August 26, 2008

Boyz to Man: Brad-Miztvah! A sneak peek.

Filed under: Mitvahs — admin @ 8:53 am

Congregation Beth El
The Hotel Del Coronado
August 23, 2008

 

What an amazingly cool right of passage… becoming a man. Young Bradley Tauber did his parents proud on Saturday when he did just that. Let’s face it, 13 years old is an awkward age for anyone, but Brad was just about as bright, poised, respectful, and positive as any young man I’ve ever known. As a father of two, I can only hope that my boys turn out as well. Of course, when you meet his parents, Laura and Brian, why Brad is the way he is, becomes immediately apparent. The Taubers are just a very, very cool family. Brad’s younger brother, Lou, and sister, Leah, are also both super cool kids and I REALLY hope to one day have the honor of photographing their Bar and Bat-mitzvahs respectively.

Now, you may have been to a Mitzvah before, but I doubt it was anything like this one. The term, “over-the-top”, comes to mind (but in a good way). After the service at Congregation Beth El in La Jolla, the festivities took place at the Hotel Del Coronado. All told, about 70 kids swarmed the beach. Between, boogie boarding, beach volleyball, water balloons, tug o’ war, colored sand filled glass thingies, and much more, the only superfluous detail that day was the beach chairs. There was WAY too much to do for anyone to sit. Next, while Brad and the kids were hosed down (it would take a fire hose to get all the sand off of them), the adults arrived on the Windsor lawn for a cocktail hour replete with steel drums, a full sushi bar and a hands on reptile/giant cockroach show for the little ones. Then it was on to the fabulous Crown Room, aka “Camp Tauber” for the party. And what a party it was…

bet_0083_std.jpg

bet_0003_std.jpg

bet_0021_std.jpg

bet_0036_std.jpg

bet_0059_std.jpg

bet_0069_std.jpg

bet_0096_std.jpg

bet_0105_std.jpg

bet_0113_std.jpg

bet_0120_std.jpg

bet_0160_std.jpg

bet_0176_std.jpg

bet_0194_std.jpg

bet_0249_std.jpg

bet_0256_std.jpg

bet_0272_std.jpg

bet_0294_std.jpg

bet_0323_std.jpg

bet_0393_std.jpg

bet_0418_std.jpg

bet_0433_std.jpg

bet_0454_std.jpg

bet_0456_std.jpg

bet_0575_std.jpg

bet_0613_std.jpg

bet_0713_std.jpg

bet_0780_std.jpg

bet_0837_std.jpg

bet_0841_std.jpg

bet_0846_std.jpg

bet_0879_std.jpg

bet_0970_std.jpg

bet_0990_std.jpg

bet_0978_std.jpg

bet_0995_std.jpg

bet_1011_std.jpg

bet_1034_std.jpg

bet_1061_std.jpg

bet_1092_std.jpg

bet_1130_std.jpg

bet_1173_std.jpg

 

 

August 17, 2008

Danielle and Josh: Sneak Peek

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 8:27 pm

Estancia La Jolla Resort
August 9, 2008

I LOVE shooting at Estancia.  It’s just one of those really great San Diego wedding venues that you just don’t get anywhere else.  The light is amazing, the architecture is unique and works beautifully with posing portraits, and it’s very intimate.  You don’t get the feeling that you’re one of four weddings happening at the hotel that day (the dreaded wedding mills).  The location alone was enough to make me happy.  Combine that with the classic beauty of my bride, Danielle and you have one very HAPPY photographer.  To be honest, it had been so long since I had met Danielle and Josh that I had totally forgotten how beautiful she was.  One look at her mom, Kim, and you know where she got her looks.  Good grief, the gene pool was good to them!  For my third wedding in a row, Rachel Peniche of Plan-it San Diego, was the planner.  She’ s as good as they get.  What more can you say.  She makes my job easy (so I guess you can say that).  Anyway, enjoy the sneak peek photos.  I’ll have the slideshow up soon!!!

