Good evening from Orange County – the part of Southern California that go clobbered today with some crazy weather! This is one super excited Newport Beach wedding photographer that has had quite the amazing past three days!
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!