Laura and Tyrus: Do you want to go faster?

When I was in Elementary school we used to get free passes to the Western Washington State Fair.

One of the more exciting rides at the fair was the one that spun everyone around real fast. It was like a horizontal Ferris wheel or a merry-go-round on speed, but without the scary horses.

To add to the knuckle clenching sheer velocity effect the guy running the ride had a microphone and during the ride he would ask just one thing, "Do you want to go faster?"

Of course it didn't matter what the riders said, yelled, or screamed in terror. For you are about to go faster, hang on, take a deep breath, and most of all enjoy it.

Right from our first meeting, I knew that Laura and Tyrus were a couple that had something special.  The way they gazed into each other's eyes, I could feel the deep love and adornment they have for each other. 

I was thrilled to be a part of one of the biggest events in their lives. The Ceremony was held at McLean Overlook at Chino Hills State Park.  The view was simply magnificent!  Go back and look at the photos I took atop the park. Go ahead, I'll wait. It is so kool (that is how I spell it) and I had no idea this place existed so close to my house.

One of the things I love about being a wedding photographer is that I get to go to amazing locations and venues that I would otherwise never knew existed.  Laura and Tyrus' reception took place at the beautiful estate, Lilikoilani. Yes it took me 2 attempts to spell that and I still don't know if I pronounce it correctly. Any Hawaiians out there?  Anyway, the estate is simply gorgeous.  More importantly, the food was delicious!  The management and entire staff were extremely hospitable, courteous, and friendly. 

I also had a lot of help from the guys at Final Touch Entertainment. The DJ's,  Alex and his crew, were really helpful not only keeping me up to date on what was coming up, but taking care of the Bride and Groom through out the reception. Thanks guys!

There are many rides in this world. Sometimes instead of taking a ride I like to run them. For example,  one way I can ask the riders if they want to go faster is to suddenly jump up on a table and take their pictures -  see the image below.

"Smile Tyrus, Smile!"

Despite my playfulness, I know that no matter the ride they take, Laura and Tyrus will be enjoying it.  Congratulations Laura and Tyrus!

Laura & Tyrus: Sneak Peek

Because the guys never get enough love.

The Notorious "Dean the Kid"!

What is the high bid  

for this Dean the Kid

An idea I say

to the park all day.

Run, swing, all so fast.

Add Mom, what a blast.

Down a big slide, will he ever tire?

Then make a wish, watch it float higher

What is the high bid  

for this Dean the Kid

 

For tired I am

for green eggs and ham.

Vegas

If you know me, you probably have a pretty good idea that I go to Vegas. Some may say I go a lot. Though I bet if you got free rooms, food, drinks, maybe some money, and a show thrown in, you would consider going as well.

Guess what I got for this weekend?

Guess where I'm going? :)

However, its not always play when I go. The last time I was in Vegas, I had a chance to do a quick street shoot with a bit of a retro look. Check it out!.

Wish me luck!

Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall

Yesterday I volunteered as the photographer for the arrival of the Dignity Memorial
Vietnam Wall at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary. From their web site here, "the wall is a ¾-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., inscribed with 58,261 names belonging to men and women who served and sacrificed for our nation."

I doubt many people would argue about the politics and justification of that war. Some of you may not even have been around when it was occurring. Even so, many people forget or simply don't realize that there was a draft then and many of those that served did not have a choice in their involvement.  The point is, this isn't about the politics it is about honoring the ones that didn't come back home.

A lot of people participated, volunteered and came to be a part of the arrival.  The L.A. County Fire Department, Police, and many motorcycle rider groups escorted the truck carrying the wall all the way in from Indio. 

There was a short ceremony before construction of the wall began. A purple heart was donated from a family who had lost a member. This was symbolic of the one that now resides within the original wall in Washington D.C.

Each of the names on the Wall will be read aloud with the help of volunteers from our community while it is in Whittier. The Wall will be the centerpiece of a weeklong program of special events held at Rose Hills Memorial Park, and will be open for visitation 24 hours a day. It was and will be a very relaxed and casual event.

 The actual opening ceremony takes place on March 23rd at 3:00pm. The wall will then be open to the public 24 hours a day until March 30th. If you haven't seen the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall or even if you have, its worth stopping by Rose Hills in Whittier and viewing the  Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall . I'll be there Tuesday through Thursday in the late afternoons.

Boudoir deux

As promised I've selected a few more to Boudoir images to highlight.

As shown above, there is nothing like the traditional boudoir image in the bedroom, after all that is what the word Boudoir means. However, I just can't help but love offering and doing something a little different with outdoor shoots as well. For me adding in the natural beauty of the landscape with that of the subject not only makes them that much more unique, but even more special. 

I touched on this previously, but it can't be said enough. You don't have to have supposed model looks to look great and feel great about a boudoir shoot. That is one of the wonderful things about them. It can truly change your outlook about yourself. 

 

Again, the end result can reveal the beauty that you might not have known you possess. 

No matter how you think you look and whether you do this for yourself and/or for another I can promise that you will be happy and feel good about the outcome.