Life as a photographer, editor, and entrepreneur has driven me to some fabulous places and I like to document it with images, but also with words. So thank you for coming to take a peek. Welcome to my blog. Thanks for stopping by. Please come back soon to consume some more of who I am and what I do.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

I shot an actor...

I just got back from an awesome weekend in Manhattan. But I have to admit, things got a little crazy.

It was a really long (but at the same time short!) couple of days that were rather whirlwindish...and I blacked out at some point on Saturday night and ended up SHOOTING an actor on Sunday morning where I found myself laughing and enjoying brunch with an amazing set of images on my CompactFlash card. Amazing.

Here's a quick (unedited) sneak peek...










and my two personal faves...so far...


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Picture of the Every Couple of Days - SIGN UP

Manhattan's a city that touches my heart in a way unlike any other.

It's dirty, it's loud, it's fast and you're in its way if you don't watch yourself. Yet, the light shines a little softer between the buildings, the trees flutter slightly greener against the gray of the city and all the possibilities and opportunity can't help but leave a girl ambitious and full of hope.


...and the Picture of the Every Couple of Days is a way where I share quick glimpses into my work and my life with images (and quick thoughts) like this. Please sign up. You won't regret it.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Travel

A girl's gotta travel.



In NYC.

Be back soon.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Good Times - Orange County Portrait Photographer

I met the Scribners in Laguna a few weekends ago and I honestly wasn't prepared for such a positive and energetic shoot. I'm overly positive with good energy most of the time myself, and my work normally reflects that, but the Scribners outdid me that day, for sure.

They're such a great group of people! The family and their significant others walked down the stairs towards me on the sand and I was immediately excited. Their smiles, their personalities, their warmth...all hit me right away. Handshakes and hugs and introductions finished and we got to work. We battled the wind and the sun then some caution tape and a bit of wet sand, but we laughed the whole way through. The hour flew by and I was honestly a little bummed it was over.

But the beauty of my work? We've got little (or big depending on your wall space!) two dimension reminders of the enchantment of that day. The good time we had will last forever, right here, with the images we created together.



















Monday, April 19, 2010

Photographers Gathering - Orange County Photography


A group of 20 photographers gathered in Orange last Thursday to collaborate and communicate and make our industry better.

In 2004, Davis Barber of Davis Barber Productions and myself created the Photographers Gatherings, an ongoing series of events meant to nurture and support the social, artistic and creative needs of photographers everywhere. It was free and everybody was welcome. Barber and I sought stimulation within the industry and felt compelled to go beyond the program at California State University, Fullerton with which we were involved.

The Photographers Gatherings were hosted monthly and the participation by student and professional photographers alike was encouraging and supportive. It was an atmosphere where questions could be asked and answered and ideas could be generated and developed. A new community was born, bringing together photographer of all trades, from photojournalists covering war, to fine art, to sports to fashion to students with their first cameras. The fusion was unique and everybody was responsive.

The Gatherings would showcase presentations, workshops and assignments that were shot and critiqued together. The idea was to stretch and stimulate all participants. After a few years however, the Gathering organization dwindled and the production of the events halted.

Collaborative stimulation and stretching is still needed, and after the reunion Gathering last week, organization and production is in the works again. Photographers who seek change in their craft and in their business are all welcome. As of now, I will head the planning and coordination. All comments, questions, concerns and IDEAS are warmly welcomed. Email for or with more info!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Photographer Definition - Lovato Images - Orange County Photography


'I'm still not sure, what kind of photographer are you?' my good friend asked me last night. I guess I need to rethink my marketing efforts, eh?

The truth is, when the camera is in my hands, it doesn't always matter what's in front of me. If the energy is good, and a connection is being made, it works. I love to shoot, I love to connect, I love to create, and I love to tell stories in images.

Maternity
BIRTHING
Babies
Seniors (in high school!)
Families, old and new
Corporate Headshots
BUSINESSES
Products
FOOD
Real Estate
Editorial
DOCUMENTARY
Weddings
Engagements
Travel
LIFE

I love it all. I take it all and create with it all and connect with you through it all. So it's not so easy for me to squash that list and define myself by one type or area of shooting. It's not so easy for one to define oneself anyway. I suppose that's a lifelong journey that will be reviewed and altered until the day we die...

But from a marketing standpoint, definition of services is mandatory. A clearly defined niche and target market is a necessity. And if a photographer were to go after all the potential clients in all the potential fields listed above, it'd be a marketing plan too diluted for any solid effect.

So the marketing plan goes back to the revision stage (as if it's ever out!). The marketing goals go back to the planning stage and the purpose of my work goes back into my heart.

So, what kind of photographer am I?

