I’ve been wanting to give back on a much bigger scale to the world and over the past week I’ve created a program that is very very close to my heart.  Without further ado, I will come out & say it…

Effective immediately – I am taking 50% OFF ALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES for ALL active military people until the end of this year, December 31, 2011.  Whether one or both people are in the middle, it doesn’t matter – you’re totally able to get 50% Off all my wedding photography services.

In fact, I had the honour of recording Ali & Justin yesterday when I was with them and both of their parents at Edward’s Air Force Base yesterday as they are the very first couple to receive my gift.  Here is a video of the experience – check it out!

This is by far the biggest thing that the family business has ever done in more than 28 years from Los Angeles to London, England.  Can I say… WHOLLY NACHOS & NEWCASTLES!!!

So!  If you’re thinking…  Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Newport Beach Wedding Photographer (Previously a Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer) that loves music & fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.

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

I hope you’re having a great weekend & stay tuned for some amazing events that I’m sharing this week.  From San Diego to Newport Beach, Ventura and all the way up to Oakland – I’ll have some fantastic Weddings and events that I’ve had the honour of photographing.  And of course soon to come; LA Fashion Week, the VIP Party Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao had at The Supper Club in Los Angeles and the American Music Awards Pre-Party at Ben Kitay Studios with the Kate Mesta Crew – Cheers!

PS, If you’re a photographer & looking to hang out with me and my good friend; Danny Mendoza during Christmas break, come & join us in PARIS FRANCE for our first ever Lighting Workshop.  WHEW HEW!!!

Sharing is (Almost) Sexier than Nachos & Newcastles!! Be sure to click the Google+, Facebook Like or Twitter buttons below
to show some love for the 50% OFF Military Discount!

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Good afternoon from Orange County everyone!  Well, I’m just a smitten Newport Beach Wedding Photographer right now as our local macot; Duran Rex has something to share…

“RRRWWWWWAAARRRRWWW!!!!

Which I believe is Dino Speak for “Have a GREAT TRex Tuesday!”

I’m about to head out to meet up with my TFF & Duran Duran BFFs; Carri & Kai to see Duran Duran in concert in downtown Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre and had to drop you that message from Duran Rex.

ALSO!  I caught word that Kristine from the UBER-AWESOMEband; Darvoset who’s song; “Want It” which was recently featured in the video of UK Model; Jane Lavin – that I recently shared on Esquire Photography is going to Duran Duran as well tonight.  So be on the lookout for her too!

If you’re going tonight, totally send me a text message to my iPhone or Tweet me as several of us might be getting together at the end of the show.

So in the cool words of Duran Rex… Have a GREAT TRex Tuesday – RWWWAAAAARRRWWW!!

So!  As you’re thinking about having a great TRex Tuesday or already listening to Darvoset’s uber-amazing electronic dance music and you’re wondering… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Newport Beach Wedding Photographer (Previously a Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer) that loves music & fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.

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

Whether you’re in Newport Beach, Los Angeles, or down in San Diego – I hope your week is off to a terrific start – cheers!

PS, Darvoset is PERFORMING LIVE on October 8th at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana.  I’m definitely going straight after I photograph Adrienne & Jeremy’s wedding.  Who you might remember from their completely EPIC Laguna Beach Engagement Shoot at the Montage Resort Laguna Beach I recently did with them.  So if you’re going, let me know as Kristine has assured me my bedazzled and blinged out “VIP, Backstage, All Access, Cool Guy” pass will give me an opportunity to capture some cool photos.  She also told me that Rainbow Brite has nothing on my VIP pass.  Something to do with “Rainbows & Unicorns.”  Hmmm…

PSS, I’m sure you’ve seen some of the quotes I’ve been sharing on Twitter keeping the “Butterfly Effect” moving forward – spreading positivity.  Well, tonight I thought I would share some of my current favourite quotes that are pillars of strength for me & I would love to hear which one you like or which ones are important to you.  Here are mine:

