The Blog of Smart Shot Studio: April 2007

Calgary Tower and Devonian Garden

April 26, 2007

My family visited the most famous and identifiable physical landmark of City of Calgary which is the Calgary Tower. This tower offers the best view in Calgary: 360 degrees view of the city and rocky mountain.

On the Observation Deck is a glass floor, imagine standing 525 feet above the ground and being able to look straight down and directly out infront of you into the heart of the city.

My kids are lying on the Glass floor which holds the wieght of several elephants and allows you to look straight down the Tower shaft

Top View of Calgary City

Downtown of Calgary City

They also visited Devonian Gardens, an indoor park located in the heart of downtown Calgary.

Monterey Bay, Fisherman's Wharf

Date: April 23, 2007

The whole family together with Uncle Nestor went to Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay. We saw plenty of sea lions and sea gulls. My kids fed them and they had fun...

We had our formal dinning at Isabellas on the Wharf, a perfect place to view over Monterey's marina. My kids loved the clam chowder soup as i had to order for another serving.

Mheann and the rest of the kids fly to Canada

Date: April 24, 2007

Another three weeks vacation for my family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This will be their first time to visit Canada and it will be a grand reunion for them as 75% of Mheann's relatives are Canadian Citizen. I can not join their vacation as i have to attend to my business commitments. As they board to Canada and i will be back to Philippines.... I will miss my family.
Take Care

Edward + Karen E-Session

Date: April 21, 2007
Venue: San Francisco California
we stopped at around 4pm due to some drizzle, but we enjoyed the session at stow lake and baker beach, conservatory of flowers
View Slideshow here.

Carmel and Monterey Tour

Date: April 19, 2007

Uncle Nestor brought us to 17 Mile Drive, a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. Uncle is a golfer and he showed us the golf course where he would always play. The houses along the way are really great and at the beach, we saw, black cormorants, brown pelicans and plenty of bird rocks.
Mount Carmel Church

Pebble Beach

Truly great experience with the Harlem Ambassadors

Date: April 18, 2007
Venue: CSUMB, Monterey CA

Watched the Harlem Ambassadors live at California State University Monterey Bay. It was fun to witness the legend do their craziness inside the hardcourt. I was even lucky because the coach herself laide majic, sat on my lap to do their thing. She was holding a cup of water while sitting on my lap and after she cracked some jokes she immediately threw the cup of water into the bleacher. My son Michael Kim grabbed some stolen shots of Laide Majic and the other Harlem players.
A great experienced indeed.
More power o your good endeavor!

San Francisco Experience with the Kids

Date: April 18, 2007

A good friend of mine from San Francisco by the name of MC Canlas of KP Gallery toured my family to the following famous places in San Francisco California.
1. Twin Peak
2. Alimo Square, with the view of Victorian Houses
3. Chinatown where we ate our lunch together.
4. Golden Gate Bridge with three different spots.

Thank you MC for the nice accommodation.

The Kids Experience at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Date: April 17, 2007

With Uncle Nestor, my kids went to Monterey Bay Aquarium recognized as the finest aquarioum and no. 3 top-rated family attraction in the United States.

While Mheanne and myself chose to shop at Bed, Bath & Beyond, to buy kitchen stuff.

Scheduled trip to San Francisco, CA

Date: April 16, 2007
Via Southwest Airlines. ETD 2:25pm frLAX Airport. Pick up by Shuttle express @ North Hollywood around 10am. Thank You Kuya Rey, Ate Annie and Family.

Wedding expo @ Los Angeles California

Date: April 14 & 15, 2007
Venue: Pasadena Conference Center, Los Angeles California
Organizer: Lavish Event

Another international bridal show experience. Participating a bridal fair outside our country is really a sacrifice, with all the stuff that you have to bring along the travel to showcase your craft. Revenue is not a factor but the experience that you will gain is worth joining the event.

LA Experience

Date: April 13, 2007

We were welcomed by the relatives of Mheann who are very very accommodating. We have been to different places and had our buffet dinner. One of the places that i loved was Hollywood area where we walked around. We also visited the Kodak Theater and the famous Mall in Hollywood.

