Continued... Haven360 Press Event for the Pre-Oscars

Yay! I have been finally catching up on some sleep and keeping up with posts *patting myself on the back*

During this shoot I really learned a lot about celebrities, the press, and DRAAAAAMA.  Mixing it up like this can be pretty fun, but I would like to keep my focus on 'real' posed portraiture... people who want to be photographed, want to be there, and have fun :) yay!  So here are some of the photo's of celebrities that I took for New York's Uptown Magazine as the 'house photographer' last week.  

Serena Williams, Russell Simmons, Giuliana Rancic, Audrina Patridge, Miss Jay Alexander, Masi Oka, James Kyson Lee, Ross Arne Naess, Rachael Leigh Cook, Dennis Haysbert, Eddie Griffin, Charlie Runkie, Marlin Akerman, Toby McGuire...

These are all mixed from the day and night.  Sorry I don't have names for everyone, I am terrible with names :( If you know the names of the people shown here feel free to post it and let us know :)

The Closer up ones were really just for me, because for editorial purposes they need as much advertising/logos in each image as possible.

My first time: WPPI 2010 in Las Vegas & my personal experience

WPPI 2010 Las Vegas Nevada @ the MGM Hotel.

My fist time at a wedding and portraiture photographers convention was, in a word, AWESOME.

Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store!  I attended Sunday, Monday & Tuesday with my close girl friends and fellow photographers.  My favorite part was seeing all the products that everyone had to offer and really refine my vendors so that I can offer the absolute best options and quality to all my clients at the best possible cost to them.  I have lots of tricks up my sleeve and can't wait to start 'wowing' them.

If you are a photographer thinking about going next year, I would really recommend it.  It was an inspiration being surrounded by so many skilled people, all very passionate about the photographic field.  If it was not for my close friend and business partner Brandi I would not have made it this year, and I am so glad I did! Thank you B!

~ Lots and lots of handouts and samples to keep on file ~

Couple Portrait Session at Abandoned Building

I had an amazing time photographing a couples portrait session at an abandoned building in Southern California near Lake Elsinore.  I have known Brenda and Jimmy for several years now and was so excited when they presented me with this great opportunity. Through a series of wonderful events we got special permission by the grounds keepers to photograph in this well maintained old building.  Because of the historical significance, this lake front property can not be torn down.

I came prepared for the low lighting situation inside, and ended up with some every 'edgy' hard shadow images that are very non-traditional.  The walls throughout the building were all very different and even a little creepy in some places.

* The drapes and wall paper from the 50's-60's is still standing! I brought the other items in the photo... I have a good sized collection of random props : ) *

After we had spent a good couple hours inside photographing and exploring the home we moved out for the 'softer' traditional type portraits, still keeping with the vintage look. These were some of my absolute favorites, and by the end of the day they were so relaxed and really started to enjoy themselves and joke around quite a bit. Being relaxed in front of the camera always makes for the best photographs, it just takes some time to get use to it and 'act natural'

.I Love Flowers.

.She's worth the wait.

I had a great time! and if you know me or follow my blog, I am a big fan of sets, props and themes.  I prefer to have tons of props and a game plan not just walk about snapping away. That's why I try to get to know my clients ahead of time. This was an amazing location that I hope to take another daring couple to explore the other parts of the mansion.

Preview Day 1: BMW & Uptown Magazine Honor Black Hollywood at Pre-Oscar Event

Ricki Lake

These last couple days have been filled with photographing celebrities and sponsorship products in Hollywood, California.  I was the 'home base' photographer for Uptown Magazine based out of New York so that means I got the most backing for every shot and was always in the mix. From the Red Carpet to the Meet and Greats and Penthouse Roof Parties.  These images should be featured in their upcoming Magazine as well as their website, I'll keep you posted. Residuals !?! (*crossing fingers).

I have put in 10 hour days being available for 15 hours a day both days because of the Oscars coming up. Needless to say I have had very little sleep and it's not time to start catching up on sleep yet, WPPI (wedding and portraiture photographers convention) in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight thru Tuesday.

Since I don't have much time to blog about my whole experience today, I wanted to show some of my favorite people & images from 'day 1'

 'Heros'

 'Mario'

 'Mad Men'

 

Models and Advertising

 I have been working one-one-one with Models, Actors, Families, Spouses, Book Authors, Real estate Brokers, and many others to try and get the right portrait of them that will fit their specific purposes for over 9 years now.  Every now and then I will see a model or actor on TV or Print that I have worked with, creating a portfolio of images, to market themselves and put there best face forward. It is always so exciting!   I love having a theme or set to work with... which is what brought be around to doing weddings.

Erika Macke Featured Model and on the cover of Ruche's Website today 3/3/10 (not photographed by Marcella Treybig)

Erika Mache Photographed By Marcella Treybig for Modeling Portfolio

Erika has a very LONG list of commercials, runway, TV shows, and editorials.  Great Pleasure to work with! and Ruche (who I was exposed to by my closest friend) is an awesome place to shop. http://www.shopruche.com

Hope to see more of my clients works posted all over the world!

Back in the Saddle! & Gallery Display Invite

HI! I have been missing in action lately, working on a new job and my personal life *gasp! how dare I*. I know, but you need to put yourself first and be a little selfish sometimes.

Well, I am just getting back into the swing of things and even though I have slowed down with my posts and public online dealings I have NOT with photography. I have book a wedding for September this year, and have a gallery display at Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin that I would officially like to extend an invitation for.

