Get ready for the Getting Ready Photos!

Planning a wedding is NO easy task, in fact after the wedding is over, many brides admit, if they hadn't hired a planner, they wish they had!  Unless you have done it yourself, it is hard to fathom exactly what all is involved.  There are so many emotions during what is supposed to be an amazing and beautiful memory, it still can be, consider "getting ready" photos for your wedding day!

You may be asking yourself, what on earth do I want with a bunch of photos of me looking   not so great, hair in curlers, no makeup, what am I going to do with these photos?  Think for one moment, during this time usually mom, dad and the rest of your loved ones are nearby.  You would be amazed on  how important these moments leading up to the very minute you see your fiance for the first time and walking down the aisle.  Plus it is a beautiful capture of you in your space, all giddy, and ready to go, at this point in the wedding planning, there is "nothing" more you can do.  The venue is set, as is your photographer, your cake, dress, everything is ready and all you have to do is "show up!"

As a wedding photographer myself, I know all too well the "value" of the getting ready photos, the emotions are priceless, but so is the opportunity to get to know my clients as well as their mothers, fathers, and family.  It allows for that extra special time we need to bond, laugh, cry and prepare for one of the most important days of their lives!  I could not dream of anything better......an engagement shoot is also highly recommended as many of you know, I always include these sessions for my couple because again, it is about them!

Remember folks, your parents are here once in a  lifetime, when they are gone, only the memories remain.  Make them count, see the beauty everywhere and consider "Getting Ready" photos on your wedding day!

Seen here: Hair Style and Makeup Artist :  Teresa Reynolds  and the bride Giselle with  her lovely mother "Fortune" of Newark, CA.  Congrats to the happy couple!

Wedding Venue:  Mountain Terrace, Woodside, CA
Getting Ready Photos here:  YStudio Photography
Official Wedding Photographer:  I-Motion, Los Gatos, CA (Simon)

BBW Brides....from one big gal to another.........

I had a great phone conversation today with  friend and colleague, Robert Valdes, HD Wedding Videographer, and I shared about my passion and strengths in working with the more abundant bride.  I am not here to knock down photographers or videographers about how they approach the larger more lovelier bride, I just want to share on how I approach this situation.

Being a larger woman myself, I have always panicked at the thought of seeing myself in  photographs, not to mention video, after all the camera does add a few pounds and inches.  And to make things worse, depending on the angle of the camera, the posing and the  lighting, the larger bride can be devastated the day she's presented with her wedding photos.  A day that should be filled with beauty, ravishing smiles, laughter, tears of joy, can end in a flash, the moment she sees herself in an unexpected and unflattering manner.  Remember...it is up to us as your photographers to see the beauty and capture it!

Think of it this way, a little girl starts planning her wedding early on, playing with her Barbies is where it all begins, she becomes ONE with that barbie doll, she dresses her and then introduces her to Ken and VOILA! It's time for a wedding!  So, you see, not only do I approach photographing her as if I were photographing myself, I approach her wedding day with the tender loving care and memories of her childhood.  The day is finally here, and you better believe it, I am going to bust my butt to get her the images to match that lifelong childhood wishes and dreams!

If one cannot see the beauty in each of their clients, how well will those images tell the story of their lifelong dream?  If you want to make an impact when photographing   BBW's or your larger male clients, meet with them talk to them about their camera concerns if they have any.  If they do not mention it, don't just walk away with a signed contract and do nothing! DO MORE! Work harder to position your subjects in flattering light, angles and positions.  After all, they are hiring you because they LOVE your work, show them some LOVE and don't just point and shoot.  Pay attention to the dress, the arms, the shoulders, the tummy, and make sure if your client has a double chin to do everything you can to camouflage or decorate.  If when meeting with a larger bride, she reveals she is going sleeveless, keep that in mind and plan accordingly, alert your assistants and give them advice of the best angles to capture her or the groom.

I have had many opportunities to work with plus size brides, and I LOVE it!  It's keeps me on my toes, and honestly, it really makes me think that I should have this attitude with ALL of my brides, but in reality, from one big gal to another, she's going to get just a little more from me!

