Mike Lewis Photography Blog

Louis & Jessica ~ Redlands & Riverside

Mike — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:22:06 +0000

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Alex & Luisa ~ Vanguard University

Mike — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:41:12 +0000

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Thuy & Isaac

Mike — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:33:40 +0000

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Nate & Cindy

Mike — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:57:12 +0000

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Carmen & Ian – Redlands

Mike — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:15:24 +0000

Junior & Liz ~ Twin Peaks in the San Bernardino Mountains

Mike — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:30:25 +0000

Alex & Luisa ~ Date Night

Mike — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:31:09 +0000

Some of you may remember Alex from your wedding. He’s been helping me out for the past year or so. One of the best things about Alex is his ability to think differently. That’s probably why he’s such a good second shooter! Instead of going with a traditional engagement session, they decided to have a date night. It was a great expirence as thier photograher to just sit and watch and capture more candid moments from the evening as they interacted with each other. It was pretty special to capture such a unique time for them. You can check out Alex and his work here

Sean & Heather ~ Friendly Hills Country Club

Mike — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:36:26 +0000

Don’t worry, I gave Sean and Heather lots of color images! Just trying something different with the black and white. I’ve heard of some photographers shooting entire weddings in black and white, but I’m too chicken to shoot black and white straight from the camera. I do enjoy black and white images as they have some great strenghts. It can strip away color and distracting things that would normally catch your eye. Hopefully these will help you focus on the things that are important – rather the two people that are important ;)

Robert and Sarah ~ A Mission Inn Wedding

Mike — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:09:23 +0000

SPIDERS! SPIDERS! AND MORE SPIDERS!

Mike — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:52:14 +0000

This little guys is called the Brown Widow Spider. It’s caused quite a stir here in California and other parts of the US. This is probably the scariest photo shoot I’ve done. I kept thinking things were dropping on my head. It even freaked me out every time I had an itch! Bud bugs were a walk in the park compaired to this! If you want to know more about the Brown Widow, check out the Center for Invasive Species Research page to which I contribute photos from time to time. Enjoy!

April’s Family ~ Downtown Riverside

Mike — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:01:58 +0000

I don’t shoot too many family portrait sesisons, but it’s nice to take a break from shooting weddings all the time. It gets me to think in different directions. Thanks April! It was fun meeting your family – enjoy!

Riley & Julia ~ Hidden Oaks Wedding

Mike — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:49:22 +0000

I really enjoy shooting at Hidden Oaks in Rancho Cucamonga. It’s such a nice atmosphere and a really beautuful spot for a wedding. If your looking for a wedding venue, check it out! Riley and Julia, your wedding was really one of the nicest I’ve been to in a long time. Thanks for having me!

Mike & Emily ~ Balboa Beach Engagement

Mike — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:45:48 +0000

My little sister is getting married! Enjoy them Em!

Rachel and Jeramey ~ Dos Lagos Engagement

Mike — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:54:03 +0000

Josh & Yvonne ~ A Fontana Wedding

Mike — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:00:08 +0000

Pedro & Carmen ~ Laguna Beach Engagement

Mike — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 21:20:15 +0000

Angel

Mike — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 03:35:12 +0000

Nate & Cindy ~ California Baptist University

Mike — Sun, 01 May 2011 18:21:37 +0000

I had a great time hanging out with Nate and Cindy for their engagement session. CBU offers some great places for pictures – which is good. Nate and Cindy go to my church, so I wanted them to be good. Enjoy :)

Robert & Lakeeya ~ Canyon Crest Country Club, Riverside Wedding

Mike — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:31:39 +0000

Eddie & Katie

Mike — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:49:17 +0000

Eddie and Katie rocked. They have such a cool story. They often traveled to see each by train while they were dating. It was really cool to hear Eddie tell me how “right over there I would wave good bye, knowing it would be weeks before seeing her again.” It was so special as their photographer to help them remember how their story began. I have to admit, it’s one of the best parts of my job :)

It may sound obvious, but it was cool going into the shoot thinking of ways to convey this theme in the pictures. Shooting in LA was like painting with a new canvas. The possibilities were endless. Which is why I’m really looking forward to the wedding next week in San Francisco – it’s going to be awesome :)

Stuart & AJ – A Balboa Beach Engagement

Mike — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:08:02 +0000

Mike & Jaime ~ The Wedding

Mike — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:37:59 +0000

Loved hanging out with these guys and being apart of thier wedding. I can tell they are going to be doing big things in this world! Congrats guys!

