It’s hard to imagine a life without facebook these days. If someone is not on facebook, we look at that person as if this person is from Jupiter or something. A few weeks I’ve decided to take some personal time off and stay away from facebook as well. I am really enjoying it now. My friends that really want to connect with me actually made effort to call me, and I made some effort to connect with my friends by calling them. If you haven’t tried it, give it a shot.

This reminded me of the old days when I first started using facebook many many years ago.

I really have to share this next one.

Finally, I have my second 65 goals in 365 days done. I did think about 101 goals in 1001 days, but I know myself. I make decisions and change my mind in seconds. Couldn’t convince myself. So, here you go. Hold me accountable this year please.

1. Book at least 10 weddings. I’ve made a decision that no matter how tempting it is, I am not going to shoot more than 2 weddings each month. I am determined to provide a very quality of service.
2. Travel to at least 1 new state.
3. Reach my savings goal.
4. Buy a new car.
5. Donate to charities/different organizations.
6. Be better at time management, and managing teaching, business and personal life.
7. Order at least one sample album.
8. Buy at least 2 pairs of shoes.
9. Pray regularly.
10. Send out newsletter/email once a month.
11. Post something on my facebook business page at least 5 times a week.
12. Lose at least 5 lbs. I know it’s nothing, but I failed miserably everytime I said 10 lbs.
13. Highlight my hair.
14. Exercise more. At least twice a week or more if possible.
15. Improve my OCF. Practice, practice, practice.
16. Attend at least one workshop on business/photography.
17. Update my headshots with a new look.
18. Second shoot at least 5 weddings.
19. Send out holiday cards to clients.
20. Send out anniversary gifts/cards to clients.
21. Feature at least 5 more businesses on my blog.
22. Attend at least 10 networking meetings such as ABC, Showit, PUG etc.
23. Blog on 2013 bloopers on Dec. 31.
24. Share more behind the scene photos.
25. Write down all my business plans.
26. Connect with at least 1 vendor each week.
27. Shoot a wedding outside of AZ and CA.
28. Change my hairstyle.
29. Get a manicure and a pedicure.
30. Improve my client welcome packet. I have a couple of new ideas.
31. Improve my workflow.
32. Bring out my personality more on my blog, facebook and twitter.
33. Blog everyday for 1 week. Baby steps.
34. Contact at least 1 different friend each week.
35. Attend WPPI.
36. Write my ideal client profile.
37. Take more detail shots of the wedding venue.
38. Read at least 5 books, and write a review for each.
39. Go on a trip with girlfriends only.
40. Buy a plant and make sure it survives.
41. Invite some friends at my new place and cook for them.
42. Get a facial once every 3 / 4 months which means only 3 or 4 times a year.
43. Improve the packaging of my products.
44. Get a new phone.
45. Have a memorable 31^st night. No more going to bed before midnight.
46. Buy and learn blogstomp, and actually use it.
47. Get my work published.
48. Stay away from work once a week and relax.
49. Share more on instagram.
50. Reach my facebook fan goal: at least 700.
51. Do a styled shoot.
52. Be better and faster at picking locations/spots based on lighting during a wedding.
53. Improve my bride and groom pose.
54. Bake cupcakes.
55. Bake a cake, any kind.
56. Improve wedding collections, and pricing.
57. Reduce my debt by at least 50%.
58. Improve my details shots, especially table setting at weddings.
59. Plan at least a day ahead of teaching.
60. Buy a new purse. It’s been over a year since I purchased a purse.
61. Come up with a weekly blog.
62. Go to a concert.
63. Improve my blog site.
64. Shoot a different cultural/ethnicity wedding.
65. Purchase 24-70mm f/2.8G.

 

Remember last year I created 65 Goals in 365 Days? For the first time in my life I came up with such a long goal. I was determined to make 2012 a huge success for my business, and yes, 2012 was a huge success for my business. I was able to shoot more weddings than my goal, raised my prices a few times and enjoyed it.

1. Order a sample album

Must get this done in 2013. I promise.

2. Bring out my personality more on my blog and facebook page. Blog 5 times a week.

I did try to bring out my  personality more on my blog and facebook; however, I was unable to blog 5 times a week on a regular basis.

3. Contact at least one friend each week. √

4. Get a manicure and pedicure.

Can you believe it? I am girl, and I didn’t reward myself with a nice mani, pedi session?

5. Attend WPPI √

6. Buy at least 2 pairs of shoes to compensate my vertically challenged side.

Again, a girl didn’t buy only 2 pairs of shoes.

