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There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again
— Elizabeth Lawrence

10130 Falls Rd.
Potomac, MD 20854

12028706773

Yellowhale Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and family photography using natural light and settings to create pure and captivating images. A professional photographer with a thriving business, Kyung Jung is based in the Washington, DC area. She travels throughout the District, Northern Virginia and Maryland turning life’s precious moments into contemporary and vibrant memories. For more information, please contact Kyung at 202-870-6773 or info@yellowhale.com.

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Yellowhale studio news is announced weekly of recent photoshoot, promotion, tips to take great pictures for clients.

Last minute but amazing gifts that moms will LOVE

kyung jung

Just in a week, it is Mother's Day. I love May because it is the time to appreciate and celebrate the most special person in your life. Both my mom and Luke's mom living far far away- one in Seoul, Korea and the other in Vancouver, Canada, I am used to send gifts at least a week or two ahead of the day. Sometimes (in fact, quite often ^^) I would miss the deadline to ship to get it delivered on time and have to work with their local florist or shops around their homes to make their special days. Gift giving is the finest way of thinking of someone you really appreciate in my opinion. How do you choose a gift for someone special? and how would you present it? Every year, we all try hard to come up with something different that will bring a big smile on the person's face - sometimes, it takes too long so we miss the deadline, right? If you already picked out something, I admire you... but if you wanted it to be so special and still thinking, I have seven fresh ideas for you to consider. Because as you know, I have been working with moms for years and I have tried these gifts and they work! Be the hero of her special day - even if it is not for this mother's day, she will LOVE to receive these beautiful and useful and just for herself kind of special gift. The best part is there is still time to put your action together! I picked out the best boutiques with exceptional customer service that can deliver within 48 hours. These are all from NYC or in DC!   * images below are captured from each business website.

BRUNCH at Ladurée, Georgetown

How pretty and delicious would it be to have a delight brunch at an exceptional place with its own decorative ambiance in the Ladurée style. I know many of my clients LOVE this place in Paris and New York, but did you know that its Georgetown flag shop including its lovely boutique, tea salon, and restaurant on May 2nd - LAST WEEK!!! I can not even imagine how sweet and pretty it is to have a glass of champagne with fresh baked chocolate croissant there. I am pretty sure it will be crowded during Mother's day by the fans who waited long time its grand open - but if you are looking for something beautiful, delicious, and totally Parisian for your loving mom and wife, pick up a box of macarons (& maybe add a bottle of strawberry jam) from Ladurée and present her with a bouquet of few light pink Peonies. She will be so thrilled guaranteed!!!!

Address: 3060 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Phone(202) 737-0492  |  Web: https://www.laduree.com/en_int/


Diptyque fragrance

OMG - Diptyque is one of my favorite shops to visit when I go to NYC. Just trying out all different kinds of fragrances makes me feel like I am in heaven. My favorite one is  Tubéreuse room candle. It is so beautifully mixed with heady flower smells. In fact, it is what we lit during your meeting at the studio that you loved. If you are adventurous, you can try three mini candle set custom select from their 34 choices of room fragrances. Or you can go with Doson perfume for daily personal flower dose. Diptyque boutique is in NYC and their shipping is one day to MD, DC, or VA - so you are not too late to place the order on line to receive it on time! If you like, you may visit bluemercury store in Bethesda or Neiman or Barneys to pick out limited selections. You will not go wrong - as every mom I know (I know lots of moms~~!!) loved it! I usually order my candles from Madison Ave, NYC boutique because they have all collections and everything will be delivered in a day or two with no shipping or tax ^^

Web: http://www.diptyqueparis.com/  
Phone: (212) 879-3330 (Madison Ave, NYC boutique) 


LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT

OK.. Do I even need to say any word for this jewel of chocolate world? No one in the world would say no to this gift of heaven that lets you discover the marvelous luxury creation of La Maison du Chocolat. Again, all US boutiques are in Manhattan, NY so you can call them and order assortment of its iconic gift box of ganaches, pralines, and almond paste, in mild and dark chocolates. Its iconic gift box of 29 pieces or 41 pieces with a well written card will show how much you care about her. It is by far my favorite kind of indulgences that everyone loves. Order online or call to place your order by Wednesday to receive it the next day. Make sure to keep it in the cool place to make sure the freshness! And oh, if you are running really late, William Sonoma carries few limited selection that you may be able to pick up! Hurry though...^^

