Moving ON

It has been a long journey with me and this blog space --- we've been together for about 3 1/2 years. Started this space as i have been pushed by a good friend and a talented photographer herself Ms J, and indeed it helped me grow and made me better in this field of passion that i regard so much. On the side, i gain great friends, may not have officially met them personally (some though) but i felt their sincerity and with that been said I am very grateful.

Now changes needed to be done, time to move on, a better and viewer friendly space for me to share the pursuit that i love so dearly...

Yes, my new blogsite is officially live HERE.

I hope you can be part of this new journey of mine, as you have been supportive from the start of this one that i am closing.

I will be looking forward to see you in my new space. CIAO!!!

Say Cheese

I won't last a week without hearing the shutter of my camera... isn't that weird?

Myself + My Camera equals ...

* Happiness * Indulgence * Fun * Perfect * Blissful * Fulfillment * Gratifying * Ice Cream and Cupcake * Sparkle in my Eyes * Fireworks *

What made you smile this week?

One fun afternoon with 'Lil M ♥

Dignified and Proud

Maternity is on the face of it's an unsociable experience. The selfishness that a woman has learned to stifle or to dissemble where she alone is concerned, blooms freely and unashamed on behalf of her offspring.

Emily James Putnam

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Motherhood is a gratifying experience in a womans lives, therefore to herald it's entity is one of the most pleasing accomplishment to bring about.

This is Mommy K, very grateful and glad to be able to pamper her dream maternity shoot. It was chaotic at first, a lot of dilemna, difficulty, and decision making few days before the scheduled project ... but ALAS, we hurdle the obstales and finally made it a reality.

So proud of you Mommy K, who maintains her beauty with few weeks left before labor commence.

Few well-founded photos here.

Fixated

Should be doing some yearly mandatory competency skills for my day job online, or should i say start catching up while I am off work {since the past few nights at the birchland work has been pretty crazy, obviously those required annual competencies were not an option}... but instead I am digressing doing some photography related tasks.

I have to get back on track, gotta FOCUS, *phew*... Okay, I will start doing them --- soon, *sigh*.

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Here are some of the photography task I've been working on: Downtown San Francisco vantage point Coit Tower [Destination #5]

Have a great start of the week everyone!!!

Wine and Bottle

My Oh My... I am still not quite done sharing our north california trip few weeks past... couple more to go --- i think *not sure*.
What's for sure though other than tasting wines was we get to see the real beauty of nature while driving getting to and from different vineyards.

On the road to California's wine country... Sonoma and Napa Valley California [Destination #4]...

We are not really a wine drinker, but definitely when it comes to dessert wine we are totally an aficionado.

Was happy we get to take home 2 bottles of fine dessert wine, after few tasting... cannot wait for the next party to open these bottles, or maybe we don't need to wait, *wink*.

Have a great start of the week everyone... Cheers!!!

Cheers to Family

Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.

Ella Fitzgerald

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Next Stop [Destination #3]: Alamo Square San Francisco, California

Out of the photographic bouts we had in northern cali, this probably is the only landmark that we had a few family photos taken.

Everyone were walking their dogs, from small to enormous in size... couple huge dogs where getting in the way of our self timer shoots behind the scene --- we almost peed our pants everytime we are on the ground ready for the timer to click away and all of a sudden these dogs starts sniffing in our gears, "oh please, do your thing on the bushes over there" ... so we didn't get much of the beautiful victorian background scenery, *sigh*.

The above photos of me and hub were compliment of Ate L, my mini photo hobbyist.

Though limited capability in getting better family shots {by the way, we miss to bring at least one of our tripod in this trip too, duh}, still grateful we captured a few.

Make Believe

Everything has beauty in it, but not everyone sees it.

Andy Warhol

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I fell in love with this place, not just because of it's historic charm but we had fun striking a POSE ♥

Destination Number 2: Fort Point San Francisco, California

We wish we were wearing costumes too to match the beautiful characteristic and mood of the background.

To my good friend and great photographers L, J, and/or anyone who is into photography who is close to this city, bring your client/camera for some shoot here --- highly recommended.

GG Bridge + mini Creativity

The hardest part of a race isn't necessarily crossing the finish line. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting.

i heart quotes

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I have to start sharing photos... because there's more to go ♥

Let's kickoff with the famous and historic Golden Gate Bridge...
[Destination #1]


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Moving on...

This photo blogged here.

Catching UP

It's my first blog entry from our mini vacay in Northern Cali. I figure out i need to start sharing them before i won't have that freebie time and before it starts to fade from my precarious forgetful mind set... brought about by old age? I hate to admit but i am feeling it terribly, so better yet concede with reality, *sigh*.

