Steven and Cassandra

Congratulations to Steven and Cassandra on their recent wedding...and my last of the year!  It was a stunningly beautiful wedding, and my team and I felt honored to shoot it.  The wedding took place in a church built over 200 years ago...and it was gorgeous.  I have to thank my team of Don, Chris, and Brady for joining us on the shoot as well as Brian Egan guest shooting with us.  It has been so much fun working with Steve and Cassandra all the way from their engagement, bridals, and now their wedding.  Click on the slideshow below to view the wedding!!

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDESHOW

Dirt Biking with Daddy

Over the Thanksgiving Day holiday we had the opportunity to do some dirt biking out in Nevada with the boys.  It was the first time for the boys....and I definitely made sure to stay safe with my guys.  It was so fun to hear them scream anytime we went over a little bump or a puddle in the way....they LOVED it.  

It was also the first time for the D90 and it was in the capable hands of my wife Kara.  She got these shots with the D90 on a monopod with a 50-500mm lens.  The boys got such a thrill as we would ride the bike towards her to get a few pictures taken and would tell me to turn (to not hit their mommy) as soon as we got anywhere near her....never remotely close enough to hit her.  It was a blast and the D90 did great.  We took video and it did a really fantastic job...I'll be posting more video clips within the next couple weeks.

Nikon D90

I'm proud to announce the addition of the Nikon D90 to the Jason Lanier Photography family.  I shoot with the D3, and have had my D2xs as a backup....but with the new line of cameras that Nikon has come out with I was planning on adding the D700 as my primary backup...that's until I found the D90.  

The reason I went with the D90 is because of it's video capabilities.  The camera shoots HD video....and let me tell you it works great.  I'll be posting somewhat of a review of the camera with pics and video clips in the coming weeks, but from using it for 2 days I can tell you I love it.  The video function is so easy to use and it is so great to have one camera for both photo and video when I don't need the break-neck speed, or super high ISO of the D3.  Digital SLR's with video capability....watch out video cameras....you're about to be replaced....

Ryan and Morgan

Congratulations to Ryan and Morgan on their beautiful wedding in October!!  It was a beautiful wedding...and the night in San Diego provided some of the most beautiful skies I've ever had the chance to shoot with a bride and groom.  I have to thank my team of Don, Michael, and Cameron for helping make this such a great shoot..thanks guys!!!

This is another wedding that I really loved because I signed with them over 14 months ago...and I still remember getting chased and thrown out of Downtown Disney when we did their engagement shoot a earlier this year.  Click here to see the pics (engagement).  We had a great time and I'm so grateful we had the opportunity to shoot this wonderful event.

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDESHOW

Needle in a toe

This last week was an eventful one to say the least.  My son Michael came in limping and complaining of his toe and foot really hurting.  After looking at it Kara and her Mom took him to the ER late at night where they found out Michael had a sewing needle in his foot that went into the bone!  They sent Kara home and told her he needed surgery to take it out.  

For two days we searched for surgeons who could complete the surgery immediately.  We found the children's hospital in San Diego and went down there for the night.  We spent a night at a hotel on the beach (Michael said he wanted to see the ocean before surgery).  Kevin and JJ stayed with Grandma so Kara and I could have some special time with him.  

We got to the hospital in the morning and the surgery was done later that afternoon.  Michael was so brave...it was really cute.  He watched TV on my phone while waiting and when the nurse came to take him he said he was ready to get the needle out of his foot.  We waited for an hour and then came to see him in Recovery.  He was laying there sucking on an orange popsicle, still groggy from going under...it wasn't local anesthesia.  When the nurse asked him how he felt he said, "Dizzy, really dizzy."  I was so proud of him for being so brave and so grateful he is okay....

Justin and Aliya

Congratulations to Justin and Aliya on their absolutely stunning wedding!!!  This is one of my all-time favorite weddings because everything was so beautiful, and I've never met a group of happier people in my life.  I have to thank my team again of Don, Leslie, and Cameron.  I am so proud of their efforts they gave that made this a success.  I also have to thank the family again for being so hospitable.  

