Thursday, July 02, 2009

The San Luis Jazz Band {The Wedding Standard}

I’ve had the pleasure of working with The San Luis Jazz Band at a few weddings over the years and they always bring the house down with their broad-spectrum of musical talent and entertaining personalities. After listening to just a couple of songs from these guys it becomes quickly clear that they are a wonderful hybrid of classic jazz and straight up rock n’ roll! They bring an energy to each reception that magnetically draws people of all ages to the dance floor. Every wedding I’ve worked with these guys on they’ve kept the guests dancing into the wee hours of the morning and are often met with excited mobs chanting ‘One more song! One more song!’ at the night’s end. If you are contemplating having LIVE musicians at your reception, you have to check out The San Luis Jazz Band. I asked Mitch a few questions about this talented 6 piece group to give you all the inside scoop. Check out my latest interview with him on The Wedding Standard!

 Picture of Becky from Sugar Plum Invitations taken by Cameron Ingalls

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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Baby Ingalls Coming Soon!

Anna and I would love to announce our newest creation; a baby BOY! Anna is 20 weeks along and the due date is in November. Today we had the ultrasound and got to see the full package! The Doctor immediately asked us when we wanted to know what we are having. Anna quickly said, “Now.” Doc pointed out our baby’s pointer and assured us there was no mistakin’ his orientation. Anna had been convinced we were having a boy most of the pregnancy thus far and I had always thought I would have a girl first. I actually picked out a girl name 10 years ago because I have dreamed of a little blonde girl running around in a red dress. I was a bit surprised that it was a boy, but then again wasn’t because I trusted Anna’s intuition over my wacky dreams. It just means that we are due to have a girl down the road someday as well.

Having kids is a big deal. It really makes me feel like… well my age. It’s a whole new level of responsibility. Anna and I have discussed having children since our pre-marital counseling and I have always been the one who was a bit more leery of having babies right away. I felt like I needed to be financially secure first. Or that my business needed to be ‘fully established’. Sometimes when Anna would bring up her desire to start trying I would get uncomfortable and not want to talk about it. Really, I was afraid. Maybe I was afraid of having to grow up. Or maybe I just wasn’t ready to exercise my faith in a new way. Well, we would talk about it and over those months I began to pray that God either change my heart or help Anna wait for awhile. She was praying for me that God would change my heart in His timing; and He did. It was a slow progression, but it happened. As I prayed about ‘when’ I started to see the whole decision differently. I began to realize it wasn’t about me being ready financially or businessly (I would never be ready). It wasn’t about having lots of years together traveling the world making a name for myself.

God began to show me that it was about bringing children into this world to share our joy with who we will fall in love with in such a profound way that we will never be the same. I began to think about my lovely wife. I began to realize that being a mother and homemaker is a big calling on her life. That she was created to make not only my house a home but to make us into a family. I began to see that she is so equipped and ready and that my fear could be a bit of an obstacle to her living out her dreams and calling. I told her last winter that I was ready to start trying, so in the new year we got to making babies!

I’m so thankful that Anna was patient with me. She really wanted ‘kids’ to be our decision, not just hers. She didn’t want me to resent her or blame her in the future when things got tough or tiring. She was determined to allow me to lead our family from the start. Something she practiced before we started dating and something that she is continuing into our married years.

Enough about me. We are having a boy!!! Asher Corbin Ingalls! So excited to share millions more pictures of him with you after he arrives.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Mitch + Tara {San Luis Obispo}

mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA Mitch + Tara’s wedding looked like something straight out of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. And since legend has it that I’m related to Laura I will give it my best shot.

“It was a beautiful summer Saturday. The sun seemed to light the golden hills with a fiery blaze which could only be quenched by Tara’s beauty.” Haha… Maybe I didn’t inherit my writing skills from Laura afterall. ;)

But seriously, what an awesome day! The Bridal party was a blast! Tara + Mitch were as joyful and relaxed as could be. The family’s speeches made me cry. It was so great to meet Tara + Mitch’s new baby, Jones. Lori Boe created some amazing floral works of art! Megan Loring rocked the catering. There were pies and root beer floats for desert and The Photobooth Experience kept the guests entertained well into the night. Awesome couple… awesome day!

mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA
mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CASome goofy shots of Jon and I from the The Photobooth Experience!

mitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CAmitch + tara wedding pictures taken by Cameron Ingalls in San Luis Obispo, CA

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Monday, June 15, 2009

Amanda + Matt + Jack {Guadalupe}

Guadalupe is such a fascinating town because it’s both famous and virtually unknown. The city was established in 1840. California's Pacific Coast Highway, California Highway 1, runs right through the downtown of Guadalupe. The 10 Commandments as well as Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End was filmed at the Guadalupe dunes. However, when you cruise the few blocks that make up downtown it feels as if you are passing through a ghost town.

I was excited when Amanda suggest we shoot in Guada; I am a sucker for neglected buildings, train cars, historic restaurants, and 100 year old grave yards. We met up at The National Restaurant which used to be a hotel and then a brothel for a time and now is a world famous steak house. It was great to break the ice with Amanda and Matt over a couple of late afternoon cocktails. Their boy showed up halfway into the shoot for some fun family pictures. He was all energy and a lot of fun! You guys make an amazing family already and I can’t wait for your wedding!














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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Heather + Jordan {Pismo Beach}

Heather and Jordan were in town for just one night so we had to sneak their engagement session in the morning at Pismo Beach before they left town again. I haven’t shot a session in the morning in years and to tell you the truth, it felt really good! Every time I photograph a couple it comes together and develops it’s own unique feel. I love the clean blue/grey light and colors that we got. It was nice shooting so early, we practically felt like we had the beach to ourselves.







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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Featured Wedding {You & Your Wedding –UK Magazine}



I am thrilled that You & Your Wedding, A United Kingdom magazine, did such a lovely feature on Ali + Matt’s Central Coast wedding. It is a full 4 page spread showing and telling the romantic story of how the couple met and how they managed to put together their dream destination wedding.

I just love how well this magazine shares the moments, details and participants that made this wedding such a beautiful and memorable event! Here is an excerpt from the opening paragraph;
When LA actress Alis Hillis (who’s appeared in shows like Less Than Perfect and Baywatch) was invited on a trip to Mexico, by Matt Schwarz, a New Yorker she’d only dated a few times, she was surprised but curious enough to accept. “We had a wonderful Holiday and fell in love in Cabo,” says Ali. Their relationship continued for a year and a half before Matt proposed with a family heirloom diamond in Connecticut. The couple married at The Cliffs Resort in California in August 2009. “We held the wedding on a grassy cliff-top above the Pacific,” says Ali. “We both love the ocean. Matt’s late father loved the sea too so we felt like he was here with us on our big day.”

A short list of some of the vendors featured in the article:
Venue -The Cliffs Resort
Music -Harpist Jennifer Sayer, Mariachi Mexicanisimo, San Luis Jazz Band
Dress -R-Mine Couture
Jewelry -Michael B Jewelry
Candles -Origins Ginger Range
Suites -Ted Baker
Dresses -Rachel Pally
Flowers -Adornments Flowers


I have always dreamed of shooting a wedding in England, so hopefully this will open a few doors. ;) Thanks Ali + Matt again for being so awesome to work with and thank you You & Your Wedding for telling their story so well!

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