Caffe Sportivo
965 Brewster Ave
Redwood City, CA
Friday, October 9, 2009
Soleil Portraits Photography Showcase!
Caffe Sportivo
965 Brewster Ave
Redwood City, CA
Friday, October 2, 2009
Wedding Photography
Photography Tip #3:
1. If you are having photos done before the wedding in a dressing room, free it from clutter. The things you need to get ready with are fine. I'm talking about the excess 'junk' that you don't necessarily want in your photos. Such as food, wrappers, dirty clothes and undies...you get the idea.
2. If the dressing room is in a church basement with very little light, try using Christmas lights strung around the room. It looks pretty and the extra light is nice for the photographer.
3. If you have too much light streaming in, try putting white or tan colored fabric on the windows to diffuse some of the light. Too much light is just as bad as not enough.
4. If the church has tattered furniture where you are getting ready, throw pieces of fabric over it.
5. When the photographer comes to shoot for your wedding, now is not the time to be modest and not want your picture taken. Instruct your wedding party and family members of the same thing. I usually end up with (too many) photos of the side or back of someone's head as they turn quickly when they realize their photo is going to be taken.
6. When kissing your bride or groom, do so slowly and hold it for a few seconds. Some of the most romatic photos are the inch right before the kiss.
7. When kissing, don't tilt the head or only one profile will be seen. Hold your head straight up and make your noses side by side. This way both of you will be seen in the photo.
8. Some couples don't like showing affection in public. Let this one day be an exception. The photos will tell you for years to come why you fell in love and married this special person."
1. If you are having photos done before the wedding in a dressing room, free it from clutter. The things you need to get ready with are fine. I'm talking about the excess 'junk' that you don't necessarily want in your photos. Such as food, wrappers, dirty clothes and undies...you get the idea.
2. If the dressing room is in a church basement with very little light, try using Christmas lights strung around the room. It looks pretty and the extra light is nice for the photographer.
3. If you have too much light streaming in, try putting white or tan colored fabric on the windows to diffuse some of the light. Too much light is just as bad as not enough.
4. If the church has tattered furniture where you are getting ready, throw pieces of fabric over it.
5. When the photographer comes to shoot for your wedding, now is not the time to be modest and not want your picture taken. Instruct your wedding party and family members of the same thing. I usually end up with (too many) photos of the side or back of someone's head as they turn quickly when they realize their photo is going to be taken.
6. When kissing your bride or groom, do so slowly and hold it for a few seconds. Some of the most romatic photos are the inch right before the kiss.
7. When kissing, don't tilt the head or only one profile will be seen. Hold your head straight up and make your noses side by side. This way both of you will be seen in the photo.
8. Some couples don't like showing affection in public. Let this one day be an exception. The photos will tell you for years to come why you fell in love and married this special person."
How to find a Wedding Photographer?
Photography Tip#2:
Your best resource is people you know. Ask around, look at other wedding albums. Ask your friends, family and co-workers.
Do you like the photos and album color and construction?
Are the photo colors bright and clear and all pictures in focus & dust free?
Are the group photos nicely composed?
Do the poses look fake, unnatural?
Are wedding rings obscured?
Is there detail in the bride's gown and cake or are they too bright and washed (a common pitfall) out from an overexposed shot?
Would you want that wedding album as your own?
The photographer's personality can make or break your wedding.
Don't always trust the "bridal warehouse" or "bridal city" type operations with one stop shop "Wedding Packages" unless you are really sure of the photographer's reputation.
Most hotels, resorts, caterers, etc. can recommend photographers as well, but beware, many caterers get kickbacks so you can't always get an unbiased opinion. What does a cook know about photography? If they knew anything, they'd be photographers. Decent resorts don't take kickbacks, but they recommend photographers they know to be reliable, as their reputation as a fine resort is at stake. Keep in mind that sample photos a resort may show you were throw away photos given to them by the studio and may not be as good as the studio's true ability.
Your best resource is people you know. Ask around, look at other wedding albums. Ask your friends, family and co-workers.
Do you like the photos and album color and construction?
Are the photo colors bright and clear and all pictures in focus & dust free?
Are the group photos nicely composed?
Do the poses look fake, unnatural?
Are wedding rings obscured?
Is there detail in the bride's gown and cake or are they too bright and washed (a common pitfall) out from an overexposed shot?
Would you want that wedding album as your own?
