Bill Blakey Photography- Southern California Wedding Photography

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!

2009-03-21T22:40:00.001-07:00

That's right, the NEW BLOG IS UP!!!!! CHECK IT OUT HERE!!!!

Packing Up, Moving Out....

2009-03-21T11:15:00.001-07:00

That's right, dear blog readers. Moving day is upon us! Yes, this is the big "project" that I have been working on.

Sometime later today, I will be unveiling the link to my NEW BLOG!!!!!

I am very excited to share it with you! Check back later today!

Foto Friday #10- Get Carded

2009-03-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

FOTO FRIDAY #10- Get Carded For the past few weeks, I have been laboring on many projects. Life has been full (and thoroughly enjoyable) and thus the past couple weeks of the Foto Friday blog series have been neglected.

The project that I would like to share with you today is the new business cards that I have! I am super excited about them! My friends Peter and Jessica Ross of P and 2M Design did them and I couldn't be more pleased! I love the way that they are simple and I love the texture and feel of the card in my hand. Basically, I would say that they are classy. And fun, perhaps?

There are more things that I working on for photography and am excited about and I will be sharing them with you soon!

Have a great weekend!

Tyler's Birthday

2009-02-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

I have a nephew. His name is Tyler. Tyler Turned Three last weekend! Cory and I swooped down to South County for some Birthday festivities and it was really fun!

My brother Ben, who had staked out a spot near the Spinach Artichoke dip, was in attendance.

As was my mom.

Tyler, wondering where the presents are....

We got Tyler these really cool foam swords that we found in the $1 bin at Target!!!

I think he kind of liked them....

There was much swordfighting for the rest of the party.

Uncle Ben lost a hand during the battle...

Mental note for the next time we give swords as gifts- bring sheaths to go with them.

He also received a Rhino. There was much rejoicing over the Rhino and many Rhino faces made by all.

I love this picture. Happy Birthday Tyler!!!

Nick and Christie

2009-02-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

Blogging has sparse as of late! There are many reasons, some of which have to do with big things upcoming for Bill Blakey Photography that I will be making you aware of soon. But for now, let's get back to the things that hopefully make this blog a place worth visiting- the photographs.

This weekend, we went out with Nick and Christie to their engagement session! They are tying the knot in Idaho in May. We had a great time with you guys! I have known Nick for a while and have really enjoyed him as a person and his outlook on life and so it was really fun to get to know Christie a bit as well and getting to spend time with them as a couple.

Thanks again, Nick and Christie!

The Homecoming of Emma Blakey!

2009-02-08T23:58:00.000-08:00

I'm an Uncle. Again! Yesterday morning, my older brother's wife Christa had their second child, Emma Jane Blakey! We got to hang with them and meet her and she is really cool. She is so little and so awesome, like a bundle of cool. It was really fun to be able to photograph her at just over a day old at my brothers house! Bob and Christa, it was great to hang with you guys and to meet Emma!

The Photo above warrants some explanation. Tyler (the original cuteness himself) when he got to the hospital, quickly noticed that while Mom and Dad and Emma had all gotten really cool wristbands, he had not received his. He mentioned that to the nurse and a few moments later he was presented with his own Big Brother wristband! Here are Bobby and Tyler sporting their wristbands...

Foto Friday...errrr Saturday #9- Be Inspired

2009-01-31T20:45:00.000-08:00

Once again, my apologies for my tardiness in the Foto Friday post!

I started to write this post but then decided to change it up a bit, so here it is.

The above image was taken out in Palm Springs where Cory and I took our vacation in December. There was a golf course at the hotel where we were staying (I'm pretty sure that ALL hotels in Palm Springs have golf courses attached. I think the Motel 6 is next to the miniature golf course). We took a late afternoon stroll alongside the course and strolled out to take a few photos when there was nobody coming and it was really quite enjoyable.

I was perusing back through these images while thinking of this post (I just got my camera back from the shop yesterday so I haven't had anything fresh to post) and it made me think of golf. Golf has been a big part of my life, even from the time when I was six and was kicked off the golf-course for making divots in the green with my five iron. Golfing has been a Blakey family tradition (at least for the boys) for many years and as I was editing this image (just for fun) I was thinking of my dad.

My folks were out for dinner this evening (Wood Ranch es muy bueno) and I guess that's why I thought of him. But I think I also thought of him because in the area of golf I have been continually inspired by my Dad. My dad is, as members of the football team in college would say, "Just a guy," but if you've been with him for 18 holes, you'd know he's anything but "just a guy" at golf.

