L Parker Photography

2009-07-08T15:49:00.001-07:00

Lets talk about your reception...

First let me say I am not a coordinator-- however, I know what works. In your reception that is, and I know people. People who are coordinators and know what works and do it well. So now I will tell you--- take control of your reception! I have seen some wacky reception times where what you are doing is not that much fun. Know that this is YOUR day and it should go how you want it. With that said, when you meet with you coordinator/site or otherwise someone you hired, make sure you get a timeline that suits you and your party. Do you want to have fun, dance, mingle?

Yes yes yes I hope is what your thinking. If yes, take control of your night, I want to see you laughing, hugging, kissing, crying and also getting those shots like your first dance, your cake cutting, your garter toss and more... BUT not all night. compress these things so you have time to have fun! Don't spend more than 30 minutes at mealtime, your guests will get bored. Keep the party moving. If you want to take command of the crowd go right into your first dance when you are announced. What an entrance! Cut your cake early serve it after dinner throw your bouquet and get to having some fun with your guests! I am always here to help I have some great friends in this business to make my brides and grooms enjoy the night without making your schedule -- not fun. I have seen some great receptions and then not so great... its all abgout the schedule, plan for success ask questions and you will have a great time!

2009-06-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

I am getting the nicest notes from all of my couples I posted them on my-- Your Day page. Take a look at them when you get a chance!

2009-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

A BIG thank you!!

I keep hearing how slow it is for some of my photog friends, and I have to say I'm not feeling the slowness :) Thank you to everyone- bride and Venue/Vendor who has referred me or has visited my site and enjoys the work I give! I really do love what I do, I think if you are or were one of my Brides, you would agree!

Like I have said before, I am very fortunate to have been a part of someones day and I treat it like its my own. I really do take everyone one of my Brides and Grooms and feel the moment (yes I tear up). I know how hard you worked and to see it all unfold through my lens and to hear the music... its perfect every time.

Thank you!!!

2009-06-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Rob and Karissa...

Karissa and Rob ran around La Jolla with me, what a great place! We went everywhere! Cant wait to show them the rest, this was a little sneak peak more to come... Clouds were pretty too...

Thank you guys for being so easy going and fun!

2009-06-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

A collage of Steven and Jennifer...

I'm thinking I will miss all of my couples, this year is going by sooo fast!

2009-06-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Engagements are so fun!!!

My couple Jack and Kimberly strolled around with Kaleb in downtown Riverside last week. She was a little nervous about what to wear, etc... as you can see her dress was perfect and guys were relaxed in their black shirts and jeans. Very nicely done! Her red hair is great! Jack was a model groom very patient! Kaleb was so good, we took quite a few pictures (did he get his toy?)I look forward to their fall wedding at Falkner. Enjoy!

2009-06-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Alvin and Gina

Eagle Glen Country Club...

This last weekend I enjoyed a wonderful wedding with my Bride and Groom! Notice all the different styles, and variety.

Families were great, bridal party was fabulous and fun! Here are a few I couldn't resist showing. More to come soon!
Gina looks like a million bucks :)

Alvin looked great too... P.S they are the cutest couple and it shows!

2009-06-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

Hotel Zoso Palm Springs...

Mr and Mrs Johnson

Steven and Jennifer had a wonderful celebration with friends and family. They had a large bridal party and still we had 5 minutes to spare on our timeline! When your on time everything goes smooth. It doesn't matter how big or small. Steven was the ultimate planner in keeping everything in place. They had a great coordinator. Jennifer looked like an angel in a Alfred Angelo gown, and Steven refined. His suit was great. Cant wait to show off more soon! Thank you Steven and Jenn!

2009-06-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

Mr and Mrs D--

Lovely pictures of my Couple in Palos Verdes...

2009-06-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

Bride getting ready for her day...

Isn't she so gorgeous?

2009-06-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little Greek Goddess?

