photo workshop roadtrip model shoot sushi fest

i'm not sure where to even start with this one. two of my fave friends and wedding photogs MK and Jaime came into town the day after i got back from WPPI for continued workshopping, shooting and some general talk of taking over the world (or at least both coasts). we also ate a heck of alot of sushi.

we started in the desert (of course) and ended in LA with a few model shoots. i had a blast and i was really sad when i dropped them off at the airport today. but, with the modern marvels of planes and the interweb, look for more collaboration and mayhem in the future.

a field of crazy purple flowers that looked soft and fluffy but really were just painful.

the secret lives of flower underbellies at joshua tree

the salton sea needs to be further explored. this place was eerie and super fascinating. there were trailers and burned out homes and businesses next to inhabited residences. the shot below was from a burned out restaurant in bombay beach. the table is semi-set, looking like it's ready for ghost patrons.

abandoned chair out on mud covered salt flats. we almost lost jaime to the muck.

oh-so-rare self portrait inside superburger. they had veggie burgers. i was amazed.

jaime, checking out a cool abandoned trailer.

random shot of Jason Lopez, an actor in LA. we took tons of photos of him (not hard to do my friends) but i think my fave came after we had finished and were just hanging out.

i have hundreds of photos that will probably never see the light of day, but this really was an amazing amazing trip with two amazing ladies. i'm looking forward to more good times and future endeavors together.

Jodie + Manny. E-session at the Presidio.

Meet Jodie and Manny! they're both wonderfully sweet and funny. manny has vans. that always wins points in my book. i had an awesome time with you guys and i'm really looking forward to the big day.. it's coming up May 25th!

i couldn't get enough of these doors

check out that dimple! how adorable (i mean manly and handsome) is that??

jodie has some pretty killer eyes.

and, because all the cool kids are doing it these days, thought i'd play with a little texture. the presidio has such a textury feel to it anyway, seemed appropriate.

Patricia + Jim - Maderas Golf Club 12.29.07

what a way to close out '07. this couple, their friends and the whole wedding was just so much fun! i'm not sure i've experienced a wedding with so much laughter. this truly was a celebration. if there were nerves, i didn't sense them once. everyone was there to kick back, have a great time and celebrate this super special couple. jim and patricia love to laugh, and this day was an obvious extension of their personalities. and what a lovely place and day to do it.

Location: Maderas Golf Club
Catering: Maderas (and thanks to Susan Khania for the lovely veggies and her day-of coordinating)
Wedding Coordinator: the whole family (and special shout-out to the best man for keeping this puppy on track- huge help!)
Cake: (need to find her card! coming soon)
DJ: Kris with Positive Energy Productions

they arranged a first-sight meeting out on the course. they were so excited. one of my favorite quotes from patricia "tell me if i smile too big!" are you kidding?? she has one of the greatest smiles and she was very liberal with it.

they did this alot. i loved it.

a little private time before the action

maderas is really scenic. it was gorgeous. and the music was provided by friends- really cool and personal.

not hard to see where patricia got her smile. look at her happy dad!

did i mention that they laugh alot? so my favorite quote was delivered by the officiant. apparently our couple got a little slap happy the night before and came up with some funny vows and forwarded them on. they weren't supposed to be used. but, the officiant decided to keep them. when asked to repeat "I promise to make the bed because i get up later than you" came out, I thought patricia was going to laugh herself off the side of the ceremony site. it was hillarious.

told you they did this alot :)

a little mood-lighting experiment under the lamp post

one more example of their sense of humor. every plate came equipped with star viewers. even flat guest got one.

i think i also see where she got her sweetness from

Patricia and Jim, thanks so much for having me be part of your day! have a great time on your honeymoon. i have no doubt the laughter will ever run out between you two.

Heather + Chris - Estancia Hotel and Spa

this amazing wedding was a joint jen lacey/kim seidl production, invented specially for this ocassion. i met jen via cell phone a few months ago. she was calling from the food poisoning wing of a DC hospital. she needed someone to take her wedding that day and had been given my number by the fabulous Mary Kate McKenna. ironically (coincidentally?) i was in her home base, san diego, checking the city out. i sadly couldn't help her out that day, but here i am now in san diego ready to heed the call. fortunately this time the call was a happy call, prompted by the need for help with her good friend's wedding.

in a story told by jen, she was with the future groom Chris, the night he met Heather. i don't remember jen using the word 'electric' or anything similar, but apparently there were drinks to be had that particular night and i do remember her saying the words "drunkeness", "drool" and, "that's the girl i'm going to marry".

sometimes when you know, you just know.

Woodend, you've been replaced by Estancia Hotel and Spa as my new favorite place to shoot. it was reeeally hard to take a bad shot in the place. it was just gorgeous. of course it doesn't hurt Heather and Chris are as well!

thanks to Heather, Chris and Jen for inviting me to participate in this amazing day!

i loooooved this dress. she looked amazing in it.

there were flowers EVERYWHERE

my favorite quote of the day. "I, Heather Smith, take you, Chris Frazier, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

heather, originally i was going to provide you with all of the "cake incident" photos for legal purposes, but on further review.. the only clear-cut victim here was the cake.

what can i say?