When my dad steps up to the tee, he has to radio air traffic control because when he hits a drive, the ball literally takes off. Many a time in recent years have I stepped up to the tee and felt like I absolutely crushed one, only to see my dad, with a nice, smooth, swing outdrive me by a good 30 yards. Playing a round of golf with my dad is usually downright inspirational.

I can remember many times as a younger lad watching my dad on the practice range and trying to swing like him. While I never was quite able to swing exactly like him, I think it really helped me develop a rhythm to my swing and improved my game.

Photography is very similar to golf in this respect. Seeing the work of the other photographers who are more experienced or in some cases- more talented than you, can really help your photography to improve. Seeing great photographs, studying them, and in some ways trying to emulate them is one of the best ways to develop your "eye" as a photographer. Some say that it is wrong to try to "copy" other photographers work, but I say that it is actually kind of impossible to do so. You may try and try to swing like another photographer, but you'll never quite be able to duplicate their swing. However, in the process of trying to swing like them, you'll develop your own swing.

THIS WEEK'S TIP- BE INSPIRED. I have photographers whose work inspires me and whose handle on the business of photography I aspire to. Someday I might share the list, but I don't think that's the point of this evening's post. The point is to encourage you to find other photographers whose work you really enjoy and be inspired by them.

Thanks for those of you who have written in with other questions to be answered by future Foto Fridays. I'm looking forward to tackling them soon!

Foto Friday #8- The need to Succeed

2009-01-23T13:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Friday. I am excited today as I am leaving in a little over an hour to spend a weekend up on the mountain at a Winter Camp with the Junior High Students I work with at my church. I am really hoping that this weekend will be a weekend of change and growth for the students and that we will have a great time.

But on to FOTO FRIDAY! This weeks tip is related to questions that I have received from a few different photographers, and it relates to weddings (I love weddings.)

Weddings are awesome things to photograph. Everyone is looking their best, the details have been planned for month and people are, well, happy. I never get tired of photographing weddings because every one is unique and the interactions between each couple and their family and friends are genuine and special.

However, Weddings are also intense to photograph. There are no-reshoots. Moments only happen once and you can't always control them like you could on a produced shoot.

So, from one photographer who is continually honing his craft to others, here's todays tip- BE SUCCESSFUL AT YOUR WEDDINGS!!!

Just remember your S's (pronounced essssessss) to photograph a wedding successfully.

#1- Settings. There's just no way around it. If you haven't mastered your camera and made it your slave to do your will, weddings will be very difficult. You can't recreate a moment because you were shooting in Aperture mode and didn't get your light reading correctly (Kristin- jk, some are pros at shooting in Aperture mode). When you have your time with the Bride and Groom, you can't be wasting it while they are away from their guests for you to putz around with your settings.

This takes practice. I recommend that any photographers wanting to get into weddings volunteer to second shoot for an established photographer to practice. Nothing like snapping 1500 frames in one day to help your speed and use of your camera improve. Keep shooting.

#2- Scheduling. Weddings run on a schedule, and often run behind it. Giving yourself time to be creative so neither you or the couple or the bridal party are feeling rushed will go a long way to helping you grab the awesome shots you want to get. Work with the Bride and the wedding planner before the wedding to make sure that you have enough time to get great photos. I usually like 45 minutes at least with just the bride and groom and additional time for Bridal party photos/family photos. Try to build in some cushion if you are planning photos beforehand as people (even the guys) tend to be late.

#3- Scouting, of a few different kinds.

First- the location. You need to find areas around your venue that have got great light and pleasing backgrounds to shoot. For the photos in this post, the wedding was held in Pasadena and so I arrived about a half an hour before we started shooting to be able to walk around the neighberhood and we ended up finding some pretty cool places to shoot within a block from the church when the area around the church wasn't the most pleasing to work with. I think we got some great shots!

Second-the people. As a photographer, you must be a student of your couple and their family. Learn to anticipate moments, and you'll be there to capture them. Pay attention to what is happening even around the couple and it will help you to anticipate what will happen next. With the cake cutting, for example, see where the couple is choosing to stand and get yourself in postion at the right angle to take the photos. Anticipate interaction between the couple and be ready for it.

