…just writing out that title scares me. To death. Since about December of 2010 I have had this idea of doing a video blog series. All last year I felt guilty for not doing them when I knew I should, but fear would always get the best of me. Doubt would creep in. And as though fear and doubt weren’t enough, insecurity would suffocate any last bit of chance it had of actually happening.
“What if they think I’m a dork?” (which, clearly, I am)
“But I reeeeeeally hate my speaking voice. I sound like a man….but a man on speed. Cause, you know, I talk way too fast.”
“What if I don’t have anything to say?”
“What if I’ve lost my touch to connect with an audience?”
“What if I am held accountable to every one of my words?”
and lastly….
“What if this actually goes somewhere…?”
Paralyzed by all that “what ifs”, I have done nothing to start up this series that has been rolling around in my head for over a year. I am always pushing others to get out of their comfort zone and take risks, encouraging them with stories of how I have done exactly that and succeeded when taking the risk. But it’s much easier to revel in the risks and successes of the past than to risk again and chance failing. So I stayed comfortable at my desk, blogging only with written word.
About a month ago I decided that I’d had enough and was ready to put an end to all this fear crap. Seriously, since when did I become a person who gave in to fear and insecurity?
Therefore, I introduce to you “Refocus.” Refocus is a new series I will be doing every week with short inspirational, motivational, and encouraging stories from my life and lessons I’ve learned. There is no rhyme or rhythm to how it will all pan out, but instead of trying to work out the kinks ahead of time, I decided to just dive in head first and work out the nitty-gritty as I go.
This is Refocus.
Make sure to check back next Wednesday at noon for another edition of Refocus video!
P31 love.
Per the theme, we were going for a vintage look and DeeDee was the perfect to join the team because many of the items she had herself, including the retro China and a ton of vintage brooches.
Erin Infantino of 
The home we shot in already had a ton of antique items, including these original war letters from 1944. AMAZING!
Beth from 
HUUUGE thanks to Tiffany Farley of 
We did Tiffany’s head shots in New Haven at the home of 
Tiffany has some of the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen and with the help of 
That shot on the left? One of my all-time favorite portraits.
Tiffany brought every shade of fierceness to her headshots. You know, if fierceness had colors.
You, my dear, are stunning.
Tiffany is nothing if not a Starbucks addict so it was only fitting to have her Starbucks cup from that day make an appearance in the shoot…and it matched her green shirt perfectly!
Does it get cuter than this? think not.
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Eileen wore Jason’s grandmothers wedding shoes as a tribute to their Chinese heritage.
Eileen’s dress was custom designed for her by a local seamstress.
It is tradition in Singapore for the mother and father of the bride to veil their daughter. The veil must then remain untouched until Jason lifts it.
When Jason arrived at the home of Eileen’s parents, he had to go through the steps of “storming the gate”. Often time this includes some fun games, but they decided to keep it simple…
As part of “storming the gate”, Jason had to hand over an “ang pao” to Eileen’s maid of honor. She opens the ang pao to see how much money was in it and if she didn’t feel it was enough, she asked him for another. Only until she decided he offered up enough money was he able to come through the gate.
Unveiling the bride and helping her put her shoes on.
After the unveiling, Jason took Eileen to his parent sot begin the first Chinese Tea Ceremony..
Upon driving away it is tradition for the bride to throw her fan out the window, symbolizing that she is leaving her bad temper behind her.
Paying honor to their ancestors
Preparing the tea and the ang pao’s that will be given to Jason and Eileen.
Jason and Eileen started by serving tea to his parents, followed by the grandparents and all other friends and family present.
After they were finished at the home of Jason’s parents, Jason and Eileen went back to her home.
Eileen uncles Pat and Jim who are…ready for this…from Connecticut!!
Eileen had two dresses for her wedding day, both of which were custom designed for her.
We began their portrait session inside the Fullerton hotel, atop the indoor garden terrace that overlooks the lobby area.
The pool at the Fullerton hotel provided a beautiful backdrop for their wedding photos.
Despite being really sick from the food we ate in Malaysia, Adam was totally on his A-game for these portraits!
The gardens at the Fullerton Hotel were really beautiful and gave us a spectacular view of Marina Bay Sands and other parts of Singapore.
Eileen wanted to get a few night shots outside of the Fullerton Hotel but the only place to go and get the hotel in the shot was right in the middle of the road, so we kept running back and forth in between red and green lights.
The ballroom at the Fullerton hotel was decorated beautifully.
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