Web: http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.us/en_us 
Phone: (718) 361-9161


Nespresso boutique

Coffee is my number one and everyday treat - like many of my clients. Because I am a portrait photographer, I get to visit my clients' home all the time and learned cool people drink cool drinks! HA~ When we take a break during the photo session, I am often offered a nice cup of cappuccino or a shot of espresso and it is so~~~ good. I know many of you who are reading already have NESPRESSO machine at home! But I wanted to include it in my list because they have an amazing offer going on right now. 30% off of all machines, so if you like to give her her own prettiest cup of coffee everyday in her office, you may want to order Vertuoplus White - it is so pretty and compact and quiet and does an amazing job! And have you tried Hazelino?? Oh I fell in love with it.  So smooth and balanced and has a perfect hazelnut infusion... She will smile every time she drinks her afternoon coffee. You can order it on line or call 800-562-1465 24/7 or visit their boutiques near. The delivery takes ONE day - super! They just opened a new location in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, too!

Web: https://www.nespresso.com/us/en/home
Phone: (800) 562-1465 (24/7 customer service)


BAOBAO origami bags and clutches

Whenever I wear this bag, I get tons of compliments from everyone around me - it is definitely a conversational piece! BAOBAO bags are designed by Issey Miyake and made in Japan. Because there is no boutique in the US yet, you will likely be the first one to have this gem among your group of friends! You can order these amazing accessories that will compliment any outfit you may wear, light weight, durable, beautiful, and so functional from their website. My favorite items are LUCENT CLUTCH, and LUCENT BASIC TOTE  (I love them all, but if I had to choose, these two are the best!)
I am not sure how quickly they will deliver if you order from on line shop at this point. But if you really want to surprise her with one of BAOBAO, you may order from Museum Of Modern Art MOMA store in NYC that will ship it for one day. They have few limited selections available on line.

Web: https://www.shopbaobaoisseymiyake.com/ 
Phone: (212) 226-5514


AESOP Skincare

AESOP is an Australian skin care brand loved by so many women in the world. I first fell in love with their handsoap at my friend's place from Melbourne. How lovely and nice it was on my rough and dry hands. Parsley Seed Anity-Oxidant Serum is another one of my favorites among many others.  The 3.4 fl oz last quite long and is only $73! Their mother's day special is free shipping on order of $50 or more until May 9th. If you want to go safer, you can definitely do Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash and Cream set OMG - who would not love this wonderful (very useful) gift? Plus they JUST opened the DC boutique in Georgetown where you can visit and pick up the gift any day this week. The new shop was designed by Jeremy Deller that shows local heritage of the neighborhood. Amazing boutique shops opened just in time for Mother's day! LOVE!~ 

Web: http://www.aesop.com/usa/
Address: 3275 North M Street NW
Phone: (202) 333-7444


YELLOWHALE Portrait Experience

Last but not least, moms LOVE their children and family portraits. At Yellowhale Portrait Studio, we create unforgettable memories that will be cherished for generations to come. Yellowhale Portrait Experience is unique and personal experience as every portrait session is custom designed from initial consultation to plan sessions to create wall galleries and deliver & install your portraits arts, every step of the way is throughly taken care of so that you can enjoy more. To celebrate this Mother's Day, we have created a limited edition PORTRAIT CERTIFICATE valued at $1000 for just $500. You can redeem $1000 towards your family portrait sessions for the the month of JULY and AUGUST 2017. Five certificates are available and you can CALL 202.870.6773 or EMAIL info@yellowhale.com to order. Here is the detail.  Offer ends on May 13th 2017, orders placed by 5/10 will ship out on 5/11 by UPS, orders placed 5/11~5/13 must be picked up at the studio. 

What it is like to Experience Yellowhale Portrait

kyung jung

Every family has its own story. As a family portrait photographer - I get to enjoy the most beautiful and real family stories from how the couple fell in love, thirty-hour long labor, to first birthday, and so many other episodes. I love being part of the family stories. More over, I want to CREATE unforgettable memories for them to cherish. 

