 |
|
|
I n November 2007, I received the sweetest email from a blog reader. She informed me that she had connections with a luxury hotel in Jakarta, and if I ever wanted to escape from life for a bit, she’d be my personal host in Bali. I was immediately struck with her forwardness, kindness, and sincerity, especially since I’ve had a childhood dream of visiting Bali ever since my mom subjected me to soundtrack of the musical, South Pacific. I stored her email and prayed that one day—someday—I’d be able to take her up on her offer.
A few months later, I received another email from her asking if I’d be able to photograph her while on holiday in the United States. In addition to being a classically trained chef, speaking five languages, and being an amazing aunt, Agnes is also a photographer. She claims to be a serious hobbyist, but there’s something more to the sparkle in her eyes when she speaks of her love for the art. She hopes to launch her business soon, and one of her first steps was to get a few photos of herself for her website and blog. I was SO incredibly happy to hear she wanted to start branding her business, but happier when she asked me to document her smile, humor, and the sparkle in her eyes.
Agnes, you rock. Thank you for allowing me the honor of freezing your laugh in time. I think you’re absolutely amazing and are destined to do amazing things in the Jakarta wedding photography industry!
One thing about Agnes is that after a few minutes, she's quirky, fun, and quick-witted...my kind of girl! |
| When Agnes first emailed me, she informed me that she's never without two cameras: a point&shoot, and a digital SLR. Here she is working the P&S like nobody's business... |
| We spent most of the shoot just laughing. I'm, however, not sure if Agnes was laughing with me, or at me. Either way, it doesn't really matter because she told me that part of the reason she booked me was because she thought I was a little crazy...and so is she! I'm sure we were a sight to be seen: Two crazy girls prancing down the streets of Orange County, looking for good light, talking about food, and laughing uncontrollably... |
| Toward the end of the shoot, she brought out her camera for a couple shots... |
    
S ometimes it feels like a marathon. And I’m not talking about a 5K. I’m referring to a legit-loooooong-shaky legs-sweaty pits-scrunched brows-achy knees marathon. The summer wedding season can sometimes feel like a marathon for a photographer. And the month of September is like the final stretch to the proverbial finish line.
There are moments when I wonder, honestly, if I’m as fresh and electrified as when I first started my season in May. Whenever I find myself doubting, I actively search for inspiration. On the streets. On billboards. In art. In architecture. In fashion magazines. I cut and save pieces of inspiration and file them away, only to unearth them before a wedding or shoot.
When I find a picture I like, or a pose I’d love to get my clients to do, I rip out the image and I study it. I study the lighting, the pose, and the formation of each body, so when my chance comes, I ready to pull a little from that one W Magazine cover, a tad from the Banana Republic ad, and flavor it with a little sauce from a photoshoot in Blender magazine. I’m constantly trying to learn how to be better…because I know I can. And should. Be better, that is.
I had to wipe the drool from my keyboard when I saw Banana Republic’s recent ad campaign. It’s as simple as they come: A boy, a girl, in hot clothes. Much like a wedding, right? I ripped out the photos from my magazine and studied it. If I could have branded it to my forehead, I would have. And somehow explained later to my husband that, yes, I happen to LIKE THE BLACK IMAGE SEARED TO MY SKIN!
Here’s the Banana Republic ad:
|
| And though I have yet to make this pose my own, I mix things up to see if I could emulate a similar feel. Obviously, the lighting—and the couple—in the above photo are professionally synthetic, but I tried creating a similar feel with this image. |
Here’s a recent cover of W Magazine:
|
| The following picture is vastly different than the one above…however, the W picture made my brain think in a different way, so I tried using that difference to capture the following image: |
To read more of this article and see poses I find inspirational, be sure to visit PRO PHOTO RESOURCE for this month's publication.
Thanks for your feedback and if you have future ideas for my PPR articles, please feel free to holla back! No, really, please leave some ideas in the comment box because I feel like I'm running out of things to say! :) |
A fter finishing a delicious lunch in Downtown Denver, the girls shopped and ambled from store to store. Once inside American Apparel, I snuck out and called JD. Dude, I’m dealing with some serious anxiety right now…I feel like I should be photographing the bride or something!!! He told me to take a deep breath and just enjoy being a wedding guest for once. One breath didn’t do it, so I stood with my chest protruded—hand on my waist—and inhaled deeply a few more times. I looked like a rooster doing a wild mating ritual, but it made me feel better.
