Hey there! My name is Becker and I am a wedding photographer from Orange County, California who specializes in capturing relaxed portraits, amazing details and real moments for the coolest brides and grooms on the planet.
This blog follows both my personal and professional life, and features images from the weddings I shoot, the places I travel and the friends and family members that mean so much to me. It's basically like my own personal photo album combined with an information source for my current and potential clients and a source of inspiration and education for other photographers. This site is a little more informal and I just want to give everyone a sense of who I am, and what I am all about. Thanks for visiting.
Hey there party people! Welcome to my new and improved, tasty new blog! I am so excited to have upgraded to a custom blog built by the fabulous Brock Martin from Infinet Design. This blog will continue where my old blog left off and it will feature super sized photos, a better commenting system (which I will be more involved in responding) and of course regular updates. You'll also notice along the bottom of this blog I have linked to some of my favorite blogs and websites. Most of them are linked to good causes, or helpful resources for professional photographer and brides to be. Check them out! Each time you refresh the page, you'll see a new headshot of yours truly, 7 fresh images along the top, and the banners on the bottom with switch it up as well. Thanks again for everyone who has visited in the past and if you like a particular post, feel free to send it to your friends. You can also send me an email if you'd rather not leave a comment.
Well, I thought I was done for the year, but when my friend's wife called the other night and told me her husband was under the weather and asked if I could come help out at the wedding, of course I agreed. As it turns out, he was totally fine the next day, so I just ended up second shooting (actually third shooting!).
Today I just wanted to wish my dear old dad a happy birthday. He's 57 today, but doesn't look a day over 55! ;-) My dad has always been an incredible supportive person in my life, but he's just so much more than that now. Not only does he help me run my businesses and give me advise and guidance, he's truly my best friend and I am so thankful for the wonderful example he sets for me on a daily basis. It's also so cool to see my dad be the best grandpa to Caden & Addison. He sure loves spoiling those kids and they have become his pride and joy.
Here's an image of us that I lifted off of my old blog that was taken over 30 years ago:
Happy Birthday Dad! I hope you enjoyed that Cowboys victory I arranged for you last night!
The Mammoth Men are at it again. Well, I like to call them the Mammoth Boys, as they are all like 19 years old and only a couple of them even shave yet. These are some of my photographer friends who all share a passion for life and good times. During their last trip, I followed their blog religiously and was entertained beyond belief. They head out for another most excellent adventure tomorrow morning bright and early. You should check their blog several times each day to keep up on with the adventures of these crazy kids. The [ b ] School is proud to sponsor their trip since it's all about connecting with your fellow photographer friends.
Check out the trailer from the last trip they took in June:
John Clarke Turney passed away last Monday after a long bout with cancer at the age of 63. He was a very special man to me and many others. He's the closest person to me that I've lost since my both of my grandfathers died when I was in high school. I've been in kind of a funk over the last couple of days ever since hearing the news. He was originally diagnosed in the early 90's, about the time I was dating his daughter Sara, who was the first true love of my life. John and his wife Wendy welcomed me in as part of the family and I just loved them so much, and felt loved by them. Even after Sara and I broke up, we remained friends and I stayed close to her family and I affectionately referred to them as "The Outlaws" (instead of in-laws... get it?). To this day my cell phone is programmed to say The Outlaws when they call.
Anyway, John had beaten cancer a few times, knocking in back into remission and remaining relatively healthy over the years. About 6 months ago, they found out it was back and had spread to his brain. The one thing I always admired about the man I called "JT" is that no matter what the diagnosis or prognosis of his health was, the guy had an amazing, positive attitude. He sure never let the cancer dampen his spirit... at least it never showed. He was a man of tremendous faith in the Lord and loved his wife and family so much. He was a wonderful husband who cherished his wife and adored his daughters. For the last 3 years he has enjoyed being a papa to his grandson Cole. When I think of him, I can see his infectious smile and even hear him tell his corny jokes. He had such an odd sense of humor and often embarrassed his daughters on purpose by saying random and awkward things, just to get a laugh. I was certainly entertained and appreciated his brand of humor.
My parents were able to stop by this past Saturday to visit as they knew the end as near. I wasn't able to go as I was in Florida shooting. I did stop by to see the family yesterday and pay my respects. The service is going to be held next week. He's in a better place now. No more suffering. No more pain. No more disease.
I just felt I wanted to write a little something about JT because I never want to forget what an amazing man he was. He was such an honorable man... everybody loved him. I know everybody says that about people when they die, but John was just special and I truly mean that. He was a man of character. He was someone you could always look up to and always count on. I am going to miss John Turney, but I'll never forget him.
Here he is escorting Sara down the aisle at her wedding in Hawaii back in 2003:
And doing the same for Emily in 2005:
John & Wendy at another wedding I shot a couple of years ago:
And one more of the two of them in Hawaii
Rest in peace John. And to Wendy, Sara, Emily, Joel, Ray & Cole... you guys are in my thoughts and prayers and if there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. I love you all.
This past Saturday I finished off my wedding season with a wonderful wedding in South Florida. It took place at the Naples Grande Resort in Naples and it was a picture perfect day. From the moment I showed up at the rehearsal on Friday, everyone made me feel very welcome and I was just able to blend in and do my thing, capturing relax portraits, amazing details and real moments.