• “I never wanted to be a businessman, I just wanted to change the world.” - Richard Branson
• “Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever.” – Keanu Reeves in “The Replacements”
• “A Man Can Change His Stars.” – The late Heath Ledger in “Knight’s Tale”
• “Rise & Rise Again. Until Lambs Become Lions.” – Russel Crowe in “Robin Hood”

The Super PS, I’m still on the search for a couple TOTALLY AWESOME replacement photographers to join the Esquire Photography team in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Diego and Ventura.  If you or some you know understands the importance of wedding photography to brides & grooms along with a zeal for working in the wedding photography business, totally contact me ASAP.  Thanks!!!

SHARING IS SEXY!  So click that Google+, Facebook Like or Twitter
button to show some love for Duran Rex, Jane’s Los Angeles Portraits & Darvoset!

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This country has one of the most sophisticated and locked down tight, fear and war mongering governments seeking the same level of Orwellian control reminiscent of leaders in the past along with the twisted and cruel over and undertones of Hitler and his Nazi regime from World War II.

FYI, the Bush family has DIRECT ties with Hitler.  So direct, that George Bush’s grandfather funded Hitler.  Here’s one link to get you started:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar.  Frightening.

So to think that we’re supposed to drink the Kool Aid about two jets we didn’t see coming fly into the twin towers & ultimately collapse due to super-heated jet fuel.  A jumbo jet crash into the pentagon leaving not a trace of debris, bodies, or parts anywhere.  And another jet plummeting out of the sky and disintegrating into a small blackened, charred piece of land again without any debris, bodies or parts anywhere.  I say; “Are you effin kidding me!!!!!”

What have we gained as a country and at what cost?  Year by year, month by month, day by day and hour by hour we are losing.  We are losing what should not be taken for granted.  Our constitutional rights, our constitutional right to privacy and our constitutional right to freedom.

Those costs are insurmountable.  They and all in the name of greed.

Abraham Lincoln had many brilliant and poignant things to share and help build this country’s foundation with.  One of them was: “Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves.”

Benjamin Franklin, another great and brilliant founder of this country once said: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

This was written by Franklin, with quotation marks but almost certainly his original thought, sometime shortly before February 17, 1775 as part of his notes for a proposition at the Pennsylvania Assembly, as published in Memoirs of the life and writings of Benjamin Franklin (1818). A variant of this was published as:  Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

This was used as a motto on the title page of An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania. (1759); the book was published by Franklin; its author was Richard Jackson, but Franklin did claim responsibility for some small excerpts that were used in it.

An earlier variant by Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanack (1738): “Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.”

But to share Benjamin Franklin’s words in plainer terms to make it easier for those who may not quite understand or to speak bluntly, choose to not develop their grammatical abilities for whatever reason.  Many paraphrased derivatives of this have often become attributed to Franklin:

• They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
• They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
• Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither.
• He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security.
• He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.
• People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.
• If we restrict liberty to attain security we will lose them both.
• Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
• He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither.
• Those who would trade in their freedom for their protection deserve neither.
• Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security.

So many people need to be held accountable for their actions, their deeds and their greedy, murderous actions.

A lot of questions and documentaries have been made from brilliant and creative minds around the world.  Here is a small list of documentaries available online for free to help dilate your mind:

• 102 Minutes That Changed America
• 9/11 and the British Broadcasting Conspiracy
• 9/11 Eyewitness
• 9/11 False Flag
• 9/11 Mysteries
• 9/11 Revisited, Were Explosives Used?
• 9/11: Ground Zero’s Responders
• 9/11: Missing Links
• 9/11: Press For Truth
• 9/11: The Falling Man
• 9/11: The Road To Tyranny
• A New Standard of Deception
• Aftermath: Unanswered Questions from 9/11
• Anthrax War
• Core of Corruption: In the Shadows
• Dust to Dust: The Health Effects of 9/11
• Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime
• Fabled Enemies
• Fahrenheit 9/11
• Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11
• Improbable Collapse: The Demolition of Our Republic
• In Their Own Words: The Untold Stories of the 9/11 Families
• Loose Change: Final Cut
• Martial Law 9/11: The Rise of the Police State
• National Security Alert
• Oil, Smoke and Mirrors
• The 9/11 Chronicles: Truth Rising
• The 9/11 Conspiracies: Fact or Fiction
• The Elephant In The Room
• The Great Conspiracy
• The Ultimate Con
• Towers of Deception: The Media Cover-Up of 9/11
• War and Globalization: The Truth Behind 9/11 (Lecture)
• Who Killed John O’Neil?
• Zero: An Investigation into 9/11

