WPPI 8x10 Competition- Another submission

This has been a really great and bad month for my blog.....It's the most I've ever posted in one month but I haven't posted for the past 5 days....not good. Below is the second print I've decided to submit to WPPI for the upcoming competition. Things have been crazy for me lately. I was talking to Joe Buissink the other day and we discussed the economy and the impact it's had on photography.

What about you, has the economy impacted your business? As hard as it is, brides and grooms are still looking for fantastic photography....consider yourself lucky to be working in an industry that provides coverage for a once in a lifetime event...because if you didn't it would be even harder. I promise to get back to posting regularly. Have a great weekend!

Candy Girls

"I don't like to sleep"

Last night my son Kevin woke up and walked down the hallway and peeked around the corner watching TV way past his bedtime.  I took him back to his room with his brothers and told him he needed to go back to sleep.  Kevin looked at me and said, "Daddy, I don't like to sleep."  I chuckled  and said, "I know, but you need to sleep so you can get bigger."  

Proving that kids are smarter than parents Kevin responded, "I don't need to get bigger...I like my size."  I laughed again and said, "I like you just the way you are too...but you need to get bigger so you can grow up and take pictures like Daddy."  Kevin looked at me and said, "Okay, but I want you to sleep with me."  He then proceeded to sit up, scoot over and say, "Look there's plenty of room, my pillow is very soft, and my blanky is very comfy."  How could I say, "No?"  

By the time I turned off the TV and went back to the room he woke up his brothers who wanted to talk to me about taking a camping trip...and made me promise they could have s'mores.  One thing I'll never regret is taking time for my kids....because I will never get last night back again...it's in the record books...and I'm glad I spent it with my boys...all of whom don't like to sleep........

Ontario Mills Appearance

We've been asked to make an appearance to display our work and speak with brides about their weddings this coming Thursday March 19th from 6-9pm at the Ontario Mills mall.  This mall is the second largest mall in the US, so this should be a lot of fun.  Below are some of the prints that we will be displaying.  If you have some time drop by....it will be a lot of fun!!

Children- the icing on the cake for wedding photography

I can't help myself from looking for great opportunities for photo ops at weddings with children.  It's a given that what you capture of the bride and groom will be magical...but capturing the children adds such a different element to your photography.  I receive more comments from the bride and groom after the wedding on the shots taken of children.  Take the first picture below as an example....I took this shot before the bride walked down the aisle.  The groom was waiting inside and the bride was sequestered in the hotel...so neither bride or groom ever saw this moment.  That is what makes photography transform from something you just snap to something to capture and create.....it's all about moments and I love the ones with children.....

Lighthouse Bride- WPPI 8x10 competition

This is the first image that I've chosen for the 8x10 competition for WPPI that has to be submitted within the next month.  I love focusing on imagery that evokes a story....that makes you stop and think about the photo for more than 1 second.  It's always my goal for my images to do this for the viewer.  More images to come.....

Mahana Water

These shots were taken in Maui at a beautiful waterfall with a bride named Mahana.  We had to hike down a big trail which wasn't easy with a ton of camera equipment...but it was worth it.  More shots to come later!!

Cleveland revisited

Cleveland is still one of my favorite shoots ever.  Between the Squires Castle and the shots taken at Jacob's Field where the Indians play....what could be better?  The shot above in the field is one of my favorite infrared shots ever....

Redoing History- Finishing the job

I have learned so much over the last couple years with photoshop that I got the urge to go back and re-photoshop some of my favorite shots from my past weddings taken years ago.  People often ask me why I am able to charge the rates I do....and what makes the difference between a good photographer and great photographer?  Over the years I've had the opportunity to meet and work with so many great photographers....Yervant, Joe Buissink, David Jay, etc...and in all my time spent I've learned so much about finishing the job...

When I first started photoshopping years ago I would take probably 10 minutes each on my favorite shots, now I'm taking hours or days on 1 shot.  It's not only how you take the shot (which is vital), but it's also how you finish the shot.  It would be like having a Lamborghini with a horrible paint job.  It's great to have an awesome car...but it doesn't look very good.  My advice to all photographers is....finish your work....and the money will come.

