The Vo Family maternity and newborn Collection

Orange County | Fullerton, California

Loving can hurt.
Loving can hurt sometimes,
but it’s the only thing that I know.

When it gets hard,
you know it can get hard sometimes.
It is the only thing makes us feel alive.

We keep this love in a photograph,
we made these memories for ourselves —
where our eyes are never closing,
hearts are never broken,
and time’s forever frozen, still.

So you can keep me inside the pocket of your ripped jeans,
holding me closer until our eyes meet,

You won’t ever be alone,
wait for me to come home.

– “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran –

Fine Art Maternity and Newborn Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Natural Light Orange County Pregnancy and Baby Photographer

It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to write and update my Journal. I’m a little behind on my posts!

Last year, I held my annual Compassion Sessions, which is a special portrait session giveaway designed to honor a deserving mother and to celebrate her and the beautiful life she has built. To capture her story so that she feels seen, valued, and loved. Last year, I actually chose three recipients whose unique stories I’ve been (slowly) sharing.

Today, I’m honored to share the Vo family’s beautiful story. Both medical physicians in our community here in Southern California, Alex and Christina are two of the most selfless, kind, compassionate, and hardworking people I have ever met. Their strength and humility amidst difficult circumstances along their journey to starting their own family, both with full time jobs while serving the least privileged and forgotten is not only inspirational, but beautiful and worthy of recognition.

Below was Alex’s comment to nominate his wife, Christina:

“I would like to nominate my wife, Christina. She is a soon-to-be mother, who is currently going into her third trimester; we are expecting our baby girl.

She works tirelessly all year as a primary care healthcare provider for a nonprofit low income clinic for the city of Santa ana/Tustin during the peak of the pandemic and until now, to take care of the underserved population of this community in Southern California. While being very dedicated to her job and taking care of her patients, she is also dealing with very tough pregnancy symptoms, and overcoming them like the champion that she is.

I am on my deployment with the Marine corps as an active duty service member, and just returned to her recently. While I was out serving our country, she was my backbone and my support. She helped take care of my mom and her parents, and our aging house with multiple things that were broken when I was gone. Without her love, sacrifice and support, I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

Fine Art Natural Light Newborn Studio Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Newborn Baby Photographer Southern California

Natural Light Maternity and Newborn Package Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Pregnancy and Baby Los Angeles Photographer

Fine Art Studio Pregnancy and Newborn Package Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Maternity and Baby Photographer

In her own words, Christina shares a bit of what life has been like these past years, and a little of their journey to starting their family:

“I currently work as a family medicine physician in Orange County and I work at a low cost clinic caring for the underserved. Many of my patients are self pay patients who do not have much access or financial means to healthcare. I met my husband while I was in medical school and together we bonded throughout school and then residency training.

Our journey together has not been an easy one as there have been many ups and downs of school and training and many setbacks in both our careers and personal lives.

He is currently a military family medicine physician (Navy, but he works at a Marine Corps Base) serving active duty and facing possible deployment soon (2022). We were finally able to hold our wedding ceremony/reception this past year in May 2021 and I found out I was pregnant in July 2021.

After almost 9 years together after putting our lives on hold for medicine, we are finally starting our own family.

This portrait session means everything to us as it represents a pivotal moment in our lives, even with so much unknown still in the upcoming near future.”

Light and Airy Studio Pregnancy and Newborn Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Natural Light Studio Los Angeles Photographer

Natural Light Studio Newborn Baby and Family Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Fine Art Studio Los Angeles Photographer

Orange County Studio Newborn Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Studio Pregnancy and Baby Photographer Southern California

Orange County Studio Newborn Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Studio Pregnancy and Baby Photographer Southern California

I’m so thrilled to share images from Alex and Christina’s Studio Maternity Session and their daughter Madelin’s Newborn Session.

Alex was able to be present for the birth of his daughter, and for the first months of her life, but shortly thereafter was on call to be deployed for up to 12 or 15 months. Everything from the exact date of his deployment and the terms of his absence from his family in these first formative and precious years was uncertain. When he was not deployed, he commuted up to 3 hours a day to care for veterans at the Veteran’s Hospital.

Originally, I had only planned to photograph Christina’s Maternity Session as a part of their gifted Compassion Session, however, upon meeting Alex & Christina and hearing their story, I felt compelled to offer to photograph a mini newborn session, as well. I’ve never done anything like this before, but I truly felt moved by their incredible dedication to serving others and their self sacrifice. I knew that they deserved to be served and honored in some small way, in return.

Fresh 48 Newborn Studio Photographer | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Fresh 48 Birth and Newborn Studio Photographer

Fine Art Studio Natural Newborn Photographer | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Studio Newborn and Baby Photographer

Fine Art Natural Light Studio Newborn Baby Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Fresh 48 Studio Newborn Photographer California

Fine Art Studio Pregnancy Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Fresh 48 Studio Newborn Photographer California

Fine Art Studio Natural Light Maternity and Newborn Baby Photographer | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Newborn Studio Photographer California

Luxury Natural Light Studio Maternity and Newborn Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Los Angeles Studio Photographer Southern California

Luxury Natural Light Studio Maternity and Newborn Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Los Angeles Studio Pregnancy Photographer Southern California

Fine Art Natural Light Studio Maternity and Newborn Baby Photographer | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Newborn Studio Photographer California

Fine Art Natural Light Studio Maternity and Newborn Baby Photographer | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Studio Orange County Pregnancy and Newborn Photographer California

Fine Art Natural Light Studio Maternity and Newborn Baby Photographer | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Studio Pregnancy and Newborn Photographer California

Fine Art Black and White Maternity and Baby Photography | Tiffany Chi Photography
Light and Airy Orange County Studio Fresh 48 Newborn Photographer California

To some, a simple photograph of someone you love is probably often taken for granted, but for anyone who has experienced a long absence of those that they love most, a simple photograph can be the hope that keeps us going.

Thank you, Christina and Alex, for sharing your story with me and most of all, for your dedication of service and care to others.

It was a sincere honor to connect with you, to tell your story, and I truly hope that you felt taken care of, seen, and appreciated for all that you do.

Love,

Tiffany