An Elegant Backyard Wedding- Part One, the Details {Santa Ana Wedding Photographer}

When I met with Shawnee, she told me the plan for the day. Evan, her groom, has family that owns three different houses on one block. Not just ANY block, mind you. A historical, beautiful, landmark street in Santa Ana, where every house is different, every house is stunning, and every house is a small piece of history. (not to mention massive, by Orange County terms). Their plan was for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready at one house, have the ceremony at another house, then have the reception at the last house. A progressive wedding day. It sounded epic. 

I couldn't have even anticipated the gorgeousness that is these homes. I couldn't have guessed the generosity that it takes for not one, but THREE families to open their homes completely. I couldn't have even imagined how loving, supportive, and surrounded by joy this day was to be. But it was all this, and more.

Here's the first look at some of the wonderful details that helped make this day so special for Shawnee and Evan.

 

 

Hair & Make-Up: Tami Ball; Mane Moves & Body Works

Cake: Ginger Amalong

Flowers: Erica; Albertsons - Irvine Blvd

Tuxedos: Friar Tux

Wedding gown and Bridemaid Dresses: David's Bridal

Linens: Anar Party Rental

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

Housekeeping

Okay, first thing's first. I'm changing up my workflow a bit, and hopefully it will have some great results for my clients. Admittedly, my turnaround time has been slow at times, and I'm doing my best to get your images edited and in your hands faster and faster. Software, scheduling, and internal admin stuff will all be re-vamped, and re-adjusted. Part of that new process is blogging weddings within two weeks of the event. I appreciate all of you who chose me, all of you who want me to be the one to capture the images of your life, your family, your love. I take that responsibility personally, and I feel that I can now deliver to you the products and service that you deserve.

Thanks for choosing me.

Steph

Shawnee and Evan {Sneak Peek}

Shawnee and Evan, thank you so much for asking me to be a small part of your incredible day. Here's your sneak peek- many more to come from your beautiful wedding!



http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

A New Little Life- Kaiser Permanente Orange County

This might be the hardest post for me to articulate. I don't really know how to sum up the impact this woman has had on me and my life, but I'll do my best.

Claire and I went to high school together. We were in drama together, we shared friends, a love of the arts. I wouldn't say we were best friends then (I was crazy jealous when she had to kiss my boyfriend in a play). A few years after high school, we reconnected (remember myspace? Yeah). And, lucky for me, I haven't let her go since.

We've both become wives and mothers, and we both keep one foot in the creative field. But I can honestly say that in my own daily life, when I am having a hard day, or when I think about what kind of mother or friend I aspire to be, I think of her. Her patience is unlimited. Her kindness is unrelenting. Her love for her family and her friends is overwhelming in the most humbling way. She was meant to be a mother, and last night she became a mother of two.

Claire and Johnny are beautiful, loving parents to Israel. (My favorite little model, and handsome dark-haired star). When they found out they were expecting again, they decided to keep this baby's name a secret. Friends guessed, moms interrogated, but they held out. Michael, Jackson, E.O.... all very viable options. I suppose I should explain the connection. When Johnny was little, and his mother was expecting her second son, she asked Johnny what they should name him.

'Michael Jackson', was his reply. Of course.

So Michael it was. (Johnny's brother, Mikey Pedroza) Well, Johnny and Claire's first son Israel has been obsessed with Captain E.O. since time began. even before Disneyland brought it back to the theater, Claire would let him watch it online, and the little guy would dance and sing just like the gloved one.

So, when baby #2 was on his way, they continued the family tradition and asked Izzy what they should name him.

'Captain E.O,' was his reply. Of course.

So yesterday, when I got the text that Claire was on her way to the hospital, I couldn't help but ponder this new child's name. To my surprise, when I arrived in the waiting room, Claire's sisters informed me that it was Michael Jackson's birthday. Of course it was. We should have guessed.

After hugs in the waiting room, and a few quick photos, I went in to see Claire. The woman defines strength. And Johnny was so supportive and gentle- caressing her hair, holding her hand. The epitome of the word partner.

Her first labor was quick, so we knew the new one would be arriving quickly. He didn't disappoint. After two and a half hours in the hospital, Xavier Leandro Pedroza made his entrance. With one hand by his face, and legs as strong as can be. His little boy voice filled the room, and we were all blessed.

Congratulations to Claire, Johnny, Israel, and your extended families. I will never forget what an honor it was to be a witness to this moment.

(For best viewing, choose the fullscreen option.)

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

I do believe.....

... it's Summertime.

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

Overlays 101

By popular demand, here's a little tutorial on overlays- what they do, and a couple of free ones from me to you.

Overlays are basically just images with abstract shapes and colors that you can apply to an image to create a certain effect. In Photoshop CS, Elements, or whatever layering software you use, just select and copy the overlay, paste it on top of the photo you want to apply it to, and change that layer to 'overlay', 'soft light', or 'multiply'. You can change that layer to anything you want, actually, but the best effects are generally achieved through those three layer types. Then just drop the opacity to your desired look, and erase, smudge, or mask it off the sections you don't want it on. Easy peasy! You can use overlays with lots of texture, with warm colors, with different light patterns to achieve different lighting effects. Some of my favorites are by Florabella and Kaleidescope, but you can certainly make your own!

Here's a little subtle before and after using the Sunburst overlay:

and here's the overlay image itself: (feel free to download this image from this link, or you can get three free overlays from the link below)

My 3 free bokeh overlays are here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?n9c4e2tc79zwe 

rock em out, and show me what you come up with!

xoxo,

Stephanie

Erika and Mark {Wed}

So, there's this girl. She models.

I started seeing her images on the facebook pages of the photographer's groups I've been involved with.

And from the first image I saw, I thought.. Yeah. She can model.

There's just something about her. Some models just want to get attention. Some might even be beautiful. And then there are the rare few who just emit a light from within.

Erika is one of those few.

Now, I hadn't shot with her, I hadn't even met her in person. So, when she informed me that she bought one of my Groupon portrait sessions, I was so incredibly honored! And so excited to finally get her in front of my camera.

She later informed me that her session would be her engagement session, and that she and her fiance, Mark, actually knew of me through my ties with the swing dancers over at Atomic Ballroom! How incredible!

Must be fate, I thought. :)

So, we went to Old Towne Orange and shot some beautiful images of Erika and Mark for their engagement, some of which can be seen on their wedding website, http://www.erikaandmark.com/. Take a moment and browse around there- you can also see the actual video of Mark's proposal, at our very own Atomic Ballroom in Irvine!

So, after our engagement session, Erika and Mark graciously asked me to shoot their wedding. Now, I consider myself a portrait photographer first, so I am always so blessed and grateful when a couple ask me to be a part of that big day. But for these two to ask me, I was even more blessed. When a couple knows so many photographers, it's a complete honor to be the one they choose. It's sort of like being chosen first at dodgeball in fourth grade. And I take that honor as seriously now as I did back then. (No, really. I took it SERIOUSLY.)

So, without further ado, here is a little look into the beautiful wedding of Erika and Mark Schwartz.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations Erika and Mark!!!

May you dance every dance hand in hand.

xoxoxo

Stephanie