Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography

New Blog

2009-08-26T07:40:00.001-07:00

I have evolved and gotten a new blog. Super YAY!

Link

yay!

2009-08-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

See more reviews of Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography on Project Wedding.

Real Wedding- Santa Clarita : Jess and Mike

2009-08-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

I cry at weddings. I try to hide behind my camera, or wipe my eyes while no one is looking, but eventually it shows. I find myself being to connected, and so intimate to special moments from behind my lens. Thank goodness, as for Jessica and Micheal wedding, I wasn't the only crier in the bunch. I was amongst a wedding of emotional messes like myself. Yay.

She walked down to The Beatles "All You Need is Love", and then I saw the groom's eyes, welled up with tears and holding his breath while she glided toward him with her Dad. I was trying to hold my composure and then I saw his family all filling up with tears, and then the bridesmaids, and the groomsmen. Then when Jessica's dad lifted her veil I could see that everyone was touched emotionally in the way same way. And we all had the same happy tears on our cheeks. This was going to be a beautiful wedding.

After the tears and "I dos" we went to Jessica's parents house in Canyon Country. We were able to sneak a few portraits on a staircase, in front of the pool, and my favorite, hike a fence and play in an open field.
Absolutely loved her flowers...
Oh how I love to back light, and make the couples kiss... Best part of my weekend.

This shot was Brienne Michelle's idea... and I love it.

Nothing like a first dance to Billy Joel's "She's Got a Way"...

A beautiful Father/Daughter dance to "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman (that one gets my heart strings every time).

And a Mother/Son dance without a dry eye in the house.

Jessica was also part of my incredible bridal spa shoot earlier this year. She was absolutely as stunning on her wedding day, if not more, than on our shoot. I am so grateful that she wore her wedding dress for me, even though we had to be careful not to really show it in case Mike saw the photos.

I don't know how I get so lucky. Michael and Jessica are an amazing couple. They are so fabulous and absolutely a perfect match. Their friends and family were so kind and wonderful to me and my team. I couldn't help but get warm and fuzzy.

Weddings are all about beautiful moments. It is about the quick glances, private whispers and stolen kisses between the bride and the groom. As a photographer is it my quest and duty to capture these moments. I want to ensure that for a they have images of those moments for a lifetime, to share with their families.

Friends and Family can click to see more images from their wedding posted on Pictage.

I love working as a team. There are so many talented photographers and I am so lucky that I get to work with friends/talent. Brienne Michelle, Tibor Deme and Jordan Murphy, were my extended eyes and story tellers for Jessica and Michaels' wedding day. I love all their styles and techinques. I invited them to this wedding because I knew that it would be one to remember.

Brienne has an obession with fashionable shoes, warm fuzzy light, and beautiful staircases. She captures moments and has a beautiful charm that shines through with every couple she works with. I love and admire her work. She is devine. To see more of her beautiful photography, click here.

Tibor is a fantastic photographer with an edge and composition that I highly admire. He is able to be present in the moment, creative with images, and bring an art to normalise. For more of his wedding photography, click here.

Jordan Murphy is a film shooter. She brings a organic warmth to her images. Her enthusiasm weddings, sense of humor, and love of photography makes her a excellent partner in weddings.
I will post up her images as soon as I get them... But I know they will be worth the wait.

All the best in love and happiness!!

Strawberry Fields for Holly

2009-08-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

First off, I love strawberries. It is my favorite thing of all time. I think they are the perfect fruit, accessory, decoration, shape, and fragrance. Please refer to me as Holly Strawberry Steen from now on... With that said

There are benefits to being a photographer. Take away the obvious, like being able to go to beautiful locations, working with awesome clients that love you, and doing a profession you love, well you are left with the additional unknown benefits.

A surprising extra perk to being a photographer, is having awesome photographer friends. I have made so many beautiful friendship just with the sheer common interest of photography. Vanessa Brooke, is my photographer bff.

Vanessa Brooke is a fabulous Lifestyle and Children photographer. We love going out on shoot together. We laugh and play, and most importantly get to try out new and fun things that we could have never done with clients.

Vanessa asked me to shoot some shots of her and her son in some barn somewhere in Pomona. Absolutely sounds like a blast, so I agreed and got her some photos for her blog and living room wall. They are great.

Here is a link, go under families and look for the fabulous boy with a fo-hawk. (In fact you will see that we are wearing the same pair of boots!) We love shooting each other so much, you have seen other photos we have done together like the ones on the blog.

In return, she wanted to shoot me.

Eek.

I am not really into photos of myself. Well, that isn't true, I used to be, but since I am getting older, I feel like I have to spend more time retouching my images to make me look like I used to, I don't like my photo.

That put aside, we found the treasure of all treasures to me ... The Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch, strawberry field. They were having the Cal Poly Pomona Tractor and Car show. All the tractors were all out for us to play on.
I have no idea why I thought that standing in a field with tractors with cowboy boots on was so funny, but really I couldn't stop laughing. Thanks for the great moment capture V.
Practicing what I learning in tractor modeling school...

I am not sure if they frown upon driving the tractors... but it makes for a fun photo.
whee

Totally laying in strawberries, and enjoying every moment.
Cheese :

I am sure this is payback for every silly thing that I have ever put a bride through
Good times.

So thank god I have friends to take photos of me in total glee while sitting in a strawberry field. other wise the moment would be have just been a happy memory. Thanks VB.

Hottness from the streets of Boston

2009-07-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

So usually I am a straight shooter. I have had more response from this one shot and it was from the hip, like literally from waist level.

When I was in Boston, in the North End, there was this beautiful moment when I was so amazingly grateful I had my camera. We were walking in Boston's Little Italy and it happened. There was that moment that happens in movies when things go slow motion, the wind starts blowing, and the air gets taken from your lungs... yup. I got it on camera.

So folks I shot this. He is hot. It was not in Italy. I only used Photoshop the texture in the sky to make the image look more fashion. Nice.

Enjoy and wipe the drool off your chin when your done, we have to go to Mikes' Pastry to cool off in huge helping of geltato.

Huntington Beach Engagement

2009-07-27T11:03:00.001-07:00

So excited to enter another I Heart Faces contest. This weeks theme was beaches. Yay!

I love the idea of shooting at the beach. It is a perfect location to capture all the different emotions, moods and romance.

Huntington Beach, California was were Andy lived. Canby, Oregon is where Carrie lived. Cursed by the usual long distance relationship, Andy and Carrie were destined to be together. Bonded by Goonies the movie, The Simpsons and the love of pop culture, they got engaged.

On one of the visits out to HB, I was able to shoot some "engagement photos" for Andy. Although they were not officially engaged yet, it was really the only chance for them to get some great beachy photos before he moved up to Oregon and they started a new life together.

It is funny because we almost canceled because it was raining on and off all day. I am glad we didn't because the clouds and the sky were so dramatic I was able to capture this fantastic shot on the coast.

I heart Andy and Carrie!

For amusement, carnival, and a fair time.

2009-07-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

The grease of deep fried food, candied apples that stick to everything and smelly goats at the petting zoos is the essence of the fair. It is bigger, brighter and more magical on a date, of course. It is all romantic and sweet to have your love win you a goldfish, or a HUGE stuffy that you have to cuddle later that night when it is all over. Ah... the memories of the fair.

Really, I hadn't been to fair since I was small, I mean small enough to ride around on my Dad's shoulders and see all the sights from above knee level. At that time I wanted to eat everything I saw, feed and talk to all animals in the zoo, and conquer all the amusement rides until I was sick. My sister and I would play, giggle the whole time we were there at the fair. Which made for a pretty quiet ride home in the car for my folks.

It was pretty much the same for me this time. I was gleeful at all the colors and bigger than expected public amusements. I just wanted to dive into every cotton candy vat, scream my lungs out on the roller coaster and play with the hopping baby goats.

I refrained myself, because today I was a photographer. I was here to shoot Misty and Ben, and their adventures at fair.

Aww. We snuck on the bouncy for a quick smooch. So cute.

I am smitten with Misty. Her gorgeous laugh, her love of New Kids On The Block, and of course her sense of style is chic and fantastic, (think Anthropologie and Jimmy Choo had a love child.) She had told me casually that when they got married they didn't have enough money to hire an offical photographer. So they didn't have "real wedding" photos of their most special day. It is sad and I know that most folks that get married out of college this is true for. Misty and Ben absolutely deserve at least some mushy cute photos of each other.

Absolutely my favorite photo of the bunch. I think that when it comes down to it, this was exactly what I see in my head when I think of romance, fair, and sun flare.

I was over the moon when Misty and Ben agreed to have portraits at the fair. (Really, and I am not just saying this because they are reading this.) I have wanted to shoot in a different location other than the beach for so long, and do some cuteness to the max. They were so great to play and the idea to use a carnival as a backdrop for their portrait session.

I can't help it. I just love the kisses shots. I think that Ben was more than happy to help me out in my quest for the picture perfect kissing fair shot.

Yay! It almost looks like the fair is emptied out just for them, (never mind those people under the umbrella).

Awwwww.. I love this one. I still want to do some fancy retouching on it, but what is the timing like when I get a passerby with a HUGE teddy bear that is just on the edge of the photo. Joy!

Really so cute. Cute cute cute!
I had so much fun and great shots we decided to go to the petting zoo and pet the animals. It was so amazing how brave and adorable the animals were. They were so accepting of me and my camera. I couldn't believe it. He/She looked right into my Fish Eye lens.

Oh wait these alpaca were so friendly and beautiful. This one was an albino and just a little baby.

Petting zoo and baby goat cuteness. Aww. Really I couldn't think of a better way to end a date, and I didn't even need to win a big stuffed teddy bear.

This isn't Misty and Ben, but it is one of my Favorite FAVORITE images taken on the carousel on Balboa Island. I had to share it. The best part about this photo is that there is no Photoshop at all. This was how it looked right when I clicked it. YAY.

Same with this one. The couple and the location is the same. It was at Balboa Island, and the beautiful Ferris Wheel just made the mood so playful and fun.
Plus the couple was absolutely great for making it look so passionate. Thanks Ryan and Brianna.

For the Love of Fair and Kisses!

Real Wedding- Brookside Pasadena Preview

2009-07-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Wedding preview complete with a hot little dress, gorgeous shoes, and lively flowers.

She is a beautiful bride with awesome legs and Oscar de la Renta shoes. YAY

Moments after they first saw each other across the bridge at Brookside Golf Course.

They wanted to do the "first glance" before the ceremony and I could agree more. It allows for more time after the ceremony to enjoy the cocktail hour and guest!

Plus I get fabulous moments like this!

The glorious flowers were from Eddie at Commerce Flowers.
Again Commerce Flowers.

Centerpieces flowers were from Eddie at Commerce Flowers.

Cute little boxes with delicious treats inside.. yum. Also designed by the talented brother.

If I shot film, it would look delicious and beautiful like this.

