It's a Fabulous Newborn Posing Guide Giveaway!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE newborn and baby photography! And although I have not ventured into this area of creativity...YET, I do celebrate it because after marriage, comes the carriage!  As  wedding photographers we know this so we better start thinking weddings, maternity, newborn, birthday parties and overall FAMILY Photographers!

This morning I came across a gorgeous baby web site and saw they have a contest!  If there is anything I go nuts for are contests!  So....check it out folks, and GOOD LUCK to everybody!  Hurry contest ends August 1st! Yes, I too am trying to WIN!!!!!!!!! It's a Fabulous Newborn Posing Guide giveaway on Inspire Me Baby

Not just photographers...we document LIFE!

What is the FIRST thing you think of when someone calls or inquires about your photography services?  Do you immediately think about the budget, the amount of money you can make, or do you stop, and relish about the importance of this call?  If you have a photography business, and if you simply stay focused on the business elements, you can easily sway from what is really important, your clients.

I know you have heard this time and time again, and I know you have bills to pay and things to get done as far as your marketing, orders,etc, but if you stop for one second and focus on the "WHY" that client called you, you would redirect all of that energy right back towards the client.  Isn't this why you started a photography business?

Last year I received a call from Yolanda, a good friend of mine who bakes cakes from her home, she mainly works with brides on budgets and she called to see if I could help a couple in "need!"  She told me about Michele and Duke who had hired her to make their wedding cake.  She explained that although the budget was limited, they had a special story, and I immediately knew I wanted to help!  You see, Michele & Duke wanted to get married the following year, however they had to push up the date as Michele's dad was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

The wedding took place at San Pablo Ca's Rockefeller Lodge and it was great to meet Michele's dad, he was such a boastful and cheerful guy with a loud and wonderful laugh.  He wore a hat that was so cool and he was overjoyed when he saw his daughter in her wedding gown!  This was a beautiful ceremony and celebration with many friends and family, they shared the traditions of The Tonganese as well as  wonderful heartfelt toast speeches, cheers and dancing!  It was an amazing evening and although  it rained and we had to switch gears,  none of this put a damper on THIS celebration!  More than anything, I was touched at being able to contribute and  I have no doubt that working with Michele & Duke's budget was not an issue, but documenting this day WAS! Michele and Duke released butterflies after their ceremony and I just happened to be right next to them with a butterfly that would not leave their side.  See here....

Michele & Duke you guys were amazing to work with, I am so honored that you entrusted us with this very special day and to allow us to provide these memories for you and your family.  I look forward to hearing from you and seeing where life's road takes you and your family.  Thank you for touching my life as well!

I would like to share a letter that Michele sent me a few days ago, I was so touched, I just had to share and Michele said she would be honored!

(Letter from Michele)

Hi Barbara,

It's Michele Melton Pahulu, you photographed my wedding last year on May 1st. I don't know if you remember but my dad had cancer at the wedding and unfortunately we lost him last July only a couple months after the wedding.  The pictures you took at the wedding were the last family pictures that we have together. I just wanted to thank you so much for putting together such an affordable package for us. I feel very lucky having met you when I did. Because of you we have wonderful family pictures that I will cherish forever. Thank you.
                                                                                                                                                                     
Sincerely,
                                                                                                                                                                     
Michele Melton Pahulu

Day After Bridal Portraits..and why you should consider them

Nowadays, brides are starting to do the "unconventional" when it comes to their own weddings.  Often she will tailor her big day with an array of personal details, places and people that will help mark this day as "hers!"  As should be!

Thank goodness for this type of thinking, as a photographer it really helps me and this is why  I love to  talk to my clients about booking an Engagement Session.  The engagement session is in no way shape or form for me, truthfully it is for her!  These type of sessions do benefit me however as it allows me to spend more time with the happy couple.  I love learning more about how they met, how they became engaged and it is a great way for us all to get to know each other before their wedding day.

Another thing to mention about these sessions, it allows for the bride and her fiance to see themselves from the photographer's perspective.  It can be as beautiful and creative as you'd like, but if it's not personal, those images no matter how gorgeous will say nothing to the couple and worse, will say nothing "about" the couple.

Other ideas for brides to consider are "Day After" or Trash the Dress Sessions.  This is something many contemporary brides are doing.  If you are asking why, why not? It's FUN!  And it's hassle-free, just think of it, no guests waiting at a reception, no worries whatsoever!  THIS alone allows for relaxed and natural portraits.  Remember, among your first heirlooms,  these portraits are designed to be framed and displayed in your home as  well as becoming part of  beautiful photo albums or coffee table books for all to see.

