Kris & Eric's Wedding at the Rancho Bernardo Country Club {Rancho Bernardo Country Club Photographer}

Kris & Eric have been engaged since Thanksgiving 2012, so this wedding was a long time in the planning. Kris and Eric got ready at the Rancho Bernardo Inn and the ceremony and reception were held across the road a the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. They were nervous about the potential of rain, but a gorgeous Spring day dawned and they couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting to say their "I Do's". The images below are just a taste of all that went on ! Best wishes to the happy couple and I hope they are having a fabulous time on their Mexican honeymoon ! 



View their photos below. Click on each to view larger.

 

 

Assistant Photographer: Stacy Self
Venue: Country Club of Rancho Bernardo

Music/MC: DJ Clay

Flowers: Leslie Nicassio & Paige Harrison
Officiant: Pastor Jeremy McGarity

Ceremony Music: Garrett Mail

Videographer: Ryan Knight Films

Hair & Makeup: Van Tran

Bridal Gown: Bridal Showcase

Men's Suits: Mens Wearhouse

Behind the Scenes: My office disaster - Stage 1 {Personal}

Ok, it's confession time. So, I'm not the neatest person. I'm probably about a week away from being a hoarder at any moment in time ! The only way I curb those tendencies is by having a maid service once a month (gotta tidy up so they don't judge me) and by watching episodes of Hoarders to scare myself straight ! 
Well, recently I decided it was finally time to tackle my home office. It has been a dumping zone for far too long and I miss the days I felt like an adult and would use it for editing ! So here is the first stage of my home office transformation. I've nicknamed it, "Ah, so there is a floor !". At least I can enter the room now without doing the landmine hop. I really want to pretty it up a la +Katelyn James's office. It's a good start, anyway. Stay tuned for updates !

Please excuse the crappy cellphone photos. Once it's all done, I'll bust out the "big camera" and take some fab detail shots.

In Search of a Brand - Part 1 {Escondido Wedding Photographer}

So, this week, after coming back from United, and frankly, even last year after the United conference, I've been thinking about my "brand". I feel like I'm just another cookie cutter photographer. Why would someone pick my pretty photos over another photographer's pretty photos ? Especially if mine are more expensive ! The answer is me. They would need to pick me over the other photographer for me. Now, this is a hard concept for someone who's always been insecure, but hides it well. I guess it comes with the territory. When you're doing something creative, sharing of yourself, it's harder. Because what if the world doesn't like it ? This piece of you that you've wrenched out of yourself for all to see and judge ?

So many of the speakers at United seemed to have a similar message. Find out who you are, then market to like minded/dressed/acting people and you'll have your perfect client who'll pay more to spend time with a "friend" on their wedding day than they would a stranger. And bonus, fab pics where you and your hubby look totally relaxed and like you're having a great time, because you are !
So, they say think of 3 words to describe yourself, your brand or whatever. I am having a tough time. Most people would say I'm fun. "Fun" sucks. "Fun" can be so many different things. And "goofy" doesn't seem like a valid reason for a client to choose you over someone else. 

Maybe I should take a page from the fab, Kristen Booth's playbook, and go with a phrase rather. She describes her purpose as a photographer, "To make the world believe in happily ever after". She's all about poofy dresses and white horses. I too love a good poofy dress, but I'd say I'm more sequins and black lace, minus the goth. Sometimes I feel like I'm a walking contradiction. I love books, but I'm a movie nerd too. I love classical music, but I'll belt it out with Dave Grohl anyday ! I watch TMZ but also love historical documentaries ! 

Hrumph ! This introspection thing sucks ! 

To be continued ...