In 2009 the Hoa-Hau Ao-Dai pageant struck gold because Kevin Nguyen joined the pageant! He didn’t put on ao-dai, high heels or wore makeup (not that we know of), but he took great pictures for all of the girls (and boys). Since then, he has dedicated countless hours and energy sponsoring the pageant with his hard work and amazing talent. As for titles, it didn’t take long before people recognized him as the “Official Pageant Photographer.”

On Saturday, June 15, 2013, Kevin took all the girls and two of best photography buds to one of most beautiful beaches in Santa Cruz. Kevin usually organizes these photo outings once a year with every new court. Luckily the day turned out nice and sunny.

Models: Phung, Sandy, Minh, Lynn, Pauline, and Yvonne
Photographers: Kevin Nguyen, Sonny Cao, and Nhi Duong
Date: June 15th, 2013
Time: Noon until 4PM

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 001Just 30 miles South of San Jose takes you to one of the most breath taking places on Earth. We are here in the city of Santa Cruz, famously known for their beautiful beaches and coastlines, all 29 miles of it.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 002For us to reach our final destination (not the movie) we had to travel half mile on foot. Along the way, we had Mother Nature to thank for. These real stepping stones were not only very beautiful but were very convenient.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 003Finally there!

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 005Pretty girl spotted at the site. Phung brought a pink ao-dai to this photoshoot. She was our pretty girl in pink for that day.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 006Putting on your heels on uneven ground can be tricky, but these ladies got it down.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 007It was very cold and windy despite having some afternoon sun. With waves splashing high up in the air like that you can get an idea how strong the wind was. If they ladies looked cold, it was because they were.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 008No introduction needed, but that is Kevin Nguyen to the left and his friend, Sonny Cao, who is also a photography enthusiast.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 009Daisy chained left to right: Yvonne, Pauline, Phung, Minh, Lynn and Sandy.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 010In order to get the best shots, these guys would roll in the sand if they had to. Who said, photography is not a dirty job?

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 011We all brought food to share but the veggies were the most popular.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 012Minh discovered that one of the big and center rhinestone was missing.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 013Sonny found a nice backdrop along the hillside. Phung posed in her hot pink ao-dai.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 014Tsk Tsk! Someone was who was here before us, didn’t care too much to keep our beaches clean because they left their trash for someone else to pick up. Shame on that person! Anyway, doesn’t Phung look great?

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 015Sonny poses for the camera.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 016Pauline chose blue and it contrasted it really well against the tanned sandstones.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 017There were two photoshoots happening at the same time. One by the rocks and the other one by the water. Kevin chose surf while Sonny chose turf. Here Sandy is playing with her seaweed and looking very peaceful.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 018Did you know that Minh designed her own ao-dai?

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 020So flowy.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 021Shoes left on the rocks.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 022When you’re at the beach there’s no changing area, so Yvonne and Kevin brought their tents. It turned out it was also used as refuge against the cold and wind.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 023Along with their ao-dai’s, the ladies were asked to also bring their short and long sun/beach dresses. So the fun begins…you’ll see.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 025The water was cold to the touch, like iced water. Unfortunately the beaches of Northern California are not suitable for swimming like in Vietnam or Hawaii.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 026Sandy had no problem jumping in the water first. Brave girl!

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 028Sandy made it looked like fun and easy but we’re pretty sure she was freezing something off.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 029Phung’s turn!

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 030It’s just a cute girl sitting by the water.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 031Then she gets splashed with cold ocean water.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 032Despite all that she was still holding on to her seaweed.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 035It was no surprise, but Kevin was very knowledgeable in the area of posing. He knew what would looked good so he personally instructed all the girls on the best poses. In this pic, he told Yvonne to walk out of ocean like Halle Berry from 007. As you can see, this shot has a very striking resemblance to that beach scene in the Movie Die Another Day.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 036Lastly it was Minh’s turn.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 040This trip is not as memorable unless you get kissed by the ocean.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 042Lynn got a nice surprise too.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 044It was fun watching on the sideline.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 045Kevin was giving Lynn some posing instructions.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 049This was the final outfit, the long sun/beach dress.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 051This was around 3PM and it looked amazing.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 052Mermaids by the beach.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 053Kevin doing what he does best. Be sure to check out his photos under the “View Album” heading.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 056Another one of Kevin’s great idea.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 058Yvonne was clearly the power jumper – so much height!

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 060When Kevin speaks you better listen or else…

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 065When deciding on what beach attire to bring to photoshoot, Kevin and Sonny both suggested choosing big bold colors that stand out. Blue is definitely one of them. Here is Phung and her flowy blue dress.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 068We brought all this stuff to the beach.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 069It was so sad but it was time to go. These ladies were probably very tired.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 070Kevin, Minh and Phung were trying to figure out how to fold up that tent. It was tough because the wind was picking up and blowing sand everywhere even into our faces.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 071After a couple minutes, they gave up.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 072The wind was so strong it blew the veggie lid stained with ranch onto Minh’s sweater.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 073After a long day, walking in the sand can pose as a challenge. Poor Kevin was eventually left behind. Little did we know he pulled his leg muscle and had to sit it out. For awhile we didn’t know where he was. Luckily it wasn’t that serious and he was okay…after a couple of days.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Annual Beach Photoshoot 2013 - Santa Cruz, CA - Image 074One last look before we go. Good bye Santa Cruz…

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