Commerce Flowers did a great job on these custom circles with delicate flowers interlaced. And I loved the lens flare I got when I shot them smooching in them.

Her brother did a wonderful job on the invitations. I love them. Here is a link to his amazing art work.
It is perfect.

They were so cute and sat on the putting green for me.

Usually I am not into the goofy cake shots, but they were dancing in front of it and I couldn't help myself. They had smiles from ear to ear!

At the end of the night she changed into a perfectly gorgeous Oscar Dela Renta dress and matching shoes were provided by her fabulous officiant/artist/brother.

We stepped outside for some romance that was in the air.

Gorgeous. And there are still more images to share... Check back.

Real Wedding- Castle Green

2009-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

The room was filled with fumes of hairspray, girlish giggling and R&B tunes on the radio. The dress was hung, the curlers were placed, and the show was about to go on the road. All the bridesmaids chattered about this or that, but the bride knew, today she was going to finally marry the man of her dreams.
She is the type of girl that knows what she wants and how to get it. He challenged her in every way, but not in the way of the heart. Long distance relationships, and Law School are all little obstacles they had to over come. This is what made it all the sweeter when they said their vows at the Castle Green in Old Town Pasadena.

The day unwrapped itself like a perfect gift. Guests arrived and mingled about around the garden and Palm trees. The breeze brought in a subtle cooling, and lightly lifted her veil as she walked toward him down the isle.
Smitten. He didn't take his eyes off her the whole walk down the isle. Each step she moved closer to him was a step toward their future together.

One of my favorite places to shoot is Castle Green in Pasadena.
It is a little treasure in Old Town Pasadena, called Castle Green. It is an amazing wedding venue with tall palm trees, lovely greenery, and an exquisite location for a wedding.

I have so many images to share from this wedding...

Did I mention that USC marching band came and made an appearance?

Oh and they did a fabulous Lion Dance?

The flowers were perfectly beautiful. By Commerce Flowers

The DJ was incredible, he played everything from R&B to hip hop, to a special request from the cousin of the grooms Rap Group.

Castle Green has a lovely stair case and old beautiful elevators.

Of course I have to mention the cake. It was perfect and provided by Castle Catering.

We snuck off and went on a side street and did some cutesy stuff. I posted the photo on a previous blog that we took right after this which was them laughing.

Yay.

Oh Beantown... How I adore, you let me count the cannolis

2009-07-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

Of course I had to go there, being a baseball fan.

Absolutely the coolest buildings, fantastic skyscrapers and amazing accents.

Yay. Everything about my trip to Boston was fun, exciting and definitely picture perfect.
This is just the begining of the awesome photos I wanted to share.

Boston...during the day.

Boston at night was even more alive and thriving.

Plymouth Burial Hill, overlooking Plymouth Harbor.

View from a top a ceremony over looking Plymouth and the Atlantic.

This one was at Plymouth, MA. This was a Puritan Church, so it was old and had character.

This I shot through the car window with the sun screen on. It was cool because it acted like a Polaroid filter for the colors.

Almost arrested for one too many cannolis. (not really)

I was inspired by all the textures and beautiful American history that surrounds Boston. But really we had a great time in Plymouth, and Cape Cod too.

My muse Chandra. She lets me photograph her all the time. Yay!

The girls! We have fun sitting in doorways.

And a shout out to my Photographer friend Santiago Valencia, who posted about Boston after all my crazy tweets about how cool the place was.

More photos to come, this is just a preview.

Brand Spanking New! Holly Photographer !

2009-07-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, I consider myself a wedding photographer. I am proud of the weddings, people and the beautiful places I have been able to see because of it. Weddings are the beginning of a new life, filled with hope and dreams.

I think that being a photographer is a wonderful way for me to be more in touch with my inner thoughts and emotions. I find myself seeing beautiful things through my lens that I would never be able to express with words as clearly.

Hand in hand with weddings is lifestyle and portrait photography. Married couples carry on with their lives after the wedding day. They buy houses, adopt puppies and have beautiful babies. Life goes on after the wedding, despite how it feels when you are planning one. (My prayers and thoughts go out to the brides planning right now, and stressing over DJ time lines and seating charts...)

Well, I wanted to dedicate a website towards my Lifestyle Photography. It is a site that will feature new families, skilled musicians, talented artist, and of course portrait photography. Please take a look and check it out.

xoxo

So Youre Engayged !! Featured Photographer!

2009-07-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

I love the gays!!

Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography is featured vendor for So You're Engayed!!

Preview: I got to know a lot about the fabulous Holly Steen of Cakes and Kisses Photography through this interview. For example, Cake Wrecks and Wedding Chicks are her blog addictions, her guilty pleasures are watching America’s Next Top Model while eating Nutella out of the jar, and her weakness is dancing. Enjoy the interview!

Check out this site for all your same sex marriage planning, coordination, ideas and news.

1st place!! (Dance dance Dance)

2009-07-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

I am so happy I got first place in the I heart faces contest!! YAY!

Jasmine Star said "From the minute I saw Holly's picture, I was smitten. I adore high-key photos and it looks ethereal...almost like the bride dropped out of Heaven! I usually prefer photos of action and laughter, but this photo made me stop and look...and appreciate the overall fabulousness of it! It's just so darn pretty! :) -Jasmine"

Wow!

Hip hip!

I heart Faces (is a little addicting)

2009-06-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

I posted a link yesterday for the fabulous "Wedding Bells" contest listed.

The response was overwhelming and I had to dive back in and post one of my favorite family photos.
It was incredible because the photographers that submitted to the contest weren't in competition with each other, but a fantastic support system. Each one of them with encouraging words, and friendly comments to the other. Some photographers were pros and some were just enthusiast. It was a wonderful mix and I think that it made it all the more special.

It was so sweet and I really love the community spirit that it brought forth. Yay. With that said, I thought how I would happily posted on other blog sites words of "Wow, Super and Awesome." But to my surprise each photographer had expressed a fabulous sense of love for light, composition and divine colors.

So kudos to I heart faces.

here is my little submission:

Vanessa Brooke is a fabulous Children's Photographer based in Orange County. She has an eye for fashion, color and textures, beyond my understanding. Even better she is an amazing Mom.
For Holiday photos we were to Griffith Park, CA to capture some golden moments for her Christmas card. Her son, and husband rocked the shoot and gave me this fabulous shot. She blogged about the shoot too, because she is awesome!

Shout out from V Brooke: "We had so much fun taking photos with my good friend and photographer Holly. As a photographer myself, I sometimes forget to have photos taken of my own family. It creates memories that you don't want to miss out on. So, I knew it was time for me to have photos of the three of us before Jayden turns one year old next month. Time really does fly by! Thanks again Holly for photographing my family, we love ya!"

i Heart Faces (i do)

2009-06-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yay! So exciting. A contest for everyone to have their photography shine! This is a weekly contest, and this week is judged by the one and only Jasmine Star.

Check out I ♥ Faces blog site.

I entered in my favorite photo. Details below.

I wanted to capture the emotion and transformation that occurs to a bride when she first gets into her dress. Her mother and sister are crouched behind her lacing up the delicate backing of her dress. The bride was looking forward at her bridesmaids and fathers in the room.

The transformation for a woman to be a bride is really quite an emotional moment. She puts on the MAC lipstick, Choo shoes, Tiffany's necklace, and dress etc, that she has been consumed with and thinking since she got engaged.

This is her day and her moment to shine. My creative vision of this was her standing alone, her beauty, and simplistic expression and everything else does not matter, because today she is a bride.

xoxo
Holly

Castle Green Wedding - Sneak Peek!!

2009-06-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Tucked away amongst the Jamba Juices, parking structures and busy roadways of Old Town Pasadena, is a little treasure called Castle Green. It is an amazing wedding venue with tall palm trees, lovely greenery, and an exquisite location for a wedding.

This is just a sneak peek of one of many favorite images from the wedding day.

It was taken just off of Green Street in Pasadena.
Check back for more images later this week.

Here is a quick note from Heather after getting a sneak peak:

"Hi Holly!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! We had an awesome time and it was great to have a photographer so fun and chill =) Hope we weren't too crazy for u haha... we are still learning to take pictures!
Thanks for the photo, I love it! Can't wait to see the others when the time comes... thanks for helping to make our day so special.
W/loveHeather and Abe
See u SOON!"

Homemade Talents

2009-06-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

(This is one of the bride, is my favorite from a wedding at the Queen Mary, in Long Beach.)

When it comes down to it, wedding photography is about connection. It is the union of two families, the merge of two hearts and the emotional connection between the Photographer (me) and the couple.

I have been a part of many a wedding. But truthfully, I love, embrace and happily remember, everyone of them. I could tell you intimate details, cake flavors, invitation fonts, or whatever the groomsmen were drinking. I remember each wedding like a best friend in High School Musical. Fondly and always with happy memories.

My family, friends and brides have heard a million wedding stories. And I will tell you more if you want to hear them. Brides planning their wedding love to hear what works and what to avoid.

The Queen Mary wedding was a beautiful memory for me. The bride was existentially elegant. The groom was divine in a tux with tails. Special moments like, the father daughter dance when he held her so tender with her hand on his cheek. And the perfect first dance done to the song from Juno by Moldy Peaches, Anyone Else but You. She laughed with her whole heart, they danced all night, and he married the woman of his dreams. It was a win win.

(Ingrid and Dom's wedding I shot with my fabulous photography friend, Robyn Rache l.)

Well crafty Ingrid, the bride, made a era transformation on this little boat. She had beautiful boas for the lady guests, fedora hats for the men to wear, fun invitations that looked like boat tickets, and a fabulous guest book, suitcase, for guests to write messages to drop in. It was very creative, and perfect.

To my delight, and a year after the wedding, Ingrid is still just as crafty. She has an Esty store. It is a place where talented artist can make handmade goods and sell them online. I would ugre you to go and check it out. Especially if you are in need of a fabulous Buddah tote, or a sweet Natural and Rose Knit Scarf.

Visit her Esty store, and find little handmade delights.
Here is a little story she wrote about how she got started:

"Like 4 years ago I taught myself how to knit to kill down time during winter break in college. This year I got bored with making beanies and scarves and decided to tackle sewing. In December I taught myself to make quits...then skirts...then bags...then hand stitching...etc.

Being a teacher, you have a lot of down time in the summer, so I decided this year that I would take advantage of that time and craft. Last weekend, when visiting my best friend, I was showing her some of my projects and she mentioned that I should sell them on etsy. I told her that I was a beginning seamstress and that there was no way I would do that.

Monday, she took a bag that I helped her to make to work and all of her friends there loved the bag and said that they wanted to buy one. After hearing that, by Tuesday night I was on the computer making an etsy shop.

I collaborate a lot with my school psychologist on different creative ideas (she started to sew quilts in January) and we tackle different projects together...if one of us finds a great ideas, we collaborate a way to make it work.