I would like to thank Natalie Jamaca, a fabulous bride and client I had the pleasure of working with.  She left us a fabulous review on Yelp and mentioned her concerns in the review...please read why she gave YStudio Photography a 5 star review!

Some love also goes out to Raquel Ganda-Rothenbeuscher, and Kate Boyer.

Please feel free to show some love here in our comments section.  And if you are interested in learning more about approaching the plus sized beauties with your camera, I am available for one on one mentor sessions or I can answer any of your questions here on the blog.

Top Photos:  Kate & Brian (San Francisco Trash the Dress Session), and Raquel with  a couple of her bridesmaids getting her into the dress, San Mateo Marriott, San Mateo, Ca

Bottom Photos:  Kenneth & Natalie Jamaca wedding, a formal and a not so formal pre-ceremony.  What a    FUN wedding this was! Purple Orchid Resort & Spa, Livermore, CA

Song:  Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie 

Treasure Island Photo Shoot with Phuong My & LaNisa

Well once again, we have come across and met with a FABULOUS Designer, she is young, talented and quite wicked with her designs!  I am saying that in the BEST sense!

I ran into Phuong My, saw her work, and knew instantly, I MUST work with her, she's young and has quite a story, I am sure you will all be hearing about her soon, and I have got to say she definitely has a NEW Fashion attitude for San Francisco!  Fashion weeks are among us and she's keeping busy......so stay tuned!

As a photographer my goal is to work with our clients to make sure their vision is captured, yes through our lens, but one of the very important things within fashion is to stay focused on what you are shooting and why.  Yes we had fun on this shoot and we always like to go outside of the box per se, however, we NEVER lose sight of why we are there...we are there for our clients.

When it comes to fashion editorial shooting one can be a little more risque, however, ALWAYS get the shot of the garment in every possible angle, in the right lighting and with little or NO distracting backdrops or textures.  One has to constantly think of color and lighting schemes or it can all go downhill.  In this case we were shooting again around noon time, possibly the WORSE time to shoot, but lately it has been my favorite because it pushes me to THINK THINK FOCUS AND SHOOT!  We are creating the look with controlling the lighting, and keeping a tight grip of our technical management as well as time management.

This shoot for instance was super sunny but freezing cold as we were shooting in San Francisco's Treasure Island, being close to the SF Bay has it downfalls, wind and cold!  I feel sorry for the models, they are usually thin and well even a large gal like me can get cold, so can you imagine?  When wind is involved one has to think of loose hairs, garments movements, equipment falling over, very expensive equipment!  When cold is involved one has to work fast as the models can easily lose it during the shoot, and we can't have that.  Also controlling, re-directing, and bouncing light in a manner that does not change your color temperatures, etc.

Overall the challenge is quite a thrill and the results are.....well see for yourself!  Please feel free to ask questions or leave comments, WE LOVE and welcome you all!  Have a great weekend!



Fashion Designer:  Phuong My Tran
Hair/Make up  YalunXi
Model:  LaNisa Buena Vista
Photographers:  Me and hubby

Never say NEVER!

How many times have we as photographers set up so many parameters for a shoot, we have a vision, we have a plan, we have A MODEL and then it all goes south because of the weather?  This is exactly what happened to us last week.

I had gone through some lengths to get the right model, the right idea, and then as we were getting ready to do a kool outdoor urban fashion shoot, it began to rain, no wait, I am lying, it began to pour!  It broke my heart because here it was Friday, I had planned for weeks, our gear was packed and ready to go, my model had three outfits ready.  I called our model Myrna and I could hear nothing but silence as I told her the shoot would have to be postponed.  And of course, without a functioning photo studio, I felt it was my responsibility to make this happen!  I immediately told Myrna that I had an idea and that I would call her right back!