Today, my client, Jennifer and Sung visited the studio for the Big Reveal presentation of their family portraits photographed three weeks ago. We had planned this special celebration since January, selecting the style, color, location, what to wear. Jennifer and I share so much in common (like all other moms out there! ^^) how much we love our children and what the family means to us. So the designing her photo session was quite similar to what I would have done for my own family. Their children are pre teens and it is the stage where they start to feel uncomfortable smiling at the camera or hugging or kissing their mom and feel a little shy about being in front of the camera.  As I understood, her main focus of the photo session was to capture the children's natural smile (not posed or forced) and show the love of the family.  I had planned to play a little game with them to relax and have fun during the session. The session took place at the studio to create a modern, yet formal look that will go really well with her living room decor. I loved how everything we planned came together at the session and the result turned out exactly how she wanted!

Below is a short video clip that I was able to capture during the REVEAL presentation and I so wanted to share it with you all. I took this video with my iphone with their permission. ^^

After she left the studio, I received a little note from her saying...

Thank you Kyung!

You have far exceeded my expectations!! And I had high expectations too.. haha! You have captured the love in my family... the great love and joy we have for each other and from each other. You have captured them all in your images. You are so gifted! And a special thank you for capturing my son Nathan. Your images display what I see when I look at him. When I asked Nathan “Do you recognize yourself?”, he said “no” and I told him “This handsome young man is you my Nathan! This is exactly what you look like in real life!”. Your pictures are treasures that we will cherish forever. From beginning to end the whole experience was a wonderful one and the results speak for themselves. Thank you so much!

— Jennifer

I am so so so happy to be able to give the family the most beautiful images to cherish and see what their love and happiness is like. Below is some of my favorite images from their portrait experience.

Jen and Sung, thank you so much for letting me be part of your life journey. Being there to document what is already beautiful was my privilege and I am grateful for that. When this image is magnificently installed over your mantle, not only your children but also everyone who visits your lovely home will be reminded of love and joy shines through the portrait. - Kyung

I can not believe it is already MAY (one third of the year 2017 has passed already!).

If you are interested in reserving your family portraits this spring, I still have our $99 Portrait Special sessions available for June. It is an amazing value and would be a perfect gift for the MOM you love for Mother's Day (May 14th!). You know mothers like Jennifer and myself, we would die to receive our children's portraits as a gift than anything...  CALL 202.870.6773 to schedule your session and click HERE  for more information.

YELLOWHALE - the story behind the name...

kyung jung

Almost all of my clients ask me why my business name is Yellowhale. The story behind it has been posted on the website since 2004 when I began the journey, but I wanted to share it with you again today because I just received the most beautiful watercolor drawing of the yellow mother whale and her calf from my friend artist Canan Esen. Isn't it perfect?

With Ethan, Feb 2003

With Ethan, Feb 2003

It all began when my first son, Ethan was born fourteen years ago. My husband and I were filled with the joyous anticipation of raising a little boy. However, when he was born with an unexpected medical condition, we needed to obtain treatment for him in another country, and this required our family to be separated for ten months. It was when he was just over three weeks old when we left home and when I started photographing his daily life (from waking up in the morning to go to bed at night) to keep my husband intimately involved in his growth. I had SONY cybershot digital camera with 32mb memory stick that could not even record a video then. There was not much function except AUTO or portrait, even if there was, I would not care much. The purpose of my photo shoot was to document my son's daily life to show my husband when we were far away from each other. However, I felt helpless (defeated) when the baby in the pictures was not as beautiful as he is in real life. In fact, it did not even look like him... When I emailed them to my husband, I would explain by words about how much more handsome he was in person. 

Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.
— Linda Wooten

By the time Ethan became a couple months old, I started to look for a better way to capture his fun personality and look with the camera. Finding information on line, reading photography books, using my sister's SLR camera to experiment different ways to take better pictures of him. I had a mission to show the REAL life and look of my son to his father! Ten long months later, he finally got better and we were able to come back home to reunite as a family. To this day, my husband knows every details of our life during those months because of these images. Even when we were not physically together, we were able to share our life together. Those moments meant so much to me that we decided to exhibit our journey to our friends and family when Ethan turned one. We made a slide show made out of hundreds of images and displayed framed pictures on a gallery wall where we had his first birthday party hosted. Many of our friends came and celebrated his birthday and his full recovery with us and some asked me to photograph their babies because they loved and were inspired by my story! That's how I started my photography. 

