For years I've read the recaps of the madness that is WPPI.  The classes, speakers, workshops, parties, and thousands of photos with high profile photographers.  I dreamed to get a chance to even be in the same city as WPPI.

A few week ago I read that Shoot Sac needed some volunteers to help set up their booth at the trade show at WPPI.  I mustered up the courage to email them with my availability and crossed my fingers.  The next thing I knew I received an email telling me the date and time they needed me and that I'd be getting into the trade show.  Whoo hoo! I got in and even better, got to volunteer for Jessica Claire's  Shoot Sac!  And even meet her.  Very briefly mainly because I was so nervous!

I had a great time getting to meet the others who helped set up the booth on Sunday.  Then Sunday night I went to the fashion show hosted by none other than Nigel Barker! Yes, the hot Brit with a DSLR in hand.  Oh dear.  It was amazing.  On Monday I walked the trade show floor and it was just so overwhelming with all of the vendors and products.

Next year it's on.  I'm getting full registration and attending classes and hitting the trade show again.  

I woke up and immediately all of the things that I had to do began listing themselves in my mind.  Get oil change, buy water, get dressed, charge batteries, do make up, load the car, drive up the mountain, and hope that people would show up.  Saturday was the first ever shoot that the Inland Empire Photogs (& Beyond) had up in Big Bear.  And I was afraid no one would show... but me of little faith!

Thank you to the models who showed up: Ruth, Ana, Rosio, and Delphine.  You guys rocked!  And to the photogs that showed up: Brent, Kami, Delphine, Engin, Maribel, and Claudia... You guys are awesome! And to Elle Lamas (my sister) for doing hair and make up... beautiful as always!  And thanks mom for making the bouquet :).

Seriously, with out you guys I would have been photographing the snow and trees in the really cold weather.  You guys are awesome and thank you for making our very first shoot a success!  Even though towards the end I missed out on photographing Delphine and Rosio due to camera malfunction (which is all resolved now!), I had a blast!

So, here's what's coming up next.  My Aunt is holding precious baby Andres and I was able to photograph her a couple weeks back.

And Ruth & Ana from the big bear shoot :).

Happy Sunday!

Talk about being MIA.  Uh, Guilty!

I know I've been neglecting the blog lately and trust me it's not because I don't want to post anything, it's just that I've been crazy busy.  Day job, photography, and life.  Getting caught in the whirlwind of it all but don't worry!  I have lots to share and much more coming up soon.

And to those of you who'd like to join me and a few other peeps for a get together on Saturday please feel free to join us!

Where:  Big Bear Village Theater

When:   Jan. 22, 2011

Time:    1:00pm - Until we're tired of shooting (or until we run out of card space)

What:    We're shooting a bridal, engagement and a few individuals just for fun up in the mountains.

Why:     Because it's all about having fun and enjoying photography with others! Sharing, growing, and learning. And it's free :).

So join us if you'd like to come up and have some fun!  Please call or text me at 951.732.7039 if you have any questions... or just to say hi :).

I mean just look at those mountains!

Happy Tuesday!

I have a book.  A big sketch book full of inspiration boards of shoots I'd like to do one day.  Of photographs that make me say to myself aloud "I wish that photo was mine!" And sometimes you have just the right idea for just the right person to put in the right spot.

Her name is Ariane.  She dabbles in modeling but blew me away and totally brought it.  She was "Fierce!" in the words of Tyra.  Ariane is a student at Stanford majoring in something really hard to pronounce but she's a smart cookie with lots of style.  Speaking of style, we had Ariane's mom, help us with the styling.  Since she has a degree in fashion design, she totally made the looks happen and hopefully we'll get to work together more! *hint*hint*

Anyway, the location we were going to shoot in ended up being closed due to flooding.  Thankfully we found some sweet spots right outside the gates with just enough light and no rain!  We were really lucky.  Thank you baby Jesus :).

Enough babble... here is Ariane kicking ass as a bohemian fashionista.

ON A SIDE NOTE:  You may notice that the logo at the top and the one on the photos are different than yesterday.  I have rebranded myself (a bit) and am launching my new website tomorrow night!  I'm super excited for this new change!   So on Wednesday take a look around the new website and check it out! 

And I even drew the logo myself :)

Happy Monday!

I absolutely love Borders and Barnes & Noble and every other book store around.  I love to stroll through the isles and find the art section, the photography section, and of course, the magazine section.  I thumb through the usuals: Real Simple, Vogue, W, and Vanity Fair.

As I sipped my small latte with extra foam and two Equals, I looked through

Vanity Fair

more closely.  Lindsay Lohan was on the cover and given her current situation with her addiction and recovery I was intrigued in the story.  And the photos as well.

She look amazing! The photographer, Norman Jean Roy did an amazing job.  He explains that he "...drew reference from Grace Kelly, channeling Old Hollywood to make her more like a classic actress."  And both Lindsay and Norman brought it and the photos are just absolutely amazing...and inspiring.