The Bell Family

Mike — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:00:08 +0000

I had a lot of fun with these guys, so I’m trying something new this time with HD video of the family session. Or you can just skip to a few of my favorite images below. Enjoy

Music by Drew Holcomb “I like to be with me when I’m with You”

Riley & Julia ~ Engaged

Mike — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:24:50 +0000

Ryan & Laura ~ Married

Mike — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:29:26 +0000

Sean and Heather – A Lake Arrowhead Engagement

Mike — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:39:33 +0000

I love being up in the mountains, and shooting pictures on such a beautiful day just makes the day even better. Sean and Heather picked a great location and an awesome time of the year!

Rainy Day Part 2

Mike — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:10:35 +0000

Just because I like them…

Just another rainy day…

Mike — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:53:16 +0000

California’s been having some sweet rainy days recently. Here’s one I found driving on 76 through La Jolla Indian Reservation. I have a couple more from yesterday… maybe I’ll post soon.

Mike & Jaime

Mike — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:31:59 +0000

Tim & Stacey

Mike — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:00:54 +0000

Glassy-Winged Sharp Shooter

Mike — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:49:31 +0000

Taken for the Center for Invasive Species Research, www.cisr.ucr.edu

Scott and Brandy

Mike — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:59:02 +0000

A little different, but I like em :)

The engagement session was shot up at the always awesome Rileys Farm.

Joey & Danielle ~ A Palms Springs Wedding

Mike — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:37:43 +0000

I’m really ashamed to say how long it’s taken me to get these photos online. Let’s just say they already have thier albums – so a really long time. The Summer season has kept me busy – which is good, I really can’t complain. Danielle and Joey had a wonderful wedding out in Palm Springs – the Mission Hills Country Club to be exact. The cloudy skies brought us some good light. The Ceremony on the other hand was a little more challenging. The low light created the romantic feeling, but it was rather challenging to photograph. Overall, it was a great evening. Enjoy the post :)

Heteropsylla texana

Mike — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:59:22 +0000

Here’s my second attempt with the Helicon Focus program. Must happier with these, but still harder than heck to get them right. Taken for the Center for Invasive Species Research, www.cisr.ucr.edu

More Goldspotted Oak Borer

Mike — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:28:56 +0000

Here’s a few more taken for the Center for Invasive Species Research, www.cisr.ucr.edu I had to use the dreaded Helicon Focus program to get the depth of field I needed. After some practice, I think they turned out pretty good seeing it’s my first time.

Julian, CA

Mike — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:42:52 +0000

Gonatocerus ashmeadi

Mike — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:42:14 +0000

Gonatocerus ashmeadi is one of the many parasitic wasps used in the biocontrol of GWSS. These guys were super small and wouldn’t hold still. I really gotta grow a third hand to use the CO2! Taken for the Center for Invasive Species Research, Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter page www.cisr.ucr.edu

Cody & Cassie ~ An Edward Dean Museum Wedding

Mike — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:27:20 +0000

I had never shot at the Edward Dean Museum before, but was surprised by this little gem of a venue – Cody and Cassie did well with choosing this awesome place. I was thrilled to shoot most of the romantic and family pictures before the wedding instead of the more traditional “after the ceremony rush” to find important people for the pictures. This was part of the reason Cody & Cassie decided to see each other before the wedding. Although it may not sound all that appealing, shooting all the pictures before is a great way to reduce the stress of the wedding day. Typically we can shoot much more pictures and have a little more time doing it. So thanks Cody and Cassie for planning out the day this way – it really helped me do the best job I can :)

Be sure to check out the last photo, as it’s my favorite of the day! And, as always, enjoy :)

Matt & Jamie ~ Engaged!