I really love when I get to fly to weddings. It lets me know that the couple really wants me there. They go to the extra effort and expense to have me be a part of their day, and that really pumps me up. I also like it because it provides a change in scenery. Don't get me wrong... I love shooting in Southern California, and I think we are spoiled with the plethora of wonderful venues... but it's nice to just mix it up every once and a while.
Here are a few of my favorites from last weekend. I loved the texture in her gown... very unique:
Because it was going to be pretty much dark after the ceremony, they did see each other before the ceremony:
Always such a cute moment when they first see each other:
"Hi Bride!"
She was working it all day long:
More details:
A quick kiss just before they tied the knot:
By the time we got to the beach, the light was about gone, but we still managed to get a couple nice shots:
In case you are wondering the centerpieces were filled with Double Bubble:
Everybody Hora!
Check out Chad Jarae's blog for more images. He is a photographer friend of mine from Florida and he also got some amazing images at the wedding... including this fun shot of me showing the bride a shot of her taken on my iPhone:
I'm done for the year! Well, that is to say I shot my last wedding of the year this past weekend and finished my 12th wedding season, but I'm hardly done for the year. I have so much going on and I am already gearing up for a huge 2009. I feel bad for not being a very good blogger lately, especially after blogging for over 500 days in a row in 2006/2007. Starting tomorrow, I'll be posting the images from my wedding in Naples, and then I have a whole slew of ideas to keep this blog informative and hopefully entertaining for the rest of the year. Thanks for tuning in!
More on this later tonight. but right now I'm headed out to Calico Ghost Town for a [ b ] School field trip.
It's been a few months since I posted one of these... but I've had a lot on my plate. Here is the Photo of the month for October. I am for sure going to get back into posting a monthly random photo just because.
Anyone care to guess what you are looking at here?
UPDATE: Some of you are very close with your guesses. This is the sidewalk in from of the W hotel in Time Square. They project this funky light pattern onto the ground, and as I was heading out to my engagement session, I accidentally hit the shutter. Oops.
I don't think it's a big surprise to anyone watching the polls of late, but congratulations are in order to President-Elect Barack Obama. He won a decided victory after almost two years of campaigning. The people of this country have spoken, and I am just glad it was a clear and decisive victory, and this time, there won't be tons of court battles trying to figure out what to do with the hanging chads. I am also encourage by how many people got out and actually voted. It is usually so sad how apathetic people have been in last elections, taking our right to vote for granted and no caring about the system or process that we use to choose our leaders.
I thought John McCain's concession speech was very gracious and of course President Elect Obama's speech was very powerful (as expected... he is such a good speaker! I got chills.). I am glad that all of the campaigning is over, and I hope our leaders can get down to business and deliver on their promises and try to bring about positive change and hopefully economic stimulus, a peace in the Middle East -- God Bless America!
I skipped the Miscellaneous Monday post last week... too much going on getting back into town. In fact, I think today is going to be the last Miscellaneous Monday post for a while. I may just start posting random miscellaneous stuff as it comes up no matter what day of the week it is.
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Voting tomorrow. Who's it going to be? Informal Anonymous poll of my blog readers:
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Speaking of voting... I wonder how many people are actually influenced by a machine calling and leaving a message, or swayed by people standing on a street corner with a sign. I was going to vote one way on a proposition, but then a robot called and said to vote the other way so I changed my mind. As if! It seems like a waste of time money and resources. And every time I see the No on 8 or Yes on 8 people on opposite street corners... I wish they'd just settle it with a big brawl in the middle of the street.
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Attention Clients: In case you missed yesterday's post about holiday ordering, scroll down! 20% off of all orders placed online during November.
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Only one wedding left this year. I am headed to Naples, Florida this weekend and really looking forward to it. Then I am looking forward to a little break. It's been a crazy busy year and I need some rest. Also, photographers in that area. I think I am going to plan a little GTG on Sunday afternoon. Details TBD... be sure to check the [ b ] School or the [ b ] School Blog for updates.
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I saw "Zach and Miri Make a Porno" over the weekend. It was pretty funny... if you are in to that Kevin Smith brand of humor. There is this one scene where... never mind... just go see it and wear a diaper so you don't pee your pants.
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Oh Cowboys... why must you torment me so much? Quit sucking! Come on Romo... it's just a pinky... cut it off and get back on the field. We need you!
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I finally caught up to the World Series of Poker on my Tivo and once again, someone I played at the same table with made it very deep in the tournament. Dean Hamrick, who was the last one eliminated in 10th place before the final table was set, sat immediately on my right for all of day 2 (until i was eliminated). He took in over a half million for his efforts. Last year, Raymond Rayme from South Africa finished in 3rd place for over 3 million. The final table of 9 players is going to be played a week from today, and then aired on ESPN next Tuesday. I can't wait to see who the next world champion is.
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How much longer until baseball season starts?
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Microsoft's new slogan... "Windows: Life without walls" - Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't there need to be a wall for a window to exist for the most part? Hmmm?
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I haven't heard much from the (RED) Campaign lately. They still don't let small business participate, but I still think it's a fabulous cause to get behind. I see Starbucks has joined the party (or will be joining at the end of November. I am not a coffee drinker, but I hope they raise lots of money this holiday season. Click the logo for info:
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