Filed in: West Coast Wednesday

Good morning from Huntington Beach everyone!  It’s a bit of a short week for everyone with Monday having been Martin Luther King Jr. Day & I thought I would take another moment to create awareness of equality, tolerance and humility.

One of my favourite bands ever did a timeless and very powerful song back in the 80’s.  I’m sure you already know which band I’m referring to & it’s U2.  If you’re not too familiar with their history, check out this bit from Wikipedia about them.  They have an absolutely amazing start to their group.

“The band formed in Dublin on 25 September 1976. Larry Mullen, Jr., then a 14-year-old student at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, posted a note on the school’s notice board in search of musicians for a new band—six people responded. Setting up in his kitchen, Mullen was on drums, with Paul Hewson (Bono) on lead vocals; David Evans (The Edge) and his older brother Dik Evans on guitar; Adam Clayton, a friend of the Evans brothers on bass guitar; and initially Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin, two other friends of Mullen. Mullen later described it as “‘The Larry Mullen Band’ for about ten minutes, then Bono walked in and blew any chance I had of being in charge.” Soon after, the group settled on the name “Feedback” because it was one of the few technical terms they knew. Martin did not return after the first practice, and McCormick left the group within a few weeks. Most of the group’s initial material consisted of cover songs, which the band admitted was not their forté. Some of the earliest influences on the band were emerging punk rock acts, such as The Jam, The Clash, The Buzzcocks, and The Sex Pistols. The popularity of punk rock convinced the group that musical proficiency was not a prerequisite to being successful.”

As I was writing this, I remember that I’m supposed to see U2 this summer with my friend & fellow amazing photographer; Danny Mendoza who videotaped me working at Christina & Scott’s Long Beach Wedding on Halloween on the Queen Mary.  Sweet!

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 U2 with “Pride (In the name of love), both the original music video and a live performance from 1984”  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, A new episode of How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day drops next week & just in case you missed last week’s episode, it was with Stephen Arnold from F & C Creations.  Totally check it out – he’s got some great insight on how to save some time, some money & your sanity while planning for your wedding.

PSS, If you or someone you know is about to have a little addition to their family and is interested in some fun maternity portraits, totally check out what I did with Anna Marie & Lee on Sunday.  We had an “Extreme Maternity Shoot” that definitely broke the mold on the typical maternity portraits.

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Filed in: Portraits

Good afternoon from Huntington Beach everyone!  If you saw some of my Tweets & Facebook updates over the past week, then you probably will remember me mentioning that I was going to be doing an “Extreme Maternity Shoot” yesterday.

Well…. yesterday has come & past and all I can say is that the maternity shoot was taken to the “HNL” (Ho Nuthah Leveh!).

Back in October of 2009, I had the honour of photographing Anna Marie and Lee for their Los Olivos Wedding at the Firestone Vineyard up by Solvang.  It was absolutely fantastic and was even featured in Professional Photographer Magazine from the PPA.  In fact… their wedding photography was so incredible that I even used a beautiful portrait for my current Two-Page Ad in Ceremony Magazine.  It’s absolutely to die for!

Fast forward a year and I receive good news from Anna Marie & Lee that they’re pregnant.  I nearly fell out of my chair and was dying to do a maternity photo shoot with them.  Except, because I knew that they’re both very adventurous – I suggested us having some fun with their maternity portraits.  Quite plainly, I thought a spoof maternity portrait shoot would be fun.  My creative juices were flying around at thought speed & said; “How about a white trash maternity shoot.”  They both loved the idea & we scheduled a date on the calendar for their maternity shoot.

So yesterday Anna Marie & Lee gave me a blank check with my creativity and it was awesome.  Instead of doing the more cliche maternity portraits, I did a collection of more commercial/fine art inspired portraits with them.  It was a perfect combination for their maternity shoot too.  The romantic fine art portraits and the white trash spoof portraits.

Before you check out Anna Marie & Lee’s fine art and white trash maternity shoot that we did at their home in Anaheim Hills 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 have some really out of the box fun with portraits, 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, here are a few of my favourite portraits from their fine art/white trash maternity shoot that I put together & a movie that I shot on for them as well.

I hope you’re having a great extended weekend – cheers!

PS, Stay tuned for some more delicious wedding photography, news and another episode of How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day next Monday – cheers!

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Filed in: Weddings

Good evening from Huntington Beach everyone!  I’ve been dying to share with you Ashley & Brian’s Dana Point Wedding that I recently had the honour of photographing at the St. Regis Monarch Beach.

I was getting my gear ready earlier this afternoon for my “Extreme Maternity Shoot” with Anna Marie & Lee tomorrow and thought I would take a break & share Ashley & Brian’s wedding day with you.

