Photographer, Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography

Lisa and Matt

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Lisa and Matt are both Doctors and live in New Zealand. Lisa who’s originally from Palos Verdes wanted to have her wedding here in Los Angeles, so she could include all her family and friends in her nuptials. In a way, it was sort of a destination wedding. Even though Lisa is from Los Angeles she had to do most of her wedding planning from abroad. When it came to finding her photographer, her brother who is a photographer in New York helped her to find me.  One thing I love about this wedding is the planning and layout. Even though I was the only photographer for the wedding the way they laid out their big day helped them to get the most when it came to their photography.
Lisa got ready at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons. After capturing her getting ready in their beautiful hotel suite, we headed down stairs for a first look in the Four Season’s garden. After a touching first look and a couple of photos, we went up stairs for the traditional Ketubah signing. They had the most beautiful Ketubah I have ever seen, super colorful. After the Ketubah signing the groom and I headed across the street to the wedding venue, “Il Cielo.”  In Italian Il Cielo translates to the sky. The reason this restaurant is called Il Cielo is because their main room has a glass celling that can be open or shut depending on the weather. Photographers love this venue for its natural light.
 It is fairly common for wedding invitations to invite guest 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony, just to make sure everyone is present before the ceremony starts. Usually guests arrive at the venue expecting the ceremony to start so they take their seats and wait for the ceremony to start. Instead of having guest board, looking over their shoulders they staged Il Cielo’s outdoor patio like cocktail hour. Which gave guests the opportunity to mingle and enjoy the time before the ceremony. Since I was the only photographer it gave me the opportunity to photograph the guest in a cocktail hour environment without cutting the couples after ceremony photo session short.
The wedding was a traditional Jewish wedding. The bride’s father walked her down the aisle. When she reached the groom she walked around him a couple times and then the rabbi started the ceremony. Their chuppa was roses on top of roses. I loved the way the flowers were done. Each rose was peeled open to give them a rounded shape.
During cocktail hour I got the opportunity to photograph the couple around Il Cielo. Then couple did their grand entrance where cocktail hour was finishing up on the patio. The guest made a circle around the couple and they had their first dance and afterward everyone did the hora.
Dinner was candle lite inside under the stars. During dinner the bride’s father gave a beautiful toast and cut the Challah. After dinner guest danced the night away.
At the very end of the reception Il Cielo does a traditional Italian send off, which is really special. Lead by a man playing the accordion, all the waiters start singing traditional Italian love songs, holding candles and fabric to create a chariot they walk the couple with all the guest following, across the street to the Four Seasons Elevator, where guest wave good night.

 

Amy and Robert
Amy and Robert wanted a small ceremony with close relatives only, in order to avoid the mess and fuss of a big traditional wedding. The couple loves Santa Barbara. Robert who is an architecture photographer felt that the Santa Barbara Court House would be the perfect backdrop for their small intimate ceremony.
The couple got ready at a cute bed and breakfast called The Treasure Cat. The cutest part of their getting ready was the gift exchange prior to the ceremony. The couple wanted to be traditional and not see each other before hand so the bride’s sister and I were arranging the logistics. They really wanted to make sure I capture each other’s faces while they were opening each other’s gifts. After opening the gifts the bride put on her stunning dress. Amy who is simply gorgeous looked absolutely stunning.
Their ceremony was amazing. They reserved the entire courtyard at the Santa Barbara Courthouse for several hours. Which mean no one else was allowed to be in the area. After the ceremony we walked around the courthouse taking photos. The reception was lunch only at the Wine and Cast. The couple spent time reserving and planning everything. Prior to lunch they met with the chef and he prepared a special meal for them. The couple reserved the entire outdoor patio area. During the ceremony and reception they hired an acoustic guitarist to play the whole time.
One thing I love about smaller weddings is you really avoid the time pressures you have with traditional weddings. There very unstructured and I have as much time as I need to get shots. They’re easier to plan and I find them to be just as special as the bigger weddings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

Wardrobe Malfunctions

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I give advice on my blog for a couple reasons… Unlike a lot of other wedding vendors I actually witness first hand every single thing that goes on during a wedding. I use my blog many times to point out things that could go wrong and seem somewhat obvious if you were to sit doing and think about it but because a wedding is so hectic and has so many moving parts people don’t have time to really consider the minor details.