Palos Verdes
Michael & April

Great wedding, I must wait until I deliver, but here is a sample :)

I was able to contrast more with these images and play around with lighting since my bride and groom are artsy people, something with a twist-- very important for your photog to be your photog and capture what your style is! I like the richness of the colors. More to come soon... Thank you M & A for choosing me!

2009-06-04T10:40:00.001-07:00

Planning for success on your Wedding Day... Timelines and Planners

A timeline is crucial to your day for everyone in your party as well as you and your groom! I would suggest printing up the timeline you have confirmed, and giving it to your bridal party on the night of rehearsal. A full timeline should include pre ceremony going through to the reception and all special things such as cake cutting and garter toss. If you are going alone without an event planner (this is different than an in house coordinator) you may want to reconsider.

I have seen both with and without an event planner, and I recommend one for many reasons. It sounds good to take control of your day before the day actually comes. you should not have to worry about things on your day! Let someone else do it for you! There's too much to handle,and why would you want to worry about that and your hair and make up ? :)

If money is an issue, hire someone for the month of or even the day of--- trust me it makes a big difference. I have been in this business for a long time before I got married, and I like to think I planned my wedding perfectly. However I hired a coordinator for the day of because I know I would have been a wild woman trying to make sure everything was done right-- no thank you! She did an awesome job! I was sipping champagne with my bridesmaids! Something to think about.... if you need a timeline give me a call, I can help!

2009-06-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

The Great Dress Debate...

Your Engagement Photo Session is important for many reasons, one is getting to know me and how I work. But I must say the fun part is the dressing up for it and going somewhere to make a memory!

There are a couple of ways to look at this great day. First you must be yourself. Let your day reflect YOU. That includes how you dress. make up is very important, make sure its a little darker than usual to get that pretty face in the image.
Some examples for clothing, hair and make up:

Casual/Fun

White is good with dark so that your not Matchy, matchy and gives you some contrast the shoes are fun and colorful giving more textures..

Bring another outfit!
if you want to change for a different look that's great, take your hair down and see what happens!

Classic

Look at the layers on the groom to be very nice, and Jennifer stays classy with her dress. If your going to match this is the way to do it. Dark jeans offset the black and you get a great look.

Whatever clothing you choose, keep it real to you and everything else will fall into place...

2009-06-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Historical Mission Inn...

How great is it that I got to shoot at the MI? Not as great as shooting the couple I was so fortunate to meet last year!

My husband actually gave out my card to the bride Jaqueline, and that was it!
Here is a small preview I wanted to share because she is so darn gorgeous and the place well, it's The Mission Inn--- enough said!

Loved their first dance song-- nothing else matters Metallica. It was great.

Thank you Robert and Jaqueline can't wait to show off the rest!

2009-05-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

My San Diego Style Weddings ad...

In keeping with my marketing materials and brand I am using one of my favorite pictures of Bobby and Dawn taken in San Diego. Not sure of the placement what do you think? It will be a full page ad (go big or go home) and I am very proud of it! This will be in Magazines in October. Good luck to me!!!

2009-05-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

I have been so sick all week! I went into the ER on Tues night couldn't breath right, chest hurt etc...
I have been down all week no work just bed. And that was so hard to do, since I can't sit still for 1 minute :)

This is my only weekend this month that I do not have a wedding thank goodness, and no appt next week. This is the best time to be sick I guess!
I feel ready to rock next week although my family is making me relax... :(

I have a wonderful Palos Verdes and a Mission Inn wedding to post, and lots of work to do! These ladies are breathtaking... check back to see!

2009-05-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

Engagements with Steven & Jennifer

This day was a long time coming! Everytime we picked a date it was either raining or gloomy, and we wanted sun! So finally we picked a date that turned out beautiful...

Historic Downtown Riverside has alot of pretty places, you can't get the same photo shoot twice!

2009-05-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

Jameson and Amie (and Kaleb too!)

What a fun wedding!