Third- the shots you want to get. Have ideas. Not necessarily of specific poses you want them to use (although it is handy to have a few of those in the bag for each wedding to work from). But scout the interactions you want to photograph, the emotions you want to capture and the feel you want your photography to convey.

That's it for this Foto Friday. I've got to run! Have a great weekend and I'll return e-mails on Monday! Bill

The Seggmans

2009-01-20T16:23:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to share this family session with all of you! Over the past year or two we have been blessed to get closer to a really cool family that we have fast become friends with. We rent a house from them and they are wonderful people. A week and a half ago we got to hang with them for some family pictures.

We met up at Dos Lagos and you could tell that some of the Seggman family were a bit apprehensive at the thought of "family pictures." Not to worry, we got them having fun and relaxed and I am pretty excited about the photographs we ended up with! Probably the thing that I was most excited about, however, was the whole family telling me afterwards- that actually was fun!

One of my favorite jumping pictures. Ever.

They're classy...

And rockstars...

The parental units- John and Stephanie...

They're a family that doesn't mess around....

The whole family doing the "levitator." Check out Jordan on the far left. Nailed it!

Let's just say that the older brothers are pretty protective of their younger sister.

Thanks again Seggmans! Let's hang out again soon! Oh, and if the plethora of pictures above were not enough, check out a slideshow I made of their session below!

Welcome!

2009-01-18T00:02:00.000-08:00

WELCOME!!! You've found Bill Blakey Photography and we're glad you're here. Bill Blakey Photography specializes in shooting weddings and senior portraits all over Southern California and is available for travel (especially if you're planning a destination wedding in Hawaii!).

We'd love to get together with you and discuss your wedding or senior portrait experience, so please always feel free to e-mail us at info@billblakey.com.

Look forward to talking with you soon!

Bill Blakey Photography. Classy. Fun.

P.S. The website is currently getting a bit of a revamp, but feel free to visit it by using the link below during update process.

www.billblakey.com

Robert + Jolinda

2009-01-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

A week ago today, Cory and I met up with Rob and Jolinda for an engagement session near the Santa Monica pier. Rob's a great friend of mine from the college days and it was great to see him again and meet his Fiance Jolinda.

Rob and Jolinda flew out from there home city of Tyler, Texas. Jolinda thought they were coming out to meet some of Rob's friends and have fun. Rob knew otherwise. The day before our engagement session, Rob took Jolinda to Malibu and popped the question. She said yes! Rob also had to tell us the funny story that apparently Pierce Brosnan was the first one to congratulate them on the beach.

We had such a great time hanging out with you guys! Excited for your wedding!

Enjoy the photos!

Tags: Southern California Wedding, Southern California Engagement Photography, Los Angeles Engagement Photography, Santa Monica Engagement Photography, Orange County Wedding, Orange County Wedding Photography, Orange County Engagement Photography

Foto Friday #7- Great Photographs, For Rent

2009-01-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

Yes. This Foto Friday post is actually posted on Friday. I apologize for the bitter disappointment that many of you must felt when you visited last Friday.

A great photograph is kind of like a stew. All the ingredients have to cook just right or else it's just soup.

One of the main ingredients to a great photograph is the choice and use of lens. Given the situation, the lighting, the background and the effect and feel of the photo that you are trying to achieve, the right lens can make all the difference.

One of the ways a new photographer can take their photos to the next level is to use great lenses. Now, while these lenses don't always have to be expensive (see my blog post about a few that aren't here), it's no question that the more expensive lenses are better than the cheaper ones. That poses a problem for new photographers, because the lenses are a substantial investment.

THIS WEEK's TIP- RENT Lenses. That's right, rent. Of course, work to purchase your own lenses and have a base of a few choice ones that you can work off of so you aren't always having to deal with renting, but renting lenses is a great option to add the feel of a certain lens to your repertoire for a shoot.

For those of you located in SoCal, a great option is Samy's Camera. Just this past weekend, I rented the Canon 85mm 1.2L lens for a couple of shoots I did this past weekend. It's a lens that would cost me nearly $1900 to purchase and I rented it for the weekend for $40! While I would love to have it, someday, for now, renting it is a good option.

Another option that I have not personally used but hear great things about is the website BorrowLenses.com. You can reserve lenses and they are shipped out to you and you ship them back. A little bit more expensive than Samy's, but if you factor that in to your costs, you can definitely make it work.

I'll leave you for now with one of my photos from the engagement session of Rob + Jolinda this past weekend. Shot with the 85 1.2. Look forward to the full post coming soon, real soon.

