Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

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** Geek Blog Warning **

In addition to my AS degree in Photography, I have a BS degree in computer.  As much as I enjoy photography I also enjoy computer and electronics.  When I was 12 years old I made myself a transistor radio (by soldering tiny electronic parts on the circuit board).

Photography is both art and science (and business :)).  This blog shows my left brain at work.

I needed to make some improvement to my existing flash light.  I thought it would be nice to install a remote trigger jack on my Canon 580EX.  I have a wireless flash system for normal wedding situation already.  With this modification, I will have more flexible lighting configuration without carrying extra flash unit.  It’s all good and fun.  I could not resist the urge to crack open and see what I can do.

I paid $380.00 for this flash less than a year ago.  But no sweat.  This is a somewhat well known fix among techie photographers.  I found the instruction online and simply followed what it said.  The whole project was was simple and fun.  I wished it was a bit more complicated.

PS. The project took place because of two recent events:  1.) I didn’t have Internet for a few weeks.  So I have some free time to enjoy other things.   2.) I had a wedding photography job at Santa Barbara a few days ago.  The ceremony location was very dark.  I felt the need for adding one more remote flash in my line-up. 

Before drilling a hole

Case Closed

Finished Product: Now I am able to use it as a wireless system when needed

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This is my key-chain.  Figured… 

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Along with my Coffee & Minolta Cup, this is yet another one of my photography ritual.  I must wear this watch when I take pictures.  I never forget this watch when I go to weddings.  I am afraid I will misplace this watch, so I bought another one as a backup.

I’ve been wearing this watch for over 15 years now.  I lost two of them already.  These are #3 & #4.  I use the calculator all the time.  I don’t know how some people can go out shopping without a calculator. 

I use stop watch and timer almost every day.  Also I frequently use tele-memo function to take short notes (where I parked, bride’s room number, etc).  This watch is a “must have” item.  People think I wear this watch to look different, trying to look “old school”.  But I really need this watch.

Casio has a newer model of this watch, but they only have 12 buttons on front panel.  My older model has 4 more buttons (a lot more calculation power). 

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* Related Coffee Story

After years of weddings photography, I have developed some rituals.
One of them is coffee.
I always brew a fresh coffee right before I hit the road.
I have a good thermos mug that keeps coffee hot for 8-10 hours.
I always use a Minolta cup.  It’s plastic and insulated.
All my photography equipment is Canon, except for the light-meter and this cup.
I love this Minolta cup.

Anyway.
Today, when I was running tight on schedule (rainy day driving), I have realized that I forgot to brew my coffee.  I was devastated.

I went to McDonald’s and bought a cup of coffee.
McDonald’s’ coffee is pretty good, you know.
This coffee kept me company, but it was not the same.
I will never forget my coffee again.

 
McDonald’s Coffee, September 21, 2007 - Before Wedding

Next day, September 22, 2007 - Before Wedding

There is yet another ritual that I do right before the wedding.
I arrive at the wedding site and get out of the car with my Minolta coffee cup.
I set my Minolta coffee cup on top of my car and I get ready for the wedding.
Sometimes I fix my tie and put on Sun block lotion.
I do the last checkup on my cameras and take the lens caps off.
And I take a few test photographs. 
When I look for an object to take photos of, the closest object is always my Minolta cup.

Below are more pictures of my Minolta Cup.

Carpinteria

Oxnard, Heritage Square

Long Beach

Oxnard

Santa Barbara

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I booked four meetings for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday.
They are all wedding customers.
I should check to see if people are asking for same date.

On Friday & Wednesday, I need to go straight to the meetings after work.  I hope the traffic will be OK.

Saturday, I will go to Oxnard for Mexican Independence Day celebration.  I need to mix with my Hispanic network.  It's all for fun, and it's all for business. Muy Bien (that means "Very good" ).

On Sunday, I have a wedding at Long Beach.  So I need to drive 90 miles an hour back to Ventura County for a meeting.

So, again, I will have absolutely no rest this weekend. 
I will get my first weekend off late November.
Wish me luck~!!

Update: It's Wednesday night and this is what I have.  From 4 meetings one person flaked out.  So I only had three meetings.  From three meetings I booked all three weddings.  And I booked one additional wedding from the meeting I had 2 weeks ago.  So I had 100% closing rate from my 3 meetings (and some).

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We had a quick engagement photography session at the beach.
Their wedding is three weeks away, you see.
We meet at Point Mugu rock and tailgated to my favorite spot.

The couple was fun and free but not used to be photographed (like the most of us, including myself). Not a lot of people can be "natural" in front of the camera.  I surely cannot.  I think I have a few good shots for the signing board.  I have three weeks to come up with a signing board.  I personally hand-mount 20"x24" signing board by hand, on the kitchen table.

I think today's engagement photography session is going help them on the wedding day. Because now they are comfortable being with me (I hope). 