The photographer's personality can make or break your wedding.
Don't always trust the "bridal warehouse" or "bridal city" type operations with one stop shop "Wedding Packages" unless you are really sure of the photographer's reputation.
Most hotels, resorts, caterers, etc. can recommend photographers as well, but beware, many caterers get kickbacks so you can't always get an unbiased opinion. What does a cook know about photography? If they knew anything, they'd be photographers. Decent resorts don't take kickbacks, but they recommend photographers they know to be reliable, as their reputation as a fine resort is at stake. Keep in mind that sample photos a resort may show you were throw away photos given to them by the studio and may not be as good as the studio's true ability.
Budget Wedding Photographer
Photography Tips #1:
Daily we have couples who contact our studio and tell us that they are looking for a budget photographer.
What does that mean?
Are they looking for a cheap price or are they on a budget and want to make sure that they don't exceed the budget.
Couples should always have a budget to work with and they should always decide what max amount they will pay for a photographer. But, today, with the new digital age, there are a lot of people out there who call themselves photographers. Today, you can buy pictures on Shutterstock and pass them for your own.
My recommendation, to be careful when telling photographers that you are on a budget. Keep your budget in mind, but ask the photographer for their prices and proof of their work. Like sample albums of work they have done in the past.
Also, when deciding on a budget for a wedding, keep in mind, that a photographer not only spends the hours with you during your wedding, they also spend hours after your wedding, retouching your images and designing your album.
Daily we have couples who contact our studio and tell us that they are looking for a budget photographer.
What does that mean?
Are they looking for a cheap price or are they on a budget and want to make sure that they don't exceed the budget.
Couples should always have a budget to work with and they should always decide what max amount they will pay for a photographer. But, today, with the new digital age, there are a lot of people out there who call themselves photographers. Today, you can buy pictures on Shutterstock and pass them for your own.
My recommendation, to be careful when telling photographers that you are on a budget. Keep your budget in mind, but ask the photographer for their prices and proof of their work. Like sample albums of work they have done in the past.
Also, when deciding on a budget for a wedding, keep in mind, that a photographer not only spends the hours with you during your wedding, they also spend hours after your wedding, retouching your images and designing your album.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Lumiere in Burlingame
Lumiere in Burlingame has finally got a website! Thanks to Soleil Portraits, you can view some beautiful photos of the store and products on their website. You can visit their website at "Lumiere on Broadway". Any lighting you might need, go to them!
West Bay Rhythm Show at Pier 23 in San Francisco
Last Sunday we spent another beautiful day in San Francisco enjoying the musical styles of West Bay Rhythm at Pier 23. The Band was up and lively and people were dancing and singing along. It was a great show and a great turnout. Everyone was having so much fun! Julia even got a song dedicated just for her :)
To check out the band visit their website: West Bay Rhythm
Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
Soleil Portraits took time off for a day to spend out watching the San Francisco Giants game. Unfortunately they lost but it was still a beautiful and warm day spent in San Francisco.
Dr Chan's Dentist Office
Dentist Dr Chan needed some pictures of his office and working team so Soleil Portaits came out and spent the day photographing everything and everyone at Dr Chan's office in San Francisco.
Visit their website: Dr.Chan
Having and Event? Need a good Dj?
Soleil Portraits has worked with Cris Ratkovic aka DJ BKR twice. Once for Kristen and Roberts Wedding and second for Ben's Bar Mitzvah. He's a good fun Dj, good for both kids and adults. He comes highly recommended by us!
DJ BKR
Contact him for further information!
DJ BKR
Contact him for further information!
Bar Mitzvah in the House!
Bay Area Parent's Lina Parnass is a good friend of mine. So when her son was having his Bar Mitzvah it was no doubt she contacted Soleil Portraits for some photos of the event. She mainly wanted photos of the family and the birthday boy. Here a few shots from the amazing night.
John & Kate...No not the couple, the siblings
Everyday Yana spends a few hours a day watching John and Kate Taylor, two very cute kids from Belmont. One day while spending time at the park, we shot a few pictures of the kids playing on the playground.
Bay Area Parent Serramonte Fashion Show
August 9th Soleil Portraits helped photograph a Fashion Show at Serramonte Mall in Daly City. Young children came from all over the bay area to get there chance to be a model for the day. Here are a few kids strutting there stuff.
