Feature Friday - Real Moments In Event Photography (Baptisms)

Let’s take a break from all these lovebirds and talk about the real rawness of event photography. I have photographed many couples, young to old and seen many different types of connections. In my last blog I went over how showing affection is different for everyone and when you as a photographer is faced with different ways that people show or view love, you can’t blame them for that. For “missing” photos, that isn’t a thing, that’s your job. Anyway before I go off into a huge rant again - events have easily become photographs that I connect with on somewhat the same level as couples photography.

Unlike couples, events like funerals, baptisms, birthdays, etc show connections between many people not just two. The baptism I photographed show two families joining together to welcome a new member into their community. In celebration for this baby boy to be a new addition and new representation for them of faith and Christianity. During the baptism, I was thinking, “wow I get to witness this scared ceremony”, I never thought of it that way until that day. I’m not sure why, I think due to seeing everyone interactions with each other, with the priest, with the baby boy, really hit me and made me realize these are the real raw moments I love too.

As I am not religious, I do always get sudden chills when people talk about their connections with their beliefs, either that be Christianity, Spirituality, etc. I ‘m always excited and eager to learn about peoples experiences as long as I am not judged for my own. Why? Because people have different insights and experiences and I bet they love talking about it, because when you finally find that connection with whatever belief it may be, you want to share it with the world. There’s no harm in sharing.

(Just remember preaching and sharing are two separate things!)

Enjoy the baptism and cuteness overload of this special boy!

Feature Friday - The Grays

I absolutely love to take couples and capturing all their genuine emotions, but oh man when I get a family that is bursting with love and laughter, I HAVE to feature it.

FIRST FEATURE OF 2019!!!!!!

The Grays contacted me wanting a special session due to a few of them living out of town, and out of the country so we picked a date and time and made it happen! When I arrived at the location, University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, I met the entire group! They instantly were welcoming with smiles and they were definitely not camera shy. From Dads jokes to the brothers being brothers, and Moms comments about how her sons mean the world to her, this party of 8 summed up the meaning of love, laughter, and family.

Family is important to me, so I’ll forever be honored that I had the chance to capture the Grays and give them something to kick off the New Year with!

J

Feature Friday - Trina & David

Holy crap, Trina and David.

They were so welcoming and ready to try everything I yelled at them, it was SO CUTE watching these two! Now of course they were looking for somewhere outdoor and what better place other than Army Corps park in Ripon? With all the leaves falling, oranges, reds, earthy tones, I could go on and on - but let’s just say, we all loved it.

I know it’s super cliche to say a photo is worth a thousand words, but come on look at these two. In every single frame you can’t possibly think of ONE word to describe how these two make you feel. BUT they are totally adorable humans who are SO IN LOVE.

You guys rock.

Feature Friday - Waverly & Anthony

YES - it’s a bump!

Waverly and Anthony were expecting their first little person and I was so happy they asked me to do a maternity session for them!

We went to Army Corps park in Ripon, CA where the grass was tall and the sun was setting. Waverly and Anthony were completely affectionate and their love radiated through the entire session. All of their arms and hands intertwined with each other, ah! Another thing I absolutely loved was all the warm tones giving it the feeling of welcoming, home-like, and comforting. Some of the things that come with bringing a new baby into the world! Violet is now 7 months old and she is SO ADORABLE.

You can follow Waverlys blog all about being a mommy here!

Feature Friday - Brandon & Sarah

I have entirely so much to say about Brandon and Sarah, but I'll try to contain myself!

I have known Brandon for roughly 10 years, and I had the chance to photographer his and Sarahs wedding 4 years ago. Now, here we are again!

So, how’s the married life??

Well, when in their home I felt all the love radiating, not to mention the way they parent was amazing and inspiring. It is so important to understand each other when parenting. When I watched them interact it was like watching a perfectly managed football game. I don’t mean discipline either, because Sass was incredibly well behaved and WAY smart! Aside from their parenting, this family was so damn cute, I couldn’t even. The photographs speak for themselves.

Our sessions consisted of outside with the crispy cold air, and inside their homes being all comfy and cozy with their cute bear family mugs (now an expectation if I ever start a family!) Oh! They also played a game of Twister until their twin cats decided they want to join in. To say the least, it got just a little crazy!

I can’t wait to see if any future sessions pop up these this family.

Feature Fridays - Sheri & Fabian

Sheri and Fabian have been married about 26 years, how crazy to think that’s almost my existence! They wanted to take cute wedding styled photographs to remember their wedding day and to have moments they didn’t get to have when they got married. In Locke, CA we found ourselves doing just what they wanted.

Sheri worn a white short wedding dress, complemented with a veil and spring flowers. While Fabian worn a white button up, matched with khaki pants, complemented with his favorite hat. They changed outfits and complemented each other so well, both in blue, whites, with jeans! Sheri even threw on Fabians black hat, which was too cute!

The laughs, jokes, and genunine love was truly inspiring. It was a session to remember!

Feature Friday - Lesa & Val

Lesa and Val got married at the Paradise Springs in Oakhurst and their day was nothing less than amazing! The bridesmaids got ready in a cute cozy cabin and wore their best periwinkle dress matched with their pure white bouquets. While the groomsmen were dressed in grey suits pinned with matching white flowers and a cigar in their pockets!

