Great Books, Great Book Gift Ideas

Hey All,

I just want to send some love out there to some of my favorite books I've read in the last few weeks/months. For better part of November I was sick with the flu so I took the time to read as much as I can while recovering. Some of my favorite books that I'm reading or have read.

1. "Open" by Andre Agassi -This is an amazing life story that chronicle the turbulent hardships and success of one the greatest tennis players ever. You don't have to be a tennis fan or even sports fan to enjoy the book. "Open" is more about a human story and the struggles as individuals we face everyday and through out our lifetime. As Andre says in the book while he was on the tennis court he felt in he was on deserted island.
2. "Visionmongers" by David duChemin - I am 60 percent done with this book and I have to agree with the masses and say it's one of the best if not the best photog books ever published. David's writing style engages the reader to have a conversational relationship with the book. You feel so at ease reading the book that you feel you are talking to David himself and picking his brain over a cup of coffee at the local Starbucks. David goes beyond the superficial interaction of photography/business/ & marketing but rather goes head deep into the intangible intricacies the photographer does with those three concepts to develop life long & fruitful relationship with your clients. I can't stop raving about the book. You don't have to take my word for it, here what some of nation's top photographers are saying about "Visionmongers" : Chase Jarvis & Zack Arias.
3. "Fast Track Photographer" by Dane Sanders - I finally bought this book recently and I feel like buffoon for not listening to my photog peers that were telling me to buy it a year ago. So far I'm only 40 percent into the book by this is so far quintessential manual/guide/map for the Digital Age Wedding Photographer. Dane goes very direct and detail orientated to the different aspects of the new digital age wedding photographer and how he sells his brand. I don't think I past ten pages without having me think and rethink about my image and branding of my photography. I can't wait to finish the book.
4. "Within the Frame" David duChemin - I still haven't read this book but if it's half the book of Visionmongers I know I'm gonna love reading it. Description from Amazon: Within the Frame is a book about finding and expressing your photographic vision, specifically where people, places, and cultures are concerned. A personal book full of real-world wisdom and incredible images, author David duChemin (of pixelatedimage.com) shows you both the how and the why of finding, chasing, and expressing your vision with a camera to your eye. Vision leads to passion, and passion is a cornerstone of great photography. With it, photographs draw the eye in and create an emotional experience. Without it, a photograph is often not worth—and can’t capture—a viewer’s attention.

Thank you all for the time. So if you are looking for a new book to read or to buy for someone please consider the ones I just suggested. I hope everyone is enjoying the Holidays and I want to wish every one a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

-Luis

2 Wedding Photographer Advantage:: Wedding Preveiw

I always have a great time working with Ernie, our complimentary personalities and photographic styles match up very well. It's great partnership for wedding photography, we are great duo. Ernie leans toward fashion and vibrancy while I'm more raw, edgy and photo-journalistic.

Our partnership is a force in weddings, but it's due to a great bond and respect as friends & photographers.

Ernie & I looking at the same subject:

Ernie's view:



Me:






Having 2 complete different viewpoints for the same subject is great, but the advantage is more apparent when each have to be at 2 different places.

Ernie with the bride:



Me with the groom and his father getting ready:






....the 2 wedding photographer advantage :)

one more for fun:

Weddinng :: Angelica & Jacob

I had an amazing wedding last Saturday in Ahaneim, CA. Like usual this was an Ernie Olivares & Luis G Godinez(me) collaboration.

Angelica & Jacob are a great couple that were amazing to work with. Their joy and grace flowed as cloud in summer breeze as it filled every room they entered, it was very contagious.

They were surrounded by loving family and friends in this joyous occasion, and I consider myself lucky and I appreciate each amazing wedding I'm involved in. I hear the horror stories of 'bridezillas' and 'dull grooms' from other photographers that I'm thankful that I have not encounter that with my clients. I would like to wish Angelica & Jacob the best in their journey of blissful matrimony and thank you for sharing your moment with me. You guys rock!!!

The ceremony was at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church:
(The lighting was amazing at this church, photog friendly)






The Reception was at the Anaheim Mariott:

Wedding :: Laura & Jaime

This last weekend I had the pleasure of assistant Nancy Ramos in Laura & Jaime's Wedding. Nancy is great photographer and an even better friend.

She has always been supported and encouraged to extend myself as a photographer. I will always be very grateful for her benevolence.

I remember it was just early this year where she encouraged me to do my first wedding, I was still terrified of doing a portrait series yet along a whole wedding. With her kind words she assured me I would do well. Thanks Nancy!

Engagement :: Fabiola & Daniel

I had an awesome time shooting Fabiolas & Danny's Engagement Session this last Sunday at Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade .

The pier was overcrowded, I guess we underestimated the masses of people needing a relief from this lat summer heat wave that just won't leave. We decided to avoid the crowds at the beach and we walk through promenade and the surrounding streets and back alleys. At almost every stop we made to take some photographs we would get a slew of smiles and "Congratulations" from people passing by. It was great!!!

I love the energy and playfulness that this couple share with the world that it made my job easy. I wish every couple was so open and willing to let people see the love they have for each other. Fabiola couldn't stop laughing and smiling through the entire shoot and that was due to Danny's easy going and humorous ways.

Please keep an eye out on Ernie's Blog to check out his pictures from the Engagement Session. Ernie and I can't wait to rock their wedding in Ocotber.

Enjoy!!!

Reflection::Standing on the Dock?

I must apologize for the long absence on my blog but I been taking some personal time off from photography and the photog-net, including my own personal blog.

I've been busy enjoying music and going to concerts and working on relationships with friends and families and making new ones.

This last week I been getting into photography mindset, I been visiting blogs of photographers I respect and adored ( Zack Arias ) and I did a photo assignment at club/party event and photographing some DJs in action. All in preparation for the two weddings I'm shooting in September.

But yesterday, visiting Zack's blog made me appreciate him more as a person, educator, and benevolent person for sharing his knowledge and own personal trials and tribulations. His post "How Many Of You Are Standing On The Dock?" was about the readers and followers of his blog and their personal struggles with photography and life. It puts me at eased that I'm not the only one with such frustration and anguish with my personal photography but it also frightens that so many more talented photographers than I have this feeling. I have push myself beyond my own shackles and become the amazing photography I know I can be.
Again, please as a photographer or just as curious lurker on my blog, watch Zack's video, "Transform"

A blog post without pictures, that would be a crime. LOL. I'm gonna share a few images of my trip to San Francisco with a new special person in my life that has taken my breath away. Please enjoy.

Wedding :: Mayra & Carlos

Finally:

Wedding :: Mayra & Carlos

Here is a small preview from the wedding:

Mayra & Carlos getting ready:

Mayra :: Bride

Enjoy a sneak preview of Mayra in her beautiful wedding dress. Mayra and Carlos will be getting married this Saturday in Santa Ana, CA.

Ernie and I had a fun shooting Mayra a few weeks ago in Long Beach. Enjoy.









Please Check out Ernie's post for pics of the Engagement Session of Mayra & Carlos.