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Hey there! My name is Becker and I am a wedding photographer from Orange County, California who specializes in capturing relaxed portraits, amazing details and real moments for the coolest brides and grooms on the planet.
This blog follows both my personal and professional life, and features images from the weddings I shoot, the places I travel and the friends and family members that mean so much to me. It's basically like my own personal photo album combined with an information source for my current and potential clients and a source of inspiration and education for other photographers. This site is a little more informal and I just want to give everyone a sense of who I am, and what I am all about. Thanks for visiting.
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check out the top voted images click to enlarge
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| Last Minute Engagement Session |
04.30.2008 |
I had another last minute engagement session this week, except these two are getting hitched this Sunday! They are busy and kept putting it off, and putting it off and we were supposed to shoot last week, but the bride to be was under the weather. She wanted to just skip it, but when they hired me, the told me they weren't photogenic and hated having their photos taken, so I told them that it would be a really good idea to "practice" before the big day.
They clean up alright!:
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| Shooting within the old San Juan Capistrano jail. Just pretend there is nothing ironic about that. |
| Yeah, not photogenic at all!: |
| I dig the messy hair and the grain. Very cK |
| I couldn't resist putting this together... I warned her that tongue action usually ends up on the blog. |
Check back Tuesday to see their wedding images!
And just a side note... obviously these are attractive people, but i understand when people say they aren't photogenic per say. These two were a tad uncomfortable being photographed, but that's where my style of relaxed portraits sure comes in handy. It's also the main reason I like to shoot engagement sessions... to get people used to my style and pace of shooting, that way, when I show up on the wedding day, it's all good in the hood! |
| Sunset Strip Engagement Session |
04.29.2008 |
| Here's a last minute engagement session on the Sunset Strip. These two are tying the knot next Saturday in Hollywood. I just hope I can interrupt their making out to get a few nice portraits of them. I may have to bring a hose. |
| miscellaneous monday #30 |
04.28.2008 |
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First and foremost, Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary to my amazing parental units! I love you guys so much! Thanks for setting such an awesome example of what true love is.
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Speaking of anniversaries, today Apple's iTunes Music Store is 5 years old and has become the largest music retailer in the country. You should head on over and pick up the new release from Flight of the Concords.
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Ok, last week it was Facebook, now I am on Twitter... the world is rapidly evolving... try to keep up!
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It's hot here!
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One of my favorite authors and bloggers Seth Godin never ceases to amaze me. On his blog the other day he suggested you share a copy of his book, "The Dip" with a friend so that twice as many people could read it. I think most author's would encourage y'all to buy a copy of his book. If anyone wants to loan me a copy, I'd love to check it out.
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Also in Apple news, I saw some photos of the Apple Store that is going to open in Boston soon and it's wicked cool!:
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I am thinking about going to the Angel game this Thursday night at 7. Is anyone interested in a little happy hour get together before the game at the happiest place on earth? No, I am not talking about Disneyland, I am talking about the Hooters on Katella around 5pm? Send me a note or a leave a comment if you are interested. I don't have tickets yet, I am just going to get them when I show up... it probably won't sell out.
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Lastly, I laughed my ass off for a good 45 minutes or so this weekend while reading about Chuck Norris Facts. I saw it Saturday on Joe Photo's blog and was just so entertained. Some of my favorites are:
Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
If you Google search "Chuck Norris getting his ass kicked" you will generate zero results. It just doesn't happen.
Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Chuck Norris Pajamas.
You can find many, many more of these gems by clicking the logo below: |
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Last Sunday on y way back from the wedding I shot in Carmel, I took the long way home with the express intention of stopping by Hearst Castle... something I've always wanted to see. I am so glad I did... that place is amazing.
I am not one who usually enjoys guided tours, I'd much rather just wander and explore something on my own, but they don't let you do that there, and I can understand why. There story of how the castle came to be is fascinating to me and I loved the 40 minute movie we saw before the tour started. There is a great wikipedia entry with lots of info if you want to read more about it.