In a day & age when it’s not “popular” to have an opinion unless you’re a figure head and/or puppet in the media, I have one, I will share it and I will form it based up a variety of facts available to me.  Should you not agree with it, that’s ok – you’re not me, I’m not you & there’s no possible way we could ever both have the same opinion on anything because of that.  You’re; you, I’m; me and bluntly – it’s OK to disagree.

BUT!  As long as I am able to exercise my natural born, constitutional rights, I will continue to question authority and my governments.

Especially in today’s day & age when freedom of speech & freedom of religion and freedom of press are rapidly being pulled out from underneath me.  If you think I’m wrong, do some research on what’s going on in San Francisco.  Or even closer; in Long Beach where we have the Long Beach police to decide what I am photographing is deemed “art worthy.”  Yes, you read that right & they’re proud of being charged with that duty.

With all this said and shared, I will close with this: To blindly follow the government and not question or speak out is unpatriotic! Taking part in the free process, through debate, consensus and disagreement IS being an American Patriot.

Thank you for reading and may we all join in helping make this time in our lives and other’s lives better.  Build upon a positive butterfly effect and remember those that are gone, so their murders were not in vain.

David

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If you had recently seen my Google+, Facebook or Twitter updates, then you’ve definitely seen how I’ve been up & down Southern California.  But not without facing some undoubtedly incredible challenges and obstacles that pushed me to really shine through.

First, on Thursday I headed down to the Fallbrook Wedgewood down in San Diego for Rebekah & Chris’ wedding day.  I shared a few photos on my Facebook Fan Page that night which were pretty fun I should have known that Thursday was going to be the beginning of an EPIC three days.

As I’m sure you saw, most of San Diego was without power, which meant Rebekah & Chris’ San Diego Wedding & reception had some challenges.  Or for me – I looked at it like an incredible opportunity to connect more with the guests and Rebekah & Chris’ reception was candlelit.  Can we sayyyyy totally gorgeous and I even learned that Rebekah had seen Shelby & Matt’s Silverado Wedding at Rancho Las Lomas on WeTV‘s “My Fair Wedding” with David Tutera that I got them on.  Cool!

Then yesterday, I headed back down to the Fallbrook Wedgewood for Sarah & Alex’s San Diego Wedding.  It was absolutely amazingly beautiful out for their afternoon, but that came with a small price of some intense light and a little extra heat.  I totally loved that & the portraits were awesome.

The frosting on the wedding cake was today when I headed up to Marina del Rey for Alana & Jeff’s Marina del Rey Wedding.  If you live in Southern California, especially Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and just about most of Orange County.  But the storm was heading up to Marina del Rey, slamming everyone on the 405 with sprinkles, rain, massive thunder, lightening, flash flooding and torrential rain.  But!  I knew it wasn’t going to crash on Alana & Jeff’s wedding because there was a rainbow that landed right over Marina del Rey.  And…. wouldn’t you know it – their wedding was ahhhhmayzeeng!

Where’s all this going you’re probably wondering.  Well it ties in with a note that Colleen – a colleague of mine shared recently and with the past three day’s crazy weather patterns, and having seen Colleen’s note – I really wanted to share it with you.

It’s an article addressing how just because one may own a nice, decent or professional grade DSLR, does not make them a professional photographer.  I could explain a little more about it, but I think the items Colleen & I share in this note really breaks it down quite a bit.

