Desert Glam

I have always loved abandoned houses. I love the de-evolution ... the beautiful decay ... the patina of character.

I forget exactly how the idea for the Desert Glam photoshoot evolved. Did I have the location in mind? Did Jena want to do a hair & makeup portfolio shoot? Did Megann want photographs for a modeling portfolio? I wish I could remember how the idea came forth, but, really, that part doesn't matter. What matters is that a few weeks ago, three friends went into the desert for a fabulous, forlorn photoshoot.

I want to thank Jena Forrest for styling the shoot. Jena did Megann's dramatic hair & makeup, and styled Megann throughout the day. The photoshoot wouldn't have been half as good (not even a third as good ... maybe not even a quarter as good!) without Jena's talents. Jena is a professional stylist who is available to be your hairdresser -- or to beautify you for your wedding/prom/date night or anytime you want to look hot! (For more details, please email her at j.makeup@yahoo.com, or call her at 562-704-2670)

I want to thank my sister-in-law Megann Norred for being an awesome model! She totally worked it! Thank you Megann for being willing to climb up on crumbling fireplaces, and fearlessly venture into the Glass House. You looked gorgeous & did an amazing job!!

Here are some of my favorites:

100th Post

On this 100th post, I thought it would be fun & appropriate to reflect on what's happened since I started this blog last June. Last summer I launched my blog and new website, and transformed my business from art photography to wedding & lifestyle photography. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. I have the most incredible friends & clients who trust me to document their most important day. I feel like I have truly found my calling, and I am so, so grateful.

Since launching last June, my blog has had 2,573 visits from 1,141 visitors in 57 countries. Not bad!

Now, since blog posts are always better with photographs, here are a few I took in San Francisco a few months ago!

Angela + Kevin: Married!

Earlier this month, I had the joy of photographing Angela & Kevin's wedding day. It was a pleasure to watch Angela & Kevin seal their lives together among their dearest family & friends. They had such a loving -- and fun-loving -- group of people around them! The Garden Room did a beautiful job, and kept the wedding events running like clockwork. I couldn't have been happier to be there, witnessing & celebrating the new Mr & Mrs Palasik!

Angela's hair was beautifully styled by Julie. (Need a stylist for your wedding? Call Julie at 714-797-2822.)

The hotel room where the girls got ready had amazing light! Seriously, is Angela gorgeous, or what?
I love this short of Kevin checking out his bride! I love that Angela and Kevin choose to do a "First Look." A "First Look" allowed them to have a private moment together before their ceremony, to absorb each other & have more time for portraits. For an evening ceremony, a "First Look" take the pressure off because we can do most of the bride/groom and wedding party portraits before the ceremony. This was my first "First Look," and I was surprised to find that even I got a little teary! =)
The wedding party was a lot of fun, and had great ideas for the nearby playground equiptment!
This image -- after being pronounced husband and wife -- cracks me up!
Angela and Kevin's joy was palpable as they held each other and sang "I'm gonna love you, forever and ever, for ever and ever, amen!"
It was fun to see the mothers of the bride & groom thoroughly enjoying themselves!
Silver Disc Entertainment kept the party dancing ...
...and dancing...
...and dancing(the Cha Cha Slide)...
...and dancing!
Were you a guest? Check out all the wedding photographs here!

"Validation"

I just finished watching "Validatation" for the first time. What a great short film, and what a gem to actually find on YouTube! I had the biggest smile on my face while I watched it. You should watch it, too ... it's more than worth 14 minutes of your day!

Sneek Peek: Desert Glam

Today I collaborated on the most amazing photography session! I am SO excited about the way the images turned out, and can't wait to show more once I've gone through them. Until then, here's a sneak peek!

The Art Box

One of the products that my fabulous clients can purchase from me is the Art Box. Each Art Box is handmade just for you, and wrapped in a custom silk cover. I offer the Art Box with 15 mounted or matted (depending on the size) images from your photography session. The Art Box is a great way to house your prints, while rotating a few at a time out for display!

Since a picture with worth a thousand words, here are a few thousand words worth of description!

Angela + Kevin: Sneak Peek #2

I never do this, but seriously, look at how gorgeous this image is. How could I resist?? (Both of the sneak peek are from Angela & Kevin's "First Look" before their ceremony. I'm a big big fan of the "First Look" ... more to come on that in a different post!)

Angela + Kevin: Married ... sneak peek!

Are you ready? Here's a sneak peek from Angela and Kevin's beautiful wedding at The Garden Room. More to come in the next week or so... =)

Brandy + Devin: Married!

Brandy & Devin were the kind of best friends who didn't know they were meant for each other. After being inseparable in college, their lives went in different directions & to different coasts. But they always talked. Things started to click when Brandy asked for advice on someone she was dating and Devin said "I would never treat you like that." It was the beginning of a fairytale romance ... the kind where the prince uses his thumb to gently wipe the tear of joy from his princess' cheek.

Brandy & Devin's uber-personal wedding was at the beautiful Westlake Village Inn. Brandy & Devin got married amid references to ballet, Shakespeare, comic books, and Kaballah ... and a reading of The Beatles "All You Need is Love"! I have never seen a more personal ceremony that is perfectly suited to the couple.

Devin's wedding day started with a haircut from his dad.
The lovely Brandy, being made up by Ariel of Peaches & Creams, who also happened to be one of Brandy's bridesmaids! The cake tasted as good as it looked! =)
Here's Devin, looking very handsome...
... and his guys. (Notice that they're all in different colored Vans!)Isn't the ring-bearer the cutest little guy ever?
The beautiful bride......and her girls! We were short on time & didn't want the bride to be seen before the wedding, so we shot the ladies' portraits in the hotel's dramatic lobby! I love this shot of the father-of-the-bride photographing his two daughters (Brandy's sister was the Maid of Honor), and the rest of the bridal party! Brandy's mom designed & sewed Brandy's gown ... and it was g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!
Brandy & Devin created their own Kaballah ceremony. After exchanging rings, they tied red strings around each others wrists to ward off the evil eye.
What an entrance!
Mia Mormino did was the evening's entertainment doing a fantastic performance to Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man." (If you follow the link to Mia's performance... watch closely & you'll see a cameo of me at the end!) The toasts were fantastic, and had everyone laughing!

The father daughter dance started sentimental...
... and turned into a fabulous choreographed dance inviting the guests to "get it started" on the dance floor!
And then came the dancing ...
... break dancing ...
... and merriment!

Were you a guest? Check out the all the photographs here!