Los Angeles Wedding Photographers Blog » Engagements

The Three Dons – Nicaraguan Portrait Photography

Judd — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 03:31:35 +0000

During this summer I’ve spent several months in Nicaragua working on CBS Survivor, and in the course of my work I’ve had the priviledge to meet and work with 3 special characters, Don Gregorio the Master Potter, Don Edmundo the freight truck driver, and Don Salvador the welder. Please read on to learn all about these amazing fellows.

DON GREGORIO BRACOMONTE

Don Gregorio is a master of ceramics from the village of San Juan De Oriente. Descended from the native Nicoya tribe who were the original potters of the region, Don Gregorio is at the forefront of efforts to preserve the ancient traditions and techniques of pre-columbian ceramics.

Whilst out working the fields around his house as a young man, Don Gregorio unearthed several pre-columbian artefacts with his plough. Thus began a deep fascination with the skills of his ancestors, which drove him to park his plough and participate in a government funded ceramics workshop.

Twenty years on and Don Gregorio is now the talk of the town – When you go to San Juan De Oriente, home to most of Nicaragua’s potters, and you tactfully ask a non-potter the question “who is the best potter in town” most say with a hint of reverence in their voices…. “Es Don Gregorio – y vive ahi”

We made a film about Don Gregorio and his artistry – view it here

DON EDMUNDO JOSE SANCHEZ

We could tell this man has led an interesting life, on account of all the distinguished looking people that come up to him and warmly shake his hand in the local supermarket. Forever the driver, Don Edmundo insists on absolute control of the shopping trolley, until a person from his past emerges from behind a tower of Bounty hand towels, and we are forced to fend for ourselves as he stands and natters about daring deeds from a time very different from the Nicaragua of today.

Don Edmundo first learnt to drive freight trucks during his time in the army. Amidst the rubble and chaos of a stricken post-earthquake Managua, whilst some of his higher ranking officers were off looting shops, Don Edmundo and his team of soldiers turned their army truck into a makeshift ambulance service. Confronted with rife corruption amongst his commanding officers who were siphoning off army rations, lining their own pockets and letting their men and families go hungry, Don Edmundo took a stand against his superiors and ceremoniously turned his back on them during a passing out parade. He was promptly committed to a mental hospital, where most of the trouble-makers of the day were sent. Thankfully this sojourn with the insane was mercifully brief – and he was soon free to play his part in the fast approaching revolution.

DON SALVADOR RODRIGUEZ

Don Salvador soon became our favourite vendor in the whole of Managua after his simple workshop delivered an expertly customised portable fuel tank, on time and within budget. At over 70 years of age, we think it may have been a while since Don Salvador has actually picked up a welding torch himself, but he still clearly rules his steel shop with an iron fist.

Torn between a happy life in the country and a more affluent life in the city, Don Salvador was forced to sell the family farm to pay off his elder brother’s gambling debts, and moved to Managua many years ago to take up welding.

Due to his affable manner and incredible prices, we try to give his small workshop as many little jobs as we can, because sadly business does not seem to be booming for Don Salvador – who has found himself in fierce competition with all the other fuel tank workshops that have sprung up around him – many of whom seem to be owned by various members of his own family.

HILDA & KEVIN – LAGUNA BEACH ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Judd — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:52:41 +0000

Hilda and Kevin are getting married on July 17th in Placentia, and they asked Jacob to shoot their engagement photos on Laguna beach CA. When you think of a name like Hilda you do not picture a young energetic Spanish women, but that is what you get. Jacob’s Mom lives down the street from the beach, so he got to spend some time with her AND shoot an awesome engagement shoot all in one day – maybe some maternal inspiration was at play here? If this is true, we may have to drag all our couples down to Laguna Beach, because the results are worth it!

To see more of Jacobs awesome stuff, please visit his wedding photography gallery on our main website.

