Orange County Wedding Photographer

Santa Barbara Wedding Photography - University Club Wedding Photography

University Club Wedding Photography in beautiful Santa Barbara

    Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Duffy at the historic University Club in downtown Santa Barbara.

 

                     
 

         The rain came down in full force this day, so just about all of the shots were taken interior, which was just fine in this majestic mansion built in the 1800's. 

 

              
 

 

   Sooo Cute...

 

 
 The Ladies

The Boys

 
 

 

 
           

 

  The University Club is centrally located in down-town Santa Barbara. The estate has been beautifully renovated, boasting Spanish Colonial architecture with its own private art collection and antiques, fireplaces, and chandeliers. The University Club operates as a private Club for its members, as well as a full-service event venue for weddings and special events. Multiple rooms open to fit any group size, from 30 to 300 people.

  Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography 2011. 

 

 

Heisler Park Engagement Photography

      Yet another wonderful session at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA.  Congrats to Erik and Jessica!  I look forward to shooting your wedding!

 

 

 

         Heisler Park has wonderful beaches, cliffs, and rocks along with unforgettable sunsets which provide for fabulous photos.  

 

 

 

           I tell ya, whether it's engagement photography or wedding photography here at Heisler Park, it never gets old.  I just love the colors the sun and sky sets off.

 

 
  "Foot Fetish"

 

www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

 

 

Rancho Capistrano Wedding Photography

     Congratulations to Mr. And Mrs. Matthew Seady tying the knot at the beautiful Rancho Capistrano venue!!!

 


 

 
 
 
                                                             

 

  "The Fountain" at Rancho Capistrano 

 

 www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

 

 

 

 

Baby and Children Photography in Orange County, Southern California

Hey have you heard? 

 

 
 

    Michelle Noel Photography shoots babies and children all throughout Southern California at your location!!!

 

   Children and baby photos are sooo great!!!  Creativity plays a big role when doing on location shoots.  I enjoy creating backdrops based on what the client has to offer around the house or using the environment options that we have.   

 

Baby Basket

     
 
   
  

 

Ms. Fashionista

I use natural lighting in my photography sessions with kids of all age ranges as early as newborns.

 

www.michellenoelphoto.com.

Michelle Noel Photography provides baby, children and wedding photography in Orange County, Los Angeles, and all throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography 2010. 

 

 

 

Heisler Park Wedding Photography

                                                                           

   Another fantastic site for wedding photography is Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA.  The park serves many weddings within it's gazebo overlooking the beautiful Pacific.  Heisler Park has wonderful beaches, cliffs, and rocks along with unforgettable sunsets which provide for fabulous photos.

            Congratulations to Steph and Chris!

      

   

                

www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

 

The Hacienda Wedding Photography

The Hacienda

    Take a step back in time - Spanish style! As you enter the front gates you will feel as if you stepped back to a an era of romance. The Hacienda is an awesome place to have your wedding photography. They have ivy that engulfs balconies that make your photos almost unreal. The fountain courtyard and fireplaces add charm to the antique decorated Spanish compound. Whether you choose the outdoor garden, courtyard, or the indoor ballroom your wedding photographs will be awesome. 

  The groom at the front door of the Hacienda located in Santa Ana, CA.

   

 

   

                            

   

                         

 

 

 

Of one of three ceremony choices within the Hacienda, I call this the spanish tile room.   

Some creative color, enjoying the night with credit to Hacienda D.J.,  Alan Cason.

Until again,

                -Michelle

www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

 

Nick and Mariel's Destination Wedding

     I truly enjoy destination wedding photography.  As an Orange County and Los Angeles wedding photographer, I occasionally get opportunities to travel outside of the Orange County and Los Angeles element.  This destination wedding was at the literally breathtaking summit of Mammoth Mountain.  At the peak of just over 11,000 feet, I was able to capture some amazing images.  The wedding was right in the middle of December which was perfect timing as the first real storm of winter rolled in just days before and dumped well over two feet of the white stuff.

