Help wanted - hair stylist please! - Los Angeles Photographer

I need help, seriously. It all started from this:

I hope you understand the urge to add a little green in the desperate winter months (despite the spring-like weather that we've had lately).  Just add water?  Sure.  Plus, I get to style the hair once it's out.  Any creative types would jump at the opportunity to fuss with (someone else's) hair, right?  Isn't it as easy as the picture shows?

Wrong!  I jumped too soon, sooner than when I possess the ability to fuss with anyone's hair.  Problem is, the hair did not come out the way it's shown on the box.  Now what?  It takes a lot more skill than I anticipated, I think.  So, please, hair stylist to rescue!

To give you a good reference of how bad things are, here are the back and front views:

Help!  The bug needs you, please...

Who can say no to these cute puppies - Los Angeles Pet Photographer

If you've been following my work, you probably noticed two things about me.

One, I produce work that is "pretty".  Hey, I'm in a "pretty" business.  Photography, to me, is art.  And art deserves to look "pretty".  That explains all my fine art photography work.  And yes, the first reaction anybody that's seen my business cards is "they are so pretty".

Two, I do work that is "cute".  Well, there's a little clarification to make.  I have to say that I have been fortunate to work with many cute subjects.  And I see beauty and/or cuteness everywhere around me.  So photography is my way of living out my philosophy.  I fall in love with the beauty/cuteness first and pour my heart into making them an art before my customers even get to see the final work.  I trust that many of you have seen my children's photography.  Today, I will share some work of puppies.

As you'll notice, they are "dressed" in different frames.  Come on, they are all cute in their own way; there's really no one-size-fits-all kind of solution to present them.

See, this first one looks so perfect in pink:

Puppy at O'neil Pet Center, Inc - © Jean Huang Photography

This cuttie stole my heart by the innocent look.  Hey, the little monster was teething and tried his harmless biting on my hems.

Puppy at O'neil Pet Center - © Jean Huang Photography

I can not say that I didn't want to take this little cotton ball home.  What an innocent look with eyes peeking behind the flurry hair.

Puppy at O'neil Pet Center - © Jean Huang Photography

I have more photos, but can't wait to share while I'm processing the rest.

Now, if you have a cuttie at home and would want to do something special with/for him/her this Valentine's Day, participate in the "How Many Ways Can You Say 'I Love You'" contest and you may win a photo session at 50% the retail rate.  Hurry, you have until this weekend to rally up support!

I wish that you win! :-)

How Many Ways Can You Say "I Love You" - Los Angeles Photographer

Well, well, well...  We just can't (and shouldn't) stop having fun with photography.  Why would we?  Life is filled with wonderful opportunities to memorize, let alone the holidays that are clearly marked on the calendar.  If you know me, you'd expect that I throw out another one of those contests to have (more) fun for this coming holiday. For the culturally versed, you may say it's the Chinese New Year.  Yes, I will be celebrating it.  But I'm not sure that all my reader/fans would.  So, while I light up the fire-crackers (in my mental visualization), you are probably thinking about another holiday.

So, here is our new "excuse" to have fun - How Many Ways Can You Say "I Love You" - 2011 Valentine's Day Photo Contest!

How Many Ways Can You Say "I Love You" Contest - © Jean (Jiaying) Huang

Winning is (as always) easy :-):

1. Sleep on it (yes, in your sleep) tonight because your brain will thank you tomorrow. :-)

2. Tell us what you'd do for someone important in your life to celebrate this Valentine's Day (it can be your significant other, your pet(s), your parent(s), your child(ren), etc.).  Since it's a photo contest, capture the essence of what you'd do in a picture.

3. Now you'd submit the picture to somewhere.  First, make sure you are a fan of Jean Huang Photography at http://www.facebook.com/jeanhuangphotography.

4. Submit your picture(s) to the wall of the fan page (link in #3), as many photos as you'd like.  Ensure your photo(s) are rated G (i.e., safe for all ages).  Again, no limit on number of photos to submit.  But each idea should be represented by only one picture.

5. Now, here's the fun part: Vote for creative ideas by "liking" the photos representing them. And, promote your photos to gain as many "likes" as possible.  So ask your friends and family to vote for you.

5a. I know I just said this: Photos are judged on creativity.  So photos that are less than professional could still win the contest as long as they are "safe" (please see #4 again).

6. Deadline to submit and vote is noon (12:00 PM) US Pacific Time on Monday January 24th, 2011.

7. The picture(s) with the most "likes" goes home with a prize (Note: each picture is a separate entry. The picture with the most "likes" wins).

8. Number of winning pictures is determined by number of fans as of the cut-off date of the contest (i.e.,12:00 PM US Pacific Time on Monday January 24th, 2011). One winning photo for every 100 fans.

Good luck!  And most importantly, have fun!