 

Wedding wardrobe malfunctions… Happen all the time. Rentals never fit properly. People should try them on before they leave the store? I can’t tell you how many times the rental measurements have been wrong. If you’re planning to wear a veil for an outdoor ceremony the veil needs to longer than hip-length or weighed down somehow (maybe crystals) or sew the veil into your hair (I’ve seen it done), otherwise the wind will cast the veil during your ceremony. The thing is when things go wrong with your wardrobe on your wedding day it usually goes wrong when no one can help you. I always ask my brides to cut out the inside straps, that people use to hand their dress on the hangers. The reason I ask my brides to cut the straps out is because they sneak their way out. They tend to come out during the first dance, which is a moment when I can’t come up and help you. Plus you can always sow them back in if you want. Shoes… I love gorgeous wedding shoes but I think it’s a smart idea to bring a comfy pair as a backup. 

Photographer's Tips, Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

Being Camera Ready

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 In general, I find there are two types of people when it comes to getting their pictures taken. There are those people that are simply natural at taking photos. We all know these people they are our photogenic friends that can’t take a bad photo. Many times I find it difficult to get candid photos of these people because they track the camera, and as soon as I go to shoot they look and smile. Then there are the normal people that don’t know their angles, aren’t used to taking photos. I always suggest that these people book an engagement session. Only because if you’re not used to getting your picture taken you might not know what your angles and you might be doing wrong. If a photographer gets the opportunity to photograph you before your big day they will know how to photograph you before your event. I always say engagement sessions aren’t for engagement photos, there for the wedding photos. 



 

Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

Advice for the Moms

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Finding the right dress can be difficult especially for the mothers of the bride and groom.  Often times The Moms are as much a part of the as the bride and groom and it’s important to find the right dress. I find that most moms find it comforting to bring someone with them to help find a dress. Below are a couple examples of the dress I see most often. This style comes in lots of colors, so you can find colors that both complement you and match the wedding theme. One thing that’s really nice about this dress is it comes with a matching jacket. I find that most of my moms are self-conscious when it comes to their arms.
*Since this is the Brides day… Don’t wear a dress that is any shade of white. While the Bride might not care, you don’t want guests to get the wrong impression. 

Photographer, Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

Woohoo Party!

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Sometimes trying to decide if you’re going to do an open bar for your wedding is more than simply “can we afford to pick up the bar tab at the end of the night?” There are reasons to do an open bar and there are reasons not to. Sometimes if your crowd is a little more reserved having an open bar can mean the difference between having a fun wedding vs. a boring one. On the other hand, if your guests are heavy drinkers it could mean the difference between a drunken slosh feast and a beautiful wedding. One thing I suggest is not to serve drinks until the cocktail hour. I’ve been to a couple wedding where they served drink before the ceremony and you could here glasses clanking during the ceremony. Plus it starts people drinking earlier, which means they get tipsy earlier and leave your reception early. These are suggestions that people don’t usually consider when planning their wedding but I’ve been to several weddings where people drank too much. If it were me I’d do a full bar during cocktail hour, beer/wine during the reception and a cash bar for those that want their cocktails. 

Wedding Photographers, Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

Wedding Rings

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For the most part a wedding band is worn on the left had. Many times brides will walk down the asile wearing their engagement ring on their right hand and then after their ceremony they put the engagement band on their left hand with their wedding band going on first.