For now, I'm just a photographer who cares about the quality of my work. And my work isn't just the canvas that hangs on your wall or the jpeg that gets sent out with your email campaign. My work is in the way I talk to you on the phone, the way I laugh with you in front of the lens, the way I listen, watch and feel your story through my entire being until I can click it out with intention and glory into a two dimensional image that will make the world just a little more beautiful, one photograph at a time.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Organization - Orange County Photographer - on Business


Organization is key. I have learned the importance of a well organized life, business, office, daily to-do list and everything between...the hard way. Trial and error. Unfortunately, but fortunately too.

And even more fortunate(ly), I have recently come into contact with a wonderful woman who can help us start from the bottom up to better organize our business life. She said this:

HAVE YOU EVER EATEN AN ELEPHANT? Weird question, but it will help you to organize the big projects you have to deal with. Any time you say: 'I don't have time to do this,' think of eating an elephant. It's a VERY BIG job, but you can accomplish it if you just take one bite at a time. When we look at the job as a whole, we get overwhelmed. But taking it just a bite at a time makes it much easier and, maybe, even more enjoyable. Do little bits of the project every day. Only 10-15 minutes a day amounts to over an hour a week. The time adds up quickly. So, the next time you think you don't have the time, think about eating an elephant.

Barb Schmit - Esselte - 714.328.7973
FROM TO DO...TO DONE!


Contact her today to see how she can help you eat an elephant!!!

but really...why would you want to eat an elephant when you could ride one along the jungle cliffs overlooking the sea in Thailand!? (with a monkey on your lap) ???


Monday, April 12, 2010

Create Art - Creative Photography - Orange County


I am an artist, as you may think you already know. But take away the photography and creative imagery, and I'm still an artist. I create art in ways you may have not yet considered...

I create art in the way I decorate my house.
I create art in the way I care for my plants.
I create art in the way I answer the phone.
I create art in the way I treat my friends.
I create art in the way I make new friends.
I create art in the way I talk to strangers.
I create art in the way I cook.
I create art in the way I accept the meals I've made that don't taste so good.
I create art in the way I collect old clothes.
I create art in the way I organize my bookshelf.
I create art in the way I respond to emails.
I create art in the way I comment on Facebook.
I create art in the way I take notes on topics I value.
I create art in the way I value specific things over others.
I create art in the way I share knowledge.
I create art in the way I desire more knowledge.
I create art in the way I market my business.
I create art in the way I care for my clients.
I create art in the way I sign my name.
I create art in the way I set my goals.
I create art in the way I give.

You see, I am an artist, through and through. Because I am unique, I am open and I am outstretched. I create art every day in almost all that I do, because I am being true to myself, and expressing myself in every way I can. Sure, I'm ordinary in a lot of ways. But I'm still Jackie, doing things the Jackie way with a little Jackie flare.

And the moment you are able to recognize your uniqueness and differentiate yourself with perhaps just a slightly wider smile or a slightly warmer handshake...you'll be able to create more art with more purpose every day yourself.

Read Seth Godin's Linchpin. And start nurturing the artist in you.

And big thanks to my friend Chris Diset for this groovy shot and Doug McNamee and Henry Wang for teaching photog students how to 'Rock it with on Camera Flash' at the Cypress College Photo Expo on Friday. I was happy to help ya'll out for a bit (though my cheeks were tired of smiling for so long, I must admit).

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Kickers ROCK - Senior Portraits - Orange Photography

I asked Nick what he liked to do for fun: take pictures? travel? read? write? Basically I was shoving suggestions on him that were in tune with what I liked to do. 'Don't worry, I'll bring some stuff,' the level headed teen replied.

So when we met in the Orange Circle, the soon-to-be Servite grad had a bag full of himself: a soccer ball, jerseys, maracas, books, a journal and one of the coolest hats I'd ever seen. I was excited about his style almost as much as I was excited about his enthusiasm. And also happy that his dad's concern about his previous session lacking personality would be wiped clean after this shoot was complete.

My friend Jerod had agreed last minute to come and help out and the three of us cruised around the Circle creating fabulous images at every stop we made. Nick was talkative, inquisitive and intelligent in way I wouldn't have imagined. He talked about his goals, his ideas on life and his growth since reading The Secret. I figured I should probably read the book too, finally.

I asked Nick what position he played in football and he replied with a little reservation, 'kicker.'

'What's wrong with being the kicker?' I asked. 'Haven't you seen Necessary Roughness? Kickers ROCK.'

Nick shrugged and the subject got changed.

Then I sent out my newsletter with some images of Nick on it, and to my surprise, a lot of people knew who he was. Not only was he Servite's starting kicker, he kicked the team into their CIF State Championship title with the winning field goal. Like I said, kickers ROCK.