very so often I meet people and I realize I'm the luckier half of the friendship union. You know, the person who clearly is more blessed by having the other person in their life. This happens more often than not because I have pretty epic friends, but when I met Matt&Katie, I knew from the outset I was in for good times.
We met in Australia at The Workshop. Katie asked if Matt could video the event and he'd put together some highlights for me. I was stoked, so Matt came along with with Canon 5DMII and filmed a bit of the day. Fast forward to today....ummm, I don't think I realized Matt was a genius with his camera. And his eye. Matt and Katie are both amazing photographers, but they make an even more killer duo with their video skills. To see what I'm talking about, take a looksie...
So, yes, this just further proves I don't deserve such amazing people in my life. At all. But I'm not complaining! I'll just sit back and thank Matt&Katie for finding room in their hearts for little 'ol me! If you'd like me at a future workshop, be sure to sign up for the announcement here!
received her email on a sunny afternoon. It was brief, yet detailed, and described her perfect wedding at the Santa Monica Viceroy. Erma told me she was planning her wedding from Canada, followed my blog, and was quite certain I was the photographer for her. Well, then, let's get this party started! After a flurry of emails, the date, location, and details were locked in and I was excited to meet her in person.
Meeting a bride on her wedding day can be a mix of emotion from a photographer's standpoint, but the minute I walked into Erma's suite as she prepared with her sister and best friends, I knew the day was slated for wonderful things. After all, amazing people create amazing days. When JD and I left Erma and Maxim's wedding, our heart were so full of love and joy for such an perfect couple. I'm constantly blessed by the amazing people I meet and I walk away a better person being able to call them friends.
I'm incredibly honored to see their wedding published in Destination I Do Magazine, on newsstands now...
Happy Thursday!
The Workshop : February 2010
02.17.10
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n Monday night, I invited my family over to celebrate my mother's birthday. Because I'm incredibly gifted in the kitchen, I bought my mom a cake. And because I'm such a great party planner, I used a votive candle on top of the cake instead of the birthday candles I forgot to buy. Because THAT'S HOW I ROLL. After the cake was sliced, I kissed everyone goodbye, and darted out for a mixer planned by the attendees of The Workshop.
When I arrived at Javier's I found a table of 20 amazing photographers talking and laughing like old friends. And it was awesome. When I woke up yesterday, I was so incredibly excited to teach I was bursting at the seams. The day flew by and the group was incredible. Just before we commenced the afternoon, I stood at a distance and was overwhelmed with pride. If this group is an indication of where the industry is headed, I'm incredibly proud to call them peers.
Thanks to JD for capturing all the behind-the-scenes photos...here, apparently, I was teaching everyone how to bunny hop...
I was incredibly happy to meet Jodi for the first time yesterday...as a girl trying to get her feet wet as a model, she did awesome for the first time!!! :)
Look at 'em rocking it out...they were ready and pumped after a delicious lunch provided by Photographer's Edit...thanks, Nathan!
Jodi looks absolutely divine in her Noaki Jewelry...I'm so thankful to have worked with such an amazing jewelry designer for this shoot. I almost dropped one of her bracelets in my purse 'accidentally'!
I adored Jodi's husband Matt....they drove all the way from Hemet to model for The Workshop and I can't thank them enough for being so awesome!
One of my favs from the day....
I cannot express how thankful I am to have had the chance to work with wedding dress designer Joan Shum for this shoot! I love her designs and everyone thought Jodi looked spectacular in the wedding dress!
It's winter here in Orange County....which means it was 80 degrees yesterday! :)
Major props must go to Kristin of The Treasured Petal for being so awesome and providing gorrrrgeous florals. I adored Jodi's bouquet and I thought it was a perfect fit for this shoot!
I think this photo is epic. I look like I'm going to bite your baby. And Matt looks like he loves what I'm saying!
Kristin....you're work amazes me. All the time.
A HUGE thank you must go to Vivian Tran of All Made Up Team for another incredible job with hair and makeup. Like always, her work and style amaze me and I'm so honored to have her on my team at workshops! :)
My favorite photo of the day!
