I met Jill when I was in Mexico for the Jose Villa Workshop--you can **click here** for the post. Every now and then I'll be talking to a newer photographer and I will just see it--that certain something in their work where I just KNOW that they're going to be amazing and make a HUGE splash!
Well at the time, Jill didn't have a ton to show me as she was in the process of getting her new blog and site designed and putting together her branding, but still, even though she had little to show, I could tell that she had a fully formed idea of what she wanted her brand to be. And I got it. And I LOVED it!
So I suggested that when we got back from Mexico, we put together a great shoot that would really capture the feel of her brand--retro, film, orange, offbeat, and cool!
Jill has finally launched her new blog, so I can finally share these! You can see her site here: Jill's blog. Congrats Jill, and I hope you love these!!
I can never resist shooting getting ready, even when it's not a wedding!
I LOVED the colors in this vintage VW Bus! I think Jill might have to pick one of these up sometime soon...
This color--yum!
Jill swears she doesn't photograph well, but I beg to differ:
A little collage of yumminess:
I love this portrait! It just seems so fresh and clean looking:
Jill brought in literally HUNDREDS of oranges for this shoot! We didn't harm them, and Jill was actually able to return them to their rightful owner!
More deliciousness--why am I loving film so much?! Oh yeah, because these are all straight out of camera, no photoshop whatsoever.
One last shot of Jill. This shot to me is perfect:
I also shot a bunch of photos on the Instax, just for fun, but I LOVE them! Check it out:
Happy Monday! I'll be getting ready for the first JC/OC Workshop of 2010 that will be happing on Wednesday and I can't WAIT to show you that one! I have a feeling it's going to be awesome.
Just so you know, I don't always blog or twitter when I am having a workshop--the mailing list gets the first crack at spots. By the time I blog or twitter, there may only be a slot or two left!
Learning things in expected places (like Guadalajara Mexico) Sat. November 21, 2009 people
You take a workshop, you expect to learn something--it's just sort of a given.
When Jose Villa asked me to guest speak at his workshop in Mexico, I went as a teacher, as someone there to help other photographers on their way to being better. I never expected that I would learn as much or more than they would!
When you are a wedding photographer, it's easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing over and over. While consistency is to be revered, not criticized, staying fresh and open to new possibilities is SO important! I'm ashamed to admit that there have been many times I've resisted doing or trying new things, just on the basis of my discomfort with being outside what I know works.
Being at this workshop over the past week has taught me so much about myself. From Karina Puente's talent, to Jill LaFleur's spot-on talk on what clients really want, not to mention Jose's near-perfection with his equipment, I came away feeling absolutely refreshed and empowered to take on 2010 with a new attitude! I just feel so inspired to create things and try new things that I literally can't WAIT for my next shoots!
Having been in business for 10 years, the times that I have felt this way lately have been less frequent than I'd like. I had no idea how much was possible out there, so I have to give a HUGE thank you to Jose, Jill, and Karina for helping me to get over that hump.
If you can only take one workshop next year, it should be Jose's Mexican Hacienda Adventure--hands down. It's going to be around this time next year and VERY limited in size, so you'd better contact him ASAP if you want to have a shot at getting in!
We had some amazing models to work with, and I am so thrilled to be able to share these photos with you:
I will say, it's hard not to be inspired when shooting a bride and groom that look like this:
or when you have light that looks like this:
Jose and I split up for some of the shooting, and I was working with the most amazing bride and groom, Christian and Adriana. Seriously, drop dead gorgeous and incredibly sweet to boot. Mar from Team Hair & Makeup worked her magic and Matthew Johns did the snazzy styling. Having a stylist was SO rad! He's available to style wardrobe for weddings and engagement sessions worldwide, so you should for SURE contact him!! :
Claire Pettibone, who designed the gown is a freaking genius. Look at that detail!
It's easy to be inspired when you have a location that looks like this:
And people with attitudes like this:
And color like this:
and this....
These two might be my favorites:
but it's hard to contain my love for this one:
When I saw this spot, I almost died, it was that colorful and beautiful:
why not show a little more :)
You know I was obsessed with this light:
And this bride:
And these expressions:
Capturing this shot could have made the entire trip worthwhile alone:
But it didn't have to be alone :)
We ended with this:
Jose, thank you so much for having me be a part of this--I learned more than you can possibly know!
People who made this workshop a raging success are:
I'm in Mexico! Guadalajara to be exact. Tue. November 17, 2009 my life
You might be wondering what's up with the silence on this blog after my declaration during the State of the Blog address a few posts ago. Not to worry, I have lots to tell you, but very little internet access with which to do so!
I am down here just outside of Guadalajara, Mexico at the Hacienda El Carmen for the Jose Villa workshop where I am guest speaking. We arrived to the Hacienda on Monday, and since then I've been a bit disconnected due to the evil trolls at AT&T. Thankfully, a genius showed up yesterday to help get this computer all set up on the internet--it's slow, but I'm working on it for you!
I wanted to share a few photos of the amazing Hacienda we are staying at. The property is over 300 years old, and it's absolutely gorgeous. Later this week I'll be sharing some photos of the town and of course, shots from the workshop itself, but for now, feast your eyes on this place:
Not too shabby--I sure wish they'd stick a wedding location like this down in Laguna Beach :)
Every inch of the property has these cobblestones--so much character!
Isn't the morning light beautiful?
Just one of many tall corridors:
Lots of wild and Agave plants around:
One of the conference rooms. I can't imagine much work ever gets done in rooms this beautiful:
If you go through both of these doors, you get to my room:
Well, the Internet went ou again before u finished this post, which is why my delightful commentary stopped halfway through the photos. Since it is probably costing several hundred dollars to type this update and activate the post, I won't be able to blog again till the mystical Internet wizard returns.
people