Final shots from bridal shoot

These are the final shots from the bridal shoot I did last week.  I truly am still surprised what can be found with just a little bit of exploration.  This shot was taken just 30 minutes from my house...yet you'd think I'm in the middle of nowhere....Pretty soon my adventures will take me to different parts of the world as I explore more and find other places to shoot....I can't wait.

El Nono Part 2

Waiting for the weekend....

I snapped this shot at the end of the bridal shoot I did last week and thought it truly symbolizes the way I feel about today which is....I can't wait for the workday to be done and the weekend to begin.  How about you...are you ready for the weekend???????

Night Basketball/Slumber Party

It's time to get back into shape...so we bought a basketball system and set it up.  It's supposed to take two adults...but we did it with one adult and three little boys.  It took about 7 hours to get set up...and the boys refused to go in...so they brought their blankets and pillows OUTSIDE to sleep.  It was hilarious and very cute.  Luckily we live in California so it wasn't too cold fo them outside.  

The cutest part was when Kevin took off his shirt, pulled out my license plate frame and hung his shirt up.  When I asked him why he did this...smiling at the time, he looked up at me and said, "Well....I didn't have a hanger."  It was very cute and all three boys tried to help as much as they could before they pooped out.  As a Dad you gotta love these kind of moments.....

El Nono Part 1

Below are shots we did for a big band from Mexico called El Nono.  These guys were so much fun and we had an absolute blast!  Don and Chris joined me for the shoot...and to see Don dancing with these guys was a sight I will never forget.  

I can't thank Cassandra enough for setting everything up...and for these guys being such a great bunch.  The shots were taken for their upcoming album cover....a first for me!  I'll be releasing a second set of images later this week.  CLICK TO VIEW LARGER.

Jason Lanier Photography Phone Number

Please be advised that the new phone number to reach us here at Jason Lanier Photography is 310-860-6976.
We updated our phone number to a Beverly Hills location in line with our studio. We left the old numbers up for awhile to give people time to adjust but those numbers will no longer work. Please call us at the new number listed above to discuss your big day...or just to chat a little....

Lost in the woods....

Something I challenge myself to do is to create different shots on every shoot.  While there will definitely be similarities with shoots....changing the locations and going for a theme or concept really drives the creative juices.  I really like this shot because I told the bride to walk through the trees pretending she was lost.  Now, why would a bride be lost in the woods????  She wouldn't, but it sure makes for a great shot and can symbolize many things....

California Dreaming

I went out on a bridal shoot yesterday that was fantastic.  The weather in California right now is so amazing and it really is gorgeous out here.  This shot was taken 30 minutes from my house in the mountains above the wine country where I live.  

I've been challenging myself to really find some great areas without having to drive 200 miles....and I realized I chose to live where I live because it's so beautiful...so I will be featuring a lot of shots from around my home area of Temecula because it is so beautiful out here. 

Please click on the picture to view...it's much better larger and when compressed to the small size you lose so much color.  Enjoy!

Vasquez Rocks

Have you ever been to Vasquez Rocks?  It's north of Los Angeles and is beautiful.  Right now California is so beautiful because of the amount of rain we've received....it's the perfect time to shoot.  We have a shoot scheduled for Vasquez Rocks with a famous band from Mexico called El Nono that we'll be shooting at Vasquez Rocks.....I'll make sure to post once we have a great shoot!

Hollywood- treasures in your own backyard

Sometimes we forget the amazing things we have in our own backyard.  I must pass the famous El Capitan Theater once a week but have never stopped to photograph it.  No matter where you live there is something amazing for you to shoot.  True some areas have more than others but you can find something unique no matter where you are.  

That's why I love traveling so much. Even if I'm on a business trip not scheduled to shoot I love shooting the areas I'm in because there's something different everywhere.  If you think you've shot it all...challenge yourself to try and find something new...I guarantee you will. 

HDR- Noticing a trend????

I know I've been posting a lot about HDR this week but it truly is the new age of photography.  You either set or follow a trend...and real success lies in setting, not following.  I'm not saying I'm the quintessential trend setter...but I love exploring the new avenues of our industry and try to make decisions that will set us apart.  Can you imagine a bride and groom in front of this shot???  That would be cool.  This shot is another one from Indianapolis.  More to come soon!