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I ’m not really the type of girl who looks into things for deeper meanings. I don’t believe in palm readings or tarot cards, and try to enjoy life one day at a time. With the exception of Chinese fortune cookies, I take things at face value. Because, well, fortune cookies are AMAZING at predicting the future. No, really, they are…I’m expected to have a long life, receive a small fortune from an unnamed source, and cross paths will a long-lost friend in the next month or so. Like I said, fortune cookies are golden! ;)
Last Sunday after church, JD and I headed to San Diego with our good friends, David Jay and Crystal to meet up with a great group of photographers. We arrived early for dinner and though JD warned me about my four-inch heels that morning, I ignored his arched eyebrows and wore them anyway. As we walked along the cement sidewalks darting tourists, my feet were screaming. I hate when JD is right.
Just when I couldn’t take it anymore, we saw a Longs Drug Store and I darted in for some much needed relief. Squashed somewhere between the roasted peanuts and the seltzer water, I found an array of flip-flop sandals. Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any better, I found these babies on sale for $1.99…
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I know I mentioned not being into signs and wonders, but—really—if finding these fabulous shoes at a drug store isn’t indicative of good things in my future, I don’t know what is! I owned a pair just like these when I was about five-years-old and there’s nothing like wearing rainbows on your feet…it’s like a good day just waiting to happen! And in case anyone is wondering, I’m tempted to wear them to my wedding this weekend! ;)
In other non-banal news, I was interviewed by Natalie Norton of Digital Photography School in regard to creating a photoblog. She interviewed a group of photographers and assembled an AWESOME article with helpful advice. If you're interested, be sure to CLICK HERE to check it out! :) |
    
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Mary Jane and Mark : Engagement
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H e spoke a little too loudly to Mark and in a tone that made his 90-year-old lips crease with authority. That Janey, the elderly man boomed from the living room, she’s a real keeper…if I was just a little younger…. His voice trailed off, but the truth of his words lingered in the air.
It was Thanksgiving. Janey and Mark were invited to spend the holiday with friends from church, both hoping to get to know the other better. Janey had seen Mark from a distance—his good looks and charming personality made him a popular topic of female gatherings at church—but it wasn’t until the semi-awkward geriatric announcement opened the doors for them to get to know it each other.
On their first date, they hiked some of the toughest hills in Santa Barbara, picnicked next to a beautiful waterfall, and played Scrabble…all the things they realized made them perfect for each other.
Apparently, there is wisdom with age. Because Janey, she’s a real keeper.
I am SO incredibly excited to photograph Janey and Mark’s wedding!! In addition to celebrating their special day at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara, I was particularly honored to document their wedding because Janey is a good friend and amazing wedding photographer of Mary Jane Photography. When she called and told me she was engaged to Mark, I literally started screaming…but when she asked me to be her photographer, I started crying. I am so honored to document the most important day of her life.
Mark and Janey…I love you.
I was super amped because this was the first engagement session with my 50mm, 1.2. The following image was literally the first shot out of the lens! :)
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| Janey is going to be such a beautiful bride... |
| I think this collage shows their personalities perfectly! :) |
| Dear Santa Monica Sun...I love you. The end. |
| After some time shooting their engagement session in Santa Monica, we headed to Marina Del Rey to finish the session on a gorgeous yacht! All of the following photos were shot at f/1.2...there was almost NO light. I might have worried, but with the 1.2, we were well taken care of! :) |
| This was one of the last frames from the engagement session photos...it was literally black out, but the 50mm, 1.2 was able to capture light from the boat's headlight! |
| I want to especially thank Gary Fong--wedding photographer Godfather extraordinaire--for allowing us to shoot on his fabulous yacht. It was such an amazing night and I can't fully explain how happy I was floating along the Pacific Ocean, gazing at the Santa Monica Pier from a distance, and thanking God for allowing me to do what I LOVE. Thanks, Gary!! :) |
| To see more of their engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
So it finally happened. I did it.
After much research and trepidation, I decided to buy the 50mm, 1.2.
I.LOVE.IT.
I bought it just in time for an engagement session last week and I cannot express HOW PERFECT it was! Theoretically—after all the research I did—the 1.2 and the 1.4 shouldn’t be so different (and the 1.4 has performed better in focus tests), but it is. It so is!
When I post the engagement session in the next couple of days (I’ve been sick, so I’ve taken some time off), I’ll talk more about the insanity of this lens. It’s gorgeous, amazing, and oh-so-buttery. I shot almost the entire session with this lens and if I was forced to shoot an entire wedding on one lens, this is it!
Here’s a picture of my new baby…isn’t she HOT?!
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| I’m off to spend the day with a few friends in San Diego and enjoy this beautiful day…Happy Sunday! |
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FAQ : Engaging Your Clients
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I’m totally okay with being dorky. It’s just who I am and instead of trying to mask it, I whole-heartedly embrace it.
I think it makes me unique. JD thinks it makes me look crazy.
As JD drove away to work this morning, I carried Polo and started dancing in the street. I waved goodbye to him, but he didn’t see me. JD said he was ignoring me, but I don’t believe him. He definitely didn’t see me. Obviously.
I believe being who I am makes me connect with my clients and allows us to capture the true essence of who they are. I’m often asked by readers what’s the best way to get natural poses and expressions from subjects and my best answer is just to keep things FUN. In this month’s edition of Pro Photo Resource, I wrote an article regarding my client interaction, particularly why it’s vitally important. Connection → Fun → Laughter → Fabulousness! I think people are the prettiest when they laugh, so I make it my main objective when I photograph.
Even if this means dancing in the street.
If you’d like to read more about my perspective, feel free to CLICK HERE to read the article.
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Y esterday morning I woke with a sore throat. I pretty much willed myself not to get sick and while I thought I was doing well, last night I hit a wall.
I probably deserve it. Instead of being curled up in bed with a cup of soup, JD and I went to the Brides Magazine Party last night. Yes, I chose Conde Nast over Campbell’s so I should’ve seen this coming!
The Jeannie Savage and the lovely ladies from Details, Details coordinated the entire event and it was fabulous. I love getting to meet new industry members at these parties, as well as seeing old friends! Good times.
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| How cute are these cups of chocolate souffle?! |
| Is it just me or do raspberries make everything look delicious?! |
| And for all of you who think I survive on sugar alone...here's a healthy alternative to sweets! ;) |
| I simply adore Jeannie and Michelle from Details, Details...and though Brooke is missing from the picture, they're all fabulous! :) |
| I have a shoot later today, so I'm trying to create a self-made remedy of cold-cureness. Sudafed, Vicks Vapor Rub, orange juice, and crackers. Wish me luck! :) |
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