We decided today that we are going to start a crafty blog and link it to our etsy accounts. We are in the process of thinking of a blog name."

If you have any suggestions, or would like to reach MzPazzo please feel free to check out her Esty.

Wedding photography advice via smart Wedding planner

2009-06-22T08:53:00.001-07:00

A wedding coordinator to a wedding photographer can be a dream come true. They are the ones that can do all the bridal party herding, timeline creators and ensuring that it is beautiful and perfect for all involved. I saw this article from Fabluxe a coordinator and had to repost. It basically says all the things I could ever advise for wedding planning.

Your wedding is the most important day of your life– I totally get that. But the part where you are confusing me is where you decide to skimp on the on service that will help you relive the day: the emotions, the laughter, the tears, and the love through film.

So here is the question…If your wedding isn’t covered (and properly), did it really happen?

Where else can you see yourself evolve from a beautiful, independent woman into the woman who will now spend the rest of her life being a part of an everlasting couple with the love of her life?

Where else will you see your father kissing your mother and looking on nostalgically as you exchange vows?

Where else will you see your fiance’s grandmother wiping her tears away during your first dance?

Photography does so much more than just capture your day, it also captures the moments you didn’t see. Like your groomsmen playing around with your future husband, your mother getting ready or having a loving moment with your father, or those special moments where your fiance and his mother enjoy the day prior to the ceremony. Skimping on the photography is like virtually erasing your memory after the wedding. No one is saying that you have to have a celebrity photographer with the largest package. What I am saying, is that after the dress has been cleaned and pressed and the honeymoon is over, how will you look back on your wedding day? Most importantly, will it be favorably? Is it worth risking to an amateur? When you’re painting a house, you can hire a friend or someone just getting started because you know in the back of your head, if worse comes to worst, you can do it over. You don’t have that luxury with weddings– you can’t reassemble your family and friends and reenact all of the important moments. This is something that you must get right, the first time.

Here are some tips on doing just that:

Think about the type of photography would you like– are you more photojournalistic or traditional?
Think about how long your would like your coverage to be– keep in mind, it is far easier to choose from a large selection of pictures than it is to choose from fewer. More coverage, more pictures, more memories.
Do a test run with your photographer by doing a love story or engagement shoot. This will help you get acclimated to your photographer’s shooting style.
Take good care of your photographers– be sure to account for them in your guest count. Like your planner, they are the ones that will be with you for a majority of the day working extremely hard. You can’t expect great art if the artist is starving.
Respect your photographers’ artistic and professional ability– Some photographers love “must shoot” lists, others can live without them. If you have some pictures that you definitely want, be sure to discuss this with your photographer beforehand. They will get it in, and if it is really important, make sure that you stress the point. If you have select people that you want in images, please make it easy for these people to be located so that the photographers can do their job effectively, and not chase down Aunt Sarah.

Wedding Planner Tip: Please tell your planner or day of coordinator who these people are so that they can be located easily or even kept on hand. If you choose not to get a wedding planner, be sure to point these people out to your photographer’s assistant or second shooter. But your work is not done at that point. Then designate a relative not in the wedding as the official relative and special person finder. (You like that title, don’t you. Yes, you can use it. No copyright.) Make sure that this person stops these people at the end of the ceremony and keeps them at bay until they are needed for photos. After wards, they can return to the cocktail hour.

Photography is important– it is important today, and it will be important to you years from now. I can’t tell you much my children enjoy looking at photos from our vow renewal. It means a lot for them to share in that moment of their parents, and I am sure that it will mean more later down the line as they get older.

To read more advice like this click here

For the Click of it...

2009-06-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

The BlogLuxe Awards is a SocialLuxe Lounge contest for Websites.

LA Style Unveiled is part of the Inspiring Blog nominees. Yippee for them.

If you want to vote, Click, and be whisked away to a magical land of voting and scrolling. Go to the middle / bottom of the Inspiring Blogs.
They are titled "The Lounge".

Best of luck LA Style Unveiled!!

Philip and Brianne- Slideshow

2009-06-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

And

It is all about team work:

On a personal note, I love working with other photographers. It is important to always work together and never let ego, or pride get in the way of a good service that we provide to clients. I have been friends with Blue Silver Photo for years, thanks to Scott A Nelson Photography. Both Alex and Scott have been major inspirations of mine in wedding photography and in friendship. Although both have certain quirky behaviors, nothing makes me happier than to say they are close friends.

On to Phil and Brianne, but first some back story:

Phil and my boyfriend Jeff, have been friends since the years of Saugus High Football days. When I met Phil and Brianne, and they were planning their wedding I was right there to help along with all the gory details.

In March, I shot Brianne and Phil's engagement photos. We did some shots in their home in Valencia, and then walked to a nearby paseo and park. I posted them on my blog, and we made a HUGE print for people to sign at the reception.

Brianne and I, printed invitations, stuffed envelopes, discussed time lines, and went over program details. When it came to them needing a wedding photographer. I asked if my friend Alex, at Blue Silver Photography.

I know how I am ... I love Brianne and Phil. I get emotional, and just wanted to enjoy the day for my friends and my Jeff. I couldn't have wanted a more perfect photographer for their day. I offered to want to shoot the "getting ready" and the "after party". Check out those shots here.

Alex, the main photographer at Blue Silver Photography, would shoot the ceremony, portraits and reception. It was a great deal, for me and the couple because while Alex was shooting the couple's portraits, I was able to assist on putting together a slide show of the wedding day at the Marina Del Rey Marriot, reception. YAY!

I suppose when it comes down to it, life is about relationships and team work. Alex did an amazing photography job, and I know that the bride and groom have memories and images to last a lifetime.

This is a great shot that Alex got after the ceremony at the St. Augustine Catholic Church, in Culver City.

Editors Pick on LA Style Unveiled-

2009-06-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is the same beautiful Sona and Nico I featured earlier in my blog in April. They are World as well as Blog travelers!

Yummy.

Featured on LA Style Unveiled!!!

This is the engagements shoot that steams up your computer monitor. It is warm, delicious and makes you want to go make out with someone at the train station.

Yay!

To see all the photos from their engagement click here, and enter your email info.
Don't forget to check out LA Style Unveiled for the most update in wedding planning and trends!

Love and Kisses,
Holly

The Cake to my Kiss

2009-06-11T17:28:00.001-07:00

Last night I fell in love... with an inanimate object, again.

But first some back story:

Bridal Bar is a fabulous is a boutique that allows brides to get a hands on and complimentary peek at the best of the best in the wedding industry. If you are wedding planning it has to be one of the spots you go to get ideas, some champagne, then chill out and talk about weddings. Think of it the people you go to when you want to talk weddings, when your Maid of Honor and Mom is tired of hearing about the details. Not these girls at the Bridal Bar. They love the whole planning, and coordinating process. And it is complimentary! Whoa. Believe it Sister!

I went to talk to Harmony about joining this fab group of photographers. We were chatting about wedding stuff, and she told me all about a television taping they had at the studio. The Bridal Bar was on the premier episode of Kendra tonight on E! AWESOMENESS. Well they had left over CAKE!!! Made especially for the shoot, by Fantasy Frostings!

So the wonderful host that Harmony is let me take home a fabulous mini wedding cake. It was Banana Walnut.... Yum, with a rich cake batter laden with fresh bananas and walnuts, lightly spiced and filled with fresh bananas and whipped cream. It was my lucky day.

Perhaps an extra ordinary circumstance is what happened, and I call it fate. Fantasy Frostings, in Pasadena had created some beautiful designs and perfectly crafted wedding cake for a television episode airing on the E! network. And I happened to be there hungry for the perfect dessert for all occasions. Match made in heaven, or AKA Bridal Bar.

As for true love, it happens, you see each other from across the room. Contact is made, frosting is smelled and the cupid strikes you down with what some call "True Love." Of course I am talking about CAKE! It is my sole reason for shooting weddings. Forget all the love, romance, and commitment for a lifetime stuff. This is the day when a beautiful cake gets it own table, a ceremony to cut it, and honored guests get to enjoy the sweet delight before anyone else. I kid. I kid.

I asked myself, "Am that girl who takes photos of food and then blogs about it?"

YES! Yes I am.

Well the main posting of this blog is to express how crazy in love I am with Fantasy Frostings, Bridal Bar and my iPhone.

I love my iPhone. In earlier blog postings I refer to it as my iHusband. It is my second love to this wedding cake though. It was so fantastic. I wish I could carry my iPhone and Mini Wedding cakes around with me all the time. Sigh.

So I was absolutely amazing when I saw that my Mini Wedding cake from Fantasy Frostings, and my iPhone were the EXACT same size!!

I have a sticker on the back of my iPhone which is from Skinit.com, which I highly recommend to anyone and everyone. But that is perhaps for another blog.
On my Skinit.com, I have a photo of me and my honey from a wedding that he was the groomsman in back in September. Joy!
Happy happy! Joy joy!

For the love of Cake, Kisses and iPhones!
Holly

Pay It Forward the Bridal Way

2009-06-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

There was a movie that came out in 2000 called Pay It Forward. It was a fantastic warm-hearted flick with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. The concept was "When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... Pay It Forward ." Simple enough.

Well my Bride, April, wanted to pay it forward with a twist, for one of my upcoming brides.

Drenched with the stresses of wedding planning, she dedicated her self to research, planning and making the best damn wedding she could. She poured herself over Brides, TheKnot
and Grace Ormonde Magazines, looking for the perfect idea, for the perfect wedding. Then she had an epiphany, and planned to elope instead.

So she tossed all those books, magazines, seating worksheets, and planning journals. But kept one special book. The ZEN Bride.
This is where it gets really sweet and mushy. April says that she wanted to dedicate this book to one of my Brides'. It was her way of having this gift of insight passed on to other brides in need.
She signed it inside "I dedicate this book to one of Holly's Brides. With Love, April"

I am giving it to a special bride tomorrow. I know she will fully appreciate the idea and pass it on to someone after giving her dedication.

Winner of WPD Wedding Photography Contest!!

2009-06-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

"Wedding Photo Contest Winners Announced
The WPD 2009 Wedding Photo Contest is officially complete. The contest was open to WPD members and outside professional wedding photographers alike. Photo contest entries were open for public view, and critiqued by voters like you. After receiving over 3,000 contest entries, the top three winners and runner-ups are now revealed." -WPD website

So exciting. This contest has Wedding Photographers from all over the USA submit images. When mine was chosen out of the 3,000, I knew I was lucky. But when it was narrowed down the final 10, I thought WOW that is amazing. And now, third place. That is incredible. I received 3,227 votes!

Yay!
Here is the little blurb I wrote:

"White Wedding"

Photo Equipment: Canon EOS 30D, 24mm 1.4L Series, f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO-250, 24mm

Notes: "I wanted to capture the emotion and transformation that occurs to a bride when she first gets into her dress. Her mother and sister are crouched behind her lacing up the delicate backing of her dress. The bride was looking forward at her bridesmaids and fathers in the room. I was able to freeze the moment when she looked at me and my camera.

