April and Steve 2.0

I finished editing April and Steve's wedding. April was overwhelmed by the pictures I made. This is *part* of what she had to say: "Wow!!! I shouldn't be looking at these now. Because I'm crying. Holy s*&#! They're beautiful. I love them. Really. Truly. They're amazing. It takes me back - - a lot of emotion. You're an amazing photographer."

I'm so happy she loves her pictures I can hardly speak :-)

The "non-wedding" images are from the rehearsal.

Michael

We interupt our regularly scheduled broadcast.........

One of the blogs I check out regularly belongs to Jules Bianchi (you'll see her on my blog roll). Jules is a realllllllllllllly cool human being and a great photographer :-)

She had this contest about sharing photography tips, and I won a really cool DVD by Kevin Kubota! Kevin is a photographer and software master/author.

Here's what I wrote about. It may or may not make much sense--it depends how much (if anything) you know about photography.

I'm so stoked!! I'm currently using a PC (long story) and I can't wait to switch (back) to a Mac. The DVD will be very helpful when I make the transition and start using Lightroom regularly.

Thanks, Jules!

Michael

Edit: just want to say that there was no conspiracy here! Jules did not have the names of anyone who submitted an entry (her sister, Joy had all of the info), so she was happily surprised when she found out the entry was mine :-)

Shooting with Robert & Curt: so much fun it should be illegal.

I shot Queenie and Brian's wedding last weekend (5/10) with Robert Evans and Curt Apanovich. They are so incredibly relaxed when they shoot and have so much fun it might just be illegal or something :-)

I want to thank Robert for generously allowing me to use some of my favorite images from the day :-)

We started out at Cal Tech in Pasadena doing formals before the ceremony.

Yes, you read that correctly: Robert does his formal shots of the couple and bridal party FIRST. While this trend is becoming more common, it is still the exception rather than the norm. So why do formals first? Briefly:

• It takes away virtually all of the stress and anxiety of seeing your fiance for the first time at the alter. The relief is tremendous for a couple, and it creates a time and space for a couple to share some of the most intimate moments of their lives together. Do I/we shoot all of that? Yes and no; we are there to shoot, but allowing a couple some space is a good thing, and using appropriate lenses is important, especially for the most tender first moments. In other words, yes of course I shoot all of that, but never in an aggressive "in your face" kind of way. I'm not a paparazzi!! ;-)
  
• The couple and everyone else can go straight to the reception together and enjoy the celebration with their guests. You do want to party with your peeps at your wedding, don't you??

Lauren Clark has a brilliant post about this on her blog. She has seen such a tremendous difference --as has Robert-- that she will now *only* work with couples that want a photographer that uses this approach.

Bottom line: consider this when planning your wedding. As Robert says to couples, he's done hundreds of weddings, and without question the pictures and your wedding day experience will be better if you do the formal shots before the ceremony.

I am still very much a Photojournalism purist in the way I cover a wedding or event, but I have also witnessed such an incredible difference that I highly recommend couples do formals first.

Queenie and Brian had their ceremony at the Pasadena Christian Church. Some of the service was in Chinese and some was in English. It was very spiritual and moving. The reception was held at the LA/San Gabriel Hilton.

At the ceremony I was in the "sniper position:" upstairs from the balcony pews with a long lens. Robert started at the from on the right side and they both moved around during the ceremony. Don't tell my mom, but I was not shooting from a totally fixed position as one would expect: I crawled around the balcony ledge on my belly for a variety of perspectives and candids. Awkward, but there were few people upstairs (Pro and family video people), and no one really cared or noticed........ It was when I dropped my 5lb. camera/lens combo in the lap of an unsuspecting guest that it became an issue........ Just kidding!

The shot with Queenie giving a thumbs up at a table was from correctly identifying a variety of things including: different herbs and spices; different kinds of candy bars (I think she missed on a 3Muscuteers bar); and soft drinks. I'm not sure if this was a variation on a traditional ceremony or their own invention, but it was cute :-)

Oh, I almost forgot: an additional thank you to Curt for being so nice and ensuring that I was not run over and squished like a bug when I was on the ground shooting the Lexus in the parking lot!

Michael

Edit: *blush* I uploaded some photos in the wrong sequence, but that's probably ok, huh? ;-)

April and Steve

Wow.

Where to begin?

I've known April and 2 of her bridesmaids --Shawna and Colette -- for more than 20 years , and I cannot think of anyone whose wedding I would be more honored to shoot. It has been more difficult to edit this wedding for 2 reasons: 1, I'm a sensitive and emotional dude and it's ummm...... well, let's just say I've needed lots of Kleenex tissues and leave it at that, ok? 2, It was a 2 day shoot: day one was a rehearsal and BBQ at April's Cabana, a jaw-dropping piece of heaven where you would least expect it. I'll be writing and posting more, I promise :-)

A note about the garbage: there is a lonnng story and much history to it! Among other things, it's where they had their first kiss....... It is not just a dumpster; to April and Steve, it is The Dumpster of Love.

For now, please enjoy a handful of my favorites :-)

Michael

Shaina and Ben

I shot Shaina and Ben's wedding in late March with Nicky from Eight20 Photography. You can see the cool slide show she did here. I just forgot to share (Doh!).