So this week it’s a Tuesday post, and a good one. I mentioned last week that I do boudoir photography as well and that I have a separate site dedicated to that, remember? Well, I said that I would post some pics and talk a bit about my philosophy behind my style/approach. Here I am, as promised doing just that. I will just start off by saying that I LOVE boudoir photography. It can be so beautiful and artistic and so fun, all things I love so of course I dig it! So you know what? I think you should book a session. Why? Because you’re beautiful and you should document that….no matter what your size or shape (I know we tend to worry about that ladies, being one myself). The pictures make a FANTASTIC wedding gift for your fiance, or a first anniversary gift for your spouse (the first year gift is supposed to be paper, so it’s perfect!). PLUS, I do the shoots along with one of my besties Carleigh, (love you Carlos!!) and we have a grand old time laughing, drinking wine, and taking a few pics. A note about our style, we HATE fake. You are beautiful EXACTLY how you are and don’t need any alterations. That being said, we don’t use any artificial light and we don’t do much touching up (general things yes, but I will not be making you look 3 sizes smaller) Why? Because that’s not you! No frills, no fake, just the real you, it’s raw and THAT’S hot, so that’s what you’ll get. And I’M SURE whomever you are giving the pictures to doesn’t want to see a fake you, they want to see the REAL you, the person they love. Not a false, lit up, airbrushed, 10 sizes smaller version. PASS. Soooooo, there you have it, our raw boudoir photography. The site is www.studioraw.net (still a work in progress, but worth sharing) so check it out! For a limited time I am running a special of $300, just let me know you read this blog post and the discount is all yours. Stay sexy my friends!!! xoxo

yum yum yum…I could eat her shoes. (and yes, she did sit on the floor, in a dress, at a bar. GO Kolby!)

And a little bit of news to keep you all in the know. As I announced a while ago, our 2010 dates were full for wedding bookings, but we have decided to open up to doing one or two more (we love weddings, what can I say?). SOOOO, if you know anyone getting married this year still needing a photog, we have limited availability BUT send them our way anyway. We have many spots open for 2011 as well and July is filling up fast so get on that advance planning head start….never hurts to book early while we’re still offering our 2010 rates as well (wink wink). Ok ok, NOW for the pictures.

Oh Rico, you’re soooooo tall! (ok, or the snow was really deep…ssshhhhh)

As you know, when it comes to margs we don’t mess around.

What time should my ceremony start if it is taking place outdoors? I get this question a lot and I’m glad, because from a photography perspective this is VERY important. We photographers, we love light. We’d seriously eat it for dinner if we could, however, like most good things in life it’s nice to have a balance. This is why we generally schedule most of our shoots for the late afternoon, the sun isn’t so direct that it is overpowering and causes harsh shadows, but it’s high enough to provide the beautiful lighting that we all love. So, that being said, I would always suggest that if your ceremony is outdoors and you are doing your portraits after the ceremony, then you should schedule your ceremony to start 2.5 hours before sunset. That way your ceremony and your portraits will all have the best lighting conditions possible. Now, if you really really really want to have your ceremony take place at night under the stars, it is just good to keep in mind that your photographer will have to use flash, which is fine, they should be well trained in that area, however just remember that the pictures will not be naturally lit. If you are having a later ceremony then I suggest doing your portraits beforehand and having a first look.

What is a first look and is it important? SERIOUSLY LOVE the first look. This is when the bride and groom decide to see each other before the ceremony and have a special moment alone beforehand, followed by portraits and then the ceremony. Now, from a photographer’s standpoint this is ideal because it allows us more time for your portraits and brings the stress factor down a bit. This is because there are no guests waiting at the reception antsy to get the party started, and there is optimal light. From a non photographer standpoint I also think this is ideal because it’s seriously such a great and special moment for the bride and groom to connect before the ceremony. The look on a groom’s face when he sees his bride for the first time is priceless, this still happens at the first look AND he has the ability to be alone with her and tell her right then and there how beautiful she looks. Seriously, some of the best moments for me to witness have been these first looks. Ok, so, I understand that it is the dream of many brides to have the first time her groom sees her to be when she’s walking down the aisle, and that is totally ok! The most important thing for you and your wedding is that you do what is more “you.” Your photogs should respect and support the priorities you have for your wedding and that first moment. I just wanted to give you our perspective on this topic all the while assuring you that we will stand by you whatever you decide! I would suggest however that if you do decide to wait to see each other that you make sure to schedule enough time for all the portraits afterwards…..