To my new friends and peers, THANK YOU for being so awesome. THANK YOU for challenging me and reaffirming my love for teaching. THANK YOU for asking every question. THANK YOU for dealing with me making up words and laughing at my own jokes. And, of course, THANK YOU for being you. I know the future is bright and I can't wait to see where y'all go. Much love and appreciation...j*
I'll be announcing my next workshop verrrrrry soon, so to be the first to know, be sure to sign up for my newsletter as I'll be announcing it there first. Also, if you're interested in modeling for a future workshop, I'd love to hear from you! Just send me an email with a photo of you and your significant other and I'll keep you posted as things progress! :)
Thirst Relief : WPPI Photographer Auction
02.16.10
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or the past two years, I have been a part (a verrrry small part) of an amazing organization, Thirst Relief, whose mission is to overcome death resulting from the consumption of contaminated water by providing safe, clean drinking water to those in need around the world. Their biggest fundraiser takes place at WPPI in Las Vegas, and I'm stoked to be a part again this year!
Thirst Relief auctions mentor sessions with certain photographers and I'm proud to say I'm part of the team. The auction starts today and ends tomorrow, so if you'd like to join me for a one-on-one mentor session in Las Vegas, crack open that wallet for a good cause! In addition to the session, it'd be my honor to take you to lunch, give you an autographed picture of Polo!! Good times shall be had.
**And, really, I was totally kidding about the autographed picture of Polo...those are saved for family.**
Los Angeles Observatory Engagement : Meg + Tim
02.15.10
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ith many thanks to UPS, they're getting married. It all started with tickets that got lost in transit. While she insists she wasn't a groupie, Tim proffers an askance look to betray insider information. Meg was in college and became smitten with Big City Rock, a band in Los Angeles. She and a friend bought tickets and when they didn't arrive on time for the show that night, Meg emailed the band's web master. In a short email response, she was informed her name was placed on The List (because, really, cool kids are always on The List) and to enjoy the show. The email was signed from Tim. Later that night at the concert, Meg looked for Tim to thank him in person. When she asked where she could find him, she was pointed to the bassist on the stage.
The oh-so-very cute bassist. Yes, the web master and the bassist were one, and his name was Tim. And he was oh-so-very cute. Meg approached him after the show to thank him for his help and in a single brief movement, Meg lost her heart. In the crowded venue, Tim placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her in close to hear her words. Only the words didn't matter. Tickets. Web master. Bassist? Thanks.
Seven years later, Tim and Meg have grown together and fallen in love. They're getting married this November and they have UPS to thank for their chance meeting. But as fate knows, the tickets were never supposed to arrive. I was honored to shoot their 7th dating anniversary/engagement session in Silverlake last week and here are a few of my favorite photos...
Meg is the type of girl who loves to plan. She's getting married this November, but organized the engagement shoot to coincide with her and Tim's 7th dating anniversary. She decorated for the event and I got to take a Crumbs cupcake home at the end of the shoot! ;)
The ever fab, Meg...
This girl? She's a party animal.
Remember oh-so-cute Tim? Well, here he is!
Rawr.
We walked around their old neighborhood of Silverlake for more engagement photos and had a little fun in the streets...
Within a two-block radius, there was a ton of spaces to shoot...that's the thing I love about Los Angeles...the ever presence of urban appeal!
I love me some pretty light....
On our way back to the house, Meg took of her shoes because, well, fashion sometimes kills your feet. This was spray-painted on the sidewalk and it was quite appropriate...
After a quick change, we made our way to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles...
A special thanks goes to Jaimi Brooks of Fiore Beauty for a lovely job on Meg's hair and makeup!
The cool thing about shooting engagement photos at the Griffith Observatory is that there are just beautiful pockets of light and nooks of prettiness everywhere...Meg just happens to make things even more delightful...
I'll end with this photo because, Meg, you look diviiiiine. F'real.