My heritage is mostly Irish so I found this interesting to read about the Claddagh wedding band.
“The Claddagh has two hands clasping a heart, and the hands are usually holding a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).
The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer’s romantic availability, or lack thereof.
Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with the heart facing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship: “their heart is open.”
When worn on the right hand but with the heart facing inward toward the body, this indicates the person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that “someone has captured their heart”.
A Claddagh worn on the left-hand ring finger facing outward away from the body generally indicates that the wearer is engaged.
When the ring is on the left-hand ring finger and facing inward toward the body, it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.” [1]
*If my boy friend is reading this you don’t get to buy me just one ring!
CLADDAGH RING ORIGIN
“There are a variety of legends about the origins of the ring. One tale is about Margareth Joyce, a woman of the Joyce clan. She married a Spanish merchant named Domingo de Rona. She went with him to Spain, but he died and left her a large sum of money. She returned to Ireland and, in 1596, married Oliver Ogffrench, the mayor of Galway. With the money she inherited from her first marriage, she funded the construction of bridges in Connacht. All this out of charity, so one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring into her lap, as a reward.
Another story tells of a Prince who fell in love with a common maid. To convince her father his feelings were genuine and he had no intentions of “using” the girl, he designed a ring with hands representing friendship, a crown representing loyalty, and a heart representing love. He proposed to the maid with this ring, and after the father heard the explanation of the symbolism of the ring, he gave his blessing.
One legend that may be closer to historical truth is of a man named Richard Joyce, another member of the Joyce clan and a native of Galway. He left his town to work in the West Indies, intending to marry his love when he returned. However his ship was captured and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. In Algiers, with his new master, he was trained in his craft. When William III became king, he demanded the Moors release all British prisoners. As a result, Richard Joyce was set free. The goldsmith had such a great amount of respect for Richard Joyce that he offered Joyce his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he denied his offer and returned home to marry his love who awaited his return. During his time with the Moors he forged a ring as a symbol of his love for her. Upon his return he presented her with the ring and they were married.” [2]
Misty fables surrounds one of Ireland’s unique treasures, “The Claddagh” a symbol of Love, Friendship and loyalty.
Some 400 years ago in a fishing village called Claddagh overlooking Galway Bay, close to the city of the Tribes, lived Richard Joyce a Master Goldsmith. It was he who crafted this now famous design that has become part of the IRISH heritage.
The Claddagh Ring belongs to a widespread group of finger rings called Fede or “Faith rings” which date from Roman times. They are distinguished by having the bezel cut or cast in the form of two clasped hands, symbolizing faith, trust or “plighted troth”. Fede rings were popular in the Middle Ages throughout Europe, and there are examples from this time in the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, and Dublin. The “Claddagh” ring is a particularly distinctive ring; two hands clasp a heart surmounted by a crown.
The ring worn on the right hand, crown turned inward tells your heart is yet unoccupied, worn with the crown turned outwards reveals love is being considered. Worn on the left hand the crown turned outward shows all, your heart is truly spoken for.
W. Dillon in his publication on “The Claddagh Ring” in the Galway Archaeological Society Journal, Vol. IV, 1905-6, defines the limits over which the ring is worn as roughly from the Aran Islands on the West, and through all Connemara and Joyce Country to Galway, and then eastward and southward for not more than 12 miles at most. The whole district is the one served by fisher folk of the Claddagh village just outside the city of Galway, but became known as the Claddagh ring probably because of the proximity to the city of the large Claddagh fishing community using the ring alone.
Huge numbers of Claddagh rings were left with a Mr. Kirwan following the Great Famine 1846/7 which finally had to be consigned to the melting pot as there was nobody to redeem or purchase them, hence the difficulty in ascertaining their origin.
Dillon describes some early rings, one with a mitre-like crown, rings made from coins, an analogous ring from Brittany, a “Munster” ring, also Spanish rings with some similarities. He tells us that the Claddagh ring was the only ring ever made in Ireland worn by Queen Victoria and later by Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII. Their rings were made by Dillon’s of Galway, established in 1750, to whom the Royal Patent was granted and the tradition has been carried on at Dillons to this day. Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco in 1962 were presented with gifts embodying the Claddagh ring motif set in Connemara marble.
In 1984 when Galway celebrated its Quincentennial as a Mayoral City, the people of Galway presented a specially commissioned 18-carat gold Claddagh ring to President Ronald Reagan.
The earliest examples of Claddagh rings that can be dated are stamped with RI, the mark of Richard Joyce, a goldsmith working in Galway circa 1689-1737, of the Joyce Tribe, one of the renowned “Fourteen Tribes of Galway”. According to Dr. Kurt Ticker in “The Claddagh Ring – A West of Ireland Folklore Custom” (1980) interest in Claddagh rings became dormant after Richard Joyce ended his manufacturing career in the 1730s, and it was revived a generation or more later, probably by George Robinson (Dillon in fact had attributed the earliest ring to Robinson). From then on a number of Galway goldsmiths and jewelers of Galway made Claddagh rings. Their early manufacture was by cattle-bone mold casting, then the “lost wax” process up to the 1840s, when manufacture became commercialized.
Some Marks on Claddagh Rings from the latter part of the 17th to the early part of the 18th century.
CLADDAGH JEWELERS AND THEIR MARKS
MARK
JEWELER
RI
RICHARD JOYCE, GALWAY
GR
GEORGE ROBINSON, GALWAY
AR
ANDREW ROBINSON, GALWAY
NB
NICHOLAS BURDGE, GALWAY
F
AUSTIN FRENCH, GALWAY
JD RD WD
DILLON
JS
JOHN SHADWELL
TH
unknown
The Origins of the Claddagh Ring even yet remains a matter for conjecture, both popular stories of its origins attribute it to the Joyce family of Galway City. The two stories are as follows.
The first story says that a Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spanish merchant who traded with Galway. They proceeded to Spain, where he died, leaving her a considerable fortune. Returning to Galway she used her fortune to build bridges from Galway to Sligo, and re-married Oliver Og French, Major of Galway 1596/7. She was rewarded for her good works and charity by an eagle that dropped the original Claddagh ring into her lap. 