So!  Before you check out the article below about being a professional photographer and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Newport Beach Wedding Photographer (Previously a Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer) that loves music & fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.

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

I hope you’re having a great weekend & check back very soon for some more awesome events that I’ve been capturing – cheers!

PS, Here’s an awesome quote I recently shared on Twitter and I think helps keep the “Butterfly Effect” moving forward – spreading positivity.  “Watch your thoughts for they become words. Your words will become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your character & eventually your character becomes your destiny.”  Love Love LOVE it!

The Super PS, I’m still on the search for a couple TOTALLY AWESOME replacement photographers to join the Esquire Photography team in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Diego and Ventura.  If you or some you know understands the importance of wedding photography to brides & grooms along with a zeal for working in the wedding photography business, totally contact me ASAP.  Thanks!!!

SHARING IS SEXY!  Ohhhhh Yeah!  So go on… Click that Google+, Facebook Like or Twitter
button to show some love for this weekend’s article!

I Am A Photographer / Not A McTographer

I can use a hammer but it doesn’t make me a builder.

I can use a thread and needle but it doesn’t make me a seamstress.

I am able to take a pulse but it doesn’t make me a doctor.

I am able to listen but it doesn’t make me a psychologist.

I own scissors but it doesn’t make me a hairdresser.

I can help my kids with their homework but it doesn’t make me a teacher.

I can spin music that I like but it doesn’t make me a DJ.

I can make my family dinner but it doesn’t make me a chef.

I can wrap an ankle but it doesn’t make me a athletic trainer.

I own a modified and raced out Ducati but it doesn’t make me a motorcycle racer.

Just because you own a camera, that doesn’t make you a photographer.

You can take a snapshot outside but you don’t understand lighting.

You can try and pose someone but find it’s harder than it looks.

You take hundreds of “pictures” only to get one or two good ones.

You own photoshop but can only use it to fix your mistakes.

We live in one of the greatest country in the world… America (we all know London is the best – hehehe!). Everyone has the right to own their own business and everyone is in control of their own destiny.

However, do not call yourself a photographer, or open a photography business, if you do not understand light control, posing, retouching, image enhancement, customer service, business laws, or your equipment. Using the “P” setting on the camera does not mean “professional.”  Photographing your subject outdoors on a perfect day, with perfect makeup, helpers, and as much time as your heart desires, on vintage furniture does not make it cool. Lens flare, out of focus images, and blown out highlights does not make it art.

We both receive calls daily of regret…. regret that they went to a “photographer” to save a few dollars. I am saddened by the people who say, “I wish I would have went to a real professional photographer and now its too late.  Heck, in the past three days, I kept track of how many people shared their dismay with me and it was a total of nine (9).  That’s scary!

I can manipulate light, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I can create sets and backgrounds, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I understand color harmony, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I can pose someone in flattering ways, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I am able to use my manual settings on my camera, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I can see lighting outside, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I can use Lightroom and Photoshop to enhance my images, I am a photographer.

Not a McTographer

I own a camera and I really am a Professional Photographer.

Not a McTographer

Here are a couple articles to check out about this too:

• Brigham Young University:  http://universe.byu.edu/node/16506
• Shutterfly:  http://ir.shutterfly.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=460307

If you’ve known me a long time or known me just a little – I’m confident either way you know that I’m infinitely passionate about the art and science of photography.  I sleep, eat, breathe, dream and can’t stop thinking about it.  It is the air I breathe.

One of the two questions I get asked about photography from “photographers” often is: “Why am I so passionate about photography?”  After I share why I’m so passionate about photography, I ask those “photographers” why they aren’t.

There is a LOT more to it about being a photographer, but this is just the tip of the scratch of the tip of the iceberg about being a professional photographer.

Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic & feel free to share below.  I eagerly encourage an open and free platform to share ideas.  Cheers!