Everytime we drive up north especially in bay area, we {family} try to make things sure we get enough time to see friends and family and catch up - especially if it takes us 7-8hrs on the road to get up there anyway... might as well right.

About 2 years ago, we visited a good friend L and seems like it became the family's ritual to see them. This visit was more exciting because my family can finally meet their fun, loving, and smart baby L who happens to be growing up pretty fast. The last visit we had mommy L was barely pregnant, now the family's getting bigger in the presence of their son.

We were able to meet mommy L's Ate L too (older sister) and her baby who happens to be newborn then... and now baby N's sweet charisma for sure will allure everyone --- even my camera.

It was absolutely nice catching up with them, though cut short because of our limited time... we are still very grateful for gracing and welcoming us into their warm and humble home --- and by the way, dinner was awesome, and thank you for letting us discover "pinakurat" vinegar, it's definitely written in my next grocery list to oriental market. I am very glad to maintain that great friendship with L and family. Looking forward for another family meeting.

Launching the New Site

The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.

Harold Taylor

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Quite simple yet so much thought and love put into it...
Been encouraged, inspired, pushed to it's potential...
Thank you for the influence, and you guys know who you are, *wink*.
{will reserve a space for another entry for the said inspirations}.

Launching the new look of

Life+Style by Dacua-Ellazar Photography Website

... And is open for new undertakings and is taking charge.

Visit us sometime ♥

Moonlight Express

If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles.

Mastin Kipp

Everyday we face different challenges, i personally have to admit it's so hard to get out of my box --- i need to be in control... but life most of the time is not, it throws you off to life's chaotic world. It is up to us this time to work around it.

Just sharing my prayer when i get up in the morning, right before work begins, and before retiring to bed...

"Everything Lord God is in your hand, look then to what your heart inspires, let your heart decide, we count on You, we trust on Thee ... Lord Jesus Christ help us and guide us."

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!

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Photo above was taken in Moonlight State Beach, Encinitas California {about 30-35 minutes out from where we live}... very cloudy that afternoon, just working out what i have in front of me.

Few more photos HERE.

Digital Days Photo Workshop - San Diego 2011

As promised here are some details on the recent photo workshop that hubby and i just attended ...
sorry for the late entry...

There were about 80 participants that weekend, and mostly men... and somewhat mature in age...

The place where they held the workshop is awesomely refreshing and simple yet quaint business gathering place... I even didn't realize there is such a paradise spa resort in our neighborhood.
Go check out Rancho Bernardo Inn Resort and Spa if you happen to visit north inland San Diego.

More of overwhelming at first because the participants appear to be super professional just watching the kind of gadgets they're using.

Of course, the famous Andy Katz in person as the guest speaker who have published several books already ... who get down and dirty, pushing us to get better with every photos. So thrilled he commented on this specific photo of mine: "I nailed it good" --- and all this big giant photographers hovering over me wondering what was my setting *blushing* ... i just wish i got his autograph that day, but too much was going on... ah well, maybe next time.

And here we are, tired but our hearts were full and happy ♥

Check out few of my photos from the live shooting HERE.

New Birth

" Subject . Background . Lighting . Digital . Practice . Tell Stories . Exposure Compensation . Custom White Balance . Oraganize . Fill the Frame . Sneaker Zoom . Move Around . Different Angle . Be Patient . Color Correction . Histogram . Recompose . Content Aware . Workflow . Sunset is Richer . Overexpose vs Underexpose . Bracket . Image Adjustment . Practice again. More Practice "

After attending my first photography workshop, I felt like there was a lot of information to digest, yet I was enjoying so much that my heart feels like it's ready to explode --- now I am brace to tell the world of my own story...

Photography + me is REBORN.

Happy Birthday to my love in photography!

More photos HERE... few of my faves and would appreciate if you can give me a feedback {i am open for any constructive criticism} or even by simply giving me a thumbs up or down by hovering your mouse to an open photo.

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Will follow up another blog entry of Digital Days Photo Workshop that I and hubby just attended in details.

Count on Mommy

Abundance surrounds me every day, its up to me to choose to be open and receptive enough to receive it.

Mastin Kipp

Been stuck at home this weekend because of non-stop rain ... not our original plan *sigh* --- but what can we do.

So, i told my girls --- count on me, mommy will still make our weekend a blast.
Here's our weekend routine: movie marathon, eat until we drop, play video games intermittently with DS and Wii {mom occassionally sneaks in the computer room - blog and FB stalking, tweeting, LOL}, then occassionally clicking away, and more laughters were made... and the cycle keeps repeating again and again.

Hope you all have a fun weekend!

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Sorry, Ate L is not in photo ... got a stomach bug the past two days, but for sure she's a lot better and enjoying the weekend.