Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
I totally love and support small business owners and fellow creatives. When my old friend Heather Molina, creator of Bows n’ Berries hair accessories, approached me and asked if I would be interested in shooting her spring line of vintage-inspired bridal hair pieces, I was more than delighted to do so.
We started with a few outdoor shots for the home page of her website, but concentrated mainly on studio-style shots of each hairpiece on our models for Bows n’ Berries online Etsy store. Only a handful are featured here, so if you want to see the rest, you’ll have to visit Heather’s store!
I love these two flower hairpieces. Soft and ethereal, yet only worn by girls who are ready to make a statement!
The modern bird cage veil: mysterious, yet modern and simple. No wonder they’re so in right now!
One of my favorite: I love this big, fluttery piece. Dare to wear it!
Yet another one of my faves, this is 1930′s vintage and boho chic all wrapped up into one.
Small and dainty, like a snowflake…
Love the grand plume on this one. For the bride with a little girly sass.
Demure and romantic, this is another 1930′s inspired piece that can be worn in multiple ways. My favorite is off to the side as seen here.
Last but not least…
A very, very special thanks to Kimberly Bragalone for lending her make-up artistry to our ensemble. Kimberly has an incredible eye and a meticulous attention to detail that I’ve seen only in the BEST of make-up artists. Heather and I both highly regard her and recommend her for any high-end gig, from shoots to weddings. Definitely check out her website to see her work!
Lots of gratitude and love to our models, Natalie Brewster and Kaylie Wilson. As always, you two are a pleasure to photograph.
This last weekend brought on some of the most unseasonably cool and crisp May days I have ever experienced in southern California–as well as gorgeous blue skies and a lovely vintage-y mock bridal shoot in Temecula, So Cal’s mini wine country. I and several other photographers had a fantastic time shooting with a combination of natural and off-camera light.
The shoot started it fantastically for me. I had the pleasure of working one-on-one with a new model, Chris Rix, who was simply stunning. We created this set:
Then onto a quick series with Megan, Alex, and Devon:
Now to some of my favorite images from the shoot. This is Tamara Young, a fellow photographer who manages to look amazing in front of the camera! Such confidence and attitude! I added a bit of subtle texture into the first two images to bring out the grittiness. In the third image Tamara schools photographer Thomas Frank in the art of striking a fierce pose…
Finally, this real-life couple donned on their bridal duds and finished out the shoot for us. Here are a few of my faves…
Special thanks to the following talented people for their contributions to the shoot:
ORGANIZER AND SET DESIGN – NIKKI EVANS (PHOTOSBYNIKKI.BLOGSPOT.COM)
LOCATION – DAVE PEREZ
HAIR – CRYSTAL ROBERTS
MAKE-UP – KIMBERLYBRAGLONE.COM
FLOWERS – REBECCACASTILLOFLORES.COM
HAIR CREATIONS – BOWSNBERRIES.COM
(HEATHER MOLINA)
DRESSES – LA BOUTIQUE CONSIGNMENTS
(EVE FAULKNER)
MODELS : Megan Bibbo, Devon Marie Ligus, Chris Rix, Alicia Prime Main AND Husband Brandon and Wife Amanda Goraleski
Great, great news!
Your humble narrator / photographer has been recently published in a regional fashion magazine, native and local to southern California’s Inland Empire: ieStyle.
It all started when she reconnected serendipitously with an old friend, Heather Molina, at a photo shoot where Heather was the vendor supplying gorgeous hair accessories under her brand, Bows n Berries. (I know–such a cute name, right?) Another shoot was then arranged to feature her hair accessories as well as oh-so-adorable clothing from the Redlands, CA boutique Miso Fly. Add a few more photographer friends, beautiful models, and a talented MUA (Jessica Hunter Artistry) and the rest is fashion mag history…
Check out the online version of the magazine here. Look for the April 2010 issue!
And a few screenshots here:
OK, OK…so I know we’re WELL into 2010 already, and most “retrospective” stuff should be rolled out late 2009 or very, very early 2010. This isn’t really a retrospective, however, just an opportunity to post some of my pictures from last year BEFORE I launched my blog.
