Vineyard Engagement Shoot { Marcus & Liz }

Meet Marcus & Liz, Marcus is a rancher, and Liz a viticulture expert. What better location to shoot than in the Santa Inez/San Luis Obispo County wine country area. Fall colors out here are stunning and I wish I could have paused this light and shot forever! Thanks guys for an amazing shoot!

This is a secret vineyard that nobody knows about and there is a ominous looking chain guarding the road.

I love sitting on the job. Always a different perspective.

It was great to hear Liz teach Marcus what she did and what she was looking for as she inspects grape vines in her day to day work on the vineyard.

Meet Liz, a vine expert.

Meet Marcus, he is a hard working cattle rancher. Don't mess with him. But he's cool. We had fun shooting and I totally was digging his "what are you looking at", look.

They had fun, too much fun at times, and this was telling of their relationship, and how much fun they have together.

They love to fish, and we shared many fish stories, so it was fitting to see them with their poles and dreaming about the next fishing trip and the all famous fishing stories.

Piggy back rides are good for your health if your a married couple. Good for the relationship too.

Then there was their dog. He loved chasing balls and running around.

I loved this shoot and am looking forward to their wedding in a few months!

2009 Holiday Chamber Of Commerce Mixer

The Fabulous members if the Broad Street Event Group have come together to Host the Annual Chamber Mixer which is always the biggest of the year. We had to get a HUGE tent to accomodate the 250+ people that will mingle through. I am very proud and honored to be part of the host for this. Kramer DJ's, Panacea Event Floral Design, Catering Unlimited, are the featured vendors, as well as a special thanks to Bill Gaines Lighting, Taylor Rentals & Party Plus. Justin, EOS, and Sextant Wineries are pouring some of their fabulous wine for the evening, Blackhorse, San Luis Obispo's Favorite Coffee shop will be providing the hot sweet holiday beverages. Rich Ferguson will be strolling around entertaining the guests, if you have not seen him, he has been in Jay Leno and is amazing & fun. See you guys there, remember, parking will be tight with the number of guests we have arriving, so carpool and come early.

San Luis Obispo, CA Engagement Shoot { Matt and Lacey }

Couples like you two make my job easy :) cant wait till your wedding next summer!

Our Chamber Ribbon Cutting

I've lived in this town for almost 8 years now, and I have had my business for a long time. I focused a lot of energy in growing and establishing what I have built. But I recently have been working on my first construction project all of my own, well, I must say its also part of my wife and our team as well. We all have put in a lot of energy. Thanks to Rachel, Chloe, Meagan, Jake, and now our newest team member, Jon. Situated nextdoor to Beau Kramer of Kramer Entertainment, and Panacea Flowers, and Jenny Sturgeon of Trumpet Vine Catering.

Beau asked me in June of 2007 if I wanted to buy this property next to him. THAT was on my way on a hike up Bishops Peak with Cameron Ingalls, my buddy, here, another great photographer. I did, and begun construction on Aug 23rd.

On Friday January 18th, 2008 we had our ribbon cutting ceremony!

Pictured here from left to right is "Beau, "mom", Emerald, Meagan, Me, Rachel, Jake, Chloe, Jon, Melissa

This is our new logo created by 805 Design collective. Jeremy and those guys over there ROCK!

Lightning Storm!

In a rare week, two events in the sky captured my attention as well as re-kindled my love for shooting this amazing world. Earlier this week with the Eclipse, and tonight with the lightning storm, I spend over 2 hours driving around the county getting some cool locations (while trying not to put myself in a position to be struck) and chilled out to music. I love being spontaneous. As I was finishing up some late night editing, at 11:30 I hear thunder. At 11:35 I head outside, and my buddy tells me its going strong. At 11:40 its getting closer and more frequent. And I think to myself, ok, its now or never. I rarely get out of the house late like this. But not tonight, its lightning hunting time. Game on! As the thunder rolls around I drive around seeking the most insane location to view the show. I end up out at pismo beach, and for the 1st time in my life, I see it above the water with the reflection across the glassy water. The bursts are almost 10 seconds apart and I even got a sweet shot with my iphone! Maybe it might win Beckers Blog iphone blog contest.

Well here is how I got the shot…
Set up my camera on my tripod, ISO 1000, Aperture 5.6-11. 11 if there is a lot of ambient light and 5.6 if its darker outside. The longer you leave the shutter open the more ambient like it will pick up. Set camera to bulb, then with your remote trigger, hold down, usually the lightning bursts go in 30 second increments or whatever, so you can “time it” but I recommend holding down for enough time to get the ambient exlposure, then release right after the lightnging to finish exposing the shot. Here is an example

F 5.6
Shutter speed (bulb setting or manual @ 20 seconds) 20 seconds (holding down for 20 sec)
ISO 1000
Its pretty easy, just make sure you hold the trigger down, focus on street lights or the moon, then compose and shoot! Easier than it sounds!

Sweet engagement time...

Straight from Colorado, this couple is getting married later today, 7.7.07. We shot these on the 3rd, earlier this week. Chris & Heather are so fun, I was unable to meet with them earlier in the year, so we shot their e-session this week. I Loved shooting this couple because they just wanted to have fun and did whatever, their personalities came out and I am SO excited for their wedding day. Its going to be great. Born & raised in CA, they now are 2 year residents of CO, and loving it, but wanted to have their wedding in the Golden State. I can't blame them! So here are my fav's!!