dsj_0061_std.jpg

dsj_0196_std.jpg

dsj_0228_std.jpg

dsj_0283_std.jpg

dsj_0287_std.jpg

dsj_0328_std.jpg

dsj_0360_std.jpg

dsj_0454_std.jpg

dsj_0483_std.jpg

dsj_0530_std.jpg

dsj_0577_std.jpg

dsj_0649_std.jpg

dsj_0789_std.jpg

dsj_0797_std.jpg

dsj_0845_std.jpg

dsj_0949_std.jpg

dsj_1040_std.jpg

dsj_1057_std.jpg

dsj_1084_std.jpg

dsj_1103_std.jpg

dsj_1254_std.jpg

dsj_1393_std.jpg

dsj_1439_std.jpg

dsj_1701_std.jpg

August 14, 2008

Cathy and Damon: Sneak Peek

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 8:54 pm

The Loews Coronado Bay Resort
August 2, 2008

One of the things I pride myself on in my business is to post shots on my blog from every wedding I shoot at the latest within a week of the wedding.  WELL, I have to admit that the Oly’s have thrown me a bit off my game.  I’m so sucked in by them.  Right now I’m watching Trainor and Walsh kicking some Belgian butt in beach volleyball.  Next up is Phelps going for gold #6.  Nevertheless, I FINALLY did get around to editing the images from Cathy and Damon’s wedding.  Cathy was one of those brides you dream about…  she was on TIME!  Just kidding… Yes, she was on time, which IS quite remarkable, but more importantly, she was just so chill.  So was Damon for that matter.  Nothing was going to rattle either of these two and consequently, nothing went wrong that could possibly rattle them.  It was just one of those smooth weddings.  I think the photos reflect the relaxed feel of their day.  Enjoy…

ced_0071_std.jpg

ced_0152_std.jpg

ced_0171_std.jpg

ced_0229_std.jpg

ced_0397_std.jpg

ced_0490_std.jpg

ced_0508_std.jpg

ced_0503_std.jpg

ced_0532_std.jpg

ced_0594_std.jpg

ced_0646_std.jpg

ced_0653_std.jpg

ced_0811_std.jpg

ced_0829_std.jpg

ced_0904_std.jpg

ced_1098_std.jpg

ced_1236_std.jpg


July 29, 2008

Leah and Peter

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 9:06 pm

The Manchester Hyatt
July 19, 2008

To say Leah and Peter were relaxed on their wedding day would be a massive understatement. I can’t remember a bride and groom having more fun than they did. Frankly, I can’t remember having more fun at a wedding than I did at theirs. I’m not sure what it is, but I seriously have amazing clients. I know I say this a lot, but Leah and Peter were both crazy photogenic. See for yourself…

lyp_0110.jpg

lyp_0163.jpg

lyp_0183.jpg

lyp_0264.jpg

lyp_0353.jpg

lyp_0520.jpg

lyp_0536.jpg

lyp_0543.jpg

lyp_0548.jpg

lyp_0553.jpg

lyp_0726.jpg

lyp_0761.jpg

lyp_0856.jpg

lyp_0874.jpg

lyp_0909.jpg

lyp_1189.jpg

lyp_1310.jpg

lyp_1359.jpg

lyp_1367.jpg

lyp_1442.jpg

lyp_1469.jpg

lyp_1514.jpg

lyp_1515.jpg

lyp_1628.jpg

lyp_1834.jpg

lyp_1977.jpg

July 11, 2008

Sara and Nick: Sneak Peak!

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 10:44 am

The Marriott Coronado Bay Resort
July 5, 2008

Few wedding locations in San Diego offer views of the bay and the city skyline than the Marriott on Coronado. Combine that location with a reception in a beautiful tent less than 50 feet from the water and you’ve got the best of all worlds. Despite a small “wardrobe malfunction” for Nick (his tux showed up with the wrong kind of shirt), Sara and Nick’s wedding was pretty much as smooth and fun as they get. I can’t recall another couple that I’ve worked with who were MORE laid back. Two years earlier I photographed Sara’s sister, Missy’s wedding in 115 degree heat and, all things considered, she was right up there as an easygoing bride. Still, this was Sara’s day and she was nothing short of radiant. For a guy, Nick looked pretty darned good, too. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of photos from their big day…

