Thank you for your response to my request for Dec RangeFinder back issues. If anyone else can spare their copy, I'd like to have a few more as back ups.
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. -Henri Frederic Amiel
I'm so excited. For the second year in a row, FujiFilm donated 120 cameras to be used by Russian orphans to express their creativity. I got the big box yesterday and Ingrid and I opened every individual box so that airport security could clearly see each camera and hopefully bypass the x ray machines. This year my daughter Mikayla is going with us to Russia and our team has grown to 22 people. We are just 2 weeks away from our grand adventure, and I can't wait to see the kids there again.
BTW if anyone has the Dec 2007 issue of RangeFinder, I'd really appreciate if you could send it to me. I'm hoping to take about 15 copies with me to leave with the winners of last years photo contest. You can view the article here. Please leave a comment if you can send one. I only need 15. WPPI moved their offices a few weeks ago and dumped all their back issues. Please mail to Joe Photo - 27132 Paseo Espada #424 - San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. THANK YOU!
Inevitably, we have all been inspired by incredible photographers. There are so many great image makers in the world. We enjoy countless great images from books and magazines these professions have created. I'm really blessed and inspired by some of the greatest shooters in the wedding industry. I have so many heros who have helped me to become a better photographer. Here's three that have inspired me.
Joe Buissink has shaped my ideas about capturing moments more than anyone else. His enthusiasm and dedication to his craft have shaped the ideas of countless photographers. He has a brand new website and mentoring program, as well as newly released fine art prints available. Check it out. Inspiration galore.
Marcus Bell is an extraordinary talent from "the land down under". His images blow my mind. They are Epic. His is a master photographer and printer. He's also super fun to hang out with into the wee hours of the morning. Cheers mate.
Jon Barber is an icon in Orange County. When I was the new kid in town, he took me under his wing and taught me so much about the wedding industry. He has helped me to grow both personally and professionally. He is a humble leader in our industry. Thank you Jon.
When it comes to inspiration, it is all around us. Just like good people and good friends.
Jon, Marcus, Me, & Joe B.
Grace Ormonde has one of the top Bridal magazines in the country - Wedding Style. The current issue features my clients John and Carla and their fabulous wedding at The Montage Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach. John and Carla took time out of their busy schedules last week to have dinner with Ingrid and I and the project team that made their wedding so spectacular. Special thanks to Jeannie Savage (for getting us all together) and her husband John, Christopher Aldama, Alex and Julie Hill and the fabulous Jaime Synder. When we do a great job for our clients, they become friends for life. Thank you John and Carla for the opportunity to be a part of your family of friends.
Check out the current issue for their feature and many great weddings.
I Just Proposed To Her
Laguna Beach, California
August, 2006When you work in the gaming industry, it's refreshing to meet someone who says from the outset she's "not in the mood to just play games." That's what real estate broker Carla Massone told John Redmond, President and CEO of MGM Grand Resorts, during their first, dinner date in Las Vegas.
"We talked about everything they tell you you're not supposed to talk about," Carla recalls. Mutual friends had introduced the two more than a month prior in Laguna Beach. "I didn't know that they were setting us up," admits Carla.
John was instantly impressed by Carla's maturity and her "zest for life." It wasn't long before the widowed father of three considered making her his wife, but when he asked his children what they thought of him proposing during a family trip to Hawaii, his youngest son, 14-year-old Brian, said, "I don't know, Dad."
"I was surprised," John reflects, "so I didn't do anything then."
Meanwhile, Carla plotted to kidnap John for a weekend at the Four Seasons Resort, The Biltmore in Santa Barbara. As they were seated at their table overlooking the water at La Marina, their waiter warned that there might be some commotion because the man at the next table intended to propose. Carla says she has no idea if that ever transpired.
John explains, "When we went out to dinner that night, I just proposed to her. I didn't have a ring or anything."
The couple was less spontaneous when it came to planning their non-traditional beach wedding. After considering Hawaii and Mexico, they opted to celebrate their union in Laguna Beach. "We never considered a Vegas wedding," says Carla, explaining, "we both love the beach we wanted a wedding that was fun, casual, romantic and comfortable."
Almost all of their 123 guests arrived Thursday to enjoy golf, spa treatments and the pool at the Montage Resort & Spa, as well as to join the couple for a welcome dinner at the nearby Ristorante Rumari.
John didn't see Carla again until 4 p.m. the next afternoon and as she walked down the aisle a video camera caught his audible reaction—"absolutely stunning." During the ceremony, they presented gifts to three special wedding party members. Brian and his siblings, Jonathan and Shannon, received watches engraved: "We Love You, Dad and Carla."
The party moved to another lawn for Calypso music, sushi and cocktails while the waterview lawn was transformed for the reception featuring a bountiful buffet and a seven-piece band that got everyone dancing. Carla still gets emotional when she talks about the surprise speech made by John's children. After praising their dad and expressing their joy at his happiness, they said, "Now, we have our new Mom."
Carla and John saw their guests off before departing Sunday for a five-night honeymoon—the longest time they'd spent alone together—at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Even though they're building a new home there, Carla and John spend as much time as possible leaving Las Vegas. "We try to do things as a family; we do a lot of traveling," says John. Brian, he reveals, is the "most attached to Carla" of all.
Last night I attended THE best ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) gala ever! Hosted by the most Fabulous Florists in Orange County, Square Root knows how to throw a killer party and design the most beautiful floral designs for a wedding. Alex and Jeff are simply the best. When you 're looking for the Extraordinary, you need look no further! Thanks guys, I had a blast.
Jon Barber, Marcus Bell, (me) and Joe Buissink
I spent the entire day yesterday in LA with about a 100 photographers absorbing the information, ideas, and creativity of two of the best photographers in the industry. I had intended to post last night so that everyone could have their fresh "cup of joe" this morning, but my mind was literally blown out with ideas and excitement and I had to decompress. In fact, I'm still processing all that was shared yesterday. What's unbelievably awesome to me is that for a mere $200 you can walk away from a program like this equipped and inspired to make tens of thousands of dollars more than you're making. Thank you Marcus and Joe for opening my mind to greater possibilities.
I owe a huge THANK YOU to Jon as well! In fact, Jon was one of the few photographers that selflessly shared with me sooo much when I knew sooo little. Thanks to Jon, I enjoy a great deal of success today. I look up to him as the big brother I never had. Thanks a million Jon!
One final thought - I have a t shirt that reads "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance". Ladies and Gentleman, go to seminars and get information. Then apply it and share it! Blessings to you all as you elevate our industry!
Hopefully, each of us have had significant people in our lives that direct our journey and point us in the right direction. This is a picture of my Art / Photo teacher Mr. McIlwee presenting me an award (circa 1985) for the poster directly behind my head. I won 3rd place for a poster contest that represented the theme "Enjoy Life Naturally". Jay Mac (as we called him) was the only teacher that had any influence on me in High School. He understood me and didn't judge my appearance. He encouraged me to to do my best in art and in life, a practice I continue today. Most importantly he directed me (and Becker) into photography! My journey since then has taken many turns, however two things remain constant. I still like jewelry and being in the sun.
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. -Albert Einstein
I'd like to thank Bill Hurter for his tireless work to educate the photo industry and showcase new talent. I'm so grateful to him for believing in me and providing me a platform to share my enthusiasm and passion for extraordinary images with wedding photographers from around the world at WPPI. If you'd like to be educated and inspired, pick up one of Bills' books. They are full of great images and tips for creating them. I'm blessed to share the pages of these books with legendary image makers. Cheers to you, Bill. Keep up the great work!
