Making Memories

Hey there~ How is your summer treating you? It feels like the time is flying away (million times faster in Summer) and we are moving into August in few days.

Guess what~ I just received the family photos taken by our amazing photographer, Hendry, who incredibly captured our final day in Seoul, Korea. (THANK YOU Hendry~ this is exactly what I wanted!) Just few weeks ago, we had the best time making memories there. If you are like me, you would take tons of photos of what you see, eat, and do during the family vacation. I always think that the scenes and experiences would last forever or at least for a while if I record everything then and there.. Because I take pictures and record videos to enjoy later, my precious moments should not fade, right?

In real life though, after returning home totally relaxed and refreshed, the unforgettable memories we just made start to melt away immediately. By the time we unpacked eight suitcases filled with the souvenir and laundries, almost all fresh feelings and amazing memories are all forgotten. At least it does to me. There are so much at work to catch up, so much housework to do, and so much sleep to recover! The boys have their camps to go and we have business trips to leave waiting for us. All of these busy-ness around our lives force us to forget the special moments we thought we could cherish forever sooner than anticipated.

This year was no different. Especially there was a 14 hour time difference ( jet lag ), I forgot almost everything already! So sad~ I bet I would have lost all my memories if I did not record it to my instagram. The other day, all my boys were gone to their trips and camps, I was sitting in the kitchen table looking at my instagram pictures (because I miss my boys dearly) and got the email with this picture of us. It brought me tears instantly. THIS!!! is nothing compare to my instagram feed which I posted realtime to record every single moment of our vacation to remember! This picture of us running on the old street in Seoul brought the emotion and feeling I felt at the moment back to real life right away!!! It is absolutely amazing how a picture can open the door to connect the moments like this.

I appreciate it so much. I just kept staring at the picture of us for a long time and cried. The memories were alive again because of this amazing reminder.

Maybe it is because “I” was in the photo? Maybe it is because the photographer captured us in a great timing? Maybe it is because everyone was holing hands and smiling? Maybe it is all of the right reasons….

It was p.e.r.f.e.c.t~~~

This image will be printed and displayed in my family room soon to remind us of our togetherness everyday. I am convinced (AGAIN) to photograph my clients the same way every time. Just can not wait to let you all feel how amazing it will be~~

xoxo,
Kyung

LOVE & TOGETHERNESS portrait special

Happy Valentine’s day my friends~

This time of the year, I have a marathon of celebrations in my family. Both my boys have their birthdays, my wedding anniversary, plus my favorite St. Valentine’s Day all fall into the first half of February. Can you imagine how crazy is to handle all four celebrations in two weeks? Back to back birthday parties and gifts, cakes and goodies… all are fun, but exhausting at the same time! I am so relieved at least half of those are done by now!

What are the things do you do to celebrate Valentine’s day with your loved ones?

Sending messages of love and affection to friends and family? Gifting a meaningful symbol of love, like a beautiful bouquet of roses? Going out for a fancy lunch or dinner? A nice box of chocolates and delicious bag of black tea are my favorites to give and receive. Hand written notes with blueberry pancakes are the old time classic from my boys…

Whatever you do, what you want the most must be to be together and celebrate LOVE with them!!

This Valentine’s Day season, I am thrilled to introduce you a very special portrait experience at Yellowhale Portrait studio to do just that. If you are following my work for a while, you must know my style already. I am drawn to the images that are genuine and uncluttered. It was never about fancy props or busy backgrounds. It is always about the person in front of my camera. While I tried to create the most beautiful portraits that embrace the essence of the person and capture his/her genuine feelings, LOVE & Togetherness sessions were born. Uncluttered background and minimalistic (and flattering) lighting eliminate all the distractions. Every time you look at the images, you will be presented with the true emotion that connects you to the moment you shared. These portraits will bring the most honest beauty, character, and expression of the person you love. Many said that the images beams out who he/she is exactly and that was the moment that they want to remember forever. Because it is done at the studio, no cold weather or snow day matters! Not to mention the portrait special we are running now through 3/30!

If your little one had a recent birthday like mine, or if your 10th wedding anniversary is around the corner, or just because… LOVE & Togetherness session will be a perfect way to celebrate!!!

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LOVE & Togetherness Portrait Special

Now through Mar 31st, 2019 or until the all 7 openings are filled (whichever comes first), you will enjoy the exclusive benefits including:

A Special Session Offer— a $99 session: 45 min studio sessions* now through April 30th 2019 ($300 value).

A Free Gift — receive a free fine art print in 8x10 with any purchase now through April 30th 2018. ($250 value)

** Call 202.870.6773 to schedule your FREE consultation today!

*Must book your portrait session by March 31, 2019. The session fee is due at the time of booking. The fee covers the pre consultation, the photo session, and presentation with Kyung. The session is 45 mins and will produce 15~20 images to choose from. All prints and art products are separate to purchase at a selection meeting. The session must take place now through April 30th 2019. Valid for Thursday - Saturday studio sessions only. Age 6 month and up for children. Immediate family members only. Offer can not be combined with any other offer or discount. All sessions subject to availability and additional blackout dates may apply. There are no refunds, exchanges, or adjustments to previous orders. Normal service charges apply to orders placed after April 30th, 2019. Offer may be revoked at any time.

