Filed in: West Coast Wednesday

This is one Huntington Beach wedding photographer that was up quite a bit last night with the crazy winds that were going through Orange County.

The cool thing about being up quite a bit in the middle of the night before a West Coast Wednesday is that I start thinking of all my favourite videos and songs.  One of the songs that I kept thinking of was Arcardia – one of the two side projects that the members of Duran Duran did.  The other one was Power Station with the late Robert Palmer.

I started thinking about Arcadia because of the slick wardrobes, amazing cinematography and dark and mysterious hair & makeup.  And if you’re like me, I tend to do a lot of word familiarization going from one word/topic – tying it to another & another.  So last night I was thinking about various things with Arcadia & remembered that I nearly dyed my hair black this past trip to Dean Anthony in Belmont Shore.  But I totally chickened out & kept the bleach blond look.  Funny how the brain works in the middle of the night!

If you’re not too familiar with Arcadia, check out this snippet about them.  The musical path was short with them, but the art Arcadia created both in music & video is ground breaking even in today’s over-saturated, homogenized, and watered down music industry.

Arcadia was a pop group formed in 1985 by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, during a break in that band’s schedule. However, Roger Taylor appeared in only a few band photographs and in none of the music videos, and stated he was only to be involved in the recording side of the project (he also had minor involvement in Power Station, the other Duran Duran splinter group). The name of the band was reportedly inspired by the Nicolas Poussin painting Et in Arcadia ego (also known as “The Arcadian Shepherds”).

Musicians who contributed to the album included guitarists David Gilmour and Carlos Alomar, pianist Herbie Hancock, Sting (who provided backing vocals on “The Promise“), Grace Jones (who provided brief but dramatic spoken-word interludes on “The Flame” and “Election Day“), bass player Mark Egan of The Pat Metheny Group (“El Diablo” and “Lady Ice“) and percussionist David Van Tieghem.

The group recorded just one album, the platinum-selling So Red the Rose and featured the Top 40 singles “Election Day,” “The Flame,” “The Promise,” and “Goodbye Is Forever“. One famous review described So Red the Rose as “the most pretentious album ever made”, while All Music Guide called it “the best album Duran Duran never made”

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer that loves 80′s music, fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.

I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.

So without further ado, I give you Arcadia with “Election Day.”  So feel free to sit back with your favourite morning beverage, enjoy the video of incredible music, vocals and awesome message.

Have an awesome first West Coast Wednesday and also remember to make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

PS, ALSO!!! Be sure to check out Shelby & Matt’s Wedding that was on WeTV on David Tutera’s My Fair Wedding this past Sunday.  Their wedding is airing more this week, so totally set your DVRs and check it out.  It was completely out of this world!

PSS, If you missed the latest episode of my online “TV” program; “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day that dropped on Monday, it was with Gina Ludwig from Hair Comes The Bride – who not only was amazing to work with at Shelby & Matt’s wedding, but an all around top-shelf/red-carpet/white glove service minded professional.  Totally check it out – she’s got some great insight on how to save some time, some money & your sanity while planning your wedding.

PPSS, I just couldn’t resist & added a bonus to today’s West Coast Wednesday. Check out the remix of Arcadia by Gabriel & Dresden after the video. It doesn’t have anything to do with Arcadia the band, but it’s got the same name and it’s a totally great accompaniment to coffee – kicking the day off properly.

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Filed in: Weddings

Good evening from Huntington Beach everyone!  I’m back at EPHQ in Orange County after having an awesome day being a camera operator at Church in Cypress & then a new baby/family portrait shoot for a return client; Cara at their home in Huntington Beach.  You might remember Cara from her Trash The Dress Shoot I did with her and her husband; Eric back in 2008 at my secret spot somewhere in Southern California.  So imagine my excitement and how flattered I was when I received the email from Cara asking me to be her family photographer.  What an honour!

Soooooo… what was it that I was going to share with you??  Hmmm…  Ohhhh yeahhh… Shelby & Matt’s wedding that is featured on WeTV‘s “My Fair Wedding” with David Tutera.  You’ve been patiently waiting to see it, I’ve been dying to share it with you & today I can finally drop it on the website for you.

