[AG]WPJA 2006 Summer – Contest Gallery

I just found out that I’ve placed in the summer AGWPJA contest! I’m really excited, as the image that placed has been one of my favorite images since I took it in May.

Image info: shot taken on an infrared-converted D60. The reception hall was fortunately lit mostly by fluorescent lights, which I’d previously realized didn’t show up on infrared. Thus, the only lighting available was a bit of dwindling daylight coming in through a couple open doors, and the light from the videographer’s camera. I shot the photo with the video light on the edge of the frame, creating the lovely flare. The Photoshop work on the photo was focused mainly on lightening the frame and increasing contrast and saturation.

Wayne and Eren had a beautiful wedding yesterday at the Grand Californian– what an incredible hotel! I think I could have stayed for several hours just photographing the architecture instead of the 10 minutes I allowed myself before their day began.

What impressed me the most about Eren and Wayne is how quietly in love they are. It was a joy just watching them together. Their ceremony was so meaningful, I teared up at one point. Thanks for the reminder about love, you guys!

I’ll start with just one photo of the hotel.

A couple portraits

A moment between Eren and her sister, Melissa, while praying before the ceremony

I love the expression on Wayne’s face as he watches Eren come towards him!

Funky ceremony shot

A few more portraits of them together

And the cake cutting– they attacked it with gusto

I really enjoy photographing Katie– she’s such a happy baby! Despite her affinity for chewing on her bows and shoes, she’s a pretty cool kid.

The bow actually lasted quite a bit of time, considering how much Katie doesn’t like stuff on her head!

And it wasn’t too long after that… I guess photo sessions are pretty tiring at that age.

Christine and Eddie were married yesterday at St. Beverly’s in Montebello with their reception following later in the day at the Wyndham. At times, their daughter Jocelyn was the life of the party! It was a nice, relaxed wedding focused on the family.

They had bright, pretty flowers!

A shot of Christine, and the one following of Jocelyn being entertained during the formals

Christine playing with her ring

Mariachi detail

First dance

And, since it’s been a while since I’ve seen vinyl at a wedding, I had to play a little bit!

This may well be the longest post since I’ve started blogging. I’ve spent more time shooting on wedding days in the past, but never with as many people that I already know, and never after spending the entire weekend with them! It’s a strange thing, how much more connected to these photos I am. Small weddings create so much more intimacy, and I think everyone mingles much more and has fun with the whole crowd. It was so nice looking around and seeing everyone enjoy themselves.

Quick Edit!
I forgot to add a few links, Wedding Website and the Canadian lodge where the wedding took place, Kootenay Lakeview Lodge.

To start, Kaylene let me play with the rings for a while

The day started off fairly early, with the girls getting ready. Carmen, one of Kaylene’s bridesmaids, did the hair of most of the women there and still managed to look great as well!

We did most of the portraits before the wedding, which gave me ample time to play with that gorgeous light they have in Canada!

I so rarely post group shots, but the bridal party was such a blast that we ended up doing a whole session with them, both before and after the ceremony.

The ceremony was beautiful

And the reception, so much fun.

And a quick closing shot of the lodge after twilight, one of my favorite times to shoot.

I’ve been giving myself little projects all week. (I’m not ignoring your wedding, Kaylene, I’ll post that next!) Yesterday my project was a self portait. I’ve never been a fan of self portraits because they are really hard to create the way I shoot, and I’m a perfectionist about tack sharp focus. This is just one of the 40 or so tries.

While I uploaded this photo, the thought occurred to me that it looks a lot like the one I took last year around this time… I may get around to scanning that one in soon.

Little Miss Sunshine

I don’t think I’ve ever posted about a movie on my blog… but this one certainly warrants a post! I needed a break this afternoon and really needed a bit of laughter, so I went to see a movie.

To those who haven’t seen it yet, go see it. To those who have, why didn’t you tell me about it sooner?

I guess I’ve learned a lot this past weekend… including that I can’t leave my camera behind! I took a bunch of photos at Kaylene and Chris’s rehearsal dinner (as did several other people when my camera was being passed around). Some of the others here were taken earlier during the day when the girls went to the spa for massages and manicures.

I will be leaving for Canada tomorrow morning… really, really early tomorrow morning. I don’t even know if it will be light out when I leave the house; it’s been a while since I’ve been up that early!

I will be unavailable by phone and probably email until Monday, August 21. It will also probably take me a couple days to catch up after that, because I’ll be very busy shooting Chris and Kaylene’s wedding in Canada!

I’ve been shooting a lot of headshots recently… here are a few of my favorites!

Tyler

Jason

and Richard

Shannon and Adam had a lovely wedding yesterday at the Ritz in Laguna Niguel. They had a small wedding and included so many pretty details– especially Shannon’s wedding dress made by her mother! I must say, I felt a bit intimidated after I learned Shannon has a PhD — as does one of her bridesmaids, and another has an MD! They were all very warm, wonderful people.

On to the photos, starting with Shannon getting laced up!

Fun with the rings

A portrait of Shannon

A few ceremony shots– I love how excited Adam and Shannon were after coming back up the aisle!

Some portraits

The gorgeous centerpieces!

And the couple at their hotel room…

Just a final note– I have such a fun time shooting with other photographers. Here’s a shot of Greg (that he may kill me for) while we were scouting places to shoot the portraits.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of second shooting for Greg of Bumatay Studio. His clients, Dianne and Bradley, planned a wonderful wedding at New Life Assembly of God with the reception following at Meadowlark Golf Course.

There were so many touching moments from this emotional wedding!

Praying before the ceremony

Communion and prayer

A couple portraits

First dance, followed by the father daughter dance

And the last dance!