A very VEGAS shoot Fri. February 27, 2009 will you
When I go to Vegas for WPPI, I always tell myself that I'm going to take it easy, not over-extend, not do any shooting. Every single year, without fail, I refuse to do any of those things, and I'm always glad! While the week is exhausting and usually takes me a week to recover, I get opportunities to do, see, and shoot people and places I'd never get to do here!
Lucky for me, the groom in one of my 2010 couples is a photographer himself, the very talented JP Elario. He and his beautiful fiancee, Kris Ann asked me to shoot their engagement session in Vegas, and there's nowhere else I'd rather have shot than the Neon Boneyard--that place is fantastic! A special thank you to
Chris from The Reason I Love for getting us in and letting us shoot there last minute!
JP and Kris Ann met the way I always figured I'd meet someone--at a wedding! He was the photographer, she was the florist, they hit it off, the rest is history! Their wedding will be a photographers' dream--with Kris Ann's team on florals and JP on letting me shoot the good light, I absolutely cannot wait till next March!
Back to Vegas--this was my first time visiting or shooting in the Neon Boneyard and I was surely NOT disappointed! Check out some of my faves:
Very large dice...
This couple is just so cute together--I can't wait to shoot them again!
There are all kinds of weird things at the boneyard:
But you can still get romantic photos there:
They're just so stinkin' cute!
I loved this little series:
Kris Ann certainly can be sassy...
But look what else the sign says! Probably JP's preference...
We finally got a little JC backlight going on through those clouds!
Ironically, right in the perfect spot!
Another favorite:
Quick little wardrobe change, and we continued on. I would love to have one of these signs at my house, but they're HUGE!!
So cute. They just have so much fun together:
I love the color palette of this one:
My friend Beth says you can never have a bad day when you're wearing red shoes:
Get him Kris Ann!
Just a fun little walk away:
After all these years, backlight is still my favorite thing:
So are good looking couples. It makes my job very very easy:
Kris Ann's dress was so perfect:
I loved this star! Too bad my logo isn't still the pink star--I would have for sure tried to steal this sign!
JP calls his his signature--a blingy watch! I love the contrast between that and Kris Ann's bracelets:
Silver slipper, red slippers, what's the difference really?
Another fave:
I would call this a classic Jessica Claire image. If I can shoot an image like this at every session, I leave happy:
Last but not least:
I processed the images today using not only the TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS, but also quite a few of the KUBOTA ACTIONS (give it a second to load). The Kubota X-process combo is still one of my favorite actions, but I have the whole Kubota suite and use them frequently. A wonderful investment if you can swing it.
Don't Be A Stranger! Sun. February 15, 2009 my life
I go to WPPI every year. I have actually been going for the past seven or eight years, and I can't believe how much life has changed since then! I remember sitting in the way back of a crowded room and hearing Becker, Joe Photo, and Mike Colon speak--never in a million years did I imagine what my future held and that they would someday become incredible friends. I remember planning out every class I would attend, going through the WPPI packet trying to figure out what to fit into my schedule and how I could cram as many classes in as possible. I remember sitting in classes with the Australian boys (Marcus Bell, Jerry Ghionis, Yervant), and thinking, wow, these guys are just so far ahead of the game. I couldn't have known that just a few years later I'd be able to call Jerry and grab lunch with him when he's in town. I still have the urge to grab my notebook and pencil when he starts talking. What blessings I've been fortunate to have!
WPPI holds a special place in my heart, because I've attended during every phase of my career. From being just an office manager before I was even really shooting, to FINALLY being asked to speak this year (a culmination of so many years of effort), it's funny how my perspective on the whole thing has changed, but the week has remained a constant. I can attribute a large part of what has happened in my career to incidents directly relating to this tradeshow.
For the past couple of years, as readership on this blog has grown, I inevitably get emails the week after Vegas from people telling me they saw me here or there but felt weird saying hi. PLEASE DON'T!! I welcome any opportunity to meet anyone who wants to say hello! I'm terrible with names in group situations, so please also forgive me if we've met and I blank out. In addition to being super excited about my platform this year, I'm also quite nervous which makes me very forgetful!
Here's my schedule as of now, in case you want to drop by!
