Taking care of my inquirers
I try to take care of all my clients, including all the inquirers who couldn't book me (because I have already booked the dates).
I contact local photographers (competitors) and see if they can custom design their package to accommodate my inquirers.
Ultimately, I would like to keep constant touch with a few photographers.
I would like to quickly relay my inquirers to the photographers.
People come to me because of my price and package.
As I was looking for photographers I realized that my package is hard to beat ("picture quality vs. price" factored in ).
I currently have 2-3 weddings that I want to relay to.
If you are a photographer and can custom design a $1K wedding package, please contact me.
Wedgewood Banquet Center Wedding
I took a day off for today’s wedding (Friday)
Before going to the wedding, I met yet another customer and booked September 21 wedding. I met them a few weeks ago. Today, I dropped by at his work to exchange signatures and make things final.
I came to Wedgewood Banquet Center several times before.
I am very familiar with Wedgewood Banquet Center in Ventura.
Everything was going like clockwork.
Well, there was one minor incident.
10 minutes before the ceremony, a screw from my eye glasses came lose.
A lens fell to the ground.
I calmly picked up the lens and went to the men’s room.
I produced a piece of duct tape (from my emergency supply) and fixed the glasses.
I come prepared, you see. That’s what the pros do. 
I have a backup glasses in the car as well, but it’s really ugly.
McGuyver of Photography. Duct taped joint.
Fixed 10 minutes before the wedding ceremony. No sweat.
Lighting provided by men’s room in Wedgewood Banquet Center
Wedding was scheduled for 6:30pm.
We took all the formal pictures before the wedding ceremoney.
Yes, bride and groom saw each other before the wedding ceremony.
Wedding went smooth.
During the reception I talked to the newlyweds’ neighbors who will get married next year.
They have already booked Ventura Fairgound as a wedding location.
They were (very) interested in booking me as their wedding photographer.
We talked a little.
I have a good feeling about them. I think I can book their wedding.
Wish me luck.
I came back home 11:30pm.
I have a wedding tomorrow, so I really need to rest and get my cameras ready for tomorrow.
It’s almost 1am, so I only have a few hours to sleep.
A full day coming up. I need some kind of energy drink… ZZzz
It’s still a lot of fun.. good time.
Thank you for your support everyone.
I feel very good.
God bless today’s newlyweds. They looked so cute.
Oh, the father of the groom looked exactly like Lee Van Cleef.
Night view of Wedgewood Banquet Center
Wedgewood Banquet Center, Golf Course.
Buenaventura Golf Links
5880 Olivas Park Drive Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 658-13083
Wedding at Lion’s Park, Carpinteria
I got off freeway at Carpinteria and drove toward to Lion’s Park & Community Event Center. As I was driving, I could see the Zaca fire coming closer to my view.
Zaca fire started in Santa Ynez Valley, close to Buellton, on July 4, 2007.
7 weeks later, the fire is now active in Santa Barbara County (close to Carpintieria).
From Lion’s Park, I can see the thick smoke pumping like a power plant.
The fire didn’t effect the wedding at all. Everything went on smooth.
Both bride and groom are in Military. The bride served a tour in Iraq. I was humble before them.
When I arrived at the bride’s apartment I was rather confused for a while. I saw a tall gentleman wearing military uniform who’s face was familiar from my prior wedding. I was hoping I would refresh my memory fast and say “hello”. But it took me about five minutes to pin-point who he was. For that five minutes I tried to act natural, but I think he noticed that I was struggling (that was embarrassing
). His wife came out and said hello to me. That’s when I realized exactly who they were. She was Nicole from two years ago (I file my weddings by wife’s first name). It turned out that Nicole was the one who referred me to the newlyweds. The groom and Nicole’s husband were military buddies (more like brothers).
At the ceremony there were four bridesmaids but they only had two groomsmen. Th other two groomsmen were out protecting our country. During the reception the father of the bride asked people in military to stand up. There were a dozen or more people from a party of 60. It was a very special and very unique experience.
I think today’s wedding was one of the most “stress free” wedding I have ever seen. The day cruised by fast.
Carpinteria Lions Park provided everything in one location (bride’s apartment, ceremony location, photography location, reception hall). The entire park was closed for the wedding. They had the whole park for themselves. There was an on-duty security guard walking around the parking lot.
