Balboa, CA and it was amazing. Having my colleagues around was an aphrodisiac and I took so many photos. Everyday that I held my camera, I looked at my environment differently. Nothing was normal anymore.

Following are some of my favorite takes.

A Baby’s Birth

December 30th, 2007, my sister Elena gave birth to Garrick Josh Lo. He’s adorable.

January 22nd, 2008, my other sister Ella gave birth to Maribelle Kayleene Quintos. She’s a beauty.

I was there for that long night on January 21st. I thought I’d stay for an hour or so, but then I couldn’t leave. I had to see it through. Though I didn’t get home until 4am, I didn’t feel any exhaustion. My fatigue was nothing compared to my sister’s.

It’s truly a wonder seeing a new person be brought into this world…

Sorina & David [Asian Ceremony]

I got a pleasant call from a high school friend when she told me she was getting married. I hadn’t seen Sorina for a good five years though we’ve known each other since we were in middle school. Besides being a guest, Rina asked if I’d photograph her wedding. Oh, and that there would be two ceremonies: an Asian ceremony and a Christian ceremony the following weekend. I was taken aback when I realized that the Asian Ceremony was going to kickoff the next day. No pressure, right?

With a bit of schedule rearranging, I was able to cover the Asian Ceremony the next day. The intricate preparation for the bride and her ladies, from the clothing to the jewelry–tiara, earrings, bracelets, etc–was beyond anything that I have ever seen. I walked away from the event realizing that though a wedding is a joining of two individuals, it was also about bringing families together.

Sorina and David, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding. It was a great way to end 2007 and start off 2008.

NOTE: I’m doing some final edits but will be posting some of the Christian ceremony photos soon. So, stay tuned for my next post…

A Different View

Inspired.

I had an instructor ask his students how long they were inspired after hearing a great lecture. Then, I claimed i was inspired all week. Looking back, I realized I was inspired for a day. I sit in and listen to a great photographer talk about his experiences, methods and recommendations. I’d take pages of notes thinking how I would do what he/she says. But then the next day comes, and already my overactive mind has moved on to a new concept, topic or idea.

Now, I realize it’s not about holding on to an inspiration. It’s about building on to it and remembering.

As a photographer, I have archives of photographs. I’ll forget about an image, a scene or a moment. Today, I want to remember a beautiful moment.

The image below was taken at my friend’s apartment. I glanced outside and saw the sun disappearing behind the horizon. The sky was changing to a darker shade of blue. Cars were speeding by on the highway. The apartment was sparse, but that’s not a complaint.
The scene was set.
I was ‘looking’.
All that was left was for me to capture it.