Track & Field

The boys really needed to work out that extra energy…so I made them run bleachers. College stadium size bleachers! Don’t hate; it’s supposed to rain all weekend and you tell me what I’m supposed to do with two 6-year olds indoors for days?

Okay, no, I didn’t make them run. They just skipped up and down those steps like it was no big deal…pffffff, bleachers! Whatever. Then I tried to train them Karate Kid Style (80s version) and they wouldn’t have none of it.

“First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule, Daniel-san, not mine.”

Baby, oh baby!

Finally on maternity leave, I knew I had to steal one day from her week to hangout and just have some quality girl time before Baby J arrived. And with her due date just two weeks away, she was feeling much too pregnant for baby bump photos. But like a real friend I ignored her! I knew I just had to drag her out and take some anyway. She looks so beautiful, how could I not?!?! She was even brave enough for a spicy Thai lunch. Any pregnant girl who can eat spicy curried food while in the last trimester of pregnancy is definitely my hero. She didn’t even flinch at the green chilis in her curry!

My only regret to this perfect day was that her hubby couldn’t join us for the photos–no paternity leave for him yet. But we’ll make up for it when Baby J arrives. In the meantime, here are some photos of Baby J’s oven.

Flowers for Algernon

Hey there! …is this thing still on?

I know it’s been a while since I posted anything. But it has been a bit hectic at Casa de Narang–lots of things to do and prioritize, some set-backs and set-forwards. I was so busy doing, doing, doing that I just wanted to be a being. Being with my kids. Being with friends and family. Being in the holiday spirit. Being optimistic, contemplative, proactive, and being still. A moment to step back and reevaluate things. All in all, God is good and faithful and He is working! By His grace and timing things will fall into place for me.

Got these Friday and they are still looking radiant.  Thank you for this gift, Mr. Blue Jeans!

Does anyone remember that story, Flowers For Algernon? I read it for the first time in 5th or 6th grade and was so impressed and moved by it that I never forgot it. And to this day, I cannot say or think of the word flowers in my head without immediately adding for Algernon. I still love that story. And that is the only reason I included it as a title. Just popped in my head. That’s all. Nothing to do with Mr. Blue Jeans. Nothing. Period. The end.

Anyone remember The Most Dangerous Game (aka The Hounds of Zaroff)? Read that in 6th grade too.

Stitches!

And sometimes I knit.

But I’ve never blogged about knitting so this is new. But these projects are old; finished last spring and summer. Because you know how cold it gets in Southern California, right?

Sinner In the Front Row

Remember in the 80′s when you’d watch a sitcom and the character was deliberating about a moral choice? The scene would show the character and a little devil sitting on one shoulder and a little angel sitting on the other. The dialog would probably go something like this:

Devil: Who do you think you are taking photos here? (As he hurls the insults and condemnation) You don’t deserve it.

Me: Yup, I know a million other people who take way better photos than me. And I haven’t been the ideal Christian this week.

Holy Spirit: Is this about you or serving God?

Me: I know…it’s not about me. Give me stren…

Devil cuts in: You know you need to be in the back row. You have NO business being in the front row. Who DO YOU think you are? Just this week you blew it by doing this and this and this. You ARE NOT a perfect Christian!!!

Holy Spirit cuts in: YOU ARE NOT A PERFECT PERSON. You will never be perfect and if you wait until you think you are ready to serve then you are never going to be ready to serve.

Me: I know.

Devil: Whatever! You know you need to keep your a** in the back row. You’re a big ol’ sinner. You shouldn’t even be in the building. You’ll just ruin it for everyone. You’re such a hypocrite.

Holy Spirit: You are a big ol’ sinner but God gives forgiveness and grace. If God needed perfect people then there would be no apostles, no churches, and He would not have had to die on the cross. Just be obedient!

Me: Right. I know. So then I’ll just hang out back here, in the back row.

Holy Spirit: Back row? Did Jesus die for you so you could be in the back row? Is that really why God gave you a camera?

Me: But this isn’t like shooting weddings and school events. You have to be more sensitive.

Holy Spirit: Why do you call Me Lord? Don’t you have My power in you? Did I give you FULL FORGIVENESS and a FULL MEASURE so that you could be in the back???? Am I in charge here?

Me: Right, Lord.

So I ended up in the front, even though I really wanted to remain inconspicuous in the back. In the back row, I would have half-listened while I thought of all the reasons why I needed to stay in the back. (I’m not saying everyone that sits in the back is only half-listening).

But as I sat in the front and listened to all these beautiful ladies as they bared their imperfections, flaws, and embarrassments I realized why I needed to be the sinner in the front row–precisely because I didn’t deserve to be in the front row. I don’t deserve God’s perfect and gracious gift of love. But why would I turn down a beautiful gift? It’s like being rescued, a breath of desperately needed oxygen! Or like that Thanksgiving meal that tastes so good you just want to eat and eat and eat, except without the bad side effects.

God redeems those imperfections, flaws, and embarrassments, and bad intentions and mean thoughts to bring good and glory. It is in the midst of imperfection that God shows you how much He loves you. God doesn’t need perfect people; He wants obedient people. And there is no end to God’s love and grace that we ALL get to sit in the front row.

No, God doesn’t wink at sin and He is no bully like the devil. But He will deal with you in love and grace; like that good talk that tells you that you were wrong, don’t do it again, but you can be better.