Have a great Friday!!!

Foto Friday #6- Give your images some luvin...

2009-01-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

Well, I posted it pretty close to Friday...
I am hoping all of you are enjoying a blessed and joyous New Year and I thought that I would take this evening as an opportunity to get this year's installments of Foto Friday up and running.
THIS WEEK'S TIP: GIVE YOUR IMAGES SOME LUVIN...
And to do that, I mean using post processing to give your image a little something extra. Sure, you've worked hard, you've taken some great shots, shot wide open, had fun, mastered manual mode on your camera, and you've come away with a pretty good image. Now what?

Take that image, that image that you've carefully cultivated like a good tan, and give it some more luvin. Photoshop luvin.

Photographers have misconceptions a' plenty regarding photoshop, here are just a few.
PHOTOSHOP FALSENESS #1- Photoshop can take a bad photo and make it good- after all, it's photo magic. FALSE. While seasoned photoshop users may be able to take a bad image and make it palatable to the viewer, it will forever remain a slight improvement on a poor photograph. You can't take photographs that are of poor quality, not properly exposed or composed and expect to push the magic photoshop button and, presto- a "put it on the fridge" quality image results.
Photoshop, or post-processing in general should only be used to take good photographs and to give them that something extra, that pop, that cherry on top of a Neopolitan milk shake. Don't expect photoshop to give you good photos, expect it to take your already good photos and make them better.

PHOTOSHOP FALSENESS #2- Photoshop is hard. It's not. Really. Many may think photoshop is too difficult for them or that it is too complex in a similar way that many people think accounting to be too complex or difficult.
Yeah, I'm a nerd. But serious lee, Accounting is difficult to most people only for the reason that they haven't had a context for interacting with it before. The math used in accounting is incredibly easy. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, perhaps even some division, but not long division. If you were to study accounting, once you grasped some of the fundamental concepts (i.e. debits on the left, credits on the right) you would actually be able to do quite a lot with accounting.
It's the same with photoshop. Once you understand some basic concepts (layers, layer opacity) there is actually quite a lot you can do with it. Of course, becoming a photoshop master will take effort, but you don't have to become a photoshop guru to use it effectively.

PHOTOSHOP FALSENESS #3- to get great looks from my photos, I need to have all of the latest and most expensive programs- such as Adobe Lightroom, Apple's Aperture and CS4 of Adobe Photoshop as well as all of the latest sets of actions for photoshop. (For those of you unaware, Actions are buttons photoshop buttons that you can either purchase or make yourself that shrink what can be a long series of photoshop steps into pressing a single button).
The truth is, you can use a very simple version of photoshop (photoshop elements) to be able to do basic enhancements to your photos and to take them from good to great. Programs like Lightroom and the use of Actions can greatly reduce the amount of time used to process your images, but more on that later.

SO WHAT'S THE TIP?????
Whether you have CS4 or Photoshop Elements, you will be using layers. Photoshop is all about the layers, baby. Once you understand how to use layers effectively, you can go very far by adding layers to your image that will make it pop. If you don't know how to create a new layer, it is as simple as right-clicking on the background layer in your layer palette on the right and selecting "make background copy." Once you have done that, you're in the ballgame.

Once you have a copy, simply adjust the layer style of the copy layer. "Soft light" and "Overlay" are two of my favorites. Upon switching the layer style, you may find it a bit too extreme, a bit too "photoshopped." Don't worry, simply adjust the opacity of the copy layer downward to your liking (I typically adjust downward to the range of 30% opacity). And then your done. Below are a few edits from a family shoot I did a few weeks ago. Meet Madison Burns.

This first image is SOTC (straight out of the camera). Not too bad. But let's make it better.

Watch it pop.

Put it on the Fridge.

Anthropologie. Just a little different and it gives the image a different feel...

Simply having this basic knowledge of how to use layers effectively can greatly help in moving your photos from being good to photos that are great. I'll be posting more photoshop tips in the future, including how to use some sweet actions effectively, but even if you already use actions, take some time to learn and play around with layers yourself.
I think you'll like what you see.

Chloe

2008-12-24T01:30:00.000-08:00

Just a quick sneak peak of one of Cory and I's favorites of a newborn/family shoot we did last week. Enjoy!!! Lisa, if you are reading this, can't wait to show you the rest!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!!

Foto Friday #5- Take a Vacation

2008-12-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

I'M ON VACATION!!!