 

                                                                              

 

                                                                                  

These are just a few of the beautiful images I was able to capture.

Destination wedding photography is so great because it really challenges and stretches me as a professional wedding photographer by allowing me to explore my creativity.  Plus, it is a lot of fun!

   

Until Again,

- Michelle Noel   www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

   All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

 

 

 

 

Black and White or Color Wedding Photography?

                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                           

  I say why not both?  In a previous article, I suggested an important question among a list of questions to ask your potential wedding photographer, “Do you shoot in black and white and/or color?”   Another question related is “Do you shoot digital or film?  If your potential wedding photographer only shoots film it is important to find out if the wedding photographer can shoot in both black and white and color.  In digital land, you can shoot black and white on the fly which is convenient, but leads me to this point.  There really is no point to shoot digital in black and white.  As a professional orange county wedding photographer, I always shoot in digital color.  The reason is that in post production, I edit the proofs and decide which photos to change to black and white and which to leave in color. 

  Within the editing of the black and white photos in photoshop, you can adjust the spectrums of the photos.  You can play with the hue and saturation, and lightening and darkening.  This will highlight certain colors from others, and bring out shadows.

 

 

 

 

       From a photographer’s perspective, there is an artistic element that requires black and white photography and typically, this is left to the wedding photographer to decide themselves.  Today, generally your portraits are in color and the photojournalistic and/or documentary style are in both black and white and color.  B and W photos have the ability to create an added artistic feel. The bottom line is, unless you decide not to have black and white photos, your wedding photographer should have a good combination of both black and white, color, and maybe even some sepia tones to make up your photographs.

     

Until Again,

- Michelle Noel   www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

    

  All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

The Engagement Session

Ahhhh the engagement session.

           To sum it up this should be a time of the two of you enjoying each other in a fun and relaxed setting.  Your photographer should know a few prime locations to shoot an exceptional engagement session. 

    

  

    As an Orange County and Los Angeles wedding photographer, I have shot many weddings around Southern California.  There is a feel and an expectation and/or an anticipation to what would or should take place in the timeline of photojournalistic photography within the wedding atmosphere.  The engagement session however has a different feel.  There is no need to fight the clock, or gather the families together, or make certain that a particular formality was not missed.  The engagement session is different.  It is relaxed, it is fun, it is natural.  The bride and groom to be should be spontaneous, playful and even a little intimate.  This makes for a quality photo session.  By the way, be prepared to get your clothes wet.  Engagement sessions in Orange County and Los Angeles are commonly (although not always) done coastal at the beach which certainly makes for a pleasant natural backdrop.

                                                                                   

  As for the benefits of the engagement session here they are.  Many couples tend to use the photos for save the date cards or gifts for the family.  They can also be used for the guest book at the wedding and of course the pictures look quite nice on the wall or table in your home.

 Quite possibly even more importantly than these, the engagement session allows you to test drive your photographer.  THIS IS HUGE!  It is so important that you are comfortable with your wedding photographer.  I love doing engagement sessions for this reason.  It allows both the bride, groom and myself as a professional wedding photographer to meet and be comfortable with each other.  This should put the couple at ease when it is game day.  Finally, It also gives the couple a chance to view the work of the wedding photographer before hand. 

 The engagement session serves more than one purpose and really is a fun time for the both of you.  I highly recommend it.  

Until Again,

- Michelle Noel   www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

    

  All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

Timing! Timing! Timing!

  As a wedding photographer in Orange County and Los Angeles there are quite a few things to remember in order to be a good wedding photographer.  One of the most important skills that is involved in wedding photography is TIMING!  Now I enjoy shooting everything from babies, to buildings.  But when it comes to wedding photography there is an element of timing that sets it apart.

  Your wedding photographer must, must, must have a good idea of what timing means when I say that.  And not just the literal meaning of it, but what it means related to your wedding day.  Timing is anticipation.  In other words being prepared for the next memorable event that is about to take place.  I try to be as stealth as I can be when it comes to providing a photojournalistic and/or documentary style to the photographs and I do this by anticipation.  Being prepared and in place for what is to come on the timeline of your wedding day means not missing important shots, getting the best quality shots, and capturing candid and unrehearsed moments that will be with you forever.  It's all about the timing.

