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!

Mucho Mas Photos de Mexico

Translation: Much more photographs of my really amazing trip to Guadalajara Mexico with Jose Villa.

All week I have been just beaming with inspiration since my return home. If I didn’t have so much catch up to do, I would have posted this next little series right away.

So about the heavy tilt-shift usage. I actually brought 3 different cameras and 2 lenses for my digital SLR. Jose on the other hand just brought his cheap plastic… Holga. I felt like I was Mr. P.O. (Mr. Photographer Overkill). Well, my Holga wasn’t winding the film tight, so I gave up on it. I left my digital camera bag containing my 24mm at some dressmakers house in some town down the road which basically left me with 2 cameras and no lens change options. Which was all for the good because it forced me to make the most out of what I had. That’s why everything is tilt-shift mania and I like it that way thank you very much. ;) When I get my film back from the Hasselblad, I will be able to share something completely different. Until then… enjoy!

This is the amazingly beautiful Hacienda that we will be staying at in November for Jose’s Mexico workshop. It is over and above my expectations. I just can’t wait to return and take Anna with me!



This man was amazing… We were driving along looking for beauty to capture with our camera shaped nets when Jose saw this guy sitting in front of a church. He was strumming his 5 string guitar with a plastic disposable spoon. It was all he could do to wrap his hand around the neck. He wasn’t actually forming chords with his left hand just kinda muting the outer strings in time. After the man was finished with his song he silently put his guitar in a clear plastic bag and walked into the church. Jose and I stared in amazement as he picked up a broom and swept each row of pews slowly one by one.

As we continued to watch a lady shared with Jose his story. She said that every morning at the same time the man plays for an entire hour. After that he sweeps the whole church. After that he pick up trash around the church and waters the flowers. Then he proceeds to pick up trash around the neighborhood. She said that some people believe he has the closest connection to God of anyone they know. It was truly a powerful experience watching him perform actions of love that spoke louder than words.


I have this obsession with cemeteries; especially Mexican ones. I love the various depictions of the cross, the mausoleums that house the rich people’s caskets, the old and the new, the contrast of death and life. It’s been years since I have photographed in a cemetery and I found the experience exciting and inspiring! Here are a couple of artsy shots Jose took of me.


I set the Hasselblad down after taking a shot of Jose. I fiddled with my digital camera and looked down to pick up Hassy and saw this image which took my breathe away. The stillness of the cemetery was interrupted only by the soft breeze-blown silk petals.

Here is the shot from my digital camera. I had to take it in color because I had a roll of B&W in the Hasselblad. It will be fun to see the difference between the formats when I get my film in.



Jose and I wandered into a random doorway and found a classroom of sculptors. This is the Maestro.

These ruins were discovered something like only 15 years ago. They look like pyramids, but don’t have anything in them. Surrounding the big one were little square plots of rock bordered grass where families or tribes would sit to watch the soccer-like games that ended usually in human sacrifice. It was a little creepy, but also really beautiful.

Holga Face!


It was a beautiful thing watching Jose shoot. He is truly a master photographer! I was amazed to see the way he interacted with his subjects; live or still. He directed and arranged and rearranged to create an image that matched the vision inside his head. To watch his vision take shape was so intriguing to me.


Jose’s grandmother adopted this little girl named Carmelita 16 years ago. She has grown up to be the beautiful town princess. Since we were going to miss the town parade in which she is the featured star Jose’s abuela asked us to go and shoot her trying on her dress. Since she is technically Jose’s adopted aunt I nick-named her Tia Princesa. Jose and I took turns photographing her. His is the last shot.



If anyone is thinking or dreaming of taking a Jose Villa Workshop, I recommend to DO IT! It will be the experience of a lifetime; especially the Mexico workshop.