Ashley & Brian’s entire wedding day was held at The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point.  When I arrived at the St. Regis to meet up with Ashley, she was having her finishing touches taken care of, which was perfect because it gave me an opportunity to capture some timeless details.  Like Ashley’s Pronovias Wedding Gown from Jacylyn’s Bridal, her ladies dresses from Alfred Angelo, her valence ballet slippers and her stunning wedding ring from Sara Leonard Jewelers in downtown Los Angeles

I eventually needed to escort Ashley with Ms. Kiley Walker from Kiley Walker Events in Orange County to meet up with Brian for an intimate “First Look” prior to the ceremony.  I absolutely love doing a first look with my couples.  It gives them an opportunity to share a private moment together that is completely uninhibited by outside influences, so they’re able to be more like themselves.  At the St. Regis, there is an absolutely beautiful grand staircase and that was where I chose to have their First Look at which was totally perfect.

They both had a beautiful moment together and then we were able to capture some fun group portraits with their wedding party at the bottom of the staircase.  We were about to head out to the wedding ceremony when I got a wild hair to do a few really romantic portraits with just Ashley & Brian.  I was so happy that we stole about 5 more minutes from their day so we could do those.  The portraits really captured their love for each other.

Their wedding ceremony overlooked the Pacific Ocean while the sun was going down and it was absolutely beautiful.  There were so many timeless moments that I was catching – I truly should have had my track shoes on as I was having a blast running around capturing everything.

After their wedding ceremony, Ashley & Brian enjoyed some of their cocktail hour with their friends and family before heading to the bottom of the outdoor staircase & fountain where I wanted to capture their ginourmous group photo with all of their friends & family.  But not before I snuck in 2 minutes with Ashley & Brian for an epic romantic portrait at the bottom of the staircase & fountain.

Ashley & Brian’s wedding day & reception was a truly fantastic time for me.  Their friends & family took me in like I was an old friend of the family and at the end of the day, I didn’t want to leave and keep on having a great time with everyone while Kelly Fitzgerald and her band rocked through the night.  I love that feeling!

I would like to give a special shout out to Ms. Kiley Walker at Kiley Walker Events too.  Ms. Kiley Walker orchestrated a flawless masterpiece of a wedding day for Ashley & Brian.  If you ever are looking to hire a professional wedding planner, you should get in touch with Kiley.  She’ll treat you like royalty beginning to end!

Before you check out Ashley & Brian’s Dana Point Wedding at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa 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, here is Ashley & Brian’s wedding at The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in a beautiful slide show that I put together & I hope you’re having a great extended weekend – cheers!

PS, If you missed the latest episode of my online “TV” program; “How To Make The Most Of Your Wedding Day” – totally check it out.  Mr. Stephen Arnold from F & C Creations shared some terrific insight on choosing a master jeweler.  I really loved his unique take on the importance of wedding rings & know that what he shared will help savvy brides same some time, some money & their sanity.

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Filed in: Wedding Tips

Good morning from Huntington Beach everyone!  It’s been a pretty crazy short week since I’m back from filming and shooting in Phoenix, Arizona working with Activities So Cal on some athletes and have a very special treat for you.  This week’s Wedding Tip of the Week is brought to you by David Tutera.

You might remember me mentioning before that I was going to be working with David Tutera from WeTV‘s My Fair Wedding for Shelby & Matt’s Wedding last fall along with their 12 Hour Engagement Shoot at Disneyland, San Diego Wild Animal Park & their home in Orange County.  Unfortunately I’m not able to share the wedding yet as Shelby & Matt’s wedding hasn’t aired, but I love David Tutera’s Top 10 Wedding Tips for planning a wedding from his book.

I’ll cut to the chase & get straight on to the article, but let’s say you’re an Orange County bride and you’re finding yourself bogged down planning your wedding & it’s really starting to take it’s toll on you.  Having planned my own wedding, I think that David Tutera’s list is really creative and will help you relieve yourself of some of the stress or at least help you deal with the wedding planning.

But before I present you with this week’s wedding tip and you’re thinking…  Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer in Orange County that wants to help brides and grooms enjoy planning their wedding to the fullest, 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.

And without further ado, here is the awesome article from David Tutera & have a terrific weekend – cheers!

David Tutera’s Top 10 Wedding Tips

A glimpse at David’s new book
“The Big White Book of Weddings: The How-To Guide for the Savvy, Stylish Bride”

10. Overall Planning: Think about the big picture! Before jumping into all the details, take some time to envision the overall end result (what is your dream wedding?) Organize all your thoughts and great ideas, andthen, with a goal in mind, start with the shopping and decorating as a calm, cool and collected bride with a great plan.