Los Angeles Wedding Expo

Date: April 14-15, 2007
Venue: Pasadena Conference Center

We were one of the exhibitors in the 1st Lost Angeles-Philippine Wedding Expo done at the Pasadena Conference Center, Lower Level Hall. This is our 2nd time to join the bridal fair in United States. Couples who visited our booth to see samples of our artistic works were not as many as we had in the Philippines. So lucky that we were able to book 2 couples on the spot.

Day 2 @ Universal Studio

Date: April 12, 2007

Places we visted during the 2nd day at Universal Studio
1. The House of Horror, featuring the a cast of famous horror movie characters from the silent age to the modern age.
2. Universal's Animal Actors-star quality critters monkey and animals that run the show.

Then watched some special effects Live
1. Special Effects Live- we saw how the special effects for Universal's biggest movies were made.
2, Backdraft- a blazing inferno of heartpounding heat and fury in a 10,000 degrees blast of searing pyrotechnics and special effects excitement.

Another photo op with some of the favorite characters;
1. Marvel
2. Spongebob Squarepants

3. Shrek

It was really fun

Day 1 @ Universal Studio

Date: April 11, 2007

From Oragne County, we are now here at North Hollywood to visit Univerdal Studio where we got a two day pass.

We took a Metro Rail going to Universal Studio

Places we visited:
1. Back to the future The Ride

2. Universal Studio Tour

3. Jurassic Park, The Ride

4. The Mummy, The Ride

Watched the following:
1. The Fear Factor Live
2. The Terminator 2

3. The Waterworld Live

4. Shrek, 4D

Picture taking with some Universal Studio Characters

1. Spiderman

2. Frankenstein

3. Dracula

4. Dora and Diego

5. The Jaws

MORE PICTURES.....

I am Featured @ Manila Bulletin- Picture Perfect

Date: April 10, 2007

Accolade of Excellence Awards:Album Competition-2007 WPPI

Date: March 25-29, 2007
Venue: Bally's - Paris, Las Vegas, Nevada

Some of you may have heard about our album design which is simple with mainly few images that speak for itself. This is my first time to participate in an international competition. Out of 250 entries submitted by photographers from different countries, I was lucky enough to receive 3 Accolade of Excellence Awards in the Wedding Album Competition under multiple photographers category. I am so honored, humbled and simply blown away! Thank you!
I want to thank the following couples:

1. Vince and Gutzee

2. Paul and Evelyn

3. Angelo and Natasha

1st place winner, WPPP Photo Contest

Date: April 10, 2007
Venue: Cafe Lupe, Makati City

As part of the activity of WPPP, we do a quarterly photo contest. The categories for the 1st quarter are: Bride or Groom alone, and Bride and Groom together. I WON 1st place in the Bride and Groom together category.
I believe that awards or competitions don’t really matter. Winning a competition is an evidence that i am improving my craft and this will surely benefit my client. Congratulations to all the winners.

5th day @ Disneyland

Date: April 8, 2007
Venue: California Adventure and Disneyland

Most of the day were picture taking with the Disney characters while the rest of the group looked for other rides. We got to see toontown were Mickey and Minnie mouse house were located. Ate our lunch at toontown area. We also went to fantasy land for more picture taking with different disney characters:

4th day @ Disneyland

Date: April 7, 2007

Entrance of Adventure Land where we started our day trip

Karmela my youngest daughter looking at the map of disneyland

Kate and Karmela in one of the restrooms of disneyland...

Places we visited:

1. Indiana Jones Adventure

2. Enchanted Tiki Room

3. Jungle Cruise

4. It's a Small World

5. Storybook Land Canal Boats

6. Haunted Mansion
7. Star Tours
8. Innoventions
9. Astro Orbitor
10. Watch the Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams

Late in the afternoon, our relatives from Holywood ( Kuya Rey, Ate Annie, Allan, Claud, Abigail and Andrew) visited us at the hotel.

Night shot of Dolphin's Cove where we stayed for 5 days...

In observance of the Good Friday

April 6, 2007 Rest day in observance of the good friday. Our relatives visited us and invited us for a buffet dinner at V.I.P., Orange County.

3rd day @ Disneyland

Date: April 5, 2007

This is the garden of Dolphin's Cove. Together with my wife and kids is the family of my brother in law who travelled all the way from Canada to join us in our trip to Disneyland.

We are now in disneyland park where once upon a time happens once upon a day. Each person is transformed into the star of his own amazing story from the moment they walk through the gates. Places we visited are as follows: