Samomatic

Dark Week.

Sam — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:03:02 +0000

It’s been a tough week, both at work and hearing about bad news from those around us.

Hope to focus on what we have and our friends/family in these difficult times.

Photoshoot: Olivia Leishman

Sam — Sun, 06 May 2012 20:00:15 +0000

An impromptu photoshoot when a co-worker Mike came to my office around noon to see if I was up for some shooting. I happened to have my camera with me that day!

Olivia Leishman, friend of Mike who took part in his video production over the weekend, also wants to build her portfolio for her modelling career.

The setting is in an alley behind Queen St West.

Combining with her background in dancing, her graceful outfit created an interesting juxtaposition with the graffiti walls.

Olivia was so easy to work with and injected her ideas as well.

Playing with the reflections off the sunglasses. :)

Sun-baked Adventures: Zion National Park

Sam — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:00:38 +0000

On the last leg of the journey, we headed east from Arches National Park to Zion National Park.

Driving through the Zion Canyon road, you are surrounded by Navajo Sandstone cliffs eroded by the North Fork of the Virgin River.

Parked at Temple of Sinawava, the end of the canyon roadway.

A close-up encounter with a mule deer as we were hiking to the Weeping Rocks.

A look-out near the Middle Emerald Pool overlooking the valley beneath.

Giant tree outside of the lodge! Carmen is below it as a size reference.

Towards the late afternoon we started to hike towards Angels Landing – 5,785 feet (1,763 m), but had to turn back before it got dark.

Amazing sights from the high vantage points.

We stayed near Zion National Park and drove back to Las Vegas next morning to return our RV.

We spent most of the day walking up and down the strip, and eating at the Wynn Hotel buffet. :)

Nightfall, I find I am more drawn to the abandoned casinos rather than the glamours new hotels.

The view from our hotel room from the Hooters Hotel….don’t ask.

Home-bound, I wish I had more time to hike and photograph those amazing natural sights! Till next time!

Sun-baked Adventures: Arches National Park, Moab

Sam — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:25:23 +0000

Continuing on the trip in Southwest USA, we arrived at the Arches National Park, home to over 2000 sandstone arches.

We only had 2 days to explore these natural beauties, but excited to hike and see the famous sights.

We saw the Ute Petroglyphs at the base of the path to the Delicate Arch, these were carved between A.D. 1650 and 1850.

The famous Delicate Arch standing at 65-foot (20 m) in height. An important landmark used in Utah license plates.

Another angle of the arch on the descend.

The sandstone fins of the Fiery Furnace. We really wanted to venture into the maze but without a trained guide it is very easy to get lost inside.

Climbers attempting one of the pillars near the Garden of Eden.

Heading into the Devil’s Garden, we came across the Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world, measuring at 290.1 ft (88.4 m) long. Since 1991 3 large pieces have fallen from the arch, leading to the closure of the path that runs underneath it.

We ventured deeper into the Northern region of the park.

Hiking in between some of the fins that we had seen yesterday.

The Turret Arch in the mid-section of the park.

Sunset near the North Window Arch, looking over Turret Arch.

We had to hike down to our RV and head towards our next destination – Zion National Park.

Baby Photoshoot – Celisse Chan

Sam — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:54:42 +0000

Karen and Lawrence Chan’s baby girl, Celisse, born on Feb 23, 2012.

It was great to visit them at their house and do a quick photoshoot.

Their dog, Kala, is really caring towards the baby. It also knows so many commands/tricks!

Being just over a month old, I was surprised at how active Celisse was. She was constantly moving or turning around.

She looks identical to her daddy!

Baby is getting tired :)