Here comes the Bride
One of the most fun weddings we've ever done, Kristen and Roberts from Foster City. A beautiful and very interesting wedding. The couple was young and fun and so were there many guests. We wish all the best for the happy couple!
Little Baby Tahlia
Recently Soleil Portraits did Stacy's maternity photos with her younger son Koa. Now she came in with her newly born baby girl Tahlia and we did some newborn shots as well. Tahlia was the most well behaved baby we have seen so far.
West Bay Rhythm Band
Bay Area's West Bay Rhythm Band needed pictures for advertising and they came to Soleil Portraits with an amazing idea for a photo shoot. The band's manager Al Tovar wanted to take two Candy Apple Red Sports Cars and put the band on them while photographing at Oyster Point Marina in Brisbane. It was an amazing photo shoot for an amazing band. Here are the final shots from the shoot.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Julia and Robbie
We were taking test shots and guess who got into the shot. I think Robbie did not want Julia in his photos.
Julia is an Adult!
How else would you celebrate adulthood than with a giant jumpy house. Julia and her closest friends enjoyed the day in the sun jumping in a giant bounce house and having fun.
4th of July
Barbeques. Family. Friends. Pool Day. What more could you ask for?
Everyone got together 4th of July in Foster City to spend the day at the pool and enjoy some beautiful fireworks. Here a few shots of the kids at the pool.
Everyone got together 4th of July in Foster City to spend the day at the pool and enjoy some beautiful fireworks. Here a few shots of the kids at the pool.
Caffe Sportivo
A good friend of mine Eric Geedey, is a General Manager and a Hollistic Massage Therapist at Caffe Sportivo. The Caffe offers One-on-One Personal Training, Physical Rehabilitation, Hollistic Massage Therapist, Organic & Fair Trade Coffee and Teas, European Sipping Chocolate (yummy), Grilled Paninis, Bicycle Blender, Free Wi-Fi, and Whole Bean delivery. See Julia blending her own Smoothie on a bike. Check it out on 965 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City, CA at 650-365-3500.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Yana gets PADI certified in Monterey
Yana got her PADI certification in Monterey in July. It was 53 degrees on the bottom and zero visibility. But she accomplished this with support of her daughter Julia. Thanks to Tiffany from Wallin's Dive Center in San Carlos. I don't think Yana could of accomplished this without her. Now Yana can pursue her dream of underwater photography.
Commercial Photography
Another local commercial photo shoot. It seems that everyone wants a new photo for their website, or Facebook, or Linkedin, or their Blog. I love to photograph around Foster City. The shots with the water in the background always look great.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Friends Photo Shoot
Julia and her friends got together in Brisbane last Friday and decided to take some nice group pictures for themselves. Here are a few of the shots from the shoot. The first one they were hoping to look similar to the Gossip Girl photoshoot.
Julia's High School Graduation
May 28, 2009 Julia graduated from Canada Middle College. I don't think she could have been any happier. Congradulations to Julia and the entire senior class of 2009!
Making her speech
Getting her diploma
The Graduate and I
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America - Take Steps Walk
Last Saturday June 6th, the girls gathered together and participated in a walk for Chrohn's & Colitis. Since Julia has Colitis we named our team, TEAM JULIA and together we all walked at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco. The evening was filled with festivities; from food and drinks and even music, the day was a great success!
Police Blocked Traffic
Bay Bridge
TEAM JULIA!
("Fleet Feet" is Actually Julia's Doctors & Nurses)
("Fleet Feet" is Actually Julia's Doctors & Nurses)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Birthday Surprise
Madison wanted some nice pictures done for her boyfriend's birthday this week. Here is the shot she chose to put in a beautiful frame.
Stacy's Maternity Photo Shoot
Brewer Island's Kindergarten Teacher Stacy Ferrer is having another baby! She decided to take some nice maternity photos with her son Koa. He is excited for new baby sister or brother!
Canada Middle College
Julia was Yearbook Editor for her High School Program Middle College over at Canada College in Redwood City. The program never had professional pictures or a professional yearbook done, and this year that was about to change. Here is a picture of the Graduating Senior Class of Canada Middle College 2009. ConGRADualtions Seniors!
BUILD
Last Saturday morning Soleil Portraits took pictures for a Non Profit Organization called BUILD - Business United in Investing, Lending, and Development. The Senior's are graduating and so we took some pictures for them for their end of the year, yearbook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