smn_0068_std.jpg

smn_0082_std.jpg

smn_0144_std.jpg

smn_0184_std.jpg

smn_0193_std.jpg

smn_0238_std.jpg

smn_0317_std.jpg

smn_0438_std.jpg

smn_0611_std.jpg

smn_0629_std.jpg

smn_0636_std.jpg

smn_0651_std.jpg

smn_0798_std.jpg

smn_0836_std.jpg

smn_0964_std.jpg

smn_1116_std.jpg

smn_1141_std.jpg

smn_1220_std.jpg

smn_1248_std.jpg

smn_1345_std.jpg

smn_1359_std.jpg

smn_1385_std.jpg

smn_1474_std.jpg

July 1, 2008

Lisa and Erik: Sneak Peek!

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 9:02 pm

Founder’s Chapel at USD
The Handlery

June 28, 2008

It’s hard to believe that nine years, nine months ago, I was married to my lovely wife Becky in the exact same location. Since then I’ve photographed MANY weddings there and I’m never dissapointed by the beauty of Founder’s Chapel. Add to that the beauty of Erik’s bride, Lisa and you’ve got a recipe for a very easy wedding day, photographically speaking. I’ll admit, too, that Erik is definitely one of my most photogenic grooms I’ve worked with. This wasn’t your run of the mill Catholic wedding, however. Lisa’s dad is Iraqi and this was a Chaldean Catholic wedding. If you’ve never been to a Chaldean wedding, well, let’s just say the receptions are very colorful. Check out below the grand entrance of Lisa and Erik into the courtyard at the Handlery. We’re talking very large swords!!! Crazy. I also have to give a lot of credit to Krista Romberg and her team at Orange Blossom Events… they had a LOT of elements to coordinate (locations, flowers, belly dancers, etc.) and everything went very smoothly. I’ve said it before, but after a weekend shooting two weddings with two of the best wedding planners anywhere I feel I need to say it again, a good professional wedding planner will not only save you money and without a doubt, time, but they also can help you be sure that all of the THOUSANDS of little details that go un-noticed on your wedding day get taken care of so that you, the bride, can fully enjoy your most cherished day. Anyway, enough talking, enjoy the images!!!

lde_0138_std.jpg

lde_0155_std.jpg

lde_0196_std.jpg

lde_0253_std.jpg

lde_0261_std.jpg

lde_0360_std.jpg

lde_0481_std.jpg

lde_0486_std.jpg

lde_0647_std.jpg

lde_0682_std.jpg

lde_0707_std.jpg

lde_0788_std.jpg

lde_0792_std.jpg

lde_0822_std.jpg

lde_0870_std.jpg

lde_0978_std.jpg

lde_1022_std.jpg

lde_1047_std.jpg

lde_1136_std.jpg

lde_1193_std.jpg

lde_1308_std.jpg

lde_1339_std.jpg

lde_1390_std.jpg

Kristen and Neil: Sneak Peek!

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 8:25 pm

Museum of Contemporary Art
La Jolla, CA

June 27, 2008

One thing you can be sure of when you live in Chicago and you decide to have your wedding in La Jolla, RIGHT on the water, in the middle of summer… if you host it, they will come!  It really doesn’t get much better than that.  Add in exclusive access (though sadly no photos) to a VERY cool museum and you’re talking one of the best wedding venues in the world.  As far as brides and grooms go, well, Kirsten and Neil  were as cool as the venue (EVEN though Neil called yours truly and @$$#0Le (purely in jest I assure you :-).  This was actually a fairly intimate little wedding and I have to say I really enjoyed that aspect.  No bridal party whatsoever, I was given more time than usual to have fun with the couple.  Most weddings it’s SO tightly scheduled that you are lucky to get 10 minutes with the couple alone.  A lot of thanks goes to Chrystal Robinson and Lisa Lippe of Details Defined for keeping the schedule realistic and flexible.  Until you’ve done this as many times as I have, you have no idea how important that is to keeping your wedding day low stress.  It was pretty much a perfect wedding.  I hope you enjoy this sneak peek…

