Cameron Ingalls, Inc. {WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG}

Guadalajara With Jose Villa {Hasselblad Film}

2008-11-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is my last photo installment of my September Guadalajara trip with fine art film photographer, Jose Villa. These shots were taken with a Hassleblad (120 film) camera. (It has been almost 4 years since I've worked with film!) Anna and I leave today out of L.A.X and we will have the whole 24 room Hacienda to ourselves for one night! I am excited to meet the 15 photographers that are attending the workshop and we are looking forward to partnering with Jose to encourage them in their unique gifting for wedding photography.

Not exactly sure if these pictures of Jose’s grandma are mine or his. Either way, they capture her everyday world in beautiful light.

Yo soy un cocinero.

Ingalls loves corn!

Jose took these next couple of images. I just love the crispness and attitude. Like I said before, it was such an inspiration to watch Jose interact with people and the environment. After he asked this moto-cowboy to take off his sunglasses he circled the bike to get the rearview mirror shot, all the while directing the man to accomplish the composition that fit his vision.

After I took my only B&W photography class in college I became obsessed with photographing in different cemeteries throughout my travels in Europe and Mexico. I was fascinated with the various depictions I found of the cross. Everyone portrays the life and death of Jesus so differently through this one little symbol. I love it here -broken and smashed, but still speaking a message of love and memory at someone’s grave.

This is pretty cool… So, I was shooting with my digital and Hasselblad. At one point I set the Hasselblad down on a grave only to look back a couple minutes later and see this image through the view finder staring up at me, begging to be clicked. It was such an serendipitous moment, that I wanted to show what I saw just so people would believe that I didn’t find this shot, it found me.

Just a couple shots from the Holga came out. I was having technical difficulties with the film not winding tightly.

Check out my other 2 digital posts from my time in Mexico: Mexico with Jose Villa and Mucho Mas Photos. And… check out Jose’s Holga images; they are amazing!

the world from 13,000 feet!

2008-11-07T00:26:00.000-08:00

Joshua Caine wanted to surprise our friend Jeff Lazo at ProDPI for his birthday with a skydiving adventure. I tried my best to back out with all of the excuses I could come up muster with short notice. Jeff Newsom conquered all my excuses with the power of his logic… And I am SO GLAD I did it! It was the closest thing to flying!!! Newsom and I shared a plane ride up so you can see him jump out before me. He swears he wasn’t nervous, just glad to be alive when the chute released. Check out Newsom’s video. Happy Birthday Lazo!!! Thanks for making me go Josh and Jeff!

Jake + Nancy {San Luis Obispo}

2008-11-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Nancy was the most excited bride I have experienced in the history of brides.com! She actually contacted me for the first time like 3 and a half years ago about shooting her wedding. She was excited then and boy was she excited on her wedding day! My wife, Anna went to high school with Jake and Nancy so it was a bit like shooting a party full of old friends, except I was meeting most of them for the first time.

They got married at one of our most favorite restaurants in town; Novo. The entire back deck was reserved for Jake and Nancy’s most beautiful wedding ceremony and dinner reception. It overlooks the creek in the heart of downtown SLO. We were able to get some amazing pictures around the creek area after the ceremony. Since Nancy was so freakin’ obsessed (and excited!) about photography, I was allowed to flourish in my element. Nancy would catch me getting lost looking into the trees and across the cement walls for the magical light. She would say, ‘I see your mind working! Do whatever you want with us!’ I had died and gone to wedding photographer heaven. Nancy would yell out to anyone that walked, ‘I just got MARRIED!!!’

Their personal vows were the best. The words they exchanged were so intimate and humorous that I really began to see a picture of their beautiful love for one another. Jake started out saying, ‘This was the easiest writing assignment of my life.’ The love that flowed between them made their wedding the easiest photo shoot of my life! ;)

Matt + Ali {Super 8 Wedding Film}

2008-10-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hot off the press; I am thrilled to publish Matt and Ali’s Super 8 Wedding Film!

When Ali approached me to photograph her wedding she inquired about video because she is an actress in the movie industry and felt that it was so important to not only get photographs, but also motion picture. I pitched to her the whole Super 8 vibe and she fell in love with the vintage, artistic alternative to video.

I partner with Simon Jones at 7&8 Design to produce Super 8 films for my couples. Simon and I shoot it together on the day along with photographing the wedding. Then Simon edits the film beautifully to a soundtrack that fits the couple and mood of the wedding day. Matt & Ali’s full movie is about 11 minutes (3 songs worth) and what you see here is the highlights of the day. I love how you can capture and show off a whole wedding in one song. Enjoy the heck out of it! I know we do.

Featured Wedding on The Knot! {Mike + Jen}

2008-10-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

Mike and Jen’s beautiful wedding is being featured on theknot.com! They got married at the Holland Ranch in San Luis Obispo; a real unique sought after Central Coast wedding venue!