That's right, vacation. I know some of you were doubting the chances of Foto Friday's continuing regularity this week. Fear not, dear readers.

This week's tip- take a vacation. Cory and I are currently vacationing in Palm Springs for the next few days in the Westin Villas and we are loving it! I included the photo above from our last vacation that some of you may have voted to choose our adventures in the past. Cory and I loved that vacation and we did sooooo much and this vacation will be a little different. We have a sweet villa for the next few days, and no plans. Whatsoever. Oh wait, what time is it? Dinnertime. We're planning to eat dinner. That's what we have planned.

How in the world does this tip relate to photography? Here is the deal, don't let photography consume your life. In this blogosphere it is easy to look at photographer's blogs with their numerous photo shoots and busy travel schedule and to view that life as glamorous and desirable. However, knowing many professional photographers, the life is....busy, and not always glamorous as it seems. It is easy to let photography define and consume your life, to have your camera attached to the hip.

I'll keep this week's tip short. Don't let photography define your life. In this day and age, many photographers are doing photography part time (as probably are many of you), and it is easy to allow it to become a full time-preoccupation. Photography captures life, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on yours.

I am so happy to have the next few days to just relax with the woman I love and to get to all the plans we don't have. Oh wait, we're going to dinner...

A Very Burns Christmas

2008-12-16T21:14:00.000-08:00

Friends. Christmas time is always a time that I feel that I am drawn into a deeper appreciation of the blessings that God has given me. This Christmas, I am particularly thankful for friends. When I graduated from College and jumped into life in the O.C./Corona, there was one family and one man in particular that befriended me in a way that I have appreciated so very much. In my freshman year of "life" (post-college), I was so thankful for this family that I felt at home with and who took an interest in me and my life and my relationship with the Lord.

The Burns Family has been a constant source of joy and encouragement over the past 3 and a half years for Cory and I. Scott officiated our wedding, we have had so many great times at the extending of their hospitality. Scott continues to be someone who I greatly respect and always come away from conversation feeling encouraged and feeling as though I have been challenged to think deeper and love more fully.

It is a great joy to me to be able to bless this family in a small way compared to the blessing that they have been to the Blakeys over the years. We were able to make a quick run to a local spot for some photos this past Saturday morning to update last year's photos. We weren't sure how it was going to work out with rain forecasted, but we were there, the weather was good and I think we got some great photos!

Thank you again Burns family for how you have tremendously blessed the Blakeys! Merry Christmas!

Their kids are fun loving AND well-behaved. Basically you could say they're classy and fun...

Scott's Face in the background = Priceless. Cory and I chuckled. That's right, chuckled.

The Madison.

Scott and Chloe.

This year's edition of The Kale.

Running always makes for a fun picture.

The Avery. Wasn't she in the winter Gap Kids catalog?

Freshly caught. Gotta love fresh.

Umbrellas. Just in Case.

Chloe's first close ups. She's a cutie.

Can't get enough Avery.

Thanks again!

TAGS: Corona Family Portrait, Orange County Family Portrait, Inland Empire Family Portrait, Family Christmas Portrait, Lifestyle Portrait.

Foto Friday #4- Shoot Wide Open

2008-12-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Foto Friday here again. This week- let's get technical, technical.
Today, we are talking all about Aperture and how it can give you a distinctive style to your photographs, particularly of people.
I have had many people ask me how I get my photographs to look so sharp and crisp. My secret- shooting wide open. I have already blogged about some of my favorite choices in lenses. The reason I love these lenses is that they allow me to go so far down the aperture scale. Aperture is the size of the opening in the lens that lets light onto the sensor of the camera or the film. When you adjust the size of the opening, you also adjust the depth of field, or how broad the area of your picture will be in focus.
So when I say "shoot wide open," I mean that I am going to the lowest aperture number that my lens allows (2.0 or 1.4, there are lenses out there that allow 1.2) and using that setting to take the photographs. This allows me to to really accentuate and draw the viewer in to one aspect of the picture. With people, I almost always focus on the eyes. When I e-mailed a photographer friend of mine before I did my first ever engagement session, I asked him if he had any tips. He said, "focus on the eyes" and it couldn't have been more true. What focusing on the eyes does is really draw the viewer into the photograph to where the eyes are sharp (or if you are standing a bit further away- the face) and the rest of the photograph is smooth and creamy.
There are other factors in determining depth of field (such as as how far away you are from your subject and how far the background is from them), but for this week, try going as low as your lens allows on the aperture.
Is there a drawback to shooting wide open? Yes. When you shoot wide open, it makes the area of your frame that is in focus very very small. If you are not careful, it is easy to think that you are getting sharp, in-focus pictures only to get them on your computer and realize that your subjects eyebrows are very much in focus. Be veeeery careful and select a focus point that you can put directly on their eyes to ensure that they are in focus.
However, I view the results as worth the risk. Going low on the aperture will take your photographs from being on the same level as the rest of today's photographic mileau to being photographs that stand out. Until next friday, stay classy and fun. B