My blog went up comparatively recently, so a few of you have asked to see some stuff from last year. Your wish is my command, and here are some of my favorite images. I really didn’t get to shoot as much as I wanted to, although I did shoot every opportunity I had. Last year, I was still working a very intense day job at a financing company, juggling a dozen projects and accounts, and as the economy fluctuated and the job market dipped, struggled with uncertainties about my future along with a number of my friends and colleagues. I would have to say the times I did get to pick up the camera and shoot for a job, or shoot for fun, really saved me and kept me sane. These pictures represent my creative outlet during a trying time, and still bring me satisfaction to look at them! I hope you enjoy them too!
We’ll start with my friend Amanda…radiant on her wedding day and gorgeous in her voluminous gown…
One of the first weddings I shot with Matthew Saville was that of Eric and Melanie. They were huge fans of off-roading and riding dirt bikes. Their trucks HAD to be included in the kiss!
Next up: Phoebe and Jason. This darling couple I’ve known since post-grad Bible school. We all knew each other for years but it took THEM a while to realize they were the right ones for each other! When they did, it was all sweetness and love! This shot was taken in front of the Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Bouquet picture is also theirs.
Now for some shoot-out photos. One of the best part of last year was getting introduced to the amazing photographic community that is here in southern California. A number of shoot-outs were held, giving us the chance to network, practice, build our repertoire, and just have fun. This first series features Emily Bos and her husband, an adorable couple who generously posed for us in the Lake Arrowhead “Trash the Dress” session. I loved Emily’s fiery red hair and elfish good looks. So fantastic.
And more shots with snow and scenic vistas…
Now for a collection of non-wedding pictures. 
Let’s start with a shoot for one of my oldest and dearest friends, Rebecca. She wanted some pictures of her and her brother and sister as a gift to their parents. We selected Seal Beach, CA as the location for the shoot. It looked beautiful after a rare bout of SoCal rain and we ended up with great clouds and shiny sand! (note my old watermark!) Yes, playing with off-camera flash is fun…
And here’s a shoot at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. That is one location that is incredibly easy to photograph in, like taking candy from a baby. Not that I would take candy from a baby. Actually, no wait…I would. Babies shouldn’t be eating candy! Anyway, the lighting and reflections there are simply delicious. It started to rain while we were shooting and provided it did not rain hard, the water ended up being a great addition to the pictures.
Two AMAZING teen gymnast TWINS + custom-made colorful tutus = FASHION SHOOT!
I just love how things come together sometimes. I’ve wanted to do a photo shoot for some time now with Amy and Allison, the kids of long time family friends. I’ve seen those kids grow up and I absolutely LOVE THEM. They’re the kind of kids that make you believe there’s hope for the future: polite, positive, hard-working, humorous, imaginative, and fun. The twins are also level 10 gymnasts and their dedication to this intense and demanding sport throughout the years have always inspired me.
Anyhow…I was wondering what would add a little flair to their shoot when I saw my old design school buddy’s posting on Facebook about his sisters’ online tutu store, Sassy Ruffles Boutique (visit http://tinyurl.com/ygu65m5 to see more details!) and I thought, “Aha!” OK, so I know gymnasts don’t wear tutus, but hey…why not? 
We’ll save the competition leotards for another day.
We made the connection with Katy Baker and Amanda Walsvic of Sassy Ruffles Boutique and the result was an impromptu shoot in beautiful meadows, complete with my favorite photographer friend Matthew Saville. Yes, there are meadows in Orange County, and I won’t tell you where. Add a dab of vintage processing and voila!
OK, this shoot was pure girlie joy…As much as I enjoy shooting people of all types, ages, etc., it is always particularly fun for me to spend time with the GIRLFRIENDS. Maybe it’s because I grew up with three sisters, I dunno. But when I bumped into an old friend, Heather, at a vintage shoot and she asked if I would be interested in doing a little fashion shoot to feature her oh-so-adorable handmade hairpieces, I totally jumped at the opportunity. Feathery and flowery hairpieces, three beautiful young models, boxes of make-up, hip clothes supplied by local boutique Miso Fly, finger sandwiches, and sweet tea…and we’ve got a recipe for a a great afternoon.
Special recognition to:
Models: Kaylie Wilson, Alex Oakley, and Brooke Conlin
Make-up artist: Jessica Hunter of Laura Mercier and www.jessicahunterartistry.com
Boutique fashions: Miso Fly (www.misofly.com)
Photographers: Hanssie Trainor and ME!
…last but not least, my talented friend, tireless mother of five, and hostess of the shoot: Heather Wilgang Molina (www.bowsnberries.com)
