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New Recommendation

I got a new recommendation on Linkdin today and thougtht I'd share:

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, High Integrity

“I hired Joel to photograph my May 2007 wedding. He was the best photographer I could have asked for. Punctual, simple, and to the point. He knew exactly what I wanted and proceeded to deliver beautiful results that were loved by all of my family and friends. If I still lived in Southern California, I would continue to hire him for other important photographic moments.”

Gennea got married at Shutters in Santa Monica- great wedding, great people- thanks Gennea!

Caroline and Matt

Caroline and Matt got married at the Greek Orthodox church in Costa Mesa and had their reception at the Island Hotel in Newport. What a great day of shooting for sure- they were both great to be around.
This was my first wedding with Laurie Davies, wedding consultant extraordinaire. she was a pleasure to work with even though I stressed out her assistant a little not wanting to stop shooting at Back Bay. After shooting a bit she said we should start heading to the hotel. We were driving in front of the limo and after seeing the most spectacular setting ever they came around a corner to find me with my hands in a prayer position in front of my face begging to get a few more shots.... we got killer shots and made it to the hotel about two minutes late... dang I'm good!





I love Greek ceremonies!

In the parking lot of the church- I love the cropping qualities of a long lens!
Back Bay:






So fun!!!

Keri and Will, Palos Verdes

Ok, still catching up with past weddings!! I should be caught in by next summer:)

Keri and Will got married at Will's parents' home in Palos Verdes- what a great place nestled in the woods with plenty of space for mature trees, horse trails and freedom.

The bad ass boys:
Keri and her mom are too cute!
We had a great time shooting with the horsies, Keri's pro huh?

Great decor!
Again, Keri's modeling skills coming out:
What a great view right out their back door:
Great shot, Stef!
And another:
And the group photo of nearly all the guests right after the ceremony, I was hanging upside down in a tree:) How peaceful at dusk is this place...
If I got married again (renewed my vows of course) I would definately want In-n-Out there... and I think Jeni might be into it too! Or maybe the taqueria truck!!Love these, they're so good!

First dance amidst the decor:
Here's to you! (notice the balanced light on the toaster and the toastee;) from off-camera strobes)Party animals!!

12th Place- WPJA

I got the results from the latest contest at WPJA. I haven't submitted photos in long time- just too busy- but I obviously should more often!

Now, you may be thinking that 12th place is not such a big deal but this contest has thousands of amazing photographers from all over the world.

I have gotten as good as first in the past but I'm psyched to get in the top 20 any day!!


This is cool for John and Megan, the Bride and Groom too- they are totally into photography and were so great to work with.

I remember when I was shooting these one of the Dad's told me of his concern that I was shooting straight into the sun. I told him I was a pro and not to worry about it... jokingly of course- we all had a good laugh!!

See larger image HERE.
PS: no photoshop done here at all...

Heather and Mike at Strawberry Farms Golf Course

Heather and Mike have been friends of mine for a long time- they're both partially in the wedding biz and I met them very early in my career- I think they were still in High School!! Dang I'm old!

They had an amazing wedding at Strawberry Farms Golf Course in Irvine- such a rad place to shoot. It all came together that day to make for such a great time for me and great images for them! The venue is killer to shoot, Heather and Michel are so cool and laid-back, the weather was perfect, I had my good friend, Mario there to second shoot... In addition to that Michelle from The Jones Victorian Estate was there to run the show perfectly!

Yes, Heather had these crazy-cool blue shoes on!
Add to the great day these parasols... even better!

The baby Chucks- so cool!





Gotta love the barn at Strawberry Farms!

These next two were actually taken during the reception- after dinner (this was 08/08/08). Heather is such a fan of photo that she seriously had been on the gallery of every shoot I have done in the past. I was actually a little scared knowing that she had seen all the great shots from lots of great weddings. I hoped that she didn't expect to get all the shots she saw from all the other weddings... After we got these shots at sunset I was relieved cause they're awesome! Heather and Michel said to grab them when the sun got nice and low (Mike knows about light, he's a videographer and cameraman!) so I did and woohoo!! Golden!


They had one of the coolest First Dances I've ever seen- a retrospective of pop music- and they killed it!

Love shooting at Strawberry Farms:Check more of their images on the slideshow HERE.