I had never been to Yosemite until this engagement session for John and Jamie. How lucky for me that they are experts on the park. We had a great time cruising around and looking for unique and different ideas. Their wedding next year at Yosemite will be specataular.
Debbie and Travis were a fun, energetic couple who are deeply in love and devoted to each other. You could tell just by watching them. From the quick, glances and soft smiles, to the first kiss and beyond. They chose Tustin Ranch Golf Club for their wedding and as you can see by the photos, it was a beautiful choice. I have said in the past that Tustin Ranch remains one of my favorite locations for weddings, it is in fact where my fiance' and I chose to get married. If you are looking for a place with beautiful grounds, stellar service, and an elegant atmosphere then look no further. Tustin Ranch Golf Club tops the list.
This weekend we had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at the Nixon Library. It is an elegant location for weddings, with a professional staff who truly love what they do. The grounds are stunning, especially the rose garden, and the reception hall is breathtaking. Of course it helps when you have a fun, attractive couple with fun guests. We had a fabulous time with Susan and Danny, they were funny and charming and allowed us time to work with them to get some truly amazing photos.
We were invited to photograph the National Bullriders Association rodeo last week in Norco, California. If you've never been, or if you are against rodeo in general, (like my mom) I'll fill you in a little. Cowboys climb on the back of an upset animal weighing over 1500 pounds, they wrap a rope around the bull's chest, hold on tight with ONE HAND, and try to stay on for eight seconds. Sound easy?
We watched about a dozen rides, and most never made it past four seconds! Count them off if you like, I'll wait. Pretty fast right? Four seconds from the time the ride starts until it is over. Like an amusement park roller coaster. Except the coaster doesn't throw you from your seat and try to stomp on you after you're down. Take a close look at the two photos. Yes, that is an upside-down cowboy being thrown off the back of a bull that is airborne. 1500 pounds straight up in the air. But for many bull riders, the ride doesn't stop there, that bull has to come back to earth, and when he does you better be mighty fast. Take a look at the second photo. That bull hit the ground and whipped his horns straight at the rider's head. He missed, but it was by an inch or so. The two photos above were shot by Evelyn, the newest member of our photographic team. She has a wildly creative talent and the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Recently, I was hired to photograph custom wedding invitations for Social Savvy Invitations. The challenge here was to make paper look good. The invitations were all beautiful and elegant, which made my job fairly easy. All I had to do was design shots that enhanced that beauty without overpowering it. I have photographed their entire catalog and soon my photos wil adorn their website. Be sure to check them out if you want your wedding invitations to be something spectaular!
The Kellogg house is an historic mansion nestled on the grounds of CalPoly Pomona. Built in 1926 it is a beautiful and secluded venue for weddings. And before you ask...yes...that Kellogg. The cereal guy! The grounds are beautiful and the mansion will take your breath away. The staff really knows how to throw a wedding!
I recently had the chance to photograph promotional stills for the band Action 45. Watch for the CD to include several of my photos, and some pretty good music too.
Fusing old school rock with modern punk influences, Action 45 has exploded on the local music scene. Appearing all over Southern California, these guys know how to rock! This is not your daddy's rock and roll. Check the tour schedule and do yourself a favor. Go see these guys, join the party, buy a t-shirt!
We are beginning a new feature for this blog. We are collecting stories on how he proposed! Was it creative? Funny? Dramatic? Casual? We want to hear your stories! The feature will appear on this blog where we will periodically post the best proposal stories! Be sure to subscribe to the blog if you'd like to read them! Tell us the story from his or her point of view! Let me hear them! Check back often to see your story here! Feel free to comment on others.
When Rey Ramirez, Writer, Director, Producer for King Profit Films, and the lovely Elizabeth suggested something urban for their photos, we headed to Venice Beach, CA where the counterculture is alive and well! We walked along the boardwalk for a bit and came across an area that is actually designated for spray painters! The colors were amazing and we got some really cool photos.
A gift for for your love and for yourself!
Glamour and Boudoir Photography is designed to bring out your hidden beauty and extreme sensuality. It is a relaxing experience designed to allow your sexuality to be exhibited for your pleasures and those you wish to include. Glamour and Boudoir Photography has no age or physical boundaries. Through the magic of clothing, lighting, and camera, results can be spectacular.
Clothing and Make-up:
It is totally your choice as to what type of clothing you will wear during your session. At a minimum, it is suggested that you should bring at least two changes of clothing to the session. It can vary from lingerie to business suits, casual to formal. It can imply nudity or be as revealing as you wish. The idea is to convey sensuality.
Clothing that works well are front open outfits, colorful and sheer lingerie, matching items, halter tops, athletic combinations, business suits, men's dress shirts, swim wear, and bib overalls, to name a few. Whatever is comfortable for you.
Hair and make-up will be provided…allow us to transform you.
