Hey gang, the biggest event of the year for wedding and portrait photographers, WPPI, is next week…woohoo! I’m really looking forward to the various shoots, classes, trade show, but most of all, I can’t wait to see some of you again and meet some new friends :).

Below is my (tentative) schedule for WPPI. I’ll be there from Wednesday, March 3rd until (most likely) Tuesday, March 10th. If you’d like to meet up and hang out, or just need to reach me, please try any of the following:

Phone/text: 626-664-6735

E-mail: henrychenphotography[at]gmail[dot]com

Twitter: @henrychen

Wednesday, 3/3:

4:00PM: Arrive in Vegas and check into hotel.

5:00PM+: Free for the evening, anyone want to grab dinner or hang out? Is there anything happening this night?

Thursday, 3/4:

3:00PM-9:00PM: Trash The Dress Workshop/Photoshoot.

9:00PM+: Free for the evening, anyone want to grab dinner or hang out? Is there anything happening this night?

Friday, 3/5:

11:00AM-4:00PM: Hotel/restaurant product shoot with Nancy.

5:00-7:00PM: Anyone want to grab an early dinner?

7:00PM-9:00PM: (Business Institute) Mitche Graf and Sandy Puc’.

9:00PM+: Free for the evening, anyone want to grab dinner or hang out? Is there anything happening this night?

Saturday, 3/6:

8:00AM-9:30AM: (Business Institute) Jennifer Gilman.

10:00AM-11:30AM: (Business Institute) Matt Hill.

1:30PM-3:00PM: (Business Institute) Michael Warshall.

3:30PM-5:00PM: (Business Institute) Michael Costa.

5:30PM-7:00PM: (Business Institute) Team Panel Discussion.

7:00PM+: Free for the evening, anyone want to grab dinner or hang out? Is there anything happening this night?

Sunday, 3/7:

12:00PM-2:00PM: (Platform) Joe Photo.

2:30PM-4:30PM: (Platform) Doug Gordon.

6:00PM-7:00PM: Keynote – Gregory Heisler.

7:30PM-9:00PM: Welcome Reception.

8:00-10:00PM: Finao Party.

Monday, 3/8:

8:00AM-10:00AM: (Platform) Jerry Ghionis.

8:00AM-10:00AM: (Platform) Jesh de Rox.

10:00AM-3:30PM: Trade show; will be around the West Coast Albums booth, stop by!

3:30PM-5:30PM: (Platform) John Mireles.

3:30PM-5:30PM: (Platform) Cliff Mautner.

3:30PM-5:30PM: (Platform) Jim Garner.

6:30PM-8:30PM: (Platform) Kevin Kubota.

6:30PM-8:30PM: (Platform) Jasmine Star.

8:00-10:00PM: Pool Party.

Tuesday, 3/9:

8:00AM-10:00AM: (Platform) John Michael Cooper.

10:00AM-3:30PM: Trade show; will be around the West Coast Albums booth, stop by!

3:30PM-5:30PM: (Platform) Dane Sanders.

3:30PM-5:30PM: (Platform) Yervant Zanazanian.

5:30PM+: Back to Los Angeles.

All of these things, except the workshop I’m hosting, are subject to change (in case any last minute hang outs come up or I’m just dead tired :P). I’ll have most of my camera gear with me, so if there’s other shoots taking place, please let me know :). And I’m always up for picking each other’s brain so if you just want to talk photography, business, etc. let me know too. Once again, here’s my contact info:

Phone/text: 626-664-6735

E-mail: henrychenphotography[at]gmail[dot]com

Twitter: @henrychen

Ivis + Mike’s Engagement Session – Just when you think things have cooled off, especially with the recent gloomy weather in Long Beach, the ever-so awesome Ivis and Mike come along and heat everything up again. These two met on a double decker red bus (wink wink to some of the photos below) a few years ago; one is from a small town up North and the other grew up in the city down here. Together Ivis and Mike make one perfect pair. One thing that isn’t a secret…they loooove to have a good time together, especially when it involves a few drinks and lots of smooching ;).

It’s not just their ooberly sweet attire (brownie points again!) and dashing/beautiful looks that I admire, but it’s also how they look at one another and just how much fun it has been knowing them. And who do I have to thank? The one and only Trini Randazzo of NOZZA Studio, pretty much the mastermind behind Henry Chen Photography ;). Ivis is a childhood friend of Trini, and when she got engaged, it didn’t take long for Trini to start helping her plan the big day.

I’m REALLY looking forward to their vintage-style wedding out in Redlands on 4/2. Here’s a few of my favs hanging out with Ivis and Mike on The Queen Mary and at The Sky Room down the block, gotta love Downtown Long Beach! Special thanks to Jared Crawford for assisting/shadowing me on Sunday and the folks at The Sky Room for being so awesome and letting us shoot at their pad.

Vy + Linh’s Wedding: 12/20/2010 – Seems like it was just the other day I met Vy and Linh and did their e-session (oh wait, it was!). But in the last month, I’ve quickly gotten to know them and am now proud and honored to have photographed their wedding this past Saturday. Kudos to William Kim and Anna Lam for helping me out :).

The day was filled with non-stop fun and excitment. We had a traditional tea ceremony at Vy’s house, followed by a Catholic ceremony at Holy Spirit, some portrait time nearby at Mile High Park, and finally, the oh-so grand reception at Mon Cheri. It may have seemed a bit overwhelming, being a 13+ hour day and nearly 600 guests at the reception, but Vy and Linh smiled, laughed, and enjoyed the company of their loved ones every second of the way.

I want to give major, major thumbs up to Fayth and her team at Three Petals for completely transforming the banquet hall at Mon Cheri into an AMAZING reception room (over 50 tables I think). The place looked stunning, you guys are wicked good! And of course, a big thank you to Fayth, who was also the maid of honor, for introducing me to Vy and Linh :).

Ceremony location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fountain Valley, CA

Reception locations: Mon Cheri Restaurant in Anaheim, CA

Coordinator: Cathy Nguyen

Make-up artist: Monalisa

Hair stylist: Jay

Florist: Three Petals

Videographer: Alumiq

Cake: Cake by Vi

Music: Michelle Nguyen, Songbird Band, and Theresa Chen

Lighting: Huey Le

Sanaz + Arash’s Engagement Session – What started as a hello at a party quickly turned into destined love. Just celebrating their two-year anniversary earlier this month, Sanaz and Arash wanted to have their e-session in beautiful Santa Barbara. On Friday, Nancy and I trekked out to the botanical garden, beaches, and downtown streets of SB to hang out with Sanaz and Arash.

As we drove home, Nancy mentioned how she noticed that extra special way S + A looked at each other. It’s the little twinkle in his eyes and the certain smile she gives that makes their love that much more meaningful. Once again, I’m giving brownie points to Sanaz and Arash for dressing up a bit and picking out a different outfit for each place :).

Their wedding is in less than three weeks and will incorporate both their Jewish and Iranian cultures together. It may very well be the first wedding I party at, um I mean work at ;), through midnight. Thanks guys for a great time on Friday, Nancy and I had a wonderful experience exploring Santa Barbara with you!