We finished off the long Holiday weekend with some park time.
A few snaps…
I had the recent honor and blessing of photographing Charisse & Patrick’s wedding in Dana Point (St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church…with reception at the Radisson Newport Beach). Working with this couple and their family members was an absolute joy. There are so many wonderful characteristics and traits that Charisse and Patrick share…and it’s been so rewarding to get to know them while capturing their engagement and wedding memories.
I deliberately choose to shoot a limited amount of weddings per year for the sole reason of providing a high level of service to my clients. And, with Charisse & Patrick, I feel privileged to have also developed a wonderful friendship.
I’d like to give a shout out to the dream team: Kudos to Dalise Lindsay and her team from Dalise Lindsay Events for coordinating a full array of amazing details and orchestarting a flawless day, from beginning to end. Pocadot Posey did an awesome job with the floral design. Chris Lee and his crew from Silver Disc Entertainment were phenomenal. And, videographer Jamaa Ramsey and his associate from Proving Ground Productions were more than impressive. The Radisson Newport Beach proved to be a gorgeous venue…with the poolside cocktail reception being a highlight. 
One of the most rewarding aspects of photography for me is meeting new people and forming lasting relationships with my clients. One recent family that I had the privilege of photographing is the Kuo family. They were so much fun to hang-out with. The joy and love among this family is inspiring, and it was a thrill to witness it from behind the lens. Here are a few of my favorite images from the session.
I had the recent privilege of meeting Mike Larson. He’s an amazing photographer and super nice guy…check out this cool time lapse video he submitted to Pictage TV…very cool. You can check out Mike’s blog here. In addition to wedding photography, Mike has a great portfolio of fine art work (I especially dig his surf images).
And, be sure to bookmark Pictage TV for some great photography resources, footage and content..good stuff.
Our friend Karina Donahue recently hosted a wonderful open house to celebrate her new enterprise:
DOCES
“Little Sweets For Every Occassion”
These Brazilian treats are delicious, and Karina is successfully combining her spirit of entrepreneurialism with her craftsmanship in the kitchen. Definitely check-out www.mydoces.com if you are planning an event (or just want some to snack on for no other occasion than simply enjoying life!)
Photographing the treats was a treat in itself..but more rewarding was sampling all the varieties (I quickly ordered a box of peanut butter Doces..mmm).
Some couples instinctively hit it off in front of the camera - and Charisse and Patrick are no exception. As a result, this engagement session was a joy to shoot. Charisse and Patrick are such a gratious and fun couple to work with…not too mention darn cute together. It was especially fun to include a very special member of their family, their adorable puppy dog (who quickly warmed up to the camera, and even stole the show on a couple of occassions). Special thanks also go out to Mom of the bride-to-be for her excellent on-site stylist role (and great photographic eye as well).
I’m thrilled and honored to be Charisse and Patrick’s wedding photographer, and so looking forward to their upcoming special day.
I had the recent privilege of photographing a beautiful engagement session in Laguna Beach. Shannon and Ryan are planning a spectacular Santa Barbara vineyard wedding this Fall (I’m thrilled to be their photographer). They are such a fun couple to work with…adventurous, easy-going, and (as you can clearly see) very much in love. Here’s a few favorites. Congratulations Shannon & Ryan!
"The only difference between where you are right now, and where you will be next year at this same time, are the people you meet and the books you read."
-Charlie Jones
I just caught-up with the March/April issue of American Photo and enjoyed reading the featured reporting on "The New Portrait: A Study in Three Parts" (This issue also includes the magazine’s selection of America’s top 10 wedding photographers).
Regarding the technique and philosophy of the portraitist, what resonated most with me was an observation made by Annie Leibovitz, "…As soon as you engage someone, their face changes. They become animated. They forget about being photographed. Their minds become occupied and they look more interesting." So true.
Leibovitz adds, "My pictures are helped by an environment. I love the street. I love going to someone’s house, seeing what’s on their walls, what chair they sit in. I like to see how they live."
This too is one of the many reasons I love photographing families and couples. It’s an invitation into the revealing lives of others…and I believe most "curious" and observant photographers have a voyeur gene that needs continual nourishing.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s Governor, as quoted in Fast Company, "You can be the greatest painter, but of you don’t know how to market your work and showcase it in the right frame and right gallery, how successful can you be?"
I came across that quote this morning. And, just yesterday, my photography partner Pictage announced a partnership with The Wedding Report…a web-based marketing research tool which will help Pictage photographers make better educated decisions about their businesses.
This tool will certainly elevate how I do business in numerous ways moving forward, and I’m especially excited about the benefits it will have for all my wedding clients. Stay tuned here as I track my experiences with this new tool. And, for the photographers that read this blog, this is yet one more reason to consider the value of a Pictage partnership.
