Christmas Cards

Every year my wife waits to the last-minute to start thinking about Christmas Cards.  And there is always some excuse like “I don’t have anything to wear” or “it’s too warm outside for pictures, I want it to look more like winter”.  No matter what I do it becomes my responsibility to come up with something amazing or at least memorable the 2nd week in December in order for everyone to get their christmas cards on time.

This year was no different and of course my wife had no idea what she wanted to do for cards.  What she did know was that she didn’t want to be like anyone else.  So I came up with the idea to take pictures of ourselves and hide our faces with an ipad with someone else’s photo on the screen.  My wife didn’t understand at first, and what little she did understand she thought sounded cheesy.  But she couldn’t come up with a better idea so I kinda forced her to go with mine.

I thought they turned out pretty good.  This was my first time editing in Photoshop CS5 and i really liked it.

2010
12/21
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
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Welcome Home Armand

Some of our best friends, Armand and Cheantelle have been separated for the past 4+ months.  Armand enlisted in the Air National Guard and had to go back east to complete his job training.  My four years in the Army never required me to be away from Jada for any extended time, so I can’t imagine how hard it is to leave your family behind and fulfill your obligation to serve the country.  Our whole small group has watched Cheantelle “suffer” through the pain of not having Armand there.  We did our best to encourage her and help her out whenever we could.  Their four kids have also missed their dad and were so excited that he was finally coming home.

I was able to go out to the airport last night and filmed their reunion.  I am so proud of Armand and am so happy to have him home.

2010
04/24
CATEGORY
Films
Life
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Charlie & Meno – Golden Gate Wedding

Last weekend I had the privilege of filming the amazing wedding of Charlie and Meno.  They were married at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio in San Francisco.  The location was amazing, with a view of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

The wedding planner, Duncan Reyes, transformed the ball room to the most elegant dinning and dancing experience I have ever seen.

Gordon Dewitt helped me film and capture this unforgettable event.

Here is a trailer of this amazing wedding day.

Wedding Professionals
Event Planner & Designer: Duncan Reyes
Photographer: Chung Li Photography
2010
04/21
CATEGORY
Films
Weddings
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thanksgiving 2009

I finally got around to putting some footage together of our trip to Oregon for Thanksgiving.  It has become an annual tradition to go visit my uncle Wayne and aunt Judy outside of Coquille Oregon on Thanksgiving.  He is the caretaker of a 150 acre property that includes a large cabin, pond with canoes and boat for fishing, endless trails to explore while riding several 4-wheelers.  The property is about a 45 minute drive from any sort of town.  Very secluded.  So pretty much it is a perfect place to get away. Take all the kids and let them run wild.  Cell phone service is sketchy along with cable tv or satellite.  It has become one of my favorite spots to get some amazing pictures so this year I decided to do some video as well.

and now the kids turn

2010
03/24
CATEGORY
Life
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i am a celebrity

Most people have had some sort of celebrity moment.  Meeting someone who almost everyone knows, coming face to face with a wrestling icon, meeting hall of fame football player, or shaking hands with a rock legend meeting the governor of California before he was recalled.  Then there are those people who are famous in your world.  Like Steve Jobs if you’re an apple geek, or meeting Chuck Liddell or GSP if you are Blake Dieringer.

The celebrities in my world (as many of you know) are Philip Bloom, Joe Simon and Scott Andrew all of who are in the Film and Photography business.  I watch everything they do, I follow them on Twitter and on Facebook.  I read their blogs and try to emulate everything that they do.  You could say I am obsessed.  I was so excited when I saw my picture with Philip Bloom on his blog or when Joe Simon listed me as one of his Follow Friday suggestions (it’s a Twitter thing).  Some people are constantly trying to associate themselves with celebrities or people who have achieved the success that they crave, and I must admit I am guilty of this sometimes.

The next step in the whole celebrity thing is the desire to be one of the celebrities.  To reach a level of success where people treat you like a celebrity and want to be around you.  For me it would be to create video masterpieces that gain the recognition of some of my idols.  To be known for something I have done, To just be known.  Well it seems like I am always working toward that goal, to gain that success, to be a celebrity in someones eyes.

