College Sweethearts

Michelle, Stephen and I go wayyy back. It was our first week of college and fate would have it that we were all placed in the same photography lab. Each of us were new to the area, and freshmen in college. Our first class assignment required everyone to work with a partner; Michelle and I smiled at each other, agreeing to work together. We quickly discovered our small town similarities, and made instant friends. Stephen watched from a distance but was quick to make our acquaintance; within a few weeks the three of us were inseparable during lab!

Throughout the semester I learned more about Michelle’s love of fashion and before long I discovered Stephen’s adoration for Michelle. Their mutual crushes continued to grow and I soon became the third wheel! :) It has been almost 4 years since I first met Michelle and Stephen, but they still smile, flirt and laugh with each other like the first day they met!

In some sessions great photos just come easy. All elements come together in a near effortless manner and BAM your capturing one great frame after another. I believe trust is the foundation of any good relationship- this includes your photographer. Since I had Michelle and Stephen’s trust, our sessions focus was on having a good time and that always produces the best results!

300+ frames later and I’m still editing down my final selection!

Okay, how cute is Michelle's skirt!?! It's clear this FDIM (Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising) student is in the right place!

Clothing changes are not always an option, but I love working in areas that allow for it. It really brings a nice variation to a session with a different look or color scheme!

Why Hire a Pro?

Many people are shocked when they start to look at the cost of hiring a professional photographer. I recently came across a blog article written by Shauna Maness, photographer and instructor of the CRASH photography courses. In her post she was able to shed some light on why you should hire a pro. I have shortened her original post but the message is still the same.

Here is what professional photographers bring to the table and what you’re actually paying for. I hope it helps to understand more about what working a professional is all about!

Vision: Each photographer has his or her own style, based on personal preference and creative expression. This is why it is important to make sure that your photographer shoots in a style that you like. You won't get Olan Mills if you come to me... so make sure that you "know what you are getting" a lot of stress will be saved by a little research.

Time: When you purchase a session, you are not paying your photographer for that hour alone (wouldn't it be nice to make that much an hour). Check out the time that goes into your session alone:
-Scheduling session, discussing what to wear (through emails or phone calls): 30 min
-Prep time for your session (gathering gear and picking the location): 25 min
-Driving to the location (round trip): 45 min
-Your session (not including driving to other locations): 1-2 hours
-Uploading your images: 30 min-Editing photos from session: 1 hour
-Setting up your on-line gallery & backing up images: 45 min
-Picking favorites and editing them (posting them on my blog): 45 min- 1 hour
-Answering ordering questions (where to hang what, what you need printed, etc): 45 min
-Processing order (order review and file retrieval): 30 min
-Editing each image for your order (depending on order size): 30 min- 1 hour
-Double checking and sending your order: 30 min-Receiving, checking, packaging, mailing off your order: 30 min
= 9 hours of work minimum go into your session!

Gear: Tools of this trade are costly. I have the best software, the best camera(s), lenses, memory cards, flashes, reflectors, crazy gadgets, bags, tripods, and other stuff that would just bore you. It is up to me to make sure that my gear is in pristine condition and that I have backups when (heaven forbid) something happens. When you hire a pro you are sharing in this investment- not many people (even your cousin with a "fancy" camera) are going to have the kind of gear that professionals use... we use the best, to give you the best. I factor in a "gear replacement" charge into every session so that I can continue to give my clients the best.

Technical Expertise: I have studied many long hours to get here. There are so many aspects of photography that require a life-long pursuit to perfect... and that is what I am doing. As a professional I take a lot of the guessing out- I have shot in almost every setting and I know how to make the light do what I want it to. I have been influenced by so many incredible photographers and continue to study their innovations and better myself. Here is a secret: it isn't all about the fancy gear... without it, you can have all the fancy camera's you want and still not create great photographs.

Location, location, LOCATION! I can only think of a few sessions where my clients actually had a location in mind. For the most part, people want me to come up with the place... so I ask some questions about their style and I go out exploring! In every town that I shoot I have some favorite spots... but every single time I am in my car I am ALWAYS looking for new places. My clients normally pull up and say, "How in the world did you find this place?" that is part of hiring a professional... we are always looking out for our clients!! Every once in a while those favorite places get scoped out by other photographers and in an effort to keep it creative we find NEW places... so you and your friend won't have the same look in your portraits.