The second story says that Algerian corsairs, sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the craft, captured a Richard Joyce of Galway. In 1689 he was released from slavery as a result of a demand from King William III. The Moor offered him his only daughter in marriage and half his wealth, if he would remain in Algiers, but Joyce declined and returned home. He brought with him the idea of the Claddagh ring. The earliest Claddagh rings to be traced bear his mark and the initial letters of his name, RI (Richard Joyce).
From Pot of Gold

Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

Here are my Cake Rules..

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So one thing that no one tells you is how to cut a wedding cake. So when there is no wedding planner it’s usually me explaining to a bride and groom how to cut the cake. I start off assigning them one side of the cake. I choose the side based on lighting and where the guest will be standing. Then I have them cut the cake together, scoop the cake on a plate, and then they take turns feeding each other.  My simple rule is that the bride allows the groom to feed her first if for whatever reason the groom’s hand slips and cake winds up all over the bride’s face. She will get the last laugh. In general, I find the brides are usually the first ones to throw cake. Either way, I tend to look out for the bride’s best interest.
*If you plan on throwing cake you might want to have a bride’s maid standing by with a napkin, a glass of water, mirror and touch up makeup.

Wedding Photography, Wedding Tips

The Magic Hour

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Don’t let the name full you, sometimes it’s 10 min and other times it 2 hrs., it just depends on the time of the year. Magic hour sometimes called golden hour is just after the sunsets, when the sky turns into a glowing soft box. Photography is all about timing. Most weddings are around sunset, which in the winter months leaves me biting my nails. When you’re planning your wedding consult your photographer about your timeline so that you get the best photos and lighting possible. If it were my Big Day I’d have a first look and get all the formals done before the ceremony. That way after the ceremony there’s no time pressure. After the ceremony we can do a couple images of the bride and groom and then its off to cocktail hour. Believe me the last thing your family and bridal party want to do after the ceremony is take photos for an hour… they want to party. It easier all around getting formals done before the ceremony.
 The bride and groom get to have a romantic first look. Doing the first look down the aisle is a lot of pressure and couples generally feel the erg to squeeze on each other a little bit. Who could blame them it’s only natural.