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Good afternoon everyone!  I shared this last night on Google+ about some of the recent experiences as of late.  I wasn’t sure if I should share it here as it does delve into the deep end a little, but then I thought – that is pretty much where I’m at 99% of the time.  So with that said, here’s what I shared yesterday.

Well… I did it. After nearly three decades of handing 99.9% of my business and doing my own books, I finally reached that “edge” I sometimes get to in life. Now don’t get me wrong. As I’m sure you already know about me, one of my mantras is: “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”

Being a four time survivour with near death experiences, one of which they brought me back – I have a sick & twisted love affair with squeezing every little drop out of each day, out of myself & out of life. It’s almost like I’m in a race against time with the goals and dreams I have and want to accomplish and the positive changes I want to make in this world.

One day I will depart this world and when I do – I hope to be remembered as “that guy” who’s typically pushing it to the edge, looking for the next gadget, a card carrying member, fan, Durannie and photographer of Duran Duran and someone that wants to share a good movie, Nachos & Newcastles and a lot of laughter with his friends.

Not to mention how I want to be the guy that consistently pushes himself to that edge in photography with my client relationships. Their satisfaction of what I do for them from conception to birth when I deliver their wedding photography is paramount to me. I take what I do so personally that unless I deliver an over-the-top experience for my clients on their wedding day and deliver the utmost best product to them (regardless of fare received), then I will scrutinize myself to the bone until I learn where I could have done better & make those changes.

Well… lately (actually for quite a while now), I have had the “itch” in the back of my head. It’s that itch I get as a creative person that is kept “under the thumb” by the CEO in me. It’s that itch that no matter how hard I push myself creatively, how hard I push my clients in front of the camera – it’s not satisfying my creativity that is screaming at the top of it’s lungs to do more.

Today was that day. The day that the screaming was so loud, the persistent looking at the clock, the persistent frustration that no matter how hard & how smart I would work, how many hours I would sacrifice in my personal life, how many additional hours of sleep I would shave off my routine – to the point of sleeping every other night as I capitalized on my insomnia. It was never enough.

This of course was done all in the name of productivity, so I could have more than one day off in a year (yes, my first day off this year was August 20th, 2011 and my last one was Thanksgiving 2010. All in the name of wanting to squeak out more than one hour to myself to daydream about the ideas I could execute in my head with my creativity.

But… yet… I felt as if I needed to do better, do more for the business, for my creativity, for my clients, and for the ideas that are raging through my head, dying to get out before they die stifled inside.

Well… That itch and the screaming & fear for my creativity and ideas that would potentially die inside as my inner CEO was slowly killing the inner Artist pushed me. It pushed me to hire a bookkeeper. This may be a logical decision for some, a “well duh” decision to other and a daunting, heart breaking, painstaking, gut wrenching, OMFG, Wholly Nachos & Newcastle, CEO voice inside my head yelling at the top of his spiky, blonde haired head; “are you effin kidding me, what are you thinking, you remember all the previous people who screwed you over from BFFs I grew up with, to professional photographers under-delivering photos that are so bad, you have reason to believe you were sabotaged, to a professional tax/bookkeeper who messed things up so bad you got audited and here you are giving handing over ALL THE BOOKS to someone else… AGAIN!!!!”

As if it wasn’t tough enough interviewing people from all over So Cal to eventually hire a previous client I’ve worked with for nearly a decade, become a good friend of mine and also knew which buttons to push in me – forcing me to take a few minutes here & there to talk about the opportunity and bring her on as my “Client Concierge” to start handling my emails, voice mails and other correspondence. THAT decision kept me up easily for two nights in a row before I said yes and now have Linda heading up “EPHQ Long Beach” for me.

So yeah, today’s decision to hand over the keys to my little slice of the world broke me down to my eyes welling up in tears as I gave up control. Yes, I’m that emotional and those emotional wells run deep. I get goose bumps at the thought of an amazing idea, a photograph that gets me jumping out of my seat and fully emotional when the father of one of my brides calls me holding back his tears of joy from just watching a slide show of his family’s portraits. Also, he’s not a very emotional man by any stretch of the term.

