Bobbie + Marga

Ok, so I must admit,I’ve been neglecting my blog. It’s so much easier to post my work and thoughts on Facebook. I’ve been shooting, just not writing. I tell my wife that I went to school to take pictures, not to write novels and she always reminds me that they go hand in hand in this business. Introducing Bobbie and Marga. These two sisters were alot of fun and up for anything. We shot at several locations and it seemed like we were chasing the sun. Here's a glance of my choice pics from the shoot.

Fun in the Sun with Jade Bryce

I did this shoot with Jade a few weeks ago so this blog is way overdue. Jade is very busy girl who travels the world, models for magazines, and gives her profits to charity. One of the first things I noticed about her was the the color of her eyes. They were green at the moment but I had remembered that her profile stated they were blue. She told me her eyes can often change color and much later (when I was posting images on FB) I read in her bio that her eyes can change color with her mood. I had a ring a long time ago that kind of did the same thing but I really can't attest to it's accuracy. Anyways back to the shoot (and to tie the story all together) I do wonder what mood she was during the shoot. We were off the side of the road, basically in the desert, and it was HOT. No bathroom, no shade, no assistant! Everything was make shift from clothes rack (tree branch) to the two shoe boxes that held shoes, cameras, film and doubled as a shelves. I was getting stuck in the leg by foreign desert horticulture, I had rocks and sand in my favorite kicks, and was sweating like a champ. In the end, I'm was very happy with the results and achieved the look I was aiming for. No pain, no gain right? Special Thanks to:

Model: Jade Bryce

MUA/ Hair: Amelia C.

Stylist: Darian Marquis

The Robles Sisters

I’m trying to change the format of my blog to present larger images but until I learn, I’ll keep posting everything this way. This was a family shoot of the Robles sisters. They really stick together. Through tough times they are a true example of faith, hope and love (no, seriously).This is by far one of my favorite family shoots so far! Everything was perfect from the weather, to the location to the smiles! =)

National Charity League Las Vegas

I was actually looking forward to this shoot for a awhile. It was a dinner to recognize six young women's contributions to the community and reflect on all their personal accomplishments before moving on to college and other great things. I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a dreary day at the Red Rock Country Club in Summerlin. It even rained while we shot outside but I'm so glad you can't tell in the images. Everyone was so decked out, my job was easy. I kind of felt like I was shooting six brides at one time (haha). I wish I had more time to document the getting ready aspects. I even brought a friend's daughter (Props to Jordan Sutton) to assist me during the event. All in all, I had a great experience and as a father of two daughters, this was just a glimpse that I'm really going to have to hustle to give my children the same opportunities these young women have had......but that's fine with me =)

Rooftop Wedding

I had a great time shooting my first rooftop wedding with Anissa and James! They were one fun couple who had a pretty good rendition of the Jabbawockeez. Maybe that could have been their first dance. The view was pretty unforgettable. Location....The Wolfson Lofts in Henderson, Nevada. Without a ceiling I faced a few new lighting challenges but I had a few tricks in the bag including using a video light and portable ringlight for portraits (I love trying new things).

Here's a few of my favorites and you can see more on my Facebook page or on my site.

Lou Revo Center for Brain Health

They've been constructing this crazy building for years now and I finally got to shoot it. Introducing the latest addition to the resume' of world famous architect Frank Gehry. He's well known for the Opera house in Australia, the Guggenheim in Spain, and the Disney Opera House in L.A. This building will be used for research and to educate the public on brain disease. It's hard NOT to take a good picture of this cool structure. If you're ever in Vegas or you live here...add it to your must see bucket list!

Megan: Midget Blonde Bombshell

Here's a few teaser pics of Megan. It was so much fun working with her. She had called herself a midget because she's only 5'2 but she rocked her modeling skills like 5'9 pro. She needed little direction, she can pull off multiple looks and the camera LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her! Seriously. You would never know that passing her in the mall or on the street; kinda short, kinda normal looking. I have so many shots of this girl, I can't choose just one..or two... or even three. I admire the tenacity she has in her craft at such a young age. Did I mention she's only eighteen? See for yourself. Check out Megan in Set 1 and also Set 2 of the client viewing section.

Model: Megan Teachon
Hair/Makeup: Amelia C.
Location: R2K Studio LVNV

My 1st 35mm Film in 10 years!

I don’t remember the last time I shot 35mm film but it was a loooong time ago. Maybe back in NY or something when I was a starving artist. I’m not quite sure, but I’m falling in LOVE with it all over again! There really is a quality to film that cannot be duplicated digitally. It’s nostalgic, it’s imperfect, grainy, it’s not for everyone. For me, it’s just another brush that I’ll start using again for making art. Check out a few shots from the first rolls I just got back today!

