I'm in Paris! So far my trip here has been AMAZING! Today we wrapped up Day 2 of The Boudoir Divas workshop. I have to say that the things I've been learning here are priceless. I've met some really fantastic photographers too. It's really nice and refreshing to meet a group of women who have the same love and passion as I do for photography.  To top it off, I get to explore Paris when we're not in the workshop. I've gotten to see some magnificent things here...from the Notre Dame Cathedral, to the Eiffel Tower, to the Mona Lisa at the Louvre! The Metro system here in Paris is incredibly easy to navigate through. I highly recommend touring the city on your own, rather than paying for one of those hosted day tours.

I cannot wait to show you some of the fabulous images I've captured here at the workshop. For now, here I am at a souvenir shop right outside the Notre Dame Cathedral. Do you see me? Enjoy!

In a few days I'll be jet setting to the beautiful city of lights - Paris, France! I've been so excited and so nervous about this trip. Excited because I'll be in Paris and nervous because I'll get a chance to spend a few days with The Boudoir Divas for their Paris workshop. I've been a huge fan of their work ever since I stumbled across their blog on a photography forum. I hope to learn a lot and make lots of new friends. There's a wonderful group of photographers attending this workshop and I can't wait to meet them :)

I started shooting boudoir photography not too long ago and I love it! For any of you ladies that have ever thought about taking them, I highly recommend it. Every woman I meet has a different story. My boudoir clients range from brides getting that unique one-of-a-kind gift for their future hubbies, to women surprising their husbands of 20 years, to ladies who just want to get them done for themselves, and to girlfriends just looking for a different day of fun with a boudoir party.  Boudoir photography celebrates women and their beauty!

And of course, what would this blog post be without a picture?!? Ooo la la....isn't she gorgeous?

It seems very rare that I get a free weekend. Although my weekend wasn't entirely free, I did have more free time than usual. And what better way to spend free time than with my family! One of the greatest things about my hubby is that he knew when he married me, he was marrying into a big Filipino family, and he loves them as much as I do :)  I spent some time with my mom, my aunts and my cousins. Early on Saturday we walked from my mom's house to Swirll for yummy frozen yogurt. Let me add that the funny faces in these pictures aren't at all posed. This is just how crazy my family gets in front of the camera!

Sunday afternoon was spent at my house. The weather here was gorgeous! Sunny, 78 degrees, light breeze....it was the perfect day to play in the pool. My dogs enjoyed the company too. Aren't they so cute?

One awesome perk about having my aunts over is that they LOVE to cook. I don't eat a lot of meat so my aunt made me....are you ready for this? Tofu eggrolls with this yummy dipping sauce. And YES...it's SCRUMPTIOUS! And my mom brought over some of my favorite snacks like fresh mangos and pineapple cakes....I'm getting hungry now.

Kate and John were married at St Anne's Church. The ceremony was followed by a super chic reception at Hotel Derek, but before we stopped at the reception, we had a little fun with them and their wedding party. The evening was jam packed with awesome music from a great band. As you can see, the bridesmaids loved the music too! I have a thing for colorful walls lately. I literally go on scavenger hunts looking for cool walls in Houston. I absolutely LOVE the red wall at Hotel Derek!

One of the things on my "to do" list this year is to attend great photography workshops. What better way to get started than to attend Jasmine Star's first workshop! I didn't even think I'd get to go. When I saw the announcement on her blog I thought to myself, "I probably won't even make it to the waiting list, but I guess I could try." When I got the email from her saying that I was on the list to register I was jumping up and down like a teenager that just got front row tickets to her favorite band!

I was really nervous at first when the day of the workshop arrived. I'd never been to a workshop before. Genius me...I picked Jasmine's workshop as my first! It felt like when my parents made us move and I started 8th grade at a brand new school. I didn't know what to expect and all these what if's kept running through my head. Was I cool enough? LOL!

The workshop lasted from 9AM to 7PM. Sounds like a long time huh? Let me just say that I never got bored! Not once! When I met Jasmine she didn't just greet me with a handshake and a "Hello, welcome to the workshop." She greeted me and everyone else that arrived with a great big smile, a friendly hug, and a genuine appreciation for coming to her workshop. I'm so glad that I got to go to this event. She was so open and honest with the knowledge she shared. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would. The other photographers that attended were so amazing and so much fun! We even had a photoshoot with a fabulous couple! I hope you enjoy!