Wedding Photography Blog From Santa Barbara

We capture the intimacy and laughter at every wedding we photograph. Come share your memories with us all.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Santa Barbara Engagement Photo Session

Yesterday I photographed my cousin and her fiancé. There is a field near my house with very tall grass that has gone to seed, and has turned a deep golden color. As sunset approaches, the low angle light hits the spent husks and illuminates them. My cousin and her fiancé both have a fair complexion and light hair, which matched perfectly with the golden background. I photographed them sitting in the field, and framed the background so that it looked like they where in a huge field. When I photographed them I let the sunlight fall over their shoulders which illuminated their hair and used a fill flash for the face.

From there we moved to a group of queen palms. I really like using nature (tree or a group of boulders) to frame the subjects I am photographing. I am also a firm believer that if I am photographing individuals at a distance away from the couple they will naturally relax, and the photos will show this. This photos illustrate how the couple were able to relax and enjoy each others company.


After that we relocated to the foothill of Santa Barbara, near on the rim overlooking Rattlesnake Canyon Wilderness Area. Its name comes from its serpentine shape and curves of the canyon, not rattlesnake occupation, even thought I have seen them in the Canyon. This area is very special to our family. We have taken many hikes up the canyon, which has a trail running along the creek to an upper meadow area. It also has views of Santa Barbara, the ocean, and the Channel Islands on a clear day. The location we where photographing has a very typical Santa Barbara foothill background, sandstone mixed with chaparral. The light was perfect, and by this time they where really comfortable with the camera so we got some great photos!














Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Rule of thirds

This is one of many techniques I use to photography weddings. I will say right up front however that rules are meant to be broken and ignoring this one doesnt mean your images are necessarily unbalanced or uninteresting. But used properly it draws the eye into the photos.


The basic principle behind the rule of thirds that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph. In the case of this photo, the intersection is on the couples face.




The application of the rule of thirds to photographs is to make them more aesthetically pleasing and professional-looking. The rule of thirds can be applied by lining up subjects with the guiding lines, placing the horizonon the top or bottom line instead of the center, or allowing linear features in the photograph to flow from section to section.



Friday, May 18, 2007

Santa Barbara Wedding - Outdoor Locations

This are two good locations in Santa Barbara Wedding for Outdoor Locations

Skofield Park is nestled high in the foothills, this park is a hidden jewel and is able to accommodate large Santa Barbara weddings. Commanding mountain views, surrounded by oaks. Area A is the largest site in the park. But normally because the price is so affordable, rent the entire park. No amplified music is allowed. This is a perfect place to have the wedding and then pick another location for the reception. Wedding photography is easy with all the oaks and filtered light.

1819 Las Canoas Rd.
Santa Barbara CA, 93103
Phone: (805) 564-5418
Fax: (805) 564-5480


Alice Keck Park is often called the "crown jewel" of city parks, this downtown garden features a diverse botanical collection, koi pond, sensory garden, and lovely areas to sit. The scenic arbor area at the northeast end of the park, features a lush grassy area with a wisteria arbor. Another good spot for Santa Barbara Wedding, but always has a lot of people.

1300 Micheltorena St.
Santa Barbara CA, 93101
Phone: (805) 564-5418
Fax: (805) 564-5480

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Hot Destination Weddings in Southern California

Do you want to have a great destination wedding in Southern California? California is a beautiful state and a wonderful place to get married. It doesn't matter if you are a California Native or coming just for the wedding the places listed below will make a very memorable wedding for you and your guests alike. Everyone is sure to have a great time and a wonderful experience with a California Destination wedding.

For clarity sake all of the Southern California wedding destinations have been broken down into either a beach location of an attraction. There of course are many other superb destinations for wedding that are not mentioned this is only some of the hottest places to try.

Beaches

Huntington Beach

Recently received the title of Surf City USA Huntington each is a wonderful location to have a sunset beach wedding at. You can either have a beach wedding or a chapel wedding either way the scenery and weather in and around Huntington beach is fabulous and your guests will have a wonderful time. It is very close to the Los Angeles Airport and there are some very classy hotels right on the beach. Your guests will have a great time with the downtown surfing night life scene with some great restaurants and fun bars as well as enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a thriving city. There are unlimited stretches of open beach and a wonderful downtown for fun. There is also the Santa Barbara mission and beautiful mountains right behind the city. These all make for an ideal wedding spot . There is lots of hotels right down on the water front and many of them will help you in planning your wedding.

Malibu

Malibu is the beach of the Hollywood crown and a great place to see some of the movie stars! Malibu again has wonderful weather, a beautiful beach, and mountains all rolled into one. Along with a fun little city and some great night life your guests will love the destination and you will love the beauty of a beach wedding. The relaxed California atmosphere of the area is a wonderful beginning to a great wedding. All of your guests will be relaxed and enjoy themselves in this beautiful climate and hopefully you will even catch a glimpse of your favorite movie star.

Attractions

These are wedding destinations in Southern California that are based on some tourist attraction. These can make especially fun locations for a wedding because guests can enjoy the attraction as well as the wedding.

Temecula

Temecula is quickly becoming known as the other Wine Country of California and with the proximity of San Diego and the beach it is a very popular location for a destination wedding. Have your friends and family sit back and enjoy the wonderful weather and atmosphere. You can get married at a vineyard or in a castle. That's right the 'Enchanted Forest' is a privately owned castle that can be rented out for a wedding also.

Palm Springs

More great sun, and perfect weather make Palm Spring a very popular wedding spot. You can get married on the mountain tram that goes up to Idyllwild or on a top rated gold course in and around Palm Springs. Either way there is plenty of fun to be had by guests and a great nightlife downtown with wonderful shopping, food and bars.

The weather in California is really the best in the country and that is why it has become one of the best wedding destinations. It is also significantly less expensive then a Hawaii wedding or other location weddings. Just make sure you plan ahead and take some time to research the location you want for your California destination wedding.

Special Thanks for this Article: Free 5 day Wedding Planning email course Check it out now before the offer is gone! Learn more about California Destination Wedding Locations

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Wedding Blog by Jethro Acosta

Welcome,

We have decided to create a blog to share with all of our clients the best pictures, stories and news in the wedding industry. Although I am located in Santa Barbara, my photography has taken me to many places during my career and with the new medium of the internet, I have an opportunity to share all the precious moments from now on with all of our readers.

I look forward to all your input and feedback and if you have a wedding story that you would like to share with Us, please feel free to send it to me to look over and post. If you look on the side of this blog you will notice a submission button. Simply Click on that and your story is on its way!

Thanks Jethro!