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” 5 Reasons to buy the New MacBook Pro “

First of all 2012 has been a great year for photographers and media designers alike. For myself it started with the release of the extraordinary Nikon D800 and it’s un-rivaled image quality , and now the announcement of the new Macbook Pro has launched me into pixel euphoria. If you are a photographer , cinematographer , designer , or use your computer for presentations and require a professional , reliable , experience… LOOK NO FURTHER! 5 Reasons this Apple is for you!

1. See More Pixels “Retina Display”
One of the gripes of professionals using laptops while on the go or as a workstation is that the screen resolution and size tend to make your eyes bleed. Well maybe not that dramatic, but it does make it hard to be productive and see more pixels without zooming times ten. Apple has now graced us with it’s beautiful retina display to be seen on 15.4″ of scheer LED bliss. With a resolution of 2880×1800 pixels your mouth will drop and sing the praises of Apple’s leap forward. What does this mean ? You see more , a lot more!

2. FLASH STORAGE
What is Flash Storage? It’s what the rest of the world refers to as SSD “Solid State Drive” and is an incredibly fast hard drive. Not only will you see a huge performance increase in daily task , you will also notice that your laptop will be less noisy and run at lower temperatures. In programs like Photoshop CS6 and Premiere CS6 you will notice faster render times as well as a faster scratch disk. The huge plus is that Flash Storage is less likely to fail on you due to it’s reliability. That’s good news to all professionals. Work faster and safer.

3. A Monster GPU “GRAPHICS CARD”
One of the lacking components in most laptops is the graphics card. Most laptops that are marketed to professionals have an integrated intel graphics card which is sometimes hidden by cheap sales gimmicks like , “oh did you see how big the hard drive is?” Laughable. Apple has made sure to give you a power house computer that rocks a solid Nvidia 1GB GDDR5 graphic card. Awesome for photo editing , video editing , and general media usage. Simply put, this is one bad ass graphics card.

4. Hello USB 3.0 + Thunderbolt
Yes , finally USB 3.0. Apple has complied with the rest of the world and given us USB 3.0. I have no doubts that Thunderbolt will continue to wow us with a plethora of devices in the near future, but for now I’ve been needing a USB 3.0 port on my Apple. For photographers and cinematographers shooting video from a DSLR they will be happy to have faster transfer times from CF cards using USB 3.0 devices. Throw in the fact that you also have thunderbolt and you’re as happy as a kid in a candy store.

5. HDMI
Now Apple is just showing off. If you ask, you shall receive. The outcry of Apple’s lack of an HDMI port on its computers did not fall on deaf ears. This is a huge upgrade for those who rely on their MacBook for presentation purposes. The HDMI powered by an extreme , profound laptop will give you more peace of mind when presenting or sharing media with clients or at memorable events.

Apple has outdone itself once again! Sure it’s pricey at $2199 but it’s well worth it! The retina display alone makes this laptop worth every dollar. If you are a professional this Apple Macbook Pro will not disappoint.

laptop for photographers

Shane + Karrisa Engagement Ventura ,Ca

Shane and Karrisa are such a fun couple. They both play music and do life together. They wanted something different for their engagement photos… so we scouted beautiful Ventura ,Ca and this is what we came up with . Their wedding date is September 1,2012 . We can’t wait.
engagement photography ventura, ca
engagement photography ventura, caengagement photography ventura, caengagement photography ventura, ca

3 Reasons to “SHOOT MORE VIDEO”

Everyone loves cinematography! It’s a centric part of our everyday lives and nothing soon is changing that. I was recently asked to put together a product shoot plus produce a small video in between photos. Of course I wanted to say that it’s not that simple. Instead of saying no I just nodded and said, “I’ll get it done”. I didn’t want to say I no, because saying no leads to nothing. I completely understood why this hair feathers company wanted a video. (Video below) Video is the new black! If you have the ability to shoot and edit here is three reasons why you should shoot more video.

 
1. Video Emotionally Connects

I’m sure you still remember the most memorable scenes of your favorite movies. Or maybe you find yourself talking about the latest digital short from SNL. The point is that video causes and evokes emotion. When we laugh, love, or whatever we produce endorphins which are addicting. Addiction is good when it comes to people watching your content. The more that people connect with your content, the better it will be for your business.

 
2. Video is good SEO

Video is trending up for SEO use. With YouTube being one of the biggest search engines for content its no wonder why businesses are using video to reach more clients. It’s more likely that if you make a video for your business that the video will be seen before your website. If you’re a photographer why not make a behind the scenes video of your latest shoot? It will take more time and effort but the results may surprise you!

 
3. Video for Social Media

What I love about Social Media is that it allows the King to come out of his castle. For example, I love the fact that Zach Arias, Chase Jarvis, Jeremy Cowart, and others are posting to their Facebook and twitter accounts. Having a conversation with either of these two people would have been impossible before social media unless you lived close to them, or had a friend that knows a friend that know them. With video it’s a progression from words on a page. Not only has the king come out of the castle, but also now you can see, hear, and in some ways feel him…in a very hipster way. Using video for social media allows your users to connect with you and your brand on a more personal level.

