Tuesday, February 28, 2006

My Second PUG

I lead the West Hollywood Pictage User Group on the last Tuesday of each month. Twenty photographers came to tonight's group, and we had a great time. Ira Gershoff from my album company, Leather Craftsmen, came for the first half of the meeting to show us their products and answer questions.

Jennifer Zivolich Emery of Photography By Jennifer was our Spotlight Studio tonight. She is a really talented photographer and a great public speaker! The goal is to have a different studio in the spotlight each month so that we can learn more about each other while widening our referral base.

Jenn doing her thing:



Cat from Next Exit Photography (Check out their new blog!) shot this and kindly emailed it to me - note how Olive is paying close attention to me while I read the agenda!

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Sunday, February 26, 2006

Patina Bridal Fair at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

Today my assistant, Jessica, and I spent the day at the gorgeous Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Bridal Bar and Patina put on a huge Bridal Show for all of the Bridal Bar members. Each vendor had their own table and brides were able to come in and meet with us while checking out our work. It was fun to get out and see friends and eat the delicious food provided by Patina!!



Jules Bianchi Photography table



Jules Bianchi sandwiched between Envision's Doug Brannigan and Robert Evans!



My buddy, Todd Johnson and me!

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Saturday, February 25, 2006

Handpainting

Today I spent four or five hours painting a photograph by hand. This is a time consuming task because once I begin applying the oil paints, I have to finish painting before they dry. This means the entire thing must be done in one sitting. The shot was taken on Ilford's Delta 400 speed black & white film and printed onto warmtone fiber-based paper. I used Marshall's photo oils, cotton and toothpicks to change it from a black and white to a vintage-looking color photograph! I absolutely love the look. My handpainted photographs are extremely special, and I can't wait to give this one to the bride, Sandra! To see more samples of my handpainted photographs, please click here.

Check it out:



I start with this:



Move on to this:



and end up with this!

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Rave Reviews

Annamaria and Eric just hired me to shoot their April 29th wedding, and I felt like sharing this awesome letter they sent with their retainer because it just made my day:

"We are very excited that you are able to photograph our wedding! All three of your references gave glowing reviews, so we feel we are in good hands. Jules, I don't know how you do it, but two of them wrote an entire page of comments. You've got to be good!"

So thank you to my brides who raved about me! I love my job!

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Friday, February 24, 2006

Team Bianchi

I am delighted to introduce the newest Jules Bianchi Photography team member, Brian Dreisbach. He is joining us to do album design, color correction, RAW conversions, etc, and I am so happy that he's here! Our turn-around times are really going to increase because of him.

Brian is the founder of Get Your Mac On, and anyone who is a friend of Mac is a friend of mine. He is so easy going and Olive just adores him, so I think he is a perfect addition to Team Bianchi!

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Thursday, February 23, 2006

Open Source Photo Party

Superstar Mike Colon had his intensive four day workshop in Orange County this week, and a lot of photographers from the Open Source Photo community were in attendance. They rented a mansion in Laguna Beach to stay in, and tonight there was a huge party to celebrate the end of the workshop! A whole gaggle of wedding photographers all in one place.

If the photography thing doesn't work out for Dane Sanders, Becker and David Jay I'm sure they would have a fantastic career as a boy band...



The very talented Sara France and Jules Bianchi



Simple Photo Life's Dane Sanders and Mike Colon



My new friends, Amber and Nathan Holritz



Jules Bianchi with Jessica Claire, David Jay, Mike Colon and Becker. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be in the company of all the amazing photographers who were at the party!



David Jay, Becker, Mike Colon, Sara France and Jefferson Todd....and their counterparts.



Photographer party tricks....Tim Halberg showed me this cool effect where you set the self timer, then throw your camera into the air...

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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

L.A. Weddings Soiree

Every month Los Angeles Weddings Magazine throws a soiree for its advertisers. Its a fun way to get to know other wedding vendors while sipping on apple martinis! This month's social was at the very cool Kendall Brasserie downtown. As usual, I thought I would just stay for a short while and I ended up being one of the last to go. Its really good to connect with friends!

Because I did not have my point-and-shoot with me, Jenifer of B & G Photography graciously gave me some images that she shot.

