Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thursday by La Brisa!


If you've been following La Brisa Photography for a while, but haven't been photographed by us, you might wonder what all the hubbub is about the word "Thursday." Well, instead of saying "cheese," we ask our clients to say "Thursday" when we want them to smile. The "ay" makes your mouth smile more naturally. I guess it has become our trademark and so each Thursday, we'll be sharing images of our best Thursday smiles! Enjoy! =)



Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Photography for a Cause 2011 Preview

To say that I am ridiculously excited about Photography for a Cause would be the understatement of the year. Seriously. I'm sooooooo pumped because of some really exciting changes for this year that I hope will expand the power and reach of Photography for a Cause across the country! I will get into those details on Friday, April 1st, when Photography for a Cause officially goes live for everyone to purchase photographs! But first, here is a preview of who La Brisa is supporting this year and a few samples of the images for sale! Enjoy!

Be sure to go to www.photographyforacause.com for updates, news and more!



Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Coby | Pets | San Jose, CA | Chris

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had an absolutely wonderful weekend! Today, I want to share Coby with you! She is somewhere between 15-16 years old and she is awesome! In high school and when I would come home from college, we'd go to a nearby park and spend hours playing frisbee together. She was like the energizer bunny and just kept going and going and going...

My sister, Val, and I adopted Coby while my parents were away on vacation. We didn't really ask them for permission and I don't think that they were very happy with us about adopting her, but they never said anything about it. Yup, at the time, it was probably the most rebellious thing that we ever did (yes, we like to live dangerously). And she has been a wonderful part of our family ever since!

Now in her older age, she still loves to play and has spurts of energy, but she probably spends 90% of her day sleeping and just enjoying the good life! The best part is how Coby and my parents have grown older together and continue to take care of each other. Coby, I hope you live forever and I can't wait to see you again when I come home in a few weeks! =)













Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Q&A with Tim Seley Studios

Happy Friday everyone! Today, I'm changing it up a bit for our Q&A series and I am featuring a fantastic filmmaker from the Kansas City area, Tim Seley Studios! I first met Tim through his awesome band, Moving Rushmore, and I've been following his work ever since. Enjoy!

Let's start with a little bio, tell me about yourself.

I'm tall, need a haircut desperately and am expecting my first child (a little girl! yikes!) at the end of July. My awesome wife and I have been married six years now and we also have a little cockapoo named Spartacus. If you're into that whole "internet" thing you can find me lots of different places but I'll just include a few:


How did you become a filmmaker?

Short story, long... I used to want to be a 3D animator and work for Pixar. I did a little slideshow for my parents anniversary when I was in high school and they were convinced I should do video. Fast forward to college and I'm living in Haymaker Hall. Every year they have this event called Haylapalooza wherein they bring in a bunch of mediocre local bands. A friend and I ran around with a video camera interviewing band members, pretending like we were supposed to be there, and generally making a nuisance of ourselves. Fast forward a few more months and I ended up taking the camcorder with me on a mission trip and making a little video of the trip. it was the first time that I saw the sort of impact I could have using video as my "voice." Then all of my college friends started asking me to film their weddings.

How would you describe your style?

Documentary style. In wedding circles "documentary style" tends to get a bad rap and is often used to describe videographers that either have zero technical ability or no creativity. But if you watch a compelling documentary it has all of the same characteristics of a regular narrative film:
An interesting cast of characters
TASTEFUL and UNIQUE music
and most importantly... a story

This may sound really egotistical, but I love the cinematography in the TV show Friday Night Lights and feel like my style is similar.

Why should I book you for my wedding?

1) If you like my work
2) If you trust me
3) If you have an extra million dollars sitting around and would like to give me an exorbitant tip

If you had to pick your favorite piece of equipment, what would it be and why?

This is going to sound lame, but my wireless microphone. I really hesitated buying it when I was first getting started because I was on a shoestring budget. I asked my good friend Kirk Hutson what I should do and his motto is "buy once, cry once" and he was so right. I've gone through 7 or 8 different cameras, and all sorts of other misc gear, but that wireless mic was so worth it.

What is the best advice you have received regarding your business?

Charge what you're worth

Its one of my latest and I just loved that I had a couple that would let me use jónsi for the music.


Ryan & Laura: A Steampunk Preview from Tim Seley Studios on Vimeo.
This goes in my books as my first "steampunk" themed wedding.

Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thursday by La Brisa!

If you've been following La Brisa Photography for a while, but haven't been photographed by us, you might wonder what all the hubbub is about the word "Thursday." Well, instead of saying "cheese," we ask our clients to say "Thursday" when we want them to smile. The "ay" makes your mouth smile more naturally. I guess it has become our trademark and so each Thursday, we'll be sharing images of our best Thursday smiles! Enjoy! =)

Stephanie & Joey | Wedding | San Antonio, TX | Chris


Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tracey & Charlie | Attraction Session | San Francisco, CA | Chris

Tracey and Charlie are from New Jersey. Yes, they have awesome "Jersey Shore"- esque accents, especially when they talk excitedly. In a word, they are awesome and I wished we live closer because I think Brisa and I would be really good friends with them. They have two adorable doggies, Tully and Roxy, that totally remind me of my own canine children. Charlie is passionate. He co-founded the non-profit, unitechange, which you should definitely support! Tracey is compassionate. She is a Special Education teacher. And they are high school sweethearts and are very much in love. They are getting married in Jersey which crosses off another state on my goal to photograph a wedding in all 50 states by 2015 (thanks to my friend, Heather, for the referral, she will receive a free portrait session!). Can't wait to see you again and meet your families (especially your moms!) and your fist pumping friends! =)

Thank you sooooo much for the opportunity to photograph your engagement session! To view all of their images, go to www.labrisaphotography.com and click on "Clients"! 

I think Charlie did quite well with this

Tully is a ham (not literally, of course). 

For some reason, I love this image and I can't tell you why.


Roxy is the sweetest thing ever.

I don't know why parking garages are so cool for photography, but they are. 


Then we headed to Baker Beach with our fingers crossed for beautiful weather!

The ocean air gave Tracey's hair a little va-va-voom and she was looking fierce!






My goal is to photograph moments like this.









Then we finished up with a little light painting!


Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Susan & Stephen | Attraction Session | San Jose, CA | Chris

My parents grew up very poor in Taiwan. They moved to the United States for more opportunities and to find their American dream. They have been married for 42 years (this July). They have 3 children who are all faithful Christians and 3 ridiculously adorable grandsons. They live in a beautiful home in a fantastic neighborhood. They are extremely happy. That, in and of itself is their American dream. From here on out, everything else is just decadent icing on their proverbial cake. During my trip home, my dad shared this powerfully understated bible verse with me that continues to guide his life: 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 
Proverbs 1:7

Yesterday, I did a mini session with my parents just for fun and everything you are about to see is what I hope to still have with Brisa in 38 more years of marriage. I love my parents very much and they have sacrificed so much without complaint to give us countless opportunities to fail and succeed in our lives with unyielding love, support and encouragement. Thank you mom and dad for everything, but especially for my smiley and always laughing personality!









This is the view from our front yard. My parents have done quite well for themselves, haven't they? 


Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Michelle & Kyle | Wedding | Goodyear, AZ | Chris

Last week, I had the distinct privilege of photographing Michelle and Kyle's amazing wedding just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Michelle is stunningly gorgeous and Kyle isn't too shabby himself! =) The outdoor wedding was incredible and their super fun families and friends created a festive family reunion type atmosphere!

You can view the entire gallery of their wedding day and order professional prints by going to www.labrisaphotography.com and click on "Clients"!

Arizona is super awesome and I happily crossed off another state in my goal to photograph a wedding in all 50 states by 2015! Special thanks to my good friends, Jenna and Travis for showing Brisa and I how amazing Phoenix is and ensuring that is definitely on our list of places to consider after Houston!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception - PebbleCreek Golf Resort
Hair Stylist - Melissa of Red Door Spas
Makeup Artist - Jodi of Red Door Spas




Brody!


One of my favorite getting ready images ever



I absolutely LOVE it when clients do a first look because they actually have time to spend time together before the festivities and craziness ensue...






One of my favorites of their portraits!


Kyle = stud.

Michelle = gorgeous.


The gentlemen

The beautiful ladies








This is out of focus, but I don't care because I love how emotional it is!






First Dance

Father-Daughter dance

Let there be dancing!




Wedding Tunnel!

And a little gift that the wedding party left for the newlyweds! Here's Kyle seeing the inside of his truck for the first time.

Email us (info@labrisaphotography.com) about your upcoming wedding or to schedule a portrait session!