Jim + Lori {San Luis Obispo}

Jim and Lori met at the gym. Lori is an awesome personal trainer and used to ‘torture Jim’ as he puts it. It wasn’t until a year or so after their working relationship did they run into each other in public and the spark was ignited. They are getting married at the beautiful Eagle Castle Winery early next year. Lori is actually Melissa’s cousin and was a bridesmaid in her lovely wedding this past fall. It’s so fun to work with the family and friends of my past clients!








Here they are representing their favorite college teams. Instead of agreeing on a particular team they compromised and each picked out their favorite for each sport. Cute.

Brandon + Erin {San Luis Obispo}

Brandon and Erin are a lot of fun! We cruised up a San Luis Obispo mountainside trail which we all had never hiked before. It was amazing to experience the cactuses and oak trees which pepper the landscape just off of the trail. I love putting beautiful people and beautiful settings together to make lovely photographs!

Sean + Beth {San Luis Obispo}

This is one of my favorite top-secret photo locations. It is so secret that no one knows where it is! (except for Sean, Beth and about a dozen other photographers by now ;) Oh well, I still enjoy shooting there because each couple always helps me to see something new and magical.

After leaving the barn we ventured around until we found some train tracks with a nice tree backdrop to match the vision that Beth was looking for. We parked right next to the ‘no parking anytime’ sign and had to rappel down the dirt wall using what Beth referred to as a ‘hobo rope’. While Sean and I second guessed the strength of the rope, Beth shimmied down the cliff with no hesitation. It was an adventure indeed!

Sean and Beth are getting married at The Holland Ranch; another one of my favorite barn + country locations (I have many). It is a fitting venue since Sean is a dairy man. When I told him that my wife dreams of having a pet brown cow someday he said he would bring one over and drop it off when they come into town for the wedding because he has billions of cows! Too bad we don’t have a bigger backyard or we would take him up on the offer. ;)

Stephen + Tara {Paso Robles}

Stephen and Tara’s wine country destination wedding was the perfect way for me to wrap up my very busy year. It felt like the last day of school for some reason. Simon and I kept laughing out loud because there was absolutely no stress; only 100% joy! Because Stephen and Tara live in L.A. the decision to have their wedding in Paso Robles at the Villa Toscana was an opportunity for their family and friends to celebrate for the whole weekend; which they gladly did!

When I first talked to Tara on the phone she expressed that they are not the traditional wedding couple. She claimed they were sci-fi junkies (thus the Millennium Falcon cake) and she expressed a love for holga cameras. I had been wanting to purchase a holga for some time and when they booked I went straight out and bought one! It’s the cheapest plastic medium format camera around and very moody. I love the way it vignettes and leaks light. Every image isn’t perfect; and some turn out blurry or double exposed which is the fun of shooting with the holga.













A sci-fi junkies dream Millenium Falcon cake hand crafted by Cassie’s Custom Cakes complete with accompanying Death Star.

A Jose Villa Mexico Workshop {November 2008}

If you are in need of a little inspiration, encouragement, a kick in the photography-business-pants with a twist of vacation and a whole lotta fun; then go to Jose Villa’s next Mexico Workshop! I can’t begin to describe just how powerful it is when almost 20 photographers get together to learn, grow, and shoot. Jose is a world class photographer and really pours his heart and his brain out so that everyone can soak up bits and pieces of his amazingness and make it their own. I have been changed as a photographer and a person just by watching him; the way he shoots, the way he directs, and especially the way he cares for people.

I was so honored to be invited as one of the guest speakers this year! I shared my work, my story, and my heart for what I do. There were so many others involved to make the workshop possible and a gigantic success! Karina Puenta is a talented artist that spoke and led the group in some be-ing exercises. We stayed at the Hacienda Del Carmen. Their staff is so warm and loving; my maid hugged me because she remembered me from our trip in September! Mar Romero did a fabulous job with the Citro Modelos hair and makeup. Joel Serrato documented the workshop with Super 8 film. It is going to be gorgeous! We also had some bonus guests; Gene Higa and Ann Hamilton who generously shared their greatness with the class.

Be prepared for lots of images!!!


After Jose shot with the couple for about 15 minutes I demonstrated my Ingalls Photography style for 5 minutes. I talked about my favorite backdrop ever; sunlight! Each student had 3 minutes to work with the models. The next day we showed a slideshow of everyone’s favorite 2 images. It was amazing to see the different talent and perspective that was represented in the workshop.


I shared my story and some words of encouragement on the first day.

One of my favorite parts of the workshop was the individual time I got to have with each student. I learned so much from everyone and hopefully was able to pass a little bit of love on to each person as well. The mornings started out with one-on-one sessions for about 20 minutes where Jose, Karina and I would review portfolios, answer questions and talk about whatever it was the student needed to discuss. Some amazingly inspired conversations happened!

Here I am hanging out with my new Columbian friend, George Moreno.

The grand finale came when we took a field trip to another Hacienda for the bridal shoot. Jose took a couple and 7 students while I had another couple and the other half of the class. After we demonstrated and allowed the students time to shoot the models individually, we switched the groups.








Here are some shots of the students in action taking their turns to shoot the models.

Ken Kienow, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Natalie Williams, San Diego, CA.

Ronnie Ruiz, Billings, MT.

Paula Luna, San Diego, CA.

Gene Higa, San Francisco, CA. Here he is rocking his fashion-red Holga.


All of my amazing new friends!

Mexico Photo Re-Mix {digital+film}

Most of these photos were taken during the hanging out and exploring time. I’ve been experimenting with two types of film cameras; Holga and Hasselblad. Jose’s fine art film has inspired me to play! Each produces such a distinct flavor. It’s interesting to see them both mixed in here with my digital images. A lot of these pictures are of me; taken by Gene Higa or the lovely Mrs. Ingalls. It is fun to be on the other side of the camera once and awhile. ;)

The workshop team; Jose Villa, Joel Serrato, Ann Hamilton, Gene Higa, Lacie, Anna Ingalls and Me!







Lacie is Jose’s assistant and worked hard to make the workshop run smooth as tequila. She was/is amazing!


The awesome Joel Serrato. He rocks the Super8 world in the best way. I will post his footage from the trip whenever it gets developed and made into a movie. Can’t wait!

A bigger than life statue at the Jose Cuervo plant in the town of Tequilla.






Gene shot this one.

So I shot him back.

My wife is the hottest photographer! I love this Hasselblad image. So crisp and clean.


I don’t know why I am always so serious. I think that is why God gave me Anna. ;)

Here I am shooting it up!

Austin + Allison {Long Beach}

Austin + Allison are sweet as can be! I ventured down to Long Beach to photograph their little faces off. When we found Time Crisis 3 at the Boardwalk they shot my face off. You know what they say, "alls fair in love, war (and photography)!"