This is more of an album than a blog post... Click on the picture to see an album of images from 4th of July. Alas, Monterey quit doing fireworks over the bay a few years ago... so none of that. But there were shenanigans aplenty. Also, I was able to go inside Colton Hall, where California's first Constitution was written and ratified.
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The kind of transformation that produces true metamorphosis requires complete dissolution. Let me tell you, dissolving is scary as Hell. There is a moment when the caterpillar in a chrysalis becomes nothing more than... soup. That's right, it dissolves to nothing but a live Broth of Potential. I always thought they just sprouted wings in there, but the butterfly that emerges is a genetically different creature. There's more to the story, but suffice it to say, there is probably a moment when that caterpillar starts to rethink its position. Thank goodness it stays put to see things through! Yesterday a friend who has become very dear to me embraced the unknown, and chose to chart her own course on a journey she did not have a choice in taking. I have to say I was amazed and humbled to be included. I don't post a lot of personal items on my wall or in my blog. But consider this: every photo I take is personal. Each is a piece of a life story. While the stories are not always my own, they are very personal. If you have a chrysalis to spin, spin it. Don't wait, because change is inevitable. Why not grab Life by the balls and take charge of your story? Immerse yourself in the terrifying experience of dissolving to create your life anew. When you emerge on the other side, you will know it was worth it. Those butterflies are freaking beautiful. The kiss... I believe there are two first kisses: 1) The real first kiss, and 2) The "second first kiss." While every ceremony is different, most usually end with the officiant winding down to the big moment, the bride and groom (and everyone else) waiting for their official pronouncement. Then suddenly, it is upon them, and the groom may kiss his bride. The "second first kiss" happens when the groom suddenly realizes he is indeed married to the woman of his dreams, and can kiss her anytime he wants to. So he does it again! These are the fun ones, the kisses that make magnificent pictures. If you are headed down the isle, and want a great first kiss picture (or later kiss picture) I have a couple of suggestions: 1) Make it last, ensuring lots of time for your photographer to capture it. And it's fun. :) 2) I love it when the groom places his hands on the bride's face and draws her in. Why not include a dip? There is no harm in practicing your kiss! Probably you will agree with me. I know. I'm a bad influence. Grin. 3) Photographers should take advantage of the moment right before that kiss. Almost kissing, eyes closed, both bride and groom in their own world. It's even better than the kiss... 4) Consider manufacturing a "first kiss" if the first isn't as interesting as you'd like. It's all for the cause, right? 5) lastly, there are other kisses to consider, like the smooches given to mothers and grandmothers. Those are special, just ask 'em. I am not a rodeo photographer. But when I was invited to the barrel races as a vendor, a father of one of the girls asked me to take some pictures. Once I got a few practice shots off, I was sucked in! These horses tend to go around those barrels at about a 45 degree angle, sometimes in a crouch. Amazing! Looking through the lens, I had the pleasure of watching horse and rider in complete synchronicity, glorying in the speed and a race well run. I swear, the horses grinned too! One even wore a frown matching his rider's on the return after bumping a barrel. My only regret is that I didn't have time to stay and photograph everyone. Samantha Edwards of Studio 7 Events and I were manning a western-themed photo booth. You can see the gallery here: Harold Riva Memorial Barrel Race.