The transformation for a woman to be a bride is really quite an emotional moment. She puts on the lipstick, shoes, necklace, and dress etc, that she has been consumed with and thinking about since she was a little girl. This is her day and her moment to shine.

My creative vision of this was her standing alone, her beauty, and simplistic expression and everything else does not matter, because today she is a bride."

I am beaming like a bride right now. YAY!

Thank you anyone and everyone that voted. I truly appreciate the efforts and the thoughts. It is incredible the things that happen when you keep trying at it.

A little quote from my Uncle Tommy: “The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in a person's determination.”

Newest Warm Fuzzies

2009-06-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Holly was the perfect photographer and friend for this major event in our lives. She was very friendly and supportive throughout the planning of this day. She listened to our desires and requests exceeded any accommodations we were anticipating. The day of our wedding she was easy to reach at the different sites (preparation, ceremony, & reception) and was so "in tune" with the vibe of the scene.

Bottom line: Holly is wonderful and I, without any hesitation, would recommend her for any special occasion."

"Holly is the best. We actually met in line at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach when she complimented my engagement ring... after 20 minutes gossiping over my wedding plans, I mentioned that I was still looking for a photographer and voila! Holly gave me her website info and the minute I got back from Sprinkles, my fiance and I went through her amazing sample photos and booked Cakes and Kisses immediately!! Holly was willing to travel to Santa Barbara and worked within my budget - she is extremely organized and is an excellent communicator - perfect for a busy bride-to-be!

We had a small winery wedding and Holly fit right in with all of our guests. She also brought an assistant so I technically had 2 photographers and received over 1,000 incredible photos!!! She captured every beautiful moment with style - I cannot thank her enough!!

Holly has such a creative eye, which is exactly what we were looking for and she totally delivered. Also, our English Bulldog was a part of our wedding (ring-bearer) and in that Sprinkles line, Holly told me that her second favorite thing to photograph is pets so... what a bonus!

I feel so lucky to have been at Sprinkles that day and HIGHLY RECOMMEND Cakes and Kisses!!"

"Holly did our engagement pictures and our wedding. She did a fabulous job capturing every ones personality, including the guest. She was more like a friend during the whole process."

"Holly is AWESOME!!! We love, love, love her to pieces. She is amazing at what she does and has a true gift for capturing the magic and love of a wedding in her beautiful photographs."

Marriage Sunday at Wayfarers Chapel

2009-06-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Nestled within the trees of Palos Verdes, CA is the beautiful Wafarer Chapel.

Married couples are invited to attend our annual Marriage Renewal service 1pm, June 7. The service affords you an opportunity to remember and reflect upon the love that binds you together and to renew your commitment to each other. Following the service we will serve refreshments and a wedding cake. (from Wafarer's Website)

On June 7th 2009, my parents renewed their vows, on Wafarer's Wedding Vow Renewal Day.

My parents still hold hands and sit close to each other.

It truly was a lovely blue day, and so clear you could see Catalina.

My older sister, my Dad, and me.
(my mom is taking the photo)

Seeing my parents renew their marriage vows after 39 years of marriage was an amazing experience. It gives a new understanding to the marriage commitment that I see almost every weekend with newly weds. I believe in romance, love and most importantly, that true friendship can make a marriage last throughout the years of time, that and a lot of laughter.

Thanks for reading my very personal post, and sharing a moment with me and my family.
Love and Kisses,
Holly

Greystone Amazing

2009-06-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Wow! Greystone Mansion!

More coming this is just a taste... Yum

Isn't her dress delicious?

Love love,
Holly

Blushing Brides Love Cakes and Kisses!

2009-06-03T14:35:00.000-07:00

My most recent bride writes me :

"Now the gushing bride in me (I never thought I was)

You made my husband so comfortable that you were able to shoot him for who he is. He looks soooo handsome in the pictures.
I have never seen Ryan that comfortable around a camera. I have something to show off to our children/grandchilden/neighbors kids we scare away. "See how handsome dad/grandpa/my husband was/is"
You captured us. The two kids who "had a little captain in them" to elope and tell their family 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours after the "deal was done."
Thank you for the attention that you paid to the details. I never thought that my shoes could look so romantic. Or that my lashes could be so, well, perfect. And that when we were doubling over in laughter, you as a photographer, did not tell us to stop, but captured the spirit. I never thought that a wedding at a courthouse could look so fun. Or that kissing under the pier could be so romantic.
Thank you for giving me an excuse for making out with Ryan for 2 hours on my wedding day.
You, in a gentle way, directed the photo session, without taking away from our collective personalities.
We wanted something non-traditional, non-conformist, not fussy, fun and of the moment. You captured it. You directed us a wee bit. That was OK and appreciated and were truly, truly inspirng.

Kisses (but no cake),
April Lainez de Brimer and Ryan too"

Meet Bekah (she is a cutie, huh?)

2009-05-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

This is Bekah and mommy before....

And Bekah and mommy now... :)

These photos are from our 6 weeks photo session... Aww

Holy Cow Vote-Man!

2009-05-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yay!

I can't believe it ... I got in the top 4 of the voting for the 2009 WPD Annual Wedding Photography Contest!!

Yipppeee. Well, don't get too excited, it is accumulative voting, and I know this was the first time that I noticed I made it to the top! The contest is on going, so click the link and make this happen!

What an honor! I am truly a happy girl!

Lots of Love and Kisses,
Holly

Moments

2009-05-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Absolutely the best part of life is the moments we have. I had a moment of a lifetime last night with my wedding photography and life inspiration Joe Buissink

I have been loving wedding photography since 2002. I fell in love with Joe Buissink's images and have always had a special place in my heart hoping that one day I would have him shoot my wedding.
In a short time his name would pop up everywhere and it seemed like I knew people who knew him. How lucky is that?

Joe’s photography is about capturing the moments, and the essence of the person in those moments. His work redefines wedding photography, and has been described as Fine Art by his most notable celebrity clients. Joe has become a world-renowned teacher in the photographic field. His teachings have taken him on an international platform from Japan and Australia to England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as in the United States. Joe has been profiled by Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Lifetime Television’s Wedding of a Lifetime, and E!. His work is published regularly in InStyle Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, and People Magazine. (Bio from his website)

I absolutely think that all of my photographic hopes came true when I was able to have a few private moments with him before his presentations began.

I hope to make him proud someday...

Lots of love and inspiration,
Holly

Bri and Phil got married....

2009-05-23T16:25:00.000-07:00

Fancy Pants Textures

2009-05-18T21:11:00.002-07:00

yay!!

All us photographers have tricks up our sleeves for Photoshop. Some involves editing, switching heads, covering up wrinkles and dark eye circles. I consider myself a Photoshop Plastic Surgeon sometime, and I really love doing it.

And yes, I also consider myself a pretty savvy techy geek too. I love my iPhone, I dig graphic arts magazines, and I love talking about fonts. Nerd alert going off yet?

I was so excited to learn a new trick today on ToFurious. It was so easy and delightful, I had to share a few images that I used "textures" on recently.

Images I posted from the my Elope to the West post, I decided to pick a few favorites and see if I could work my magic. Yay.

I added a texture that looked like old paper from a poetry book. It seemed to fit the emotions in this image perfectly. You can almost here "How do I love thee..." coming out of it.

Aww this one was paper splatter. If you can believe it, it is super grungy. But I thought it was a nice contrast to the ocean and sand behind them....

Oooh this was a paint canvas. You can see paint drippings and the details is incredible. This is probably the closest I will ever come to painting a real portrait, besides in kindergarten.

Can you see Julie Andrews coming over the mountain singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music..." and seeing a newlywed couple making out... yeah. It is awesome huh.

And my personal favorite, and textural beauty. This was a graffiti wall splattered and all funky. I think it makes her look amazing...

Now I have to go back to see if I can find more... And perhaps a t-shirt that says "i heart textures!"

Wedding Guests

2009-05-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend Jeff and I were wedding guests at Redondo Beach on Saturday.
I just love him so much, I had to post a photo of us.

Real Wedding: Elope to the Coast

2009-05-16T00:22:00.000-07:00

This couple is amazing. Sure I say that about all my weddings, but this one took the cake. Actually they brought the cake from Porto's, my favorite bakery in Glendale, CA.

I am not sure how interesting it is to other HOW I find such awesome couples, but this one was particularly special. A friend from High School and I made a reconnection on Facebook. Joy! Her BFF (the bride) was planning on eloping to Ventura (where he popped the question). It is all very romantic.

Well this BFF is amazing. She is creative, funny, and really just a ball of enegry. So lucky me, when I get the call that she needs someone to shoot her inimate and small ceremony/reception.

The getting ready was at this fabulous hotel, Bella Maggiore Inn, in Ventura. Right on California. We went to the court, got them hitched and then off to the beach for portraits. I would say it was a perfect day. Really beautiful couple in love, gorgeous flowers from Lulu Bug, spectular weather, lovely hair and makeup by Crystal Kouri, and Mango Mousse Porto's cake. Delicious.

Here is preview of the events of the day. Yay!

She was so gorgeous. I couldn't get over how her skin was glowing ...

Lovely...

Her "cheapy" shoes for beach walking.

Soon to be Mrs. Happy!

Window light is a brides' BFF on a wedding day.

The hotel had some interesting decorations we worked... Well she worked it.

This shot reminded me of Jose Villa. That is awesome because he shoots film and gets a velvety soft feeling. I got it *and I didn't use photoshop on it. Yay!

We were waiting for the official license and we played on the escalators. Yippee.

I am into this pose... Forgive me. I am sure it will pass soon.

Mwah!

She didn't need those shoes for walking. She has a husband now :)

Really all the family anyone needs... I think it was wonderful that even the baby is smiling and wearing a tie.

I love it when you can get sun flare, daisys and the beach all in the same shot. Fantastic.

Aww.

Three cheers!

There will be more images posted on Cakes and Kisses, under featured wedding.

Spa Day- Yum

2009-05-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Serenity Canyon Day Spa nestled in Canyon Country is a fabulous location for pampering yourself with facials and massage. Please contact them today, Saturday or Sunday for an opportunity of a lifetime and specials. It is a great way to relax, and enjoy a luxury.

I did a photo shoot for Lynda, the owner. We shot around the spa one day, and then we did a bridal shoot another day. We had models, makeup artist, hair stylist, and chocolate. It was absolutely delightful.

Here is a photo of my girls! Love ya Ann and Opal. Don't work too hard now. You are fabulous just how you are!

The Bridal Spa at amazing rates!

Here are the images from the shoot:

She is getting married in August!! Yay!

Sandra is incredible! She is an amazing beauty and spirit!