Might I remind you, I love what I do through to the core of my being.  I love serving my clients, helping other photographers that are helping themselves.  To the photographers that want, but won’t work – I will not and never help.  I believe a photographer should learn his or her craft – not just “eat fish for a day.”  I also love Love LOVE giving back to my community speaking at elementary schools, high schools and colleges.

I think f I didn’t love what I do to the point of it being not just what I do, but a huge part of what makes me — me, I wouldn’t have quietly celebrated to myself – my 28th year as a photographer, capturing life from “LA to London.”

But this was the week of change and today was the day where hiring a bookkeeper had to be done too.

The tears have subsided, I’m breathing a little easier as I look at my calendar and think to myself; I might just get one more day off this year.

As I’m writing this, a smile just came across my face as it hit me. The thing that I knew, believed in, and heard spoken by so many others before me – to have a business that is scaleable (been there, done that & it’s been poised ready to go to the next level for years) and people on board that I can trust with my family name.  My name is something at the end of the day, I keep precious to me like Gollum and his ring.

I have two new people that know me, know what makes me tick and how important my name is to me. But! I have two new people on board with my family business that will allow me to do the one thing I adore so much – I eat, breathe, sleep (here & there), think, dream, desire, and is insatiable to me; art.

When I say art, I am referring to music, photography, fashion and so much more that it encompasses.

When my good friend; BJ (who’s also a long time BFF of Katherine) who I’m hiring to do my bookkeeping put it to me this way; “I just brought a business up to date, all the way to July 31st this year and it only took me just over five hours.” and “I’m good with bookkeeping and numbers like you are with photography and people.” – really hit me like a ton of bricks.

That sealed the deal and I now officially have a “Client Concierge” and a “Bookkeeper.” Now I’m on the hunt for a graphic artist and more associate photographers! Granted my profit margin will be lower overall, but like I just said said on Twitter, Facebook and here on Google + about the quality of life; “At the end of the day, people aren’t conditioned to look back at all the toys amassed, but to look back at their experiences.”

Selfishly, I’m dying for more creativity with my clients and with my friends. Creativity, art, photography, music and fashion are the air that I breathe.

As I end this passage sharing a little slice of my thoughts, my fears, aspirations and life with you – I’m staring at the abyss and unknown with a small grin on my face knowing a paramount thing is about to happen. I’m about to spend A LOT MORE TIME with my friends, my clients, and my craft.

Things in my life are about to redefine the essence of “Ho… Nutha… Levah!”

NOW…. I REALLY want some Nachos & Newcastles!

So, now that I’ve chatted your ear off and dragged you into the deep end with me…  If you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Newport Beach Wedding Photographer (Previously a Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer) that loves music & fashion, photography and art, feel free to contact me anytime.

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

PS, Here’s an awesome quote I recently shared on Twitter and I think helps keep the “Butterfly Effect” moving forward – spreading positivity.  “I never wanted to be a businessman, I just wanted to change the world.” Richard Branson  That’s a really profound statement to me, because I’ve always felt like that since a small child.  I’ve never just wanted to be a photographer, some guy with a camera.  But a person that can change the world & make it a better place.

PSS, I have some absolutely amazing news & I will be featuring a new guest writer this week for the Wedding Tip Of The Week.  Stay tuned!!!

The Super PS, I’m still on the search for a couple more TOTALLY AWESOME Associate Photographers to join the Esquire Photography team in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Diego and Ventura.  If you or some you know understands the importance of wedding photography to brides & grooms along with a zeal for working in the wedding photography business, totally contact me ASAP.  Thanks!!!

Click the Google+, Facebook Like or Twitter buttons below
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As I’m sure you saw in my Twitter and Facebook updates last week, I had the honour of being invited to speak at Mira Costa College in San Diego to an advanced photography class.

As I’m going through my emails, I just had to share a note that I received from the lead instructor; Peggy about her experience with me speaking at her class.

