Letters to our Children | August

Good job me not missing my deadline!

Dear Kids,

It's been an insanely busy summer! We've been out of town two weekends in a row in August and your baba and I are still trying to recover and get the house in order. It's all worth it though! We visited Addie and spent her 100th birthday with her and the rest of the gang. I wish so much that I could put in a time capsule all the feelings I felt when we visited Addie.  Addie lives in a really neat community for the elderly and when she walked you guys around in her rolling walker, everyone looked and had this glow on their faces. It was pure joy and happiness that I think they felt watching two energetic and hilarious young children running around...likely thinking about their own grandchildren and remembering what it was like to have babies and toddlers during their lifetimes. It made me so happy that you guys brought a smile to their faces and even laughter. I saw an elderly man belly laugh when Max was banging on the window and pulling on the curtain of the dining room that we were in. Addie loves you guys so much and I hope by writing this down that it'll help provide you with some memories of her even after you guys are old. She told everyone she walked by that you guys were her legacy, her inheritance. She's a marvelous lady, I've never met anyone like her. Evie - that is why your middle name is named after her. 

Then we were with your Nonnie, so that we could be there for the dedication of a High school stadium press box that has your grandpa's name across it! He dedicated his life to his community and his spirit lives on brightly in all those who knew him..especially in his jokes. You can ask baba which ones he stole from him!

My peepsy peeps..you've been crazy. Evie, you are getting better and better at negotiating and debating. You and Max have started fighting over toys and my lap space! It's mostly Max getting upset that you're in my lap at all and then tries to push you out of the way. Max, you are starting to say some words like no (while frantically shaking your head), cheers, baba, mama, and agua (your favorite and first real word). You guys stress me out sometimes (ok, a lot) but are also the brightest spots in my day. I wish all day that I had more time with the two of you. Evie, I also know that we need to have more time together. I know that it is unfair sometimes when I am short with you or don't spend enough time with you, especially when Max is ultra grumpy and requires all my time. The guilt eats me up...but I know it'll improve over time!! I love you both so much.  And speaking of love. Your baba and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary!!!  We are all so lucky that he's in our lives. Can you imagine how boring it would be without him?? Who would be your mud monster and who would throw you guys in the lake?

It is hard to imagine how far we've come in just 4 years but I know how lucky we are and how lucky I am to have him support me, listen to me vent about ridiculously stupid things, and be there to make sure I didn't get in trouble. HA. We recently spent some time at the Confluence Resort where we got married and wanted to do some contrast photos to show you how much our family has grown! Alright, enjoy the photos. Love you!

-MAMA

*All wedding photos by Kristi Odom.

Evie stole my move!

*Po Chi Fung is a Washington DC and MD lifestyle and documentary family photographer serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Potomac

World Breastfeeding Week!

Ever since I had my babies, I've become passionate (hmm, somewhat obsessed) in spreading and communicating the facts surrounding breastfeeding. I wish our society did not focus on this constant battle of breast vs. bottle but instead, focus on disseminating correct information on breastfeeding, so that parents everywhere and of every socio-economic status can make an informed decision for themselves. 

As always, to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and to help mamas freeze some of the quietest, sweetest, and most precious moments of our time with our babes, I'm offering special Nursing Mama Mini sessions for a limited time only! Details below. It also makes a great gift for a nursing mama :) 

Nursing Mama Mini Session details

***30 discounted spots available. Book by Sunday, August 7th, 2016 for discounted rate***

$200 (w/ tax included)

20 minute session in your home

5 digital files of your choice + a small surprise print

Additional images and prints can be purchased from online gallery

TO RESERVE a spot:

(1) Pay in full here:  http://www.pochifung.com/wbwnursingmama

(2) Contact pochi.photography@gmail.com to set up date and time!

Fine print: (1) Rate only applies for location within 10 miles of 20901.  $50 additional travel fee for those 11-20 miles away from 20901.  (2) Payment must be received in full to lock in rate.  (3) Session must be completed by October 31, 2016. 

*Po Chi Fung is a Washington DC and MD lifestyle and documentary family photographer serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Potomac

Roll 2 - Developing BW film at home!

It's been a super busy summer here BUT I've been finding time to practice developing and scanning black and white film at home!  Day to day life never feels pretty but there are so many little things I want to remember if and when we move away from the home where we brought our babes. I took these as an exercise to find meaning in my home..and to practice a little composition. I want to remember the mess that is my desk, I want to remember how J leaves his shoes everywhere, the non-weber grill that I told him not to buy, the sun room scattered with toys, Evie's desk, Max's high chair where he's been chowing down, and the staircase that we walked hundreds and thousands of time so that we can grill, chill, and party in the yard, and the broken pot that we still haven't removed since it was broken months ago. It's not all pretty but this is life. 

(Click the image to enlarge!)

View fullsize

*Po Chi Fung is a Washington DC and MD lifestyle and documentary family photographer serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Potomac

Letters to our Children | July

Dear Children, you are everything good in this world to me. And in light of all the tragedies that seem to be happening weekly..hell, daily, I've been hiding behind you, your infectious belly giggles, and sinking into your warm embrace even more whenever I need reassurance that this world is going to be okay. It is going to be okay because we love each other and because your dad and I, along with many good people we know, are doing our best to raise our children to be kind and loving, to ALL types of people, and to fight injustice.  The justice league is in your blood, so don't try to deny it, alright? :)

Evie - After our mama-daughter breakfast date to the donut shop and drop off at daycare, I had this inkling that I've never had before. An inkling that you will somehow be my rock..our family's rock.  What I currently see as ridiculous stubbornness and uncrushable relentlessness will transform into the bravest, strongest, and most stable person in our lives one day.  Somehow I just feel that in my gut.  In so many ways, that is already true.  You are also a sensitive soul and oh boy, SO COMPETITIVE. You want to be first in everything, just like your baba!  We are trying to teach you to be a team player and how to be a good winner and loser.  What fun and how lucky we are to have you in our lives, my amazing first born. I was sitting beside you at breakfast today and you asked me to move to the seat across from you because "you couldn't see me!" That made me the happiest human on earth. I can't wait to take you to your first movie at the theater on Saturday and have more fun mama-E time.

Max - In the last few weeks, you finally started eating and loving solids!!! Your baba and I couldn't believe it when you kept asking for food and asking for more cherries after you already ate a ton.  I thought someone switched my baby boy! You are hilarious, sweet, and loving. You and Evie are playing more and more together. There are some fighting over toys but you've actually been a really good sport. And so much giggling between you and your Ga Je.  You look up to her, especially when she is riding her bicycle. You run, you walk a lot, and you even walk down some steps like a big boy, and you've been going on the bike with your baba. He said you even giggled on the bike a few times today, it's a huge deal because you can be so stoic! Your first real word that you keep using is AGUA. Good for you, always hydrate my sweety sweet. 

This is such a fun time in our lives and I imagine that I will be thinking about this summer for the rest of my life.

I love you guys so much.

Mama

*Po Chi Fung is a Washington DC and MD lifestyle and documentary family photographer serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Potomac

Letters to our Children | June

Dear Children, you guys are hilarious and sometimes a bit insane...

Evie, you crack me up every day. That other day, when your Baba asked you why you didn't nap at school, you replied, "My eyes are dead, they were resting." I must admit that I said WTF out loud, laughed, and then made a mental note that we need to somehow incorporate those words in a song for your future rock n roll band.  You also called your father garbage recently and when we discussed this topic further, you looked me firmly in the eyes are said, "But some people ARE garbage, right Mama?" I'm like, "hmm. absolutely, but not your dad."  Then you went and asked the babysitter if she has boobies...and then whether or not there is milk inside...then you told her her stomach was big.  Oh gosh. 

I am not going to lie, Evie, the 3's have been difficult. There's been more "Stop what you are doing! Don't make me count to 3! It is dangerous! YOU NEED TO LISTEN" more than your dad and I had imagined. It seems to be this continuous test on boundaries throughout the whole day. We are learning to work with you as we go but take it easy on us every once in a while, alright?

Max, you are becoming a riot. It was somewhat shocking that my sweet sweet baby boy transformed into an opinionated and sometimes demanding little toddler.  You are coming into your own and the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. You are stubborn and determined like your dad and I but in different ways than Evie.  You now protest if you don't get what you want or isn't given what you "asked" for.  You still enjoy reading and playing by yourself but you are becoming so much more interactive.  You loved the kitty cat dance party with your dad and your sister that other day. Watching you have a blast with your sister just makes my mama heart burst.

Life is so lively with the two of you. And I love it.

-Mama

Po Chi Fung is a Ventura County Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer, also serving Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, and other surrounding areas. She captures real-life moments with a documentary approach on film to tell your family's story. 

Baby boy on film! | Ventura County Newborn Photographer

Photography has led me to new friends that I otherwise wouldn't have met in my day to day and I'm so glad I got to meet Yasmina a few years ago through a film mama group. She took some beautiful film photographs of Max and I when Max was just 9 days old and I'm so happy that I got to return the favor. I might have squealed when I got my film scans back.

Motherhood, in all the different ways, is so beautiful and tender. I'm so glad I got to document some bits of these early days for Yasmina and her baby boy. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Contact me if you'd love timeless photographs of your family and your newborn! 

Po Chi Fung is a Ventura County Lifestyle Family and Newborn Photographer, also serving Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, and other surrounding areas. She captures real-life moments with a documentary approach on film to tell your family's story. 

Film Friday - A Berry Summer Edition

I am cracking up over my title...can you guess what I'm going to be posting about?!

This summer feels like the best summer yet.  The kids are at such a fun age and it is beginning to be really fun having special outings with them!  If you asked me to name five things that I love about summer, then I would answer: cold brew, strawberries, peaches, watermelon, and pool.  We are slightly too early for peaches but this post contains all the rest.  We are loving our summer so far - strawberry picking, going to petting zoo birthday parties, and the pool.  Enjoy the photos :)

A mix of Fuji400H + 1 and Portra400. All developed by the FIND lab.

*Po Chi Fung is a Washington DC and MD lifestyle and documentary family photographer serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Potomac

Film Friday - annual Cherry Blossoms edition

HOW is it Friday already again????

So...we basically didn't have a spring in DC this year and went from a whole month of rain straight to summer.  I am okay with that but I am going to think about spring a tiny bit this morning by throwing back to our visit to see the cherry blossoms two months ago.  Jeremy and I have gone almost every year since we have been together, with the exception of two years 1) Super pregnant before Evie was born and 2) we were out of the country.  Our walk downtown last year is still so vivid in my mind because I remember being so disappointed with how overcasted it was! It started out kind of exciting since this was the first time our family of 4 visited the cherry blossoms together BUT I'd say we got over it rather quickly because it was so crowded even though we got there shortly after 7am! Note: Max was strapped to the carrier the whole time, so I didn't get photographs of him on camera, but at least we have some iphone family snaps :)

I hope you enjoy these photographs :) Happy Happy Friday and have a good weekend, peeps!

All taken on a Pentax645N and a Canon 1v on portra400.

*Po Chi Fung is a Washington DC and MD lifestyle and documentary family photographer serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Potomac