And finally, on the day of your wedding, you should be enjoying your day, your guests and the memories it will provide for future generations.  As a photographer, I know that my clients choose me because they love the way our images depict the day.  Don't get me wrong, portraits and formals should always be done on the wedding day, however depending on how organized your day is sometimes the schedule simply won't allow for those dreamy portraits, that's why you should consider a Day After Bridal Portrait session OR Trash that Dress with your new hubby.....these shoots are designed with one thing in mind....YOU!

Going Bridal Gone Green!

On June 26th and 27th, 2010, San Jose's Convention Center hosted a fabulous GREEN event.  With vendors ranging from natural candy makers, to natural fiber designers, this event came completely geared to introduce wonderful and eco-friendly products and services to the community!


In the house was no other than Ed Begley Jr. Activist/Actor, Zero- Net Energy Homes Bay Area’s future in green, Green Jobs/Careers, Straw-bale houses, Solar Power your life, Kids Activities & Music, Adult/kid fashion show!

Part of the Fashion show was my friend and talented designer Carole Wang.  Carole's line is amazing and made of 100% all natural and bamboo fibers.  Her segment was quite a show stopper and the crowds loved the presentation!  Here are a few fun photos from the event.  The end of Carole Wang designs came to a halt when the entire stage was graced with her entire wedding collection!  The collection included a bridal gown, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses....... truly it was quite emotional and beautiful to say the least!  See for yourselves!  We wish Carole and her team many congratulations!





For more information on the Generation Green organization, please visit www.generationgreen.org


Fashions by:  Carole Wang
Hair & Makeup:  Teresa Reynolds

Say what you have to say...

It's strange, I always felt that as a photographer with a blog I always had to blog about photography!  The reality is however, that I am so much more than a photographer.  I am a daughter, a mother, a wife and a friend.  My cameras aren't what makes me who I am, my life and the people in it do!  And although when I am behind the camera,  the lens is an extension of my eye, more importantly, it is an extension of my heart and soul. With that being said I still feel the need to say what I have to say.

This week I lost a very close friend of mine, Guillermo.  He was more than a friend, he was my brother.  We always referred to each other as "almost" siblings because we connected on so many levels!  I will never forget how I met Guille, I called him "Guille" (pronounced ghee-yay).

I was on my way to my hair appointment at Elisa's Hair Salon, whenever I walked into the salon it would no longer be quiet, yes I am loud and proud and the gals there loved it when this Cubana madness would walk in with all this hair and all this roar!  For some reason, this day I was quiet when I walked in, did not say a peep but hello....

Anyways, a man sitting by the window said to me "excuse me madam are you by any chance Cuban!?"  If you are a Cuban living in the San Francisco Bay Area, these words could be paralyzing....there aren't many Cubans if any out here!  So I immediately turned to him and said "YES..how did you know?" He then pointed to my car and said that he noticed the Cuban flag on my rear view mirror...yes, I have a dangling Cuban flag there, and I LOVE IT!  That was all it took, we talked and laughed and yes, we were HEKKA loud!  I met his beautiful mother Olga, who was getting her hair done and whom also became a very special part of my life.

Guille and Olga were visiting from Florida as they had done so very often, each time they'd return we would visit, I would cook for them and when my husband and I went to Orlando, they had us stay with them, I am telling you, we were FAMILIA!

This past Father's Day,  I received a call from his best friend Manny, I was first wondering why Manny was calling me on Father's Day?  I immediately thought something happened to Olga since she had been ill for years, and perhaps Guille was too distraught to call with the news, but Manny's words pierced me in a manner I could not explain....The news to me was horrifying, not only unexpected news but very shocking news.  I will not go into how sick I felt or how my head was spinning 100 mph, all I could think of was about everyone he loved, especially his mother.  Guille LIVED for his mother and anyone who knows a Cuban family knows this, MOM is everything!  I never met his sister Elizabeth from Holland, but have spoken to her on the phone a few times as well as shared many many stories about her with Guille and Olga.  I feel at ease that she is here for a few weeks and when I spoke with her a few days ago, I felt closer to Guille again.