This is a very rewarding experience for me because I shot the engagement (click to see) pictures for Justin and Aliya almost a year ago during winter time in Washington DC....and that was such a memorable experience as well.  I not only shot a wedding, but we truly made great friends through this experience.  May you both live a long, happy, and wonderful life together!!!!!

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Capture Life Picture

I'm pleased to display the new image for the Capture Life Photo Blog.  This is a picture of me and my son Michael standing on top of the Haleakala Volcano in Maui, HI last August as we took pictures of the sunset.  Michael does have a camera in his hand.  I have to thank my Mom for taking this fantastic picture....which was completely candid, not posed.  She was so excited to show it to me after we returned from our shoot.  

The thing I love most about this picture is the fact that my son is in it with me.  At the end of my life if I'm nothing more than a good Daddy....I will consider myself to be the luckiest man alive....

Space Shuttle

While filming in Florida I thought I witnessed the crashing of a meteor to the earth....until I realized the object was going up.....not down.  I happened to be shooting at the time and caught what I realized was the Space Shuttle taking off.  Chris also caught the launch on video.  

Florida was so much fun...and so beautiful.  You can see the shuttle on the middle right of the picture...the gold object flying up.  It was a great experience that I will make sure to post about later.  It sure was neat seeing the space shuttle.....

Stuck in a rainforest

So.....Chris and I are out in Florida right now shooting the Florida Ragnar Relay race that started today.  We arrived early yesterday and decided to drive the 200 mile route to see what we had ahead for the next day.  While driving through the Ocala National Forest the GPS took us down a dirt road.  Keep in mind we had a minivan instead of our normal SUV due to a screw up with the rental car agency.  

We start driving down the road and before we know it we are plowing through very deep and very soft sand.  We had to floor it so the car wouldn't stop.  We got to a small piece of dirt without sand, stopped and tried to determine what to do.   Since the road behind us was so sandy we decided going forward would be the best bet.  With the video camera running we revved the engine and took off.....we got about 50 feet and got stuck DEEP in the sand.  

We are now in the middle of nowhere.....we tried to put things in the track to give the car some traction....nothing was working.  We waited for over an hour until a truck came down the road. Once they saw we were stuck they inexplicably decided to try and go around us instead of turning around....and they got stuck.  They got out of the truck and Chris and I looked at each other like this was going to be a scene out of the movie "Deliverance."  

Three people got out of the car...and they redefined the word, "Redneck."  There were two guys and a girl....and they were crazy.  The girl told us she was a Karate black belt and then ran into a dark forest where they told us there were Bears, Black Panthers, Minx, and other dangerous animals so she could go to a tree and then tried to start karate kicking it down....the guys called her Mouse and they called the other guy Cracker Jack....I'm not making this up.  

Cracker Jack called his drunk friend to come drag him out of the sand.  When his friend came it looked like a serial killer truck.  When his drunk friend pulled up the truck had the entire bed removed and had a large cage welded on the back....we thought we were going to be imprisoned in the cage and tortured.  The drunk guy pulled his friend out and then they offered to pull us out.  He attached the rope to the back axel of the truck and I was terrified that he was going to rip off the axel.  I put it into reverse and he dragged us out.  I paid the guy some money and then we started tearing out of the there on the road that we came in on.....

Unfortunately the drunk guy was ahead of us and for no reason stopped his truck...and we got stuck again.  Cracker Jack yelled at him asking him, "Why the **** did you stop?"  They then had to get three guys to push on the car for us to get out again.  The redneck black belt "Mouse"  told Chris, "You guys need to get out of here.  We're like family out here but you're from the city where you kill each other."  When we peeled out of there Cracker Jack yelled at the top of his lungs, "Get the **** out of here."  Chris and I couldn't do anything but laugh...it was one of the weirdest experiences of my life...but hey that's what it's like working for Jason Lanier Photography.

Altafullah Mehndi Celebration

Last month we had the great honor of shooting the two-day wedding celebration for Justin Rinaldi and Aliya Altafullah.  It was a beautiful event, and the joy and happiness in the room was so tangible it spread to our team....and before we knew it we were dancing a little as we shot the pictures of this unforgettable event.  