  Timing plays a very important role with you the bride as well.  Here are some tips that may help you save time or make good use of your time as it relates to your wedding photographer.

  First off, plan for your wedding photographer to have 1 to 2 hours of time before the ceremony for a private session with the bride, groom and parties seperately.  You will not regret it.  Next, have a timeline of events that you can try to stick to.  This will allow for the photographer to organize and anticipate what is to come and will also relieve you of a little stress.  Tell the members of the bridal party to be there early.  This gives the photographer even a few minutes more to get them preparing and it also gives some breathing room for the ones who are not surprisingly late.  Finally, have a shot list for your wedding photographer.  I tell all my brides to prepare one for me or I will prepare one based on what we discuss.  This organizes what shots the bride and groom want and maybe do not want for the big day. 

  There is only so much time in your special day.  So do yourself a favor and use it wisely!  As a professional wedding photographer, it is my job to use  timing for the benefit of the bride and groom that will be recognized in their photographs forever.

  Until Again,

- Michelle Noel   www.michellenoelphoto.com.

     Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

  All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography.    

 

Holiday Portraits

           Is it really that time already?  As I gain more experience in my life (getting older) I realize how important it is to savor good moments in life.  Holiday portraits do that from now until you are old and grey unless you already are old and grey then through good pictures you can savor those moments all over again.

          So what do you do?  You could stick your child or your family in front of some everyday department store backdrop for your pictures... Or?

                                                                                    

   

  

  You could have a professional photographer with a good sense of style and creativity provide a real backdrop with natural lighting. 

   

   

   

        

                                                                     

             If you do decide to go the studio route, there are ways of creating great dimension and color in your portraits with everyday items for a back drop and props that add great color.  If you are fortunate to live coastal or have access to a beach for a photo shoot it never dissapoints.  You just can't beat the beauty of sunset lighting.

 

  May I introduce my family for our portrait shot at a local beach in Orange County.

 As a professional photographer, I love capturing memories for others and myself.

 Portraits are a great way to do that.  Documenting the seasons with your family and loved ones is important.  I encourage you not to pass that up.  Enjoy quality portrait photography now and for years to come.

Until Again,

 -Michelle

www.michellenoelphoto.com.

    Michelle Noel Photography provides portrait and wedding photography in Orange County,  in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography.    

Wedding Photography Hot Spots - Laguna Beach

      

             Laguna Beach is a playground for wedding photography. With it's many high end wedding venues and gorgeous coastal scenery, this piece of Southern California provides many great sites for  beautiful wedding and engagement photography.  No wonder it is so popular amongst southern California wedding photographers. 

   For engagement photography, there is plenty of shoreline with flavor and backdrops to provide great photos within Laguna.  Heisler Park is one my favorites owning a neat little gazebo and a spectacular view.

                                                                                   

   A couple of my preferred locations for actual wedding photography are Tivoli Too!, and Occasions.  Tivoli Too is a beautiful place to photograph weddings. Having your wedding photographs shot here will provide an artistic European backdrop to every photo with the European courtyard, the cascading waterfall surrounded by flowers and dramatic hillside. Envision verandas with ceiling fans that overlook a European style courtyard, and twinkling lights at night.  Very nice, very classy.  Moving on to Occasions, In the opinion of this Laguna Beach wedding photographer, this venue is unbelievable!  Your wedding photography will never be better with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The beach front wedding photographs will simply come alive with the crashing of each wave and the romance of the setting sun. Simply beautiful! Your wedding photography will be worth its weight in gold at Occasions.  These locations are great to combine both the ceremony and reception.

  Having your wedding photography or engagement photography in Laguna Beach is an excellent idea.  With classy venues and beautiful coastal scenery your wedding and/or engagement photos are sure to be quite impressive.

                 www.michellenoelphoto.com.

     Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

  All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography.    

Wedding Photography Hot Spots - Newport Beach

 

    The City of Newport Beach is an absolutely beautiful portion of Southern California that allows for some truly great and unique sites for wedding photography, engagement photography, and ceremony and/or reception venues.

   For engagement photography, there is the nice stretch of beach with plenty of flavor and backdrops to provide great photographs within Newport.  Close by is Balboa Bay with it's fun feel, and the smaller shores around the area provide easy targets for good shots. 

  A great location for ceremonies is the Newport Marriot.  This is a venue that is just gorgeous all around.  It presents for wonderful pictures.  There are also various churches in the area that have characteristic chapels which make for great pictures as well.  

  As for receptions, Balboa Bay Club is a very elegant venue right on the water overlooking the bay.    The bay showcases plush yachts and beautiful sunsets.  Speaking of yachts, two of which I enjoy working on, are the Ambassador and Endeavor out of Newport Harbor.  Wedding photography on a yacht can sometimes be a little more challenging but also can be more unique as well.

  Having your wedding photography or engagement photography in Newport Beach can't be a bad idea.  With classy venues and beautiful coastal scenery your wedding and/or engagement photos are sure to be quite impressive.

  Until Again, Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com.

  Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California.

 All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography.    

    The City of Newport Beach is an absolutely beautiful portion of Southern California that allows for some truly great and unique sites for wedding photography, engagement photography, and ceremony and/or reception venues.

   For engagement photography, there is the nice stretch of beach with plenty of flavor and backdrops to provide great photographs within Newport.  Close by is Balboa Bay with it's fun feel, and the smaller shores around the area provide easy targets for good shots. 

  A great location for ceremonies is the Newport Marriot.  This is a venue that is just gorgeous all around.  It presents for wonderful pictures.  There are also various churches in the area that have characteristic chapels which make for great pictures as well.  

  As for receptions, Balboa Bay Club is a very elegant venue right on the water overlooking the bay.    The bay showcases plush yachts and beautiful sunsets.  Speaking of yachts, two of which I enjoy working on, are the Ambassador and Endeavor out of Newport Harbor.  Wedding photography on a yacht can sometimes be a little more challenging but also can be more unique as well.

  Having your wedding photography or engagement photography in Newport Beach can't be a bad idea.  With classy venues and beautiful coastal scenery your wedding and/or engagement photos are sure to be quite impressive.

  Until Again, Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com.

  Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California.

 All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography.    

Documentary Photography and/or ? Photojournalism

                                                      

I have heard the terms documentary photography and photojournalism or photojournalistic photography numerous times having the same meaning or possibly different meanings.  These two styles are quite similar but do have differences.  What do these terms mean to you?  Let's take a brief look at what they mean to me. 

My last article displayed the style of documentary photography itself in a little more depth.  What is it in relation or comparison to the photojournalistic style?  Let's first get a quick sum up on the former.  

Documentary photography is more of a close up view of the wedding over the timeline.  You see what has taken place from a point in time to another, including events within "documenting the event."  This would show progression within the event.  Displaying the location, the flowers and decor, the bride's gown, and her preparation for the moment she has anxiously anticipated, the ceremony and formalities within it, and moving to the reception where the family and guests celebrate the very special occasion with the new bride and groom.  This order and style of photography allows you to put yourself there in the day and experience it for the first time or all over again.    
 
The photojournalist style is quite similar to documentary but I believe with a more creative approach.  It is a candid, unplanned, style that contains meaning or even a story within it.  It conveys information.  There are unique and creative ways within photography to tell a story or show emotion.  I believe within the style, the story told is not so black and white,  (No pun intended, I actually love my shoots in black and white), but rather with a little more thought, and developed skill.  Photojournalism is a buzzword used frequently in the photography industry and I wonder how many people really have a solid understanding on what it truly means.

