Arbonne Party!!!

Arbonne Party!!!

 

 

 

My girl friend Erin Ferrell hosted a manager’s retreat for her Arbonne Team at her amazing house in Laguna Beach. I love what I do but I love what I do even more when I get to work with my friends. I always have so much fun teaching people how to pose and making people look great. I have a couple rules when it comes to posing people to say the least. I tend to believe that I’m able to make everyone look taller and skinnier then they actually are by using the camera lenses distortion. One thing that’s important to keep in mind is that whatever is closer to the camera looks bigger, which is why I always tell people to lean slightly forward. You never ever want to put your hand on your hip and point your arm to the camera (unless you want your arms to look really big). When taking a group photo you never want to create a horseshoe, you always want to be on the same plane; otherwise the girls on the end tend to look really big. (* People in the middle always look especially skinny). For people that are subconscious about their necks they should always lean forward and point their chins slightly down. I find it does two things their necks disappear and their chin creates a shadow on their neck. Another thing you can do is insist that the photographer take your photograph from a hire angle, either you sit and the photographer stands or you stand and the photographers stands on something.
I have lots of other tricks I use with relation to the camera angle, lighting, and lens.
Don’t worry your in good hands.
To see all the photos from the shoot go to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulled from the Archives

As a photographer with a degree in photography I really know my lighting. Here are a couple images from a photo session I did with a model a million years ago back when I wanted to be a fashion Photographer.

Winter Photo shoot

My boyfriend has a place in Lake Tahoe and we’re there a couple times a year. Right around christmas a Karla and Sean called me for a Malibu Portrait Session. During our conversation they talked about how they’d be in Tahoe for New Years and wanted to do some photos up there but didn’t want to have to find a photographer up there. To their surprise my boy friend and I were heading up to Tahoe for New Years as well, and I’ve been dying to shoot a portrait session up there. Here are a couple photos from our shoot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newborn Photo Sessions

Newborn photos
Photographing newborns is all about timing. It really needs to be done ASAP, because they really do grow up so fast. Typically we shoot them within 10 days after giving birth. I find day 4 or 5 is really the best and day 10 is really too late. I like to do my newborn photos on location at my client’s home. I find there is more opportunity to make the photo personal using their toys as props and their home as the background. Using their nursery as the background means the photos will match when you go to hang them on the wall. Using their toys means that these photos will truly be keep sakes, because in 10, 20, 30 years from now you can say I remember that toy… and smile.


My Yelp Reviews

 

I have a 5-star rating on yelp. Unlike most companies that do reviews, yelp doesn’t allow business to take down negative reviews.  In addition, if you are a first-time yelper your review won’t show up,  yelp doesn’t post new yelper reviews is to protect the consumer they want to make sure business aren’t posting fake reviews. Back to my Yelp page, I have 8 reviews showing and 10 that are hidden, which really sucks.
I think my clients are more likely to be first time yelpers. You see I’m very hands on with my clients, I cater to them, I’m part wedding planner/maid of honor and I capture amazing memories.  Honestly my business is my love, my baby and to be able to do what I love more then anything… I’m truly blessed.  To take it a step further I want my clients to be blown away, so I always go a step above and beyond for them. So after my clients get their photos they tend to want to rave about the quality of my work. Some of the reviews that are hidden had me in tears after reading them. I’d like to share a review with you.
We hired Sara for our engagement photos and Wedding photos.  We couldn’t have been more pleased and happy with our decision.  We had interviewed a few photographers prior to hiring Sara and came across good talent but lacked professionalism and a sense of them really loving what they do-Wedding photography.  Sara was not only extremely talented in her work, she is very attentive with any little or big questions we had, even if it had nothing to do with photography, she was always willing to go the extra mile for us-it made us feel special and that she genuinly cared for her clients.  She always went out of her way to support us in any way possible and we will be forever greatful for that!! 
Our photos turned our AMAZING!!!!!
We wouldn’t recommend anyone else-shes as good as they get!!

xo
Gina and Nelson

 

Balance of Photo Journalism vs. Posed

Recently I met with a couple who was busy interviewing photographers for their up coming wedding. During our meeting they ask if I was a photojournalist wedding photographer or was I more traditional {meaning are my shots posed}. I have to say I love this question! My answer is that I am both. When documenting a wedding I think you need both.
Some moments simply can’t be staged, everything during a Ceremony, Reception Events (like the first dance, bouquet toss etc.) Every bride wants those photo-journalistic shots that capture the emotion of the day {people laughing, crying, hugs}. When you’re with your photographer one-on-one your going to want them to pose you and direct you as far as lighting. As a wedding photographer sometimes we need to create and document moments.
I tend to use a couple examples in meeting when this questions come up to show my clients why they want both….
These are photos taken back to back, both posed and candid. I think the use of both tells a story. 


So this is a Korean Wedding I shot in Beverly Hills. I lined these women up to capture all the colors in their traditional gowns. After this shot I turned to see my bride and groom. Heard these women laughing and turned and got this shot. 

During the reception I typically scan for candid moments, which is how I captured Ronnie jumping up on Ryan. After word I took this photo of the two of them together. Notice this posed photo has very real expressions.