I sure would have love to roam around the joint with my real camera, but these snaps from my P&S are going to have to do: |
| random photo of the day |
04.24.2008 |
| all time favorite wedding images |
04.23.2008 |
I was recently chatting with some friends at a party, and I was asked if I knew what my favorite wedding image was. I laughed at the notion that I could ever narrow it down to a single frame, but it did get me thinking of some of the more memorable images I've captured over the years, and today I'd like to share with you 20 of my all time favorite wedding photographs. Of course, if you ask me tomorrow, I may have a completely different set of images. I am always striving to create better images that capture moments in time that the subjects will cherish forever.
I define my style of photography, as capturing relaxed portraits, amazing details and real moments. I feel these images do a good job representing my abilities in doing just that.
These first few images are scans from back in the film days... the 90's!
I absolutely still love this portraits of a bride from July of 1999. Her expression was real, and she was just a gorgeous person inside and out. |
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| This shot hung as a 30x40 print in my gallery for years (until I got a plasma television). It was taken the weekend after the image above and the cool thing about it, I took it with just one hand on the camera. We were walking up towards that fence on the left of the frame and I was pulling my rolling camera bag with one hand, holding the camera in the other, and I just saw the sun peaking through the trees and had time to focus and fire one frame before the sun came out and ruined the exposure. |
This kid was classic. Also taken in July of 1999. His expression and hair sticking up made this one of my favorite relaxed portraits of all time.
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| Ah, from 1997. The first time I ever used the now infamous "[ b ] squat". It was a super hot day in August near Lake Arrowhead (over 100 degrees). There weren't any good spots to shoot and I didn't want the bride to melt. We found a little patch of shade so I just had her squat down, let the dress poof up around her, I focused on her face with my rented 85mm/1.8 lens and let the rest blow out. (sorry for the scratch in the scan). |
| Back to the modern era of digital. I've gotten as much response over this image from just about any image I've ever taken. We were shooting all the portraits before the ceremony, and this is reaction from when the groom first saw his lovely bride. |
| This was one of my favorite images of 2004. It had rained all day and we didn't get to shoot outdoors during the "good light". The rain finally let up after the reception and we took a few images on our way out. I just liked the color and light, and didn't mind the motion blur and slight miss on the focus. |
| I always try to capture the amazing details of the day. This Reem Acre gown was lit beautifully through the window light at the Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica last May. |
| Ah, relaxed portraits 1.2 style. This was the first wedding with my 85mm/1.2 Canon lens. I shot this wide open and I love the look that the lens produces and I just loved that the groom thought I was hysterical! |
| This shot was taken after I shot the wedding at the Vatican. We were in a cab on the way to the reception. I literally just turned around, fired one frame and loved the real moment that I captured. I love this sweet moment between these two souls. I don't even mind that it isn't 'good" light... the moment was just so perfect. |
| I love this shot of my photographer friends Jim Kennedy and Stephanie Brockman. They eloped up near Sonoma and I ended up signing their marriage license. This is the light I love and we got lucky because it poured for days and days before the ceremony and the blue skies came out just hours before the wedding. |
| Also up in Napa Valley, I love this because she just bit him without any prompting from me. I just shoot what happens. i don't ask questions. There's another shot from this wedding that was taken after the reception and the bride ditched her dress and just went skinny dipping with the bridal party, but that wouldn't be right to show it here! |
| Can't really beat shooting at the Vatican. St. John's Lateran. |
| More details! Linda from the Cake Studio is the best! Her cakes both look and taste amazing. This cake is long gone, but the photos will last forever! |
| I love this moment during the blessing of the meal. |
| One of my recent favorite relaxed bridal portraits. I love the light, the expression and everything about this image. |
| This was an unforgettable moment during a reception a few years back. Something the couple will never forget. The shot taken right after this one showed the bride's dad licking the frosting off of his fingers. |