With Ethan, Oct 2016photographed by Millie Holloman

With Ethan, Oct 2016
photographed by Millie Holloman

This journey inspired my love of photography not only as an art, but as an intimate way to tell a family’s story. As more and more people contacted me for baby photography, I had to make a website with a domain name to show samples and other information in one place. One evening, I watched a documentary on Humpback Whales and immediately connected with the intensely loving and sacrificial bond between the mother and calf. The mother whale migrate thousands of miles to a shallow and warm water to give birth and raise the young calf until it learns how to swim and breathe and grow strong enough to swim back to arctic ocean where there is food for them. She would starve while taking care of the baby because there is no food for the mom to eat in shallow warm water for fourteen months after the baby is born. She barely have just enough energy to go back home by the time they can swim home together.. 

The story of the Humpback Whale caught my heart. I instantly connected to the relationship between the mother and her calf. The story paralleled my life as my son received care and became healthier, stronger, and more independent. There is so much LOVE and GIVE in the story of Humpback Whales. I knew every mother would have done the same for her child.

I have chosen the name “Yellow Whale” for my photography because the color YELLOW (of passion fruit!) represents my passion for photography and WHALE represents mother's love. Yellowhale combined the important vision of the Humpback Whale bravely teaching her young the lessons of life so it too one day could forge a life filled with brilliance and strength. and I hoped to portray the love and connection among family through beautiful images. 

The year 2017 is Yellowhwale's 13th year photographing babies, children, and families around the world. and I am so grateful for the opportunities I had to connect and celebrate the love and togetherness with all our friends. THANK YOU and I appreciate you and want to give back.

To show our appreciation, we've got a PORTRAIT SPECIAL for you.

For just $99, you will get our either Studio or Signature experience including Design Consultation, Portrait Session, Selection Consultation. With your portrait order, you' will also receive our special edition metal desk portrait (8x10, valued $299). Plus, 5% of the sales will be donated to Lonely Whale Foundation.

Call today to book. 202-870-6773.

We are giving away UNLIMITED sessions at the $99 promo price from now till Mother's day (May 14th). Portrait sessions must take place by June 30th, 2017. Restriction may apply, please inquire.

Hope to see you and your friends soon!

And again, I really thank you Canan Esen for the amazing water color painting. 

We are hiring! - Newborn Photographer Position

kyung jung

Yay!!!! We are looking for an experienced newborn photographer to be part of Yellowhale Portrait team. Maryland, North Virginia, or DC photographers, this is a great opportunity to do, learn, and grow with our Baby & Children's boutique portrait studio. If you love to create newborn portrait art, to be part of our amazing community, to do what you love while grow your passion,  this is for you!  We are located in Potomac, MD (10 min from Beltway, right at crossing Potomac River).

If you are the perfect photographer, please EMAIL in your portfolio, resume, along with cover letter to info@yellowhale.com. 

This is a part time position that has a potential to grow into full time. Compensation is based on experience and qualifications. Per session or hourly rate and commission will be discussed during the review process.

Job Description:

We are looking for a highly experienced newborn photographer to be part of our creative photography team. Must be able to work with newborn baby with posing, lighting, styling technique with exceptional artistic vision that fits Yellowhale Photography's simple and clean style. Must have an excellent technique and skill to use a full frame DSLR camera. Must be able to plan, shoot and edit the images at the studio. 

Qualification:

  • at least two year(s) of experience as a professional newborn photographer  
  • strong portfolio of newborn photography showing mastery of technique, exposure, pose, post processing in newborn portraits
  • photography degree not necessary, but training & workshops are a plus
  • Proficient with Photoshop, Lightroom, Adobe Raw 
  • time management, interpersonal skill, written & verbal communication skills are must

Non-compete agreement is required for all employee. We provide extensive training and opportunity to learn and grow. Position begins in MAY 2017.

If you are the perfect photographer, please EMAIL in your portfolio, resume, along with cover letter to info@yellowhale.com.  (Please do not call, visit, or text to the studio)

CALL for MATERNITY & NEWBORN Portrait Models!

kyung jung

Models needed for MATERNITY & NEWBORN photoshoot

 

I am so excited to announce this opportunity to our friends and clients first. There are few creative projects coming up and we are in need of maternity and/or newborn portrait session opportunities.

If you fall into the following category, please EMAIL me at info@yellowhale.com with a snapshot. I will forward an application and details. Please DO NOT call or message me on Facebook or Instagram. Sessions will take place in LATE JUNE or LATE JULY.

26-32 week pregnant as of 6/1/2018

OR

DUE between 6/15~7/15 (Multiples welcome!)

Share on your page or tag your friends who would love a complimentary session and portraits of their newborn! Thanks so much!