Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

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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.

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I had to get off work early to take care of 2 jobs.

I went by a camera repair shop and picked up my second camera and dropped off my third camera.

I am over-hauling all my 3 film cameras for optimal performance.  My cameras are pretty clean, but I cannot take chances with wedding photography.  I do routine checkup every year or so.  And I do complete over-haul every few years.

After picking up my camera, I went to the city of Reseda (San Fernando Valley) to meet a possible wedding client.

We met at Starbucks.

The meeting lasted about 1 hour.  The entire meeting seemed like a stand-up comedy session.  We cracked a lot of jokes (well, I did).  

Some people come to the meeting all serious (with a notepad full of check-list).
Some people come to the meeting with the signed check in the hand (decision already made).
Today's bride and groom spent long time researching for wedding photographer and they spent enough time communicating with me via email.  They have already made a decision to hire me before coming to the meeting.  They came to the meeting to confirm that John Park exists, so they can make a deposit.  Wedding was booked on the spot.

The bride is an artist.  I am a little nervous about that.  It's not that normal folks don't know photography.  I am nervous because artsy people have specific taste (preferences).  

During the meeting I showed her different styles of photographs.  She told me what she liked and what she didn't like.  I took a note.  :) 

Wish me luck.

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I had a meeting with a potential customer at Culver City.
405 Freeway to Culver City was not that bad on Sunday Morning.
All and all, it was 2 hours round trip.

This completes my busy weekend.
This weekend, I had two weddings, had two meetings, and booked one wedding.
I ate out almost all meals and I drank a lot of coffee (my ritual).
I was in Ventura, Camarillo, San Fernando, Simi Valley, and Culver City for business.
I ate breakfast at 5pm today (the first chance I've got).

People in Ventura County didn't realize, but San Fernando and Culver City was extremely hot and humid due to The Hurricane Dean. When I was taking pictures, beads of sweat dripped down on my forearms. At least I was able to roll up my sleeves. 

Anyway, the weekend is over, job well done.
I can't wait to go back to work Monday so I can take a nap at my desk, ha ha…
Actually I am not that tired.

I just need to be very careful not to get burned from my busy schedule.
I think positive, don't get angry, eat good meal, drive careful, etc…
If I hear my co-worker coughing, I don't stay at work. 
I just come home and stay home until the sick co-worker gets better or makes a sick call.
I refuse to catch anything funky.

OK back to work.
Thank you all for keeping me busy.  I love it…

Next week's schedule:
2 meetings, 1 wedding, camera repair shop, photo lab, complete 3 web albums, send out 3 print orders, keeping touch with wedding customers.

Mental note:
Watch less TV and sleep at least 6 hours a day.

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After last night’s wedding, I only had a few hours to get ready for today’s wedding.
Yesterday’s wedding was a film photography. Today will be a digital photography.

Today’s wedding took place around San Fernando Valley, centered in the city of San Fernando.  Bride’s house was in Sylmar, the church was in Granada Hills. But we spent most of our time in the city of San Fernando.  It was a Mexican wedding but I didn’t have to showcase my Spanish skill.  They all all pretty much Americans.

San Fernando Valley ?? 

I used to live in San Fernando Valley. I grew up in Granada Hills.
I have a lot of memory of San Fernando Valley.
My mother still lives in Granada Hills.
I graduated Granada Hills High School, I am a Scott.
Chatsworth High was my Summer School.
I also took a few courses at California State University Northridge.
Every new year, I went to Galpin Ford in North Hills to pickup free calendars.

After all these years, I finally visited San Fernando Mission and saw the statue of Father Serra.
Across the San Fernando Mission was Brand Park where we took formal pictures.
Brand Park was packed with the wedding parties taking pictures.
I saw at least 10 wedding parties while I was taking photographs.

It was interesting to observe other photographers.
Some came with a full team of photo, video, and lighting crew. Those guys were from Telemundo, a big Spanish TV station.  Some photographer wore pirate pants and bandanna.  Yikes..

Brand Park, San Fernando

I was super hot and humid today.  The groom took his jacket off every time he was not being photographed.  We had a record-breaking heatwave, you see.  It was not just the heat, but it was unusually humid today.  As I was taking pictures, beads of sweat rolled down from my arms.  TV news described today’s weather as “Tropic”.

But, despite the temperature and humidity, photography wise, I got very lucky.  Sky was over-casted.  I couldn’t see the Sun.  So I had even lighting.  Look at the picture above.  No harsh Sunlight.  No squinting.  It was a “Golden Hour” at 3pm.  I couldn’t ask for more.  Imagine the same picture with a full Sunlight beaming down.  At that position, the bride and groom would be looking right at the Sun.

Recetion went on smooth with Mariachi band and DJ to follow. 

