JD and I made our way back home to the good ‘ole OC this morning, but not without stopping by a beach in Ojai to enjoy the moment. Or a series of simple moments strung together to make a unforgettable memory. I asked JD to sit on driftwood along the ocean's edge and he happily obliged. After almost four years of marriage, he now knows I have to take pictures or else I'm afraid I'll forget the details. Oh, like the rocks. Or the plankton. I have to remember ALL OF THIS, I holler from a distance with my iPhone camera. He nods. JD knows what I need to make me happy.

Speaking of almost four years, ummm, yup. It'll be that long since we married in Hawaii. Where does time go? It's like we're officially un-newlyweds…and officially closer to that purported seven-year itch. Knowing me, JD won't have an itch, he'll have a full-fledge case of seven-year small pox, but, eh, he'll love it. Or at least pretend to sohelpmeGod.

Speaking of itches (whoa, I'm way random today), I've been itching to answer a few FAQs, so here are a few that'll hopefully help someone. Per usual, I don't think I'm the bomb or some guru answering questions…this is just a way to help others along the way…

Melissa asked:
How do you handle not so love-able followers and crazy copycats? I realize that in the grand scheme of things it's useless to be irritated but I would love to know how you turn it into something profitable and good. How do you embrace copycatting fans when you work so hard to be original?
To be totally honest, I don't know if I work that hard at being original. I wish I could say otherwise, but I'm just gonna keep it real. I'm quite open about how editorial/fashion photography influences my work (as described in this blog post), but I will admit I don't look to other wedding photographers for ideas. I like to work through the process of making each wedding a mini editorial shoot and challenge myself to make fashionable, lifestyle photography appear at every wedding. Sure, I see other photographers whose work appears quite similar to something I've done in the past, but it was never mine to begin with. I've never invented a pose. I've never invented an interaction. Everything I've done has been done, literally, for eons. Boys and girls have been leaning, kissing, arching, laughing, bending, knotting, being fierce from the beginning of time and to think I own any signature pose would be completely foolish. Furthermore, I find myself challenged to push my limits if I've done something too often the same way. This is what keeps me alive. And different.

Jason asked:
I've been increasingly frustrated with my weddings because of time. It just seems like the bride and groom will spend an hour and a half getting formal family photos which will most likely never grace a single wall. But when it comes time to shoot them together, they only give me 15 minutes. This is despite the fact I emphasize the importance of taking time to get the two of them together in our prep meeting ahead of time! If you are willing, can you share any suggestions on how you get time with the bride and groom? And how much time do you usually get them to spend with you?
I usually get 40 minutes with the bride and groom…which I ADORE! From the outset, I'm feeling out what my clients want from their wedding experience. Most of the time, prospective clients have seen my work and want–loosely–what they've seen in the past. I explain that such imagery is achieved when JD and I are given time to enjoy and create an optimal photo experience. During a meeting, I always make sure to talk about their hypothetical wedding timeline and I explain where the 40 minutes will fit in nicely.
If I was in your position, I'd try to build a portfolio of unique wedding imagery (by means of a Day After session or by attending a workshop or arranging a model shoot) and showcase them to prospective clients. If the clients want something similar, just explain that it's possible, but you'll need more than 15 minutes. I think most photographers can work magic in any timeframe, but 30-45 minutes is ideal.

Tonya asked:
I was wondering with your inside stuff, are you using flash or all natural light? If you are using flash are you shooting with the flash bouncing off the ceiling?
If I can get away with shooting flashless indoors, I totally will. I'm not a big fan or proponent of flash, but when I must use it, I'm always bouncing the light from the ceiling or a nearby wall. I also use the white bounce card that comes with my flash if the walls or ceiling are dark. I never use direct flash as I feel it takes away from the overall vibe of the image, not to mention ruin what could be an intimate moment.

Charles asked:
It's the night before the wedding…what are the Must Haves you have packed and ready to go for the following day?
This is an awesome question! I love check lists (please don't get me started on Post-It To Do lists…I'm obsessed with them!), so I always write out what I need before the wedding day, even though I have it committed to memory. There's just something about scratching things off a list that make me feel productive. Yes, I'm lame.
Here's my check list:
*Itinerary – complete with bride and groom names, exact addresses (preparation, wedding, and reception), event-breakdown, and emergency contact info
*Protein bar
*Water
*Navigation system
*Cameras and backups
*CF cards/Card reader
*Computer/Charger
*Lenses
*Shootsacs
*Off-camera light
*Business cards

Happy Tuesday!