Friday, February 29, 2008

Denis Reggie & Joe Buissink at our PUG

Yesterday was an entire day of photography networking. I am the leader for the Los Angeles Pictage User Group, and each month we meet to discuss various topics and all things new at Pictage. This month's meeting was a little different in that the highly regarded and well respected talents of Joe Buissink and Denis Reggie graced our PUG with their presence. There was no real agenda, just two hours of questions and answers, and we combined the OC, Clairmont and LA PUGs for this event. We had a turn out of over 100 people!

My day started out with a VIP (Very Important Photographers!) lunch that was organized by Pictage. In attendance were photographers Denis Reggie, Joe Buissink, Jon Barber, Jared Bauman, Dane Sanders, Robert Evans & Jules Bianchi, Pictage employees Lisa Allen, Scott Anderson, Debra Gerson, Jason O’Hare, Betsy Hirayama, Ian Siegel, Renata Dionello, Jason Kiefer & Michael Caro. The very talented Ron Dawson was there to videotape the event.



Joe, Jules & Denis.



Clairmont's PUG leader, Julie Weaver, and I introduced our speakers.



The first speaker up was Christine Smith of CLS Photography, our Studio Spotlight for the month. She shared how her business really started to take off after her mentorship sessions with Mike Larsen and her Tea for Two session with me! (Thank you, Christine!)



Then Denis and Joe were on! Ron Dawson of Cinematic Studios videotaped the entire thing to feature on his site, F-Stop Beyond. You should be able to check it out there soon! Denis and Joe answered countless questions on many topics including marketing, albums, how to keep your work fresh, the direction wedding photography is moving in, lighting, as well as sharing their own personal stories. Both remarked about the importance of community and sharing. They both had amazing insight and were so open to everyone's questions.



Afterward, you would think there were movie stars in the house! Everyone wanted to talk to them and have their photograph taken with them.



This picture of Denis Reggie and Veronica Slavin cracks me up because Denis is pointing to where he wants me to "foof" my flash.



And to wrap up our day, a bunch of us went out for sushi afterward. This is a shot of me, Debra Gerson, Robert Evans, Jay Goldman & Julie Weaver that I captured in the mirror of the bar!

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Monday, February 18, 2008

The Ferry Building in San Francisco, Part Two

Later in the afternoon on Saturday, I met Teresa and Jeff, also at the Ferry Building. I am really looking forward to their wedding in the Bay Area this coming August. I love all the Bay Area clients because it gives me a great excuse to come up here and spend time with my family. (In fact, my sister, Joy, came along to both engagement shoots to hang out with me and to hold bags and equipment. Thanks, Joy!!)

We started the shoot at a flowershop in the Ferry Building.













More funky San Francisco art!!





Teresa wore the cutest shoes!







This is one of my favorites of the day.









Teresa really wanted a tram or trolley in their shot. I LOVE this one of the tram whizzing by as they make out in the middle of the street! hahaaa!!

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Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Ferry Building in San Francisco, Part One

Shannon and Patrick are getting married in the Bay Area this May. Early this past Saturday, we met near the Ferry Building to shoot their engagement portraits. Shannon and Patrick are very smiley and easy to work with, and I know we are going to get great shots on their wedding day!









Shannon liked this funky piece of San Francisco art.

















We ended the shoot at the Ferry Building by fooling around in one of the hat stores.... Patrick, you're such a good sport!! Check my blog tomorrow for couple number two that I also shot at the Ferry Building later that same day.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Palm Springs Photo Safari

People always ask me how to stay inspired. I think there is nothing better than choosing a place you've never been before and having a fun Photo Safari. This past weekend, I traveled down to Palm Springs to take a little time off and just shoot for fun.

I fell in love with the Korakia Resort where I stayed. I had been wanting to check it out for the longest time. If you ever find yourself needing a place to stay in Palm Springs, I highly recommend it. It is the most romantic little boutique hotel/bed & breakfast with the most amazing staff you'll ever meet.





I spent the day looking for cool shadows.





Most of the plant life in town looked like this:



This strange fellow was guarding an abandoned Pioneer Town that was used as a movie set years ago.





I think this shot of me is really funny.



Here is what I was shooting:



I found a bizarre little collection of desert trinkets.





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Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Getty Center

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time with Maya & Kevin up at the Getty Center for their engagement session. I love the fact that they are so smiley and fun to be around. I can't wait to shoot their wedding in a huge rustic barn in Santa Barbara this April!

























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Saturday, February 09, 2008

Thirst Relief Auction

Each year my friend, Davina Fear, organizes a charity auction for Thirst Relief by inviting photographers to donate their time to mentor. It has been a huge success in the past, so if you are interested in being mentored by one of your favorite photographers be sure to bid. Mentoring sessions are an opportunity for you to have your website reviewed, talk about marketing, pricing, have your work critiqued, or just get help in any way that you can. Bidding starts today!

Click here to get to the site. The site will have a Thirst Relief banner that you can click on that will take you directly to the auction site. All times listed through out the auction are based on Eastern Standard Time, and you will need to register in order to place a bid on your mentoring session.

The auction will take place for three days from February 9-February 12th. Auctions will end on the 12th (unless the mentoring session you want is having a bidding war…in which case your auction will end when people stop bidding).

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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Jules Bianchi on "Ask & Learn" today

Once a week, Pictage has their "Ask & Learn Wednesdays" on their photographer's forum, and this week they are featuring yours truly! If you are a Pictage member and have any questions at all for me, feel free to sign on between 4pm and 6pm today to ask!

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Monday, February 04, 2008

Union Station

lori & jason
02-04-08

I have known Lori & Jason for many years and they are dear friends of mine. I was so excited when I found out that they were getting married, and I was honored to be the ONLY guest at their extremely private Union Station wedding this afternoon. Lori & Jason chose today's date - 02/04/08 - as their wedding date because they liked the "powers of 2" that it represents. I love that!!

We started at Union Station downtown, tried to go to City Hall but were evacuated after someone pulled the fire alarm, shot at the very cool Bradbury Building and then headed back to City Hall to shoot in the rotunda and on the roof with the city scape behind us. The party will be in another month after Lori & Jason return from New Zealand!

Getting married...







Union Station has such a vintage feel to it that I really love.



Waiting for the train...



Jason.



Lori.



Evacuated from City Hall!



Their rings are SO unique..titanium and wood.



In the Bradbury Building...









Back at City Hall.



One of my favorites from the day...up on the roof with Downtown LA behind. I love you guys!!! Congratulations!

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