1.14.2008

Rebekah + Daniel: Engagement

We couldn't have asked for a better day then the one we had last Saturday here in Manhattan Beach. There was absolutely no wind, the lighting was great and it was super warm, especially for January!

Rebekah and Daniel are a great couple from Irvine and I had such a great time shooting them Saturday. They were up for anything and everything, so we spent longer than usual for this shoot. They brought 4 changes of clothes so we made the most of the day with as many locations as possible. Normally I try to keep my posts under 10 images, but I have so many favorites that I had to post a few more.....





























Thanks for being such good sports guys and I am looking forward to your wedding next month!

1.11.2008

Are you left or right brained...or both!

So I saw this post on one of my favorite photographers blog and just had to repost it because it is so cool. Take a long look at the spinning silhouette below.....then read on.



If you see this lady turning in clockwise you are using your right brain.

If you see it the other way, you are using left brain.

Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way.
See if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain's current.

BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN

Experimentation has shown that the two different sides, or hemispheres, of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:

Left Brain Right Brain

Logical Random
Sequential Intuitive
Rational Holistic
Analytical Synthesizing
Obejective Subjective
Looks at parts Looks at wholes

Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.

How do you see it? ;)

1.10.2008

New Postcards!

Starting this year I am going to be designing a series of postcards annually to send out to previous clients, vendors, friends and family. For 2008 I designed a set of 5 postcards and decided to stick with a simple and elegant black and white theme. Check em out!










1.06.2008

Devin Richards: 4 months

Our attempt to photograph my nephew Devin every month for his first year has yielded yet another set of studio portraits. It is amazing to see how fast he is growing! In this set Devin is sporting his super cool supercross outfit! Dale and his wife Stephanie have been riding dirtbikes for as long as I can remember, so it is no surprise that they found this awesome little outfit for him, and just in time for Supercross. Yep, I can see it now....Devin is going to be just like his dad. Happy 2008 everyone!












12.25.2007

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Years. Stay safe, see you all in the new year!

12.23.2007

Barber Family Portraits

Today Sandy and I headed down to Hermosa Beach to do some family portraits of her sisters husbands family, the Barbers. The location was Valley Park, a great little spot in the middle of Hermosa. While we were there we took advantage and also did pregnancy portraits with Sandy's sister Lori, and her husband Tom. They are expecting a baby boy in April, very exciting!





We found this really cool tree and had to take a few shots of Sabrina and her mom Michelle


A couple portraits of Sabrina with the buttery 50mm 1.2 @ 1.2




The Barbers (from NY, down for xmas!)


A final shot of Sabrina before we left


I am off to bed to get ready for the holiday madness. I hope you all got your shopping done in time! Merry Xmas everyone.

Cheers

12.14.2007

Ode to Sadie

I thought I would take a moment to blog about Sadie. Sadie is a Welsh Corgie and was born on January 17th, 2006. Before we got her I had no idea what a Corgie was, but my girlfriend had one as a child and has wanted to get another one ever since. So last year we decided to take the plunge and get this little furball. Let me tell you, these are the cutest little dogs I have ever seen! They are the perfect size and are very smart, plus they are great with kids. If you are thinking about getting a dog but don't know what kind, look no further!

Now Sadie is her legal name, but we rarely call her by that. Below is a list of the more common names we usually call her....and don't ask me where we came up with these or how!! Somehow they just evolved over the last year ;)

saders, sades, sadies, darth sader, darth sader potater, stinkers, stinky, fatty, da puppers, puppers, poopy butt, cow belly, stinky butt

....um yea, like I said, don't ask....

Here is a little collage documenting her almost 2-year-long existence:

12.10.2007

Excited!

Today the man in brown showed up and delivered my brand spankin new Canon 85mm 1.2L II lens! My collection of prime lenses is now complete and I am very excited. Eventually I want to pick up the 90mm TS lens, but that is not a must have for me and who knows, maybe Santa will bring it for xmas ;). Check out this beast of a lens:



I can't wait to put this lens into action and see what it can really do. Be sure to check back to see photos taken with this bad boy. Oh yea, happy Monday everyone.

12.03.2007

Day at the Beach

Sunday was a perfect day so we decided to head down to Manhattan Beach to do some family portraits for my girlfriends sister and her family. The Thompson's consist of Jon, Kristi, Kylie, and their newest addition, Emmy. I always enjoy shooting portraits down at the beach because the lighting is amazing and the sand acts as a huge reflector and gives off such a nice look. And I guess it helps when the family is as good looking as this family is! It near impossible to shoot a bad picture with such a great looking family.



Just the girls


Kylie loves her new little sister!




Jon, I am confident that the next one will be a boy....but for now you have 2 of the cutest girls I have ever seen!


Kylie LOVES tattoos, especially if they have anything to do with Disney.


...she also loves seashells!






Playing on the lifeguard tower




Playtime is over, time to go home...booo

New Glass

Last weekend I picked up a couple new toys for my arsenal. These bad boys are both awesome lenses and I can't wait to use them at a wedding! The 50mm 1.2 is replacing my trusty old 50mm 1.4, and is mostly used for detail shots and portraits. The buttery 1.2 aperture is so sweet and gives a look like no other lens can duplicate (except its cousin the 85mm 1.2). The 24mm 1.4 is am amazing wide angle lens, especially on the 5D. Most wide angles inherently have a large depth of field, so it is very hard to get background blur. This lens is definitely an exception. With a max aperture of 1.4, this baby can blur the background like no other wide angle can.