A Blakey Thanksgiving

2008-12-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

Finally, getting around to posting some pictures from way back at Thanksgiving! This year we dined with the Blakey family in Montecito. We ate a fabulous dinner at the wonderful Montecito Country Club and it was great to see a bunch of the family and have some time to relax.

Enjoy some photos!
Don't worry, photo Friday still to come...

The whole gang.

Four Generations of Blakey

Uncle Scott and Aunt Sheri

Took a few of my brother Ben, after all, he is a senior....

My Grandpa himself. Dr. Ernest Blakey.

The Tyler

Foto Friday #3- Have Fun

2008-12-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Straight off the bat, I must say I have been enjoying Foto Friday. I look forward to posting these and hopefully they are helpful, or at least mildly amusing. Thanks for those of you that have sent in topics that you would like addressed in future Foto Friday posts, I'll be getting to yours in the coming weeks.

THIS WEEK'S TIP- HAVE FUN. While this may seem so common sense that perhaps some of you are rolling your eyes and moving the mouse toward the X on your google reader, hold your proverbial horses. There are many different types of photographers out there- some most enjoy taking landscapes and beautiful scenery, others enjoy taking product shots, me?- I like people. In photographing people- whether senior portraits or engagements or families or weddings, I cannot over-emphasize how important having fun is.

The concept of fun and photography goes way back for me. When I was a kid, I didn't view photos as fun. My experience with it was primarily when a photographer was telling me to tilt my head this many degrees and angle my body that many degrees. I'm playing with G.I. Joes and you're busting out geometry on me? Bless my parents for their patience with me during those days. If you peruse back through the Blakey photo album from earlier in my childhood, the pictures that don't include me making a goofy face are few and far between.

Why did I make goofy faces? It was my way to make the process of having my picture taken fun. And the fun has stayed with me...

But here's the deal- I believe fun to be so important to my photography that I've included it in my slogan- Classy and Fun. Why is it important- the photographs you take of people will be absolutely superior if the people that you are photographing are enjoying themselves. Like so many things in life, it's a concept that's easy to agree with but not always implemented. As an up and coming photographer, you may think the MOST important thing is your equipment or knowing your camera settings or marketing and branding yourself (if you're in business). I would contend that all those things are important but if you have all the technical knowledge but your subjects are uncomfortable and feeling awkward, your images aren't going to be very striking.

The most important thing for me these days at the outset of a photoshoot is to get the people having fun. Having fun relaxes them, having fun makes their expressions genuine, having fun makes them have fun.

So when you're photographing people, find the way to get them to have fun. It may be having them make goofy faces (works for me), or taking a picture of them jumping, or playing tag with a child, or telling a guy to whisper a joke into his fiance's ear. If you are going to be shooting a wedding, think about setting up an engagement session with the couple where they can get to know you and have fun in front of your camera, that way when the wedding day comes, you won't be an added point of stress, but rather a portion of their day that they will look forward to and enjoy and remember fondly as they look back at the pictures.

This week's tip- get out there and have some fun with your people. It will make your photographs better.

Until next week, stay Classy and FUN!!!

Christmas is coming....

2008-12-02T13:04:00.000-08:00

Finally, December 2nd and it is the first time since this summer that I have genuinely felt cold. I am so excited for this holiday season for so many reasons- time to hang out with Cory, time off from school and writing papers, time to think more deeply. Time to take photographs for fun.

Cory and I will be putting up Christmas lights and getting a tree so you can be sure that photos will follow... Sorry this post is random and somewhat short, but I needed a reason to post this cool image I captured of my nephew Tyler on Thanksgiving Day. Actually, I didn't really need a reason to post it, he's just that cute...

Foto Friday #2- It's All About the Glass

2008-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

First off- Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be posting photos from the Blakey Thanksgiving here shortly but I wanted to maintain true to form and post another Foto Friday today! This Friday I want to talk about the glass- that's right, the lenses.