AL AND BETH – VENICE BEACH ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Judd — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:54:41 +0000

A couple of weekends ago I met up with two great friends Al and Beth in the Venice beach canals – having tested out my new 50mm F1.4 lens the day before on Kate’s portrait shoot I felt pretty confident I could use this gorgeous lens to great effect for their engagement session. Al and Beth got engaged amid the Venice beach canals last Halloween at the stroke of when the clocks changed, so no one knows for sure at what time the question was popped.

Fresh from celebrating St Patricks day, Al shows us his own unique way of expressing his love for the Irish Clover!

A Venice beach photography session would not be complete without a shot of a grungy camper van – the multiple presence of which makes Venice the special place it is.

Angels In Los Angeles – A twilight engagement shoot

Judd — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:25:18 +0000

Los Angeles traffic often plays havok with the hopes and dreams of the city’s inhabitants – and Alexandra and Christopher were no exception to this rule. Due to meet our photographer Chris, at 2.30pm, the LA freeways stepped in and applied their crazy unpredictable rules, making these two horribly late for their engagement session at the Walt Disney Consert Hall. With light fading this shoot could easily have been a write-off, but true to his inventive character, Chris was able to dream up an aesthetic for the session that would compliment the rapidly fading light.

Chris didn’t have to direct Alexandra and Christopher for this shoot – they were very naturally at ease in front of the camera and had a beautiful glow between them – which made for very hot images at times….thank goodness it was dark!

PASADENA ENGAGEMENT SESSION (HUNTINGDON GARDENS)

Judd — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:13:21 +0000

Shika & Darren met Jacob at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena last month for their engagement session. Shika & Darren both have year passes to the gardens and we can see why. There are so many beautiful spots here that it was difficult for Jacob to stop shooting… round every corner was a romantic setting that was a pure gift for engagement photography. Shika & Darren were the ideal couple… beautiful, natural, easy-going, fun, friendly… and Jacob can’t wait to sho0t their wedding!

To see more engagement and wedding photography by Jacob, visit our engagement photography and wedding photography galleries on our main website.

POPPING THE QUESTION ON VALENTINE’S DAY?

Judd — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:44:09 +0000

If you are drumming up the courage to pop the big question and propose on Valentine’s day this year, then why not mark the occasion with an engagement shoot? For the entire month of February, we are offering a special deal to any couple… newly weds, newly betrothed, married for years or just started dating – there is always a reason to get a stunning set of pictures with the person you love.

VALENTINE’S OFFER – $450

Includes 2 hour shoot in Los Angeles

DVD with high resolution files of shoot

5 free 8×10 prints

5 free 7×5 prints

Password protected Online Gallery

contact us to book your session!

Union Station Engagement Session

Judd — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:32:21 +0000

“Under the eyes of the thousands of travellers passing through the portals of a great city, an amazing drama is taking place….” Well, not as dramatic as the William Holden movie shot by Paramount here… but the engagement session of Ashley & David was definitely approaching on equally cinematic! As a fan of Art Deco, our photographer Chris had a field day with this location, and turned an ordinary shoot into a truly filmic collection of images that any movie stills photographer would be proud of. He was of course helped along by the fact that this gorgeous couple have acting and theatrical backgrounds, and turned up in outfits looking hot-to-trot… the significance of this majestic location clearly not lost on them! Mixing film noir imagery with a very modern european cinema look (or is it just that Ashley looks like a tres chic french starlet?) Chris has given this couple the coolest engagement images ever!

To see more engagement and wedding photography by Chris, visit our engagement photography and wedding photography galleries on our main website.

Laguna Beach Engagement Session

Judd — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:11:24 +0000

Last week, we sent Jacob to shoot Jamie and Charlie’s engagement session at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. Despite it never raining in California it was forecast for rain on the afternoon of their shoot – but these two are obviously charmed – and the weather remained glorious! Jacob said that they were THE perfect couple to photograph as they were so laid back and easy going – in fact Jacob was so pleased with the shoot he stayed up all night to edit every single shot – clearly consumed by the creative passion – nice work!

To see more engagement and wedding photography by Jacob, visit our engagement photography and wedding photography galleries on our main website.

Not everyone is good at 'aesthetic' jumping, but Jamie and Charlie make it look really easy!