It all happens here...

Genevive & Jon Engagement

I am counting days to your wedding, guys! Jon & Genevive - thank you for getting crazy and wet.

Demi - boudoir + portrait

The outside shot is one of my favorite spots around our building on Glassell. Underestimated trash can parking. After temporary rearrangement makes a good portrait spot especially on overcast days. Speaking of overcast. I really wanted to shoot the sunset in the window in my studio, but there are two problems: that is a North window and we have June gloom overcast day, so what do I do? Take two Arri Fresnels and finish it with warm filter. Voila!

Sophie Marie.

Sophie is approaching her 3rd birthday anniversary on June 13. Minnie Mouse is already waiting for her.   The last image was only possible thanks to our dear neighbor Shari, who not only is an expert on Minnie and loves Disney as much as we do, but kept spoiling our little princess (and the prince charming Victor!) with those rare collectibles over time. Sophie insists they all talk and I believe her. 11 days to go sweetheart!

Fotoworks Pro, Irvine

Orange Portrait Photography flush mounted books by Cypress Albums would not be possible without the tremendous job by Sam Yu of Fotoworks Pro. There are quite a few labs for pros out there but this happens to be my favorite. First of all because it's local, second because of Sam's attention to detail and unbelievable patience with my last minute rush orders, third because Fotoworks uses Fuji Crystal Archive pro grade, which whether for 8x10s or flush mount books is the best choice. Finally it's the quality and large format prints on Lambda which blow me away! Quality. Very rare these days. As much as I love my IPF6100 for enlargements and my Fuji ASK2000 for proofs or passports, the first printer may in some respect compete with Lambda C prints, but dye based prints are fragile and will not resist the heat of the flush mount process. The latter printer just lacks the quality, period. I have been printing myself for 15 years and I can challenge anybody in fine art printing. Come and see my studio hallway in Orange! It's hard work and it's good to know someone who knows their trade because you just can't be the jack of all trades. Remember this: it takes 10 years or 10,000 hours to master a trade. Today's motto: bring the print back! Thank you Fotoworks! Thank you Sam! I look forward to printing my next wedding with you.

Krista & Sokha Wedding

Krista and Sokha, thank you so much! Enjoy the Caribbean and all the best on your new path together! Congratulations! We like to think that you guys came over all the way from the East Coast not only to check out our Laguna beaches but because you like our photography so much ; ) Krista's boudoir is going to follow soon! The event was fabulously organized by Laguna Village Weddings.

Donna Ruzika Headshot

Headshot for Donna Ruzika, lightning designer for the Utah Shakespeare Festival catalogue. Thank you!

Bounce Madness!

Aperture 3 in action

Aperture's integration of video and stills is as simple as it can be. Just import the images and your video files to a project folder and select the files you want to form slideshow with. Yes, there are some limitations, especially for those who breathe Final Cut Pro air on daily basis, but for an average user looking to produce a photo podcast quickly, it is definitely the weapon of choice. There is a fair amount of transitions to choose from and an option to add and control additional sound. In this case the sound was recorded on a separate Mp3 pocket recorder. Video and stills shot at 2500ISO with 5DmkII and 85mm f1.2L. Export can be fully customized and is very fast, even on my old Apple laptop. As for my son, well... he is excited about this Summer and Curious George, of course.

Dancing the streets of San Francisco

Back by popular demand.

It may seem a little strange that Izabela has recently received so much attention on my blog, but all I can say is: people love her photography and they also love her. (read: It's my blog and my wife, I can do whatever I want, right?) On a personal note: Mother's Day is approaching
fast...looking good mama.

Taken April 30 on the way back from shooting interior architecture in San Clemente.
My wife and I love this little Mexican joint (Senor Pedro's Tacos) next to the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Filled with burritos we went to tour the Mission and to check that fabulous April light. 
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