I’ve been asked a gajillion times over & over again by everyone about the photos, where was the wedding at, what did Shelby wear, what was it like, what was David Tutera like, and so much more for the past several months.  Let me tell you that it has been driving me bonkers in Huntington Beach because I was sworn to secrecy by WeTV that I couldn’t post or divulge any bits & pieces of Shelby & Matt’s wedding.

You might remember Shelby Matt from their 12 Hour Engagement Shoot that I did with them all over Southern California (Or maybe you saw her Wedding Tip Of The Week too).  From Disneyland to Disney’s California Adventure and San Diego Wild Animal Park – their 12 Hour Engagement Shoot was not only taken to the “HNL”, but it was the definition of the word; Epic.

Shelby & I go back a bit too.  We first met when I was shooting an event for my client; Kathy Miller from Activities So Cal at The White House Event Center in Anaheim.  Before I even knew she was engaged or planning her wedding, I totally loved working with her.  Probably because we’re of similar personality.  Totally love being in control, all about the details and abhor mediocrity.

Later that same night when Shelby told me that she was engaged to Matt, I jokingly told her that I knew exactly who her wedding photographer was going to be (Hee Hee Hee!) and she said we should definitely chat.

A couple weeks later Shelby rang me up late one night while I was in post production & wanted to know if I was available for an impromptu consultation at her mom’s home.  I know that when opportunity presents itself, one should hop-to & I swiftly packed up Rio and flew out the door.  Shelby, Matt and Shelby’s mom was there & before you knew it – more three hours had passed as we mapped out how her photography would be – from the 12 hour Engagement Shoot to her wedding day.

Fast forward and while we’re shooting her Engagement Shoot, the topic of wedding programs came up & Shelby & I both raved about how much we loved them and especially David Tutera’s “My Fair Wedding” on WeTV.  We all agreed how amazing it would be if her wedding got picked up by the program.

Well… Shelby is like me.  Once an idea is planted in our heads, we have no choice but to run with it.  There is no “maybe” or “try” for the two of us.  We either do it or we don’t.

So… time passes and a few weeks after their 12 Hour Engagement Shoot, I receive a call from Shelby that she submitted her written story to WeTV for David Tutera’s “My Fair Wedding” and what do ya know – it was in-line for consideration.  The only thing that was needed now was a video of Shelby & Matt sharing their story, wedding details & all the other fun tid-bits that would hopefully secure their wedding on My Fair Wedding.

By then, I thought of Shelby & Matt as more than just wedding client 579 and more like friends and provided my services to them for free as an early wedding gift.  I shot the entire video on my iPhone and edited in iMovie – which was awesome as the video editing was a snap.  The tough part about their video was it had to be no longer than 10 minutes.  Which seemed nearly impossible because because there was so much we wanted to share and include.  But the Final Video that was submitted to WeTV was 9 minutes & 59 seconds – totally perfect.

A couple weeks passes, some emails & calls are made back & forth with Shelby & the professionals at WeTV and their wedding was accepted.  When I received the call from Shelby that her wedding was accepted, I nearly fell out of my chair!  I was so excited as I had photographed Kim & Ken’s Catalina Wedding on Platinum Weddings back in September 2008 and now I’ll be photographing Shelby & Matt’s wedding on My Fair Wedding too.  Who knew that me doing a simple iPhone video for free as a gift for Shelby & Matt would seal the deal & get them on TV. What an honour!

Shelby & Matt’s wedding day was completely amazing!  Toasts, tears, diamonds and dancing – from the beginning of the wedding day to the last dance, David Tutera made sure that everything for their wedding day was impeccable.  I will just have to go out on a ledge and say that David Tutera is quite literally a master craftsman at wedding planning.  Also, if you’re not familiar with it, check out his book; “The Big White Book of Weddings.”  It is probably one of the best (if not the best) books out today to help you plan and design the wedding of your dreams.

There are so many people, companies and services that were involved in making Shelby & Matt’s wedding – a wedding of their dreams.  Check out this veritable cornucopia of amazing talent:

I also want to give an UBER-HUGE-JUMBO-GINOURMOUS Shout Out to my awesome friend, photographer & wingwoman; Ms. Christine Bentley.  Christine was instrumental and absolutely amazing working with me, ensuring that we didn’t miss a beat with anything.  When I was at one location covering specific shots at one of the gazillion spots at Rancho Las Lomas, Christine was capturing shots at another.  Rancho Las Lomas is one of the larger properties in Southern California that requires more than one photographer for a wedding.