 

 These terms could quite possibly be synonymous with each other by many people's standards.  I suppose these meanings could be slightly different for everyone and I hope that I have clarified my professional views on them.

Until Next Time, Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com 

Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

                                All Images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography. 

Documentary Wedding Photography

In our last article we looked at the traditional wedding photography style and saw that this classic form is methodical and it is a way for the photo-artist to control elements of an image in order to convey a logical flow of the wedding day. Its purpose is so that the interaction between the photos and people after the fact, will keep intact the actual emotional interaction of the wedding day itself.

Documentary photography differs from the classical style in that the documentary form is a close up view of the wedding over a timeline.  It is a picture by picture, frame by frame, way of documenting the wedding day story. You capture what has taken place from one point in time to another including events within "documenting the event."

The importance of the documentary style of wedding photography is the objectiveness of the photos.  In other words the photographer’s intent on your wedding day is to candidly capture the true and actual events of the day as they occur.

The one obvious problem with this type of photography is that the actual events of the day are captured and retold from the perspective of the photo-artist. Since perspectives change from one person to another the interpretation of the photos will not be the same for everyone.

But that is ok if what you desire from your wedding photos is a view of the day, one candid moment by candid moment without specificity to the whole wedding day story. Each interaction with one of the photos will impress a unique feeling upon the photo viewer one photo shot at a time. The photo shots as a collective whole will allow for a blend of each feeling and a unique interpretation of your wedding from person to person.

Documentary wedding photography is the historical capturing of your wedding. It is a style that can be quite compelling and a unique perspective of your wedding day.

Until next time - Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com

Traditional Wedding Photography

  

Traditional wedding photography is posed and planned photography. It is also called a classic style because it is the oldest and the most common. The main goal and benefit of the traditional style is for a portrait type of album or portraits themselves. 

The history of wedding photography stretches back to the year 1826 with the French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce who pioneered photography and has taken some of the oldest known photographs. Continuing in the practice of this early photography which was passed down from generation to generation, traditional wedding photography is a format of photography that is methodical in it's form. 

Thinking in terms of a checklist, (or a numbered list) traditional wedding photography provides the photographer a great deal of control in setting up the specific poses. The ability to control elements of an image allows the photographer to convey a logical flow of the wedding day so that the interaction between the photos and people after the fact, will keep intact the actual emotional interaction of the wedding day itself.

It is a very powerful way of conveying facts both methodically and accurately, as the events of the day occur, posed to the spirit of the bride and groom.

That concept where you take the bride and groom’s desire for the photographic retelling of their wedding day is critical. It is encompassed in the precepts of traditional wedding photography. It starts with making an assessment before hand of how, when, where, and with whom the days photos should be with, which paramount if you want to be able to engage in real form future photograph viewers with the wedding day.

Traditional wedding photography is powerful in recounting, in a very realistic way, the beauty of the wedding day. Traditional wedding photography captures the bride and groom’s love for one another through a formatted pictorial translation of the wedding event

Until Next Time, Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com                                                             

                                                                                           

                                          

                                      All images copyright protected by Michelle Noel Photography

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             

Top Wedding Sites in Orange County – Part 2

In part 1 of top wedding sites in Orange County I showed you three of some the best places to have a wedding. Each of the wedding venues I selected in my top five are all beautiful and all unique. are I have shot weddings at many locations in and around the county and they have all in their own right been really great. We saw that the Bowers Museum is very spacious and has beautiful outside garden. The Sherman Library & Gardens is gorgeous, elegant, and intimate. And also in Part 1 we saw that Occasions at Laguna Village has breath taking ocean views. Now to wrap I want to tell you about 2 more sites that are also amongst my top favorite as wedding photographer in Orange County. They are:

• Tivoli Too - intimate but spacious, beautiful at night with twinkle lights under the stars
• Hacienda - Take a step back in time - Spanish style!

Tivoli Too

Tivoli Too is a beautiful place to photograph weddings. Having you wedding photographs shot here will provide an artistic European backdrop to every photo. The European courtyard, the cascading waterfall surrounded by flowers and dramatic hillside. Envision verandas with ceiling fans that overlook a European style courtyard. Wedding photography is almost made easy by the picturesque surroundings of Tivoli.