Redeem the time…just put one foot in front of the other in obedience.

We hear their voices on the radio and here are there radiant faces. I was so happy to meet these two beautiful ladies: Joyce and Isabelle. I was blessed to spend some time with you both.

The Laura Ingalls Walk That Wasn’t

We missed all that beautiful thunder and lightning in my area. That’s unfortunate for me because I love a good thunder-storm! All that ferocious power totally untamed except in the hands of God. Surprisingly, it barely spit in my area….so sad. But I did go for a light rain walk because I just needed a mental health minute (wish it could have been a whole day). These hills remind me of Little House On the Prairie except blocked with barbed wire.

Most of the time, when I’m fotographing for my own enjoyment, God gives me verses in my head. Random verses (or not so random) ones that I didn’t even knew I knew from memory. At least I don’t remember memorizing it. Then just to make double sure I’m not botching up the verse I’ll look it up…and yup, the verse is correct.  Except don’t ask me to recite it because I couldn’t do it. I’d have to look it up again. It’s “weird.” Well, not really it’s just a special treat I get to enjoy.

What verses do you think of when you see the photos?  Please don’t be shy; tell me your favorite and the verse you think of and add it to the comments.  Or a wise saying if you wish.

Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved and all content and images are property of MagShoots Foto and Magalie Narang.

Priscilla + Ignacio, A Bixby Wedding

If you grew up in Long Beach, like me, then the word Bixby is synonymous with Long Beach. And that is where Priscilla and Ignacio said their “I do’s” in Bixby Heights. It felt good to be back in my old town and even better to be photographing a wedding. I know Priscilla and Ignacio avoid using clichés, I’ll make sure I don’t use any here. But honestly, you two do complete each other! Priscilla you were beautiful in your birdcage veil.

Now this has been one of the strictest churches I’ve ever photographed at. No flash, no tripods, no standing in the aisles or side aisles, no standing in the front, no waiting for the bride & groom in the foyer as they exit the ceremony, no moving around. I almost thought the coordinator would even say no cameras! I’m hoping she didn’t notice how I migrated from the back balcony to the middle pews. Shhhh, don’t tell. But John made me do it!  Thanks John Starling for inviting me alongside you to shoot the ceremony. It’s always fun talking shop with you and you challenged me to get better angles.

Ray + Jess…Elvis Was Here!

My assistant said it best, “You can’t leave a wedding and not smile!” Especially at Ray & Jessica’s wedding. A perfect beginning, a perfect ending, and a perfect in between to their entire wedding ceremony. Hair, shoes, and makeup? Check. Food, flowers, centerpieces? Check.  Tuxedoes, transportation, and rings? RINGS?   R-I-N-G-S????  RRRRRRINGGGGGSSSS??? Phew, there they are. CHECK!

Ray was beaming and Jessica looked absolutely radiant. Jess, you are gorgeous! Together, they share a beautiful and loving family. And surrounded by their family and friends they exchanged their vows at the Waverly Chapel in Santa Ana. So many supportive friends and family came together to create a beautiful wedding for them, and I certainly enjoyed photographing every minute of it. Thank you for the privilege of following you two around on your wedding day.

Blue suede shoes? How about blue satin stilletoes? Check. Elvis sunglasses?  Check and check! Now go hit the dance floor.

Ceremony: Waverly Chapel, Santa Ana, CA.

Reception: Family Home

Wedding Coordinator/Florist: Jenn Garcia

Hair and Makeup: Candace Pineda

DJ on the Turntables: Manny Holguin

Photography: Magalie Narang, MagShoots Foto.

Second Shooter: Jaqueline Faria

2nd Shooting: Wendy + James

Firstly, I really have to hand it to my friend, Sherri J. I am always so impressed with her wedding photography skills. Anytime, anywhere, any light and she will get the shot. I think I’m equally impressed with how she hardly sweats under pressure, even though it felt like we were shooting in Palm Springs and not Santa Fe Springs. Thank you Sherri for inviting me along, I always learn so much from you and I’m grateful.

As for the wedding and the couple, despite the clouds threatening to rain they were blessed with dry skies. It turned out to be a beautiful day for a beautiful couple–their love for God shined through. This wedding was really all about their walk with God and their love for family. It was a blessing to see such a tight group of friends and family. Check out how the groom’s men took the wedding roast to another level! But when the guys have all known each other since elementary school, I suppose it’s just another form of affection.

To see the full wedding story, please visit Sherry J Photography. There are so many more see.

Ray & Jess E-session

There is just such a way about these two. A calm and a kindness I can’t quiet describe. They don’t move around each other or simply in the same direction; they move in unison and with few words.   I really enjoyed spending time with them and observing how they make each other laugh. And I loved how Ray just couldn’t stop looking at his future bride! I probably nagged him to death, “Ray, can you look at me?”  ”Ray, over here!”  ”Ray, just real quick, look at me, into the camera.”

Nah, I exaggerate. Only a couple of times I had to remind him but I just went with it. But he really did have a starring problem. Only with Jess, of course. If he wants to forever stare into his beautiful fiance’s face then by all means stare on and on and on! Thank you for allowing me into a little piece of your world.

Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved and all content and images are property of MagShoots Foto and Magalie Narang.