FACT: Your lenses are probably the most important part of your photography equipment. I have heard it said by other photographers that Camera bodies may come and go, but the lenses you keep, and I would have to agree. The right lens is really everything for getting the right look and feel to a shot.

MYTH #1- I can skimp on lenses by purchasing an off-brand lens (i.e. sigma/tamron) that has the same technical specs. Some might enjoy these other lenses, but I think there is a reason that the best photographers out there are using the same brand of lenses as their cameras. They are simply better. I started out with a Tamron lens and noticed a SIGNIFICANT increase in quality, color, sharpness and overall "pop" to my photographs once I purchased my first canon. Since then, I haven't looked back and probably never will. The only lens that I have heard recommended above the "brand name" lenses is the 50mm Sigma 2.8 macro- I hear it's killer for ring shots.

MYTH #2- To be able to get great images, I have to spend a buku of dollars on lenses. While the best lenses will cost you a pretty penny, you don't have to have them to create images that are, shall we say, Classy and Fun. Don't let yourself be focused on the lenses that you don't have, master the lenses that you do have and save up for upgrades.

Canon has some FANTASTIC lenses that you won't have to borrow against your house for that I would like to recommend.
50mm 1.8- $90- you can tell this is a cheap lens by holding it in your hand but it was my first Canon lens and it takes really sharp, clean pictures! Anyone just starting out on the Canon system should DEFINITELY purchase this lens!
50mm 1.4- $350- If you have the dough, I would upgrade to this lens. It is much sturdier and being able to go down to 1.4 on the Aperture make it a fantastic portrait lens! I love it!
35mm 2.0- $200- this lens is my newest purchase and I absolutely could not be more thrilled with this lens. The pictures are sharp, color is awesome and I love the angle without distortion on the sides of the image! If you look back to the engagement session that I previously posted- 80% of the images were taken with this lens and they came out not too shabby. I think it is a great lens where you want to be in close but still be able to get the interaction between a couple.
I also own the 24-70 L Series 2.8 which is also a great lens that costs just a tad more than the others. It is very useful at weddings when you want to be able to grab a variety of shots/angles without changing lenses very often.
For weddings, I ALWAYS rent the 70-200 L Series 2.8 IS lens. It is a must have for during the ceremony and at receptions where you want a front row seat on the action without snuggling up next to mom and dad. I love the DOF on that lens and it is a must have for low-light situations. I rent it from Samy's Camera and it really isn't that expensive.

My Wish List (hey, Christmas is coming...)
70-200mm IS 2.8L 85mm 1.2L 35mm 1.4L

Today's tip boils down to this- MASTER YOUR LENSES- know how to make the best use of them in certain situations and be creative. Don't always be caught up in the equipment that you don't have, learn to be a great photographer with the equipment that you do have in the mean time.

Until next Friday, stay Classy and Fun....

Bill

Brian + Becca

2008-11-25T01:35:00.000-08:00

I'm not gonna lie, I've been looking forward to posting this. The only thing that could have made this engagement session more enjoyable is if my wife Cory had been able to come along. Brian and Becca were such fun to hang out with but I am pretty sure they not-so-secretly enjoyed the opportunity to hang out with each other...

Brian and Becca are getting married this coming April at the Valencia Hyatt and I am super stoked to have a front row and back row and not-in-a-row seat for the festivities!

Brian and Becca, thanks again for the wonderful day!
BLOG READERS! I've done a few different things in this post, let me know if you enjoy the album-spread esque pictures! I had a lot of fun editing this session (the new Coldplay EP helped out as well).

TAGS: Engagement Photography, Santa Clarita Wedding Photography, Santa Clarita Wedding Photography, Santa Clarita Engagement Photography, Los Angeles Wedding Photography, Los Angeles Engagment Photography, Engagement Portraits, Orange County Wedding Photography, The Master's College

Foto Friday #1- It's the Photographer, Not the Camera

2008-11-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Aren't you glad it's FRIDAY? While Fridays have always been an enjoyable day for me, since I have started working for my church, they have become even more enjoyable. Why, you may ask? Because they are my day off. And I for the most part get to hang out with my lovely wife on these days!!! Tonight we are going to Disneyland and it is the first day of Christmas time there. Yeah, we are pretty excited.