7. Meet my Showit family from across the globe √

8. Get a pair of new glasses √

9. Buy some great flipflops √

10. Pray regularly X

11. Send out newsletter/emails once a month X

12. Post something on Facebook business page at least 5 times a week

For the most part, I was able to post something almost everyday. There were only a few weeks when I had very limited internet access, and fell behind.

13. Go to a yoga class at least once a month.

I attended a few yoga classes, and please don’t hate me. I don’t enjoy yoga at all. I need zumba and boxing.

14. Highlight my hair X

Totally forgot about this goal. Oops

15. Visit Universal Studios.

Yes I did. Not once, twice.

16. Exercise at least twice a week X

17. Order brochures/welcome packets for clients √

18. Donate more to charities √

19. Travel to at least 1 new state. √

20. Buy my new baby 35mm f/1.4. √

21. Attend a Zumba class at least once a month.

I didn’t attend every month, but I did attend a lot of zumba classes.

22. Buy a macro lens. It’s about time. √

First I bought 60mm. Then I ended up selling it, and got my new 105mm, and I absolutely love 105mm. Highly recommended.

23. Learn more about OCF (off camera flash). √

I didn’t get a chance to attend any formal workshop on OCF, but that didn’t stop me.  I practiced a lot, and I’ve improved a lot. I will share a seperate blog post on this.

24. Reach my savings goal. √

25. Get rid of 70% loan, other than the student loan. X

26. Update my headshots with a new look. X

27. Lose 10 lbs, and keep up with the new weight. X

28. Change / improve wedding and lifestyle packages. √

29. Complete a 5k. X

I will never commit to a goal like this because of my foot injury.

30. Second shoot at least 5 weddings. √

31. Blog every day at least 2 months out of the year. X

32. Get a facial done every trimester which means 4 times a year. Wish me luck on this one! X

33. Finish my X files DVD collection. Yes, I am still a sucker for that show. X

34. Update my website. √

35. Read at least 5 books. √

36. Reach my Facebook business page goal: at least 1000. √

37. Hike at least once a trimester. X

38. Write my ideal client profile. √

Need to improve it now.

39. Send out holiday cards to clients. X

40. Play around with natural lights more often. √

41. Do a styled shoot. √

42. Shoot a wedding in a different state other than CA and AZ. X

43. Feature at least 5 more businesses or people on my blog. X

44. Keep up with my cute wardrobe √

45. Spend some time with my nephew √

46. Attend at least 10 networking meetings such as PUG, Showit, ABC and so on. X

47. Take my mom for a nice facial at least twice this year. X

48. Buy a new and improved laptop. √

49. Get my work published. X

50. Travel somewhere with some girlfriends only. √

51. Improve my workflow. √

52. Improve my client interaction. √

53. Send out anniversary cards to past clients. √

54. Go skiing or snowboarding. X

55. Offer holiday minisessions. √

56. Share at least 2 new photos every week on facebook page. √

57. Blog on 2012 bloopers on Dec. 31, 2012.

Coming Soon.

58. Share more behind the scene photos on blog and on facebook.

Coming Soon.

59. Visit Disneyland. Haven’t been there in like FOREVER ! X

60. Improve my time management and procrastinate less. √

61. Buy another external hard drive. √

62. Learn more about different hairstyle. I really need help with this. Any help is appreciated. X

63. Have a memorable Dec. 31. Last few years were spent going to bed on time.

Don’t think anything different is going to happen this year again.

64. Write down all my business plans. X

65. Connect with at least 1 vendor/business via email each week. X

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Ray last year. I’ve always heard about what an amazing DJ he is, and finally I actually got to experience it. He is fabulous. It’s my honor to feature such a wonderful person, and fabulous DJ on my blog. Hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I did.

Describe yourself in 3 words. 

- Sensitive, Caring, Professional

What inspired you to become a DJ?  

- I love music and the power music has to influence our emotions and help create memories.  As a DJ, my career allows me to nurture my passion.

What is your style? 

- Classy, Complimentary (not dominant), Fun!     

Describe your work/service in 3 words. 

- Thorough, Detailed, Personalized

Describe your service.  

- We listen carefully to our client and together clarify the vision of their event.  We especially note their musical preferences and respect their desires of which songs to play and those not to play.  We offer suggestions that will enhance the success of their celebration.  We have a full-time office staff and our DJs offer an expert range of capabilities—classic, club, bilingual…   

(DJ Jeremy, FOX News’s Kristin Anderson, and Ray Grace)

Finish the following sentences….

Growing up I wanted to be ….a professional baseball player.

If I could change something in my life I would …..set aside more time just for me.

My favorite quote….It’s your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines you altitude.

When I am not working, I like to ….swim, golf, spend time with my wife.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?  enjoying more time with my wife.