I was mowing the grass today (not a celebrity thing to do) with my mind working overtime.  Thinking of all my upcoming projects and how to maximize all my assets to further my business and upgrading camera blah blah blah.  When I noticed my daughter, Micah, sitting in the lawn chair watching me and finally jumped up begging to help me.  I love Micah, and I have a blast playing with her.  Jada complains sometimes that we do get a little too crazy or wild.  But more often than not I am busy with some project, like editing pictures and putting together a film project or engrossed in some tv show.  My wife gets on to me because she says it takes her and Micah several tries to get my attention.  Watching Micah sit there watching me brought a revelation to me that I hope I never lose.  I am a celebrity to Micah.  She watches every move that I make.  She emulates what I do.  If I say I like something, she usually likes it as well.  There is no man who will have more influence on her life than me.  I am the one that is daily shaping her into the person she is, and will become.  The past 4 years have gone by so fast and I will never get those opportunities back to spend the time with her or to influence her, I only have today.  Today I promise to answer you the first time that you call my name.  Even if it is just to show me your newest funny face.  I promise to not let work or a project keep me from spending time with you.  I want to tell you I love you with more than just words, but with my actions.  I want you to grow up and look at me with love and admiration because I showed you that you were one of the best parts of my life.  I want to be your celebrity for life.  I love you Micah.

2010
03/16
CATEGORY
Life
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the studio

Curt and I have been feverishly working to remodel a portion of our warehouse into a functioning studio.  Our goal is be able to rent it out to local photographers, videographers, and possible recording engineers.  and of course be able to use the studio ourselves for all of our various projects.  We have installed heavy duty back drop holders where we will hang rolls of colored vinyl to be used as high key and low key backdrops.  We also built a professional sound booth.  This could be used as a vocal booth for singers, or just a padded room to scream when you get frustrated.  Curt uses it mostly for voice over work.

Last week we had our first video project to record in studio.  Pretty simple green screen work for a local marketing firm Advanced Marketing Solutions .  We will also be doing some shooting for another web site Steve Pagano.com where Steve will be offering business coaching.

We also shot a short promo for Karren Ruggerio of Pixel Magic Web Design for her web site.  She is a master at building flash based web sites.

It is just very exciting to see all our hard work come together to create an environment to create so many things.

2010
03/11
CATEGORY
Studio
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the great DSLR meet-up

i had a great time today as I ventured down to Venice Beach for the Great DSLR Meet-Up with Philip Bloom.  A very strange collection of events allowed me to fly down to LAX at no charge to me and drove a friends car back up to Sac as a favor to him.  This made my day much shorter since it only takes 1 hour to fly and 5+ hours to drive.

A group of at least 100 DLSR users got together to meet new people, to discuss different technique and equipment.  I got to meet the great guys from JAG35

who make very affordable DOF adapters and now are expanding into DLSR rigs.  I also got to meet Rodney Charters who is the DP for the tv show “24″.  And of course got to talk with Philip Bloom again.

The best part is just to talk with average people like me who are just as passionate about film and the whole DSLR craze.  Made some great connections and look forward to keeping up with them on Twitter.

2010
03/08
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
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photo shoot at lcc

I was asked to take some photos of the Laguna Christian Center Staff for their web site.  It was so much fun.  We have been attending LCC for the past month or so have got to know some of the Pastor’s and staff a little, but sometimes the real personalities come out when you put them in front of a camera.  They were so funny.  i was laughing constantly.  I did provoke them a little, I told them I was an equal opportunity heckler.  I make fun of everyone equally.  No one is safe, but all in good fun.  I just love to see people who don’t take themselves too seriously.

2010
03/04
CATEGORY
Photography
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hiring a professional wedding photographer? is it worth it?

Karen Scott of Avayah Photography wrote this article, and I just had to share it.

So many times we run into people who don’t understand why wedding photographers “cost so much”  Well, I ran into a little craigslist ad that I found quite humorous and thought I’d share.  There are PLENTY of people who own a camera and will claim to be a professional.  But are they insured?  Do they have experience with different lighting conditions? Do they have back up equipment? Do they back up all of your images?  Do you want them if they don’t?  Just a little food for thought.  They are your memories.  If you want to leave them up to chance that’s up to you.

Here’s the post….

