Jae Hong is a crazy ball of energy. His hair represents him well. I think it probably falls down overnight and by 10am he’s run around so much it just sticks straight up. He was non-stop running, jumping, dancing, laughing; at one point he literally tried to jump out of the window. Kala is going to have her hands full! Jae Hong also had the greatest shirt on of all time. It fits his personality too. He’s got some character that one. Definitely an independent mind.
It was absolutely my pleasure being there for this amazing period. I hope all the best for Kala, her family, and Jae Hong.
Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
Shot with Nikon D700 | Nikon 24-70/2.8
Processed with VSCO and Lightroom
I am so thankful to have you there. I’m still trying to sort out all that happened in that pure craziness that I wouldn’t take back. Thanks for allowing the rest of my family to be in the moment through your camera.
I’ve photographed lots of events before – weddings, conferences, concerts – but never a graduation. So I was happy and excited to photograph this event. Part of the benefit of being a photographer is being able to share the happiest moments of peoples lives. Seriously… what better way to spend a day than hanging out with excited people and helping them capture these amazing memories. This is also why I’m an event and portrait photographer, I love working with people. I’ve never been into fine art, I can’t stand waiting around for hours for the perfect sunset, and I’m not into animals or architecture. All of my photography is working with what I love, people.
This group of SNU International Development Study graduates were as diverse as a jar of jelly beans. They came from, I think, 5-6 different African countries, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Philippines, Indonesia, and a few more I can’t remember. It was a miniature UN. It’s amazing that our global development has reached a point that people from 20 different parts of the world are joining together to study in this not-so-long-ago remote corner of the world in Seoul. It blows my mind.
I want to pass along what I told my MBA class when I graduated two weeks ago: As graduates we have the resources and intelligence to reach for our dreams. But I hope our dreams are worth it. The world is full of talent, intelligence, and riches, and I hope for all of those things for you. But what the world needs is good and courageous people. Woody Allen once said “Talent is luck. The important thing is courage.” I wish you all the best!
I’ve been a long time advocate for adoption and have always planned on adopting at least one child in the hopefully-not-so-distant future. So it was a real joy for me to be asked to document this incredible occasion. Needless to say it was dramatically emotional. As just the photographer I had to bite back tears; I can’t imagine the emotional tidal wave the participants must have endured. But the overall emotion of course was joy. Zoe Bin has found a new home with a beautiful (literally too, they’re quite the lookers) set of parents.
What really struck me, and what I wasn’t prepared for, was the difficulty of the family giving away the baby. I suppose I’ve always concentrated on the happiness of the family receiving, but have never considered the pain of having to give up something you’ve spent so long caring for. But of course, as parents are, I’m sure they’re happy that Zoe Bin will be happy and cared for.
And Zoe Bin, what a girl. Seriously, she’s not even two and she looks four. Her eyes are sharp, her language is good, and she’s more curious than my cat. She is obviously incredibly intelligent, dangerously cute, and knows what she wants. She’s the whole Korean girl package. I seriously fell for her. Anddddddddd, she would not let those cameras go. She’s going to be a photographer. I’m just going to call it early.
Congrats! Thanks again for sharing this moment with me!
Taylor Swift – Safe and Sound
Shot with Nikon D700 | Nikon 35/1.8 | Nikon 24-70/2.8
Processed with VSCO and Lightroom
Kyle and Amanda are one of the sweetest couples I’ve had the pleasure of working with. They are also incredible troopers. I think we chose the hottest and muggiest August day in the year to shoot this and they were incredible patient, optimistic, and fun. Because we shot in notoriously pedestrian traffic heavy Insadong, we tried to incorporate pedestrians and traffic as props and background. I think it worked out well.
Ed Sheeran – Lego House
Shot with Nikon D700 | Nikon 35/1.8 | Nikon 24/2.8
Processed with VSCO, Lightroom, and Photoshop
Yesterday I finished my final MBA assignment from Korea University Business School. If you insist you may call me Master Dustin. 🙂
Really though, it feels great to be finished. I’m going to miss so many things and so many friends. And I’m especially going to miss the student lifestyle. I can’t even remember the last time I used an alarm clock. There is nothing better than having to study for a living. But sadly, that’s no living at all really. Gotta make the monies.
In celebration I’m posting some pictures of the cutest cat that ever was or will be. Just some shots around my apartment of my ridiculously good looking cat Windy. Hope she brightens your day a little like she brightens mine.
I am so thankful to have you there. I’m still trying to sort out all that happened in that pure craziness that I wouldn’t take back. Thanks for allowing the rest of my family to be in the moment through your camera.
My pleasure! 🙂