Engagement Session in Balboa Park

Here are a couple quick shots from Monday's engagement session in Balboa Park. Heather and Reggie are so happy together and they're so much fun to be around that it's impossible to get a bad picture of them. They are getting married in a couple of weeks in San Pedro and I can't wait for their big day.

Check out the slideshow here ---> Heather + Reggie e-session





There was salsa dancing and everything... can't wait to see them on the dance floor




Guys... you better get used to the paparazzi ;-)


This is the image Heather and Reggie chose for their Signature Board Frame. I just got the 11x14 print from my lab (Pictage)...

*Photo taken with BlackBerry Pearl phone

... and this is close to how the Signature Board Frame will end up looking




Silhouette by the lake


And a little ballroom to end the session


Thank you guys for a wonderful day!

Howdy cowboy

A photo I took today and I love:

Big Fat Greek Wedding

Yesterday's wedding reception took place at Sandacre in Palm Springs. This Spanish hacienda style property with stucco walls, dark wood trim, and terra cotta roofing tiles was once Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio's former home.

Check out the slideshow here ---> Julie + George slideshow



The groom moments before leaving for the church




Julie on the small balcony that rests off the tower bedroom, which was once Marilyn Monroe’s private bedroom.


The light hitting this window was great and we shot many photos here


This is my favorite photo of the day


Julie looking beautiful and peeking through the window


Husband and Wife arriving at the reception


First dance


The Koumbaro and the Bride on the dance floor




There is perhaps no more memorable element of a Greek wedding celebration than the dancing. I could really feel the energy and love emanating from the dance floor when the closest friends and family joined in the traditional dancing

Monthly PUG meeting

Last Wednesday I attended my first PUG (Pictage User Group) meeting which most of the times takes place at Jules Bianchi home studio.
The PUGs mission is to facilitate communication and education among professional photographers at a regional level around the nation in order to allow photographers to learn from each other and share experiences.
A bunch of great wedding photographers, lots of info, and great food!!!

Here are some pictures:

... I was wondering the same thing... What does it mean??? I was the first one to arrive so I had no clue


Here's the answer... new carpet ;-)


She'll do anything to get a great shot


A great shot

'borrowed' from Jules' blog

Jules, thank you for being a great host!

A movie ?... with a Nikon D50 ?

Talking about labor intensive stuff on my previous post... this is pretty amazing... 'Opaco' is a movie done entirely with photo sequences from a Nikon D50! The director is Martín Crespo, a photographer from Paraguay.
3 days filming, 15,000 photos, 2 months editing and reconstructing the sound for 35 minutes of running time.

This is the trailer. Unfortunately we will have to wait the watch the whole movie because he's sending it to different festivals hoping to get funding and make it available in HD or film.

Behind the scenes @ Leather Craftsmen Custom Bookbinding

I had the pleasure to take a peek at what happens behind the scenes at one of the most prestigious wedding album maker companies in the US and probably the world. Leather Craftsmen is one of the companies I use to produce my clients' wedding albums. The company was founded in 1942 and has two manufacturing facilities in California and New York.























Almost every part of the process is done by hand by true artisans








Do you see your logo???




Ira Gershoff is the Director of Sales for the Western Region, terrific guy


The final product


LeatherCraftsmen Wedding Albums

Rodolfo Arpia Photography Attends Pictage Partner Conference 2006

Los Angeles, CA – September 8, 2006 – Rodolfo Arpia Photography participated in the 2nd annual Pictage Partner Conference on September 6 – 7, 2006 in Los Angeles, CA.

Attendees to the 2nd annual Pictage Partner Conference joined members of the Pictage community for 2 full days of workshops and presentations designed to help professional photographers maximize their business and provide exceptional service for their clients.

With over 25 workshops and presentations lead by industry thought leaders, attendees explored the latest topics, technology and products shaping the future of the wedding photography industry. Speakers included the founder of photojournalism, Denis Reggie and world-renowned wedding photographers, Mike Colon and David Jay.

At the heart of Pictage Partner Conference 2006 is an overwhelming sense of community that draws creative and innovative ideas from all who participate.

“The energy from everyone in the Pictage Community is nothing less than amazing,” says Alison Bynum, a photographer from Smyrna, Tennessee. “Coming to the Conference and meeting so many other photographers has inspired me!”

Pictage Partner Conference 2006 also raised over $2,000 through a charity auction for Thirst Relief International, a foundation providing safe, clean drinking water to areas affected by natural disasters and economic hardship.


Pictage Partner Conference 2006

September 2 Wedding in Huntington Beach

Chad relaxing in the balcony, Huntington Beach in the background












Huntington Beach Hilton Hotel Wedding