a romantic, beautiful, intentional approach to photography
where you’re the main character
wedding stories
couple stories
family stories
Listen to the official soundtrack for a full movie experience.
Images are still shots, and so music brings these masterpieces to life. Romantic cinematic feels are such a vibe.
crafting beautiful cinematic art out of your story
my style
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My name is Grace. I started my photography journey back in spring of 2019, but I took a hiatus for about a year because of burn out and feeling lost in the sea of the photography industry.
So here was my struggle and why I felt depleted: I pursued a specific way of editing my photos that I know would attract a larger crowd. I forced myself to be super extraverted even though I’m super shy and an introvert who love one on one conversations. The industry started to feel like guardrails that fenced me in and strangely influenced my art to match its expectations by always needing the perfect shot, the best clients, the best clothes, to even the best poses. I essentially lost myself and my why because I was so focused on what I thought photography should be or how others perceived it to be. Even though I love taking photos and editing them to my own liking, photography soon became a job instead of a joy as I tried fitting into these other molds that weren’t me. So I needed to take a break to rediscover this passion of mine.
Now, I’ve found my why: My time of rest away from my camera and art helped me to plant roots in what I do to make sure that it was sturdy enough to build the foundation of my photography. It gave me time to seriously think about why I do what I do. Here’s what I found. Photography is not just about forcing intimate moments. It is inviting beauty and intimacy. I just want to be an artist that helps people to hold onto the real beautiful moments that have been there way before I have. I’m simply opening up a space for people to feel connected and real.
So here’s my approach now: I want my work to reflect authenticity by having more unscripted moments of movement and storytelling. I’m going to take more intentional time on building relationships with my clients to understand their story and find unique aspects in retelling it through photos. The key difference between my photography then and now is connection. I want to accurately depict beautiful images that compliment my clients instead of forcing them to fit the mold of what photography should “be” or “feel” like. There is going to be more communication and brainstorming behind the shoots to intentionally capture stunning images.
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I love cinema that has moody filmy vibes and artistic composition. Here’s what I find creatively inspiring:
Films: Start Up (korean drama), A Haunting of Hill House, This Is Us, Go Back Couple, Lord of the Rings, and The Arrival.
Words: authentic, genuine, beautiful, unscripted, nostalgic, natural, intimate, vulnerable, the in-between, and storyteller.
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You value the natural moments of life and simply love photography for it’s documenting nature. It’s important for me that there are no expectations or standards for what photography should or shouldn’t be. Each story is uniquely different. Each shot captures different emotions. Each couple, family, or client have different personalities. I will do my best in delivering consistent timeless images to my client, however I work the best creatively when there are no strict standards. This is the best way for me to serve you and other clients. I want to make sure that I deliver the best out of the best to each client.
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I am blending editorial and documentary. I will still direct all my clients. There’s going to be editorial photos where I pose clients that look aesthetic. There will also be some unposed and unscripted moments (my favorite) that give photos personality. This looks like moving from one location to another with couples holding hands or children running around being themselves. I welcome all types of movement so that all photos don’t feel unnatural!
your romantic visual poetess
A poet is a writer who poetry, using language in rhythmic, imaginative, and often emotional ways to express ideas, feelings, or experiences. Derived from the Greek poiein: to make. Poets act as makers of meaning, using techniques like rhyme, meter, or free verse to capture the human experience. A visual poetess then is a poet by words and photos.
The Lore: I’ve been a hopeless romantic since I was three years old. I started watching Korean soap operas (Korean dramas) since I was a toddler and fell in LOVE with the storytelling. I didn’t have to understand it because I’m sure that the conversations on the film were just gibberish to me at 3. But I’d stick around the living room with the TV. Eyes glued and captivated by the screen that blended the drama, the story, and the music. My parents have it recorded in their early 2000 camcorder of this phenomena of a 3 year old fascinated by cinema. And so I grew up watching these soap operas later eventually asking my mom to translate the words to me because I couldn’t (or was too lazy at the time) to read the subtitles. That grew into me listening to sad love songs from those dramas at the age of 5-7 … Which then grew into me writing my own fictional love stories on my gmail while I listened to more love songs on my MP3 player at 8-9 years old. And so here I am incorporating my love for storytelling, music, and love. I didn’t think this could be possible because I thought that those parts of me that loved those things were silly. But it’s so crazy to see things come full circle as I creatively capture intentional moments of beauty and love.
