I bought a new lens for my camera…finally! After practicing photography for over a year; figuring out my camera settings, learning how to use lighting, etc. I decided that I knew enough to expand the capacity of my camera and … Continue reading
For the last 9 weeks I’ve been taking a photography class at UCSD Extension. I’ve been enjoying photography as a hobby for a few years now, learning as I go. I finally decided to take it a bit more seriously … Continue reading
Yesterday I got to photography my first wedding! Although it’s not as exciting as it sounds…it was more like a couples session since the couple was eloping. It was just them, the official and me! Heather and I went to graduate school together and she and her new husband were on a budget for the wedding, so they asked me to be their photographer. I was so happy to get to try my hand at a wedding!
The location was out in Ramona at a winery (Milagro Farm Vineyards & Winery). Since it was February, the vineyards were dead, but we found a beautiful orange orchard with some trees that were just beginning to blossom
There were also some fully ripe orange trees, that made for a beautiful backdrop as well
I’ve posted a few of the shots on Facebook for a preview, and so far the most popular one is this. I was nervous about this shoot because it was mid-day, not my ideal time to shoot because I’m a big fan of backlight. But this photo goes to show that you can get some nice flare even at 12 noon!
Overall, I’m very happy with how the photos came out, and the bride and groom seem pleased so far as well! I love being able to take photos for people who will treasure the memories.
Congrats Heather & Kenny!
Last time I shot at Sunset Cliffs my models were actually going to the ball after, and with her 5″ stilettos she wasn’t too interested in doing any exploring or hiking. I decided I wanted to shoot there again, but with a couple that didn’t mind hiking down to the water. They decided to wear their formals, but since they agreed before hand to hike down to the water with me, I didn’t feel bad when they got a little wet lol.
Turns out they were not the easiest couple to shoot, very silly. I’m actually surprised I got so many good shot!
I found the below composition on Pinterest and felt that Sunset Cliffs was the ideal location to replicate it. I love that it highlights the natural landscape.
My main reason for wanting to shoot at Sunset Cliffs again was to finally get to practice shooting sunset silhouettes. The sunset wasn’t as impressive as it had been for the last few weeks (of course, on the day I shoot it kinda sucks lol), but it was better than the sunset last time I was there. I need to work on it a little more to get the people in full silhouette, but I’m happy with how the composition turned out!
I wanted to share some photos from the pre-ball shoot I did last weekend.
I was looking forward to this shoot for weeks! I checked out the location, research the poses I wanted to try, and the entire week leading up I would longingly stare at the sunsets, anticipating beautiful lighting for my session. Then on the night we were scheduled to shoot, it was cloudy! No stunning lighting, no sunset. Just clouds. Thankfully the couple was stunning enough to compensate for the lack of beauty in nature.
Location: Sunset Cliffs, San Diego
Photographer: Alison V. Photography
As a military spouse and a hobby photographer, I have been on both ends of the lens. I hired photographers for both of my husband’s homecoming and have photographed even more homecomings for my friends and referrals.
My husband and I’s first homecoming – Afghanistan 2011
My friend Heather’s homecoming – May 2013
I shot a homecoming very last minute on Friday for a friend of a friend. The woman had been talking to my friend (the red-head featured above) about how she didn’t have a photographer for her upcoming homecoming…the next day! My friend referred her to me and thankfully the timing worked out and I actually have the day off from work and no plans.
When I got to the homecoming and we were waiting around for her and her friend’s husbands to come through, there was a sweet family next to us waiting as well. She had a toddler and a newborn with her, and no friends or photographer to capture the moment. Her husband came though in the first wave (not everyone arrived at the same time) and their reunion was beautiful! I couldn’t help myself and I snapped a few photos and asked for her email before I left so I could send them to her.
Homecomings are such a beautiful and emotional moment in life. How could you not want to capture it?!
How could you want to miss out on having these memories forever?!