Their ceremony started as the sun was setting peaking through the trees, and I thought it was SO cool how they shared a toast (of beer!) as a special bond. After they chugged their glass of beer, they finally kissed and sealed the deal.

During the reception and after, guests enjoyed themselves, dancing, eating, and laughing the night away! Oh also, I’m pretty sure that Budlight should have sponsored their wedding!

Feature Friday - Billy & Dawn

Dawn and Billy got married at in Stockton, CA at the  Gun and Bocce Club. Their day was full of absolute cuteness overload! The bridesmaids got ready in Lodi, CA at Wine and Roses where they dressed in bold maroon dresses. The maroon matched perfectly with their off white bouquets. The groomsmen were dressed in grey suits and of course, they matched maroon undershirts pinned a boutonniere of white flowers.

Their ceremony started around noon, and as the sun was peaking through all the trees. The bridesmaids and groomsmen made their way down the cutest aisle. Baby breath flowers outlined the aisle straight to the spot where Dawn and Billy finally said, "I DO!"

During the reception, Billy and Dawn shared their dance where they had money rain in their pockets, and eventually invited everyone else on the floor. It was truly a night to remember while everyone enjoyed themselves with AMAZING food, crazy dancing, and contagious laughter!

A special side note on the entire day - Dawns mother was remembered on a charm hanging from her bouquet. In addition to that, during the reception they had a beautiful memorial of photographs on display of her mother.

Feature Friday - Jess & Erin

Waking up at 6am on a Sunday morning, was actually extremely worth every second. Jess surprised Erin with one of my sessions, how awesome is that?!

First when we discussed the location of their session, Jess mentioned she wanted endless fields of sunflowers. Then, we totally went for something opposite. We went to Folsom and went under the rainbow bridge (no not the Super Mario Kart road 😂). With nature in play, how could it go wrong? There were beautiful yellows, reds, oranges, and the lake beaming as the sun was rising. Of course, Jess and Erin the entire time kept laughing, smiling, and even a little dancing (“dancing” lol), but all of that literally made the session amazing.

THEY were TOO CUTE.

Feature Fridays?

I haven’t used this blog portion since July 6th, wow. I should!

So, I’m definitely going to figure out what to do with this blog area. I’m either going to feature a session every Friday or maybe give insight on certain photography topics/software/techniques/etc. Totally not sure yet!

I’m thinking the idea of “feature Fridays” would be really interesting, especially since my clients are SO different than one another and they all bring something different to every session.

S0, (jeez, I say “so” too much) - my FIRST EVER feature Friday will be this Friday!

First Things First

This is the first blog post, not saying my first of all time, but a first for this website. This also signifies the first goal in blogging I set for myself and to stay committed to. However, if no one reads these blog entries except for myself, that's okay. Blogging is much like keeping a dairy or even writing a song, which I am both familiar with.

Every session I have has a story to tell. It could be motivating or just plan fun and needs to be told. I am sure that people enjoy reading about how someone has a special day that turn into wonderful memories. Why wouldn't anyone be happy reading about other peoples happiness? Now, behind the many sessions I have there lies myself, the photographer.

First things first, what story could I possibly have?

I don't believe that many people know that I have been holding a camera since I could remember. I always had my camera pointed up my families noses, mostly because I was short and small! Throughout the years I lost that urge to photograph. Middle school came and I was more interested in video games and friends. Then high school rolled around and I suddenly begin to use a camera again, with the help of my photography teacher and other art teachers, I gained experience and more techniques that I am so grateful for despite how judgmental it made me! Every year I was in a photo course and my last year I was the teachers pe- lab aide! Jokes aside, those teachers I had really shaped my artistic eye. Now here is where I lost my sense of direction, college. In college, I decided I wanted to major in film editing (I love video as well!), that quickly changed when I made the decision to attend a community college. I wanted to major in graphic design, and let me tell you changing majors is no fun especially when you have taken every single course already in that major, but I changed it again. This time it was photography and I stuck with every step of the way. I had over 90 units due to switching majors, but like I said I stuck with it until the end. Again, the professor I had for photography really shaped me even landed me a few gigs working with the college in the Drama, Dance, and Athletics department. She eventually helped me land a job in the photo department, where I really got the abilities to work with students and help them, when in reality they were really helping me. Then I finally graduated with an AA, transferring to CSUS with of course a major in photography. Enough of school talk!

Now for jobs that I had had a lot to deal with arts. I had jobs such as graphic designer (when I decided no way I want to be this!), sports photographer for two difference companies, after school program teacher (you can bet I taught them art), college lab aide, and preschool teacher aide (again art of course, with some science!) I have taken situations into my own hands photographing events (Pride in Stockton for Stocktons' instagram page) and live music (The Maine, Chase Coy, We are the in Crowd, etc). These all helped in one way or another to build my character and my professionalism.

With starting your own business it gets hard, really rough, but it's nothing to fuss over. In time, you find networking and even marketing strategies that truly help. It's like having child, one second you're hugging and kissing them and then the next you're wanting to rip every single piece of hair out! Just watching your baby flourish and grow is amazing, so here's to more blog posts to come about the many adventures of my lovely cilents and myself!