LOS ANGELES WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - RUSTIN MICHAEL BLOG » Portraits

Looking for “American Marriage” Couples

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:57:13 +0000

If you have been following me on twitter you already know I have been working on the documentary “American Marriage” with my talented friends Mike Flanagan and Courtney Bell. Please read this full post for some amazing special offers for couples getting married before the middle of June 2010.

“The new documentary film “American Marriage” is looking for couples who want to have their nuptials featured in the movie. One of our main fundraising avenues has been filming weddings. Couples have taken the money they would have paid videographer and donated it to the film’s budget through the International Documentary Association (making their donations tax-deductible), and in exchange we’ve filmed their entire ceremonies and receptions and delivered the wedding video on DVD, just like a normal wedding videographer.

The shoot itself is exactly comparable to a normal wedding videographer shoot. We film the ceremony preparation, the ceremony, and reception on a single 3CCD HD Camera (the JVC 110u, a professional theatrical quality HD camera as opposed to the Prosumer HDV cameras standardly used in the wedding industry). The groom wears a microphone to ensure the highest quality audio of the ceremony. The footage is edited, and assembled with graphics, music, and minimal effects (dissolves, etc). We provide the couple 3 DVDs, authored with chapters and animated menus.

Because we’ll use some of the footage in the finished film, we ask the couple to sign an image release waiver allowing us to do so. We also ask that they make a donation through the I.D.A. and forward us a copy of the Paypal receipt before we arrive to film the event. We also ask couples if they would like to have a short “When Harry Met Sally” style interview that will be included in the movie.

You can view the trailer, which features footage from several weddings who took advantage of this model, below.”

There is no set donation amount. We ask that couples donate what they can afford. If you have a budget for a videographer we hope that, if you choose this opportunity, you would still be willing to use that budget to help the film. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity please click on contact in the menu above.

If you chose to make a donation and be in the film I am offering 20% off any of my photography packages. You can view my portfolio on my website.

Here are some links for the film
Official Website
Facebook Fan Page
International Documentary Association Listing
IMDB Listing – I got my first cinematographer credit on this film
Mike Flanagan – the man behind the film

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KISS Wedding Books

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:48:11 +0000

Last week I received my first sample album from the album manufacturer KISS. KISS markets itself as “the worlds simplest book company.” I love how fast and easy it is to place an order with them and the 3 week turnaround which is outstanding in the album business. Even though they are fast and simple, their quality is definitely up there with the best in the industry.

KISS doesn’t offer a ton options like other album companies. They offer hard or soft books in 4 sizes 4×4, 8×8, 10×10, and 12×12 and 7 colors. I love how their books are simple, classic, and elegant. These are just a couple of the reasons why KISS is my preferred album company. Here are a few images of my 12×12 hard sample album I made from Ryan & Lisa’s October Stone Manor wedding.

The albums are delivered with this sweet looking dust cover.

I love the lay flat binding with no gap across the spread.

The color swatches

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Mike & Jessica – Wearing the Past

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:57:05 +0000

Last month I headed out with my friends Mike & Jessica for a little photoshoot. We drove just down the road from me to a cool little spot in Marina Del Rey. Jessica brought along her Grandmother’s vintage dresses, that she wore when she was Jessica’s age. We had a blast grabbing some images together for a gift for Jessica’s Grandmother.

It is such a blessing to have Mike & Jessica as friends. Victoria and I are always happy when we get to spend time with them. Here are some of my favorites from our little shoot.

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Before & After Examples

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:58:16 +0000

Anytime you see an image posted here on my blog or up on my website it been touched by Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop is an amazing tool when used properly. Many times I use it for something as simple as resizing, adding my website address, and doing a little sharpening to the image. Other times I use it to adjust the color & contrast of the image to make it look more accurate to real life. Most of the time when I am shooting I already have in mind what I want the final print to look like. Photoshop allows me to bring to life what I originally envisioned when taking the image. Photoshop can also be used to soften lines around the eyes, remove stray hairs, soften shiny foreheads, remove blemishes and distracting elements from images. These are the types of things I do when an image is ordered for your album or as a print through my online store.

Even though Photoshop is an amazing tool I still strive to get a near perfect image at the time of capture. Every minute I spend in Photoshop is one less minute I get with my family.

Below are a few examples of images straight out of the camera like my clients get on their DVDs or you see on my online store, roll your mouse over the image to see what spending a little time in Photoshop can do. If you are viewing this post on Google reader or some other feed please jump over to my blog so the rollover images will work.

