Palm Springs to LA: The Two Part Engagement Session

Not only did I get to shoot a close friend’s engagement session, I also got to do it at two very cool locations. And even got a semi date night with my lovely assistant/wife (In-n Out, in the hatch back, in the parking lot).

Part 1: Palm Springs Windmills.

After some serious Instagram research and “driving” up and down roads in Google Earth street view, I knew where I wanted to shoot in Palm Springs in theory, but still wasn’t quite sure EXACTLY where it was. I mean those windmills cover a gigantic area. That one spot could be anywhere! But once I saw it in a couple photos online, I knew that’s where we needed to go. The sand had to be the right sand! There are tons of photos at the windmills in Palm Springs but only a few are in this area that’s not just rocks and bushes, aka Typical Southern California desert. No, no, no, I needed the flowy soft sand with the little fence! But where the hell is it!? Well we drove out early with the plan to do some recon. Alex was looking at the map and she had an idea. It was opposite of where I was told to go from various websites but that didn’t pan out in street view earlier so what the hell. We exit the freeway and after a few turns off in the distance I spot it! The little fence and the flowy sand! And it was perfect! (Don’t ask where, I’ll never tell)

Part 2: Nights of Neon

They say it’s not what you know but who you know. So true in this situation. I never would have been able to shoot at such an awesome location if the man of the hour didn’t have a very talented aunt with a very cool neon studio in LA: Nights of Neon (as seen on Huell Howser’s California’s Gold). I can attest it really is California’s Gold. When I was told we could shoot in his aunt’s neon shop, I expected a small corner shop in the city with a bunch or “open” signs and zero room to have much of an engagement shoot. I was so wrong. This place was amazing! Multiple warehouses with tons of space and just oozing style and options. The only bad part was the complete lack of sleep I got the night prior to the shoot. Thank you Jon, my one-year old who wakes up all night begging mom for “boobie,” Dad still loves you. So needless to say it was a low energy shoot and my creative juices were frustratingly left somewhere on my pillow at home. Thankful for understanding friends. I could have spent an entire day shooting here. AMAZING.

Taking the Plunge

Written by Alex

To say 2020 has been a year of change and demanding flexibility for almost everyone is an understatement. In our little home we’ve had to adjust to distance learning schedules and losing our primary caretaker for our three boys (among all the other COVID stuff). 

It was pretty clear from the outset that we wouldn’t be able to manage long term to both work full time and give our boys the time and attention they need. As a couple, we’ve often discussed the idea of Jeff working for himself, doing photography, carpentry, and art. Sitting in a cubicle every day has never been his goal, but it gave our family the stability we’ve needed for the last few years. 

Given our current need for someone to be home with our boys, we decided now was the time to take the leap. It’s been a stressful couple months (mostly for Jeff who has had to manage still working and kids full time) while we talked through our options and made sure we could do it without putting our family under a big financial strain. 

As scary as it is to leave something familiar and stable (Jeff was with his company for almost ten years!), we’re so excited for this adventure. We hope you’ll join our adventure by thinking of us for all your photography needs (or custom wood/art work!), referring us to your friends or family, or simply by liking/sharing/commenting on our social media posts. 

Looking forward to whatever the future holds!

COVID Mother’s Day

Oak Canyon Engagement Shoot

Sometimes you have all the time in the world to shoot and sometimes there’s a full wedding going on and you have to park a mile away and race against the dying light.  This photo shoot was the latter.

With the sun quickly setting on the valley, we had to keep running up the hill to catch the last bits of light.  Thankfully, it worked out! Glad I had a great couple that would let me put them in uncomfortable spots and risk getting poison oak (or who knows what else!) while trudging through the weeds…in sandals.  Can’t wait to shoot the wedding!

Price Family 2019

Had a great evening at the San Clemente pier dodging other family photo shoots and enjoying the sunset. Seriously its not surprising there are so many photographers in the area with locations like this. I feel so lucky to say that this is one of my regular photo spots.

 

 

Abby, Paul and Lando

So happy to finally be able to share these. This was the first session of the holiday season and one of my absolute favorites. Not only are they some of the best people: they make my job so easy! Had an awesome time walking around Orange, and even though we got started late with the time change and early sunset: it was perfect!

At one point we were walking past a window with a neon sign and I had to make them stop for a photo. That’s when Abby said  “just edit all of these to make it look like I’m in Bladerunner.” Can do.

JCA_4077BR

2019 Round Up

Well it’s been a long time coming and wow am I bad at keeping up with this thing. My last post was almost a year ago! Things have been really busy in the photography world for me lately and I love it! Here’s just some random trips and photo sessions that I’ve had this year. Can’t wait to share more of the recent sessions after the holidays.

Guatemala!

Me and my wife did a whirlwind weekend trip to Guatemala for a friends wedding. No sleep, crazy driving in the city and wonderful friends. It was a great and exhausting trip. 

Yosemite!

Well we mostly stayed in Bishop and did a ton of driving to and from the foothills of Yosemite. But it was a great and busy trip and family reunion.

Random photo sessions!

Here are a few randoms from some family sessions. And also a couple maternity photos of Alex. Baby boy #3 on the way!