| Just seconds before the dad walked his youngest daughter down the aisle. I literally try to be a fly on the wall when shooting and wouldn't dream of interrupting a moment like this by asking them to pose for the camera. |
| This could be one of my favorite relaxed portraits ever. I just love this couple, and I love the fact they weren't aware I was shooting. I also love the flip flops... my kind of groom! |
| Ok, I could have picked any of a million beautiful brides and placed it below... I have shot more stunning brides than anyone I know. I chose this shot of my sister on her wedding day in 2001, because it was the first time I really ever saw my sister as a beautiful young woman. Of course you never want to think of your sister as hot, because that's gross right? But on August 12, 2001, I was floored by how stunning my sister looked and she is just a gorgeous person inside and out. |
| Lastly, this shot has to be one of the most commented on images I've ever taken. We were shooting near Cancun, shortly after the sun set, and I was racing the light to finish up the portraits. When all of a sudden, along come this dude in his Speedo, walking through the background. Of course I kept shooting because that's what I do and got the best smiles out of the couple during those few seconds. Good times! |
| Well, that was a fun little trip down memory lane for me, thanks for indulging me. And if you know anyone who is getting married and looking for my style of capturing relaxed portraits, amazing details and real moments... please use the "send to friend" link below and I promise I'll take good care of them. |
| April 19th Wedding in Carmel-by-the-Sea |
04.22.2008 |
| This past weekend I found myself in Carmel, California to cover a wedding for another photographer who became very ill last month. More on that in a moment, but first, it was a pleasure to shoot for such a wonderful couple at a charming location, the La Playa Hotel. |
| It was a gorgeous Spring day, a little cooler than I am used to in Southern California, but gorgeous none the less. |
| I loved the texture in the bride's gown: |
| Nice relaxed portrait while the groom was still adjusting his bow tie. |
| The bride was beautiful and a ton of fun. |
| Crisp day, the florals were vibrant. |
| We strolled down to the beach for a few shots during the cocktail hour. |
| I love the trees up there. |
| On the way back to the reception, we stopped in someone's front yard because I liked the fence and the framing (not to mention the nice soft light). |
| I don't usually post these kinds of photos, but we take them all the time. The informal candids with friends and coworkers are so much fun. I think people smile bigger for photos when they have a cocktail in their hand. |
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All in all it was a wonderful day and it seemed like everyone had great time. The bride and groom are kicking it in Bora Bora this week and I am totally jealous.
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Ok, and not to bring the room down, but I wanted to explain the circumstances about the photographer I was covering for.
Rob Snavely, a photographer from the Bay Area, came down with a mysterious illness last month and the doctors are still stumped as to why his brain is swelling and he has been in a stupor for several weeks now. He can barely walk, barely move, and doesn't have much of an idea of who he is, or what is going on. He is a member of the Digital Wedding Forum (as I am) and his girlfriend Julie, posted about his situation asking for prayers and help dealing with his clients. Prayers are certainly appreciated and the last time I heard from Julie, Rob was making slight progress, but is still not out of the woods and has a long hard road of recovery ahead of him.
Several photographers from the DWF have graciously offered to help cover his weddings without compensation, so that his clients aren't left without wedding photos. I just happened to be available this past weekend, so I volunteered. I am also trying to help Julie coordinate coverage for the rest of his weddings as she is tied up trying to take care of him and his other affairs. Any photographers interested in helping out, please check the DWF Home Forum for the latest info. His weddings in May and June are pretty much covered, and new dates will be posted soon. Thanks again to all who have offered their help and support.
If any of my blog readers would like to make a donation to help with his medical bills and recovery, you can make a check to:
Rob Snavely and send it to:
Digital Wedding Forum
26th Ave at Port Imperial, Suite 300
West New York, NJ 07093
This IS NOT tax deductible, but it is good karma!
Please remember to keep him in your prayers! |
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