Lori Boe Floral Design {The Wedding Standard}

2008-10-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

Check out my latest interview with Lori Boe Floral Design on The Wedding Standard! This one is really exciting because Ben Potter from Cana Video Productions filmed the interview. So go check out the video already!

David + Melissa {San Luis Obispo}

2008-10-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Since David and Melissa wore cowboy boots to their engagement session, I figured it was only appropriate for me to wear cowboy boots to their wedding. Especially since they were getting hitched at Holland Ranch! It turned out that most of the cowboys left their cowboy gear at home, so I was kinda not as blending-in as I thought I was going to be. Oh well! Yee-ha for shooting the whole wedding in boots! ;)

What started out as a rainy morning with a dreary October forecast turned into a beautiful sunny day! It was like the clouds parted so that the sun could smile on Dave and Melissa’s marriage. The weather and colors were perfectly wonderful; and with that stunning mountain backdrop I was in photo-geek-heaven!

Adornments were representing the floral regions and Phil’s Catering the food sector. Chris Baily at Kramer Entertainment worked the music mayhem. The Cakery brought the sugar rush. It was a cornucopia of wedding beauty and bliss! Great work to all of the Central Coast wedding vendors and especially to Melissa and David for supplying the vision and being the substance!

Precious! She was just killing us with cuteness all day!

Featured Wedding! {Southern Weddings Magazine}

2008-10-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Totally excited to have Gavin and Melanie’s lovely wedding featured on Southern Weddings Magazine! They made these beautiful collages of some of my favorite pictures from the day. Check out both Part I and Part II!

Martin + Lauren {and Kyler}

2008-10-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

Martin and Lauren are getting married this Sunday! I am so looking forward to this wedding because Lauren’s brother is one of my bestest friends. We ventured through my old home town of Paso Robles to snap up their engagement pictures. I love that Lauren wanted to include her son Kyler in on the photo action. He was super shy at first, but I used my ancient child taming ninja techniques to get him to open up for me. By the end of the session Kyler would call out, ‘Now take a picture of me; here!’ They make a beautiful family already!

Someone decided to model like uncle Justin.

Marty works at the Crooked Kilt where they first met. He told us the story of how he asked for Lauren’s digits and got denied. She told him to call her group of friends together if he wanted to hang out with her. Well, Marty was persistent and didn’t only eventually get her phone number, but also her hand in marriage.

Tom + Michelle {San Luis Obispo}

2008-10-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

Tom and Michelle found me because I photographed their cousins, Chip and Carrie’s wedding like 3 years ago. It’s always fun shooting someone who knows someone you have shot before. My wife Anna actually photographed Chip and Carrie recently for a pregnancy session. We love meeting new people and staying in touch through all of the seasons of their marriage. Maybe someday Anna will photograph Tom and Michelle’s pregnancy pictures too. ;) Sorry to freak you guys out before you are even married! Anyways… enjoy the photos!

Andrew + Sandra {Paso Robles}

2008-10-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Sandra had such a beautiful wedding at The Villa Toscana in Paso Robles. They discovered Paso Robles years ago when they vacationed there and enjoyed the tranquility and the wine which makes it such a famous town. For them getting married at the Villa was a Central Coast destination wedding. Everyone came from out of town to enjoy the warm weather, clear skies, and Paso Robles wine. It was an amazingly awesome day and I was so glad to capture it with my heart and camera!

Adornments again!

Check out their engagement pictures if you want some more!

Matthew + Kimberly {Livermore}

2008-10-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Matt and Kim got married at Wente Vineyards. Kim was just beautiful the entire day! She was made to be a stunning bride. The groomsmen were a lively bunch with a little pre-ceremony ultimate Frisbee and some wild Illinois dancing which I can’t define with words. My good friend Joshua Caine came out to second shoot for me. He did an amazing job and a lot of these sweet pictures are from his heart and lens.

Check out their engagement pictures if you want some more!

Mucho Mas Photos de Mexico

2008-10-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-24T22:50:00.000-07:00

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.

Myung + Stacy {Pasadena, CA}

2008-09-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Myung + Stacy have got style oozing from their pours. They are creators. Graphic designers. Lovers. It was a joy to spend the afternoon walking around Pasadena exploring old alleys and storefronts together. And the gelato… A-MAZ-ING!!! Can’t wait for your wedding just weeks away!

Kyle + Kimberly {Irvine, CA}

2008-09-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

I met up with Kyle and Kim at their home in Irvine when I was down in Orange County for a family weekend. I had met them before a few years ago at Kyle’s brother’s wedding. I remembered them the moment that I saw them again. They were the couple with the wicked awesome dance moves! They actually met ballroom and swing dancing. I had so much fun getting to know them and photograph them around the new construction around their town home. I’m not actually shooting their wedding, but I am honored to have been able to capture a piece of their love story.