UPDATE, April 26, 2008: I had a very similar Granada Hills Wedding Photography gig.  I went to the same church in Granada Hills for wedding.  And I also went to Brand Park in San Fernando for formall wedding photography session.  And it was also super-hot.  [Granada Hills Wedding Blog]

De La Salle catholic church
10738 Hayvenhurst Ave. Granada Hills (Mission Hills), California 91344

Brand park (across from the San Fernando Mission)
15174 San Fernando Mission Rd. Mission Hills, CA 91345

The Elks Lodge
804 Pico street San Fernando, CA 91340

DJ - Party People Productions (Joe Vasques)
Serves San Fernando Valley and beyond  818-365-7643

Mariachi - Fiesta Mexicana, San Fernando Valley and beyond
mariachi11gonzalez@yahoo.com
818-365-1088

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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

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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 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

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Today’s schedule
8:30AM Arrive at Santa Barbara, Hotel Mar Monte
9:30AM Wedding Ceremony, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
11:00AM Formal photography - at wedding location
12:00PM Formal Photography - at Santa Barbara Courthouse
5:00PM Pre-reception Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center
6:00PM Grand entrance Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center
7:00PM Mariachi Stops playing
7:30PM DJ to lead activities
11:00PM end

Back to Hotel Mar Monte
I was at Hotel Mar Monte 
I love Santa Barbara. I feel very comfortable being here.

Every time I visit Hotel Mar Monte, I get a different view of Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center.
Today, I arrived at Santa Barbara early in the morning.
The bride stayed in the East side of Hotel Mar Monte.
From the East wing, I got this shot of Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center. (below).

Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center, looking out from window at Hotel Mar Monte

I have seen a lot of happy brides in my line of work.  But today’s bride was perhaps the happiest bride I have ever seen.  The bride was keep dancing as everyone was getting ready. She was singing and striking poses as her mother video taped her.

It was my first time being in “Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church” in Santa Barbara.  It was a real nice Spanish catholic church.  They had a semi-traditional catholic ceremony.  I say semi-traditional because they allowed me to take all the flash photographs I want.  This is rare in Catholic weddings as some churches would completely forbid you from taking any pictures (with or without flash).

The ceremony was over around 11am and we went to Santa Barbara Court-House. The bride and groom are familar with Santa Barbara, but they never knew about the Court House.  They were happy with the location.  They wanted some panoramic view of the building in the back.  They brought umbrellas which worked out pretty cute.

My favorite image from this wedding
It was an extremely tight space, very dark, and awkward place to take photograph

Things worked out fine.  Bride and groom were never stressed out.  It was all fun and blessing.

Speaking Spanish
I had multiple opportunities where I showcased my Spanish skill.  I communicated with many people in Spanish today, I wrote a separate blog about speaking Spanish.

Wedding service providers at today’s wedding 
Hotel Mar Monte - 1111 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church - 1300 E Valley Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center - 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Related Topics
Hotel Mar Monte
Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center

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I couldn't speak a word of Spanish a few years ago. Now I can carry on a basic conversation and able to make network with Spanish speaking wedding vendors.  For example, I am invited to a Mexican party this Sunday by a Mariachi band.  This will be fun.

Today's Santa Barbara wedding was a Spanish (Mexican) Wedding.

Today I had 3-4 occasions where had to speak Spanish.

First, I chatted with a charming old lady during my break time.
We were sitting somewhat close, so I had to break the ice.
I said "hello" to her, and she replied "No hablo Ingles."
We chatted for about 5 minutes in Spanish.
She told me about her son and the daughter in law.
I showed her some wedding pictures.

Later, at the reception, I engaged a conversation to a decorator.
He's English was pretty basic, and I didn't want to take any chances.
So, we spoke in Spanish and made a network.
I took down his phone number. 
He asked for my business cards.
I promised him that I will get back to him with some pictures of his wedding decorations.

Next, there was a mariachi band at the wedding.
They were starting to talk about me among themselves.
I had to let them know that I can understand Spanish (before things get awkward).
So, I talked to the mariachi in Spanish briefly.

Mariachi Viva Jalisco - from Oxnard California

Finally, at night, when everyone was dancing, I stepped outside for some cool air.
On the street, I saw a young couple slow-dancing to the music coming out from the reception hall.
I took a picture of them and handed him my business card. "I will email you the picture", I said.
The couple was not very comfortable with English.
So, we chatted about 3-4 minutes in Spanish.
I didn't get much information about them.
They were busy asking me questions about my personal life.
They seemed quite amused that I knew Spanish.

Young couple outside Pavilion Arts Center

I do good number of Spanish weddings.
I think people of all profession should speak Spanish if they don't want to miss out on 50% of sales leads.

Related Topics
Hotel Mar Monte
Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center