Anyway, I have three weeks to come up with the signing board.  Everything must run like a clockwork. There is no room for delay or error.  I feel very confident that everything will be smooth.  In fact, I enjoy this stress.  September 8th wedding  coming up.

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After engagement photography, I went to a local restaurant for a steak dinner (I will not name the name of the restaurant to protect the people I met).

I walked in there with my three big cameras.  I was wearing my photographer's vest.  Two waiters cracked jokes about taking pictures of them.

After dinner I offered them free photography session on the spot.  The entire restaurant was excited.  Kitchen crews were too shy to come out.  They only peaked out from the back to see what was taking place.  The rest of the waiters and clean-up crews took some fun pictures. Some of them posed as Captain Morgan. (you know, with one leg up)

The next day I emailed the images to one of the waiters. I am going to burn a CD so I can give to the guy who didn't have internet access.

Photography is fun.  We should use photography to spread happiness.  Some people are up-tight about photography, as if it's a privilege to know how to take good pictures.  Some people try to send their kids through college with your wedding budget.  Some people think their photography skill is equal to that of doctors or lawyers.  But the truth is for 1 professional photographer, there are 1000 hobby photographers who can take equally good pictures. Photography is a cheap hobby and is fun.  Don't let photographers intimidate you. 

PS. People should enjoy my service while I still think this way. 

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I had a meeting scheduled for Sunday morning 10am.
But, you see, I had a wedding on Saturday night.
I work full time Monday to Friday. 
So, I knew I would be very tired on Sunday morning. 

Saturday night, after wedding, I worked on my website until 6am.
I thought I would take a quick nap and get ready for the meeting.
I thought I would come back from the meeting and get my usual Sunday nap…. no sweat.  

Oh my… I woke up at 9:10 AM~!!

I had 20 minutes to get ready and leave.
It was like I was back in school… late for SAT test.
I didn't shave.. I don't even remember if I took a shower.
I even forgot to bring my wallet.  It was classic. (pathetic :)).
Anyway, I made it to Ventura Barns and Noble 10 minutes early.
I found some cash so I was able to pay for a cup of coffee.

The young couple showed up right on time. I was still sleepy… my voice was totally gone. After about 30 minutes of chatting I was feeling the coffee. We had a good meeting.  The bride liked my kind of humor. At one point, we were laughing hysterically (accompanied by tears). This is why I rather be busy and tired.  Life is fun when you do what you like to do.

PS. Yes, I booked this wedding.  Looking forward to 11-11 wedding.

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One of my photography rituals is coffee..

I always drink coffee when I do any kind of work related to photography. I bring coffee when I meet wedding clients. I drink coffee in the car when I drive to the wedding site. I drink coffee when I go to the photo lab. I drink coffee when I put wedding albums together or cut mat boards.

Besides that, I almost never drink coffee.

I am a tea drinker. I have a dozen or so different kinds of tea at work. But, I appreciate good coffee. I have several different kinds of coffee. Some are vacuum packed and frozen for long term storage.

Starbucks is always good, Krispi Kreme's Smooth Blend is good.
Pete's coffee and the rest fancy ones are all good.
Sometimes I even enjoy flavored coffees (Vanilla, butterscotch toffee)

I'm not a big fan of cheap coffee.

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Hava Nagila is my favorite wedding song/music.
I do more Jewish weddings in Los Angeles County than in Ventura County.
I think Jewish weddings are very sexy and cute.
They wrap the bride and groom in a blanket (sorry, I don’t know the proper term).
They tie their hands together.

Jewish wedding is very fun… the dance… the blessing…
I love it when they sing Hava Nagila.

I know the lyrics to Hava Nagila by heart.
I have different versions of Hava Nagila in MP3.
I practiced that song so many times.
I can play guitar and sing.
At my next Jewish wedding, if something happens to the singer, I can grab the mic and sing Hava Nagila.  (I am not kidding)

Hava Nagila is my favorite wedding song.
Here’s the lyric.

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Hava nagila,
Hava nagila,
Hava nagila,
Ve’ Nismecha.

Hava nagila,
Hava nagila,
Hava nagila,
Ve’ Nismecha.

Hava neranena,
Hava neranena,
Hava neranena,
Ve’ Nismecha.

Hava neranena,
Hava neranena,
Hava neranena,
Ve’ Nismecha.

Uru, Uru achim,
Uru achim belev sameach,
Uru achim belev sameach,
Uru achim belev sameach,
Uru achim
Uru achim
Belev sameach.

(Repeat)

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A wedding client from last year emailed.
She’s going to have a baby in July~!!

October 20th wedding is booked (deposit received).

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My name is John Park.
It’s not Parks.  There is no ”S” at the end.

But:
A lot of people call me Parks. Even my photography clients and some coworkers call me John Parks.  I even receive junk mail sent to “John Parks”

Every month people come to my website by searching “John Parks Photographer” or “Ventura Photo John Parks”

I don’t know if this is something I should worry about.