Francesca and Gary

I photographed this engagement session on Wednesday afternoon in Orange County. It was raining just 2 hours before the shoot and my clients were wondering if we should reschedule. I decided that we should move forward, and unless it was pouring rain, we'd be able to do some super cool images with the plane and the convertible. I like extreme weather for shoots. It makes the challenge all the more interesting. I think the cloud conditions made the images all the better. Enjoy!

Comments

[RS]

Wow! What a striking contrast between the story you shared about the value of the coffee and not the cup. It seems like these people were more interested in showing off their cups (sports car, jet) as back drops to their engagement photos, rather then just having photos simply showing their "coffee".

[Joe Photo]

RS, thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts. I'm so glad you did, because this gives me the perfect opportunity to share a few ideas I've learned and continue to struggle with. First, just for clarification, it was MY idea to shoot them with the plane and the car. I was so excited about using those items as props, that it was easy for them to agree. When I get excited, my clients get excited and it's not everyday I have the opportunity to shoot in those surroundings. Believe me, it would have been much easier for all of us just to shoot at the beach, but I knew that this shoot would be an exciting challenge for me and I could create extraordinary images. Second, I've learned to be very careful about making judgments. People judge who they think I am all the time. Gary and Francesca are people like you and I except that they have greater resources than most. (I know people who think the same about me). This brings me to my third thought. My own personal duality between my faith convictions (spirit) and my desire to build my "Photo Empire" (ego). I am learning to embrace a balance between the two and I'm finding that the exercise of blogging has been an incredible tool to help me define my thoughts and positions and share them openly with you. I'm sharing these ideas with you as "a man in process". (We're all in process). I'm certain that photographers who only see me in my "rock star mode" at WPPI, make certain judgments about me and how I appear (I actually do it for the attention). That's ok, but they do not really know me. I'm grateful for your thoughts, RS. Thank you and enjoy your "coffee" and whatever "cups" you choose to drink from. Both are a gift, in my opinion.

[Darla]

STUNNING!! You were obviously inspired and in turn passed it on to me. Thank You!

[Signe Adams]

Joe,

I have a feeling this the "crazy" engagement session you were refering to the other day. It doesn't get much more lux than that does it. The tag line you were thinking about is perfect for these two. Of course you would suggest photographing them with their cool toys! You'd be crazy not to. It's fabulous. I love it.

Signe

[Barry]

Amazing work. I can see why you were so excited to shoot them with their toys and I think the pending weather gives more character.

[Noel Del Pilar]

Great shots as ussual. Thank you for the inspiration... this are a new evolution to the traditional portraiture.

[Anne]

WOW! That first shot is so powerful!!! Beautiful images and use of their favorite "toys". This blows my little plane engagement shoot totally out of the water. I love it!

[Scott]

The weather totally worked to your advantage with this session...great drama, and texture.

[Alex Hill]

Hey Joe,

Great images as always. I had a blast shooting alongside you and hanging out of your car at 40 miles an hour! Can't wait for you to see the video. You're a rockstar with soul...keep it up.

[Bob Davis]

Hey Joe,

Hot shoot!!!!! what else can I say?

Cool dude,

Bobby D.