Yummy Goodness!

I'm not talking about food.  I'm talking about yummy babies!   All babies are adorable, but I must admit that I have a soft spot for the chubby ones.   There's no other time in life when it is cute and completely acceptable to have stomach rolls!

I was so thrilled when my friends allowed me to photograph their little girl, Ella.  She's an absolute dream.  An interesting mix of Filipino, African-American, and Iranian - the result is strikingly beautiful.   It's multiracial babies like Ella that briefly shake our "current" stance on not having children.   Being Filipino and my husband a mix of Mexican, German, and Hungarian descent, it's tempting to wonder what our children would look like.  

GQ Kids

There's nothing more adorable than little boys in a suit and tie!   A few years ago, I was assigned to create a series of photos based on a common theme for a photography class.  I decided to do it on children.  Although it may have been overly simplistic, I thought, "I love photography and I love kids - what a perfect combination for me!"

While in class, the students were amazed and asked me how I got the children to wear suits.   While dressing up is reserved for special occasions for most people, in my world, finding little children dressed up and little boys in suits and ties is not uncommon at all.   

In this photo, I love how you can see Elijah's affection for his little brother while connecting with the camera at the same time.  

All of Manny's photos had a sense of innocence and wonderment in his facial expressions, this one above, no less than the others.

The combination of the pin-stripe pattern and the peak lapels contribute to the vintage, "bygone-era 

feel to this photo.  His facial expression and hand position are perfection!

Late Bloomer

It's cherry blossom time!   After weeks of waiting, the blossoms are finally out.  

I drive frequently in and out of Washington DC, and it's amazing how many tourists come for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The crowds have been coming in as early as 3 weeks ago when there was nothing on the trees.   "I hope you enjoy visiting the Jefferson Memorial because that's all you're going to see," I thought to myself several times these past few weeks as I watched people hopelessly walking toward the Tidal Basin.  

Growing up in the DC area,  the cherry blossoms are just one of the many local sites that typical Washingtonians take for granted.    I've never been to the White House, for example.    But I guess there's something dreamy and ethereal about these pink flowering trees that keep people coming back for more.   Despite the horrible traffic, the lack of parking spaces, the annoying crowds, somehow, people are still drawn to these trees.

The last time I saw the Cherry Blossoms was in 2010.   Before that,  it might have been 2005.  Perhaps, I'll wait until 2015.

Here's a photo taken back in 2010.