Before you check out Shelby & Matt’s Silverado Wedding at Rancho Las Lomas – down by San Diego and you’re thinking to yourself…  Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer in Orange County loves to capture romantic portraits, timeless moments and wedding details, then feel free to get in touch with me anytime.

I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.

So without further ado, below is Shelby & Matt’s wedding that is featured on WeTV’s “My Fair Wedding” with David Tutera in a beautiful slide show that I put together.  If you’re interested in delicious professional prints, I’ll have their wedding photography available on Pictage too.  I hope you’re having a great weekend and enjoy – cheers!

PS, If you missed the latest episode of my online “TV” program; “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day that dropped on Monday, it was with Gina Ludwig from Hair Comes The Bride – who not only was amazing to work with at Shelby & Matt’s wedding, but an all around top-shelf/red-carpet/white glove service minded professional.  Totally check it out – she’s got some great insight on how to save some time, some money & your sanity while planning your wedding.

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  • Christine Bentley - David, you were awesome in getting them entered! You worked very hard that day and got amazing images! I love the slideshow! It was a challenging day, dodging film crew etc….but you fantastically captured their day, in fact who would know from your pictures, the amazing angles, that camera crew were amongst you! Like a ninja! You did an amazing job! XXOO

  • David Esquire - Thank you so much for the comment Christine! It was an honour to have you work by my side and I couldn’t imagine the day being any more amazing. I’m looking forward to us working together more in the future and who knows – maybe with crew members for another program on WeTV! XOXOXOXOXO RBA!!! :-)

  • Shelby ikeda - Thanks for the amazing opportunity you gave me and so much more. Words cannot express how Happy I am to have such an amazing person like David Esquire in my life. I have learned so much through this process from both the Davids in my life; David Tutera and of course David Esquire!!!! I love you :)

  • David Esquire - Thank you very much for the note Shelby! It’s been an honour serving you and your family. Then for a video that I did for you to secure getting your wedding on WeTV is just absolutely nothing short of amazing. I’m excited to see all the future memories we’ll be sharing over the years and looking back on the experience of your wedding being on TV as one of those highlights in our lives. :-)

Filed in: West Coast Wednesday

Good morning from Huntington Beach everyone!  It’s been a crazy start to my week as I had my surgery to pull the four wisdom teeth that I’ve had since third grade on Monday.  Normally this wouldn’t be such an ordeal, but I’m pretty much deathly afraid of dentists & doctors.  Combine that with the fact that both my oral surgeon had to fix a terrible infection that I came back from Big Bear with for my workation shooting Ashley & Chaz’s Engagement Shoot, going over things with DJ Neko for his performances this spring as he’s a future resident DJ at Disneyland’s California Adventure for ElecTRONica and my heart surgeon making sure they could take me off my meds & put me on new ones – was a little unnerving to say the least.

BUT!  I’m of the mindset that I’m invincible and still launched the latest episode of How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day and upon being bored out of my skull, I am sharing a new West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week with you.  Yeah!

If you saw some of my Tweets & Facebook updates over the weekend & especially on Sunday, you probably caught a glimpse of some of the music that I was listening to – to distract me from my upcoming nervousness of my surgery on Monday.  One of the bands was Duran Duran (go figure!) and the other musician was George Michael.  I’ve been HUGE fans of both over the years & I really wanted to share with you two of my favourite songs from George Michael with you this week.

Also, If you don’t know much about George Michael, check out this clip from his website.  It’s only the tip of the iceberg of how amazing his career has been over the years.

“Everybody knows George Michael. Or at least they think they do. He’s a global icon, an international artist of the highest order who has sold over 100 million albums in a world where Germany’s population is 82 million; the United Kingdom’s is 62 million and Australia’s is 23 million. He’s topped charts from Austria to Australia. He’s sold-out stadiums from Tokyo to Tampa. He re-defined popular music with his debut solo album, 1987’s Faith and went on to build a groundbreaking, substantial and enormously popular body of work.”

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer that loves 80′s music, fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.

I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.

