Since the moment I hopped onto my 12+ hour flight back to Seattle from Shanghai, I struggled with knowing even where to begin writing this blog post.
For those that have been following my work for awhile, you know that I have a serious obsession and love for traveling and exploring this beautiful world. I want to travel this world, meet new people, try different foods, get lost wandering around, and photograph as much as I can…until I physically can’t do so anymore. If I could have it my way, I would travel all year and then come back for my favorite season…Christmas time! Wouldn’t that be the life?
So this is how the story started. Way back in April I received an email and the subject line read “Come to Shanghai?”…and that was it. Before even opening it I thought to myself, “this better not be some kind of sick joke…” I opened the email and began reading as fast as I could to see what this email was all about. After reading only the first paragraph, I was giddy and getting all sorts of excited…“My husband, Isaac, and I are expecting our first little one next October. Our very own little pumpkin! We are over the moon… beyond over the moon, really. I realize that your focus resides primarily around weddings, but the fact that you are able to capture love so brilliantly pushed us to take a chance to see if you’d be open to/interested/available to make a trip to Shanghai to shoot our maternity portraits next fall? What we want to capture, besides the baby bump, is the love we share, and the excitement we’re feeling during this new stage in our life together, all while tying in details of this crazy city we call home. We truly feel you have a gift for capturing that connection between people, and we have admired your work for the past few years… so, here we are!”
Done and done. Let’s make this happen.
Next thing I knew, September was here and I was on a flight to China (after so many headaches with my visa!). I started off my trip in Beijing because how could I go all the way to China and not hike the Great Wall, am I right? That adventure will be blogged another time! After spending a few days alone exploring Beijing, I was ready to head down to Shanghai to meet Jennifer and Isaac. I literally could go on and on with how much I adore these guys. Their story makes your heart melt…I mean it, they met in youth group and have been in love and together for 14 years! For the past 6 years they have been traveling the world as international teachers (how awesome is that?). With all their travels, their love for photography also grew so they started their own photography business…I love it. I love everything about their lifestyle, their outlook on life, and the love they have for one another. Isaac treats Jennifer like gold and it was so amazing to see him love on her. He really spoiled both of us with smoothies and pumpkin pancakes almost every day, yum! And Jennifer is full of spunk…she has a HUGE heart and her laugh is simply contagious. These two are like family now and I can’t wait to visit them and meet Isla when they make their way back to the states.
This blog post is long, I know…but I wanted to just show little snippets of every day we went out and adventured together, which was a lot! I’ll leave you all with this amazing quote that Jennifer shared with me. She said it’s her and Isaac’s quote for life together, I love that.
“To love is not to look at one another, But to look together in the same direction” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Author of Little Prince)
*** UPDATE ***
Sweet little Isla was brought into this world on October 17th and she is simply perfect. Jennifer and Isaac are in heaven with their new little girl and I couldn’t be happier for them!
I stole this picture of their family blog (which is awesome) to show you their sweet little family.
With every international job I do, my love and passion for travel photography grows deeper and deeper. If you live in another country and want to make something like this happen, let’s talk.
So amazing!!
love all of these, Tonhya! How exciting to travel to China & photograph this lovely couple! I especially love the shots with the purple shirt + back light – perfect!
These are absolutely wonderful.
I’m SO in love with this. This is what you were meant to do and it makes me so happy! Jennifer and Isaac – thank you for giving my sister the opportunity to see more of this world and make wonderful, beautiful new friends! Congratulations on your new little love!
Incredible, girlfriend! Aren’t they just the cutest? You can really feel it!
You never cease to amaze, Tonhya. These are simply gorgeous. They got me all misty eyed.
What an incredible experience! Beautiful images, beautiful couple! What an honor traveling to photograph them must’ve been.
Your talent is out of this world. What beautiful photos of a beautiful couple and their future little one!
Definitely some of your best work, T… I’ll be revisiting this post often.
I’ve just looked through these for the gazillionth time today! Not only are the images beautiful and creatively captured, but I get to experience the joy of reliving all of those wonderful moments! I can’t tell you how many times I laughed aloud while looking at these (those running to hug pictures in front of the blue garage door- dying!!!). THANK YOU so much for everything! We love you to pieces and cannot wait to get Isla in front of your lens (and into your arms for snuggles, of course!)
Thank you for your kind words, Jonna! It was truly our pleasure- we just love your sister!
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Love these photos! Absolutely Amazing!
You’re inspiring Tonhya.
Wow. Stunning.
[…] few days ago Tonhya posted an amazing sneak peek of our photos. I was bawling within seconds. Truly, truly incredible images, and such heartfelt […]
Such a stunning, stunning, stunning look into this couple’s life – can tell you spent some good time with them and they trusted you very much – absolutely incredible work! Will come back again and again to view them! Ha! xo
that was a SPECTACULAR blog post. great storytelling, great images, i loved everything about it. how FUN to get to travel to china, wow!
incredible shots. just blown away by your artistic eye and vision. bravo. Great great set!