Introducing Rachel Hulan of Hulan Design. 

Rachel is friendly, funny, very knowledgeable and way, WAY creative. She is totally UN-boring and loves putting her creativity to good use in order to find clever and unique solutions. And by focusing on incorporating sustainable design into what she does, she’s definitely created a niche for herself. Her resume speaks volumes (and you can read more about her here). But how do you get all of this information across to someone when they only have a few seconds to make up their mind? Why, with the addition of a few great photos, of course!

Rachel had recently re-branded her business and was about to launch the new website. What better time to start fresh with some new photos that go beyond the boring headshot? Enter the business casual portrait session. So much more than standard headshots, this portrait session is designed to tap into the person behind the business.

Details on Rachel’s session: though she travels all over the country for her business, home is where the heart is… as evidenced by the amazingly gorgeous home office she set up for herself. We started our shoot in there in order to showcase her space. While Rachel is quite modern and just the right amount of funky, there’s definitely a sense of history to her style, and she’s drawn to pieces with a story behind them… blending the old & the new in a fabulous kind of way.

Rachel also has a beautiful inspiration board set up which she is constantly adding to. So of course we wanted to capture just a glimpse of it. And check out that DESK of hers! It’s actually one of her favorite pieces and has been with her for a very long time. And the details… we just had to include one of her favorite pieces in the photos since it is pretty much a staple in her office… a simple white mug from The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

We decided to race the sunset and finish up our photo session in Laguna Beach. Just because we COULD. Ha! No, really… the beach is such a  beautiful place, and what better way to show off some of the Southern California scenery, right?

Now that you’ve been properly introduced, feel free to stop on by Rachel’s site and say hello.

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Ready to PLAY along? There’s still time to book a MINI-SESSION for yourself, taking place this Saturday.

So, we surprised her with a day of play. Fun, no-pressure, low-key PLAY.

(note: all photos were taken using the iPhone4 camera and processed using the Instagram app.)

at the El Capitan Theater… to see Beauty & the Beast in 3D

fantastic organist entertaining the audience before the show

hanging at the Hollywood & Highland center

freshening our makeup at the L’Oreal makeover tents

welcome to Venice Beach

Baby Blue’s BBQ

about to get our grub on…

pulled pork, beef brisket, sweet mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, collard greens, okra and cornbread. mmmmmmm…

canals at Venice

where people can get permits to tag the walls

artistic tagging

besties

moments like these take my breath away

skater boys

sunset and skater boys

the 3 muskateers

blacklight mini golf at Putting Edge

the coolest friendship bracelets ever

ending our day with nutella churros, dulce de leche & condensed milk churros, cream cheese & guava churros and sipping chocolate from Churros Caliente

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Ready to PLAY along? There’s still time to book a MINI-SESSION for yourself, taking place this Saturday.

The beach. In December. How awesome is that?!

The family was totally chill, too… totally up for whatever I suggested… which was pretty much just to wander the area and stop and play here & there. And play, we did.

click here to see even more of their session.

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Looks like FUN, right? Want to play, but still aren’t quite sure? I’ve got a FANTASTIC way for you to try out my portrait experience without investing a lot of time and money… with a fabulous MINI-PORTRAIT SESSION! Only $50 and ONE DAY ONLY. Click here for full details.

Mini-Sessions are BACK, and just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’d like a fabulous gift for your loved ones, a new image for your social networking sites, or simply missed out on taking family photos for the holiday, NOW is the PERFECT time to take some new portraits…

For only $50, you will receive:

     – 15 minute photo session

     – 15 fully-edited images hosted in an online gallery for 2 weeks

     – framed 5×7 print

And, as an added bonus, you will also receive a $25 credit towards a future FULL portrait session!!! 

Additional prints and products will also be available for purchase.

CLICK HERE for full details and to BOOK your mini-session NOW.

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Every night, it’s the same thing… Jasper will dig through the toybox, drag out everything he can, and spread it across the floor. If he does this while I’m working at the computer, I usually find myself circled by a ring of toys… making me feel like a giant in the village of “squeak-town.”

But no matter HOW many toys that accumulate (thanks to my mom & friends for spoiling my fur-baby)… there is ONE toy in particular that will always be his favorite.

His blue dragon. 

This toy has been loved to pieces. Quite literally. (I’m incredibly thankful that it’s machine-washable… ick.)

And there is a specific routine that Jasper has with his blue dragon, too. It’s quite intriguing. Makes me wish I spoke the language so I knew exactly what was going on in that doggy-brain of his.