How much time should I schedule for portraits? Great question and very important! Scheduling enough time to do your portraits is key for optimal wedding photography results (and happy photogs, and we really are fun when we’re happy…I promise). My recommendations are 2.5 hours for all portraits if you are doing them before the ceremony (this includes bridal party shots, individual portraits, together, etc). This will give you enough time to get all desired shots and then have some down time just before the ceremony for any needed touch ups (make up is important to us ladies!!!!). If you are not seeing each other before the ceremony then I recommend scheduling an hour and fifteen minutes before the ceremony for your individual portraits and then shots with your groomsmen or bridesmaids. Then, I’d schedule another hour and fifteen minutes after the ceremony for your family group portraits, full bridal party, and those of the two of you. Any longer than this when guests are waiting can be too much, but any shorter than this might just not be enough (depending on the size of your bridal party and the number of family shots). Remember what i told you about light though, be sure to check in advance when the sun is going to set and then make sure you have enough time before sunset for these pictures for nice naturally lit shots.

oh man, it seems that I am writing a novel here! I’m a photographer though, and not a writer so I think I’ll stop for now. Don’t you worry, there are more tips to come like making a shot list etc, but I’ll let you chew on this for now. ALSO, if you have any other questions you’d like publicly answered, feel free to leave those in the comments section. You know what? You should comment anyways…in fact, I DARE YOU to comment. Now you have to, it’s the law and don’t make me call my lawyer (she’s tough)!

ok ok, and I know I keep going on and on but just a little fyi as to the happenings of STUDIOcastillero. I wanted to let you all know that we unfortunately will not be scheduling anymore portrait sessions this month. We adore them but we are maxed out people!!! January though, bring it! And on that note, we are quickly filling up for next year’s wedding bookings. So, if you’re planning on getting married next year and would like to book with us for your wedding photography, I strongly urge you to do that sooner than later since we’re booking all the way into 2011 (also, on the DL…you might want to secure our 2009 rates before the end of the year…just a hint). Thanks again and love you all!

JON rachel

Just a quick word about this sweet couple I’m sharing with you here. This is Rachel and Jon and I seriously can’t resisting smiling whenever I even THINK about them. She lives in Cali, he lives in Canada so when we did their engagement session in Balboa Park three days before the wedding, they were REALLY EXCITED to be with each other. Then the same for their wedding! It took place at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook and was one of the happiest weddings I’ve EVER shot (no joke). Imagine going from SUPER EXTREME OTHER COUNTRY long distance to married. Since I’ve talked your ear off already today, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Rachel and Jon (Jonah) we adore you and may you be completely blessed in your new marriage! Next time you’re back in Cali, it is a must that we hang out, yes, a must. So here you have it, the engagement session AND wedding of Rachel and Jon!

SO, I have included a “Love Story” below that Tom (from Aqua Vivus) offers his clients. Rico helped shoot this video too, and because it was so much fun we thought, “Why NOT offer something similar to our clients? But with a little STUDIOcastillero twist?!” So this isn’t an example per se, but will still give you an idea of what we’re thinking about (To get exactly what Brian & Heidi have here, you’ll have to go to Tom since it won’t be exactly what we’re offering).

The difference with an e.MOTION will be that we will include still photographs mixed in with the video and it will be set to music (so think sweet-survival-of-the-coolest-slideshow-mutation). We will have a real example soon…. so stay tuned. In the meantime check out Brian and Heidi’s “Love Story” below, their adorable rating is through the roof!

If you’re curious about this new e.MOTION service, what it is, how it works, the cost, just send me an email to rachel@studiocastillero.com

Happy weekending my friends!

ALSO, today we were featured on the wedding blog Rock N Roll Bride, and I think you should ALL head over there RIGHT NOW and check out the lovely Meghan. I’m completely addicted to this blog because, well, she rocks!!  If you’re planning your wedding and are into doing things a bit differently than the norm, this blog is a fantastic resource for you. It’s true,  so go there and leave her some comment love!

And here he is, doing his thing……

Now can you honestly tell me you wouldn’t want this guy at your wedding? With those moves, who wouldn’t???

Jodi and Jeremy, yes, they’re in love. 

more Jodi and Jeremy goodness.

For some reason I really like this building in our neighborhood. I just do!

Oh camera, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways

This was a cute older couple out on their walk together…….so adorable. 

And I’ll leave you with one more “teaser” picture of Jodi and Jeremy! Until Monday my friends!

This is a save the date we did for an upcoming wedding in September (it’s at the Inn in Rancho Santa Fe! I could die), and the bride’s style is amazing! Seriously, amazing! (Teri, I had to share the goodness and I can’t WAIT until your wedding! It’s going to be beautiful!)

These were the invitations we designed for the adorable Megan and Nick, who were married in April in Cambria, hence the pine trees….

Invitations for Megan and Ryan who are getting married in August at the Admiral Kidd Club in San Diego…I love them!!!! Seriously, I do. 

This is a wedding invitation collection we did for one of my dearest and closest friends, Carleigh. I’m actually a bridesmaid in her wedding in about two weeks and I’m counting the days, seriously, it will be beautiful. 

As well as supporting an environmental org, we try to take active steps in preserving our earth in all aspects of our business. One area that is a bit trickier when it comes to being green, is in packaging, so we’ve been playing around with a few things and wanted to share what we’ve come up with! TADA! Eco friendly, yet still stylish packaging! I can hear the trees clapping, can’t you???? So, below is just a little peek at what our clients receive when their pictures are finished…fabulous pictures, low environmental impact, does it get any better than that?????? 

Let me know your thoughts, and if you have any suggestions/ideas on “green” business practices, definitely leave a comment! In the meantime, I’ll be at the stationary store drooling over all the fantastic “green” options they have these days…..