I can't put up a post without thanking my team of Don, Leslie, and Cameron for coming and working so hard.  I also need to mention how much I admire the fortitude of the bride Aliya.  As we speak she is waiting to see the pictures on the blog...and it's nearly 4am in Washington DC!!!  She told me to call her when they were done....so I did.  It was such a wonderful event that words truly don't suffice.  

The pictures and slideshow from the ceremony and reception on Saturday will be posted between now and the end of next week....so keep checking back.  Thanks so much to Justin, Aliya, and their families....it was a pleasure serving all of you.  Click on the link or picture below to view the slideshow.

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDESHOW

Going to the Drive In Movie

Friday night Kara and I took the boys to the Van Buren Drive In Theatre in Riverside, CA.  Kara and I have been going to the drive in since we were dating....and we have some adorable pictures of the boys in the port-a-cribs when we took them as babies.  On Friday we went with Kara's family and it was a blast.  

We watched Madagascar 2 and Beverly Hills Chihuahua.  That's the great thing about a drive-in, two movies for the price of one.  I laid in the back of the truck with Kevin and Michael on an air mattress while Kara laid on another air mattress on the ground with JJ.  It was a wonderful night filled with popcorn, candy, laughs, and fantastic memories.

Election 2008- Changing of the Guard

What a night Tuesday night was.  I always love election nights....it's like the Superbowl of politics.  You never get a better idea of the hearts and minds of your fellow citizens like you do on election night.  Whether you are happy or disappointed with the results of the election you have to admire the fact that 300 million Americans can disagree so sharply, yet when a change of power occurs like it is in two months....there is no revolt, no military coup, no sabotage....it's truly amazing.  Our country is going from conservative to liberal if you believe the election is an indication of the nation's leanings....and yet we all still go and grow together.  

You have Obama giving his joyful acceptance speech in front of 1 million people....and you have McCain giving a very respectful and heartfelt conciliation speech to his former opponent...and he promised to cooperate and continue to work together.  We came within less than 1 million votes of having the first woman run for president, and witnessed the first woman on the Republican side to run for VP...and now we have our first Black President.  To think where our country has come in so short a time....what a site to witness.

I've lived outside of the US for extended periods of time....and I've traveled all over....and I truly believe there are other amazing and beautiful nations across the world....but none like the United States....God Bless America.

Halloween at Disneyland

Last year there were so many scary houses that the boys refused to go down the really gory houses.....so this year we took them to Disneyland for Halloween...and it was a BLAST!!!  We gave them the choice of trick or treating or Disneyland...and they chose D-land.  

The park was completely decorated for Halloween...and it was so nice doing something that didn't freak out the kids.  I love the many shots below but I really love the one of Kara puckering her lips.  That's a candid shot of her...it was at the precise moment when she looked over and saw the available desserts for her to choose from when we had dinner.  I love that shot.  My Mom and Cameron joined us....and Cameron scored some all access passes from a friend that works there....so we got to cut in line at many of the rides.  It was great and something we will do again next year!!

Andy's

While in Texas during our shoot we went to dinner at a place called Andy's.  While there were many choices available, we decided to choose a restaurant we thought would truly exemplify the Texas experience.  Neither Cameron or I are seafood fans...so we thought a great Texas steak would really hit the spot.  We walked into the restaurant and were greeted by a very nice server who told us to sit anywhere.  When she came to take our drink order I asked for a Diet Coke and a Dr. Pepper for Cameron.  She leaned over and with the thickest Texan accent said, "You have to pay $1.99 for each drink....."  I said, "That's fine."  She leaned over even more and said, "Are you sure....the iced tea has free refills....."  While I appreciated her concern for my finances I found this pretty funny.  I told her she was very sweet but that we would have no problem ordering refills if necessary. 