I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with my dearest friends from college and felt so lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing group of girls. We’re all quite different—a dentist, a teacher, business women, entrepreneurs, an actress, a curator—but we realized early on the center of who we are is entirely the same. In college, we lived in a campus suite together and became a pseudo sorority. We ate, studied, slept, and lived in unison, each carving our own memories and staking claim to each other’s hearts. These girls were also pillars of support during my mother’s battle with cancer and I can never repay their love and kindness during such a hard time in my life.
|
We traveled from many different parts of the United States to see our dear friend, Erin, marry the man of her dreams. We beamed as she walked down the aisle (seriously, we glowed) and cheered loudly as Erin and Heath shared their first kiss. During the reception toasts, Erin’s dad thanked the Whittier College Girls for coming out, and we responded with a cacophony of shrieks, yells, and hollering. It was then when I realized that nothing—nothing but the geographic distance that separates us—has changed and I felt so blessed with our friendship.
I took my camera, but I didn’t shoot too much...here are a few from their wedding at St. Andrew’s church, and reception at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, which had the most insane view of the city…watching the sunset was beautiful from the 37th floor!
|
| Augh...Erin made such a stunning bride!! |
| I'm the first from the left. Why everyone else looks looks fabulous and I look like I've been playing with an electric socket all day is beyond me. It was windy, I promise. |
I told anyone who’d listen. Yes, yes I’m going a wedding…AS A GUEST! I told friends. I told my family. I told JD again and again. I told the TSA agent who frisked me early this morning. Yes, yes I’m going a wedding…AS A GUEST!
I boarded a plan early this morning and arrived in Denver, Colorado for my friend Erin’s wedding. This is the first wedding I’m attending since starting my photography business, so I’m excited to get gussied up, wear heels, and cocktail hour? Don’t mind if I do! Tiny appetizers have always been my thing. Actually, food in any portion has always been my thing.
I’ll be responding to email upon my return, so thanks for your patience.
My best friend from college, Ginger, and I drove to Colorado Springs this afternoon and visited Garden of the Gods. We ran through the beautiful grounds and though we didn’t intend to jog for two hours, but we got lost. Somewhere against the red rocks, Ginger and I leaned over and decided that the altitude? Definitely makes a girl feel outta shape.
|
|
Nikkie and Marcus : Anytime
|
I met Nikkie through a friend of a friend in college. The minute I met her, I was struck by her unassuming and charming personality. She literally floats through a room and makes people fall in love with her. Nikkie is funny, smart, caring, and honest. Perhaps a little too honest at times because she’s been known to have people in stitches recounting stories of bird poo and/or Manishevitz wine. You just have to love her.
The minute Nikkie and Marcus met, they formed a friendship that morphed into true love. They married and later had a beautiful daughter, Charli. Then Iraq happened. Or, I should say, Marcus’ deployment to Iraq happened. Marcus joined the armed forces to fully prepare himself for life in the FBI, but it often left Nikkie alone with their daughters. No matter the fear, the loneliness, the separation, Nikkie and Marcus worked hard at staying in love. And they very much are.
I recently discovered that as a part of Marcus’ FBI qualification requirements, he must live abroad for a few years and train. Nikkie dutifully stayed by Marcus’ side and told her daughters they were moving to Japan. Konnichiwa! Though sad to leave their beautiful home and beach surroundings, they’re ready to move forward as a family.
I explained to Nikkie that I don’t—ever—take family photos. Ever. I really believe it’s not my forte and definitely not suited for my skill set. We set up a time to take pictures of her and Marcus…and would you believe little Charli and Sierra were all dolled up too? They looked so cute and when it came down to it, I actually wanted to document their family before they left the country. I was completely puckered out after the shoot, but I left loving their family a little more than I ever thought possible.
This is three year old Charli. Though she pretended to be shy, it turns out that she's total ham in front of the camera... |
| This is one and a half year old, Sierra. She tried avoiding my camera at all costs, but--thankfully--I captured a few... |
| We headed to charming Old Town Seal Beach, just a couple blocks from their beachfront home... |
| Sierra wouldn't let go of her Dora the Explorer backpack but I thought it still made for a true depiction of her sensitive and loving personality... |
| Charli noticed a bird in a nearby tree... |
| Dear God...please make me look as good as Nikkie if I ever bear children. Amen. |
| One of my favs from the session... |
| The following two pictures were requests by Nikkie and I love with clients work with me to document their families in ways they only know how... |
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