Mike — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:38:17 +0000

Matt & Jamie can’t wait to get married, and if you only knew them, its not hard to see why. For starters their passion for God brings them closer together. They are both heavily involved my my church. Matt recently returned from a missionary trip to Uganda, and Jaime helps our regularly with the children’s ministry on Sunday mornings (She’ll be be getting my little monster soon!) They are completely head over heals for each other, which makes it super easy to do my job :) With the little bit I’ve gotten to know them, I see they are truly genuine people in their actions and emotions. The wedding is coming up in just a few days, so I wanted to make sure to get these out on the blog -enjoy!

Stephany and Phil – Palm Springs Wedding

Mike — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:19:29 +0000

One of the best things about my job as a wedding photographer is that friends and family come to me to capture their most special days – and I’m honored to do it. Stephany is in our in our weekly bible study at Sandals and Phil was finishing up a tour overseas. It was really cool to hear all the wedding updates each week leading up to the wedding, with the anticipation of Phil coming home just in time for the wedding. It made it just a little more special to be apart of when the big day finally came. Stephany found this killer ranch out in Palm Springs called CTR Ranch complete with all these cool props :) Enjoy, and check out the slideshow for some more pictures!

Want more? Check out the slideshow!

Trash the Dress – Summer

Mike — Fri, 07 May 2010 04:02:01 +0000

Here’s the second part of the Nick Corona workshop. Again, Trash the Dress is a good thing – really it is! It gives you more memories from your big day, and more memories is always better right? So after this taste of trash the dress, I really want to do more than just the bride. How about the bride and groom for a session? Any takers? I think we could get some killer images post-wedding.

Thanks to Summer for being so patient with all of us!

Trash the Dress – Melanie

Mike — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:40:18 +0000

Don’t worry! We didn’t trash it! Well, not really. Trash the Dress is usually what we call an After Shoot or an excuse to take pictures we wouldn’t normally get to do on the wedding day. It’s great because we have time to create some awesome pictures in very cool locations. This was part of a workshop hosted by Nick and Liz over at Nick Corona Photography. It was great to shoot for what I wanted instead of always keeping the client in mind. It gave me more room to experiment and play around. It doesn’t really get much better than this – Thanks Melanie for the great modeling!

Destination Wedding – Maui

Mike — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:44:54 +0000

It goes without saying, but Hawaii was AWESOME! So were Chad and Julie – not only for booking me for their wedding, but also rock’n it on the wedding day. It was a little challenging shooting all our pictures around the resort, as some areas had a ton of people – but I think we did pretty well :) It was great to have a little vacation to wrap up the year – since this was the last wedding of 2009. Maui was quite beautiful, I was really impressed. Check out my other post for some more personal photos here and here. Enjoy!

Edward & Sarah

Mike — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:30:22 +0000

Scott and Brandy Preview

Mike — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:16:38 +0000

Just because I feel like posting something :)

Cody & Cassie

Mike — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:00:12 +0000

Cody and Cassie are an incredible couple. Their love for each other overflows with each action they take, regardless of how small or insignificant that action might be. It’s this type of visual love that makes creating their pictures a walk in the park. It was great to get to know you guys and learn about the awesome things you guys are doing with your church in Riverside. Thanks for hanging with me as we explored Laguna through my camera :)

Maui – Part 2 of 2

Mike — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:04:25 +0000

Holy Cow! It’s been over five weeks since my last post!? Really there is no excuse, but I promise it’s because I’ve been taking a TON of pictures. Lots of good engagement sessions and weddings to post, but for now here’s the final few images from our personal time in Maui. These Pineapple fields were probably my favorite spots on the island. The fact that we were able to walk through them for a few miles to get to Jaws Beach (the surfing spot from the last Maui post) was even better.

Kevin & Tiffany ~ An Ontario Wedding

Mike — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:00:39 +0000

I’ve been a little lax with the blog post lately. Uncle Sam has taken up a bit of my time. Special thanks to Daniel Balboa for being an awesome second shooter on this wedding. He captured some killer images with his photo ninja skillz! And of course, special thanks to Tiffany and Keven for their wonderful day. Enjoy!