If there is anything I learned in the last few days, make time for those you love, and when you think about someone or think to call them,  don't wait until tomorrow, call them today.  I would like to share the last photo I had taken of Guillermo in San Francisco's Twin Peaks Viewpoint.  We had fun on this last trip with him, we had gone to San Francisco, we had also spent another day in Napa and I am honored I cooked a meal for him and Manny which the movie The Godfather would epitomize!  Yes this Cubana can cook a mean Italian gravy and stuff!

Guille was remembered in a beautiful memorial service yesterday and although I was not there in person, my heart was. I feel sad that I did not get to say so long buddy, but Guille, I love you and I will NEVER forget all the laughs, fun and great travels we have shared. Que Dios te cuide (may God keep you in His care), and we will see each other again one day I am sure of it!

Wedding & Fashion Photography..how do they relate!?

I had a colleague of mine once say that he wanted to focus on JUST Weddings & Portraits and he could not understand WHY we had gone towards other things like High School Seniors, Fashion, as well as Sports Photography.  In all reality when he mentioned this, I too had to stop and think about WHY!

Funny how things happen this was around the time, I had crossed paths with Skip Cohen, a fabulous person to know and follow in this industry.  Skip with many years under his belt, and as the former President/CEO of Hasselblad, the  past President/Chief Operating Officer of Rangefinder Publishing Inc. , and now President/Founder  of  Marketing Essentials International, is the ONE person who helped put it all into perspective for me.  Not only did he confirm for me that "diversity" in this business is good, but it is essential!  He was so right!  I looked at today's economy and also figured that YStudio needed to be ready and diversity was a way to stay afloat in this business.  After all, we are photographers, as well as artists, and although we would like to specialize in one area, photography and art form  is everywhere!

Another valuable lesson I learned in my dealings while being asked to be a  Guest Blogger with Skip, was that being creative meant that I could not pick and choose, being creative is just that...being creative!  I love when I am able to create something from nothing, and at the end of the day, THIS is why clients hire us....they trust us, and how could I let them down, plus it is so much fun!

Take Fashion Photography for instance.....a lot of which I am  learning in the Fashion Photography industry is that I can easily apply this to my weddings.  Think of it this way.....when a bride is planning her wedding what is among the first thing she invests in?  MAGAZINES! Yes! Do you think her breath is taken away by everyday "real" wedding photography?  The chances are slim, what will take her breath away are the Bridal Couture images of gowns, and other fashion editorial spreads.  SHE WANTS TO LOOK AND FEEL LIKE THIS!  So I simply take images from my favorite fashion shots, and think hey I can have a bride do that pose at her wedding!  And of course I always ask tell my brides let's be adventurous, you would be surprised just what they will do if you simply ask!

So, I feel that being diverse, creative and doing the NON traditional is going to help me get those images for my client.   Don't turn down a shoot simply because you only do weddings, or only do portraits, think of it this way, you WILL learn something which you can apply to whatever it is that you specialize in...you will keep shooting which is always important and you will HAVE FUN!

Photos by :  B. Yasuhara

Wedding Engagement Photographs with a TWIST!

When you think about  engagement photography sessions, most people think of a couple sitting in a park, kissing, gazing at each other and holding hands.  Don't get me wrong there is NOTHING wrong with these things, IF that is what identifies you as a couple.

Take for instance, if you are  a couple whom are avid book readers, met in school, and were engaged right after graduation!  Well....then perhaps you would like to consider the college campus where you met, and where the story actually began.  Now, take it another step further....what is it that you and your fiance really like.  Maybe you are both rock n' roll fans, or musicians, perhaps you are race car drivers or even photographers yourselves.  THAT is when you start to plan a setting for your shoot.  After all, capturing who you both are during these particular years is important and will be cherished for many generations to come.

So if you don't care much about keeping a journal, keep in mind, photographs are a journal they are a journal of your past, present, and yes future.  Why not record these moments and allow this heirloom into your families?  Wedding and engagement photography alike, does not need to be a "mold" for all of you, break that cookie cutter and be YOU, after all that is who you are and it is who your fiance fell in love with.

If you have no idea "where" to begin, speak to your wedding photographer and ask about styling, hair and make up artists, they can help style the shoot for you and although you may think it does not feel natural, trust me, it will be.  Just be you, live it up and watch what happens!

Congrats on your engagement and CHEERS!!!

All Photos for this shoot c. 2010 YStudio Photography (shot for Palo Dobrick of Chicago)
Hair/Makeup by:  ANGELA - AMS BooMBoX
Wardrobe/Stylist:  Nima Shiraz 
Model:  Natasha  
Model:  Kurtis Dam-Mikkelsen