ast week I spoke at a conference (more on that coming soon) and I had the pleasure of talking about the 10 Biggest Mistakes I made when I started my business. Okay, maybe pleasure is a bit of a stretch, but I was honored to speak to a group of talented peers and I love where the photo industry is headed. Truly. One of the mistakes I made early on was showing up to a photo shoot and hoping things would work out for themselves.
I mean, wasn't that the way it worked for professional photographers?!?
When my shoots weren't faring the way I wanted, I realized it was no one's fault but my own. As a wedding photographer, I need to prepare my clients for success. This usually begins at the beginning of our working relationship, the engagement session. I realized I needed to prepare my clients for the type of shoot I wanted in order to get the type of photos they wanted.
This is best achieved by letting them know what I need in advance, but instead of merely talking about, today I'm stoked to show you how I do it. I filmed a recent engagement session to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how I work with my clients to plan for a delightful engagement session...
If you'd like to get more information on the detailed email I send clients to prepare them for the shoot, feel free to check it out HERE.
spoke at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference yesterday and though I'm exhausted, it was a truly wonderful experience. Coming to Las Vegas every year reminds me of my beginning as a photographer and how much has changed, both personally and professionally. In light of these changes, it's always an honor to collaborate with Anton Lorimer of LorimerWorks.com to create a new business commercial.
Putting these projects together is a labor of love, but Anton is amazing at what he does and helps me tell a story my brides--both current and prospective--can grasp onto, and it provides insight to who I am as a person.
Without further ado, I'd honored to share the fruits of his labor...
Las Vegas Engagement : Marissa+Jeremy
03.12.13
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hey met outside their writing professor's office. Jeremy noticed her from a distance, but as the entire One L class navigated the University of Hawaii Law School, Marissa remained just out of his orbit. Until, that is, they stood across from each other in a hallway. Jeremy was speaking to a friend about fishing and as he continued his conversation, Marissa's heart melted. Her father, who passed away when she was a child, fished the way Jeremy described. A distinct fondness washed over her, so when Jeremy navigated the conversation to include Marissa, she beamed in his attention.
They studied and walked to class together and when summer arrived, they decided to study European Law in Brussels, France, Italy, and a myriad of other countries. Tucked between law books sat love notes...and tucked between their intertwined fingers were tickets to a World Cup game. They studied, traveled and fell in love along the cobbled streets of Europe.
Jeremy and Marissa are marrying amongst their friends and family on island where they met and promised to spend their lives together: Oahu, Hawaii. It's a day that promises to celebrate their love for life, and each other.
Marissa and Jeremy wanted to have their engagement session in Las Vegas, a place they jokingly refer to as Hawaii's Ninth Island...
After a game of Cribbage (one of their favorite past times), we walked down the Vegas Strip for an afternoon stroll...
One of my favorite things about Jeremy is his calm, cool demeanor in any situation...but with a simple quip, he can also Marissa roll with laughter...
Jeremy is returning to Las Vegas for his bachelor party in a few month and it could be just me, but I secretly think he's making his wild plans already! ;)
Marissa and Jeremy decided to hit the town for the evening, so after a quick outfit change, they were ready to toast with a glass (or two) of champagne...
A huge shout out to Lavey Ortiz of Your Beauty Call...hands down, the best makeup artist in Las Vegas! I adore working with friends in a professional and personal capacity, and Lavey ranks near the top.
I'll end of this note because it was just the start to a long and fun evening in Las Vegas for the happy couple...
hey're two of the nicest people who'd meet. They walk hand-in-hand and smile as their reflections bounce from nearby windows in the Orange County sun. Lesley walked the same streets of Newport Beach as a child, dining on the harbor with her family. Years later the brick pathway leads her into the arms of the man she's fallen in love with.
Lesley and Colin met at work, two lawyers who happened to walk the halls of the same firm. After hanging out with in a similar group of friends, they realized they had much in common and the friendship blossomed. Years later they spend their days walking the halls of the same firm...and also walking their neighborhood streets with their dogs. Hand in hand.
They're planning a stunning wedding this June at La Estancia in La Jolla, but decided to have their engagement session in Lido Harbor of Newport Beach. When they first met, they often alluded to a popular SNL skit (I'm On A Boat!), so it was befitting to, well, showcase their love around boats. Naturally.
We started the engagement session in Lido and Lesley couldn't have been cuter in front of the camera...
Colin is one of the nicest gentlemen you could meet...and the way he looks at Lesley can melt your heart...
They're so much fun to be around and I'm extra appreciative for Kerrie of Platinum Weddings by Kerrie for introducing me to them!
I'll end of this note because...com'on...they're almost on a boat! :)
To see more of Lesley and Colin's Newport Beach engagement photos, feel free to check out their slideshow HERE!
Happy Friday!
Orange County Engagement : Lesley + Amir
03.01.13
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hey met by way of a friend. Amir met Lesley and was smitten with her dazzling smile and vivacious personality. Carefully hedging his bets, Amir did his homework (via Facebook) on this girl who stole his heart. After viewing pictures and stealthily seeing what groups she belonged to, he sent her an email. Lesley tosses her head back and laughs when Amir recounts that email. He had so much game back then, she says in between fits of laughter.
Amir and Lesley are marrying next month in Manhattan Beach and I couldn't be more excited to hang out with them again soon. We had a blast at their engagement session and I enjoyed getting to know them better, especially since they booked me online. Spending the day in Orange County for their engagement session was the perfect start to what's shaping up to be a perfect wedding day.
I don't think it needs to be said, but I'll just go ahead and admit how beautiful I think Lesley is...and not just on the outside. This girl has a gorgeous soul, too.
Lesley brought along a few details to personalize her engagement photos and I couldn't have been happier!
A simple blend of their personalities is shown in this photo...Amir is holding a bottle of Spanish wine (a nod to their travels to Spain) and Lesley is holding their favorite macaroons (we shared them at the end of the session--delish!). Sometimes the smallest elements really help bring a session together and showcase their love in a unique way...
The light during their engagement session was nothing short of divine...
Just before sunset, they roamed the hillscape together and it made for lovely moments together...
I'll end this post with this photo since it's the perfect depiction of their love!
To see more of Lesley and Amir's engagement photos, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow with music provided by The Music Bed!