The back of our "Summer Brides" hair. Lovely idea from Lynda to have the star fish there.

Noelle my Rockstar. She did her own hair and makeup.

Check back for more photos!!

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Being Blog-amous

2009-05-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe how luck has come my way ...

There has been fabulous opportunities that just keep coming. I have been featured on a few different wedding/photography/rocking blogs. I really think that all the ladies involved are so magnificent.

I have blogged about Vanessa Brooke before, I know. But this time, I couldn't help myself. She wanted some fab photos to put on her blog/website of her and her son. I was more than happy to help out. (Check back for more photos... ) She even gave me photo credits on the bottom. I heart her!

We had a fabulous shoot in Fullerton/Walnut. It was harder than it looks to photograph, maintain style, and be fabulous while holding a wiggling year old kid. But as you can tell Vanessa Brooke handled herself flawlessly.

Really I don't know how Los Angeles Style Unveiled did it, but they are amazing. They have the most stylish planning on the web.

Of course The Style Lounge is the insider blog, giving Brides a front row seat to all the hottest fashion and best ideas for their Wedding Day. Go ahead and check it out, and be inspired.

First Rock n Roll Bride based in the UK. Her site is just popping with ideas and bursting with flavor. She loves featuring awesomely original real weddings. So she posted images from Sarah and Max's wedding from Glendale, CA.

There are tons of photos posted on my website and on Pictage (login in as a guest to see all the images). This wedding was such an honor to shoot, and Kat was such a awesome Rockstar for wanting it for her site.

Wedding Coordinators are the glue that holds the details together, and by details I mean every little jewel on that tiara or icing on the wedding cupcakes. Lindsay from LVL Events is my "Go to girl" when it comes to weddings.

I would refer any bride that wants chic, fashion and details in the wedding. The way she manges events, weddings, and the whole shebang is perfection. Here is a wedding we worked together in her gallery on her website. (It is even the front page. Yay!)

The first experience I had with Wedding Blogging was with Wedding Chicks. This is a fabulous site created with the talents of a photographer and a graphic designer. I love the style, art and passion they put into every posting. Every bride that inquires from their site dresses so fabulous, it is like being in front of the Style Network. Here is a wedding they featured for me on Wedding Chicks Real Wedding.

The response from the posting was so postive. Here are some of the comments:

Jenn & Scott make a great couple. Great wedding photography the bridal portraits are superb.

PatB Photography

Ohh the montage? That's a killer venue! *SOOO JEALOUS*... the bride looks absolutely stunning!

AmyJean @RelentlessBride

Wow! Beautiful captures.
Love your art.
Best wishes,
Rosie :)

Rosie

Fantastic photography work!

VanessaBrooke

These are really beautiful and striking photographs, sooo much better than that super cheez crap out there, and I'm not even someone who likes weddings! Bravo.

Katherine

These pictures are gorgeous. I can hardly wait to see all of them. You are a wonderful photographer to work with, and it was so much fun. We really appreciated your patience and many kindnesses.
Thanks,
Carol Dubbs, bride's mother

Carol Dubbs

Wow, Holly. You have a sharp eye, and really captured the amazing moments, angles, details, and the beautiful happy couple, Scott and Jenn. Cheers!

Caren Elle, Jenn's makeup artist

Links to the fabulous sites:

Rock 'n Roll Bride

Wedding Chicks

LA Style Unveiled

Vanessa Brooke Photography

LVL Events

Fullerton Arboretum + Jayden

2009-05-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun shooting Jayden for a Fathers' Day present for his Daddy.

He loves his Firetruck!! Daddy and Jayden!

We went to Fullerton Arboretum

It is always nice to have a Fireman Daddy that does so much for all of us, to be able to do something in return.

Some more photos on the cozy little porch

Firetruck. Yay!

He is so adorable.

Aww

I think that I was so happy that he was dressed all faded jeans and checkered retro top. It matched perfectly.

I think that he wanted to move on to bigger adventures at this one...

But not before I could get this fabulous shot!

Woo woo!

Yay!

Vanessa Brooke (a fellow photographer, and foot model in the photo) wanted a photo with Jayden playing with her awesome camera. I love it.

If you want to see more photos from the shoot, visit Vanessa Brookes' website.

Wedding Stories II

2009-05-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Since the first posting of wedding stories was such a big hit, I wanted to post more. Yay!

Wedding Stories

2009-04-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

I know it, you know it... I love weddings.

I was looking through some of my wedding images from the years and I wanted to share with you a few of my favorites. It seems that I might even have some advice to share for those soon-to-be brides too.

So here are a few of my favorites:

They got married on Catalina Island. We didn't do a lot of photos after the ceremony, we did them the day after. It was perfect. Family and friends were absolutely delighted to have the extra time with the bride and groom on thier special day. I was grateful to have the extra time with them and they gave me great shots.

The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Beach is a fantastic location. I love this shot of her coming up the stairs to get to the main entrance. She looks amazing.

He surprised her with two weddings bands... she surprised him by making a witty comment that made everyone laugh.

Same bride... She is amazing. I think she is so funny and smiley. It is funny to me when we were taking this shot that her mom and sisters were laughing. She looks so dramatic and peaceful, and her mom said "Make sure you get a photo of her quiet because it won't last long." I am glad to make everyone happy. This is a personal favorite from her day.

Detail shots are so important. Capturing every little essence of that day and making sure it is ingrained in the memory forever. This is a shot through the lace layer of the wedding dress to the shoes perched on the foot board of her mom's bed. The window light made this an incredible shot and I think it came out better than I expected.

People request this photo all the time. It is one of my favorites too, simply because "It doesn't get better than this..."

Bouquets are so beautiful...

This is from one of my first weddings EVER!! I love it. The couple had an officiant, myself and that was it... I signed the marriage license as a witness.

Fancy cake design. Delicious.

All of this photo is a big no no... But I think it is a yes yes. Shooting into the sun, with a fisheye lens, from a lower angle. But really it is so beautiful to me and the colors are just wow.

Atlanta Falcons player and Groom... He was fantastic, and I found myself standing on a lot of chairs trying to shoot him, he was 6'5 after all.

Being a wedding photographer you go to beautiful places and see beautiful things. As a second photographer for Scott Nelson, we got this shot at the mission in Orange County. The whole wedding was pink and I LOVE the pink feathers in her bouquet.

One of my favorite friends/couples. I love getting Christmas cards, emails and all the little notes of how a couple is doing after their day. This couple is fantastic and has a blog they have constant updates and going ons.

So jealous. They got married in COSTA RICA... I know. Then they had their reception for the family and let me take some great shots of them. Adorable and tons of fun.

Window light is my soul mate. I love it and I think that it loves me. This is a shot from the Parent's of the Groom's house. It was in the childhood room of the Groom. Really! So to be able to take some photos of his wife in his old room, is such a trip, but I loved it.

Waters Restaurant in Orange County has a great location for receptions and weddings... This is one of the fabulous spot over looking the water and ducks. However the bride and groom are just over looking one another. So cute!

It is fun to think that the time between the Ceremony and the Reception is the only time the couple has to be really be alone. That is kinda true. After all the craziness of the portraits, it is important for the couple to have time to talk and be together away from it all. This ceremony / reception was at a residence so we had some time to take photos on a little street nearby. Pretty huh?

Sometimes the best story telling shots is all about how he held her and what you think he whispered in her ear.

I love shooting the bouquet. Not only because you get to see the details in the dress (Fantastic design in this shot) But you can really remember all the little details, like the spotted feathers in this shot.

In this photo the Bride is getting ready. I love this shot because not only does it tell a story, but it shows how fabulous she looked even before her makeup was on.

Aww. Here is an example on why you SHOULD meet before the ceremony. This couple wanted a beautiful candlelight ceremony, which was amazing. The only problem was getting portraits of the family after wards in the dark, wouldn't allow for much time for couple picture over looking the ocean. I like to suggest about an hour of romantic photos of the couple, if the day allows.

Amazing. She is really running...IN HEELS. I know. We were getting ready to take photos by the ridge so you can see the view and sunset. I told her that we don't have a lot of light left and we should hurry. And she did! Her Groom and I had to run and catch up to her, but not before I got this shot.

Some brides are stunningly beautiful, some are super rocking rad... but this bride was so amazingly graceful and lovely. It takes me second while shooting to see what a couple is going to give me, in terms of intimacy in front of the camera. They gave me a gift with this shot.

Adorable shot! I shot this as a second with Scott A. Nelson Photography. The bride had provided all her guests at the Vineyard with umbrellas. I love the idea that they are trying to be sneaky kissing but we all see.

I am going to post more later.. check back for more Weddings!

Click Happy

2009-04-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Vote!

It would be great if you vote for me. If you are a fan of photography, I know you will love the website. There are tons of great entries and as always I think about the talented circle that the contest brings me too. I am going to step it up next year definitely.

The bride is getting ready at the Montage in Laguna Beach, CA. It is absolutely the most beautiful location ever. I love it. So her mom is on her knees behind her tying up the back of the corset gown, and her maid of honor is to the left just out the shot. Since the bride was standing in front of the window I thought I would take the opportunity to blow out the light and make it all about how beautiful her eyes were and how the veil fell across her eyes.
I think it is a personal favorite of mine because I got a tingle up my back when I heard the camera click. I couldn't believe it. The bride asked "Was it that good?" And then I showed it to her, and she said "Holly you are so amazing, I can't believe that is me."
Those are the moments I live for, as an artist, wedding photographer, and a fan of love.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Vendor Love: LVL Events

2009-04-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

Lindsay is fabulous. I adore her. She is productive, effective and very fun to work with. Brides love her along with photographers. (YAY)

Here is a little blurb and then you have to check out her site and or blog for more goodies.

LVL Events is a full service wedding and event planning company based out of Orange County serving all of Southern California; including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. LVL Events offers a variety of planning services and customizes each event package to fit our clients needs because lets face it, no event is alike!

Ps. Those photos are from our wedding together!

Nicco and Sona part II

2009-04-21T01:36:00.000-07:00

I heart Sona and Nicco.
Sona is the soul and Nicco is the mate. They are meant to be.

Sona is a fabulous poet. Her poetry book is ForGone.
Nicco is a soccer athlete and fantastic story teller. I don't think they possibly could be more in love. Usually I have to coach and direct a little bit, but not them... in fact they were most uncomfortable when we did the "Hi Mom" looking into the camera shots, because it just wasn't them.

We shot at Union Station in Downtown LA and Hotel Figueroa

I was only going to post a few, and then I got carried away. When you see the photos, you can see how that can happen.

this was one of Sona's favorite shots of the day

http://www.cakesandkisses.com

Vendor Love: Bohemia Rose

2009-04-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

An amazing opportunity for beautiful flowers by Cindy Babuscio Designs

Check below for amazing discount offer!

Here is a little bio on Cindy...