This is one of my favorites shots Daniel got of the day. Love the look!

Maui – Part 1 of 2

Mike — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:45:59 +0000

Back in December, we were lucky enough to travel to Maui and shoot an awesome wedding! (pictures coming soon!) But instead of the actual wedding, here’s just a few shots I captured from around the Island. It was a great trip, and can’t wait to go back — any takers? :P

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The Martin Family

Mike — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:13:48 +0000

Once again it was great to get out and try something different: family pictures. These guys were a blast to hang out with – really cool people who aren’t afraid to laugh and just have a good time. And really, as a photographer, what more can you ask for? When it comes down to it, family photography really isn’t that much different from wedding photography. It’s certainly something I hope to shoot more of in the future – Enjoy!

Deriek and Jennifer Engaged!

Mike — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:00:24 +0000

Robert & La-keeya

Mike — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:00:05 +0000

Gotta love the Citrus Park, and Robert and La-keeya too. They were a little nervous at first, but as the shoot went on they began to focus on each other and less on the guy behind the camera. Can’t wait for the wedding in July!

Sunset at Laguna Beach (photo of the day)

Mike — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:33:27 +0000

Just a quick shot to prove once and for all how awesome Laguna really is :)

Harrison and Anita, a Lake Arrowhead Wedding

Mike — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:00:26 +0000

Even though Lake Arrowhead was freezing cold, it turned out to be a great wedding! Harrison and Anita were perfect. Crisp blue skies, and the golden color of the trees were the perfect touch for the November wedding. Thanks guys, and hope you enjoy :)

Payton’s Family

Mike — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:00:10 +0000

Just a week or two after little Payton’s photo shoot, we set out to photograph the family. Again, one of my first family shoots – pretty fun!

Junior and Liz

Mike — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:00:10 +0000

Junior and Liz were awesome, what more can I say? Great location too at Riley’s Farm, one of my favorites. Can’t wait for the wedding guys!

Payton

Mike — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:00:37 +0000

These pictures don’t even do justice on how cute this kid is…

Here’s one of my first try’s for children’s photography. Very different from weddings, but still pretty fun!

Matt and Cara, a Palm Springs wedding

Mike — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:32:30 +0000

Matt and Cara had a really fantastic Palm Springs wedding. They gave me lots of time for romantic pictures which makes Mike a happy guy. The reception was at the Lucy House, one of my new favorite places in Palm Springs. It’s the atmosphere, history and flat out coolness of the Lucy house that made it such a great place to have a wedding. Thanks guys for having me!

100,000 Pictures

Mike — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:59:29 +0000

I really wasn’t sure what to expect in 2008. It was my first year on my own as a photographer. All I could really wish for was a few weddings to carry me through the year. To my surprise, God totally blessed me. It turned out to be an excellent year with almost 30 weddings this year alone. I’m proud to say I’ve shot over 100,000 images in such a shot time frame. I’ve learned so much about life, love, running a business and of course: photography. Thank you for all my clients for making this such an awesome first year. I truly do have one of the greatest jobs in the world and have you all to thank for it :)

Happy New Year!!!

mike

Joey & Danielle ~ Engaged!

Mike — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:00:56 +0000

The more I shoot at Laguna, the more I love it. And it seems like I’m not the only one. There was another photographer getting mad because we were in “his” background. So we tried to be nice and ducked behind a rock to give him a quick shot. I’m glad we did as it turned out to be a great picture! One of my favorites for the session :) Can’t wait for the wedding guys!

Harrison & Anita at UCLA

Mike — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:32:08 +0000

I’ve never been to or much less shot at UCLA before. I’m impressed. There was lots of little places to shoot, and I’m sure I missed tons. I have to say it was pretty cool and hope to go back sometime. I’m a little late getting these up, their wedding photos hitting the blog soon!

