Love recognizes no barriers.
It jumps hurdles, leaps fences,
penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.
Maya Angelou
S and K were my first #PortraitsforPaws couple. They reached out in the middle of fall, when we were a few months out of the lockdown of 2020 that froze the entire Mainland in time.
But we were also hopeful.
Out of lockdown the same problems remained especially at the shelter. I had kept in touch with XQ especially after I bought the dog I rescued from the streets to the shelter. And her drive and all that she was doing inspired me to help out. It was so refreshing that other people were eager to do so, too.
We started the session right off the gate, a few minutes of meeting them. We shared stories of our pets (they have a Maine Coon adopted in Beijing) as we walked and as I clicked away. It felt like I was just catching up with friends who I just have happened to be meeting for the first time, which is exactly how I prefer the sessions to be. The good thing about meeting up with people who love animals is that you have something really positive to bond over, and that's your pets!
It was a 30-minute walk around Jinshan Park, which was all sorts of colors of fall-- burnt orange, red and bright yellow leaves falling down and coating the ground with all that color. Despite the early fall chilI, it was a good day to take photos and for a good cause, too.
lifestyle photography, couples, portraits, lifestyle photography, couples, portraits
A few shots from that day.
“Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies.”
― Gene Hill
Started doing sessions for donations to the local dog shelter a couple of weeks back, and N and G reached out because they wanted portraits done and they loved that the sessions were for a cause. I was excited to see them too, because they're Arya's humans. Arya came to our apartment last year for the hubby's and mine's birthday, and we got to see how much of a darling she was.
She also drove Tomas crazy with her puppy energy, which was hilarious to watch.
Arya is also a rescue!
We met at the mall near their home. Apparently, this is one of Arya's fave places for walkies. We got clicking before the mall opened, which meant that we got most of the space to ourselves. Had no problem getting them comfortable because these two have photography backgrounds themselves (N is a photographer herself, and G worked as a photographer in a cruise ship before coming to China). Having to run after Arya and seeing her derpy outtakes were also enough to get us in the mood for some really nice shots without us even knowing it.
lifestyle photography, portraits, couples
A few shots from that sunny morning, which is a precious thing to behold when you live in this foggy city.
“Happiness is holding someone in your arms and knowing you hold the whole world.”
― Orhan Pamuk
Snow
lifestyle photography, couples, family, portraits, lifestyle photography, couples, family, portraits
Shot these two waaay back in February when spring was still in full swing and allergies were something that everyone had in common. Back then they lived in a small studio just a few bus stops from where we live. It was small, very cozy and just the right size for the two of them.
The session was nothing but the usual since we also had other friends there to cook, hang out and offer valuable posing tips, creating an ultra-light session packed to the rafters with that distinctive Bisaya laughter and jokes (yeah, we get rowdy when we get together!)
They've since moved to a bigger apartment because another member of the family is arriving very soon!
lifestyle photography, couples, family, portraits, lifestyle photography, couples, family, portraits
In-home shots from that afternoon.
