Networking Archive

How lucky am I that I book a wedding 2 hours from home and then proceed to book another the day before, one town over! Sounds like a Workcation (that would be a Work/Vacation – just made it up) to me!
Friday morning, Tim and I headed to Old Town Pasadena and checked in to our hotel. We only had a few hours before wedding #1 so we went to lunch next to our hotel. On the way there I was busy gabbing on my phone. Once we were inside Tim says to me, I can’t believe you didn’t notice the cupcake store that we walked by. I couldn’t believe it either! A whole store dedicated to cupcakes and I didn’t even smell it?!?
Needless to say we stopped by after (and for the next day – they are closed Sundays) to try out their product! The shop is called Dots and from what I can see they are only in Pasadena, in 2 locations.
The cute boxes they come in, below. Those non-color dots on the box are extra – they are authentic rain drops!!

Day one I had the Red Velvet and Tim had Apple Pie.Day two (pictured below) I had Chocolate Mint and Tim had Hostess.Overall I think both our favorites were the Red Velvet!

And of course an embarrassing shot of me enjoying my prize. Nice hair, I know.

Thanks for letting me ramble on about cupcakes. It is a passion you know.
On another note, I am leaving for Las Vegas today for an awesome workshop with Mike Larson. I am super excited and will get to hang with my buddy Charise for the next few days!
Internet may be non-existent in the hotel, so if I don’t get back to you right away don’t panic! I will be home Wednesday night!
Enjoy your week everyone!!!
XOXO, M

In between watching the Olympics at my parents house and picking end-of-season raspberries I had a day to sneak off and attend an awesome workshop hosted by the Lighting Master Zack Arias. Zack travels to cities across the US (with future plans to go Internationally) to teach willing photographers about off camera lighting set ups.

I highly recommend this workshop to anyone at any photography level. And if you aren’t able to attend the one day Intensive, don’t miss the opportunity to buy his new DVD which will be going on sale again this week!

This will be a long post full of tons of photos because I met some really awesome photographers at this workshop!  We had an amazing 14 hour day bonding over bare bulbs and “quiet” images.

Some of the images below I cannot take full credit for.  Zack set up his lights, showed us what he would do and then let us run wild with it.  While I shot the image, the angle and lighting were not originally mine!  I will note above the photo if it started as Zack’s creation!

Here is the Master himself, while Shannon patiently models!

Our gracious host, Boone using his pocket wizards on our model Parrish.    

These two lovely ladies in front are Jessica and Jessica!  

Here is a sneak peek at one of Zack’s set ups.  He really showed us no matter what location we were in, you can get a killer shot with a little magic lighting!

Another of Zack’s set ups – Parrish again!

Most everyone 🙂  (Zack on the ground)

My new pal, Tera Pettit!  She’s a Nikon girl, but I still love her.

The man, the myth, the…Zack.

Tyler doing his thang! 

Good job Boone…hold up that light stand!  🙂

Zack was setting this up, I couldn’t resist getting one shot off with the umbrella!  See how much it lights up!  We were nearing dark at this point.

Zacks set up, my angle!

Parrish took a break and Tyler jumped in!  Doesn’t he look gangsta?  🙂 

A few more of our awesome models!

Boone and William (who also came up from So Cal for the workshop) checking out their shots!

After it got totally dark, we headed inside and broke up in to groups to play with lighting on our own!  My group really tried to think outside of the box…here is my buddy Mitch modeling.  We were on a 2nd floor with slatted floors.  The light was on level one and I was shooting in to it.

And Shannon showing off her best karate kid moves.  Lighting set up off the back right.

Alright, that was a ton of links and images!  I feel accomplished for a Monday!  

I had a great time networking with some awesome Portland (and beyond) photographers!

Thanks Zack for sharing your secrets with us!  And congrats to you and your talented new wife!

xoxo, M

Meet wedding coordinator extraordanaire, Melissa Barrad of I Do…Weddings!   Not only is she one of the top wedding coordinators in San Diego, she is also MY wedding coordinator!We got together last week to take some shots at her new home and with her new puppy!  Melissa has some really awesome things happening this Summer, so be on the look out for her to make more appearances on my blog in the near future!

Melissa – I always love hanging out with you!  See you soon!  xoxo

Lauren and I hit it off right away last March in Vegas.  I was so excited when I found out she was making the trip from Atlanta to San Diego for vacation.  I knew she wanted to do some networking, so I set up a little get together at Belmont Park last Sunday.

Usually, when my photographer friends and I get together, we just shoot each other.  But since Lauren was on vacation, she got to be the victim…I mean model for most of it!

The Big Dipper!

Lauren posing in the middle of the road 🙂

That’s April on the ground, doing whatever for the shot!

A few weeks ago, my good friend Kerianne called me to see if I wanted to be involved in a reality tv launch party for a new show she is doing the marketing for. 

Of course!  Any chance to shoot and see my good friend!  The launch party was for a TV Show called Hollywood Love.  It revolves around three hillarious women and their quest for love.  It stars Katie Love, Amy Stiller and Cynthia Levin.  Let me tell you, these ladies are fabulous!  Their stand up comedy was some of the funniest stuff I have heard in a long time!  You can read more about them at the link above…

Below is where the party took place, Cinespace on Hollywood Blvd.  That is the star of Queen. 🙂

Christopher from Paul Mitchell the School was on hand to do the makeup.  That is Kara Revel, one of the producers.

My dear friend Kerianne.  We actually know each other from college…in Illinois!

The people that make it all happen.  The cute blonde 3rd from the left is the other producer, Von Rae Wood.  Everyone else was listed above 😉

Thanks for letting me in to your Hollywood Love family, you all are fantastic and I wish you the best of luck!