Jason and Erin, a Palm Springs Wedding at the Living Desert

Mike — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:13:55 +0000

Jason and Erin were married at the awesome Living Desert in Palm Springs. Their love for animals and the outdoors was perfectly represented at the desert habitat. We even got some great shots with the Leopards! (some very different wedding photography ;) All in all, it was a great wedding! Thanks guys for having me! And special thanks to Daniel from Balboa Photography for coming along and helping me out for the day.

Lake Arrowhead HDR

Mike — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:00:31 +0000

Just a few quick shots of surrounding Lake Arrowhead area…

Laura and Ryan – Lake Arrowhead

Mike — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:19:46 +0000

It sounded like a good idea at the time. Lake Arrowhead. Should be beautiful this time of year – right? The weather threw us a curve ball by sending some fresh snow to throw off my camera meter. And to boot, it was COLD! (Snow, mountains, go figure!) In any case, Laura and Ryan we’re troopers. Heck, they only had to jump in the car once to warm up!

1, 2, 3 :)

Mike — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:40:15 +0000

Happy Birthday Zac! I can’t believe you’re already 3!

Mike and Liz, a Santa Ana Wedding

Mike — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:05:47 +0000

Mike and Liz gave me two things every photographer needs to make great wedding photos: time and light. And I believe we got some FANTASTIC images to prove it. Mike and Liz, thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve you guys on your wedding day, you guys ROCK!

Adrian and Eli ~ Married!

Mike — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:55:20 +0000

I know I’m really behind in my blogging, but wanted to make sure I showed these guys off before it got too long. It was a great and relaxing wedding – something that rarely ever happens. Thanks for the memorable day guys!

Chris & Michelle – March Air Force Base

Mike — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:07:44 +0000

I really can’t believe how fast time is flying by! Chris and Michelle’s wedding was back in September and here it is – almost Thanksgiving! They were married at March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley and I have to say, it was really nice to have everything in one area. It gets rid of so much stress. But stress was the last thing on anyone’s mind. It was the little things they did through out the day to make each other laugh to enjoy the day – stress free. Chris and Michelle are a perfect example of why I love my job. Thanks for inviting me help you remember those special moments by capturing your day with my camera. Wish you guys the best!

Liz and Mike – Engaged!

Mike — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:00:32 +0000

Liz and Mike are getting married this weekend! (I know, I know, I always blog really, really late!) We started off by sneaking around the grounds of the Mission Inn in Riverside (yeah, literally). It was a little hard to focus on shooting when I was always watching out for the hotel security, but somehow we managed to succeed. Then we did some cruising around downtown. Looking forward to the wedding!!!

Senior Portraits

Mike — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:20:14 +0000

It’s sisters like Ashleigh and Savanna that really make me wonder why I don’t do more senior portraits. I think weddings are so hard wired into my brain it is hard for me to think about shooting other stuff. Hopefully I can break this pattern soon and shoot more of these on a regular basis. Anyway, I had a great time shooting, hope you enjoy looking!

Ayla & Jordan – Married!

Mike — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:44:48 +0000

I’ll be honest. It was a little difficult getting back into the flow of things after having so much time off, but I couldn’t have picked a better bride and groom to get started with. Plus, there we a few previous brides at this wedding from over the past year, making it easy to get the gears turning. It’s great to see how a couple is doing after the first few months. And if it couldn’t get any better, I had Aaron Hoops help me out with a little second shooting. And they had Mexican food :) Ayla and Jordan were about as cute as can be. There were so many family and friends who came out to celebrate their wedding. Thanks for the good times and good food guys! And thanks for being such willing models around the botanic gardens!!!

Aaron caught this fantastic shot!

Another great shot by Aaron on the left :)

Day 15 – On the Road Again & HOME!!!

Mike — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:00:55 +0000

Its always good to see family. Especially when they live so far away. The Keg was a REALLY GOOD steak house! Go if you ever get a chance. The last shot was from the 101 along the Oregon coast. It was so pretty all the way through Washington and Oregon. We just don’t have beaches like that here in California. And with that, we’re home! And so good to be home too!

