BIANCA + JAMES
October 24, 2021
All of my clients are amazing — but there’s always certain couples that make me smile from ear to ear. Bianca and James not only had me photograph their union on the Pedestrian Bridge in Rhode Island, but they also had me return the following week to do a mother & daughter portrait at Bianca’s parent’s home.
There was no fuss with posing and directing — just going with the flow. They were all about smiling and enjoying the moment which made my job so much easier.
MY KINGDOM
October 7, 2020
"Renowned for its graceful hand gestures and stunning costumes, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia has been closely associated with the Khmer court for over one thousand years. Infused with a sacred and symbolic role, the dance embodies the traditional values of refinement, respect and spirituality. Its repertory perpetuates the legends associated with the origins of the Khmer people. Consequently, Cambodians have long esteemed this tradition as the emblem of Khmer culture.
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia has always held a special place in my heart. In the 90's as a kid I'd sit in my bedroom and watch my mom's old VHS tape of the dance performances over and over — mesmerized. Of course, the segments that featured the apsara dancers in my opinion were the most divine with their elegance, grace and costumes.
This project embodies my Cambodian-American DNA. I wanted to pay homage to my Cambodian roots by depicting strong lead characters “off stage” in opulent attire. The idea of prima ballerina, Princess Buppha Devi (d. 2019) in a gown with her headdress still on — ready for the MET Gala — was the foundation of this shoot. Thankfully with the help of my late-grandfather, I was able to obtain the lead apsara headdress which he personally carried back on the plane. Once it was in my possession I knew I had to customize a gown to really bring it to life and do it justice, which is why I decided on a white tulle gown with gold floral appliques to mimic the flowers used in the performances.
Although I thought the most challenging part would be styling the shoot — it was actually finding the perfect female to fill the role — with the dilemma of making sure it was an authentic Cambodian to uphold the integrity of the shoot, which Dina effortlessly brought to life. Also, Peter having performed with the Angkor Dance Troupe for almost 22 years it made sense that he’d play the male counterpart as Hanuman. His outfit alone had to be just as spectacular so I styled him in a full sequin blazer and trouser.
Special thanks to Dina for playing the lead character, to Peter for modeling and doing the makeup, as well as Korry of Voeun Artistry for doing the hair and providing traditional bridal attire. Also, thank you to Narin for being the behind the scenes videographer and to Eunice for altering the dress! And last but not least, thanks to my best friend Nina for helping me navigate my emotions through all of this and being my visual assistant.
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MOTHER & SON
December 23, 2019
Long story short, this shoot started out as a decoy but ended up being exceptional nonetheless. After doing Sodany's maternity photos, I was elated to have her return with her son Jayavi for a Mother & Son shoot. As you can imagine — it was a stylish affair!
Just like the first shoot we began at Bancroft's Castle then made it back to my studio. And if I'm going to be honest, there was a lot of anxiety going into the shoot. I had high expectations as to how Nina and I needed to execute each photo. But worries aside, I'd say it came out flawless.
MAURA & EDDIE
August 9, 2019
Maura and I meet 10 years ago while working in retail. So from the first day she meet Eddie — I knew they were made for each other! Every time she spoke about him she would light up. It was a love story in the making. And of course she promised me that when the time came for their union, I'd be the one to capture it. True to her promise, I was overjoyed and honored.
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For their engagement, Maura kept it classy and glamorous in a red, one shoulder Slate & Willow dress. But for their wedding day at the Lyman Estate, it was all about tradition and personal touches which included Eddie's suit jacket that had their names and wedding date sown in and a shawl Maura had crocheted for herself.
LUNA
July 1, 2019
Whenever I thrift with Nina I always look for prints, textures and patterns. So when I stumbled upon this Lisa Meril coat in a shop in Brooklyn, it was definitely love at first sight. My taste is quite flamboyant so the shiny gold fabric was the first thing that caught my eye. It was a perfect statement piece to be styled along side a sheer embroidered H&M dress that came with a lining which I had removed.
I do not limit myself in terms of creativity, but yes, I'm a photographer first and foremost. As a fashion enthusiast with my own aesthetic I occasionally enjoy styling with pieces I've purchased and archived.
Appreciating the "art" of fashion has always given me a sense of fulfillment without dictating my life. Never taking it seriously in a way that makes me seem artificial and superficial — instead choosing to enjoy it lightheartedly. I like what I like and my goal is to share my vision and nothing more. I'm no fashion guru.
SODANY & SOCHENDA
October 18, 2018
When Sodany asked me to photograph her maternity, it was a given that it’d turn into something much, much more. All the elements were there — including an A-list team.
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Sodany, who is a stylist in her own right situated herself and Sochenda while enlisting her brother, Chantha as a co-stylist, and friend, Channa for hair and makeup.
Of course Nina, my visual assistant and best friend was there to help put the pieces together. We knew that this would essentially become a “fashion” spread because if you know Sodany, you know what she's asking for. We started off at Bancroft's Castle for the most romantic scenery then made our way back to my studio for this all-white bed scene I had been obsessing over.