I have always loved flowers! My most recent work has been at Reher’s Mission Florist in Mission Viejo, CA and before that Vivaldi Gardes in Lake Forest, CA. I have a passion for the wedding side of the business but admittedly not the crazy holiday side!! When I decided to start my own business and concentrate on weddings and events it was my AHA MOMENT!

God has blessed me with many years of experience in the floral business and an education in fine arts, and with that I am fortunate enough to be able to continue to use flowers as my medium in my art. Wedding design is so fun for many reasons but mostly because of the joy that surrounds the event! What a better way to express love than with nature! Many dreams and ideas are just waiting to be realized by the people that work together on an event, and with experience and professionalism it comes together beautifully. My hope is that each wedding I am blessed to be a part of is the ” wedding of their dreams” and my prayer is that their love will bind them together forever.

If you are planning a wedding, I would love to be a part of your special day!

Cindy Babuscio Designs also brings beautiful touches to your special day. All of our designs are custom creations to fit your wedding style and mood. Look through our gallery to see some of our past custom creations. Enjoy!

I am offering a referral program where if you book Cindy for your flowers I will offer 20% albums and prints for all clients. Yay!

I love the idea of being able to help out talented vendors and it ensures that the flowers are fantastic for the wedding.

Here is a preview link of some beautiful flowers that she created for some of my weddings!

I love Cindy, if nothing else, just go check out her website and make some encouraging comments on her blog.

Lots of Cakes and Kisses,
Holly

Engagement- Sona Nicco

2009-04-20T07:19:00.001-07:00

First stop: Union Station

Second stop: Hotel Figueroa

Last stop: The Bar (For Stella Artois, chips & salsa)

More photos to come... Check back

Click for me

2009-04-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

Just a quick click...

Jessica

2009-04-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

Witty, smart, adorable and my August 1st bride.

I am looking forward to her wedding more than ever. We did a bridal shoot with her dress and shoes. The flowers were Cindy Babuscio Designs. Yay!

When I was taking this shot I knew it was fabulous. I was "ooh-ing and ahh-ing" over it and Jessica started laughing at me. :)

Beautiful hair design by Serenity Canyon Day Spa in Canyon Country.

Love and Kisses,
Holly

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Jackie

2009-04-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

This girl packs more punches than Chuck Liddell. She is a KNOCKOUT!

I was giddy because being behind the camera I can see all sorts, and I saw this girl was going to rock the shoot. And of course she went above and beyond my expectations.

Her hair was done by Noelle Castro. The fabulous makeup is by Jackie!

This is the finale of the Bridal Spa Shoot Week, (It was like Shark Week but with more bite.)

The team of people that made it possible:
Team efforts by:

Serenity Canyon Day Spa
Cindy Babuciso Designs (Flowers)
Cakes and Kisses
Kelly's Wedding Garden and Banquet Hall
Noelle Castro (Hair)
Jackie(Makeup)

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Sandra

2009-04-09T13:33:00.001-07:00

Just like picking out your wedding dress, you just know. You know this is the dress that you are going to wear when you marry the person of your dreams. Well, that is exactly how I felt when I met Sandra for the first time.

She is really a bright shining light of inspiration. I can't say enough wonderful things about how great she is and how much she personally has changed my life.

Here are some great photos from the shoot. To see photos from Sandra's wedding day :)
Team efforts by:

Serenity Canyon Day Spa
Cindy Babuciso Designs (Flowers
Cakes and Kisses
Kelly's Wedding Garden and Banquet Hall.

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Sherry

2009-04-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

Sherry is fabulous, gorgeous and a whole lot of awesome.

We became instant friends and I hope to be invited to her bridal shower. I absolutely adore her spunk and personality. She is getting married at the Hyatt in Valencia.

Luckily I was able to capture her beautiful smile and grace on camera. Tricky you say, well Sherry is just something amazing and couldn't help herself. I called her my Grecian Goddess of the day.

Here are some images we did at theSerenity Canyon Spa. The flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babusico Designs. Check back for another bride tomorrow!

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Rock N Roll Bride- Blog

2009-04-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

Kat from Rock n Roll Bride wanted to feature Sarah and Max on her blog. Rockin.

So here is a link, and a preview of how awesome Kat's blog is... She rocks my socks.

Yay!
Holly

PS. Then there was an amazing link to these shoes... I am thinking getting some that say Cakes and Kisses

Joelle

2009-04-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Joelle is getting married. Yay!

We did her hair and makeup at Serenity Canyon Day Spa. The gorgeous flowers are by my friend, Cindy Babuscio Design.
If you are interested in getting her look you can email Jackie for makeup jackieclopez@sbcglobal.net
And Noelle for her hair, maykuphair@yahoo.com

Look back tomorrow for some brides from the shoot!

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Noelle

2009-04-06T14:29:00.001-07:00

Featuring Noelle:

Noelle (aka Rockstar) did her own hair and makeup for the shoot!
I was so grateful for her and her talents. I think she did an awesome job as a model, and even better as being a ROCKIN muse for me.

At first it was hard to sink into the Edgy Coolness of the her look. But then it just starting bumping out like a Music Video. You can tell that she is gorgeous, but really it was hard to get her not to laugh and smile those pearly whites.

Hope you love the shoot as much as I loved shooting it!

See? She is rocking it!

These reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. YAY!

Totally Rockin' Alice huh?

This car was the last stop on the shoot.

She can't help but smile ... That is why she is the best ever!

Here is Noelle's Card
Call her if you need hair, makeup or a good joke!

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Bridal Week!!

2009-04-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

The event on March 29th was a roaring success. Brides came out of the woodwork to get hair/makeup and photography.

Lynda at Serenity Canyon Day Spa partnered up with Cakes and Kisses to make a Bridal Day at the Spa. It was so wonderful to team up with such a smart business person. I appreciate local business and couldn't wait to get more people to this beautiful spa in Canyon Country. However, the lovely flowers were provided by Cindy Babuscio

The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong. After each bride was styled and ready we shot at Kelly's Wedding Garden and Banquet Hall. It was a perfect location for all the different looks for the "bride" too.

This week I will be featuring a different bride every day! I can't wait to show you all the wonderful girls and the styling that Sandra Pascal worked out. Yay.

Flowers were provided by the talented Cindy Babuscio The girls were teamed up with a hair/makeup team for a "look". Hair and Makeup was done by Noelle Castro, Jackie Lopez and Melissa Agyepong

Captured moments

2009-04-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Max have been married a week.

I was editing the images and reliving the moments of the day.

Tibor Deme my second shooter captured me in action showing the couples. This is the moment when they looked inside their rings and saw the special engraved message to one another.

I showed them the picture to relay the message that it is so important to be yourself on your wedding day. The photos should be you ... not too posed, but simply beautiful and emotional.

Redraft: Logo

2009-04-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

So with my logo contest being an entire re-draft, I dedicated to post the new and improved logo choices.

Now with the talented Naomi working from Miami to get this completed for me. Yay!

Wedding Photography isn't just one day.

2009-04-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Treasures online are such a wonderful treat to share with others. I was looking at websites for fellow photographers and fell upon this gem of how digital photography has changed the workflow of photography so much.

Although when you talk to a bride about wedding photography there are different aspects she is concerned about. But really she should also think about the work that a photographer does after a wedding and how it can effect her turnaround time and receiving her images of her beautiful day.

Here is a blog about what a photographer does to prepare for a wedding and all the ins and outs.

Digital Workflow

Inspired by Seshu and a group of photographers, I wanted to fill you in on my digital workflow! While I customize my workflow for each wedding (because every client is different, and I use different equipment for each assignment), there are some standard things that I do for the vast majority of my weddings. Since I’m prepping for the upcoming wedding season by cleaning lenses, ordering all new cards, and cleaning up my workstations I figured this would be the perfect time to describe my typical workflow!

The night before

Oh yes, everything begins the day before. Charging batteries, erasing cards, cleaning lenses, packing my bags. I have a laundry list of “to do” items that also includes printing out your shotlist questionnaire, directions, and setting up my equipment so that I will be ready to go. I also make sure that my camera bodies all have the same time set - imagine using four cameras at a wedding then realizing some of them weren’t set to the same time! Makes for some loooong hours ordering the images later :)

Backups

I offload all of the images to my computer using Image Capture on my Mac (it’s so fast!). I then back them up (and then back them up again, and sometimes AGAIN). I have offsite backups as well as onsite to ensure we keep these images safe! I back up everything, and use external hard drives (I recommend Western Digital) onsite.

First edits

I use PhotoMechanic to sift through and organize my photos. I do a first edit of my favorite photos, which will turn into the teaser slideshow. PhotoMechanic is incredibly fast and is my favorite tool in the whole workflow.

Teaser

The teaser images get edited in Photoshop based on my clients’ preferences - do they like really vibrant images? Should I vintage-ize them? Do they want really romantic images or photojournalistic storytelling? Once these edits are done, I drop them in a blog, and then email my client (and CC the wedding planner if I know his or her email address!) the link and thank them for a wonderful day :)

Second Shooters

At this point, I check in with my second shooters. I ask them to also sync their camera bodies with the correct time so we don’t run into the same ordering issue, so everything should be good to go when I download their images.

Second edits

Now it’s time to organize and take out all of the “blinks” - the images that I’m sure my clients won’t want later. :) I organize the images into folders based on the subject (ceremony, portraits, details) and go through with PhotoMechanic to select the ones I want to keep. This removes duplicates, photos where people are blinking, blurry photos, etc.

After this paring down, I use Adobe Photoshop to correct exposure and colors. Usually this doesn’t take very long. It is also my favorite part because I can re-live the entire wedding.

Renaming

I prefer to rename my images and also helps me keep things organized when I add second shooters’ images to my piles.

Blogging

At some point during this process I blog the wedding. I like to add the blog the day after I’ve sent it to the client, since I want to show it to the world right away! :) While I’m editing the detail photos I also pick out a few that I want to add to the blog, since they’re often a huge hit and can help other people planning their weddings. I also try to add my favorite portraits to the blog, since those are often my favorite photos from the whole day.

Portfolio

At the very end, I add photos to my portfolio. Haven’t visited my portfolio in a while? It’s constantly updated with new stuff!

Disk Burning

I burn the images to a disk for the clients. If they want me to sign a copyright agreement this is the time I print it and sign it for them.

Albums

For album creation, I use a number of different actions and files. I work in Photoshop and make everything custom for each client.

Other stuff

So as you can see, quite a few hours are spent in post-production just focusing on the digital workflow. Wedding photographers’ work doesn’t end with the wedding! And this is just for a typical event - there are so many little things that can be different for each client.

WPD Annual Wedding Photography Contest

2009-03-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

Vote!

I enter this one every year. The prize isn't much, and if I gave a dollar to everyone who votes for me in order to win I would end up owing money to myself. You can vote everyday, and you don't need an email address.