Day 14 – Seattle, Wa

Mike — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:00:04 +0000

Seattle. We made it. We checked out a few of the sites. Although I spent most of my time at a gaming convention, PAX :) Oh yes, very good times indeed!

Here’s a few shots from our wondering. Pike’s Place Market was cool to see. Very crowded though on a Friday. I couldn’t believe how many people we walking around with camera’s and taking pictures. It kinda seemed like most people were there being a tourist. We also saw the first Starbucks, which didn’t look like a Starbucks at all. It was rather bland inside with tons of product boxed lining the walls. And finally, a shot of the Space Needle. We were too cheap to pay the $40 to go up, so I just grabbed a free pictures instead :)

Day 13 – Deception Pass, WA

Mike — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:00:54 +0000

In my opinion, this was one of the most scenic spots of our trip. This place was very popular for that reason. It’s full of some interesting history if you want a good read.

I’m getting better at this HDR stuff. Little by little :) Enjoy

Here’s Deception Pass in the background. If you look carefuly, you can make out some cars on the bridge to get a sense of scale.

Day 12 – Mazama, WA

Mike — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:28:30 +0000

Here’s another try at some HDR stuff. I think I’m getting better, but I know there’s lots of room for improvement. Mazama was truly beautiful. We were luck enough to stay here a few days visiting some friends.

Zac got to sit in the fire truck. Needless to say he had a great time :)

Day 11 – Diablo Lake, WA

Mike — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:08:39 +0000

So there was a little break, so what, I’m on vacation!

This was just one of the many jems driving on Hwy 20 over the North Cascades. And no, it’s not photoshop that gives it the greenest-blue color. Its the silt from the glacier runoff.

Day 10 – Mt St Helens, Washington

Mike — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:00:08 +0000

It took us almost a whole day to check this out, but looking back I’m glad we did. Zac was a but when we got there, but all in all it was a good trip. It was really interesting to see how the forests regrew after the eruption and to learn how they did all the replanting.

Day 09 – Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Mike — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:04:51 +0000

What can I say, this was awesome! It was along the highway just east of Portland. The drive down was great too since the highway followed the Columbia River. We did the hike up to the top and got a great view. The hike up there almost killed us though, especially pushing Zac all the way.

Here’s the view from the top. I was too scared to lean over any more to get a better angle ;)

The Trees above the fall we beautiful. It seemed like another world.

Again a stream above the falls – A whole new world :)

Day 08 – Portland

Mike — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:00:27 +0000

Portland was an AWESOME city. Although, I was a little surprised on the variety of people living there. I mean no disrespect, but they seem a little odd. Really, they are very different from anywhere else I’ve visited. It’s hard to explain really. They seem very artsy and green of course. They also seem very liberal thinking – friendly in many ways but independent at the same time. There were tons of homeless people all over. Maybe more so than other big cities. I wonder if that has anything to do with with generous social services? In any case, there was just something :”about Portland that fell near and dear to my heart. I think if I could, I would move up here in a heart beat!
I wish I had time to take photos of all the crazy and beautiful bridges that stretched across the Columbia River, but we just didn’t have time :( I guess that’s a good reason to come back right?

This is the worlds smallest park – really! Mill Ends Park

Day 07 – The Magic is in the Hole!

Mike — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:00:45 +0000

Gotta love ‘em for their bold and quirky treats. Voodoo donuts in Portland was certainly memorable. Monique got a bacon covered donut. That’s right. Real bacon. I was really tempted to get one of their 5 gallon buckets of day old donuts for only $6, if only to see the variety.

Day 06 – The Oregon Trail

Mike — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:00:37 +0000

Ok, well maybe not the Oregon Trail – it’s a little more modern and it’s called the 5 freeway ;) Driving from Lassen to Portland is a long 450 miles. This is just one of the places we stopped. I do have to say though, I’m really starting to like Oregon. Like REALLY liking it!