Monday:
10:30-10:45-shootsac booth
11:00-11:30- speaking on the tradeshow floor at the PICKPIC booth
11:30-2:30-shootsac booth
2:30-4:00-walking around the tradeshow floor
9pm-??-[ b ] party
Tuesday:
10:30-10:45-shootsac booth
11:00-11:30-speaking on the tradeshow floor at the PICK
3:00-5:30-shooting an engagement session
9pm-??-bludomain party
Wednesday:
10:30-1:30-shootsac booth
2:30-4:30-PLATFORM talk for WPPI (I'll be talking about the top ten mistakes I've made in my business, the top ten things I've done right, and I'll be giving away ten of my favorite items!)
5:00-?? Poker
Thursday:
Attending the MAGIC textile show!
If you want to say hi, ask questions, or whatever, come to one of the three speaking engagements--otherwise, I'll feel really dumb if nobody comes!
HIPSLIP--COMING TO A WEBSITE NEAR YOU THIS SATURDAY!!! Thu. February 12, 2009 gossip
I'm practically screeching with excitement that I can FINALLY make this post!!!
As many of you may know, I've been working on a new shootsac product for a long time now, and it is just the most FABULOUS laptop bag ever! The best part about it is that you can use your current shootsac covers on it (oh, and that you'll be able to snag one for UNDER $100 starting on Saturday--yes, VALENTINE'S day!)
We will have the bag at WPPI at the SHOOTSAC booth in VEGAS from Sunday to Wednesday for you to see, try on and order!!! We're in Booth #1454. So easy to remember!
If you want to get on the list for the big launch (and trust me, you do), **CLICK HERE IMMEDIATELY** to put your name in and get our email blast on Saturday. We're only accepting a limited number of pre-orders at the intro price, so you will probably want to at least get on there to find out about it!
Today I got to shoot with some of my favorite people on the HIPSLIP campaign, Mark & Candice Brooke and Justin & Amelia Lyon. These guys are seriously just the raddest friends anyone could ask for. Plus, they are truly representative of personal style, which is what both shootsac and hipslip are all about!
For more information and to WIN A FREE HIPSLIP, head over to the SHOOTSAC BLOGGY BLOG and update your style status in the comments to win!
Ami & Scott Wedding Day-Part 2 Wed. February 11, 2009 i do
Okay, here we go--part 2 of Ami & Scott's wedding day! I don't have time today to upload the tech specs for these photos as I'm going to be working NON STOP on stuff for WPPI the next two days, namely my platform talk on WEDNESDAY at 2:30 (please come see me so I don't feel like a loser!) as well as the big launch of HIPSLIP LAPTOP BAG this saturday!!! More on that later today.
This wedding was also a team event! With me I had the fabulously talented Michael Norwood and Mark Brooke, the best photographers and friends anyone could ask for. Head over to Ami's Blog in the next few days for a full description of everything and detailed vendor list!
The event was flawlessly coordinated by Kim & Julie of Eventologie in Atlanta.
Okay, here we go--the calm before the storm:
Charlie was the cutest little ring bearer I've ever seen!
He didn't actually have the rings, but he did make it down the aisle!
And is clearly Ami's favorite guest:
I love this look she is giving Scott when she gets to him:
Their friend officiated, which was very special for both of them:
Yup, you may have noticed that Ami is a 2 dress bride--isn't this beautiful?
Woo hoo! 10 years together!
I love love love the mood and feeling of this photo. This is how I would love to set up my own wedding someday: Long tables rock.
Another slightly out of focus mistake that I love anyway:
Ami and Scott have been taking dancing lessons for right about 2 years. They can dance like total pros! One cool thing was that they actually had two dance instructors at the wedding to help teach their guests how to ballroom dance!
So sweet!
Just a cute moment:
I love when couples dance together more than just the first dance: Scott looks like he has great form in this one!
Some new friends! Kate & Matt Altmix who were kind enough to show us around Atlanta the next day and lose their money to us at cards that night :) If you're looking for a photographer in Atlanta, they are awesome--I love their style and personalities!!
Of course there was some fun dancing too:
And then...HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!
I am so stoked about how this one came out!
There were tons of detail pics, so click the little gallery below to see a few. Ami & Scott, thank you SO much for being a part of your day. I know how much time and work went into this, and I hope that I did it justice :)
Ami & Scott Wedding Day: Part 1 Wed. February 4, 2009 i do
Well, as I'm sure you think I deserve, I'm slinking around here with my tail between my legs, saddened and embarrassed at my lack of updates in the past two weeks. There have been some interesting things going on around here which I'm sure I'll share at a later date, but for now, let's just say I've been a bit short on time and blog-motivation! I'll also be honest with you here--the absolutely rude, nasty comments about updating really aren't very encouraging or kind. To add insult to injury, most of you don't even leave your real names, which really bugs me because if you can't stand behind something you say, you really shouldn't be saying it.
