Behind the Lens: December 2008

What happens when you get theater buffs together

These are all past performers of EVCT- a group I also used to perform with loooong long ago! I just thought I'd share the fun session I did. Amazingly, I pulled this session off, 1hr after leaving the dentist chair + 3 fillings. Nothing like theater junkies to make shooting with a mouth full of novacain fun!

Grace Olivia

These are some of my favorites from Grace's newborn session- this is my brother Mike's baby and Grace's mommy and daddy are soooo in love with her. I can't wait for all the fun photos we will take of her over the next few months.

My first Chapel Wedding

Carrie and Jason were married on 12/21- the winter solstice, interestingly enough, their son Jackson was born on the spring solstice.

I had the opportunity to photograph their ceremony at Chapel on the Farm and then do some fun family pics afterwards. Their little boy is an absolute doll and was such a good boy during the ceremony- and from the photos, he certainly enjoyed all the attention!

I got to do something really neat with Carrie and Jason; they were hoping, but not expecting to receive their photos before Christmas. So last night after leaving my mom's house, we drove into Gilbert and I was able to personally deliver their photos to them.

It was such a fun thing to do, I only wish I had time to do that with all my couples. I love getting to see people react to the work I do. So the thought of having them come over and sit for a slideshow in the office makes me giddy. It's just not always feasible. So this was my little fix.

Merry Christmas to you both and congratulations!

Inside the Bungalow

http://www.insidethebungalow.com/

This is a wonderful, quaint cafe that does yoga and hosts wedding/receptions, located in the heart of downtown mesa (main and robson). It is run by a mother and daughter team and they have done an exceptional job of maintaining it's bright sunny color schemes and lush landscaping.
It really is just a beautiful place to allow your imagination to run wild. And it's great if your a shoestring budget bride because there is really no decor needed. If you've never been, it's an absolute treat just to look around and sit and absorb the wonderful energy.

This location has some historic importance to me. About 5 years ago, this location was called "Coffee Talk" and when I was about twelve years younger "Oy!" I used to perform on the stage in the front of the coffee shop.

I highly recommend everyone find an afternoon to go and enjoy this gem in downtown Mesa. Carrie- the daughter/owner is a delightful person and immediately will welcome you like family.

Fortunately, the surrounding area has been built up with gorgeous boutiques and is within walking distance from the Mesa Arts Center. Inside the Bungalow is one of the quintessential historic building in the immediate downtown that actually make downtown Mesa worth visiting.

Greg & Karen Trone

Congratulations to Greg & Karen- Mr Wonderful and Anne of Green Gables exchanged vows 12/20 at thier local church and celebrated with family and friends at "Inside the Bungalow" a quiant and beautiful coffee/yoga bar formerly known as Coffee Talk. It was simple and elegant, and incredibly emotional. I've never seen Melanie cry at a wedding and when Greg danced with his mom to Elton John's "your song" the masses were in tears.

Karen, thank you for insisting we do the window shot- coincidentally enough, one of my associate photographers and I have been oggling an image from Jose Villa, and because of you, I think we were able to capture something even more special!

image in reference

Have a great time in Hawaii!!!

I got a response

So I initially started blogging because it was the thing "all the photographers" are doing now- it's more personable, more honest, blah, blah, blah- to me it was all business and a fun way to show off some awesome pics.

No one had posted any comments in the blog, so I was bogged, and wondered if I should even take time to do it.

Then I received this comment from a best man at a recent wedding- and now I realize the blog isn't just for fans of MIFP- it's also for me, as a benchmark

"Jacquelyn,
Just wanted to add to your comments about Steven and Kam. The wedding was a fitting end to their courtship and beginning of the rest of their lives together. I was the best man in the wedding and I have been in nearly a dozen weddings in my life and attended many more than that, and this was the most exciting, most beautiful, and most fun of any wedding I have ever witnessed. It was pretty much good enough for TV or movies.The worst part of the wedding was the fact that it had to end, but thanks to you and your assistant, I was able to go back and relive that exciting night and now, because your prices are so reasonable, I can purchase pictures of my best friends' wedding, and I get to see all the wonderful people I was able to meet because of my friendship with Steve and Kam.If I get the chance to move to the Phoenix area, I will recommend you to ANYBODY who is looking for a great photographer who is able to capture the moment as it occurred. Good work, and good luck with what should be a great career in photography!
Chris Reed"

I hope I'm not embarassing you Chris- but that totally made my night!

So should you ever feel like commenting on the blog- know it always puts a smile on my face

Congratulations Nicole!!!

All of us here at Moments in Film would like to take a moments- haha- to congratulate Nicole Zoe Garcia on receiving her masters degree from ASU.

To celebrate we got up very early Sunday morning and did a grad/fashion session at the downtown campus where it was very cold. Nicole was a trooper in mini dress and heels, cap and gown. Although, I'm convinced encouraging her to run thru the street helped warm her up.

It was a great shoot and I'm super excited about her wedding next year and even more fun photos.

Weekend Engagement Sessions

Lisa was my first '09 bride to take advantage of our new partnership with Sanctuary Golf Club in North Scottsdale and looked stunning in her new auburn hair. Plus with two shooters, I was able to test the new lens.

Sunday after much rejoicing, Mike's hair had grown out from the haircut, and we were able to get their engagement session done before they head home to NY for the holiday. The sun had just started peeking out, but because it had been threatening rain, we had the umbrella and decided to play. It also didn't hurt that luminarias was going on at the Botanical Gardens and art installations were everywhere to make the photos really POP

Finally, Kamelia met with me prior to attending her engagement party and we took some stunning photos of them at Freestone park in their formal wear. Kami was a real trooper scaling rocks in those tall heels for one of my favorite shots of them.

Paparazi Lens

If a picture says a thousand words- this one is all too obvious!

Needless to say, I am the proud owner of the 70-200mm Canon L series Lens. Dim churches will glow, reception close ups will not be crop outs and details are crisper and cleaner with the lens. It also dwarfs my camera and weighs close to a new born child, but hey- it's too cool!

Working on SEO

So the new buzzword for small business is Search Engine Optimization- or basically making you a hot topic on search engines. I'm not too keen on it, but after lots of gentle persuasion from Amy at Chapel on the Farm I decided to give it a try.

So here goes my first attemp.

FEATURED VENDOR
Phoenix, Arizona Photographers
Directory at Decidio.com

This link will help you find other wedding and party vendors.

Shortly, more to come on my adventures in growing a small business in a tough economy.

Catching up....Weddings

So we're going for a whammy of blogging today to catch us up.

Heindl Wedding

Held at a beautiful residence in East Mesa. Theresa and Joey had a stunning backyard reception filled with family and friends. It was incredibly special that our groom was able to see his dad for the first time in 13 years.

By the way Joe...Coolest grooms cake EVER!!!

Lazcano Wedding

Hugo and Deanna also opted for a backyard fete at sundown. These crazy kids danced to mariachis and partied all night long. It was a wonderful blending of cultures and friends. Not to mention, we are especially excited, since Hugo has been a friend of ours since before I was married.

Shawver Wedding
Mollie and Dustin exchanged sunny vows on this east mesa golf course. It was a very relaxed event, with a few familiar faces- former classmates, the groomsman who has been to 4 weddings (1 we previously shot). Kudos to Mollie's aunt I believe for the wedding cake. By the way Mollie- great shoes- no sinking in grass and too cute with jeans and a white tee