The Session:
Appointments will be spaced 30 minutes apart, please make every effort to be there and ready as one late session can affect all other sessions. Your hair should be clean and your attitude should be fresh and open.
During the photo session, you will have a variety of photos taken. A varying degree of sharp and soft focus may be used during the session depending on the desired effect. Positioning of clothing and lighting are used to create glamorous and provocative effects.
Glamour and Boudoir Photography covers a wide spectrum. You may be as provocative as you desire. Ideas will be offered as suggestions. You have the final say on all posing.
If there are any questions about a pose, I will show you the pose in a mirror upon request. By working together we may create the most beautiful, exciting, and artistic photographic experience.
Swap outfits, be provocative, have fun. Email or call for details!
A few other things to know:
Full payment is due on the day of the party.
All sessions are handled in a professional and courteous manner.
Enlargements and session CD’s are available.
Ask about our package pricing.
www.billwilbur.net
I am proud to say we've launched a new website! This site showcases our style and attitude and will be updated regularly to show you the latest weddings and photo projects that we are working on. Take a look and let us know what you think! Please subscribe and comment here on this blog anytime!
We are proud to announce that Classic Images has become the preferred wedding photographer for Tustin Ranch and Black Gold Golf Clubs in Orange County! We try to seek out and partner with those venues who offer a wedding experience above all others. These two clubs share our philosphy when it comes to weddings. The answer is always yes. Whatever you need for your wedding, we will do our best to provide it. You and your guests will have a truly magical experience at either of these locations.
As an aside, when I got engaged a few weeks back, it was Tustin Ranch that I called to host my own wedding. I have worked everywhere as a wedding photographer, and Tustin Ranch was my first choice.
Recently I was hired for a promotional photo shoot for Carnival Cruise Lines. Every ship has a shopping expert. Carnival has just hired Jenna. This is the person who helps you shop in port, she tells you which stores to frequent and which to stay away from. If you are looking for something specific she can guide you to the right merchant. All in all, if you are looking to spend a little extra money when your ship docks, Jenna is your girl. You will see her in some of her own promotional videos for the cruise line, and these photos will be on banners around her ship. So if you happen to cruise Carnival, and you get her ship, be sure and tell Jenna hi for me. By the way, she specializes in jewelry.
I have recently begun to photograph family pets. It is so much fun. Some of these furry family members are a challenge, while others seem to sense that if they cooperate it will be over soon. In family portraits we sometimes overlook the four legged members of our clan. Here are two recent fur machines who came in at the same time and by the time they'd left they were buddies.
Children's photography is, at least for me, all about the unguarded moment. The spontaneous and loving. It is that moment when the child becomes unaware of the camera and becomes themselves. That is when the moments happen and that is what I try to capture in my images. Neither of these images is posed. The first is Aidan, the boy who wouldn't stop. Sometimes you plan for a traditional portrait, and instead you get the candid. The opposite is true for the second photo of Dakota and Cole. I was posing her very classically and her little brother decided to give her a kiss. Luckily I was ready with the camera and captured this amazing photo! Kids grow up so fast, don't wait to have portraits done, think of the moments you are missing.
I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do for a living. I have said it before and I will continue to say it whenever anyone will listen. As a photographer, I sometimes get invited to do things I normally wouldn't get a chance to do. I have piloted the Goodyear Blimp...not just ridden in it, but I actually FLEW the damn thing! I have worked for NBC Studios photographing celebrities, and on occasion, I get invited to photograph the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Professional sports is an amazingly difficult thing to shoot well. things happen in fractions of seconds on the baseball diamond. next time you watch a game, time the ball from the moment it leaves the pitcher's hand, to the moment it cracks against the bat. Pretty fast huh? As a sports photographer, you have to be able to time those moments exactly. But beyond that, you have to anticipate the game, and train your camera toward the action before it happens. If you can do that, you get the shot and go home a hero, if you can't, you go home something else. Sometimes, you even get lucky and get a shot that none of the other photographers missed.
This is where old Las Vegas signs go to die. Whenever a casino is torn down, or revamps their image, salvage crews go and take the signs and bring them here. A graveyard t obe sure, the Golden Nugget is here as well as the original Treasure Island pirate, before they became TI. I scheduled a shoot at the boneyard in August. The only time they would give me was noon. What was I thinking, I am in the middle of the desert in AUGUST! The thermometer read 116 degrees. I spent about an hour creating artwork at the boneyard until the heat drove me out. These are of course available to purchase.
Natalie is a fantastic model and was willing to let me create this vision. I call it, "Prom Queen : The Morning After." I found these palm fronds one day on the street near my home and in my creative mind, I saw them as a bustier on a woman. But the material calls for some attitude...not a warm and cuddly portrait. When I came up with the idea, there was only one model I wanted. Natalie was a bit skepitcal at first, but we'd worked together for years, and she trusted in my vision. I think she was a little surprised by how much she liked them. I hope you do too.