So care to create with me and see what you’re story would look like through my eyes?
A custom intentional experience tailored to your story
the connection
Take a look around at my socials and portfolio to see if this is how you want your moments documented. Do you like the warm cinematic colors, the blend between editorial/styled shots and the raw authentic ones, and the why behind my way of documenting? If you find yourself admiring and desiring the same vibes, let’s connect and see if I’m a good fit to best portray your unique story!
2. cultivating authenticity
After connecting through the contact page, I will reach out to you through email. There will need to be a down deposit for the booking fee to solidify the date. We’ll begin communicating with one another that’ll help build an authentic connection. This step is where I hear all about you, your love, and/or your family’s stories. It is vital for me to make sure that you’re comfortable with me prior to the shoot so that on the day of it’ll be easier to capture seamless and real moments.
3. creating beauty
This is the fun part comes in. We’ll continue communicating with each other to curate a shoot that is uniquely tailored towards your needs and story. This looks like building a mood board of images, words, and ideas that will help me understand your values and vision for the shoot! For example, your session might look like finding a studio and planning a romantic editorial session or heading to the ocean for a laid back documentary type of shoot.
4. capturing the unscripted
Let’s bring the vision to life! This step is the actual photoshoot. We will meet at the designated location. I will give some directions on what to expect on the shoot. We’ll listen to some music, maybe eat some snacks along the way, and have fun together.
5. beholding art
I absolutely love editing so you might just get a couple of edited sneak peek photos within the next day. Colors, composition, and storytelling through social media posts are just a couple of ways that I will behold your art during this step.
6. delivering nostalgia
I will deliver your gallery within weeks after the shoot. Look back and remember the memories that were created and felt during this session. Share these memories as a souvenir to your friends on family. Post them on facebook and tag me so I can see the beauty! Print some photos and include them in a album that will never grow old. These photos are a timestamp of your life here on earth.
So you’re interested.
Here are the stories I tell.
for the wedding.
This is one of the only moments you experience heaven on earth in your lifetime: the ones you dearly love and cherish being altogether in one place at the same time, being gazed upon as the most beautiful woman, and moving from one chapter of your life into a whole new one. You will want this time of your life documented in the most timeless and intimate way. While the flowers and decor are breath taking, the cake is sweet, the dress is fitted perfectly, all these things will eventually come to an end. Your photos will be the only souvenirs you have that will outlast all other things. It will outlive your memories when it begins to fade away. They will stay with you for forever.
Here is my artwork.
for the lovers.
Life is short. So make the most of it with the love of your life. If you’ve been together or married for a long time, sometimes it’s easy to get caught in the routine. It’s easy to forget the butterflies because you’ve been comfortable. So dress up nicer than an average day in your life and use this session as a romantic or fun date to remember those sparks and why you fell in love with the love of your life. If you're just beginning your journey with your lover, this is the perfect time to have an intimate session that will hold the most ecstatic feeling you have in one place. At the end of the day, there doesn’t have to be a honeymoon stage. You can bring and cultivate that feeling everyday. Your session is just one day of the many days to love.
Here is my artwork.
for the family.
Your this age only once in your life time. Your children are this age only once in your life time and theirs. Photos are a timestamp that helps you remember the laughs, giggles, small hugs, imperfectly perfect moments you have with your loved ones. One day, we will all grow up and wish that we could go back into time when life was easier. You will want the time that you have right now with your husband and children. So don’t wait too long before it’s too late. Start capturing these moments now when you still have time. This is for the families who have never had photos professionally captured and even the ones who have these moments documented often. Let’s pause time with photography.
Here is my artwork.