Check this out:

“Hi David,

You were a hit.  And, I would love to have you come in next fall and do two classes!  Not only are you a photographer, musician, and (did I leave one out?) you seem to be a born teacher as well.

I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your time. Belinda told me you were sick but didn’t want to cancel. I hope you are feeling better now.

I am sure I will see you sometime again since you have the connection with Belinda. Isn’t she amazing? I am so proud of her.   :-)

Thank you,

Peggy”

To say that I’m beside myself and really humbled with her note doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling.

To have had the honour of being a guest speaker at Mira Costa College, Fountain Valley High School and Marina High School recently is just awesome.  I LOVE being able to inspire tomorrow’s future wedding, portrait and fashion photographers!

If you’re an instructor looking for someone like me; a Newport Beach and Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer that loves fashion, photography and art to present to your class – 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.

I hope you’re having a terrific start to your Baby Friday AND Cinco de Mayo & stay tuned for so much more from all the weddings, events and other portraits I’ve been photographing lately – cheers!

PS, If you missed it, be sure to check out the uber cool and Jagermeister sponsored; DJ Neko who I had the honour of working with as the wedding photographer for my sister; Tawnya & Kurt’s Temecula Wedding Day that I photographed at the opulent Falkner Winery. on the latest episode of “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day” – where he’s sharing some terrific advice on how to save some time, some money & your sanity planning your wedding.

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You may have seen on my Twitter update or Facebook update yesterday that I was asked to be video taped on Photo Night Live in the United Kingdom.  If you’re not too familiar with Photo Night Live in the UK, check this out – it’s a new program taking the industry by storm and considering the host of guests that are on the program lik Emma Case from Birmingham, UK, my friend; Dane Sanders, and Steve Gerrard (who has photographed U2, Jay-Z, Sir Elton John & More) – it’s quite the honour to be on it.

“Catch ‘Photo Night Live’ every Friday from 7pm (GMT) where I will be inviting one top pro photographer and one emerging photographer (who you may not currently be aware of) and together we will discuss a chosen topic for 30 mins. It’s that simple!”

What’s going to be totally awesome about the episode that I’m going to be on is that I’m joined with Richard P. Walton from Photo Graffiti in Newport, South Wales and the host Mr. Ross Dean in Suffolk, UK to chat about a topic that is very important to me.  I think the title of the program says it all… “How not be be like everybody else and success as YOU!”

Before you check out more information about the program and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer that absolutely loves basically all things beautiful, musical, fashionable, photographable and in one word; 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.

Have a great weekend & check back soon for some totally delicious photography that I’ll be sharing from Bernadette & Vlad’s wedding.  Gonna be awesome!!

PS, If you haven’t seen the Oscars event with Kate Mesta at Paramount Studios yet, totally check it out – it’s ahmayyyyzeeng!

PSS, As if this isn’t awesome enough!  My cool friend & uber awesome photographer; John Remus III has invited me to be included in a Portrait Series that he is doing and will be shown in an art gallery in Los Angeles.  He’s going to be taking me on location tomorrow after I record my video with Photo Night Live.  YEAH!!

PPSS, Something else for you!!  I’m going to be photographing the OC Rollergirls Roller Derby in Huntington Beach after both the Photo Night Live program and the shoot with John Remus.

PPSSS, Two more things!  Check back soon as I’ll be photographing Selah’s wedding Sunday up in Ventura & then Nellie’s wedding on Monday down in San Diego.  Lot’s of delicious wedding photography to share with you!

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The basis of their Article was to share with other wedding and professional photographers why it’s important to get your studio out there with trade shows and expos.  Being a lifetime professional member of the PPA and having done both trade shows and expos as a professional wedding photographer with some of the events being successful and some not so successful, I wanted to help others with what to make their events a success and pitfalls to avoid.