Rutabegorz is a very eclectic, natural feeling restaurant in Old Town Tustin that I selected for it's good energy and green efforts for the planet. I am a hippy at heart ;) And they selected ME! keeping with the feeling of the restaurant (in order to compliment and not compete with the natural setting of the location) I selected images for display that were straight from nature, and in their pure form, this means little to NO photoshop. You may recognize some of the images from blogs or posts in the past.

All the art work is framed and available for sale, almost at cost, ranging from $45-110$ with frames. You can also contact me directly and purchase just the images and place them in your own frames for $35 (8X10) I am not trying to make money with my personal pieces I just want it to be out in the world for people to look at and enjoy... keeping the moments alive!

Rutabegorz will be hosting my gallery until April 21,2010

I snapped a few photo's on my iphone after I had finished hanging all my images, there are still going to be some changes coming soon like a BIO sheet, and images and frames being switched out so check back.

If you have visited I would love to hear your feedback! Thank you for all the support.

http://www.rutabegorz.com/tustin

a little history RUTABEGORZ TUSTIN is housed in a historic building with a neoclassic colonnaded front at the corner of Main and C Streets in "Historic Old Town Tustin". Placed on the Register of National Historic Places in 1994, our location was built in 1914 by the son of Columbus Tustin. It is one of the oldest buildings in town. The building first served the community as a general store owned by Charles Artz, and has since been home to many various businesses. During the Depression, the building for a short time even became a classroom for local school kids. RUTA'S TUSTIN opened its doors in June of 1978. At first, only occupying one half of the building, customer demand and Tustin's booming population caused us to take over the whole structure. RUTA'S has been serving the community of Tustin for over 25 years. Long term employees often comment that kids they first saw in high chairs, are now bringing in their husband or wife and their own children! Rutabegorz celebrates 30 years in the Tustin Old Town With a flare for capturing a cozy atmosphere and coffee hangout mood, Rutabegorz Restaurant has attracted Tustin locals and Orange County residents for over 30 years, since June 1978. Following the idea of the first Rutabegorz founded in 1970 in Fullerton, the old town locale offers a quaint, health conscious cuisine nestled in one of the oldest buildings in Tustin, originally a grocery store built by the son of Columbus Tustin in 1914. Surviving and flourishing for the past three decades was certainly not as simple as baking the famous cheesecakes and carrot cakes that locals have grown to crave. In fact, for the first six months of operation, finances were so tight that the owner, Paul Berkman, could not afford a stove. This required him to transport all the baked goods from the Fullerton restaurant everyday. In recounting those tough times Paul said, "In the early days (of Tustin Rutabegorz), it was uncommon to have a work week less than 100 hours... it's just the time that needed to be put in to make things run." With no extra funds to advertise and little publicity in the then small hovel of old town Tustin, Paul would spend his Saturdays walking through the surrounding neighborhoods, introducing himself and distributing menus. Throughout the years, Rutabegorz has also survived other external circumstances that challenged its solvency. On three different occasions, the streets near or adjacent to the restaurant were completely torn up. Besides the uninviting mood this engendered, access to and from the restaurant was significantly hindered. The relative lack of redevelopment in the old town area has also posed a threat to its popularity. Aside from the initial start-up costs, the Rutabegorz idea was still very avante garde for a restaurant in conservative Orange County. The massive magazine menu, though not solely vegetarian, focuses on tasty healthy food, a variety of salads with original dressings like the balsamic vinaigrette or thai, soups like Chicken Tortilla, a mountain of munchies, appetizers ranging from fruit dishes to Grande Nachos, and a vast array of sandwiches and house favorites. To decide what to drink, you may find yourself swimming in a sea of options. The coffee beverages are so varied, they have their own page. A variety of teas, shakes, and smoothies are coupled near fresh carrot juice and health boosters. Beers include a broad selection of unique and traditional beers like Stella Artoire and Flying Dog Pale Ale. An assortment of wines and drinks with booze are also offered. Very little has changed in the philosophy and image of Rutabegorz. While other large restaurant chains and ideas have come and gone, chasing after the 'in vogue' food trends, Rutabegorz has a pact with its customers to give them what the larger chains or even independent imitations of them cannot: personality, substance, and stability. That customers, 80% of which are 'regulars', return weekly for a meal at this quaint restaurant, is a testimony to the fine service, food, and ambience it offers. Rutabegorz remains a permanent fixture in Tustin because the locals want it to be there. Its as simple as that. 158 West Main Tustin, CA 92780 Phone: 714.731.9807 Fax: 714.544.3325 Hours: Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Click on map for directions

Top New Years Resolution. No, It's not fitness....

Top New Years Resolution. No, it's not fitness. 1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

Documenting the life of your family throughout the year is a great idea, and there is no better way to do that than with professional photographs. They are a great way to both start and supplement your family album. If you have children, you know how quickly they grow; being able to look back on those precious moments of their youth and how your family grows together over time is most effectively captured in the essence of a photograph. Professional family photographs give your entire family something you can treasure for years to come. Albums are great for family functions or quiet moments when you want to reflect on all the joy and memories that you have made together. They can continue to grow exponentially, defying the laws of time and immortalizing those moments for you, your loved ones, and future generations to enjoy. This New Year, make it your resolution to not let these years pass you by! I am also offering a 25% discount for any photographic session booked before 01/30/2010