It started with my own family. Maybe you can relate! My mom had a health scare, and when the dust settled, we realized we didn't have one single picture of all of us together. So we arranged a photo shoot, with me manning the remote. What ensued was pure calamity! It was windy, and cold, not the gorgeous sunset we imagined. Everyone was dressed for pictures, not the weather... lesson number one... The children were freezing, the men were impatient, and everyone just wanted to be done! In the end, I went with the one where everyone was goofing off- that's the real US as a family. What I ended up with was this- and I love it! All of this caused me to really think long and hard about how I wanted to approach family portraits as a photographer with my clients. Instead of the static posing so common in photography, I decided to get people moving. We go out and have fun! In the process, we capture that family having fun together, and interacting in a natural way. Kids and husbands get to move around and be comfortable. Everyone forgets about the camera, and we pose here and there along the way. With this family, we went to the wharf, where Eric proposed to Valeria in the first place, then played in Old Monterey. The couple just welcomed their new baby boy, but here is is still dreaming until the time is right. :) Jet and Luke committed their lives to one another at the stunning Post Ranch Inn, where Luke had proposed one year earlier. As beautiful as the Post Ranch is, it couldn't compare to these two. Stunning was the word that kept popping into my mind. Add the view, and, well, what you get is pretty much Heaven on Earth. Their love for each other was so apparent. So glad they found each other! Hans Christian Andersen said, "Life itself is a most wonderful fairytale." I couldn't agree more. Knowing what's most important to you can help clear your mind to focus on the elements of your wedding that mean the most. It's interesting: I spoke with my amazing friend and wedding planner Samantha Edwards a couple days ago, and it turns out we both open our client consultations with the same phrase: "What is most important to you?" Knowing the answer to this question gives us the ability give you what you really want.
In Samantha's case, it helps her to set the budget, and helps you achieve the wedding of your dreams. In my case, it helps me to capture the wedding of your dreams, preserving that vision in images. Additionally, it colors the way I shoot. I always shoot for an album. But now I might know you want a huge panoramic wedding canvas over the sofa. So I'll shoot for that. If I know your 90-year-old grandma is arriving from Norway for the wedding, I know to make sure we get some fantastic pictures of her. Yes, it all takes planning! For an engagement shoot, once I know what you want, I can ask my super-talented friend and stylist Alicia Bautista to create a setting for us that communicates the dreamy romance of your upcoming wedding. Twinkle lights? no problem. Indian decor, with a divan and sheer fabric and lights? She's amazing! Hint: you get to see those images pretty soon! Weddings are complex, and your professionals work super hard to make it all happen. There are countless hours of work behind the scenes you will never see! We work hard, but we love it all. In my next post, I'll tell you how to get what you want, and keep it affordable. Congratulations, Rochell and Steve! They were married March 29th at Manzoni Wines, in Soledad. What an incredible day. I have to say it's the first wedding as a photographer that I found my own eyes leaking, too! Such neat people, such a warm family, and the joy was just everywhere. As an added bonus, the grape vines blossomed and the fields, happy with the recent rain, greened up, too. Even the day's rain waited until the party was nearly over, giving us spectacular cloud formations as a backdrop, as well as some fun wind. Blessings to you both, for many happy years together. This is a wedding I'll remember for a very long time. Beautiful Saream was called to duty, and a wedding was hastily planned for Valentine's Day. David and Saream celebrated their love for one another with their families with a wedding officiated by the elegant and delightful Elizabeth Murray. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've had the honor to photograph. Thank you all for inviting me into your lives on this remarkable day. There is another back story here, as well: before Saream was born, her parents left everything behind and simply walked out of Cambodia, a child on each hip. It took incredible bravery, and I cannot imagine the terror and the changes they faced as they first made their way to Thailand, then America, where Saream was born. The couple now serve to defend our country, and I thank them. Incredible people, these two, born of parents with vision and depth. I fell in love with them all. Recently I photographed an engagement shoot for Rochell and Steve, a beautiful couple I've had the good fortune to get to know. They are so good together, perfectly in time with one another. Alicia Bautista of Dream Events and Design, styled the shoot for me, and the result was a fairy-lit "room" inside a hundred-year-oak tree's branches. We surprised our couple with wine from Manzoni vineyards to match the venue for their wedding. They had a terrific time, which I suspect they mostly do when they are together, but the best part came last: A stunning sunset and a visit with resident equines Nelson and Pride. Thanks, guys, for sharing this special time with me. Rancho Buena Vista (where this studio and this session's location is located) is available for weddings, parties, and vacation rental. Can't pick a better place! Right on 68, minutes from the airport. |
Lena MAXThrough playful interaction we get to a place where you can be yourself. That's all you ever need to be! Archives
July 2015
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