Hi there! My name is $&%()* and I’ve just got a brand new camera for Christmas but haven’t even taken it out of the box. I really want to get into the wedding photography business because I see so many people in Utah are getting married and it looks like easy money. I can’t guarantee that even one photo will turn out looking good but I sure will try. Some pictures will be used for my portfolio and my future website. I start booking appointments this week! I am now booking for Spring and Summer of 2010.

I specialize in all types of Lifestyle photography including:

Weddings – You’ll have to pay $15 for gas money outside of Salt Lake City
Bridals
Engagements
Families
Children
Portraiture
Fashion

My style is classy, elegant and artistic. I would be honored to be part of your special occasion or photography needs considering I have no professional experience. I would love to capture those beautiful moments for you and your family.

I have so much passion for being a pro wedding photographer! All my friends and family tell me I take great pictures at all our outings and picnics. I’m putting together a web site of all the flower pictures and sunsets I’ve taken so you can see how good I am. I even have a few pics of my pet dog which turned out really great!

But I don’t have a business license, liability insurance, flashes, extra batteries, or even more than a kit lens that came in the box. If something goes wrong, you’re out of luck. To keep things cheap for you, I won’t even back up any of your images. Less cost for me means less cost for you. Just passing the savings on. I expect to be paid in cash or personal check because I don’t plan on claiming this income on my taxes.

I know many fun and beautiful locations. I really care about making brides look beautiful! I add glow and selective color to all of my images, giving them the best look possible. No need to hassle with computer programs.

Bridals and Engagements are only $100. Please trust me to do your wedding. I’ll do it cheap just to build up my portfolio. I will only charge you $250 for your entire wedding day. This is a deal. My camera cost me $700 brand new. All sessions include a Hi Resolution CD with FULL copy right release included, which means you get to print your pictures at Wal-Mart! Here’s the BEST Part! I offer 100% guarantee on ALL my sessions! Don’t pay a cent until you are 100% happy with your pictures!

I own a camera therefore I can take photos like the pros, who charge alot more. Most brides in Utah spend $2,500 on professional wedding photography. Since I have no experience I’ll only be charging $250 (90% off regular wedding photography prices) to shoot full day wedding coverage.

Think about it: Pros charge alot of money because they have alot of expenses. I don’t.

Pros have:
-a business license
- multiple cameras
-thousands of dollars in lenses and flashes
-hard drives to back up the images
-insurance
-experience
-people skills
-color calibrated monitors
-professional print labs
-professional albums

I have none of this stuff so we’ll keep it cheap, just for you!

I’m not so sure this would bring me much comfort as a Bride…but it does give a little insight to why professionals are worth what they ask.

2010
02/28
CATEGORY
Business
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bay area meet-up

I had a great time last night at the meet-up for local film makers.  One of the guys I really admire, Philip Bloom, from the UK was there to meet and talk about different projects that he is working on.  He is in the Bay Area doing some work for George Lucus (he made Star Wars for all you non geeks) on his new movie about the first African-American fighter pilots.  The last time Philip was at Skywalker Ranch he made an amazing short film to demonstrate to Lucus and his film making team the power of the new DSLR cameras like the Canon 5d Mk 2 and the 1D Mk 4.

Anyway he is back at the ranch and wanted to hook up with all of his NorCal friends.  So we met at the FlatIron Saloon in San Rafael, and swapped stories and learned from each other till almost midnight.  I love getting together with people who are like minded.  The fact that we are doing similar stuff and using similar equipment makes us feel almost like brothers.  Philip brought his latest toy he is trying out which is a mic that mounts on top of a camera that records in 5.1 surround sound.

Philip Bloom with 5.1 mic.

My good friend Dave Ethridge from San Jose was there as well and was so excited to try out the 5d he had borrowed from a friend.  He is hooked and I am sure that he will be getting one of his own very soon.  I also reconnected with Jessica Ringor of LoveSpun Films.  I met her a few months ago when I went to ReFrame San Fran.  Her and her husband are from the Sacramento area.  She is now using a different DSLR made by Panasonic called a Lumix.  It was very interesting to see a new gadget.

So I got home at about 1:30 and couldn’t go to sleep because I had a red bull on the way home to keep me awake.  What a mistake.  So now I am blogging to pass the time till I can’t keep my eyes open any more.

2010
02/21
CATEGORY
Business
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