It would be great if you vote for me. If you are a fan of photography, I know you will love the website. There are tons of great entries and as always I think about the talented circle that the contest brings me too. I am going to step it up next year definitely.

Let me tell you about this photo. So the bride is getting read in the Montage in Laguna Beach, CA. It is absolutely the most beautiful location ever. I love it. So her mom is on her knees behind her tying up the back of the corset gown, and her maid of honor is to the left just out the shot. Since the bride was standing in front of the window I thought I would take the opportunity to blow out the light and make it all about how beautiful her eyes were and how the veil fell across her eyes.
I think it is a personal favorite of mine because I got a tingle up my back when I heard the camera click. I couldn't believe it. The bride asked "Was it that good?" And then I showed it to her, and she said "Holly you are so amazing, I can't believe that is me."
Those are the moments I live for, as an artist, wedding photographer, and a fan of love.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Sara and Max- Wedding Preview

2009-03-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

Meeting your soul mate is a once in a lifetime chance. But what makes this couple even more unique is that they met each other as toddlers at Day Care.

At the age of three or four, Max announced to his mom that he was going to marry Sara . March 28th 2009, he made his proclamation true.

The wedding took place in the front yard, with a huge beautiful tree shading the entire event. What makes this even more special is that it was the home of Max and his family, and perhaps even the setting of a lot of childhood adventures.

We took "getting ready" photo of the girls in Max's old bedroom. The reception was in the same yard that they had many basketball, and outdoor games. Two guitar players played "All You Need is Love" to the entire reception. It soon became a sing-a-long and a tribute to the new couple. Music of the band, "Minus Me" was playing at the reception (a band that the groom and best man were guitar/drums). The groom doubled as the DJ and music extraordinaire.

It was truly such a personal event. Every detail and accent was carefully planned and beautiful.

This is only a preview of some of the images from the wedding day. My associate Tibor Deme, was the second shooter of the day. I love his style and photographic story telling.

To read more about the couple, here is their website.

Vendor love:

Flowers: Glendale flowers

Caterer: Good Rich Catering

Cake: Cakery Bakery

Officiate: Rev Bob Pace

Bridal salon: Jobynas

Dress salon: Cecilia

Tux: Friar Tux

Jewelry: Mango Moon

This fantastic Groom shot is by Tibor Deme

Running like Forest Gump- Standing by my Values

2009-03-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

"i do" like to run.

It is officially unoffical that I entered the Nike Women’s Marathon run in October this year. It is entirely females and so awesome. My friend Chandra, who is also training for a marathon in San Diego at the end of May, talked me into it. It doesn't take much, and it went something like this:

Chandra: "Holly, hot sexy firemen give out Tiffany necklaces to the runners at the finishline"

Me: "Where do I sign up?"

Piece of cake! I am delighted to give you updates and all that on my event training. It should be fantastic. The last marathon I ran was the L.A. Marathon in 2006. I almost died. It was intense and due to a dear friend that signed me up. I adore him for doing that, but had some strong words for him at mile 19.

On the Official Nike Running Blog they have a FAQ for some fancy pants running chick (Sarah Reinertsen). Well I am no athlete nor "running chick" but I wanted to put her answers on my blog, all the same.

Here is the content from their blog:

Nike elite athlete Sarah Reinertsen hanging out at the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco and was lucky enough to hear her thoughts on what the Nike Women’s Marathon means to her and what it’s like to be the first female above-knee amputee to complete the Ford Ironman World Championship (Yes, that’s a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run all in one swoop!). I knew I’d hear an inspiring story, but I didn’t realize she would have such great advice to share with all runners.

In 1993, when she was 17 years old, Sarah decided that she wanted to compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. It took her 10 years to get on a bike but once she set her mind to it she wasn’t going to give up. She didn’t finish in her first attempt but when her family showed up the next year in Kona wearing t-shirts that said “unfinished business” she knew she wasn’t going to back down. She made history that day, as she became the first above-the-knee amputee to finish the race and says “completing the Ironman World Championship was so incredibly satisfying and gave me the greatest sense of accomplishment.” And today, she’s back out there trying to capture that feeling again while inspiring “more women to get out there.”

Q and A with Sarah:

What is special about the Nike Women’s Marathon?

You never know what challenges these women had to overcome to get to the starting line. There are women out here who are cancer survivors. I’ve never run a women’s race as big as this.
What are your goals for the NWM race?To enjoy the course and the experience and running with all the other women. No time pressure. I might stop for Ghirardelli chocolate or a pedicure along the way!

What are your secrets to staying motivated?

1. Train with others. When you have an appointment to meet buddies you are less likely to snooze. Join a club like the NIKETOWN Run Club.

2. Run with music. I like using Nike+ and always having new music or a workout to run to. I bury my favorite song in the mix and know I have to run for an hour before I will get to it. I love Nike+ because it’s like having a little coach in your ear to keep you going.

3. Sign up for your next race now. It will give you an end goal.

Who inspires you?

Nickie Shapiro, a 71 year old woman who has completed 19 full distance triathlons. She started running marathons when she turned 45 and completed her first Ironman at 60.
What are your upcoming goals and life goals?To complete my 2nd Ironman World Championship in Kona next October and break 15 hours. It is humbling just to finish. I want to continue to be an ambassador and pioneer in sports. I would like to see more women in triathlons. Like Joan Benoit-Samuelson, I want to sit back some day and see the difference I made. Joan has to know that this race (NWM) is because of her influence in women’s running; she was part of that movement. I’d like to write a book about becoming whole through sports and my goal is that it becomes one of Oprah’s picks.

What is special about the Ford Ironman World Championship?

Childhood dreams go away - you may never get to the Olympics - but finishing an Ironman gives you that epic sports experience that you will never forget. It’s an extraordinary finish line for ordinary people.

What are the quotes you live by?

The pain is temporary but the memories last forever. Any great goal worth achieving takes sacrifice.

What is your PowerSong?

Hollywood. The live version. Techno is the best music to run to.

What is so great about running anyways?

The running community. It’s a lot of fun to connect with runners, they are cool people with good energy. It helps a lot of people manage stress and keep the pounds off. You can eat whatever you want!

I couldn't agree with Sarah more.

Lots of love and kisses,
Holly

Let's Hear it for the Boys!

2009-03-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Whoa, maybe he's no romeo
But he's my lovin one-man show

Not just another bad song from the 80's movie Footloose, but a true tribute to the grooms and groomsmen!

But first I have to confess. I use men as props.

In my photography I tend to focus on the beautiful essence of the bride. How the light falls lightly on her veil, or the details of her gown, or the elegance of her beautiful eyes. Boys don't really have that going for them. They are more the party, the drinking, flask holding and the bad humor of the wedding day.

Well I wanted to dedicate this blog to the boys. Really!
I know they aren't reading this, but you are. (And that is what counts!)

Without further adieu here are some great wedding photos that centered, focused and for the boys!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Let's hear it for the boy

Video interview with Cakes and Kisses

2009-03-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a video interview with Holly Steen, Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography.

Happy Birthday to a cat?

2009-03-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

True true, it is silly to celebrate a pet's birthday but it isn't just any birthday. It is my Cat's 10th birthday. Well I don't know how old 10 is in cat years, probably super old. I wouldn't be figuring that out any time soon, because that would involve math. Ew.

You ask, "Holly, what is the big deal about that, it is still a cat? You crazy girl."

Well, to that I would say to you that have no idea how many times this cat escaped death and used up all his 9 lives, so we thought this birthday would never come.

You say, "This intrigues me, tell me more."

I adopted him as a year old adult cat. True I am a fool, a fool for gray cats.

"Yes, please give me the gray and white cat hiding in the back of the kennel, peeing on himself. He is the one that I want."

It is embarrassing to be a professional photographer and not have ANY photos of my precious cat. I suppose every family has a dirty little secret and that is mine, NOW on my blog for all to see. Well, he has yet to learn the mystic powers of my camera phone. So here are a few photos of him throughout the years. JOY!
The story continues:

Years went by and he grew up to be more and more brave, but not of people in general just me. I don't want this blog to carry on and on, but he had a lot of visits to the vet, a lot of boy pee pee problems. Later to be discussed if he should get surgery to be a "she". And he had lots of bouts with death in general, because he gets so frightened he might have a heart attack.

Luckily he is still a he, and having less problems since he is on a special diet.

He is frightened to get his photo taken, runs under the bed if we sneeze and is constantly in fear of sudden movements. He lives such fragile life.
But, what is there not to love?
Oh right.

And my favorite of him and I taken with my iMac. Sneaky Sneak.

Well HAPPY HAPPY birthday Gray Cat. You are a mystery to all and none.

Reposting of Jules and Danny

2009-03-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Hip yet traditional are the best yet simplified way to describe Jules and Danny.

I was absolutely delighted to be a second photographer for the talented Kim Fox Photography Studio. Kim is a talented sleek photographer with an eye for the beautiful, and capturing flare. Thank you for such a great couple, Kim!

Here are some images from Jules and Danny's wedding.

Jules and Danny got ready in separate rooms at the Westin Pasadena

The ceremony was held at St. Felicitas & Perpetua Chruch

We did fun portraits in Old Town Pasadena.

I know Kim Fox got this same shot posted on her blog and it is just amazing how two photographers see things differently. She captured the one on the left without the bike, and she was closer in on the couple for the one on the right.

The reception was held at the Rococo Room in Cafe Santorini

Really a beautiful, non-traditional location. There was a loft area for the really rowdy folks.

Absolutely love this couple and every moment was so emotional either laughing, because they were so funny, or crying because of the amazing heart they both had.

The photos look fun, but you have no idea. Believe me I have NEVER been to a wedding when the audience was singing along to the entire Mother/Son dance.

Yay! Thank you again Jules and Danny for sharing your beautiful day.

(If you want to view any of these images clearer/larger, please click)

Bridal Spa Event - March 29th 2009

2009-03-18T13:34:00.001-07:00

Serenity Canyon and Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography

Everyone Loves a Contest.

2009-03-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have had TWO or THREE contests running the last week. But wait ... there is more!

1) How LOGO can you GO? The winner was Cervidae2008:

2) The People's Choice Contest: Which you can still click and Vote (please do, it takes about 2 minutes & 10 seconds)

3) I am entering a Wedding Chicks Vendor Contest. Go view my wise comments on why brides love my photography.

4) Lastly, I am a member of the Wedding Photography Directory and enter their contest. The voting starts on March 26th. Check back and I will have a link posted.

Better than Bees Knees- Wax Works

2009-03-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography is going to be offering Wax Works prints in 2009!

Each image becomes a work of art because of a little place in Manayunk, PA called Wax Works Photos. Waxworks is a form of encaustic (bees wax) mixed media painting process created by highly acclaimed artist, Leah MacDonald, and CEO, Susan Beard.

I am captivated by the texture and detail that is provided in each creation. In person these are so beautiful, unique and special. You have to see them for yourself. Here is a short video on how they create each and every one... it is an amazing four minutes of inspiration.