My client and her friend were both experiencing their first homecomings, and I was glad to be able to get some shots of both of them. You will want to have photos of this moment! There is no downside to hiring a photographer, IMO
I’ve had some people ask me if it’s awkward to have a photographer at homecoming. To have someone up in your business during such an intimate moment. As a photographer, I try to blend in. There are so many people at homecoming; photographers, friends, family. There will be people taking photos left and right, you won’t notice if they are taking photos of you or someone else. At both of my homecomings I barely noticed the photographer, I was way too wrapped up in seeing my husband for the first time in 7 months!
So the answer to the question of “should I hire a photographer for my homecoming?” is always YES!
Speaking of photography (since I don’t want to make a whole other post), here are some highlight of the other shoot I did this weekend, a maternity shoot for my friend. Can’t wait to take her newborn pictures in a few weeks!
I LOVE the golden hour. It is pretty much the only time I will shoot. I am a big fan of glowing soft light, I think it makes photographs more dynamic and visually intriguing.
Last month a friend of mine asked me to do family pictures for her. She had a patriotic theme in mind that sounded awesome, so I happily agreed. We had plans the next weekend to go to the pool together and she asked if we could do it after that. I told her that we should wait and do it in the evening before sunset (the golden hour), and although it was an awkward time of day for her, she deferred to my “expertise”
After I edited the photos and shared them with her she posted them on FB and got tons of great feedback. She told me that she raved about me to her friends and family and really appreciated the fact that I knew when the best time to take photos was, directed them in poses and the location of the shoot. <— I think all of those things, but especially the time of day, is what contributes to beautiful photos
This shot was her favorite (and mine)
Backlit photos are difficult for me to shoot, and it’s something I’ve been continuing to work on. But I love how the light makes even simple poses and backdrops frame worthy photos
This week’s photo challenge is “in the background”. This actually fits quite well with another post I was planning on sharing this weekend in honor of Memorial Day, my recent patriotic photography shoots.
I’ve been obsessed with patriotic engagement and couples shoots ever since I saw my first one on Pinterest (that site is ridiculous addicting lol). I finally got a couple to agree to be my models (it’s hard to find men who are willing to put on their uniforms outside of military events!), so I stalked the internet for ideas, bought my props and headed out to the photo shoot.
Unfortunately, the location I wanted was not open to the public, so we had to improvise with a nearby lake. But I did get some good shots that I am very proud of.
First off, here is my “in the background” photo. I am going to give this one a try again this weekend at my next photo shoot and see if I can get a crisper silhouette, but I love the concept!
Here are some of my favorite photo from the same shoot. I am still working on getting my lighting and camera setting to match, I want the images to be crisper and better lit, but still have the glowing backlighting. This photography stuff is harder than I thought it would be!
And on the same patriotic theme, I photographed a homecoming for my friend last week as well. Her husband came home from a 8 month deployment just in time to see her graduate a few days later.
As I shared in a previous post, I am a hobby photographer.
I have a HUGE collection of photography ideas on my Pinterest and I am always reading blogs about how to improve my work. I am stronger in the creative side of photography (composition, posing, etc.), but I am still trying to perfect my technical side (camera settings, lighting, etc.) so that the photo I have in my head matches the one that I take.
I don’t consider myself a professional and there is A LOT that I still need to learn, but I love doing shoots for my friends and family.
I’ve recently gotten a lot of business! Every time I post one of my shoots on my FB page, another one of my friends asks me to do a shoot. I started out having to convince my BFF from back home to pose for me, and now I have multiple requests a month! I am so flattered and excited for all of the practicing I get to do.
I decided to share some of my highlights, since I don’t ever really talk about my own hobbies on this blog lol
My first photo shoot with my best friend from back home and her husband, they were so silly and difficult to pose lol
My second photo shoot at Del Mar Beach on Camp Pendleton, CA
My friend Katie asked me to take newborn photos and I LOVED it! Newborn photography might be my favorite, even though babies are not good at posing haha
And lastly, the maternity shoot I did yesterday for another friend.
I currently have a homecoming lined up next month and a couples shoot in 2 weeks with my friend who promised that her husband would wear his military uniform (yay!). And today I got a FB message from one of my friend’s friend who saw the pictures on FB and wants a shoot too, my first non-friend/family client!
look beyond the imperfections 
