This workshop focused on posing.  Mainly, group posing and posing to tell a story.  With groups, the primary goal is to create interest and diversity.  With a large group of people in a shot, it’s important to have everyone involved to keep the viewer’s attention.  This skill is very helpful with large bridal parties.  Posing a couple is a basic skill needed by all wedding photographers.  But to create a more dynamic image, Scott teaches how to pose a couple while creating a story.   Again, a way to keep the viewer’s attention and vary from the common poses.

As in all of Scott’s workshops, we are encouraged to create drama with light.  In the last few images I used an orange gel on my strobe to create a sunset feel.  Way more interesting than the available sun at 2pm.

All the models and dancers were awesome.  The authentic costumes and Folklore Mexicana dancers were a perfect fit for the setting.  Although the images don’t seem wedding related, you can easily substitute in a bride & groom or a bridal party.  Overall,  some great tools for when you’re in the middle of a wedding day rush with only 10 minutes to do bridal portraits.

Scott Robert Lim Workshop
San Juan Capistrano Mission
Dancers: Folklore Mexicana
Model Makeup/Hair: Vivian Tran and the All Made Up Team
Dancer Makeup: Christy Stevens

The location for this workshop was at the Santa Anita Racetrack.  The Chandelier Room is a beautiful venue for any wedding.  It’s Art Deco style is elegant and very reminiscent of early Los Angeles.

Special thanks to Scott Robert Lim, Jessica Lauren Goodman, Cheri De Haro, Vivian Tran, the models, and ALL the folks that help make this workshop incredible.

Location: Santa Anita Racetrack
Makeup/Hair: Vivian Tran and the All Made Up Team
Hats: Carol Bader – Del Mar Hat Company
Styling: Dory Megaro – Marshmallow Couture
Models: Czarina Jamir, Tatyane Berrios, Chrisoula Baroudos, Karen Serrano, Matt Schermerhorn

A storm had just past the day prior to their wedding.  The Southern California skies came through once again and gave us a stunning backdrop for their bridal portraits.  Their reception was at the Pacific Palms Resort which sits on a hilltop in the City of Industry.  The clouds, skies, and the beautiful view from the hotel all lent a hand in the amazing images we got for Aleessa and Jason.  I’m very happy to have met these two and I know they’ll have a blissful marriage full of, “hip hip, hip hip…. hoorays”.

For more visit Aleessa and Jason’s engagement session and their custom wedding website.

This workshop took place at the impressive San Juan Capistrano Mission. Known for it’s beautiful historic structures it is a breathtaking location. That being said, we actually spent a lot of time in a small dark room working on posing techniques.  Scott shared with us tips and tricks on getting the most out of our clients.  Being comfortable in front of a camera is hard for most.  Getting my clients comfortable is key.  If they feel good, they look good.  Using some industry tricks to assist in overall composition can turn a good photo in to an amazing one.  The right pose for the light, thinking about diagonals, lines, and finding balance.  Most importantly we must not forget the moment. The emotion is really what it’s all about.  All those factors are just a small part of what goes into the perfect shot.

The rules for shooting at the workshop were simple. Each photog takes a turn. No one shoot over your shoulder, aka shot stealing.  When it was my turn I had 5 minutes with each model.  I had to position them, give them instruction, consider the light,  adjust my camera settings, and shoot. Again, all within that 5 minute limit.  But when you’re a wedding photographer you’re used to being rushed.  Overall it was a great exercise and once again I walked away changed.  I’d like to call it growth.

Born and raised in the Echo Park/Silverlake neighborhoods of Los Angeles, these guys have been playing instruments since they were kids. Music has always been their lifestyle. Growing up playing songs from legends like The Beatles, Santana, and the Doors during family jam sessions for almost 20 years has solidified their foundation. It’s not just their homegrown LA sound that resonates, it’s their authenticity. These guys are LA.

For Warren, Justin, and Pete’s first band shoot I wanted to capture their roots and their environment. We stayed close to where they spend most of their days practicing. I wanted them to be themselves. What I got was a bit of anxiety, vulnerability, confidence, craziness, and excitement. Everything a new band should have.

If you can’t tell by now I’m proud of these guys. Check them out. You won’t be disappointed.

Find them on Facebook, The Status: Fiction

Engagement sessions are more than just photo shoots, they’re like dates.  A date night for the bride and groom as they celebrate their engagement.  A date between me and the couple as we get to know each other.  Hanging out with Aleessa and Jason showed me what a great couple they were.  We shared stories, laughed, and talked about everything.  I know for sure we’ll have fun on our second date.  I get to meet their families, party it up, have some cake, and capture their most beautiful moment together…. their wedding day.  I can’t wait!

For the first half of their E-Session they wanted to have their daughter, Nika come along and make it like of a family session.  Nika, who will probably make a great photog one day, brought a lot of energy and fun to the session. She was a great little assistant who knew how to make Eugene and Doreen laugh.  I took them to Cal Poly Pomona which has great textures and diverse backdrops.  It also happens to be where Eugene and I went to college. It was actually kind of fitting. We both went there as naive teens, left as naive men, and were back…. as naive family men. Well, less naive.  For the second half of their shoot we hung out at old town Pasadena. I love the feel of their back alley and buildings. Colorful, rustic, and intimate.

Seeing Eugene again brought back a whole lot of fun memories. Meeting his family, Doreen and Nika,  it was a pleasure to see their great future.

We shot their engagement session on a Friday afternoon. I had never seen Griffith Observatory so packed. But, I never really worry when there are a lot of people around anymore.  Generally, people know when a couple is engaged. They see it instantly. Sure they see the big camera, but they also see a happy couple; holding each other, looking into each others eyes, and showing lots of PDA. They smile, say congrats, and get out of the way.  LOL.

Yes, there were lots of people around and they all got to witness Vince and Garnette’s moment as a happily engaged couple. Everyone should have a moment like that.

Congrats guys!!! Can’t wait for the wedding day!

My wife and I have been close to the Yaps for years and now seeing them as a family of five truly fills our hearts with joy.  Well, our first reaction when we found out Gen was pregnant was, “ANOTHER ONE?!” But quickly the shock turned into elation and, “Yay another one!”  With a teenager, a toddler, and a newborn I’m sure life now has new challenges for them, but that’s what family is all about.  Growing in size AND love.  Being an only child I admire big families and the Yaps are so blessed with theirs.

Congrats again guys!! So who’s the point guard?