These are a few beautiful images from their website. I can't wait till I get mine to show you!

Vote for my image!

2009-03-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yay Click to vote

I will give you a twinkie :)

Greetings,

Holly Steen has invited you to participate in the 2009 Faces Photo Contest.

Please vote for my image in the PDN Faces photo contest.

Click here

You will need to register with a valid email address to vote.

You can find out more about the contest here:
www.facesphotocontest.com

Vote vote

"How LOGO can you GO?" contest!

2009-03-09T13:16:00.001-07:00

The stakes are high and participation is necessary to win PRIZE!!

(Drumroll:) A 11x14 Gallery Wrap print from Canvas on Demand.

Cakes and Kisses is getting a Logo makeover!

The designer: Naomi Epstein the multifaceted designer, photographer, designologist (Seriously, you need to check out her MONTAGE, it rocks!)
I adore her creativity and supreme talent.

You have to VOTE to win! Please email me your VOTE: steenholly@gmail.com

Tell me what number and why you think it should be the new logo for Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography

If your answer is the best explanation and gets the most votes from others you will win a FREE 11x14 Gallery Wrap Print! Provided by Canvas on Demand

Good Luck!
I look forward to the massive email frenzy that is about to begin.

Cakes and Kisses!
Holly

Phil and Brianne are getting Married!

2009-03-09T11:57:00.001-07:00

They meet eyes and instantly they know this is the person I am going to be falling in love with for the rest of my life. It doesn't matter if you believe it is destiny or fate, it is going to happen.

That person is going to walk into a restaurant in Vegas and sweep you off your feet. Well not necessarily in Vegas, but that is how it happened for Phil and Brianne.

A trip out to Vegas puts perspective on a lot of things, but finding your true love there, that is just ridiculous.

Phil and Brianne met up with a group of friends that was orchestrated by a dear friend of both Erin. Well, Erin, that sneaky sneak wanted to set the two up, and thought this was the perfect moment and opportunity. Oh boy, was it! Phil popped the question a year later and they are getting hitched at the end of May.

We wanted to keep the shoot close to home, so we actually shot this at their home together in Valencia. It was so personal and it was exactly what any photographer wants... for a couple to be comfortable and laugh a lot. We shot these on the steps of their front door.

I love both of them SO much. Not only do they embrace what a real relationship is all about, but they work through every aspect of their relationship and put each other first in life. And I admire them deeply.

Phil and Brianne are supreme people and continuously live with a passion for life. Every aspect of their lives they are surrounded by friends, family and an open heart for laughter.

So embarrassing but I had to catch the light as it came to me. This is in the middle of their street with a neighbor rooting and cheering for Phil. Really, the reason this is black and white is because Phil's cheeks were turning red.

I have always wanted to shoot in a tunnel.. I got my wish. And they didn't mind the extra make out time I am sure :)

This was the very end of the shoot and we went back into the house. I asked them to stand by the sink and have some cozy time. Then I captured this reflection in the microwave. HOT!

This is what Brianne said about her engagement shoot:

"Holly made our engagement photo session so much more than just a few hours taking pictures. It was honestly like reliving our first date!

She made it so fun and relaxed that we couldn't help being ourselves, which is the key to great pictures...right? Her talent and creativity combined make her the ONLY photographer we will ever use!We love Holly and our fantastic photos! We will cherish them forever! Thank you!"

Top this Cake!

2009-03-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

I love it. It is that chance to express yourself through sweeeet Cake. Each couple has a unique style and way that they want their wedding. This topper is from Brian and Sandra's wedding. You can tell that not only does she wear the pants in the relationship, but they have a sense of humor about it ...

There are tons of resources for cake toppers. Here is one from a Bride and Groom that loved FISHING.

Here is a brilliant one : Use Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers... Or go to Etsy

For the more unusual I recommend that world famous Custom Bobblehead. Ben and Tanya are an amazing couple. They love sports, outdoors, and really are overall a riot. They had a custom Bobblehead made and I think it looks just like them. It is amazing how the artist got Ben's hair just right.

For the love of Cake,
Holly

"Click Tips": Aspiring to be a Wedding Photographer?

2009-02-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

Oh yes. It is a quench that can't not be soothed by anything other than shooting people in love and wedding cake. I totally understand.

Everyone has to start somewhere. I receive emails from aspiring photographers wanting to know "Tips" on how to shoot a wedding. Of course I can't explain exactly how that nervous feeling starts in your tummy the night before to its' complete understanding , but I can try.

There is nothing more exciting than when you first knock on the door to where the bride is getting ready and you get to see all the wedding hustle and bustle. It is probably the single moment, I can officially say "I am excited about your wedding." Because I truly am so excited and elated to be there, seeing her gown come out of the garment bag, and making memories with photos.

So when talking to someone about shooting a wedding, I can only give them my experience and "Click Tips" to make a more successful wedding photographer. I can't teach them what I have learned in five years, but I can give them 7 key points to make it that much more exciting and wonderful.

1. Get inspired. Look at wedding photography sites that you like the style, and try to figure what
setting they were using, or how the light was. It is important not just to look but to really think
about how to create that same image through your lens.
www.knot.com or www.weddingchicks.com also Joe Bussink is a personal favorite site of mine
to go to get inspired. There are lots of resources online, and they are ready and it should be easy
to be inspired.

2. Organized. Make sure you have lots and lots of batteries, charged and ready.
Check your gear all works. Format all your cards. Check your driving directions.
Make sure you have all the information of the wedding/location/names/family's names.
You know, don't come unprepared or your shots will suffer because you aren't thinking about the
wedding you are thinking about something else. Keep your head in the game, and cake.

3. Stay calm. Just shoot. They hired you cause you have a good eye. You are not the coordinator,
nor are you the reason why they are running 30 minutes behind schedule.
Pose your groups fast, make it good and move on. Try to give the bride and groom lots of
time to be romantic after the wedding before the reception. Just capture them being them.
Those are the images that they will appreciate. Just make sure they are romantic somewhere
with a pretty background and nice light.

4. Shoot. Make sure you shoot shoot shoot. Get a full length of both the bride and groom.
Get detail shots. Make sure that you don't crop out feet or hands in your group shots.
Never crop at a joint (ankle, knee, elbow). Try to get in close, and then back off and get
those establishing shots.

5. Give it your all. If you have to stay later then the time says to get that shot of grandma
doing line dancing, then just get the shot. If you decide that you really need that sunset photo,
make sure your assistant is confident to be alone in the reception.
And just shoot. Even if you think it might be blurry or not the right timing.. try to get the shot.
It is digital and you can only learn from your mistakes if you aren't afraid to make mistakes.
When shooting groups and you have someone who is pesty wanting shots with their cameras..
just ask them to wait until after you flash and put your camera away from your face and
then they can shoot away. Usually they respect that you are the professional, and they will
wait.

6. Change it up. Get low, stand up on chairs, make sure you don't block people or the videographers.
If you need more tips.. happy to help. Experience is the best way.

7. Enjoy yourself. You are going to have to be your best, for 8 hours or more.
Make sure you shine, but don't stand out.

Good Luck
Holly

I remember....

2009-02-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

This is a love story. Not between two people necessarily but between me and my camera.

Jaz and Luke was my first wedding as "Cakes and Kisses Wedding Photography" my very first. It was on a Tuesday in Rancho Palos Verdes, Wayfarer Chapel.

It was absolutely stunning and a perfect place for the beautiful couple. They met before the ceremony to take photos, and then they had a candlight ceremony.

I can't believe what an awesome occassion this was for everyone.

The bride wore the dress of her bridesmaid. A bridesmaid made all the jewerly, and now sells it at Etsy as JewelryVixen.

They had a beautiful prayer over looking the ocean.

The entire ceremony had candles to light the isle and the alter.

They had a cake from Sweet Lady Jane cakes. And I can't believe how beautiful it really all was. So photos speak louder than words.. and this sunset image is still one of my all time favorites.

Elite- Santa Clarita Valley!!

2009-02-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

Yay! Cakes and Kisses is in print.

Delia and Michael got married on January 11th 2007. They had a beautiful ceremony and reception at the Bridegport Lake Club in Santa Clarita. Delia's family made her dress and her brother and father played on guitar a beautiful song just to the couple. Michael and Delia, just bought the home and got ready there for their wedding. It was wonderful and each of them have memories that will last forever.

The image that was published in Elite Santa Clarita Valley, was just after the wedding ceremony. We were so lucky to have beautiful light and ducks to join us for the session.

Lots of kisses and ducks,
Holly

maternity by holly

2009-02-22T19:23:00.000-08:00

I am not really into babies, motherhood, pickles and ice cream (well maybe just ice cream) or any other idea of having a family. I do dig the clothes being all cute around the waist though...

It took me by surprise when I said yes to doing a maternity shoot for my friend Lisa. We have been friends since Jr. High, and she has always dreamed and hoped to be a mom. Really, she and my other friends even had baby names picked back then. (I didn't of course, but I had pet names picked out)

But it just goes to show that they were always thinking about being more than just themselves and what was happening in High School etc. They thought about the future and to having a family and children to love, while I was thinking of puppies and kittens...

We did the shoot in her home, Castaic. It was a cloudy day, and I think that was perfect for the overall light of the day.

It was soft and lovely for Lisa to get into full maternity photos mode. Granted Tori Spelling took maternity to a whole level of fashion, but I think that Lisa handled herself with a lot of grace and beauty.

Here are some images from the shoot.... I must say I am pretty proud of how I really captured how beautiful Lisa is as a prego.

Lots of Kisses,
Holly

Photographer Friends Click

2009-02-19T12:26:00.000-08:00

I am so proud to call these girls my friends... Just amazing... Four of us joined together for a true passion for photography and we truly realized that we will be more than that... we will be an undeniable support system for one another. And of course being photographers, we took photos of each other in the hotel room at the Flamingo in Vegas.

We did a little awesome photo session, and yay! So cute!

This is Vanessa Brooke. I love her... I blog her... and I shoot her. She is an amazing artist and one of my favorite people. OOO and she does amazing children photography... Check out her site.

Here is a photographer, shooting a photographer for a photographer...

The amazing Naomi Epstein Photography, StoryBoards, and Graphics. Not to mention she has a mean passion for eating vegetables.

She is a little hottie too, huh?

These girls rock my socks... And they let me shoot them! Yay!

WPPI 2009

2009-02-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

Wow!

In case you don't know Photographers like to nerd out with other photographers. It is talking shop, talking about the latest gadgets, gizmos, but the most important part of that is making friends and being INSPIRED. WPPI

Absolutely I can define myself as the luckiest and most motivated girl blogging at this moment. Each and every little word I heard, each visual statement and color enhancement was absorbed, and every little nudge or heart string that was pulled effected me. I can't imagine anything more incredible or motivating than meeting other positive people.