New Blog for Lovato Images

Today is a new day. Today is a new day with new ways to move forward. There are new ways to progress. There are new ways to change for the better.

Today marks the last day of any posts to this blog. Lovato Images is moving forward. Lovato Images is progressing. Lovato Images is changing, for the better.

Please visit www.lovatoimages.com/blog for more details.

wedding photographer at work, mon

Crouched in a corner, tummy grumbling, heart racing, excitement building, I sit and edit a slideshow for the guests to view at the reception of the wedding I shot on Saturday at the Disneyland Hotel. Thanks to my trusty, brilliant, creative and FANTABULOUS sidekick Min-to-the-shiz-ee...we have it documented.

Can't wait to share the images! SUCH a beautiful event...and it all stemmed from the hearts and hugs of the bride and groom and each and every one of their guests...

Thanks again, Griffins! Talk to ya when ya back from Jamaica, mon!

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!