Jules Bianchi and Jenifer Greer Berggren



A cluster of Bridal Bar members: Photographer Todd Johnson, Tic-Tock Couture Florals' Eddie Zaratsian, Bridal Bar owner Harmony Walton, Photographer Brian Kramer and me, Photographer Jules Bianchi.

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Thursday, February 16, 2006

Gary Fong

In every industry there are leaders that everyone looks up to. In the wedding photography world, Gary Fong is one of those leaders. He is currently on tour (yes, much like a rock star) with his "One Step Ahead" Seminar, and last night's was in Los Angeles. This one was special because it was being taped to become a DVD later, so there was a camera on a crane lurking around the room the entire night! Gary is a brilliant salesman and a very funny guy to boot! There were a LOT of wedding photographers there, and during the break Gary went around shooting images of everyone for a quick album design demonstration later in the evening. This is one of those images. I like to call it "Jules Bianchi and the Pictage Dream Team":

Debra Gerson, J. Sandifer, Jules Bianchi, Dave Leubke, and Jeff Jochum

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Wedding Albums

Recently someone asked me if I was relaxing now since wedding season hasn't officially started yet. I just laughed because I don't think I have really relaxed since I started this business back in 2000! Along with all the potential client meetings, Jules Bianchi Photography has been busy designing albums for clients' weddings we shot in 2005. I still offer the Classic Matted album, but lately the magazine-style has been winning out in popularity. Check out a few that we have finished recently:

Classic Matted Album

Magazine-Style Album One

Magazine-Style Album Two

Magazine-Style Album Three

Magazine-Style Album Four

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a great excuse to buy flowers and eat chocolate! Even Miss Olive gets into the silliness with some festive red ribbons tied to her fur.

And of course, if you or a friend happen to find yourself proposed to today... be sure to give me a call!

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Sunday, February 12, 2006

Cirque Du Soleil

Sunday, Jason and I drove down to San Diego in convertible style to see the crazy Cirque Du Soleil. I love the Southern California sun!

I have heard it said that you need to DO interesting things to BE an interesting person, so I was very happy to have been invited to see it. It was so colorful and different, and I'm really glad I finally got to experience Cirque for myself.


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Saturday, February 11, 2006

Jules Bianchi's meeting space

I am so excited to announce that I am finally finished with my client meeting space! Just this afternoon we finished hanging the last print on the wall. I know its tough to get a real sense from these photos, but hopefully you'll get the general idea... Feel free to make an appointment so you can see the real thing!





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Friday, February 10, 2006

Dogs Are People, Too

I am working with a writer on a concept for a book about the bond between a dog and its owner. The working title is “Dogs Are People, Too.” We want to celebrate how dogs have enriched our lives and in possibly ways we didn’t expect! We want to involve about 30 people of note and their dogs. I will take the photographs and Alex Asher Sears (the writer) will conduct the interviews and write the stories. Our goal is to create a coffee table book with proceeds to benefit one or more animal organizations yet to be determined.

I had been looking for a new project and was partially inspired to do this one by my good friend, Tina, who has been rescuing dogs on a regular basis. Tina came to visit me and Olive today with a new rescue, Lady. Lady is currently looking for a home, so if you are interested in having a new family member, please shoot me an email and I will set you up! jules@julesbianchi.com



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Saturday, February 04, 2006

Santa Monica Pier

Laura & Andrew, part one.

Today's engagement shoot took place on the Santa Monica Pier. Laura really wanted a beach shoot since she and Andrew live in Santa Monica, so we chose the pier for its combination of beach, color and fun. First we shot a little bit on the pier, then we went on down to the water. Usually its the clients who get a wet while I stay safely on land, but today I got a little too zealous and decided to brave the water myself. I was up to my knees before I was hit by a wave and had to run to the nearest restroom to dry off my camera. I say, what is insurance is for if not replacing cameras ruined by salt water? We will be finishing up the shoot later this week on the Warner Brothers lot - I think that is going to be a very cool location, too! Laura and Andrew are a really fun couple, and I can't wait to shoot their wedding at Estancia in San Diego later this year.

Some favorites from the day:































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