Amie and Jameson are so fun, and Kaleb was an angel. He didn't cry once that day-- not that I saw, he was so go with the flow. I am so happy for you guys, what a perfect little family the 3 of you are. Nothing but the best...
Thanks for choosing me!

2009-05-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

Mission Inn and around the Town with Alvin and Gina...

I LOVE these 2 people they are the sweetest. Alvin and Gina walked through the Mission Inn, and some areas around town spreading the love!
They are getting married June 13th at Eagle Glen Country Club in Corona. Looking forward to the party of the year :)

2009-04-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

A new place to go to find Vendors and connect!

Everyone keeps telling me to get on facebook and twitter-- well, this is my facebook and twitter! I love it please check it out for more information. Its all wedding inspired just what I have been looking for! Terre From The MML got me hooked :)

Visit BridalTweet

2009-04-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Its Engagement season!

I strolled around the Mission Inn with my sweet couple Alvin and Gina-- We went all around and got some very nice backrounds. I can only show you what I have shown them-- but I will be putting these on my site and also on my E page along with more!
I cant stress snough how important it is to have chemistry with your photog, it makes for a fun time! Thanks for taking this last shot guys, look how it paid off! I love them dancing in front of the MI it was a moment :)

2009-04-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

I'm alive again! Thank you Amelia for bring my blog back up :)

Back to business...

Where I will be on the 9th of this month

The Neighborhood Church in PV is AMAZING take a look at where I will be sharing in a great Wedding for 2 great people.

2009-04-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

I am sad, my blog is filling up so I cant post anything just yet!! But when I do I will post a church in PV--- it is good on the eyes!! Bye for now!! :(

2009-04-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

-Falkner Winery Wedding March 2 2009

Falkner Winery is a classy place for your wedding, and also to meet a classy woman- Loretta Falkner...

Brides are educating themselves (good to see) and they are making decisions on where to get married based on a few things. Very simple things that are pretty important.

Here is what they are saying is important to them:

1 Must love place

2 Must love the price- this can be determined by number 3

3 Must love the person that represents the venue

This is where Loretta comes in. EVERY bride that I have spoke with LOVES (in their own words) Loretta. I have a bride that has not even met her yet that is booking with her just from her presence over the phone, and of course the venue. But I will tell you 90% of someone going with one place over another comes down to -

Does the person care about my wedding?

Do I like them?

Do they care about my needs?

And it seems Mrs Falkner has it nailed down. I'm happy to work there and showcase her winery!

2009-04-09T10:13:00.001-07:00

Up and coming photo shoots and more...

I have had the best time this year so far! It started in March and I have busy photo shoots, weddings, and publishing going through the new year 2010.

I think its this one...

The wonderful Amal of Beverly Hills will be using some of my work from the MML show for her Newsletter! Very big deal for me thank you Amal.

I have couples doing Engagements this month around the Mission Inn, I thought what a great idea to get the textures of old world romantic candid shots in that area. So I asked them about the idea and they were all in! I don't like to do the same shots so you can be assured, these two couples will not have the same old poses. How could you? They are two totally different couples! I cant wait for that.

I recently added one more wedding to my mix (I know, any help out there please?) and I am going to shoot the wedding of Justin and Sarah at
Villa De Amore, It's too beautiful there. The grounds give off such a classic mood, love it.

I will be entering a print competition- not sure what I will use yet.. I have a few weddings before I have to submit. The crazy thing is you can only submit one image. No pressure. So I have to be sure this print shows my style, and my work perfectly!

I don't think (I know) I would be able to tackle this year with Jamie-- my girl shes the best any girl could want to help out at a wedding.

One more thing, I'm going to take a picture for my Bio Page. Not too happy about it since I take really bad photos. I don't know why I just do! That will be coming soon :) My friend and web designer Amelia of Stargrrl Media will be taking my photos, she will make me pretty :) Amelia makes sure my website is clean and fresh and does an awesome job. I can't say enough about her.