So without further ado, I give you a double feature of George Michael with “Freedom” and “Faith.”  So feel free to sit back with your favourite morning beverage, enjoy the video of incredible music, vocals and terrific cinematography.

Have an awesome West Coast Wednesday and also remember to make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

PS, A new episode of How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day dropped on Monday & just in case you missed this week’s episode, it was with Gina Ludwig from Hair Comes The Bride.  Totally check it out – she’s got some great insight on how to save some time, some money & your sanity while planning for your wedding.

PSS, ALSO!!! Not only is Gina’s episode from Hair Comes The Bride Awesome, but her company took care of Shelby & Matt’s wedding that is showing this Sunday, Jan. 30th on WeTV on David Tutera’s My Fair Wedding.  It’s on at 9:00 p.m. & I’m super excited to see how amazing her wedding was.  Yeah!

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Filed in: How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day

WELCOME to the next episode of “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day!”

Thank you so much for joining me on “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day.”  Every other week this online program is here to help Brides and Grooms be introduced to some of the best wedding vendors in the industry.  We’ll be sharing tips & tricks, along with features & benefits of why hiring professional vendors on your wedding day will not only save you time, but money & your sanity.

For this week’s program episode I am joined with Ms. Gina Ludwig – the owner of a fantastic Team of Professional Hair Stylist & Make Up Artists at Hair Comes The Bride.  I have had the honour of working with Gina and her team on many weddings over the years.  We’ve worked together for weddings all over from Orange County to Los Angeles & more.  Recently I had the opportunity to work with them on Jennifer & Nick’s Wedding at the Edwards Mansion.  You might recognize the officiant to in the Halloween themed wedding.  It’s my good friend Alan Katz from the Edgewater Wedding Chapel in downtown Long Beach – who was also recently a guest on “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day.”  So for Gina to be interested in being on my program is totally cool.

If you don’t know much about Gina & her team just yet, check out her “letter.”  I love her that she has a “letter” and not a bio.  Very original and it’s totally impressive.

“Congratulations on your engagement and your upcoming wedding!  I am so excited for you and I am so honored that you are considering Hair Comes the Bride to be a part of such an important day!  I understand that every bride has different needs and priorities when looking for a hair and makeup company so I thought it was important that I take just a few minutes and let you know a little bit about our “Ideal Bride” so that you can feel confident that we are The Perfect Fit.

We are the perfect fit if, it’s important to you that the time right before your wedding ceremony, the time you’re getting ready, is fun, calm and stress free.  You know that this is your day and you truly want to be pampered and made to feel special.  You want a stylist who will educate and help you determine the perfect hair and makeup that will truly represent your personal style and the style of your wedding, not someone who is going to dictate what you “should” or “shouldn’t” do.  You understand that whoever you hire to do your hair and makeup is providing more than just bridal beauty services, they are truly providing peace of mind.  You don’t mind paying a little bit more for your hair and makeup, but, you certainly expect to get what you pay for!  Plus, you really don’t have time to run around going from place to place to “try” them all out just to find the cheapest price.

You know, I started Hair Comes the Bride because I had a passion for hair and makeup.  Well, I still have a love and passion for hair and makeup but my true passion now in running the business, fourteen years later, is being of service to our brides.  I believe that one of the most important things in life are our memories and your wedding day will certainly be one of the most treasured memories you will ever have and the fact that we get to be a part of and share in this memory with you is such an honor!  Of course it’s important that you look and feel beautiful and that we get you done on time, all of that is a given, you are going to get that if you are one of our brides.  What makes us truly different and unique, I think,  is in how much we really care about our brides!  I know this all may sound really corny, but it truly is what we’re all about!

Myself and every one of my girls at Hair Comes the Bride is committed to making sure that you feel special and that you know how important you are to us!  And, if you do become one of our brides, you have me to make sure this happens!  I am personally available by phone or email if any single part of your experience with Hair Comes the Bride is anything less than what you expect and what you deserve!

So, I guess you really know that we’re the perfect fit if you get that your wedding day is not really about the flowers and the cake and the hair and makeup.  Sure those things are important, but it’s really about the feelings and the emotions and the memories!  We’re the perfect fit if you’re looking for someone who will BE of service, not just provide a service!