Mexico with Jose Villa

It’s pouring buckets of rain outside of the cozy hacienda where we will sleep soundly tonight. Jose and I are here just a couple hours away from Guadalajara Mexico to finalize preparation for his November workshop. We spent a day and a half at his grandmothers house resting, hanging out and talking with the occasional meal (which she insists that I eat more than I am able). Yesterday we shucked freshly picked corn and roasted it over the BBQ. I was amazed at how delicious something so natural and pure could taste.

We came to Guadalajara, Mexico on Tuesday after Jose’s one day workshop in San Francisco with Gene Higa. The reason we are here is to prepare for His Mexico week workshop this November. We will be scouting locations and picking out models tomorrow.

This afternoon we arrived to the Hacienda (where we will conduct the workshop) which we have all to ourselves; all 26 rooms! We cruised through the nearby town snapping pictures of the local people hanging outside their homes. I brought a Hasselblad that a friend lent me and Jose is working it with his Holga. The pictures you see here were taken with my digital from both Jose and I. The rain started to pour after we finished our bottle of red following dinner. I stood in the downpour for awhile to remind myself of how real this whole experience has been.








Jose shot this image of his grandmother with my camera. He commented just how much he loved the light. It has been exciting switching off between shooting film and digital for the both of us.

















These last 2 shots are by Jose.
Amazing the way he sees the world and directs people and arranges objects. I have learned so much from exploring Mexico with our cameras in just these past couple of days. I think everybody in the world should take his Mexico workshop! I cannot wait to return in November. The Hacienda is gorgeous and when I arrived I felt like I went back in time or walked onto a movie set. We will photograph more today but I don’t think I will be able to post until I get home because we will be leaving our internet connection behind.

A Jose Villa Workshop {Guadalajara, Mexico}

My good friend Jose Villa just announced that registration is open for his 2008 Mexico Wedding Photography workshop. I am thrilled and honored that he asked me to be a guest speaker!

I have admired Joses fine art photography for the past few years. We have become friends over a year ago and ever since he has only become an even greater inspiration to me. He shot some Super 8 at my wedding as well as a little medium format. It was breathtaking to say the least. Jose is one of the most generous and humble photographers I know. He has created a real niche for himself as a film photographer and yet continues to be an inspiration to all types of photographers around the world.

The workshop is taking place in a 350 year old Hacienda in Guadalajara, Mexico this November. There will be two dates and a limit of 12 photographers per class. It is my goal to be responsible for booking 3 photographers personally. So if you have ever wanted to attend a Cameron Ingalls workshop now is your chance to get a little bit of the Ingalls love and a lot of Jose Villa. It will be a priceless experience for sure!

Check out the Super 8 footage Joel Serrato shot from last years workshop. Spaces will book up fast especially after this weeks photography convention in Vegas where Jose will further announce the workshop.

Plan a Destination Wedding to Mexico... Do it!

This is a blog post of mine that was just published on mywedding.com.

I recently photographed a destination wedding at the Hilton Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The wedding ceremony was set in front of the breathtaking Caribbean Sea and the reception party kept the guests rocking the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning. Most guests agreed: It was the wedding of the century!

The couple is not among the rich and famous as you might think. They are just like you and me. Which got me thinking, why doesn’t everyone plan a destination wedding? So I asked the couple, Steffan and Suzette, to tell me a bit about the pros and cons of planning a destination wedding.

CI: What made you decide to have a destination wedding?

S+S: We thought a destination wedding would be nice because it would give everyone a chance to take a vacation at the same time. We figured it would be less stressful for us and also more enjoyable. We thought it would be more intimate because everyone would have a chance to meet and mingle before the wedding day. This was definitely the case. We think everyone had a much better time at our wedding because people had the chance to get acquainted during the activities prior to the wedding.

CI: Why Cancun, Mexico?

