I met this amazing couple through a mutual friend, Meg.  When Laura was planning her wedding, Meg stepped up and said “you don’t need to worry about finding a photographer, I know your guy!”  I am so glad Meg connected us and I was able to capture this special day.   

The amazing vendors from the day
Venue: Palos Verdes Country Club
Cake: Torrance Bakery
Flowers: Flower Art
Stationary & Invitations: Tulaloo
Videography: Jamison Luther
My amazing assistant:  Jason Sorge

I had so many favorites from Elliott and Laura’s wedding, so I’m sorry if this post took a little while to load due to the number of photos. I had trouble even narrowing it down to what you see here.

Laura getting ready for the day

I love that Laura sewed Elliott’s patch from the service into her wedding gown.

I love this next shot with Laura’s dad in the background.

Elliott getting the final touches.

The ceremony site at Palos Verdes Country Club.

The next two images are a series of, Luca, the ring bearer, just before Laura and her dad walk down the aisle. Cute little series.

Here comes the bride

A prayer before giving his daughter away

I love the way the light was hitting Laura’s veil.

This next image is so powerful to me. Elliott’s helmet was used to carry the rings down the aisle and then placed on the empty seat next to Laura’s dad, which would have held Laura’s mom. Even though Laura’s mom has passed on, her presence was felt many times in imagery and symbols.

The first kiss!

Just Married!!

The wedding party

Laura made a beautiful bride

Elliott cleaned up pretty well also.

Elliott & Laura

Elliott and Laura entering the reception

Laura’s brother led the entire party in a rendition of “That’s Amore!” I love this shot of Elliott and Laura belting it out.

Laura’s dad toasting the new couple

I love this moment I captured during the blessing for dinner.

A few from the first dance

Removing the garter

Hora!

Looks like they are having a good time.

The exit

Some details

The cake topper

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My friend Brian Hamilton of Suite M came to assist me for the day. It was such a blast working with him, I hope we can do it again soon. Not only did Brian assist me but he also connected me with this fun couple. Brian is the owner and main photographer at Suite M Photography. Among being an awesome photographer, he also is an all around great guy. He is the first person I recommend if I am already booked.

Here are just a few of  my favorites from Emily & David’s wedding.

Emily getting ready

The ceremony. Emily’s dad giving her away.

Just married!

I love this next shot of David, especially with the sepia toning.

Emily made a beautiful bride

The guys

The girls

Once again I am glad the clouds cleared up and the sun came out.

A few from the first dance

The reception was rocking

Some details.

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Mindy gave us some great insight about wedding industry with her many years of experience. During the interview I spent most of the time tip-toeing around her office shooting stills. I was so nervous everytime I pressed the shutter, scared that the sound would be picked up by the microphone. While I was taking photos I also got to listen in on the interview.  One thing she said really resonated with me.  She said one of the things she likes best about weddings the feelings of romance and intimacy that are evident in the couple, which in turn renews her romance to her husband.  I feel the same way: each time I come home from a wedding I can’t wait to kiss my wife.   

Here are a couple stills from the interview.

If you are a bride reading this blog, make sure you go pick up a copy of her book “The Wedding Book” on Amazon or your local bookstore.

Also go check out Mindy’s video podcast “Dress The Table with Mindy Weiss – Valentine’s Day”  about using some items picked at a local flea market for decoration.   Watching her podcast made me miss my weekly Sunday trips to the flea market we did when I was growing up.

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“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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Canon 580ex. Works perfectly, has signs of wear. My price is $290

Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW Photo Backpack. Only used a few times. In excellent shape. You can see the specs here My price is $110

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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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Please head over to Facebook and become a fan of the movie, make sure you tell your friends to do the same. The more fans we have the more likely we will be able to sell the complete film allowing it to reach a wide audience across the US. We are still filming and plan on completing the film Summer 2010 before the entry deadline for Sundance. Hopefully this time next year I will be planning a trip to Utah.

Here are some links for the movie
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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The day started off with me capturing Jessica and her girls getting ready at her parent’s house in Montebello, CA. Keep reading below for some of my favorites from their wedding day.

Jessica making sure her girls are ready before getting her dress on.

I love these next images of Jessica getting ready with her mom’s help.

A quick portrait of Jessica just before leaving her parent’s house

James all ready for the big day.

We stopped by a park near Jessica’s parent’s house for some shots Jessica’s side of the family and her girls.

James and his guys in Long Beach.

The twilight ceremony.

James & Jessica

I love this shot!

Some amazing images from the first dance.

A quick candid from the toasts.

The Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dance with Jessica’s sister providing the music. Such a beautiful moment.

A little fun

Jessica & James and their guests.

A few last portraits before departing.

Some details

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- I added my previous post Before & After Examples to the links section on my blog listed as “Before & After”

- I launched a new section of my Weddings Website called Featured Couples. It is is under the portfolio section of my website. Make sure you go and check it out. I should be adding a couple more shoots in this section in the near future.

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