The Hacienda

Take a step back in time - Spanish style! As you enter the front gates you will feel as if you stepped back to a an era of romance. The Hacienda is an awesome place to have your wedding photographed. They have ivy that engulfs balconies that make your photos almost unreal. The fountain courtyard and fireplaces add charm to the antique decorated Spanish compound. Whether you choose the outdoor garden or the indoor ballroom your wedding photographs will be awesome.

Now before I move off the topic of top wedding sites in Orange County I wanted to note that there are many more sites in Orange County to have your wedding. The 5 wedding sites I reviewed were just ones that stood out in this photographers’ mind. But there are many others including some gorgeous church sites, beaches, hotels, restaurants, and private homes that make wedding ceremonies and receptions simply awe inspiring. Regardless of your site selection choose a wedding photographer that is familiar and comfortable with your location. This way she will be able to know in advance some best spots in your chosen selection to help accent the beauty of your wedding photos.

Until next time, Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com

Wedding Articles

1. Documentary Wedding Photography
2. Traditional Wedding Photography
3. Top Wedding Sites in Orange County – Part 2
4. Top Wedding Sites in Orange County – Part 1
5. Five Questions All Brides Need to Ask A Wedding Photographer?

Top Wedding Sites in Orange County – Part 1

As an Orange County wedding photographer, I have shot weddings at many locations in and around the county and they have all in their own right been really great. However, thinking about the wedding locations I have photographed, I would say that my favorite five wedding venues are the following.

• Bowers Museum - very spacious and beautiful outside garden
• Sherman Library & Gardens - gorgeous, elegant, and intimate
• Occasions at Laguna Village - breath taking ocean views
• Tivoli Too - intimate but spacious, beautiful at night with twinkle lights under the stars
• Hacienda - Spanish style, very pretty, choice of ceremony inside of Spanish casa or outside in spanish garden

Bowers Museum

A wedding photographed at the Bowers Museum is amazing! The Bowers Museum makes either the outdoor or modern indoor wedding options really spectacular. The beauty of your wedding photographs are enhanced by the garden setting in either the Margaret and Cleo Key Courtyard, the contemporary John M. Lee Court with floor to ceiling windows which frame the stunning garden, and or the graceful sculptures and serene fountains of the Huang Courtyard. Wedding photos are bountiful and down right fun to take at the Bowers. One bonus for larger weddings is that there is ton of room if you have a big wedding party. As part of the site rental they also have an in-house caterer, plus chairs and tables to help make the planning of your wedding a little easier.

Sherman Library & Gardens

Shooting a wedding at the Sherman Library & Gardens is a wedding photographer’s dream. It is nirvana for botanists who just so happen to be getting married! Your wedding ceremony and reception will be surrounded by foliage, spiny cacti, exotic flowers, tiled patios, a greenhouse, arbor-shaded walks and fountains, and a fern-covered waterfall with orchid accents that will make a lasting impression. To capture on film this type of serene setting is simply incredible. It allows me so many opportunities to create an artistic story with the natures beauty.  For an outside wedding, the Sherman Library & Gardens has a really quaint and beautiful wisteria-covered arbor on the Tea Garden Patio and an adjacent Pepper Tree Patio that is shaded by a large leafed pepper tree. For indoor wedding and receptions the Central Patio Room has cathedral ceiling, gray wood beams, skylights and a large white-brick fireplace and terra-cotta tiled floors. Wedding photographs look great from here.

Occasions at Laguna Village

In the opinion of this Orange County wedding photographer, Occasions is unbelievable! A few descriptive words for a wedding here is: stunning, breathtaking, dreamlike, magical, wonderful, and perfect. Your wedding photography will never be better with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The beach front wedding photographs will simply come alive with the crashing of each wave and the romance of the setting sun. Simply beautiful! Your wedding photography will be worth its weight in gold at Occasions.