S+S: Cancun has been a favorite vacation spot for us. Every time we have gone we have had an awesome time. We really like the beaches there. They seem to have some of the softest sand, most amazing clear blue water, and breathtaking sunsets. It is also a great place to party so we thought it would be fun for all of our family and friends. Traveling to and from Cancun is relatively easy and inexpensive. Flights are usually cheaper than flying to most other places in the states. This was important because we had family and friends traveling from all over the states and we wanted to pick an exotic place that was relatively cheaper and easier for people to travel to. We wanted to share this experience with all the important people in our lives so we wanted to make it desirable for people to come.

CI: What was the most difficult thing in planning a destination wedding?

S+S: Not being able to actually visit the ceremony and reception site and having to visualize the locations during the planning process. We had to rely on photos that our hotel wedding planner provided. We also were not able to sample any of the food or cake before hand. We had to select our dinner menu from the descriptions that the wedding planner provided and hoped that it was as delicious as it sounded on paper (which it was, luckily!).

It was also a challenge to coordinate the decorations, the DJ equipment arrangements, and the hotel accommodations for the guests. We had to do all this over email and phone. It would have been so much easier to sit down with a wedding coordinator and go through the details. Even though most of the staff were fluent in English at some times it was hard to communicate what we wanted.

We also decided to make a lot of the decorations ourselves. We made all the dinner menus and wedding programs by hand so they all matched our theme. We also wanted to provide our guests with welcome bags of goodies so we had to purchase everything beforehand. And for the favors, we found perfect little photo albums which were handed out to everyone at the reception with one of our engagement photos in each. The hardest part about these things was bringing them into Mexico! We ended up shipping all the wedding favors and packing an extra suitcase. Fortunately, everything worked out and nothing got lost during shipment or in customs.

CI: What was the best part of having your destination wedding?

S+S: Being able to relax, and enjoy time with our family and friends. We were able to do some fun things together like the Jungle Tour and the Mayan ruins.

CI: How did your invited guests respond to having to fly across the continent to attend your wedding?

S+S: One of our main concerns was the cost involved for our family and friends. However, everyone was excited to go to Cancun and make a vacation out of it. We understood beforehand that not all our guests would be able to attend, especially guests with medical conditions. Most importantly, we had the support of our immediate family with our destination decision.

We also made sure that we held the wedding at a resort that was not overly expensive. With our group discount, we had a block of rooms secured for about $150/night and flights were about $350 round trip from California so we did the best we could to make it relatively painless for our guests.

CI: Would you say your budget was larger or smaller than the average Californian wedding budget of 50K?

S+S: Our actual ceremony and reception expenses were definitely less than the average wedding. We outlined the big cost items first and based our decisions off of that. The cost of the reception itself was a lot cheaper surprisingly than most Californian weddings. The cost also included four hours of open bar and this was a big benefit. The food was excellent as well. We cut some costs on decorations and flowers by not paying for anything additional, and since our wedding package included standard white linens and tableware, we worked with that. Also, since it was a destination wedding, we expected the guest list to be a lot smaller than if it were here in the states. We had a total party size of about 80 guests in Cancun and we invited close to 200. We figured if we held our wedding in California, we would have had about 175+ people so we think destination weddings will for the most part be relatively cheaper due to the reduced size of the attendees.

So if you are even thinking about planning a destination wedding to Mexico I hope this encourages you to just do it!

Steffan + Suzette {Wedding, Cancun~Mexico}

I LOVE shooting destination weddings! I just have to say that upfront. Steffan and Suzette
flew my wife and I to warm and sunny Cancun, Mexico a week ago to shoot their wonderful wedding. It is awesome that I started out 2007 shooting a Mexico wedding in Cabo San Lucas and I ended it shooting theirs in Cancun. I think I should start a tradition. ;) The winter is really the best time to visit Mexico because it isnt crazy hot; its just perfect!

Why Mexico? Steffan and Suzette have enjoyed a few vacations in Cancun so it holds a lot of special memories for them, including Steffans proposal. I was amazed that they had about 80 people join them for a week of celebrating and relaxing. But then again, Im not surprised because they are an amazing couple and threw a fantastic party!