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Step 1: Grab the dragon and drag it over to a participant in his game. (If that person is not a willing participant, place dragon on their foot repeatedly until they get the message.)

Step 2: As soon as person grabs dragon to toss it, play tug-of-war with it instead. If person lets go too soon, shove the dragon back in their hands.

Step 3: Play fetch with dragon a few times.

Step 4: Shake dragon in mouth as hard as possible, bending and twisting in incredibly stretchy ways.

Step 5: …CENSORED… (And yes, Jasper is neutered.)

Step 6: With mouth clamped firmly over the dragon’s head, bob doggy head up and down while kneading dragon body with puppy paws.

Step 7: Take a break to lick the dragon’s face.

Step 8: Fall asleep with dragon’s head in mouth.

It’s actually the cutest, strangest, and funniest thing I get to see every single day. (And if someone could please tell me what the heck this ritual means, I would greatly appreciate it.)

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pssssst… have you signed up for my NEWSLETTER yet? The January issue is on its way VERY soon. Be the first to not only find out about cool new stuff, but also the first to be able to sign up for MINI-SESSIONS (hint, hint). To sign up, just click on the red tab on the left and add your info. Easy-peasy.

So, while my stories (especially when that young) weren’t exactly thought-provoking works of art, it’s still incredibly neat for me to go back and READ these entries. These words give me a piece of MYSELF back… they remind me who I was, where I’ve been, and how far I’ve come.

I’ve kept diaries off and on ever since that time, and I continue to do so to this day. This year I’ve found the perfect way to combine images + words together, to capture my story even better.

Project 365 (+1).

Known as Project 365, it’s simply a decision to take one image each day of the year. (And since we’re in a leap year… there’s an extra +1.) I’ve always wanted to do this… to add daily imagery to my words, but it always seemed like such a huge undertaking. Till now.

With the help of my iPhone camera, instagram and blipfoto, I’ve decided to journal my year in a whole new way. Here is MY collection so far:

You can follow along here:

instagram: @chelbug  (or HERE via webstagram)
blipfoto: go HERE

…or play along from home, yourself. And if 366 pictures seems like TOO much of a commitment, just start smaller. How about taking one picture a week, and creating a Project 52 for yourself? Don’t beat yourself up because you’ve already missed a couple weeks. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss another one or two. Just pick up your camera and capture what you can.

Because words + imagery = a FABULOUS way to remember it all.

And if you DO play along… let me know where you’re doing so. I’d LOVE to follow YOUR stories, as well.

It was the night after our annual softball game. Usually both Sean and Van play the part of umpires, but in 2011 it was just Sean while Van watched on. We gathered after the game at their house for our celebration, where “awards” were handed out: the best player, the one who dropped the most balls, funniest play of the day, etc.  And then a final award (a Baby Ruth candy bar) was presented to Van for the best reason for NOT participating in the annual softball game. The group of us were momentarily puzzled. Then Sean turned up the song he’d cued on the radio: “She’s having my baby…”

And the room exploded into celebratory noise and commotion as we all rushed to the two of them with congratulatory hugs and squeals of joy.

Surrounded by friends and family, this couple made it through the pregnancy and was presented with the greatest gift of all… baby Ethan.

We could not stop laughing as this next picture was taken. I think Ethan might have been born a rockstar, because he struck the perfect little guitarrist pose and then held it for the longest time.

I smile to see the three of them together as a loving family unit, and look forward to getting to know Ethan even better in the years that follow.

CLICK HERE to see even more from their session.

I’m working out some final details, and will let you know as soon as things are ready to launch… but here’s some of the FUN-ness you can expect SOON:

* brand new, pretty and easy-to-maneuver website & blog, all in one!

* brand new client image galleries and shopping carts… much more  user-friendly and with BIG images to view

* super-cool “studio look-book” filled with LOTS of detailed info and images… including session details, how to prepare, FAQs, suggested photo displays, and details & pictures of each of my product offerings. Like a magazine and catalog rolled into one, and waaaay more fun than a simple pricing sheet.

AND, perhaps my FAVORITE new item…

* I’ll be offering an all-new DIGITAL package. This will include a DVD of ALL images from your session (high-resolution digital images for printing AS WELL AS low-resolution digital images for posting & sharing online), a fun slideshow video set to music, and even a DIGITAL ALBUM (.pdf format) ready to show off & share using your favorite electronic devices! (It’s kinda cool, if I do say so myself…)

So yeah, 2012 is gonna be epic. Or, as Barney Stinson (of How I Met Your Mother) would say… this year is gonna be LEGEND-(wait for it)-ARY. Legendary, people!