So, I hope I wasn’t too corny or sentimental, but, I can’t help it, I just love what I do so much!  If you have any questions please call or email us anytime.  If you’re ready to check availability and/or book your wedding day, please click on the link at the bottom of this page to get started.  Thanks so much for your time and I’ll talk to you soon.”

So sit back with a pad of paper & pen and be ready for some great information on “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day” with Gina Ludwig from Hair Comes The Bride.

If you have any questions or are a vendor that would like to be on the program, feel free to contact me anytime.  I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.  Cheers!

PS, Gina and her team also worked with me for Shelby & Matt’s Wedding which will be featured on WeTV‘s My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.  The wedding is coming soon here at Esquire Photography as soon as it airs on WeTV (had to wait till it was on TV to share it with you).  BUT!  Totally check out Shelby & Matt’s 12 Hour Engagement Shoot at Disneyland, San Diego Wild Animal Park & their home in Orange County.  It’s awesome!

And because “Pobody’s Nerfect” – Here are some classic outtakes!

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Filed in: Weddings

Good morning from Huntington Beach everyone!  I’m definitely one Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer that is so excited to keep on sharing more delicious wedding photography from Laguna Niguel.

Risa & James’ wedding day kicked off at The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel down in Dana Point.  When I arrived at The Ritz Carlton Risa was having a few finishing touches taken care and a final rehearsal of her song she was going to serenade James with at the reception before slipping into her diamond white Badgley Mischka wedding dress and floor length veil from Agusta Jones.  Her Badgley Mischka wedding gown was complimented with Swarovski crystal jewelry and ballet slippers for the ceremony & reception.

Risa really made what she was wearing very personal too.  She wore her Grandmother’s Engagement Ring and her Maid of Honour’s Grandmother’s ring.  I thought that was totally honourable!

James was sharp as a tack in his tuxedo from Friar Tux and he made his outfit personal like Risa did.  James wore his Grandfather’s cufflinks & lapel pin – which I made sure to capture with my macro lens while he was getting ready before the wedding.

Their wedding overlooked the entire Pacific Coastline and it was perfect.  I had to capture their ceremony with my fisheye lens so you could see the entire scope of how opulent it was with all the floral arrangements from Bella Events & Flowers.  Who by the way also orchestrated a fantastic symphony of excellence for their ceremony & reception.

After their wedding ceremony, I was able to capture some portraits with the family, a totally over the top romantic portrait of Risa & James in their ballroom and details of the ballroom for their reception.  Risa’s good friend; Tyrone Wells sang their 1st dance song.  Seeing Tyrone perform for Risa & James was special to me as well because he performs at my church (Sea Coast Grace) too.

Tyrone Wells wasn’t the only performer too.  Risa serenaded James with an original piece that she wrote and Dan Lavery accompanied her on the acoustic guitar.  There literally wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom.

Risa & James’ reception had pleanty of fun touches too.  They had a delicious chocolate fountain with fruit & pastries, a multi-flavoured wedding cake with Almond, Bavarian Chocolate Creme & Hazelnut Crunch, a photo booth set up by DG Events and DJ Ben rocked the dance floor throughout the day all the way through the day before we headed down to the beach for some of my Signature Romantic and Beautiful sunset portraits.  I would like to send a special shout out to DJ Ben as well.  He and I worked together seamlessly to ensure we were in sync for Risa & James’ events.

But before you check out Risa & James’ Wedding at The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California and you’re thinking to yourself…  Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer in Orange County that has a blast with his clients & works with some of the best and most amazing people in the industry, then feel free to get in touch with me anytime.

I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.

Without further ado, here is Risa & James’ Laguna Niguel Wedding in a totally awesome slide show that I put together.

Have a fantastic weekend and check back Monday for the newest episode of “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day.”  There is definitely no shortage of tips & tricks on how to save some time, some money & your sanity to plan your wedding.  Cheers!

PS, Risa’s father was even capturing some fun photos during the day & snapped This Photo of Risa, James, Tyrone & I when I was doing a self portrait of all of us with my iPhone after their first dance.  Check it out, it’s great!

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  • Ritsuko Mattsuki - It is fabulouse!
    It’s simply marvelous.
    Done very well!

  • David Esquire - Thank you so much for the note! I had a truly amazing time with everyone. It was an honour to be invited into your lives & I’m looking forward to all the fun memories we’ll have in the future. Cheers!

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