Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

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It’s a long story, but I didn’t have internet for about 1 month.
I managed to take care of all my work, but it was a nightmare.
I hope I don’t repeat this anytime soon.

Last 4 weeks, I had to go to my work in my jammies at night to check emails.
Oneday, I spent a whole day at a coffee shop so I can use internet.

I am finally connected with Verizon fiber optic connection.

Anyway, I’m back, and I’m faster.

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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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** It rained, but wedding was successful and cute.  We had to go with the flow and get creative. 

Today’s wedding photography marks the first wedding of the year 2008.
Today is Thursday, you see.  Yes, a Thursday wedding.
I had to take a day off from my day job for this wedding.
The bride and groom came up with an odd wedding schedule.. check this out.

- - - - - Wedding Schedule - - - - -

Thursday, February 21, 2008

• Both Bride and Groom getting ready at their house in Santa Barbara.
• Limo to pickup bride and groom.
• Wedding ceremony: Mission Rose Garden - Santa Barbara
• Photography after wedding ceremony: Shoreline Park/Leadbetter Beach Park - Santa Barbara
• Additional formal photography at Santa Barbara Beach
• Lunch at Cava Restaurant - Santa Barbara

Saturday, February, 23, 2008

• Wedding Reception: Arnoldi’s Cafe, Santa Barbara

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - -

The wedding schedule was made, hoping it would not rain.
But it rained - so we had to go with the flow and compromise

Because of the rain, wedding ceremony at the Rose Garden was out of question.  The bride and groom rented Santa Barbara Courthouse (The Mural Room) for one hour.  The Mural Room is a historic room that County of Santa Barbara is keeping as a tourist attraction.  As we were getting ready there were steady flow of tourists with cameras walking in to take pictures.

Wedding Ceremony was officiated by their close friend.  The officiant was cool and calm at first.  He told some of the tourists to “sit back and watch the wedding”.  Ceremony soon began.  There were only about a dozen people attending wedding ceremony.  The bride and groom were relaxed.  They were smiling and enjoying the moment.  But the officiant was sweating bullets.  After the wedding ceremony, they all made fun on the officiant about how nervous he was while he was officiating wedding ceremony.

Because of the rain, we had to get creative about the formal photography session.  We were originally scheduled to go to the park and the beach around Santa Barbara area for photographs.  But, outdoor photography was not going to happen.  We had heavy wind along with rain.  Rain was falling in side way.

We took most of the formal photographs inside the Mural Room.  The room was very dark.  It was the darkest setting I ever had.  I used my wireless lighting system. 

We had to cancel our plan on the beach photography as well.  Instead, I suggested that we’d all go up to the tower.  At the tower, we would still get natural light and we still have a roof over our heads.  It was windy and cold.  Everyone was shaking.  I had to wear my gloves because my hands were too cold.  The wedding guests were saying “Wow, John’s wearing gloves”

Because of the wet & cold weather photography session on top of the tower ended rather quick. 

All in all, everything worked out pretty nice.

This completed today’s schedule.  They all went to Cava Restaurant for a lunch.  By this time it was raining really hard.  I will come back in 2 days for a reception.

Santa Barbara Courthouse
1100 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara (California) , 93101
(805) 568-2220

Cava Restaurant
1212 Coast Village Rd
Montecito, CA 93108
(805) 969-8500

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Driving to photography location, Point Mugu
Driving through Point Mugu rock
VenturaWeekly.com is my pet project.  I really do enjoy Photography

I have a small photography package called “Happy Hour”.   Just like the happy hours at local bars, customers can enjoy services at low price during the slow hours.  My slow hours is weekdays after 5pm.  I take any kind of pictures for $175.  I don’t travel too far for this package.

I cannot take pictures cheap on Saturdays & Sundays because I do weddings and meet customers.  I am super busy during the weekend.  And I make big bucks (I sweat bullets, get stressed, and manage to make everyone smile… get the job done.)

A family wanted to hire me for a “happy hour” special on the beach.  Actually it was a high school senior photography project.  I told her to bring the family so I would take pictures for them as well.  So, she will not only have her senior photography done; her entire family will get their pictures done at no extra charge as well.  

We made a special arrangement and had a photography session on Saturday evening.  We met at Starbucks Coffee in Camarillo and tailgated to Point Mugu. 

They had a lot of fun.. a lot of laughter.