Model Direction: Here is the deal, not everyone is Heidi Klum, or Tyra Banks! You can watch America's Next top Model for 5 minutes and see that even the most beautiful have "not so beautiful" photographs. All in all, it is up to the photographer to direct you in a way that captures your most beautiful features.

Printing: TOP OF THE LINE... printing. In a day an age where you can get a 4x6 print for .11 cents at Walmart, people want to know why in the world photographers charge so much for something that cost so little. Let me say this- first, when you order prints from me YOU GET THE HIGHEST QUALITY there is, and it isn't "cheap." Photographers have special relationships with their printers. There are all kinds of things that go into your print- color collaboration is a great example of this (another investment that photographers make). We make sure that your "print" is the best it can by syncing our computers with our printer and double checking the color balance of each print. When you hold these prints in your hands you see the value, without question. You can't get that quality without a professional.

Customer Service: It is the job of a professional to serve you. The local drug store isn't going to make sure that you are completely happy with your order, and if you aren't- they sure aren't going to make it right! You get personal service from a pro- each image is cared for individually and your happiness is always the goal!

Innovative, Heirloom quality, Keepsakes: It is my job to stay on top of cutting edge movements and trends in this field... not yours! Professionals make available to you the finest quality products on the market. I am always looking for new products that my clients will enjoy. This is a luxury in itself... it is like having a personal shopper. I get to know you, go through my favorites and decide which you will enjoy the most- and then make them available to you.

Relationships that can last a lifetime: 7 out of 10 of my clients are repeat clients. I have documented from engagement, to wedding, the birth of a child, another child... more family portraits... and am still going! When you hire a photographer you are starting a relationship. When I begin a relationship with a client, they become a part of my family. Professional photographers are going to invest in you, because they want you to come back, they want to watch your family grow!

And just because posts are always better with pictures, here is a sneak peak of a recent couple’s session (full post to follow in a few days).

Transformation

As we began she nervously laughed. The presence of my camera and lighting equipment only made the intimidation factor worse. I reassured her that this is going to be a relaxing, and most importantly a fun experience, but she wasn't convinced. Within the first few shots I saw a transformation began. Insecurities arise when subjecting yourself to the unkind documentation a photograph can bring... but all this changed the moment I showed her the back of my camera and a shot that would make any man swoon.

We continued to move down the street and visit one abandoned building after another, each still alive with brightly painted doors and well traveled sidewalks. As we laughed and joked through each frame, it reminded me of what my real goal as a photographer is... to bring out the beauty in every one I photograph, even if it's obvious to everyone in the world except that person.

By the end of the session I was not photographing just anyone. I was photographing Clare, the fierce and fabulous super model that commanded attention. Whose deep green eyes and stunning smile could warm even the coldest heart!

You have left me inspired, and I hope you are inspired too!!

Utterly Engaged

This is a must read for anyone planning (or looking forward to planning) their wedding. Utterly Engaged is an online wedding magazine dedicated to finding creative alternatives for modern brides.

This issues theme is all about eco-weddings, and is jam packed with great environmentally friendly ideas.

Utterly Engaged is not only full of great suggestions for do-it-yourself brides but they feature a lot of vendors in Southern California. I love the budget breakdown for the wedding featured in each issue! You can read the whole issue here, as well as their premiere issue!

Maggie: Summer Portraits

I've been wanting to play around with some fun and summery props for a few weeks now, and Maggie couldn't have been a better model for this fun portrait session! She was a complete doll, and didn't complain once as I had her hiking up hills in sandals and taming unruly balloons. Thanks for being you, and staying open to my ideas!

I had so many favorites from this session, and it was hard to only pick a few, Enjoy!

OC Mud Run

Okay, I have been excited for this event for months! Although I wanted to compete, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to photograph this fun and mud filled 5k/10k race! Starting at 8:30 am the first group of racers made their way through the Tour de Mud surrounding the Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine.

The CrossFit Irvine gang was out in full force as well as some blue faced friends, making the race hilarious to photograph and watch!

Check out a few photographs from this morning, and head on over to the OC Mud Run site for more information. See you there next year (without my camera, and ready to get muddy)!

Portraits: Justin

Justin is one of those amazingly fun guys who is always laughing! His laughter is contagious and I can't help but smile while editing his shoot. I was fortunate enough to photograph Justin and his girlfriend Dana back to back, allowing the cute couple to bring out the biggest and best expressions from one another. Check out a few of my favorites, and thanks for the great session!