{ Takeo Uesugi | Portraits… and Published! }

Although I mostly photograph weddings, I always get excited when I am contacted for a portrait session. Discussing and planning the session is like taking a peek into their backgrounds and experiences – a dancer, a business woman, a new addition to the family; each session celebrates who they are and this moment in their life.

In this case it was Takeo Uesugi, the father/father-in-law of Keiji & Becca (the first couple I ever photographed!). Takeo is an amazing landscape architect. The Japanese Garden at Cal Poly Pomona, the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, the garden by the JACCC in Little Tokyo – he’s designed countless beautiful landscapes across California and beyond. As we walked through the garden at Cal Poly Pomona, he pointed out the koi, described the different sounds of the water trickling under the bridge, and explained the varieties of plants that filled the garden. His serene knowledge and absolute love for what he did shined through his every word and it was an honor photographing him in the midst of his beautiful work.

The cherry on top was when Keiji informed me that an article featuring Takeo and some images from the session would be featured in the Nichi Bei Times, northern California’s leading Japanese-American newspaper. The article is a wonderful recognition of all of his work and a great overview of Japanese gardens in the US. The online version of the article can be viewed here.

And a few more shots from the session…

—–

P.S. Thanks to everyone who played along in the little giveaway in my last post! The winner of a wonderful little package of tea bags is Nelly! Nelly, I’ll be in touch with you soon and everyone else stay tuned for the next “Fave Finds” installment :)

—–

Tags: , , , , , , ,

12 Responses to “{ Takeo Uesugi | Portraits… and Published! }”

  1. Joan Solitario Says:

    Congratulations Adrienne! Beautiful photos! I like spending time with people who can share a bit of their knowledge to all of us!

  2. Wayne Toshikazu Says:

    Sweet! :) And oh how I LOVE Japanese gardens!

  3. Kim Takeda Says:

    Wow! Great stuff! How exciting for both you and Mr. Uesugi! Congratulations!

  4. jackie wonders Says:

    congrats- again!!!

  5. Gon Choi Says:

    The second photo with the sun slightly behind him is awesome shot!

  6. V3 Weddings + Events Says:

    Congrats Adrienne! What an amazing garden! I’m in love!

  7. Nelly Chung Says:

    I love this post! I am so happy you got to photograph Takeo because he was my professor at Cal Poly!!!! I too am a landscape architect and miss seeing Takeo. It has been a very long time. These pictures of him are great! I was also surprised to see I was the winner of your giveaway! Thanks for making me smile this morning!

  8. Stephen Grant Says:

    High fives on this! And super images — lots of love for that image with the golden tree especially!

  9. ohana photographers - david & kimi Says:

    woo yoo adrienne!!! congrats!! love the first and second pics!

  10. Keiji Says:

    Nice post, Adrienne! Thank you so much for taking such amazing photos of my dad! The sensitivity he approaches his designs with was keenly captured within the portraits you took at the garden. That’s a good eye and skillful hand. Keep up the great work!

  11. Tony Says:

    woo hoo! great portraits!

  12. john Says:

    really nice portrait!!!!

Leave a Reply