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El Matador State Beach Malibu – Day After Session – Jack & Mary

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:17:59 +0000

Earlier this month I met up with my friends Jack & Mary for a “day after” session at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. I met Jack and Mary about this time last year. They were engaged at the time and sadly they had already picked their wedding photographer for their December 2008 wedding. Over the past year we have become good friends. Mary approached me over the summer and asked if I would consider doing a session with them in their wedding clothes since they really like the style of my work, of course I said yes. They were happy with their wedding photos but wanted some images on the beach which they didn’t get a chance to get on their wedding day.

Time can fly by on a wedding day. If one thing is behind on a wedding day there may not be as much time for photos as planned. Since most the group shots and the bride and groom together photos are done after the ceremony it is important to not run late even if everything else is already late that day so the wonderful food you have catered for your guests doesn’t get cold or dried out. That is the reason I always love engagement session and “day after” session. There are no real time constraints. Although the term “day after” usually refers to the day after your wedding this session can take place at anytime after your wedding day usually within the first year.

I loved the location that Jack and Mary chose. Here are some of my favorites shots of Jack & Mary at El Matador beach. Thanks again to Roberto Valenzuela for coming along and assisting, always good times.

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Los Angeles Headshot Photography – Fawn Woodfin

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:56:02 +0000

Last month I got together with my good friend Fawn Woodfin to shoot some headshots for an upcoming TV project. I don’t want to reveal too much about what the project is but I can tell you it will use Fawn’s background in health and fitness to help others. Here are some of my favorites from our shoot.

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Website and Blog updates

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:12:30 +0000

Just wanted to update everyone on a few new items you can find on my blog and website. I just posted an explanation about cropping on my blog in the links section. You can find it here. I also added a new section to my website wedding portfolio called “Engaged.” See the screen shot below and make sure you head over and check it out.

You can also look forward to a new category of posts my blog called “Before & After” where I show images before and after my artistic edit. This will give you examples of what you can expect when you order a print through me verses one from the DVD you get of unedited images. I also will be opening up the “Featured Couples” section of my wedding website and possibly even have a sample album up at the same time.

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Hope in the City 2009 – Fashion Shoot

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:19:53 +0000

On Saturday I had the chance to participate in the fashion shoot for Mosaic’s “Hope in the City: The Other Side of the Tracks.” I was in charge of coordinating the photographers for the event this year. So when I sent out an invite to some friends asking for their time to give me a hand, I was pleased with the response. I was so happy to shoot with photographers with all different types of styles and skill levels. It was a great day for learning, teaching, encouraging, and networking for all involved. I didn’t get to shoot as much as last year, since I was managing all the photography going on. Plus the location I wanted to use was a little windy, to say the least, until the sun started setting. Make sure you read the bottom of this post for links to all the awesome photographers involved.

Just a few shots of the models getting ready. I am so thankful for my friends Lisa & Dan Soltis and them opening up their loft for us to use for staging and to shoot.

The rooftop at Lisa and Dan’s is pretty spectacular. I shot the whole time up there.

After the wind died down some I could use the section of the roof I really wanted to to use with a cool view of downtown LA.

These next two images were taken using a 1/2 second exposure.

Make sure you stop by the blogs listed below for more images from Saturday.
Solace Arts
Roberto Valenzuela
Brian Hamilton

The awesome photographers that gave up their Saturday to make this all possible.
Nicholas Sayaan
Brian Hamilton
Kolby Allen
Roberto Valenzuela
Joe Goger
Eric Tenorio

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Solace Anstasia Perr

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:37:10 +0000

Last week I visited Jason and Brettney Perr to capture some images of their new little girl, Solace. Solace was born March 24th, exactly 5 months after our son, Gideon. Gideon came along with me on the shoot and napped pretty much the whole time. Once he woke up, he sat there in his car seat so quietly I didn’t even know he was up. It is great having a low key baby. Here are a few of my favorites from my shoot with Solace. Make sure you check out Brettney’s Etsy page for some cool creations.

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Gideon a little over 5 months old

RUSTIN MICHAEL — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:04:45 +0000

The past couple of weeks have been crazy with wedding season starting back up. This past Friday I finally had a chance to grab a few pictures of Gideon at 5 months. I shot a few images of him sitting up before Gideon and I headed out to lunch at Tito’s Tacos with my buddy Fred. Gideon has no problem sitting up on his own now. He can sit for a long time until eventually he leans too far one way and tips over. Luckily he has a hard head like me. I plan to shoot some more pics this week and probably some video also.

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