 We then moved on to the food order....we were prepared for a steak when the server insisted on their famous fried chicken steak.  She said it was famous across the US.  After some deliberation we went with her recommendation.  The first picture below is just before Cameron and I dove into the steak...the last picture below is how much we finished of the steak...or didn't finish of the steak.  I believe the steak is famous....but not necessarily because it tastes good...We filled up on the salad bar and decided we would have to get a bite to eat a little bit later to make up for the meal.  I gladly paid the bill because of the kindness of the server and because we ordered the food....we just didn't like it.  The food wasn't worth the money....but the experience sure was.  

David and Erin

Congratulations to David and Erin Cobb on their wedding in September!  I had the awesome opportunity to shoot their wedding and I have to thank Kricia Morris for coming to the wedding to help me.  The wedding was beautiful and a huge blast.  We did some shooting before the ceremony and we were so fortunate to get this shot of the flowergirl kissing the ringbearer...the timing was perfect.  

If there is one thing I can really, passionately recommend to all future wedding couples, please make sure to save time for the pictures at your wedding!!!  I had the chance to take David and Erin down to the shoreline where we got the water and train shoots which turned out great.  I always tell all my clients you leave your wedding with two things.....your spouse and your pictures.  Make sure you get the most out of your wedding day photography.  Thanks to David and Erin for the great time and the opportunity to share your wonderful day with you!!! 

Remember the Alamo

I was in Texas this last weekend shooting a race for Ragnar Relay.  The race was from San Antonio to Austin and had some terrific scenery.  After the race I had the opportunity to visit the Alamo with Cameron which was amazing.  I decided to shoot the entire location with my infrared camera which gives it the very sharp contrast and highlights that you see in the pictures below.  

Out of all the places I visited in Texas, San Antonio was by far my favorite and the Alamo was the best in San Antonio.  If you have the chance go and see it....it's amazing to see and very educational to learn about.  And if you have the chance to shoot with an infrared camera.....do it!!!! 

Cassandra

Below are shots taken from a bridal portrait session I did with a beautiful bride named Cassandra.  I will be shooting Steve and Cassandra's wedding next weekend....and it's my last wedding of the year!  I met Cassandra for the shoot in Valencia, CA near Magic Mountain.  We found a great location and Cassandra did the rest.  

I feel so lucky to have worked with so many beautiful brides over the span of my career.  All the shots taken were without a tripod using a video light...and I also can't write this without thanking Cassandra's friend Jasmine for becoming a junior photographer and holding the light for me as the shoot went on.  It was a great shoot and I can't wait for the wedding!!

Adoption

There are only two things I love more than photography, my family and God.  I had the great opportunity to go to the baseball practice for my sons.  It is so much fun to watch them grow...and even funner to just watch them exude the thrill of life that they should feel at this age.  

I'm grateful every day for my sons and my wife.  Kara and I weren't able to conceive children on our own and I feel that is THE greatest blessing of my life.  I don't think we could love anyone more than we love our sons.  

The funny thing is that there isn't a medical reason for us to not conceive.....we were just meant to have these boys.  If you have any room in your heart to adopt...please do so...it is one of the greatest blessings in life.

Scott and Noemi

These are pictures taken at a beautiful wedding for Scott and Noemi Yi in September in Malibu, CA.  The ceremony took place at the chapel at Pepperdine University, and the reception followed at a country club in Camarillo, CA.  It was a beautiful wedding, and Scott and Noemi were so much fun!  I just fell in love with the huge tree at the country club when I saw it....it looked straight out of a landscape scene from Georgia or South Carolina...which you all know I love.  

It was a wonderful wedding and I can't thank Scott and Noemi enough for the opportunity to capture the wonderful day.  A big thanks as well to my team with me for the shoot....Don, Michael, and Brady.  Thanks for everything!

Backyard Camping

Being as busy as I have been recently I had to do something special with my kids.  I've been promising to go camping for awhile with the boys but getting to the campground is just such an ordeal.  I came home one night and said, "Let's camp in the backyard!"  

Kara went to the store and bought goodies and snacks and the boys and I started setting up the tent.  By the time Kara got back she grabbed my camera and snapped these shots of us.  I set the tent up last Friday and we have slept in there 4 nights since then.  It has been a ton of fun and the kind of thing I will remember when I'm 80 years old....and I tell my grandkids about the time we went camping in the backyard......