It was one of those moments when I said to myself, "Man! I wish those were my photos."  Now that's when you know I had to post the photos here on the blog and share them with the world.

Forget what Lindsay is going through, whether you like her or not; although I wish her the best.  Just look and think of the lighting, the drama, the wardrobe, angles, composition, etc.  I could go on and on.

All I hope is that these images inspire you on such a lovely Sunday.

Photo montage? Yes please!

She looks so beautiful in this one below!  Gotta love the lighting and how she's posed and balanced with the flag blowing.

Happy Sunday :)

When I was about 10 years old, I remember going to the beach.  The whole family went.  My parents sat in beach chairs on the sand where it morphed from wet to dry.

My dad was playing his acoustic guitar and had his Pentax 35mm slr.  He always had his Pentax near.  Which is the cause of the bins and bins of photographs that we have stored in our house.  That day, he taught me how to hold it, focus the lens, and where the shutter button was.  That was the very first time I had held an slr.

I'm not going to say that since that day I was a devoted, die-hard-Bruce-Willis photo-lover.  I used it from time to time after that, after all, it was the family camera.  I'm not one of those photogs that once they held a camera that was it for them, the light turned on.  That didn't actually happen for me until my junior year of college.

Anyway, I digress.  I still have that Pentax.  And every now and then, when I'm feeling overwhelmed and in need of some motivation, I'll whip that baby out and shoot.  Shoot and forget about looking at the back of the camera.  Shoot and think hard about my exposure.  Shoot and feel the metal of the focus ring gliding smoothly between my fingers.  Shoot without pressure to get it perfectly right.

And I don't get it right every time.  And I'm okay with that.  And I'm okay with starting sentences with "and".  But the best part, my favorite part about shooting film, is taking it in to get developed.  That's my favorite.  Because then I see the wonderful memories caught on film...literally.  And the feel, the look, the surprises.

I know film is "in" now and more people are shooting with film and to me that's really awesome.  Something nostalgic about taking my time to shoot film.  And perhaps that is why I shoot when I am in need of something more, something relaxing.  Something that brings me back to 10 years old with a bob haircut in an oversized t-shirt on the shore of the beach listening to my dad's guitar and the sound of the ocean.

Happy weekend!

This last shot I have no idea what it is.  I don't have any lamps like that anywhere and I think to the right it looks like a hotel room? Who knows, this film has been in the camera a looong time so maybe I just forgot where I took it!

You get what you pay for.

I say this to all of my clients.  When I meet a client for the first time, whether they book or not, I always warn them:  You get what you pay for.  We've all been there when we've spent a good deal of money on a service that simply wasn't the best.  Either the service provided wasn't up to our expectations or perhaps they didn't have enough experience.  And we are left with our wallets feeling sore and our hearts a little let down.

So, when it comes time to find a photographer for your wedding, family portraits, or holiday cards, hire a professional.  Not one of those Craig's List $35 session fee with a disk of digital negatives type of photographer.  Hire someone with experience, knowledge of their equipment, and who offer something more than a disk of what will probably consist of badly exposed photos. 

There is some satisfaction as a photographer to give the best of oneself and work and know that the client leaves absolutely happy and ready to show off their photographs.  Whether it is being friendly and getting to know you not only as a client, but as person and ultimately as a friend or providing quality products you'll be proud to display in you home.  All of this is worth every penny.

I've heard way too many stories of wedding photographers who showed their best work and when all was said and done, they didn't provide what they showed.  Or they showed up late, disappeared, or had to re-do the bridal party portraits, you never want to be left feeling like you got the short end of stick on your big day.  

This is why I've complied a little list of what to look for in a quality photographer.  Whether you're on a small budget or no budget at all, these are all good things to look out for when choosing the right photographer:

• At first meeting, are they friendly? Do they take interest in you or just your wallet? 
• What kind of experience do they have?  Do they have a website for you to look at their work? What about a blog? 
• What kind of equipment are they using and do they know how to use it?
• Have you heard good things about them via facebook or people you know?
• Are they willing to answer your questions about their services and products?
• Does their style reflect you and what you'd like to get from them?
• And, can you trust them to do what you're hiring them for?

I'm sure there is more that can be added to that list as you look for the right photographer.  The important thing is that you choose someone who has the experience and quality to deliver to you the best of themselves and their photography.  Not just some with a semi expensive camera and no experience.  

And make no mistake, an expensive camera does not automatically mean that they are a professional photographer.  Keep an eye out for those tricksters.  I do want to add that I am by no means knocking those few who are trying to make it in the photo industry and are trying to work as a professional.  I know that when I started, I wasn't any where near good and did a lot of stuff for free until I thought I could charge a decent fee.

For those of you who are trying to get into the photo biz as a professional, make sure you practice, practice, and keep on practicing so that your fees reflect the quality of your products and work otherwise you'll get stuck being categorized as a photographer like the ones I've mentioned above. 

Anyway, hope that helps someone out there.  I know reading posts similar to this have helped me.  Happy Wednesday!

And a quick sneak peek from the wedding I just finished editing :)