What’s also really awesome is that a part of the Article that the PPA included was my first experiences with Anna Marie & Lee after an event with Bridal Showplace on the Queen Mary in Long Beach.  You might remember Anna Marie & Lee from their Los Olivos Wedding at the Firestone Vineyard that I had the honour of being a part of back in October 2009 and was featured in Professional Photographer Magazine from the PPA..  Or!  More recently – their fun Maternity Photo Shoot in Anaheim Hills before they had their baby last week when I was in Las Vegas.

But before you check out the Article from the PPA about why professional photographers should get their photography business out in trade shows and expos, and you’re thinking to yourself… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer in Orange County, California that shoots weddings all over from OC to LA to Ventura and up at the Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos.  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.

PS, If you missed it last week when I was out of town, be sure to check out Heather Birdsell from Paper Monkey on the latest episode of “How To Make The Most Out Of Your Wedding Day” – where she’s sharing some terrific advice on how to save some time, some money & your sanity planning your wedding and event.  AND!  Check out the outtakes too – they’re awesome!

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So if your an aspiring photographer, student or enthusiast considering a career in professional photography or a client wondering why it make take a little longer to receive your photos – I really think the article I’m sharing on my blog (with permission I would like to add) from Shoot Dot Edit and the graphs help clear that up and paint a realistic picture (no pun intended) of what we’re doing.

Let’s face it, the requirements to “make it” as a professional photographer in this digital age are not for the faint of heart.  And, for those of you who understand this, you are also familiar with the difference between your family/friend/customer perception of what you do, and the REALITY of what you do!

The Perception
“How some people think professional wedding photographers spend their time (and how some photographers WISHED they could spend their time):”

The Reality
How professional wedding photographers REALLY spend their time:

That about sums up all of the countless hours of conversations us photographers are having with friends and family about how we are WAY over worked!!!

Here is FACT that no human can deny, and we liken this truth to the computer RAM analogy.  Each of us (and our business) have only so much RAM.  Try and run too many applications at the SAME TIME and you will begin to CRASH.

How much RAM do you have?  What if you no longer needed to use your personal/business RAM towards your post production.  What portions of your life and business could benefit from that extra time and energy?  Considering the new and very true dilemma of post production for the professional and passionate digital photographer, this is question worthy of asking…, uh, and answering!

Based on the proposed graph above and several other sources we have included, here are a few items that your business is definitely putting it’s RAM towards:

1.    Marketing
⁃    Brand Development & Collateral Development
⁃    Website design and upkeep
⁃    SEO
⁃    Social Networking (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
⁃    Blogging
2.    Sales
3.    Pricing Matrix and Strategies
4.    Vendor Relationship Building
5.    Accounting
6.    Consultations
7.    Email
8.    Print fulfillment
9.    Customer Service
10.   Gear upkeep and management
11.   Human resources
12.   Manage your second shooters
13.   Editorial Submissions
14.   Post Production

Oh, and then there are the bare essentials:
- Take photographs
- Eat
- Sleep
- Have friends and hang out occasionally
- Be with your family (wife, husband, children, parents, etc.)

In conclusion.  If you’re coming up as a photographer, then only you know what is best for you as a person and your business.  Hopefully this post has helped you some how someway is move forward with succeeding!

If you would like to add to this or have a comment, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.  I’m definitely open to your thoughts and ideas.

And, if you’re an Orange County or Los Angeles County Bride or Groom that has a question for me or is interested in me being your photographer so you can have that mantlepiece of one of my Signature Romantic, Artistic & Sexy Portraits, feel free to Contact Me through the website or email me directly at david@esquirephotography.com.

You can also stay in touch with me in “real time” on Twitter, Facebook and my Facebook Fan Page too.  If you’re reading this right now, you’ll probably catch me online.

Have a terrific Tuesday – cheers!

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Check this out & help spread some love around the world and make someone else’s holiday special too – cheers

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL for our Troops!

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com – you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in  Iraq . You can’t pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!  It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?  Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it’s a wonderful way to say thank you.  Please take the time to pass it on for others to do.  We can never say enough thank you’s.

Thanks for taking the time to support our military!

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