Bad Ad

“Life’s short. Get divorced” is what a lawyer advertises on a huge billboard.

When I saw that on the news last night, I was upset. The lawyer said that she was targeting people who were already considering divorce. But that’s no excuse for her to encourage it for her own gain.

It’s no secret [at least to the ones that are married] that marriage is hard and takes a lot of work. No marriage is perfect. But divorce is not the answer [unless it involves adultery or abuse]. Sometimes divorce causes even more long-term issues. I’m not looking down on anyone who has gone through or is currently going through one; it happens. I just wish it didn’t. And I wish that lawyer would take her billboard down.

On a positive note about marriage . . . we chose this reading for our wedding, and I couldn’t put it any better than this.

“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life -
to strengthen each other in all labor,
to rest on each other in all sorrow,
to minister to each other in all pain,
and to be with each other in silent, unspeakable memories.”
George Eliot

Gretchen and Matt are such a genuine couple. The first thing I noticed about them were their matching blue eyes. Odds are against blind dates working out, but they met on a blind date through a mutual friend and the rest is history. They are both very busy people so we had a quick and enjoyable session.

Copyright 2007 GH Kim Photography

Night Scenery . Washington DC

Copyright 2007 GH Kim Photography

Sylvia and Matthew . . . they might look familiar from ‘The Proposal’. They were guests at a wedding we photographed in Washington DC last weekend. They are also future clients and our close friends. We hit Georgetown and had a memorable time.

[below] ‘I love the architecture!’ was mentioned many times throughout the evening.

[below] Matt works for Starbucks Corporate, so we had to get this shot in – he works for their marketing team and is hardcore about his company. He can sell anything.

[below] If you know Sylvia, this pose does not fit her at all. She’s so sweet and humble. But she can still pull it off – hot and sexy.

[below] Adding to the ‘Stairs’ collection.

[below] From a few years back

    

[below] We told Matt that it looked scary when the light was under him, so he had to take it a step further.

[below] Ooh la la

[below] With G

[below] With H

Copyright 2007 GH Kim Photography

Jean and Peter accommodated for all their friends and planned a fun week before their wedding day in Korea. Having done that, I was amazed to see their high spirits and energy.

[below] They both got ready at a cute little boutique salon.

[below] They were not to see each other beforehand, so they were constantly hiding to avoid seeing one another.

[below] Mom peeking at her beautiful oldest daughter of three

[below] A private moment before heading to the ceremony location

[below] At every wedding, we catch the ladies using the double-stick tape like crazy. Gotta make sure there aren’t any wardrobe malfunctions.

[below] In Korea, they have a bridal suite where it’s open for any guests to come through before the wedding. So different from our culture here in America, where it’s a no-no to see the bride. Jean was so graceful in constantly greeting guests. 

[below] They were married by a well-known pastor in Korea. He is currently retired because of an illness, but officiated their wedding as a rare occasion. ‘Small world’ moment: Hun’s mother asked us to get his sermon tapes, and then to see him in person was very cool and a nice surprise.

[below] The fabulous wedding party

[below] Pae-baek [Korean ceremony]

[below] Pae-baek is usually exclusive to family, but being the accommodating couple they are, Jean and Peter wanted their friends to share the experience.

[below] On the fly, they decided to do the bouquet and garter toss. Since Jean didn’t have a garter on, the booty was a good substitution.

[below] Goodbye everyone!

Copyright 2007 GH Kim Photography

Cool! Xanga’s commenting feature is extended to anyone now! Under ‘Choose Identity’, click ‘Anonymous’.

This past weekend, we photographed another beautiful wedding. Here’s a sneak peek - I was excited to catch this shot through one of the hanging crystal drops!

Copyright 2007 GH Kim Photography

Memphis

[below] Every time we went downstairs of our hotel, we kept thinking that statue was a real person.

[below] Blues City Cafe is famous for their wet ribs. The night before, we went to Rendezvous, known for their dry ribs. Finger-lickin’ good!

[below] ‘Apple dumpling with ice cream. Baked apple wrapped in pastry seared with butter in an iron skillet. Drizzled with cinnamon sauce and served with vanilla ice cream.’ Glimpse of heaven.

[below] The only picture I caught of Hun. Anywhere we travel, if we see Starbucks, it’s comfort to us.

[below] Giant pillows!

[below] The wedding day. Jonathan is the violinist for Todd Agnew. This is their band. Hun had photographed them in concert two years ago.

[below] Jonathan and Bethany on the world famous Beale Street. We went there every single day of our trip, and there was always live music that could be heard from blocks away. More images from their wedding to come.

[below] Jean and I after the wedding. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again . . . one of my favorite women – I didn’t really have any older sisters that I could look up to while growing up because I was always the oldest one, but even though it was a little later in life that I met her, Jean has been that older sister for me.  She is so loving, thoughtful, devoted, consistent, beautiful and is going to be famous in Hollywood one day.

[below] When we drove to our hotel after seeing the guys at the wedding, we saw this sign near our hotel.

[below] Next day, we went to Blue Plate Cafe for some yummy breakfast.

[below] Jean and I didn’t want to leave Memphis without visiting this historical location. This is Elvis Presley’s mansion. It looks pretty humble from the front, but it was a 14-acre estate. Here’s a mini tour for you for free . . .

[below] Living room and music room

[below] Woops – wrong head tilt

[below] Elvis’ parents’ bedroom

[below] We weren’t allowed to go upstairs to preserve some of their privacy.

[below] In the TV room, mirrored ceilings

[below] Poolroom

[below] Wedding style back when Elvis and Priscilla got married

[below] Interesting

[below] In the trophy building, just one of the many walls filled with records and awards

[below] Jean will be helping King’s Fools get one of these [she's their new agent]!

[below] Elvis and I have something in common.

[below] Meditation Garden where Elvis and his parents were laid to rest. Interesting fact – Elvis and his mother were originally placed at a funeral home, but it got too crazy so his father had them brought to the estate. Every single day, people all over the world send items and they’re all accepted.

[below] Next stop was to see the Peabody Ducks at The Peabody.

[below] The red carpet is rolled out to the elevator for them and they retire at 5pm.

    

[below] The Duck Palace on the hotel roof – it’s bigger than our home.

[below] Look at Jean’s sassy shoes!

[below] The elevators were unique.

[below] We just couldn’t get enough of ribs, so we went to Corky’s, a big chain. It didn’t measure up to the others though. I unexpectedly found myself saying “y’all” with a southern accent – it just rolled off my tongue so naturally without a thought.

[below] We were able to enjoy a beautiful Memphis sunrise from our hotel room on the morning of our departure.

Copyright 2007 GH Kim Photography

‘Get Rocked’

Last month we got a call from Laura Cassidy, Executive Editor of ‘Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom’, who wanted to feature our work [one of our beautiful couples] in their premier issue!

Contrary to popular belief, I always thought that weddings were not just about the bride but of both the bride and groom. And also, I noticed that more and more grooms were getting heavily involved in the planning process. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one thinking that . . . hence ‘Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom‘.

They threw a sneak preview luncheon last week and we’re even more excited for it to come out. For their ‘Get Rocked’ event, they sent the fun and clever invitation pictured above.

Be sure to grab a copy – first issue will be out July 2007.

My pastor said something along the lines of, “The grass is always greener on the other side, but no matter which side you’re on, you still have to mow it.”

TRUE THAT.

As appealing as it is, being on the other side won’t bring more happiness [maybe temporarily]. We so long to have what someone else has, but don’t realize that every side has its goods and bads. True joy is being happy within yourself . . . that’s where it’s at.