Amy Q Shoot at R2K Studio

My first fashion shoot in many years at R2K Studio in downtown Las Vegas. That studio is so sick. They have the best staff and a multitude of options for renting gear or studio time for the emerging artist. I had an amazing experience and I will most definitely shoot there again. Here’s a few shots from Amy Q of Model Mayhem. Look for more of my coolest and latest stuff on Facebook or the client viewing section of my webpage. Cheers! =)

Model: Amy Quintana
Make Up and Hair: Amelia C.
Stylist: Yours Truly
Assisted By: Amin Santos
Location: R2K Studio

Holly & Ryan

Holly and Ryan were high school sweethearts reunited and were married at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. I think that's called awesome because that seems to very rare these days. I posted some teaser pics on my Facebook fan page and I prematurely called it "Lobster Love", a term used on the show Friends for soul mates. (Holly and Ryan watch Friends and I know they're going to read this ha ha) Little did I know ,after all these years and a little research, that lobster love was a myth. How dare you "Friends". Anyhow, back to the shoot. I'm so glad I got to meet up with couple the night before. They were receptive to my creative ideas and were so easy going. I got to drag them around to several locations and they kept up pretty well despite the few snags here and there (the flowers, the wind, the time) I'm really happy how the pictures came out. They really look good together and were so happy. All I did was capture with the camera exactly what I saw. I wish them the best as newlyweds as they await that lil bun in the oven.

Alvin & Keisha LVNV

I've known Alvin since childhood and so it was kinda weird to see him make this move tying the knot and all (All grown up, being responsible, and being a Dad). I took Alvin and soon to be wifey around and I kept getting lost. It was ridiculous but Keisha and Alvin kept the mood light and were so much fun to hang out with. Both are laid back. Both like to laugh and have fun. I love Keisha's Tennessee accent which she kept trying to hide the whole time...not possible. It's always fun when my job doesn't feel like work. They were a so fun and easy to work with! I wish them both success, prosperity and countless blessings as they venture together with baby Paxton!

Aperature 3

I'm making sure to always brush up on my post-processing skills (Probably one of my weakest points in photography school but I'm always striving to improve). I've always considered myself a traditional type photographer; an in camera type artist sort of speak. Get it right in the camera first is what I've always been taught so that is what I know. I really like the workflow on this application. Apple has added some new tools and fixed a few things from the previous version. Photoshop CS3 or even CS4 is way too much for my appetite. It's like a buffet when all I really need is a tasty solid meal. Here's some before and after images using Aperature 3. Add a little salt, then a little pepper...wala!

WPPI

After attending the 2010 WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) my brain still hurts from all the great information i've absorbed. I'm so inspired from all the great speakers and all the classes I attended I wish I had done this a long time ago. It's always in Las Vegas and I will remember this convention for the rest of my life! My wife attended several business classes at the convention and guess what she won me?....A CANON 50D DSLR from Gary Fong! aaaaand a free website from Livebooks! Isn't she the best?! She walked around the conference like a walking billboard with the free t-shirts,buttons with lights (the vendors loved it haha) and a flash light diffuser made by Gary Fong hanging around her neck (Its so funny she doesn't even know what it does) She told me she was going to win a camera, and she did!

I Hate You

"I Hate You" is on the models ring so thats what I named this picture. I actually shot this last night at my home studio; this is a simple three strobe set up. We did like three outfit changes and this is definitely the best of the bunch. One of my most memorable moments as a Dad was watching my son pretend to to take pictures (with an imaginary camera) of his sister who was pretending to model. That would've been the best picture ever but we were already wrapping up. Special thanks to MJ from Model Mayhem and Amelia C. for awesome make up and hair! You guys rock!

Bachelorette Favors

I'm so lucky that my job(s) in life are to take pictures of people inside and out. Not only that, I am so blessed to work with so many fun people who make me laugh everyday (And I call them my friends). My coworkers wore these glasses on a girls night out and I thought they were halarious. It's not like any of them were getting married. There's a saying that two laughs a day is good for your health. I personally believe that laughter is the cure for everything. If I can capture it in a picture...even better.

A Quick Getaway

I've been to Southern California many times but for some reason i've failed to visit Balboa Park in San Diego. I think that place is so cool! It's peaceful, romantic and everything I see..I want to take a picture of it. Altho it was just a quick getaway with the family, we still got to visit the Santa Monica Pier and also Coronado Island. All the pictures in the slideshow were done with my new PDA 3.2 mexapixel camera! Pretty nice huh?......so does size mean everything?....we're still talkin' cameras people.

My Favorite Shot

Every Wedding or Photo shoot I do, I always have a favorite picture. It was an over cast day in Palm Springs, California and this one is definitely my best shot. Jasmine has this porcelain skin that just went perfect with the location in this image. I think it looks like a painting.

No Longer A Blog Virgin

This is just a test. I'm no longer a blog virgin and I don't even have a facebook account. I'm going to curl up in a ball in the shower and cry for th full effect. It might be good. It might be bad. I guess we'll have to wait and see =)

(are smileys allowed in blogging or is that taboo?)