rizzarizphotography

It's been a while since I've wanted to post these pics. I shot with the super fab Heather Vallentyne of Vallentyne Photography. Heather's a photographer down in Orange County and was up for a destination wedding in SF where I was lucky enough to tag along. This was quite a wedding! Hang tight...more forthcoming. For now, a few of my faves...



Jen reminds me of a certain red-headed on-screen beauty (rhymes with Scmoolianne Schmore)



I can't wait to post the rest of these later this week as the reception was quite a treat (Chris is Samoan and no Samoan wedding would be complete without entertainment). Oh, and here's a sneak peak....

Beki and Steve are a couple after my own heart - they both adore Led Zeppelin and from our session this weekend we all pretty much gathered we share the same humor in common - this is a PG-13 show so I'll just leave it at that :-P

As most photographers would agree, you can't help but notice some things, even in just a few short minutes of meeting with your clients. Beki and Steve aren't the type to hide how they feel, and it's apparent how crazy they are for each other. For example, they STILL flirt with each other as though they've been dating for only a few weeks (they've been together for several years)...if one could only see the way Steve stares at Beki in awe when she isn't looking and the way Beki's face lights up whenever she's near him.

Although I won't be shooting their wedding next year, I'm glad I had the opportunity to photograph their engagement session. Beki and Steve: I wish you two all the happiness and love you deserve as well as a long and meaninful life together. Rock on! Rr.

Family portraits are few and far between for me, so when I get the opportunity, I'm almost always up for it! Portraits can be a challenge, especially since the goal is to bring out each subject's personality. So imagine having only a couple conversations and hours to do this! I think in the Alvira Family's case, I felt an instant connection. Michelle primed me about her children in our first conversation that they were definitely not the 'camera shy' type...and boy was she right! I hope that every family session is as much fun as my session with them. To the Alvira family - you guys are amazing! To family and love! Rr.

Below, a few of my favorites from the shoot.


Quite honestly, cute doesn't get any cuter than this! Just look at Elise's gorgeous curls!

Jonah is quite the ham and flexes his muscles for the camera! One day we'll be seeing him on the big screen!

Josiah is going to be such a heartbreaker! I just love this shot of him...very much in the moment.

Michelle is living proof that you can still look good after 3 kids! Just gorgeous!


Now, a few of my favs. from our mini shoot with Elise! She's so stinkin' cute!

I can already tell Elise has a bright future ahead of her!

Just a quick note to family, friends and clients. I'm in the East Coast for the 9-5 all week so I'm not really available via email. If you need me, I'm on my cel. I'm traveling a major part of the day tomorrow (as in Tuesday) before I land in NYC. I'll be back to the grind by Thursday, and I'm oh SO excited since I have a wedding coming up this Saturday. This is going to be interesting (details forthcoming). I've also got some really awesome portrait shoots coming up (I just love these) and *deep breathe* my own self portraits. There, I said it.

In the meantime, hope all is well with everyone! BTW: dad is home and doing well. Thanks to everyone who called and emailed to wish him well. You guys are great!

Rr.

My friendship with Inez goes back more than 10 years ago. We knew each other during a time when marching band uniforms were exciting (to us), when eating a packet of peanuts off a baseball field made sense (don't bother asking), when Lisa Ling and Anderson Cooper were still on Channel 1, when passing letters between 1st and 2nd period was the fastest way of communication, and when the U2 inspired-term 'lemon luv' was our term of endearment for one another. I also remember when Richard first caught Inez's attention in high school, when he told me he thought she was cute, when they finally decided to go steady.

It's surreal to know I will be shooting Richard and Inez's wedding next year. I know a lot of photographers out there feel strongly against shooting weddings for friends and family, but to the contrary, I am honored in this case.

This goes out to Inez and Richard. To friendship, to years of finding what you truly want in life, to finally finding what you want in life, and a whole new life together. Make it count. Can't wait till '09.

These last couple of months have been really difficult on my family. My father has been in and out of the hospital several times. He was hospitalized once again this evening not much long after his prostate surgery. It's been tough having to watch a parent be vulnerable in the way he has been.

I contemplated making this post, but this is something I want to remember. I took this photo of my father, the first time he was hospitalized this month. We had the best conversation ever, and talked about reasons why he loves grainy b+w film, Marilyn Monroe and Richard Avedon. My father was a photojournalist among other things in the Philippines during the old film days, and has had a huge impact on my creative endeavors. He's an extraordinary man . Just ask anyone who has met him.

So, if you're reading this, I'm asking you to please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers, and even if you're not religious, just keeping a good thought for us is good enough. Rr.

I meant to post these pics for some time, but so much has happened since now leading back to a couple very hectic weeks ago. At any rate, here are a few of my favorite pics with one of my favorite families. The Millers as always are a pleasure to work with. Giggles and good times were had by all at this session!

a sneak peak of my favorite and random moments from a wedding I shot in Salinas with the supa-ill Brian Ng of photograph(ng).

My favorite, a beautiful Barong Tagalog

The supa fly officiant gets cozy in the doll house - a beautiful restoration made possible by Micah's mother.

Tea for two...

The bride & groom - too cute for words.

They met when they were 9 and 7 to be exact. But, it wasn't exactly love at first sight. For Joy it wasn't until she noticed Aldwin until they hung out with the same circle later in high school, and for Aldwin it was definitely when Joy had her braces removed - love takes time y'know. In fact, they hardly liked each other growing up.  Funny isn't it?

While I missed their anniversary I wanted to personally extend best of wishes to a happy, fun and jubilant future to the both of you (assuming you're reading this)!

Just a sneak peak of a Sunday wedding once again with Cate Corbitt. More forthcoming...