I don't need a big house,... Just a cozy one. A fireplace in the living room, those two little square windows on either side.
Brooke Lea Foster
Summer Darlings
I stopped by this cafe two years ago after doing a Portraits for Paws shoot and was completely taken in by the warm inviting decor and the handmade ceramics that they were selling. The coffee was rich but expensive but I think worth it for those who preferred somewhere quiet and cozy where they can kill a few hours.
A few weeks ago I discovered that Teahouse 23 closed. I checked their Wechat page and indeed they had a closing out sale way back in August. I'm hoping all those handmade ceramic plates, tea cups and bowls are now in good hands.
A few photos from that quick coffee stop, just a few months after China emerged from the first ever COVID lockdown.
“Then came the healing time, hearts started to shine,
soul felt so fine, oh what a freeing time it was.”
― Aberjhani, Songs from the Black Skylark
portraits, lifestyle photography
H is a good fiend of mine and often gets caught in front of my camera because we spend a lot of time together. Strong-willed and definitely opinionated on the outside but a huge softy on the inside, she was the first one to sign up for the Spring Portrait for Paws sessions. Not a big surprise since she also loves dogs, although she has a love-hate relationship with our crazy pooch Tomas.
We spent a short afternoon in the beginning of Spring as February was ending, just walking around her neighborhood which reminded me so much of the residential neighborhoods of Suzhou, with their meandering canals and bamboo groves. We ended the shoot with coffee at a newly opened Ble Patisserie which was just around the corner from their neighborhood.
A few photos from that afternoon.
“The real challenge is not what stands before us.
Rather, it’s in believing what resides within us.”
― Craig D. Lounsbrough
Shot these portraits of Jessie for her professional headshots and as part of the PortraitsforPaws sessions. Her former boss is a good friend of mine and he wanted her to have fresh headshots to use for professional networking so it was a perfect example of things falling into place for the animals and for their company as well.
We took the portraits at MK Space, a co-working space behind Xingfu Square that had a really great view of the park and was just right beside the subway station.
J is fresh out of college, a little shy but definitely a doer in a quiet, determined kind of way. I totally enjoyed the short time I spent with her, even as we snapped away trying to get the most out of the sunset. She recently took over the directorship of Startup Grind Chongqing, definitely a significant achievement for someone so young!
portraits, lifestyle photography, portraits, portraits, portraits
A few shots from that afternoon.
“Beautiful creatures
cannot be confined
Her wings will grow,
she'll find the sky.”
― Christy Ann Martin
Part 2 of G's pre-birthday session in Huangnibang. We stopped by Truman, coffee spot and bistro by day, bar by night for a cuppa since we were there early.
Quick tip if you want to take photos of a hip n' happening place and all the details that comes with it: come early!
We had the place to ourselves so taking photos was comfortable and easy, and having no one else in the frame made my life so much easier.
*Portrait sessions for the benefit of the Gele Shan rescued cats and dogs 🐶🐱
portraits, lifestyle photography
portraits, lifestyle photography