PhotorificBlog

New Blog

Nov 06

 
Welcome to my new blog. This is a first for me and it reminds me of a diary. “Dear diary today I ….”

So my intention is to hopefully give you some entertainment, information, and a better understanding of what I do and who I am. SCARY!

Photography is my livelihood and my only means of income. As a result, all kinds of work is welcome. Need Christmas pictures for cards? Having a Christmas party coming up? Birthday, baby shower, or if you would like to take me to Boston as your personal photographer, or maybe Paris, then I am your woman. Of course, weddings are my main income but I will do any kind of work as long as it is ethical.

For several months now I have been looking for a place to rent where I can live and create an in home studio. Here is my vision. A large, long living room about 15′ x 18-20′ with only one window on the right hand side of the room as you enter it. The window is oblong (top to bottom) and cannot be opened. It is fairly close to the floor so if you sit on the floor you can see the view. The size is about 3′ x 6′. The floors are light hardwood or laminate and the walls are white and plain. The ceilings are of standard height. Outside that window I can see for miles because I am up high and there is nothing to obstruct my view. Now if anyone knows or has such a place please let met know.

Rather than babble about myself for hours on end, I think I would rather start talking about my work and what happens during the week. Pacing myself is important so that I don’t get burnt out and the photographs don’t suffer as a result. It also allows me time to be creative with the pictures when it comes time to color correct and crop, etc. For example, usually only one wedding  a week is booked, sometimes two but no more than that. Any more than that and it becomes impossible to take time on the individual photographs. Besides, my brides like to see their pictures by the end of the week and I always try to mail them their pictures within a couple of days of shooting. 

To begin our adventure into the mind of Cassandra (what make her pictures tic) lets look at these shots at the Holiday Inn and Pollywog Park in Manhattan Beach. 

Pollywog Park

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn

Last week I did an engagement shoot and a wedding. Most of the time, the engagement shoots are done on Fermin Point in San Pedro. It is a great spot with ocean, grass, trees and cliffs. One could not ask for anything more. Here are a couple of shots of the two love birds who could not keep their lips off of each other.

OOPs! Having trouble loading pictures. Need to figure this one out. Loads of pictures to come soon, I hope!

Intertwined

                            Lovers

Well, finally! Computers can be a big pain sometimes and can definitely cost you a lot of money! The picture problem is solved for now. Things are starting to shape up with the new blog and I hope you enjoy what you read and see now and in the future.

A couple of days later we had a wedding at Swiss Park in Whittier. Laura’s dad brought his 2 vintage hot rods to put on display in front of the ceremony area. Of course, I simply had to have some shots of these beautiful vintage cars with Laura & Anthony.  Laura loved this particular shot. It would look great on a canvass. Maybe her dad will give it to her as a Christmas present.

The Vintage Look

I am sure the guys will love to see some close ups of the engine of the red hot rod. So for all those car buffs, eat your heart out because this one is a real winner.

HOT Rod

HOT Headlight

HOT Engine

OK guys, back to the ladies stuff! Swiss Park is a very nice place for a wedding. They offer a large bridal suite, a balcony, staircases, beautiful grounds, a gazebo, and a large stage. Here is another shot of the lovely couple.

Sweet Embrace

Pictures that are in sepia, black & white or even a tint are always fun. With all the pictures that I take, I always like to change some of them to other colors. Fading a back & white is my favorite. The following wedding was taken the following week in Pasadena and I got carried away with the alternative colors. When you see nothing but color shots it gets boring. At least for me it is, so I get creative and change things up. Here are a few shots that I personally liked.

Black & White Fade

Sepia Head Kiss

Blue Tint Bouquet

The Purple Flower Wedding Cake

Susana is my next bride. We did a lot of running around at this wedding. A Hawthorne church ceremony to Pollywog Park in Manhattan Beach for the formals and then over to La Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo.

Pre-plan your itinerary.  It’s always a good idea to have maps and directions for your bridal party if you are going to a separate location for the formal shots.  At this wedding, the maid of honor and best man got lost in Torrance and missed all the bridal party pictures at the park. Then we had to leave because the limos time was up. Pre-plan down to the minutest detail, and keep to the schedule, then the whole day runs smoothly without any problems.

If there are over 8 people in the bridal party, allow 2-3 hours for your photo shoot. It is very difficult to arrange all the logistics of a large party to shoot, hence more time! Allow for loading party into the limo, driving time (limos drive slow),  traffic, and bathroom breaks.  

Here are a couple of shots to enjoy.

Rose Buds

Exquisite Light

Reflective Shoes

Polliwog Park Peck

Reception Snuggle

Objects are an important part of the photographer’s day. Whether it’s the shoes,  flowers, or a lamp on the wall. If it looks memorable a picture is taken. Hopefully, in a creative way.

Well, I think I am caught up now. Check in again next week. Family Christmas card pictures are happening next week along with another wedding.  Until then….

Here’s one that I found that is priceless! Hope you enjoy the video.    My sister Pamala

Christmas is right around the corner and lots of people like to have pictures of the kids for their family and friends. What better time or gift than a Christmas card. Each year you can watch how the kids grow. It’s kind of a marker as to what happened through the whole year. These 2 shots were my favorites.

Downloading pictures is a problem again. Looking at a new update to solve the problem and hope to have it resolved in a couple of days. 

Meanwhile, here is a video I found that made me jealous.  Tango

Well, so much for a couple of days! More like two months! But I think I am back on track and have a lot of catching up to do.

Let’s see if I can get another picture to load. 

Yes! It loaded. OK I think that NOW I am back on track. The bridal room in this church was fabulous and the picture shows that to be true. It was roomy and very pretty. As a result the pictures came out fab. Of course the bride was fab too. It’s always a good idea to arrange an area in the bridal room that can be used for pictures. Make sure that there are no bags, clothes or trash laying around in the area that will be used for photos. A step stool is great to take pictures from above. In fact a downward shot at an angle always makes you look thinner. It’s so easy to look beautiful, just be yourself and presto… beautiful!

Magic couple is a good description. Their story is a true love story and based in deep respect and love for each other. It isn’t often that I find a deep respect. Not only for each other but for all those that they come in contact. If the world had more of their quality of character the world would be a must better place. Sweet and lovely and of course the photos show just that.

          

        May You Have Enough

Enough happiness to keep you sweet

Enough trials to keep you strong

Enough sorrow to keep you human

Enough hope to keep you happy

Enough failure to keep you humble

Enough success to keep you eager

Enough friends to give you comfort

Enough wealth to meet your needs

Enough enthusiasm to look forward

Enough determination to make each

day better than yesterday.

            ……………. Aninka

The Kiss