9. Budget: There’s no need to spend a ton of money to have a beautiful wedding; you just have to spend the money you do have wisely! Remember, being over-the-top is not a necessity – less can be more and some of the most elegant weddings are done with well-executed simplicity.

8. Invitations: Invitations should set a tone of excitement for your entire affair! The outside of the envelope, the stamps, the layout of the invitation, and the font—all the details count. When you’re creating invitations, imagine what it will be like for your guests to be receiving them. A great invitation grabs the attention of your guests and guarantees the impression that yours is a wedding not to be missed.

7. Décor: When it comes to table centerpieces and reception floral arrangements, ask for a mix of high and low arrangements, or a variation of three correlating arrangement designs (that vary in cost) mixed throughout the tables. This combination will help cut costs from having to pay for all large arrangements for each table and will also add aesthetic variety to the look of your reception on many visual levels.

6. Your Wedding Dress: There are so many gorgeous gowns out there to choose from—how do you pick “the” one? The key is to flatter your body and work with what you’ve got to look amazing in a fashion piece that compliments your every move. Pick a dress that compliments your body type – know your body shape and what styles work best on you before you go dress shopping, and you’ll be sure to find a dress that’s truly the “perfect fit!”

5. Hair and Make Up: Hiring the right amount of make-up artists for your wedding party makes all the difference. Ask your make-up consultant in advance how much time she needs per girl, and how many assistants you need to hire to get the job properly done with time to spare for any touch-ups. Create an order of who in your bridal party will be done first, starting with mothers of the bride and groom and doing the flower girl towards the end (kids love to play with their hair and face, so the shorter amount of time between your flower girl’s styling and the wedding, the better.) You, as the bride, should be last—with plenty of time to spare to enjoy getting beautifully bridal!

4. Food and Beverage: Food can be so much more than a meal—you can even use it to help convey your personalities and include your guests in your love story! For example, instead of just selecting regular foods to serve, create a menu that is inspired by places you and your groom have visited, your heritages, or your favorite dishes.

3. Expect the Unexpected: Always keep your guests guessing to keep them eagerly anticipating what they will experience next! Have something different happen every 30 minutes. Introduce a new food or drink, change the lighting or the music, have a new type of entertainment, move locations, or choose to have unique wedding timeline to change up things for your guests so it’s not just another cookie-cutter wedding! Your guests will have unforgettable memories.

2. Happily Hosting: Being a great bride also means being a great host! Take time and make efforts to let your guests to know how much it means to you that they came to share in your special day. Receiving lines, toasts and visiting tables as a couple are great ways to show your gratitude (and to see everyone!)

1. Enjoy every step of the way! You will only be able to enjoy the rush and elation of planning your wedding one time, so revel in every moment of your wedding dreams coming true. Wedding planning should feel like an exciting series of events leading up to a grand finale. Include your closest family and friends and make the whole process a joyful journey.

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Filed in: West Coast Wednesday

Good morning from Huntington Beach everyone and Happy New Year!  It feels great being back in after being out of the office so much over the past three weeks with Ashley & Chaz up in Big Bear for their Engagement Shoot on my “workation” and then turning around heading to Arizona to film and shoot some sports teams for Activities So Cal.  Especially when it’s at the same time as a new year is kicking off.  I just want to put my track shoes on & start the new year off running.

I look at starting a new year like a rebirth of life.  It’s a great opportunity to start up new projects, finish up old projects or just redirect or straighten out a path that you’re on.  While I was thinking of things like that, I remembered Duran Duran’s video; “New Moon On Monday.”  It’s a celebration of life, a celebration of unity with people and overall – it’s a great video that I totally have loved over the years.

Duran Duran has had quite the wild ride over several decades and with the release of their new album; All You Need Is Now exclusively on iTunes – they’re finally receiving the kudos from the media that has shined them on while Duran Duran has stayed the test of time.

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 Duran Duran with “New Moon On Monday.”  So feel free to sit back with your favourite morning beverage, enjoy the video of incredible music, vocals and awesome cinematography.

Have an awesome first West Coast Wednesday of 2011 and also remember to make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

PS, the next episode of How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day went live on Monday with Stephen Arnold from F & C Creations.  Totally check it out – he’s got some great insight on how to save some time, some money & your sanity while planning for your wedding.

PSS, I also have the full movie version below as well to check out.  It’s nearly 20 minutes long, in two parts and reminds me of the extended remix that Duran Duran did on the Japanese import; Tiger Tiger back in the 80’s. They were one of the first bands to make 12″ dance remixes of their music – wayyyyy before today’s artists and it’s definitely awesome!

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