 
If you have any questions or want some really great resources to help you with video just e-mail me or post below!

 

Top 5 Summer Wedding Trends

This summer wedding trends are fun, romantic and leaving lasting impressions on guests. Wedding fashions change over the years, this season, is all about composure. Whether you are mixing old and new, white with color, or classy with fun, be sure to keep everything balanced.
Here are 5 Details Your Summer Wedding Shouldn’t Be Without:
Sweet Carts- Most people love wedding cake. It is big, beautifully decorated, and it tastes delicious…but this year, opt for a down-sized classic cake complimented by sweet carts. Hired waiters can serve guests delectable individual servings of classic desserts: mousse, crème Brule, tiramisu, petite cakes, tarts, and cake pops. Guests can socialize while they enjoy various samples from the passing carts. Once the wedding cake is served, portions can be dramatically lessened, saving on both cake cost and wasted left-overs.
Savory Favors- Even when the ceremony is over guests can still enjoy your wedding favors. Instead of offering guests a handful of Jordan almonds or a tea-light candle with your monogram, leave them savory treats to satisfy their sweet tooth. Caramel apples, chocolate truffles, dipped strawberries or delicate cookies make for memorable favors. Guests may enjoy them as they travel from your ceremony, one final detail that they will make a wedding memorable.
Vintage- Anything old is reemerging as popular, this wedding season. Vintage props decorating guest books, antique vases, and antique lace are popular ways to accent a reception area. It is best to keep the “old” paired with the “new.” A rustic setting with fresh flowers, fun colors and a balance of rural and chic creates a romantic atmosphere.
Fun Photography- This summer stray from the obvious when it comes to wedding photography. Poses have all been done before and stiff portraits are not memorable. Seek out a creative photographer that is professional and wants to get the best representation of your style and personality.
Hand Drawn Thank You Notes- As guests step out of a rented photo booth, they may hand their pictures off to a hired artist to sketch a simple copy of the couple along with their names. Each card drawing will take less than a minute. Guests get their photo booth picture back, and within a month or two they will receive a personalized thank you card with a sketch of them enjoying the wedding on the front.

Creative Photographer

Beware of naysayers – 12 Tips for Success – Photography

Check out this great article for entrepreneurs!! There are a ton of photographers out there… and a lot that don’t or can’t make a business work . This is a great read for anyone who needs some practical insight . I know when I started out one of the biggest challenges was overcoming the naysayers. It sometimes seems that no one wants or cares if you succeed and it’s important to be able to keep going.
Check it out!
12 Tips for ENTREPRENEURS!

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10 Tips to help photographers with Contracts from CHASE JARVIS – Good Stuff!

If you love photography, and love the ethos of it… then you’ve probably heard the name Chase Jarvis. Chase is a great photographer, social guru , and all around giver to the creative community. Check out his lastest post about helping photographers with contracts. A contract for photographers is super important. It will also help guide you and the client down the right path. A must read for any photographer.. especially wedding photographers. Don’t get caught with your pants down!
Check it here : http://t.co/Ts2HKqSe

Best Places to Get Married in Ventura County – Weddings Ventura

Ventura County has some of the most beautiful wedding locations and venues available.
Setting is one of the most important aspects of any wedding. Choosing the wedding site will be a major factor in the outcome of the beauty, guest comfort, and photography results of a wedding. Whether you are a resident of Ventura or are interested in a destination wedding, consider Ventura, CA as the city for your ceremony.
Ventura, CA is one of the most strikingly diverse cities to be married in. When most people think of a Ventura wedding, they picture a typical beach setting…which would be beautiful, festive and relaxed. However, Ventura offers so much more. Do you seek an upscale country club setting? How about a rustic venue outlined by eucalyptus trees? If so, Ventura offers wedding accommodations from the Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center to McGrath Ranch. These locations and the gambit of sites in between will be sure to provide a beautiful canvas for your wedding photographs.
If stunning your guests and creating an exquisite ceremony and reception is a consideration for choosing your venue, the Scarlett Belle Riverboat can provide a memorable experience. The ocean view from every angle will ensure beautiful event photos to enjoy for years to come.
Not only are the options for weddings vast, the city that is home to these lovely locales, offers a history and splendor that makes it destination city of choice by many vacationers. Ventura’s climate is pleasant most months of the year. Accommodations for out of town guests may be found at sensible rates in many Ventura hotels.
Some of the most prevalent and sought after locations for California weddings are in Ventura County. The Pierpont Inn, Serra Cross at Grant Park, Crowne Plaza, Four Points Sheraton, and the San Buenaventura Mission are all popular venues. And, if you do seek an actual “beach” wedding, check out The Yellow Umbrellas. Their company offers accommodations for on-the-beach weddings to suit every bride and grooms requests.