Last Thursday evening, I met up with a few fellow wedding photographers in Long Beach for some yummy dinner and Pinkberry action afterwards. It was really great to finally meet two familiar faces and a few new ones. I’ve been following the work of Ed Pingol (first wedding photographer’s images I looked at last April) and Erwin Wijanto for a while now; Ed is from the Bay Area and Erwin is based in Seattle but seems to be shooting weddings everywhere! I also met Jonathan Canlas and Leo Patrone, based in Utah and shoot 100% film, take that you digital people :P. Everyone had such an amazing personality and sense of humor.
They’re all in town this weekend shooting weddings in Orange County and eating lots of Pinkberry. Oh yeah, I picked up a really cool trick to get couples to laugh from Erwin, and it goes like this: HAHAHAHAHA *click click* HAHAHAHAHA *click click*. Classic! Hope you guys enjoyed your stay in So Cal, be sure to come back again sometime soon!
Thanks Erwin for snapping away. From left to right: Jon, myself, Ed, Leo, Erwin, and Quanisha:
Hey folks, I’m really excited to let you know that video will not be a regular on this blog :). Every couple of weeks, I’ll be posting a video from an engagement session, wedding, or a mini FAQ session that will answer some of the most (and least!) common questions from brides and grooms right here on this blog. I’d like to start off this crazy thing called video by sharing with you my super fun engagement session with Anna and Lonngren from last Saturday, August 16th. We started the e-session in Downtown Los Angeles at Central Library, then went over to Pershing Square, and concluded at Union Station.
Special thanks to my good friend and talented videographer/photographer Nick Amrhein of 3byOne Media for videotaping me doing what I love. Also, I want to thank Anna and Lonngren for giving me the privilege of being their wedding photographer and allowing Nick to videotape their e-session. Enjoy the clip!
When I spoke to Emily about a week ago on the details of her engagement session, I was very excited to hear that Philip and her were going to REALLY dress up at both the Greystone Mansion and Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Working in the graphics design industry and planning her own wedding, Emily was all about the details: the outfit; the shoes; the earrings; even getting the proper documents to shoot at these places!
Emily wanted to make sure we had Greystone Mansion all to ourselves to photograph without random people getting in the way or watching us, so big kudos to her and Philip for getting a permit (that’s when you know they mean business hehe). Check out the amazing outfits these two lovebirds chose for both the Greystone Mansion and Via Rodeo. I’m not a fashion expert, but I totally loved Philip’s white shirt with all those textures and Emily’s top with the patterns and various colors. They gave a very elegant yet casual feel to their photos, which fits Emily and Philip’s personality so well. They definitely know how to wine and dine but also kick back and chill out :).
Then at Via Rodeo, Emily and Philip wore the most kick-butt outfits I’ve ever shot. Check out the purple and black, hotness! It was really fun shooting right smack in the middle of Los Angeles’ most lucrative and famous shopping area, where everyone and their mother checked out Emily and Philip’s good looks. For one day, I was able to call myself a celebrity photographer ;). Emily and Philip = stylish, classy, sexy, and smooth. I plan on taking classes from them on how to be cool.
I love how Anna and Lonngren picked out places that hold a special place in their hearts and describe who they are so perfectly. For me, it was extra special going back to the places I shot at when photography was just a hobby a few years ago. Some of you might remember my photos at Central Library, Pershing Square, and Union Station from 2006. Although I enjoyed the architecture and nostalgic feeling of these places, I knew something, or rather someone(s), was missing in the photos back then. My images needed life and realism to them, with a strong sense of love and fantasy, that these places are indeed real and people in love can go there to experience it in various shapes, forms, and colors. And thus I began my wedding photography journey…
I was beyond thrilled when Anna and Lonngrenn wanted their engagement session in Downtown LA, particularly at the places mentioned above. I enjoyed watching the way Anna and Lonngren laughed, hugged, and smiled at each other; the way they raced up and down the escalators, looked at one another across the library table, and held hands while walking through the train station tunnels. It was truly magical capturing and experiencing Anna and Lonngren’s love for each other. I can’t wait to start off 2009 with their wedding! Also, I want to thank Anna’s brother for finding my blog and referring me to Anna, and also to her mom for helping me work out the details of the wedding photography package all the way from Texas. I look forward to meeting you both on 1/3/09 :).
