Slow Down, Look for the Light | Photography and Life

In May I shot the live video feed with Mission Visual for ESCALATE LIVE 2010. It was so great to be part of the staff for this event.

The most touching speaker to me was world renowned wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis. He's an amazing photographer and a really amazing man. My biggest take away from Jerry's talk was to SLOW DOWN and LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. He said that photographers too often look for location first and then try to make the light work. But he stressed the importance of first, slowing down to THINK, then to look for the LIGHT. What a concept!

And I've really enjoyed applying these simple steps within my photography work. Slow down. Think. Look for the light. And BOOM. Beautiful images result.

HOWEVER. A little deeper reflection and I've taken these steps into my personal life as well. Slow down. Think. Look for the Light.

I believe in One God. I believe in One Good. I believe in One Light, and whosoever believes in that Light, will never walk alone in darkness again.

But even those of us who believe and focus on the Light, lose sight of it from time to time. Two weeks ago was such a time for me. I was in the dark. I was lost. And I didn't slow down, stop, THINK for one second to LOOK FOR THE LIGHT.

Finally, FINALLY, after a full week of walking in darkness, I slowed down to think and I prayed. I prayed for God to put His Light back inside of me, I prayed for strength to focus on the Light again. And every day since has been more beautiful and more bright.

So Jerry Ghionis and the lessons I learned at Escalate Live have stuck with me. They are not only teaching me to be a better photographer, but even more so, to be a better me.

self portrait taken the last day of that awful week...the day before I finally focused on the Light again...

Lindsay + Drew | Engagement Session | Wedding Photography

I had coffee with my good friend and beautiful bride to be this morning and I can't even believe her wedding is in two weeks. I remember last year when she was dreaming about an engagement and a ring...then when it happened...then she booked the date and found the perfect dress...and now the final details are almost done (including us both dropping 5 lbs, why not, right), and the big day is almost here.

Lindsay and Drew are perfect together. They are open and honest, they communicate, they laugh and have fun...they are better individuals because of their relationship together. And Lindsay was one solid individual before she met Drew. I know this, because I've known her since...what...second grade?? And over the years, I've seen her emerge as a strong and vibrant young woman who takes responsibility for her various roles in life and pushes herself to be the best she can be in every way. Every day.

And Drew is perfect for Lindsay in so many ways...but what stuck out most during our engagement shoot two weeks ago...was that he cherishes her. He appreciates her. He loves her and respects her...but he's not afraid to tell her when he prefers to wear a different shirt than what she thinks. ;)

We met in the backyard of Lindsay's parents house where Drew and Lindsay spent a quiet evening together last fall by the pool. Some really good conversation, some lounging, some champagne and a trip to the car and back brought Drew to one knee to propose to the woman of his dreams. So dream on, the rest of you! This beauty's taken!

Perla + Hector | Engagement Party | Event Photography

Perla and Hector are getting married in August in Hawaii. And gosh darnit, I was booked already! Otherwise I'd have a plane ticket and hotel booked and be getting my sunscreen and bikinis ready to go...! And all my photography gear too, of course!

But, fortunately, this fantastic couple booked me to shoot their wedding reception/engagement party here in SoCal. And even more fortunately, I got to shoot side by side with one of my fave wedding vendors, Mike McCaleb from Mission Visual. It's always so great to work with quality professionals who are not only great at what they do, but fun too!

So Perla and Hector and their families gathered at the lovely little Town Center Hall in Santa Fe Springs a few Saturdays ago for an evening of celebration. Perla and Hector spent a few minutes outside with Mike and I to get some portraits and a few dance moves in before they hit the party. Perla straightened Hector's tie and we were ready for the grand entrance.

They were greeted inside with such a warmth that I had to keep the images warm toned to showcase the loveliness of their family ties. It has been said that when a couple are married, the families are united and it was really beautiful to see that manifested between the Castillos and Padillas earlier this July. The dancing began, and it was nothing but laughter and more hugs between shimmies. So fun. Thanks for sharing all that with me, Perla, Hector and families...

Muchos anos maravillosos a usted!

PFC Robert D. Lovato - Marine Corps Graduation Ceremony

On July 9, 2010, Private First Class Robert D. Lovato, graduated from the Marine Corps. After three months of boot camp, and completing the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, my 'little' cousin is a changed man.

Rob has always been funny. Rob has always been sharp and quick witted. Rob has always been the cousin I knew could do anything he put his mind to, and has done that anything again and again.

And he's still all of those things. However, he now walks a little taller. He's now got a confidence to his stride I'd never seen. His conversation is a little smoother and focus has shifted in a way most guys his age couldn't yet imagine. It's remarkable. It's humbling. And it's proof to me that Rob has stepped into the solid man that I always knew he would be.

It was a proud couple of hours at the MCRD San Diego for we Lovatos (and Endicotts and Nilson! ;)). As soon as the marines were released, we all scurried down to hug Rob and take him home.

Proud parents and sister...then a group shot with all of his fans...

Then, back at my home, he dumped his bags and showed us all his new gear...
and the Lovato RD stamp of approval...

Love the Most - Lovato Images

Please forgive my lack of blogging the last week or two. I had family in town (which I'll be blogging about soon!) which kept me away from my computer. Then, the day they all left, a tragic accident I witnessed left me completely lost. It was all I could do to keep most of the appointments I had last week. So please, forgive anything or anywhere I was lacking last week. I haven't exactly been myself.

So, to step back into this, I thought I'd reflect on a question I get a lot. People often ask me what I like to shoot the most. I do shoot a LOT of different things and while it might be stretching some of my efforts more than it should, I'm going to keep the diversity going for now. Because. Really. I do enjoy it all.

There are MANY things I love about photography and being a photographer and working in this fantastically creative field. But one of my favorite things about my shoots, is that I'm able to step outside of myself, and immerse myself, my work and my heart into the stories I'm shooting. I might be having a really rough day, but I show up to shoot, and the energy and the chemistry of the people in front of my lens warms me up, wraps me tight and takes all my cares away. Seriously.

So thank you. For all of you who have been in front of my lens, for all of you who have let me into your stories, into your lives, into your energy and love...thank you. I've taken a part of you with me, and taken your story and shared it my way. And I appreciate the experience and the memories we'll keep forever, one digital file, one print, one click at a time...

So to answer the question, 'what do I like to shoot best...' my response is...wherever I am able to feel, share and showcase the most love, I definitely love the most.


Lindsay and Drew during their engagement shoot in Anaheim Hills, July 12, 2010.