Who’s with me?! Let’s PLAY!!!

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And don’t forget… book a portrait session with me before January 31st and receive a custom accordion calendar personalized with your images.

In her original post, Jeanine shares  a letter she received from a client, which was left on her doorstep. Here are the words of that letter:

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons.  I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind.  I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby.  I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family.  After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you..  Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session.  Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip.  This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things.  My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor.  It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly.  I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice.  It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me.  The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them.  Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it.  If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth.  I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos.  I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

The original blog post of hers has been spreading through various social media outlets like wildfire. It’s become controversial, with some people applauding her for sharing her message, and others (a scant few) condemning her for this “obvious marketing ploy.”

In any case (and whatever your own views might be), seeing her words inspired me to write a few of my own…

I am a photographer. But more than that, I am a memory-keeper. Because time is cruel when it comes to remembering the details, but sometimes seeing an image can *spark* a memory that was just about extinguished. I have my own story to share. I originally posted this last year, but am inspired to post this again, since it is a BIG reason behind why I do what I do.

To remember…

That’s ME in the middle of the picture below. The one with bright maroon haircut in the shape of a bowl.  The one who hadn’t yet discovered the art of eyebrow waxing. The one who still suffered heavily from acne. I cringe when I look at myself in this image. But I wanted to share it, along with a few others, for a very important reason. Please read on…

These images were taken in March of 1999, during my trip with the Fullerton College Choir to China. It was a very interesting trip, complicated by the fact that I had gotten sick with bronchitis on the plane trip over there. And for 10 days, I lived off of NyQuil and DayQuil. But I DID it. I visited places I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I got a chance to perform a song, sung in a Chinese language (Mandarin), to the Chinese people. I even climbed the Great Wall, bronchitis and all. Because I could either embrace this opportunity for all it was worth, or give in, give up, and go back home. So I stayed, and gave it all I got.

And so, I have an album filled with grainy images from my trip to China. Bad haircut, bad skin and all. But these images are even more precious to me than you might think…

Please take just a second to notice the other person featured in all of these pictures I have posted here. This was my good friend, David Lam. Unfortunately, I have to say “was,” because about one month after returning back home from our trip, David was killed in a car accident. This happened 12 years ago, today… April 26, 1999. And as I get older, and my memories fade with each passing year, I look to these photos to help me remember him. Seeing these images triggers my memory to dig a little deeper, to draw to the surface what might have otherwise been lost. And suddenly I can see us both in the moments when the photos were actually taken… I can hear the sound of his voice, see the way he moved and facial expressions he wore… things that made up who he was. And I can remember.

My bad haircut is forgotten. It’s not important here; I don’t even notice it anymore. Instead, I will forever be grateful that I stopped for just one moment to have these photos taken. So, the next time you find yourself thinking, “I don’t want to have my picture taken because I don’t look good today,” or “I want to lose 10 pounds first,” or “I simply HATE having my picture taken,” please stop and think of this. It doesn’t matter if you don’t look perfect. This is your life, and you, or somebody you love, might want to look back on this very moment and remember it.

So, whether you get professional pictures taken by me, or you simply pick up your point-and-shoot or even your iPhone to capture your days, please do it. I can promise you that your bad hair day won’t even be an issue.

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One last thing to show you just how much pictures really matter… here is an image of Dave while we were in China. He had actually brought a framed picture of Catherine Zeta-Jones along with him so he would have something pretty to look at. I’m totally serious.  : )  And it still makes me smile.

I’m a big fan of technology (you can witness me hugging my iPad on a daily basis, and I pretty much have a death grip on my iPhone), but there’s just always been something NICE about the feel of a pen on paper. Of writing my words instead of typing them. And so, to this day, I still prefer to use a printed calender.

But I’m sick of the stodgy calendar. And yes, there are a lot of decorative ones, too, but sometimes they’re just a little too frou-frou for my taste. So this year I’ve decided to make my own by personalizing it with a few favorite PHOTOS.

And depending on what size/style you prefer, here are a few calendars that you might enjoy, as well:

Dry erase calendar from mpix.com

wall calendar from mpix.com

mini accordion calendar template from the album cafe

planners from blurb

And for those of you who would love to join in the fun… book a portrait session with me before January 31st and receive a FREE mini accordion calendar including images from your session!