Day 05 – Manzanita Lake

Mike — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 05:49:10 +0000

We camped a few days here at Manzanita Lake in Lassen National Park. Simply beautiful. There were plenty of people fly fishing, but sadly I didn’t see single person catch anything the whole three days we were there. But that’s ok, there was lots of other wildlife to check out while we were there. I lost track of how many deer we saw. They would let us walk up close before they skipped away. We even saw a few otters in the water as well. I got some HDR stuff, but don’t have time to get to them now. Hopefully in the near future!

Day 04 – Lassen National Park

Mike — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:07:26 +0000

Lassen National Park is probably one of the most beautiful forests that I’ve seen in California. The water, the trees, and the volcanic history of the park make it a worthwhile trip. This was just one of the numerous meadows we saw on our first day on our way through the park.

Day 03 – Sacramento Part 2

Mike — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:00:47 +0000

We should be in Lassen National Park with no internet – hopefully I should be getting some good photos to post later on. But here’s just a few more from the State Fair. It reminds me of my Castle Park days.

Day 02 – California State Fair

Mike — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:00:07 +0000

Truth be told, I think I prefer the good old LA County fair. The fairgrounds did have a lot of water fountains, lakes and rivers which made it pretty interesting.

Road Trip – Day 01

Mike — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:16:08 +0000

Our first stop – Sacramento and the California State Capital Building.

Here’s my first lousy attempt at an HDR image. As with many things, practice will make perfect.

It’s nice to have a good photo with Zac and I. Normally I’m the one always behind the camera :)

I have no idea what he’s thinking, but I don’t think it’s good.

Leaving Las Vegas…

Mike — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:24:22 +0000

After 42 hours on instruction over three days, it’s finally time to head home. I don’t really mind the four hour drive home, as it gives me time to reflect on the many concepts and revelations over the past few days. There are so many changes I need to make in order reach a level that I’m satisfied with. There is always a higher mountain peak above the one you have just climbed – always another obstacle between me and the perfection I so desperately seek.

Photography is an extremely competitive market. It seems like anyone can pick up a camera and show up to a wedding. Some may even be able to take good photos. But the reality is that wedding photography is so much more than taking pictures. My job is to capture the priceless memories of a couple’s most important day. Not just any memories mind you, but the warmth of the embrace, the flutter of butterflies as she walks down the aisle, and the skipping heart beat when the groom see’s his bride for the first time. Wedding photography is about capturing these feelings for all time, immortalized in an image for all to see and celebrate. It’s about life.

I just spent the last three days in Las Vegas for a photographer’s convention with some of the most impressive leaders in the industry. I’ve listened, learned, networked and communicated ideas with other photographers, united in our common goal and reaching into a new level. I’ve learned so much about photography, weddings and ultimately people. In the end, I love what I do, and I happily thrive on helping my clients remember the most important day of their lives though this medium called photography.

I hope I am living up to this incredible standard with all my past couples. If you are a past client, I cannot think of anything more precious than what you have entrusted to me. For that, I humbly thank you.

It is with your gratitude that I press forward. It is your honest thanks that gives me the courage to call myself a Wedding Photographer.

Alyssa Wine – Singer & Songwriter

Mike — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:27:58 +0000

A few of you may remember this bride from a great wedding late last year. Her wedding was quite a memorable one – most of you may remember that famous “jumping shot.” Alyssa contacted me a few weeks ago about taking photos for her growing music career and I was more than happy to give it a try. I felt a little awkward at first. Weddings are hardwired to my brain so I had to think outside the box. After a few minutes we both relaxed a little and just focused creating killers images. In the end, I think we got some awesome stuff! Check out Alyssa’s music on her facebook page or check out one of her up coming shows! Just don’t let her beauty fool you, she has the brains and talent to back it up.

Jeri and Danny – Married!

Mike — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:37:31 +0000

You know you’re a bad blogger when the bride finishes her wedding album before I post the blog pictures! I hang my head in shame, but really, it was only a couple of weeks ago, so I can’t beat myself up too bad. This has to be one of the smallest weddings I have ever had the pleasure of attending. After the ceremony, we all headed over to the Gamble House in Pasadena. This place was amazing! I don’t think I’ve seen such amazing architecture from a single home before. It was simply quite beautiful to say the least.