All that to say, I wanted to be able to share my excitement for Fridays will all of you. Lately I have been getting a lot of requests from up and coming Photographers who would like me to help them take their photography game to the next level. While I can't help out everyone individually, I thought that Foto Friday might be a good way to share photography tips that have helped me become a better photographer.

You may not know this but I have NEVER taken a photography course and have learned 100% of what I have learned from fellow photographers, 1 book and the internet. So now I am giving back.

FOTO FRIDAY TIP #1- It's the photographer, not the camera.

When I say that, I must instantly qualify that statement by saying that if I was given the chance to have a point and shoot camera vs the Canon Mark III 1ds- I would choose the latter every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
But here's what I am getting at with this post- the more decisions that you take away from your camera and make yourself, the more creative and higher quality your photographs will be. Many people buy a fancy SLR (single lens reflex- or detachable lens) camera and put it on fully automatic mode and assume that they will get amazing photographs simply because they have an expensive camera. Not true. A photographer who really knows how to use a Canon Rebel XT will get pictures that are far superior to a novice photographer who puts the $7000 canon camera on auto and snaps away.
So what does this mean- Photography takes some effort! It is like many other things in life where you will get out of it what you put into it. So, two things to take away from this post-

#1- Manual Mode- I shoot 95% of the photographs I take in manual mode because that is where I have the most control over the settings for my shot. If you don't know what you are doing, manual mode will yield you stinky pictures (yes, they may actually smell) but if you do- oh so good. Manual mode is incredibly intimidating at first with trying to understand shutter speed, aper-what? and ISO? However, there is a book that incredibly helped me to understand the nuts and bolts of photography in general. You can get it for about $17.11 on Amazon. Understanding Exposure. The author uses pictures to demonstrate everything and reading this book will definitely not make you feel like a photo nerd. Not that there's anything wrong with being a photo nerd... Read this book and practice! Get comfortable with manual mode, because your photographs will be better when you do!
#2- Know how to adjust the settings on your camera. Plain and simple, you may have to crack open that manual to learn how to adjust the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and a few other things on there. Obsessive reading of the manual may just make you a photo nerd, however. Read the first book to teach you about how to do photography and use the manual to help you apply that to your camera.

Well there it is, the first Foto FRIDAY! I will be endeavoring over this next year to be posting a helpful photography hint EVERY Friday so bookmark me on your google reader or check back on Fridays!

And if you have a photography question that you are dying to get answered- email me! I would love to be able to be inspired by you for a future Foto Friday post!
bill@billblakey.com

There's no retreat in this staff....

2008-11-17T23:31:00.000-08:00

I love these people. Every year in the Fall our student ministry discipleship staff head down to Encinitas for a weekend for some good new-fashioned staff training and staff bonding. This year was phenomenal. I felt there was such a unity amongst the staff and a good time had by all. We sang, ate, learned from God's word, and stayed up way too late playing mafia.

My partner in crime Ken Flower and I had the privilege of talking with our staff about discipleship and meaningful relationship and I am very much looking forward to continuing this year in ministry alongside these brothers and sisters at my church!

I didn't get to take many photos due to the overload of awesomeness I was experiencing, but I did have the opportunity to roll down with a few of the guys to document their early morning surf sesh (I had to head back up and finish preparing to lead a discussion).

I love how these guys always pray before embarking out on a session.

Oh, and here's James and Molly.

UPDATE: Family Sessions!
If you are interested in having me take your family photos for general Christmas card awesomeness this year, let me know! I still have a few spots available to get your photos before Christmas!

Tags: Corona Family Christmas Portrait, San Clemente Family Christmas Portrait, Lifestyle Portrait, Aliso Viejo Family Christmas Portrait, Irvine Family Christmas Portrait, Mission Viejo Family Christmas Portrait, Newport Beach Family Christmas Portait, Fullerton Family Christmas Portrait, Yorba Linda Family Christmas Portrait.

Whitney + Jeremy

2008-11-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Whitney and Jeremy's Wedding! It was such a blessing to be around these two. You could tell that they absolutely loved each other and were so happy for all of the family and friends that came to their wedding!
The wedding was held at Compass Bible Church in Aliso Viejo and it was so fun to get to be with all the wonderful folks at CBC again!

Thanks again Whitney and Jeremy! Keep enjoying your honeymoon extravaganza! Tags: San Clemente Wedding Photography, Aliso Viejo Wedding Photography, Orange County Wedding Photography, Compass Bible Church