On a better note, I am ready to snap out of it, and make this blog the stellar source of information, eye-candy, and general yummy gossip that I know it can be! Today, I'll be giving you some shooting details and processing information for most of the images below to kind of, you know, make up for my lack lately :)
On New Years' Eve, I photographed the 10 year vow renewal of Ami and Scott in Atlanta. As some of you may know, Ami is the writer of wedding resource blog Elizabeth Anne Designs which also relaunched it's brand spankin' new website this week, so check it out! As a person so involved in the wedding industry, it is no surprise that any event she had a hand in would be spectacular. The blog will be split into two parts--todays' images which are the getting ready and portraits, and one other post, which will be the ceremony/reception/details of everything she did.
Below you will see that most of these images are processed using the TOTALLY RAD ACTIONS.
If I didn't have these actions, I literally couldn't process images. You should buy them. Both sets. Immediately. Best investment I ever made.
By the way, all of these images were shot with the 5dMark11. I haven't committed to buying it yet, but that's another post. Here we go!
This gorgeous gown was by Claire Pettibone--the lace detailing was insane, which you can see better in one of the last photos below. This photo was shot at ISO 400, 50 1.2, 1/500th, in black and white. The processing is bitchin' bw.
These shoes were actually borrowed from Ami's sister, because the flats she actually wore made the dress too long for the walk from the hotel to the wedding. I do love this photo though. It was shot at ISO 400, 50 1.2, 1/640th. The processing is grandma's tap shoes at 20% and antique tone at 20%/a>.
Scott stopped by too! I love the mood and mafia-esque quality of this one. This photo was shot at ISO 400, 50 1.2, 1/800th, in black and white. The processing is just yin/yang and a little curves bump by me.
These could be my two faves of the day! I love everything about them--the way Ami is looking, the doorman's outfit--everything! These photos were shot at ISO 100, 35 1.4, 1/400th, in black and white. The processing is yin/yang and grainstorm at 100%
Ami has such beautiful eyes! This photo was shot at ISO 100, 50 1.4, 1/320th. The processing is pool party at 20%, which sure does nice things to blue tones in photos!
Gotta give Scott a little love too! This photo was shot at ISO 100, 50 1.2 at 1.4, 1/400th, in black and white. The processing is sparta at 20%.
The light in this area with the buildings on the way over to the Atlanta Women's Center where the wedding was is just so crisp and beautiful! This photo was shot at ISO 100, 50 1.2, 1/500th. The processing is troy at 16%, warm it up kris at 18%.
I just love the feel of this one! I actually did not use a Totally Rad Action on this photo, but instead used one of Jesh De Rox's new Elighten Actions, which are incredible. The action I used here is called "Light From A Star". I am loving this set from Jesh because it's more about shifting colors than changing the whole look of the photos. You should check them out **HERE**. Coincidentally for those who have asked, when I use textures, his are the ones I use.
Every now and then I will shoot something that isn't quite in focus, and they normally end up on the cutting room floor. There's something about this one that stood out to me though, even though there are others in this series that are tack sharp, they don't quite have the feel of this one, even if I did mess it up a little by mistake.
A close second for my favorite--when I shoot flare, I feel like I'm getting back to my roots. This is truly what I love photographing--a beautiful moment in beautiful light. Same processing as above, with pool party at 35% added at the end to take the edge off the flare in the lower right.
Ami and Scott have a baby. His name is Charlie and he's the most well-behaved, adorable little furbaby I've ever seen at a wedding. He was SO good. I think Ami & Scott will love this little family photo :) Pretty much SOOC on this one, just a little curves and sharpening to snap it up.
An unexpected find! Mark and Michael were shooting the couple in the other direction when I saw their reflection in this random rusty mirror. I do like how it came out, especially with those branches there! It seems really wintery to me.
Also pretty much SOOC with a little dodging and burning and sharpening.
Last but not least from the portrait session, a classic photo of Ami. I really wanted to show off the detailing on her dress, and when I saw these curtains, I couldn't resist!
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will you