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Can not wait to see you soon!

xoxo,
Kyung

Best Wishes to You and Yours!

Another year is coming to an end.

Personally and professionally, 2018 was the busiest year of all for us. I am so grateful profoundly to new and old families - and to make wonderful friends at the studio and to have healthy and happy teen boys ( both are taller than me now ~ surprise!) at home.

There are so many reasons to be thankful, but most of all, I want to thank you all for your trust and support. Thank you so much. It became such a sweet ritual to make my yearly holiday ornaments for all our clients this time of the year. When I decorate my Christmas tree with those familiar happy faces, it just remind me of how much love and happiness that there was to capture.

Thank you so much for sharing your life with me. I can not wait to catch up with you in the new year! Wishing you the very special holidays and the most exciting new year!

photo by Wilde Sparrow Photography, Hawaii

Here is my holiday family picture of the year. The picture was taken when we went to Big Island last summer. Like Dr. Seuss said once, "you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory," it is so true every moment counts... and when I look at this picture of us, there are fireworks bursting in my heart with joy and thanks. With all said, I want all YWP family and friends to have the most value of memories to treasure.

Much love from my family to yours.

Kyung & YELLOWHALE

Happy Mother's Day, Moms!

Happy Mother’s Day, moms! 

Another year has gone and another year to be thankful to you for all of your love, support and inspiration. I hope you enjoy your littles more and do less of your regular duties today. Really!

In fact, I want you to STOP what you are doing now and to play a fun game. I know you have a keen eye and you can definitely pin point the right couple in no time.  I have picked four Yellowhale newborns and their moms (See the pictures below). I want you to match each baby and which belly (s)he came from. Here is how you play. All rules must be followed to be able to enter. 

1. FOLLOW our instagram (@yellowhaleportraits) 
2. LIKE the contest post
3. COMMENT your answer as mom's initials in the order of babies (Preston, Noshi, Eleanor, and Milla).
    So the answer may look like QXYZ! 
4. TAG your friend to increase your chance to win!

Entries are accepted by Midnight Tuesday 5/15.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 5/16 10AM through Instagram post.

PRIZE*: one free family portrait session and a 8x10 print ($550 value) at Yellowhale Portrait Studio

Once you're done playing this game, relax and enjoy your special day! Good Luck and happy mother's day to you!!!!

xoxo,
Kyung

* FINE PRINT: The prize session is a weekday family session at the studio for 30 min, one outfit, 5-10 images presented to choose from at the selection meeting (at the studio) in one week from the session. The winner must be local to receive the prize. No on line gallery available. This session includes one print (up to 8x10) of choice. No digital files are included. The session must be booked by June 10th and must take place at the studio and be completed by September 30th. Session is good for a direct family of up to five people. One time only. Can not be transferred and does not have any cash value. Cannot be combined with any other offer.  A $99 retainer is required at the time of booking to hold your session date and time.  This retainer will be refunded after the session is complete. One gift print up to 8x10 is included.  No purchase required, but other products are available to add on. Once the session date is set, can not be rescheduled. The session can be upgraded to a full lifestyle experience at $150.   

A morning in D.C.

Behind the scenes video of a family portrait session at National Mall at sun rise. Produced by Mei Yuzuki @Yellowhale Photography

Hello hello~~ 

A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful sunrise family portrait session at the National Mall. I have been photographing this family for eight years and have been witnessing how the love and happiness truly grew within the family.

This was "a Morning in D.C." session, one of our Lifestyle portrait sessions. How special it is to photograph one of my favorite clients in the beautiful city I love! Although I live 15 minutes away from D.C., I never got to discover how meaningful it is to be living in our nation’s capital. Thousands upon thousands of people visit each day and so many events and celebrations happen at the heart of the national mall every month. In fact, there were three marathons happening while we were there. The event tents were everywhere when I arrived before the dawn at the reflection pool. I could tell there was an amazing concert the night before.

The sky was pink; the sun was rising behind the beautiful Washington monument. Everything around us was calm and peaceful. I had hoped to see the glorious big yellow Sun to rise, but it was even more beautiful when the blanket of fog and cloud hid it. As we watched the city waking up to this calm morning, it felt so perfect to be there. The red dress, the stone columns, the foggy sky, the baby ducks... it was beautiful.

It meant so much to celebrate this togetherness at our home city. Even though we had to wake up at 5 A.M. to avoid the crowds of tourists, it was so worth it. 

Below are the images from the session.

October is here. The studio is really busy already but we got two Lifestyle Sessions just added to the schedule in October.

Please call 202.870.6773 to book your "a Morning in D.C." session or our fabulous holiday portrait experience today.