So...I called my good friend and cake queen, Yolanda (of Yo-Yo's Cakes), and asked her if she had any ideas of cool looking spots in our area.  She mentioned this one place that recently opened near El Cerrito, a place called The Boiler House and Craneway Pavillion in Point Richmond, California.  Yolanda had raved about this place as she had been there for a company party and so I was curious!  I went to my source, Yelp.com, and looked it up and what I saw was a yummy looking industrial space with awesome lighting, it was definitely worth a shot to call and ask the manager if we would be welcomed to come and shoot there.
I called and spoke to Rob Nachtwey who manages the place, and can you believe it?  He said "come on down!"  I called Myrna and she was excited as we were and she began to make her journey to our side of the San Francisco Bay.  The place was too cool, my husband and I were excited and as was my son Angelo (our wonderful gear and  lighting assistant), and we were indeed welcomed.

I have to add that our model Myrna ROCKED this shoot, not only did she bring some adorable outfits, she brought a great attitude and she did a great job with her own posing ideas....but she also earned major kudos as there were folks all over the bar, and people having dinner as my hubby, my son and I did our thing and shot all over the place.  We were interrupted a couple of times by on lookers who wanted our business cards, or perhaps that was an excuse to get a closer look at Myrna?   Whatever the cause it was FUN for everyone, even the on lookers.

Rob asked if we were available to photograph a couple events in the coming days and we said YES!  So .... we photographed their San Francisco Chocolate & Beer Festival as well as their XLIV Superbowl Party!  The C&B Festival turned out to be a great shoot and we got hired by one of  the bands who performed at the event, as they loved the photography we captured of their act.  By the way what a small world, the guy who hired us for a July gig they have, Dave Bailey of the Juke Joint Band,  just so happens to be the son of our next door neighbor...talk about "meant to be!"

Ok that's enough chit chatting, here are a few photos from this shoot, ENJOY!!

Congratulations to Jacqueline & Alfredo!

We would like to extend a heartfelt congrats and shout out to our latest happy couple Jacqueline & Alfredo. Jacqueline, also of Cuban descent married Alfredo of Nicaraguan and Moroccan descent and had a HELLUVA celebration. Their ceremony was held at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, where Alfredo attended school as a child, and their reception and celebration was held at the Pacifica Beach Resort. Family flew in from Miami, Florida, Los Angeles, and other parts of the state to join in on this much awaited and fabulous wedding. John Calloway and his Latin Ensemble performed throughout the night and it could not have been more perfect, the bride and groom's first dance was to the song "Como Fue", and old traditional Latin standard chosen by the couple for their first dance.....and the song you hear on this post. The song made famous by great Cuban singer, Benny Moré. Cheers to the happy couple!!!

"Amazing Phil & Grace"

Here we are in our ninth month or so of business at Weddings 9-1-1 and today we receive a beautiful note from Grace Valdovinos, a gorgeous bride we photographed at the historic Rialto Theater in  Pasadena, Ca in 2008. We always like to think we work hard and we focus on the events that surround weddings, the bride, her family, the groom, his family, and all of their guests. It is so easy to be swept away on such a busy day and it's even easier to forget all the pertinent little details, until....the photographer shows the bride and groom their wedding day all over again, in imagery. Keeping this in mind, we capture what already exists and we focus on YOU! Here's Grace's much appreciated thank you note and review, Wayne and I were humbled once more.

"My wedding seemed like such a whirlwind that I missed so many events throughout the night. It was only after I received our photos from Barbara and Wayne that I was able to experience the details of my wedding through her camera lens. I will never forget the priceless snapshot of my new nine year-old cousin, Sofia, as she hugged me in congratulations. Her angelic face pressed against my pink wedding gown. What I saw in the photo almost made me fall over in my chair. As far as I could remember, sweet Sofia was dressed in an elegant white dress. The photo revealed a few more details, including the pair of black & white Converse she decided to wear to funk up her look for the evening! So many memories that I have now to keep...for this I am eternally grateful. Thank you so much Barbara and Wayne, for your eyes, for your skills, and for your romantic sentimentality, the combination of which has given Phillip and me a lifetime of memories". -- Grace Valdovinos, Los Angeles, CA