For the Brides: BorroWed

Hey all my fellow DC brides! We finally have our very own {no cookie cutter} off beat, fun loving bridal show in town. I've been waiting for an event like this for ages, and to be honest it'd be the only kind of show I'd want to attend as a bride. It looks like it's going to tons of fun, and though I'm sad I can't make it ... you lovely couples out there should go and enjoy!

 BorroWed

Events: Bloggers Night Out, DC

I was going through some archives and found a post I never got around to publishing. 

For the first time ever I was invited to shoot a blogger event here in DC, hosted by the ladies of Blogger's Night Out. 

Though it's been light years {in the cyber world} since this amazing event happened I can't help but share some of the goodness that went down. 

There were so many fabulous bloggers and new friendly faces I got to meet that night. 

And to my surprise though I was asked to simply shoot the event,

 all the bloggers there treated me and my second shooter Tina with so much kindness as if we too were attendees.

I might be a wedding and portrait photographer but I do love fashion. 

Blogger's Night Out was held at the Friendship Heights Bloomingdales, the perfect backdrop to a quite fabulous night.

One of my favorite parts of the night was that these lovely ladies enjoyed the night out with me. 

 I went to highschool with all of these sweethearts, and though highschool was 7 years ago I still feel a sense of "home" around them. 

If it weren't for Meghan {to my left} and her sweet cupcakes she provided that night I wouldn't have had the pleasure of shooting this event at all. 

So a little extra love goes out to Meghan for throwing my name in the mix for BNO's DC event. You're amazing Meghan!

Lastly a huge thank you to Erika of Style Activist and Caitlin of Style within Reach

for having me and my dear friend; Tina Lue shoot DC's Blogger's Night Out.

We had so much fun and enjoyed shooting in high heels 

and snapping away at some of DC's most fabulous ladies.

Some of the fashionable blogger-attendees of the night: healthy glow / pich and roor / go kate shoot / haute off the press / commecoco / so much to smile about /  spicy candy DC / the district 1107 / vice as if / rai monique  / day [of] major / tip to toe / chain strap purse / and many others.

Events: Fabulous Frocks!!!

Before I catch up on a million lost blog posts, and a crazy fun trip to California ...  I've got one entry I must share about this weekend.

What's more fun than one beautiful, bridal gown?

An entire boutique full of them!!!

This weekend my friend and bride, Linda opened up her very own bridal consignment boutique in Alexandria, VA.

  Fabulous frocks

The space is amazing, the dresses are nothing short of the best, and "opening night" was festive, fun and such a wonderful celebration.

Dresses. I'm a sucker for dresses. Short, long, white, colorful ... I was dying, everything was truly fabulous. 

A little love goes out to my wonderful and handsome date, Tim. 

Thanks for being my +1 and enjoy cupcakes with me dear.

I initially invited my big sis because if you know the two of us, we are constantly watching "Say yes to the dress" together. So any reason to be surrounded by amazing white dresses must be shared with her. But this mama is having a hard time being apart for her little baby Noah for too long. She's such a mom. :)

I love a good fancy Friday night,

Linda was an amazing host,

But over the past year she's been an even more fabulous bride and friend. 

Linda thank you for inviting me and Tim to celebrate your birthday with you, and your shop opening. You've one of the sweetest brides I've ever had and thank you for all your love and support. If I wasn't a wedding photographer I'd want your job right now. Your boutique is just as amazing as I'd thought it'd be and I wish you the absolute best Linda!!! 

To my brides, my lovely friends who are engaged, and even to any ladies looking for pretty bridesmaid dresses you must come down and visit Linda's shop! Tell her Ica sent you, she'd love that <3

 Fabulous frocks of Alexandria, VA

Events: Identity Conference

Inhale BIG breath .... Exhale.

This week has been one earth shaking week for me, from the inside out. 

Attending Identity Conference had alot to do with it, more importantly so did great friends and an awesome God.

Tomorrow morning I leave sunny Southern California with a very full heart and a renewed spirit. 

As crazy as most of my visits to SoCal are, this time around I tried to keep as low of a profile as possible {an impossible task I} to help clear the clutter in my mind and remain a sponge for every this  conference had to teach me. And I did just that, but that doesn't mean I didn't get to squeeze in some fun on the rest of the days I was here. As usually, I will have to break down our adventures in separate entries but for now here are a few places to catch some of the action this week: are here and here.

Back to Identity, the conference was truly amazing ... everything I needed and more really.

The worship was beautiful, the speakers like Tim Sanders, David Jay and Rick Warren {to name only a few} were all inspiring and so encouraging. They even challenged me business wise, and heart wise to be better, do better and work harder. Blessed barely conveys how I felt by the end of the conference. 

So what is my identity? 

Well first and foremost I find my identity in Christ. He is my everything. 

Secondly I do what I do, because of "the butterflies".

The butterflies I get being in love.

The butterflies I get seeing my clients in love and capturing that.

The butterflies I get taking pictures I love that have meaning and tell a story.

The butterflies I get watching each bride walk down the aisle towards the man she's about to call husband for the rest of her life

The butterflies I get when I see a groom cry tears of joy on his wedding day.

The butterflies I hope to give someone's daughter some day when she looks at her parents wedding photos and feel what I feel every time I see my own parent's wedding photos.

And the butterflies I get when I think about God's unmeasurable, gracious love for me, and His goodness in my life allowing me to pursue a career I love and cherish.

It's the butterflies. Ica Images is all about "the butterflies".

I can't wait to implement all I have learned in these following days, weeks, even years. And continue to bring "the butterflies" to my clients, my work and my day to day life.

A thanks to our new friend Nick for this photo, and who also did an awesome job shooting the event!

Lastly lots of love goes out to my one of my best friends Reinna for joining me in attending the conference, and for being such a beautiful friend, host, and confidant. She's about marry one of the greatest photographers I know {who happens to also be one of the greatest friends I know} and will be teaming up with him in his photography business. Ammmazing, I know God is going to bless you both abundantly.

I hope some of you come out and join me next year {it was free friends!} and definitely worth the 5 hour flight out here if you're from the East Coast. And do stay tuned for some California adventuring here on the blog. There was too much being had and many photos to share!

Happy Wednesday folks!

Events: Asian American LEAD's 12th Annual Dinner

A few weeks ago I got to do something entirely different from my norm.

I was invited to help shoot Asian American LEAD's 12th annual dinner at The Civic Center in Silverspring, Maryland.

It was beautiful venue, a heart warming event, and I'm grateful for knowing such a wonderful non-profit organization exist's in my own town.

AALEAD helps provides young Asian American students in the DC area a wonderful community to grow in and provide opportunities. that people like myself lacked growing up.

I was honored to be in such great company and I'm not the only one who's noticed.

AALEAD was one of the finalists for The Washington Post's Excellence in Non-profit Management Award.

This opportunity came to me on a whim and I truly did not know what to expect from the night. All I knew was that it was a semi-formal dinner and to come ready to shoot. I love trying new things, and as each new adventures arises it always leads to new blessings. I've been so blessed in this new year so far and I hope that new adventure continue to come my way.

Learn more about Asian American LEAD here.