Blast from the Past in Houston

On April 17, 2006 a pretty young actress named ShelleyBoozer responded to a craigslist post I put up asking for attractive models for test shoots to build my portfolio. She was one of the first 10 people I ever photographed professionally. And so she'll always have a special little place in my tiny little heart.



Over the years Shelley and I have kept in touch via facebook, and she happens to now live in Houston with her husband (who works as an exec for Lexus, win) and new baby Riley.



We grabbed lunch and caught up.

Crazy to think how much has happened in 5 years. Back then I had no idea what I was doing. And she was just a fresh face in the LA scene.

Since then she's done a zombie movie or two where she is not so fresh-faced...



And I've started charging money for taking pictures!

(Oh and also I'm like the 2nd best headshot photographer in New York City. Let's not forget that.)

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Growing up in New England, Texas was like a foreign country to me. I think I probably thought Houston was all tumbleweeds and cowboys and damsels tied to traintracks.

But Houston's really not all that exciting. There are buildings. And malls. And it's hot.

We had lunch at Maggiano's. And they are doing this CRAZY lunch deal where if you order one of their classic pastas for $12.95, they give you a second one to take home...FREE! It doesn't even have to be the same as the one you order. You can choose from Chicken Pesto, Gnocchi w Vodka sauce, Chicken Parm, etc etc.

I ordered Spaghetti and Meatballs, and then took home a head-sized slice of Mama's Lasagna.

Maggiano's is why America is obese. They already serve enormous family-style entrees. Gifting you with a second heaping container of carb-mania is just SO unnecessary. (And by unneccesary I mean delicious.)

After lunch we went shopping at the Galleria and I tore through Ralph Lauren and bought lots of pretty new clothes.



Thanks for the mini-tour of Houston, Shelley!

Big Sasian Wedding Part 2 tomorrow!

Off to Houston!

I'm off to Houston in a few minutes.

Avion Silver Tequila is sponsoring happy hour in the Delta SkyClub today with Lemon Basil Margaritas...




Should be a fun flight!

Barbuto!

So I came back to NYC Monday night for literally like 60 hours and managed to catch TimLoh for a meal as he whipped through town to "tie up some loose ends", aka end the lease on the apt that he has not been living in/sell the car that he's had just sitting in a parking lot since eight months ago when he moved back to Hong Kong. (If anyone wants a great deal on a 2010 white Audi S4 with manual transmission, sports differential, and B&O sound system, let me know.)

Anyway. After beers at the Standard Beer Garden. We hopped down the street for snacks at Barbuto, the restaurant of Top Chef Masters: Season 2's Jonathan Waxman.

We started with the Tuna Bruschetta.



Then had the Gnocchi with Tomatoes and Corn and Scallions and Shtuff...



Then the Skirt Steak w/ Chillies and Onions...



And finally the Orrechiette with Spinach and Sausage Ragu.



Yummy!!!!

SF Moonbounce and Leathergays

After the wedding I had a day to hang out in SF with my long lost friend Yeebee.



Yeebee brought me to a semi-fun house party with a Moonbounce.



I'm sure the party was actually quite fun. But I was exhausted. The morning after a wedding job I'm in no mood to be mingling with randoms. When I work a wedding, I'm running around, trying to be a smiley and positive for like 14 straight hours, trying to get people to laugh and smile naturally and take crazy fun beautiful pictures, all while fielding endless height inquiries from Aunties and Uncles and guests alike. So yes, I love the job and I love a wedding. But it's tiring.

Anyway I felt I had to bring up the Moonbounce because it reminds of the last time I saw a Moonbounce and ChristianGarnett broke it and ruined the party. Like he ruins most parties. (Just kidding Christian you are forgiven but still a monky.)

Anyway, we stayed at the party for like 23 seconds.

And then as we strolled back to Yeebee's apartment, we ran into some nasty SF leathergays.




Yuck. SF is so not my scene.

But I did miss my Yeebee!



Will be back in SF in about a week for Doug's little sister's wedding at The Ferry Building. Hooray!

SF Indian Wedding

First some obligatory details shots...






OK so I was in Half Moon Bay this past weekend, just south of San Francisco, to shoot the wedding of Sonia and Summit, friends of one of my headshot clients from YEARS ago.



The wedding was in Northern California, but everyone was from Los Angeles, and so, of course, everyone was GORGEOUS.




Even all the Aunties had perfect smiles.



Pretty people at a pretty wedding makes my job SO easy!







The groomsmen wanted to look gangster, so we did this shot in their ManCave...



I wanted the bride and bridesmaids to look like Sex and the City: Bollywood Style.

Was quite happy with how this shot came out.



It was a really fun wedding.






Some Uncle even skyped in from India!









The reception was so much fun. A mix of pop and bollywood classics.








I actually stayed and partied with them all until the very end!





Congrats Sonia and Summit!



I came back to NYC for a couple days, but tomorrow I'm off to Houston for PART TWO of their wedding celebration. Nuts!