Which country do you want to visit the most? 

- Costa Rica

If you had the option to move anywhere in the world, where would you like to move? 

- La Jolla, California

What advice would you give to other new DJs? 

- Take very good care of each and every client that you have.  Love music and respect the power that it has.

(Ray’s daughters Tricia, Mary, Wife Barbara, and daughter Stella)

Website: http://www.raythedj.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/raythedj1

 

 

The best part about family shoots is watching a family grow every year. This shot is from a family session this weekend. I did their family shoot last year, and a year later this little girl is walking, and trying to talk. She was so adorable! During the photoshoot she kept finding rocks and giving these to me. Please excuse my not so pretty hand, but this image is absolutely precious to me. This will forever a beautiful moment for me.

Who doesn’t want to marry their best friend? This lovely couple is marrying each others’ best friend. Isn’t that sweet? Jackie and John were the perfect couple for a state fair engagment session. They love festivals, food, and so much fun to be around! Had no idea how we spent several hours there. The best part was, they were treated like royalties there, and since I was with them, I enjoyed the royal treatment too. Really! No one seemed to want to charge them for the tickets even after insisting on it, random people helped me with crowd control. It was extremely crowded that day, but everything went very smoothly. How nice is that!

I love the expression on John’s face.

 

 

Elaine and Gilbert’s love proves that if it’s meant to be, no matter what, fate will bring two people together. Their first meeting in 2009 didn’t do any magic, but their second meeting a year later brought them so close to each other. Elaine’s car accident was a blessing in disguise because Gilbert was the wonderful person that took care of her in CO after the accident. A couple years later, here they are. I feel very fortunate for being able to photograph this beautiful couple’s beautiful wedding. And they have a beautiful little puppy.

They had a tea ceremony as part of Elaine’s Chinese tradition. It was so beautiful and colorful. Isn’t she gorgeous!

My wonderful second shooter captured these next 2 sets of gorgeous images.

 

Gangnam Style is everywhere.

Venue: Val Vista Lake Club House

DJ: Joel Ramirez r7 Entertainment

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse

Cake: Graceful Cake Creations

Catering: China Village Restaurant, Phoenix AZ

Photographer: Faria Munmun Photography

Want to see more? Visit http://www.facebook.com/fariamunmun

 

Somedays I let my students free write in the morning. Their creativity and imagination shine through their free writes. Yesterday my students were sharing their free writes with the class. The first student wrote a fiction where I was the main character.

“Once upon a time there was a queen named Miss Munmun. She was beautiful, nice, funny, …………….. One day she decided to leave to look for a king because she didn’t have a king…………………………..” After a million different adventures, “Miss Munmun decided to go back home without a king. She couldn’t find a king.” I was just looking at him thinking ‘WHAT??’

Kids are observent and truthful. I still can’t stop laughing at this story, but hopefully I will find my king without all those crazy adventures.

Can you imagine getting your wedding DVD all scratched up, and not having all your wedding images? Pretty scary, right?

I started using PASS a few months ago, and so far it’s been an incredible experience for me and my clients. Go to http://www.gallery.passpremier.com/  Click on download on the right hand side. It takes about 5 minutes to download it, and check out the video on the left hand side.

* All images will be saved in “the cloud” for one year, and if you’d like to store it in the cloud longer, it will be $29/year.

* Once you download PASS and log in using your facebook log in or email log in that you gave me, you can download all images at once on your computer, or each folder seperately.

* You can share your wedding images with anyone you want whether it’s on facebook or via email. You don’t have to upload one photo at a time, instead, upload the entire gallery.

* You can also control which images you want to show.

* Once you let me know who else will get the right to download all images, I can add that person to the VIP list, and will be able to download all images or the folders that you’d like them to have access to.

If you have any further question, you know I am always available to help you out.

I’ve known Jason for a few years now, and after I found out that he was engaged to Jennifer, I was secretly hoping that he’d contact me for his big day. He did! The first time I met Jennifer, I loved her immediately. It was like love at first sight. What an amazing couple with such good hearts. The best part is, they are both teachers. It’s like we could use our own language which no one else can understand. The wedding party and the families were wonderful. I am glad I got to be a part of their big day. 

Love it when couple’s are willing to be silly and have fun. I absolutely love this shot.

Jennifer is so creative. She did all the centerpices including the gorgeous picture frames for table numbers, the flowers in the middle, and the picture displays.

 

Ceremony and Reception: Desert Botanical Garden

Bride’s Dress and Bride’s Maids’ Dresses : David’s Bridal

DJ: Ray the DJ

Catering: Atlasta Catering

Cupcakes: Let Them Eat Cake