In my next article we will look at Tivoli Too which is an intimate but spacious venue that is beautiful at night with twinkle lights under the stars as well as the Hacienda – a Spanish style that has a beautiful Spanish garden and casa.

Until next time, Michelle Noel www.michellenoelphoto.com

The Wedding Photographer – A Service Provider: Five Questions All Brides Need to Ask A Wedding Photographer?

A wedding photographer is one of the most important service providers for your wedding. To capture the magic of the moment so that the memory of your wedding can endure decades to come can never ever be downplayed. But how do you go about selecting and hiring a wedding photographer that will capture the memory of a lifetime? How do you know that a wedding photographer “knows” how to capture the best possible picture to truly tell the story of your wedding? And finally what should a wedding photographer’s service include?

A wedding photographer is a service provider. From your very first interaction to the final follow-up meeting your wedding photographer has to be the most in tuned provider at your wedding engagement and with you! As your wedding day is set get on the hiring of a wedding photographer ASAP. And be sure to take your time interviewing a number of wedding photographers. And when you interview – understand that although pricing is a factor – it cannot be the sole deciding factor when choosing your wedding photographer. Cheap is not always the best. And “truth be told” you will get what you pay for. Wedding photography is art, wedding photography is business, and wedding photography is service. Do not skimp on money with your wedding photographer but at the same time be money-wise and know how to select a wedding photographer.

How do you select a wedding photographer? You start by asking five questions:

1. Is the wedding photographer that is presenting (meeting with you) going to be the one shooting the wedding?
2. Does the wedding photographer have wedding albums available from beginning to end to show you?
3. Does the wedding photographer have a vendor list, or a list of recommended vendors that the photographer knows and has worked with?
4. Does the wedding photographer upload photos from the event to an online wedding gallery and how long after the event are they available to view?
5. What style of wedding photography will be used and with what format does the wedding photographer shoot?

Is the wedding photographer that is presenting (meeting with you) going to be the one shooting the wedding?

From the very first meeting to the last you want to know that the wedding photographer you select will know you, understand your wedding needs, understand what is important to you and your family. You also want to know your wedding photographer. You want to be comfortable with them personably and confident in that person’s wedding photography experience, their promise to deliver, and their guarantee to your schedule. On your wedding their can be NO surprises with your wedding photography.

Does the wedding photographer have wedding albums available from beginning to end to show you?

Your meeting with the wedding photographer should include the review of wedding albums. You will want to see the progression of the wedding album so you can glean insights into the artistic view of the wedding photographer. Why - because you want to be able to identify with that photographer’s artistic eye. Does the wedding photographer’s art coincide with your vision of the wedding day? Does the wedding photographer capture the essence of the wedding? Can the wedding photographer capture the beauty, the love, and memory of the wedding day? To know that you need examples, you need to see actual wedding albums. What you are looking for is the wedding photographer’s vision of how your wedding should be told for all time.

Does the wedding photographer have a vendor list, or a list of recommended vendors that the photographer knows and has worked with?

A professional wedding photographer will have a wedding vendor list recommended other professionals, to help facilitate and make your wedding day a success.

Does the wedding photographer upload photos from the event to an online wedding gallery and how long after the event are they available to view?

This feature of a wedding photographer’s service satisfies all the family members and of course the bride and groom. Getting “early access” to the memories of your wedding day increases the anticipation for your personalized wedding album and prints.

What style of wedding photography will be used and with what format does the wedding photographer shoot?

Wedding photography comes in varieties or styles that include traditional wedding photography, wedding photography photojournalism, wedding photography documentary, wedding photography full color or black and white. With regard to a wedding photographer’s format be sure to ask if the wedding photography will be shot with digital camera, film, or both?  You want to know these things so that you can communicate with this person what you like and don't like.

These are the top five question to ask your wedding photographer. They are not exhaustive by any means but an excellent start in making your wedding day a huge success.

Michelle Noel - www.michellenoelphoto.com