Anna got this shot of a sun-bathing iguana on the Hilton lawn. She crept up close and let out a shriek when it scurried into the bushes.DJ Mel ~The Five Footed Pilipino flew out for the wedding as well. I have never seen a DJ get people dancing like I have Mel. He knows how to spin and mix and scratch and have a blast while working the party.One of Suzettes bridesmaids was Cheryl from a wedding I shot back in August. I actually met Steffan and Suzette at Brian and Cheryls wedding and thats how I got to go to Mexico for their amazing wedding. Its so much fun seeing couples I have photographed because they are like old friends. It was great seeing you guys again!
They had an authentic cigar-ista who rolled a Cuban cigar for every guest! The guys loved it but then again so did the ladies. I dont know what it is about destination weddings, but the guests are so much more free to celebrate. Maybe its the warm weather in winter. Maybe its the complimentary cigars. Maybe its the awesome club style music. Maybe its the open bar and just maybe its all of the above. Thanks so much for having us. We truly enjoyed you and your peeps. Have and amazing life together!

From Cancun With Love

Lets just say its been a hard week at the office and that is why I have been unable to blog much. We are in Cancun, Mexico for Steffan + Suzettes destination wedding. They got married on Tuesday but Anna and I decided to stay all week to make it an end of the year bonus honeymoon trip. We have totally enjoyed our alone time this week together! Aside from the wedding having the fun-nest dance party reception of my lifetime we have been having a blast swimming in underground rivers and zip-linning over the Mayan forests. I will blog pictures from the gorgeous wedding next week and a little bit from our adventures. We fly home today and tomorrow are going to Disneyland with my wifes side of the family. It will be chaotic Im sure but fun none the less watching my niece and nephews run around enjoying D-land at its best for Christmas.

Cabo Wedding!

Well, we are back from our first wedding of the year in Cabo San Lucas. After getting organized and back to work I got hit with a bit of the Baja-California-Revenge. Sparing you the details, I was out of commission for a couple of days. Greatful to be rested and (almost) returned to normal, I am making a little time to share about the beautiful wedding and the amazing people that we shared the week with.

Chad and Monica met me at Monica's cousin April January's wedding back in the summer. They got a sneak peak of her wedding pictures during the reception and fell in love with my work. Monica timidly approached me, "Did you take the pictures on that slideshow?"
"Yep!" I proudly replied.
"We want you to shoot our wedding next year. Do you travel?"
"Anywhere you want me to go!" I answered starting to get excited.
"Would you be willing to go to Cabo?" She timidly asked.
I told her I would have to think about it and a second later responded with, "YES!"


From the beginning Chad and Monica were warm and welcoming. They even invited Simon's wife, Brook, and my fiance, Anna to come to all of the festivities. They assured us that since they had such a small event, the more the merrier. Brook and Anna fit right in. We all did. By the end of rehersal dinner we felt like wedding guests and long time friends of the couple. A band of Gypsies showed up to our restaurant during the rehersal and I nudged Chad to join their circle. He grabbed one girls shaker and shook it with everything he had. I think the gypsies wanted to hire him. He certainly was a crowd pleaser!




Here's an amazing shot of the dudes standing behind the infinity pool. Simon suggested the idea after we had finished the guys pre-ceremony shoot. I really didn't have enough time so I told him, if he could get them to put down their beers and try something more, than he could get the shot. Well, it turns out they were willing to experiment and Simon got this amazing shot! It's definitely my favorite of the guys.


To top the night off, Anna caught the bouquet! Good thing too... because she is the next to get married! We are getting hitched in 45 DAYS! OH-MY-GOSH-45-DAYS!!! I've got a lot of work to do! I should go now.



Check out Chad and Monica's sweet Mexican slideshow. We had a blast hanging out with them and their families. Thanks guys for being so hospitable and amazing!