Ben + Min {Cayucos, CA}

2008-09-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

Ben + Min got married at Swallow Creek Ranch; one of my favorite locations on the Central Coast. Ben’s family actually owns and runs the ranch. The wedding ceremony took place in a rustic field behind the barn with a view of the ocean peaking between the hills and Eucalyptus trees. Ben and Min expressed their unity by writing their names on a paper airplane and throwing it together into the air. It was hilarious and sentimental, which I think sums up who they are as a couple. Way to be awesome!

Check out their engagement pictures!

Steve + Veronica {Pasadena, CA}

2008-09-20T14:28:00.000-07:00

Steve + Veronica got married at the Castle Green in Pasadena. It was a beautiful setting dripping with purple flowers and accented with a koi fish pond backdrop. A string quartet ushered the guests to their seats and the bridal party down the aisle. The Castle was majestic and yet classy. Veronica was stunning and Steve daper. It was a pleasure working in such a historic slice of Pasadena!

Check out Steve and Veronica’s engagement session!

Destination Hawaii {Elite Hawaii Weddings}

2008-09-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

I am really excited about being listed on Elite Hawaii Weddings! So if you are planning a destination wedding in Hawaii definitely check them out and hit me up! We love traveling and we love shooting destination weddings!

Gavin + Melanie {Shell Beach / San Luis Obispo}

2008-09-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

Are you kidding me?! Gavin and Melanie are just about the most handsome couple ever! They just go together like… like chocolate and peanut butter! They got married on a beautiful cliff overlooking the Shell Beach coastline. And if that wasn’t pretty enough, they had their reception at none other than Holland Ranch. The sky was perfectly overcast for the wedding with a little hint of sunlight peaking out over the ocean miles into the horizon. As soon as we finished up the bridal party portraits we buzzed over to the ranch and walked right down into the heavenly glory of dripping sunlight and chocolate hillside for icing-on-the-cake couple portraits.

The groomsmen made my day (no, week!) with their 80’s glasses. I just wanted to take a million different pictures with those guys sporting their mad times square style. They also wore name tags corresponding to their title or responsibility. There was The Doc, Best Man, The Amateur, Bone Man, and lastly the groom; Crabbman (his last name being Crabb). Oh, and watch out when you park in Pismo Beach because I got a $40 parking ticket! (Whenever in history did they start charging to park in Pismo?! *chanting; We don’t live in L.A. We don’t live in L.A.)

Adornments arranged the most beautiful flowers for the whole event! It is amazing how flowers can tie an oceanside park and a country ranch together. Events Redefined did an amazing job coordinating the whole day. They were so organized and calm, they made me even relax!

Their reception was too legit to quit with the swinging tunes of the San Luis Jazz Band, the best food ever by Phoenix Fine Catering, a tower of multi-flavored cupcakes, and the most amazing A&W truck complete with freezers of vanilla ice-cream and root beer on tap.

If you want the inside scoop into how Melanie planned her amazing wedding, check out her blog; Crabb Cakes. She is such a great graphic designer!

Check out their engagement pictures if you want some more Crabb love!

Andrew + Sandra {San Luis Obispo}

2008-09-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Sandra were just naturals in front of the camera. They really have some beautiful chemistry. They got so into each other that I was happily snapping away! I am excited for their wedding coming up very soon!

Holland Ranch {San Luis Obispo Wedding Venue}

2008-09-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Check out my latest interview with Jaime Strand of Holland Ranch on The Wedding Standard!

Darren + Caitlin {Nipomo, CA}

2008-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Darren and Caitlin got married at the Dana Powers Barn in Nipomo and boy was I excited because I LOVE barns for some reason. I would have totally gotten married if this barn was operative a year and a half ago. It’s a new (yet old) addition.

We had a lot of fun because Darren and Caitlin are so stinking amazing. There was a lot of love going around and profuse joy.

Here are some highlights. Caitlin had two of the cutest bubble gum blowing flower girls in history. Darren’s grandpa played jazz music on his hollow-body Epiphone during the cocktail hour while the owner of the barn poured blue moon into mason jars for guests. Darren and his buddies took over the dance floor and busted out some wild moves. (Anna suggested I lay on the floor and shoot a picture of them all dancing around me. It didn’t turn out to be the best idea because one dude straddled and lifted my legs while dancing so I only got a shot of his hind quarters. Not a pretty picture!) The Chocolate Divas took everybody (Anna and I included) to chocolate heaven. It was a perfect day!

This kid was not excited to be the center of attention.

Gavin + Melanie {San Luis Obispo}

2008-09-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

Gavin and Melanie are Cal Poly graduates that now live and work in New York City. Coming back to SLO for their wedding is like coming home. They are due to get hitched on Saturday so we got to squeeze a last minute engagement session in before the big day of love. Can’t wait for tomorrow!