Archive for 2010
Happy Holidays!
From The Studio 
2
Sun 12.26.2010
“The horizon leans forward,
offering you space to place new steps of change”
- Maya Angelou
May your holiday season be a celebration of the past year and joyful journey into the next.
Best Wishes,
Cath :)
Felecia & Jim dance and flirt in front of Grace Cathedral.
Felecia and Jim are a sparkling, passionate pair. The couple’s wedding aesthetic reflected their fascination with old-Hollywood glamor and the magic of early American cinema. Felecia designed her own wedding dress, and Jim had his white dinner jacket especially tailored in the fashion of Humphrey Bogart. The couple brought on ever-wonderful Jean Marks and brilliant Gloria Wong to ensure their vision was flawlessly carried throughout the celebration. From personalized stamps, a classic vintage Packard, and a cake with edible black-and-white feathers, this charming celebration was truly epic.
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8 Reasons I Love Christmas
Reflections 1
Wed 12.22.2010
1) Christmas Cards! Our culture has gone so electronic that messages of holiday cheer are often lost in the morass of email. It’s so lovely to get quality mail. I especially love cards that feature images of my friends or family. The Novogratz‘ just sent me an epic Christmas card.
2) The fragrance of Christmas! You know what I mean… fir trees and wreaths, apple cider and spiked egg nob, ginger and nutmeg, sugar Christmas cookies baking… all wrapped up with the chilly air of the winter season.
3) Giving gifts! When I was about 13-years-old, it occurred to me that it was tons more fun to pick out the absolute perfect gift for my family members and school friends than to receive something myself. It is so cool to see the expression on the face of a loved one when they open the package of their dreams.
4) Brandy egg nog! (No explanation necessary.)
5) Reconnecting with family! We try to keep in close touch throughout the year, but we’re all so busy pursuing our careers and raising children that it’s often difficult to come together. Christmas is the perfect occasion for this….and for sitting in Santa’s lap! (This is a picture of me when I was six-years-old.)
6) Christmas lights! From Thanksgiving through New Years, my mother would drive us hither and thither, pointing out all of the beautifully decorated homes festooned with lawn ornaments and glittering lights. It’s so inspiring to see people taking such pride in their homes to express themselves and their families.
7) Absolutely-awesome Christmas spirit! People seem to be in better moods, the holiday vibe lasts from November through January, and a sense of togetherness and community abounds.
8) Holiday Movies! I never, never, never watch movies more than once–I let myself be moved by them and then move on. Nevertheless, I’ve probably watched A Christmas Story 50 times. The scene where Ralphie’s mom “accidentally breaks” her husband’s “tramp lamp” perfectly encapsulates real-life marriage–something that I didn’t understand when I was younger.
Happy holidays!
xoxo
Catherine
Lighting Journey | Profoto D1 1000
Tips + Tricks 2
Mon 12.20.2010
As a digital wedding photographer, literally every second counts. In order to create a cohesive album narrative, I must capture moments, such as the couple’s first look, parents gasping with delight when their daughter begins processing down the aisle, rings exchanged, the first kiss, and more. The family has entrusted me with no small task! As such, I need a sturdy, effective, and reliable strobe kit.
Artificial lighting allows me to craft images with more depth, dimension, and oomph. Profoto is an electronic-flash technology leader, and I now use their D1 Air on virtually every shoot. My 1000Ws is fully digital – even its flash output control circuitry. It enables me to create consistent flash energy and flash-to-flash color temperature.
With the precision of a dual-mode SMPS capacitor charging technology and the creative freedom of high-speed and full-open lens of its 7 f-stop power range, I can dig in deep to the art of photography… rather than fiddling with complicated switches and controls that might make me miss the most important moments of a wedding. It even has the capacity to remote control and trigger my flash from 1000ft away. Now is that cool, or what? Profoto’s the way to go!
In this video, my lighting director and I open up about the myriad benefits of using the D1 Air 1000Ws. Check it out – it’s educational, accessible, and pretty damn cool.
Duncan does it again! Holiday Martini Madness
From The Studio, Out + About 0
Thu 12.09.2010
All smiles with the fabulous John & Linnae of Asiel - they are crazy-inspiring!
On Wednesday night, I attended Holiday Martini Madness, a swanky soiree hosted by Duncan Reyes at San Francisco’s Infusion Lounge. A gathering for wedding-industry professionals, we had a magnificent time chatting up and knocking back. Below, see some lovely pics with these rad insiders.
Reveling with Thomas of Thomas Hughes Films & friend
Chilling with the super-stylish Andrew of Studio MSV
Fantastic Armando of Get Your Do Up... who recently did my hair and makeup for my yet-to-be-released Epson video!
Cheek-to-cheek with awesome photographer Jules Bianchi.
Sharing the love with fantastic designer, Michelle, of MB Wedding Design & Events.
Celebrating the evening with our remarkable host, Duncan Reyes.