Danny an I felt so honored to be apart of such an important event that so few had the privilege of witnessing. Danny and Jeri, it really was an honor. You guys are such a cute couple! After so many years of being together, I was honored to hold such an important part of your beautiful day.

Julie and Chad – Engaged!

Mike — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:28:02 +0000

As a gift for finishing the bar exam a few days before, Julie decided to surprise Chad to a weekend getaway at Newport beach. What’s a better way to celebrate than a little R&R with the fresh air from the Pacific? It took Chad a few minutes to relax and get into it, but he relaxed a bit with Julie by his side ;) Even though the beach was pretty crowded on a Friday evening, we still managed to get some great shots. I always seem to under estimate how many cool spots their are in Balboa. Thanks Julie and Chad for the great time taking your pictures. Hope you guys had a great weekend and wish you both the best!

See the Slideshow!

The Goldspotted Oak Borer

Mike — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:43:10 +0000

Here are some pictures of the Goldspotted Oak Borer. It’s an insect that’s invading California’s natural Oak trees. These pictures are from a field trip from the California Department of Forestry to help local researchers learn more about the pest. You can learn more about the Goldspotted Oak Borer here: CISR: Goldspotted Oak Borer

Anne and Joe – Married!

Mike — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:49:34 +0000

It’s been crazy busy over here. It’s a mad dash to get everything done before we leave for a little time off. But it has been quite a while since the last blog post, so I wanted to make sure to get Anne and Joe’s wedding up here. Now I know I may say this a lot, but Anne and Joe were the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I had a blast spending the day with them and meeting all their friends and family. Keep rocking the ceramics Anne, (she made the wedding cake topper) and good luck Joe with making the wedding album!

Because Strawberry Pie is so good

Mike — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:05:13 +0000

Hope you like looking at it as much as I enjoyed eating it ;)

Colleen & Peter – Married!

Mike — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:29:24 +0000

Colleen and Peter are about the nicest people you could ever hope to meet – genuine to the bone. We had a great time a few months back in San Diego shooting their engagement session, so I knew their wedding was going to be a good one. They didn’t disappoint. It turned out to be a very special time, one that will be remembered for long to come. Thanks for sharing your day with me and for spoiling me with all that good Mexican food!

Tim and Erin – Married!

Mike — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:17:40 +0000

Tim and Erin are actually a pretty interesting couple. Sometimes you get the feeling that a Bride and Groom are special before you even pick up the camera. That was totally the case with Tim and Erin. She makes wedding cakes. He’s a rocket scientist. Sound strange? Not at all. Their love for each other is strong. I didn’t even need to work any magic with the camera or do any special poses, they just were themselves – completely in love. We started the day at the Claremont Collages and captured some beautiful images before heading to Hidden Oaks in Rancho Cucamonga for the ceremony and reception. Under the shady oak trees, cool evening breeze and 500 of their closest friends and family, they said their vows before God and kissed for the first time to mark the start of their lives together. The seven layer cake is just one of Erin’s many creations. As good as it looks on the outside, it tasted even better on the inside. Thanks for the awesome day guys. You both shine with love for each other, making everyone around you love just a little bit more :) Congrats!

See the SLIDESHOW!

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Just for Fun

Mike — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:38:41 +0000

I know this is a far cry from wedding photography, but sometime you just have to stop and notice the details of life. I grabbed a few shots while working out in Temecula.

Neil and Candice – Engaged!

Mike — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:14:20 +0000

To be honest, I was feeling a bit tired from the events of the weekend. I was a little hesitant heading to the UCR Botanic Gardens for a Sunday morning engagement shoot with Neil and Candice. But after a few minutes of shooting I was totally into my zone. Of course I can’t really take any credit, Neil and Candice made it so easy. As much as they might disagree, they were total naturals in front of the camera and were really easy to photograph. Their affection for each other shines, easly coming through the camera. Thanks guys for a fun morning, can’t wait to shoot the wedding!

Click here to see more in the SLIDESHOW!