kdn_0108_std.jpg

kdn_0132_std.jpg

kdn_0162_std.jpg

kdn_0202_std.jpg

kdn_0273_std.jpg

kdn_0334_std.jpg

kdn_0382_std.jpg

kdn_0387_std.jpg

kdn_0410_std.jpg

kdn_0431_std.jpg

kdn_0452_std.jpg

kdn_0484_std.jpg

kdn_0646_std.jpg

kdn_0647_std.jpg

kdn_0655_std.jpg

kdn_0713_std.jpg

kdn_0927_std.jpg

kdn_0928_std.jpg

kdn_1065_std.jpg

kdn_1139_std.jpg

kdn_1176_std.jpg

kdn_1070_std.jpg

June 22, 2008

Joan and David: Sneak Peek!

Filed under: Weddings — admin @ 9:11 pm

Sacred Heart Church in Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado
June 21, 2008

… for now.  This one’s for Joan and David after their gorgeous wedding at the Del on Saturday.  They leave for Tahiti tomorrow and the second I saw this shot I knew I had to post it before they left.  So here you go, Joan.  You looked spectacular!

img_8773-web.jpg

It’s Monday now and I hope Joan and David had a chance to see that shot before they went on their honeymoon.  Don’t know.  What I do know is that I’ve finished editing and it’s going to KILL me for J&D not to see these for the three weeks of their honeymoon in Tahiti.   So for now, everyone else will get a little sneak peek at their images.  Enjoy!

jld_0196_std.jpg

jld_0205_std.jpg

jld_0259_std.jpg

jld_0290_std.jpg

jld_0552_std.jpg

jld_0620_std.jpg

jld_0716_std.jpg

jld_0754_std.jpg

jld_0791_std.jpg

jld_0794_std.jpg

jld_0898_std.jpg

jld_0901_std.jpg

jld_0962_std.jpg

jld_1085_std.jpg

jld_1096_std.jpg

jld_1288_std.jpg

jld_1303_std.jpg

June 16, 2008

The US Open at Torrey Pines

Filed under: Personal — admin @ 8:50 pm

No, I wasn’t working at the Open, but I did go on Wednesday-Friday and Sunday and Monday.  It was CRAZY out there today during the playoff trying to be one of over 20,000 people following two people (and a little white ball).  It was a challenge, but definitely worth it to be part of history.  I couldn’t bring my cameras in during the actual tournament, but I did take a few snaps on Wednesday.  Tiger didn’t play that day, but I did get one shot of him on the practice green.  Anyway, enjoy…

Vijay Singh…

img_8424_std.jpg

Vijay’s practice partner, Sergio Garcia

img_8442_std.jpg

img_8444_std.jpg

Vijay and Sergio seemed pretty well at ease…

img_8448_std.jpg

Sergio’s approach shot on #4…

img_8461_std.jpg

img_8463_std.jpg

Somebody hitting into #7, the same hole Tiger would eventually win the championship on…

img_8498_std.jpg

Aaron Baddeley doin’ a little Stack and Tilt (the same swing technique that I’m currently trying out)…

img_8506_std.jpg

Rich Beem with some serious leg action…

img_8514_std.jpg

More Badd’s…

img_8524_std.jpg

I LOVED this guy!  He was literally carrying SIX Canon Cameras.  I’ve never seen one photographer so loaded down.  I seriously thought he was going to die.  Maybe this should be my new look while shooting weddings…

img_8567_std.jpg

Who’s this guy again???

img_8572_std.jpg

img_8575_std.jpg

This is my friend and portrait client, Jason Gore.  He didn’t have the week he was hoping for, but still seemed to have a great time just being there.  He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and is loved by fans and players alike…

img_8610_std.jpg

img_8625_std.jpg

June 10, 2008

Joan and David: Engagement session (No, not THAT Joan and David).

Filed under: Portraits, Weddings — admin @ 8:58 pm

Doggie Beach
Solana Beach, CA 

jld_eng_04_std.jpg

jld_eng_06_std.jpg

jld_eng_08_std.jpg

jld_eng_22_std.jpg

jld_eng_26-1_std.jpg

jld_eng_31_std.jpg

jld_eng_36_std.jpg

jld_eng_41_std.jpg