Pictures coming…
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Carpinteria Lions Park & Community Event Center (website)
6197 Casitas Pass Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013
(805) 684-5434
Bride’s Mother’s Email
I received an email from a bride’s mother from Santa Barbara wedding in 2005. She is one of my favorite mothers-of-the-bride (See? she keeps in touch with me after almost 2 years). On her email she mentioned that she has a few people whom she will recommend me as their wedding photographer. She also asked how long I was going to keep their web album on my website, VenturaPhoto.com/album
We exchanged several emails throughout the day. She said she would like me to keep their wedding pictures on my website for a long time. She said she often visit my website to look at the wedding pictures. I am going to keep their wedding pictures on my website for a long time. I like their pictures a lot.
Pic 1. Mounted 8×10 in my portfolio case. I show this to prospects.
We talked about the wedding day…. how fun it was and how hot it got at the reception hall (it wasn’t that hot. It’s just another fun memory to them). I told her about the mounted 8×10 print from her wedding that I show to my prospects. You see, the bride has a twin sister. So, when I meet prospects for the first time, this picture is a perfect ice-breaker. It brings smiles to people’s face. You cannot help but smile. I wrote that in my email to her.
I took a quick picture of my portfolio case showing a mounted picture of their wedding. I emailed that picture to her (pic 1). I explained how I printed them from a digital file. I didn’t do any retouching, it was just a straight $2.00 machine print.
It was nice talking to her. It made my day. Thank you and God bless.
Wedding client at YMCA
I had a photography assignment at YMCA. I spent 4 hours to take pictures of various activities lead by friendly staff members. It was the first time for me to personally experience what YMCA was all about. YMCA was more than just a fitness facility. They act as a baby-sitter, a school, and a playground as well. I have also attended their staff meeting to take photographs. They were talking about their philosophy and the goal for the future.
Earlier, at children’s activity, I met my wedding client (groom) from the wedding 2 years ago. He was leading activities for kids. He told me that they still carry their wedding album to show people. He said “You did a good job”. “Thank you, thank you” I replied. He told me they have a 4 months old baby girl now.
It was nice meeting him. Because I remember everything from his wedding, (strong wind at the beach, bride’s Adidas sneakers, balloon strings on the face when slow-dancing, groom’s first prayer as a head of household, electric slide, cake with sea-shell decoration, etc, etc…) I told him some of the details of his wedding that I remember. We laughed.
I meet past wedding photography clients constantly when I’m out . That’s why I always try to be nice to people. Not that I’m a bad boy.
Update: YMCA Program Guide is out, they used 31 of my pictures
Below is pictures of Camarillo YMCA I took exactly 1 year earlier.
Brunch with the Clients
The newlyweds from September 2nd wedding insisted upon treating us to a lunch. And I asked (please~!) to take us to a cheap place so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed. They gave me the direction to a restaurant in West Hills in San Fernando Valley. This restaurant turned out to be a real fancy brunch place.
It was my first time ever to eat a trout. I didn’t even know the name of tasty soup that came before the main meal. The brunch came with champagne and bread.
For a short time I had a funny thought. I thought ‘How do I know if I’m really eating a trout? I have never eaten a trout before in my life… so this can be a mystery fish’. It was an excellent fish by the way.
I was too shy to take pictures. I managed to take 2 quick shots so I can show and tell.
I gave the bride and groom their wedding album. They liked it. A few days later they wrote a recommendation post on my web site. I felt very special to be appreciated like this when I’m the one who should be thanking them. I will remember this forever. Thank you very much.
B-Day Party for Wedding Clients’ Baby
One of my wedding clients had a birthday party for their baby. And I was invited. It was fun. I ate a lot :0
Chavez was my wedding client 2 years ago. They kept in touch with me with baby news. I had a referral client from them as well. I also photographed the baby’s baptism last year.
Baptism 2005
It was really nice to get invited to my past client’s family event. It was fun to meet family members wearing shorts and aloha shirts. Because I only remember them in formal-wears.
The baby was only 1 yr old, but he had a lot of friends.
1st birthday party 2006, Piñata time
I took some pictures with my pocket camera.
A few clients keep in touch with me with baby news. God bless all of them…
Customer Comment from Long Beach Wedding
I have received a customer comment on Long Beach Wedding.
Thank you.
Nice thank you card / Wedding booked
I have received a real nice thank you card from a past client today.
Using the images I photographed, she made a real good thank you card.
She printed on a glossy stock paper.
On that card, she hand-wrote a nice note.
I love it when I receive thank you letters and/or baby news.
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Today, I booked a wedding for Oct 14, 2006.
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