The bride and groom live in Los Angeles.  Griffith Observatory is one of their favorite spots.  They liked the Hollywood sign.  They also wanted some pictures with down town Los Angeles in the background.  But it was a foggy day in Los Angeles.   We were little disappointed, but it was OK… we were busy anyway.

Oh, today was Superbowl Sunday, but none of us was a football fan.  We expected there would be less amount of people at Griffith Observatory, but the place was packed with couples and families.

We walked around Griffith Observatory and took pictures at different locations.  We took a lot of pictures when the Sun set over Los Angeles.  I was very happy when the bride said “I am so happy we have you for our wedding”.

Everyone’s looking forward to their wedding.  They are coming to Ventura for wedding.  And there will be a parade.  Check back around April for pictures of them in a mini-parade.

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles – After Engagement Photography Session

Engagement Photography at Griffith Observatory from 2007

I am enjoying my slow season.
I’m not exactly “Slow” because this is my chance to catch up with my other projects and hobbies.  I booked three weddings this month… possibly more clients will send in deposits.

I had two items in my to do list today.
12pm: Engagement photography session in Thousand Oaks (Job completed).
3pm: Meeting with the potential clients in Woodland Hills (Wedding booked).

The Name Game:
Groom’s name from engagement photography session was Brian.  The other groom’s name from 3pm meeting was Bryant.  Their names Brian & Bryant were somewhat confusing.  I had to be extra careful to avoid a potential disaster (If I get the names mixed up).  Both Brian and Bryant called me before the meeting to juggle their schedules.  I was kept making sure I was talking to the right person.

The engagement photography session went smooth.   The bride brought her parents (I told them to bring the family).  I photographed some family pictures as a bonus.  Oh, they had a one year old daughter.  I wonder if she can be trained to be a flower girl this Summer

1  hour later, I met Briant.  We met in San Fernando Valley.  The bride and groom came from Glendale.  The Starbucks Coffee we scheduled to meet was closed for some reason.  We had to re-arrange the location.  We had a fun meeting.  I felt like I was doing stand up comedy.  They were laughing everytime I said something.  They came to the meeting with the deposit ready.  That’s the kind of meeting I like  .

Oh, by the way, the wedding will be at San Bernadino area.  I expect to drive 4-6 hours.   I hope the wedding will be as entertaining as the meeting we had. 

I had a productive day.  I’m happy.  My customers are satisfied.  It’s all good.
Happy new year everyone.

** 2008 **

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.