A Day Celebrating Weddings by YWD

Your Wedding Day Magazine just hosted its 4th annual {A Day Celebrating Weddings}. It was a beautifully cloudy day at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum with light sprinkles, but it didnt keep the couples away! I had some awesome conversations with some really awesome people. Thanks for stopping by!

Everything YWD does is totally first class and completely legit. They released this seasons Magazine at the Gallery. It just gets more beautiful every year! I have really enjoyed being a part of the mag for the past few years and plan to continue for many more. Here is my double page ad. I used my favorite image from Doug + Megans Bakersfield wedding this past summer.

I am also excited to announce that Wilson + Staceys wedding is featured in the {Their Wedding Day} section. It was a amazing April wedding at the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, CA.


And here is what my booth looked like.




They even threw a bridal fashion show. It was a lot of fun! Thanks Jon, Thea and the YWD staff for creating such an awesome community for the wedding industry!

Sam + Grace {Engagement, San Luis Obispo}

We had an awesome engagement session with Sam and Grace. They claimed to be a bit shy. And I think when Grace gets shy she smiles a lot! (which actually works out great for photos) Its typical that a couple starts the session out nervous and awkward; worried that they wont have what it takes to get amazing images. Usually by the end they are confident that they pulled off the model magic. However, Grace was still a bit unconvinced. I kept reassuring her that we got fantastic photos and its only going to make for even greater wedding photos. So, Grace, I hope that I can justly say I told you so! I cant wait for your Pasadena wedding in just 2 weeks!

Matt + Brooke Lahr {San Clemente, CA}

Matt and Brooke had an amazingly beautiful wedding in San Clemente. They got married in a park near the beach in a gated community. It was like a sunken garden. Everything looked stunning! The skies were cloudy but the sun broke through to create a most beautiful sunset. Matt and Brooke are a lot of fun! We got to know them during their engagement session where I successfully stranded us in the middle of nowhere for about 30 minutes. Its good that they are so easy going because it turned out to be a lot of fun. They really see life as an adventure to be lived! Way to get married. You guys are in for a lifetime full of awesome adventures!

Why I Do the Dishes

I dont claim to be an expert in marriage, but I am learning. In all my 8 months of experience I have amassed a wealth of wisdom (8 months worth!). And although I am still a newbie to this whole marriage deal, I believe that if you know at least one thing than you have something to teach others. I wrote a little bit of advice to those preparing for the venture of marriage. Hopefully this post at mywedding.com will give you a little wisdom nugget that will make living together an easier and much happier transition.

If you want to know why I love doing the dishes for my wife then read on!

Justin Wilczynski

The first time I laid eyes on Justin, he was playing the opposite role as my sister in their 8th grade play, Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I remember pretending to be the protective older brother when meeting the little kid who was holding my sisters hand on stage. Regardless of how intimidating I was we grew to become good friends into our high school years and have grown closer ever since.

Years ago Justin left our small town of San Luis Obispo for the big city lights of Hollywood to pursue a career of modeling and acting. He has done well in the modeling world and also recently landed a role in an MTV dramatization called Kaya. He plays a lead guitar player named Taylor in the story about a band that makes it big. It has been so amazing to watch my friend pursue his dreams and to watch his hard work paying off. And this is just the start for Justin. He is also practicing diligently with his band, Bonnie Dune, to prepare for playing shows this winter.

We had a fun little shoot at one of my favorite used book stores downtown. Justin needed some shots for editorial work he is doing for a magazine. If these shots end up getting used I will post the end product. Stay tuned and check out Justins band Bonnie Dune and buy a CD!

How Do YOU Deal With The Paparazzi?

If you are a photographer check out this post I wrote on the bf/ stop asking for advice on how to deal with wedding-guests-turned-paparazzi. I am already getting great words of wisdom and would love to keep them flowing. Even if you are not a photographer, I am accepting advice from all clever people. I want to always improve my professionalism and to help others along the way.

Steffan + Suzette {Engagement, San Luis Obispo}

Steffan and Suzette are such a sweet couple! We had an awesome time during their engagement session afterwards having drinks at a pub downtoqn. They went to Cal Poly so San Luis Obispo holds a special place in their hearts. They actually found me at a wedding I shot this past summer for some friends of theirs who also went to Cal Poly, Brian and Cheryl.

We are thrilled to be shooting their wedding next week in Cancun! Suzette claims it is a bit of a task planning a destination wedding, but the reward is so great for everyone invited. It forces people to make a weeks celebration of the wedding. You dont really go to somewhere like Cancun for one day. I hear that in the ancient days of wedding celebrations people used to party for a solid week, and I am glad that Steffan and Suzette are bringing it back! Cant wait!

Kevin + Lisa {Morro Bay, CA}

Kevin + Lisa had a real intimate wedding at the Inn at Morro Bay. The guests consisted mostly of family and a sprinkle of friends. I was honored to share in their exclusive wedding day. Anna and I really enjoyed getting to know Kevin and Lisa during dinner after the engagement session. I am reminded just how awesome of a job I have when I get to meet and become friends with people I would otherwise pass in the super market or not even meet at all. Since they live in Seattle, chances are, we would never have met! You guys are awesome! Thanks for making us feel so welcome.

Laurel from Adornments did an amazing job on the flowers. They really captured the fall feel.





Since they are becoming a blended family, they had an extended sand pouring ceremony. Each of Kevin and Lisas children had their own color of sand to pour into the mix, signifying the blending of individuals into one family. It was moving! The children were a lot of fun! It turns out the older boys were friends in school before Kevin and Lisa actually met.

And The Winner Is...

And the winner is -Jack Skeleton! Jack made a clean sweep with 12 votes. Owl and Pirate tied for second with 3 and Ghost Busters got 1 vote. However, Mary commented that Ghost Busters was the most professional so I think that counts for a couple more votes. Who carved Jack? Yours truly. Im a bit embarrassed to admit. I hope no one thinks I rigged the votes, being that I posted the contest on my own blog. Honestly, I didnt delete the competitions votes and I didnt vote anonymously for my own. TRUST ME! My lovely wife, Anna, carved the Pirate (which I would have voted for). Kristie carved the cute Owl and her husband Joel carved Ghost Busters (professional). There you have it. I win! Im not sure what my prize is yet. I guess someone should send me something nice. ;)

How to Find Your Voice {Advice For New Photographers -Part 2}

Check out an article I wrote for the b/f stop on How To Find Your Voice. I get emails from new photographers all the time asking me advice on how to get started. Well, here it is! Except instead of giving you a ton of my advice I asked my friends to share their perspective. So, if you are in need of a nugget of photography wisdom read this article!