glenda, lacha, alanah, & evan - a family session

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guest commentator: monica

this beautiful quartet met up with us this weekend at the emeryville/berkeley border for a family session. as it was kite fest weekend, we were really lucky to have gotten some great parking in the area. though the wind was great for kites, the sun was hiding a bit during our morning session, which is very different for these sacramento natives. fortunately, the family was more than willing to play around at the beach and sculpture area. check out all four of these cuties!

//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com


mommy & her little girl



little evan sneaking a peek at the camera



the lovely parents and their adorable kiddies

drew and damian's album shoot

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guest commentator: monica

you may remember dl da arsun, a.k.a. drew, whom we photographed for his upcoming album, "work hard, play later." during this shoot, he requested that he and fellow rapper, mac dame, ak.a. damian, get some images ready for their newest project, "designated hittaz." what better way to feature them for this album but on a baseball diamond with some baseball bats.



//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com

mac dame at dusk

don't mess with dl!

lisa & paul's engagement session

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guest commentator: monica

this weekend, we had the pleasure of photographing lisa and paul at bay street in emeryville. in a quieter area of this busy shopoholic's haven, we were able to take advantage of the rock and glass sculptures that pays tribute to the shellmound and the native americans who inhabited the area. having done their "homework," this dynamic duo watched the movie "hitch" to get the perfect "90% kiss" shots, brought along a couple of small props and one not-so-small prop, to ensure they would have images as beautiful and unique as these two are.

afterwards, we headed over to a tiny beach to get a glimpse of the last few rays of the setting sun, before heading out to the berkeley pier, and a parking lot, which seemed to be a type of "lover's spot" as heard by the music of silk and r.kelly blasting from a couple of parked cars.
lisa and paul were completely patient, as we tested out some creative lighting to get the perfect shot of them in paul's jaguar.

congratulations on your engagement, lisa & paul! we can't wait 'til your wedding in october!!!


//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com

the parasol silhouette shot

snuggles

legs that go on for daaaays and lisa's fabulous shoes!



walking along, hand-in-hand



showin' off the gorgeous ring



twirling the parasol and some "peek-a-boo" shots



their wedding colors



lovers at dusk



the jag-u-ar!

don't box us in! article

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wow! we keep thinking, "how did we get here?!?" we're super excited and honored to be a featured photographer in the ultra creative website "don't box us in!" started by the staff of trashthedress.com to show the "other side of wedding photography." (again, how did we get HERE, featured alongside these AWESOME photographers!?!") this new site features creative and artistic wedding photography that isn't limited or "boxed in" to just the traditional formal portraits & "must-have" lists of wedding photo coverage.

be sure to check out the rest of the featured photographers & continue to check this site out, as it'll be a great place to find more fresh wedding images.

Ed Pingol Photography - California

by "don't box us in!" 18 07 2007

This is a hectic time of year for wedding photographers and for some there’s barely a moment’s breath before the next wedding shoot. You just have to look at Ed Pingol’s schedule to see how busy he is at the moment so we’re very pleased that he was able to take some time out to provide us with some very informative replies to a few questions & has given us the opportunity to feature some of his excellent work. To view more please visit Ed’s website … and happy belated birthday Ed!

How do you keep yourself motivated & your photography fresh?

I keep myself motivated by surrounding myself with really positive people. (Seriously, I think negativity is highly contagious, though curable, fortunately by being around more positive people!) I love hanging out with new & experienced photographers alike, who are willing to share their knowledge and experience, as well as learn some new ones. I believe that this is the only way to really grow as a photographer. I have to thank Jonathan Canlas, who really has been a mentor to me & is one of the most positive, cool people I’ve ever met. My wife, Monica, motivates me. She gives me the female perspective and is very upfront about what brides want and don’t want. Like really upfront.

I try to keep things fresh by always being open to new ideas… always trying to look at objects & places through a different eye, imagining how they can be photographed. During our shoots, we always end up veering off from our destination for a few minutes when I see an awesome and at times, unconventional, location/setting. Fortunately, all of our clients have really trusted my creative instinct and have accommodated some unusual requests to get the shots. I’m also always looking through magazines, ads, commercials, movies, etc. and trying to visualize the setup and techniques used.

What (or who) has inspired, & continues to inspire, your work?

I have been influenced by the following photographers and continue to “blog-stalk” them:
-The Image Is Found
-Chris+Lynn
-Bumatay Studios
-Liana Banana
-Bobbi+Mike
-PerspectiveEye

and especially

-SHAWN STARR

It seems like each week, I find another photographer’s work I like. I am definitely inspired by the city of San Francisco. This city is “smooth” like “Butter” (pronounced “but-tah”!!! = ) As we know, this place has so many different locations to shoot and are widely recognized, so I attempt to find a way to showcase features of this city and at the same time, feature it in a different way each time we shoot. I am also inspired by the clients we work with. By getting to know them, I learn how to photograph them in a way that is truest to their nature and personality.

What do you say or do to put your clients at ease in front of the camera?

It’s kind of funny but I actually pose for them instead of instructing them of what to do. And yes, I do a great impersonation of a “hot and sexy” woman. They end up laughing at me and that puts them at ease.And I always recommend to my clients to watch the movie “Hitch” so they can get that “90% kiss” and not have puckered lips in their images.

What was it that first drew you to take up photography?

I got into photography as a graphic/packaging designer, needing to get images of products for designing and creating packaging. I realized then that photography really is “painting with light” and was really challenged to learn how to hone this skill. I happened to meet a local wedding photographer, Carl Spears, who has great knowledge of lighting and taught me the necessary basics. From there, the camera seemed to become permanently fused with my hand and I just kept researching and experimenting how to get better shots. Suddenly, it seemed like my wife and I were the most popular couple we knew, being invited to everyone’s functions. I thought I had just increased my coolness factor but really, it was the pictures they were after. That’s when we decided it was time to go pro. = )

Which photographer would you like to shoot with for a day & why?

I would love to shoot with the Image is Found. And guess what, I get to do it this August 2008 for a workshop they’re running in SF with Susan Stripling. “Hey!!” Reason being is because they provide clients with amazing images and provide you with an AWESOME experience leaving a wonderful after taste of referrals. My goal is to be able to shoot like that.

//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com

antoinette & neil's wedding

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guest commentator: monica

antoinette & neil's wedding was a blast! we started with bridal prep pictures with the ladies at antoinette's parents' home where she was sitting pretty and probably more relaxed than any other bride we've seen! we even got a chance to capture her opening her wedding gift from neil.

neil and the guys waited patiently at st. vincent's ferrer parish in vallejo, where we were able to get some shots of the guys before the ceremony started. all were thrilled to have witnessed the union of this "junior high couple," in a heartfelt catholic wedding with filipino traditions.

their reception venue at the hiddenbrooke golf club was decked out in their tiffany theme, complete with tiffany boxes & jewels. antoinette and neil surprised their guests with a special dance routine choreographed by his grandfather, who was gracious enough to lend him a sequined shirt. the dancing continued through the last minutes of 7.07.07, making for an enjoyable party for all.

congratulations, antoinette & neil! may your marriage be as beautiful and long-lasting as your veil! ;)

and thanks to cliff for joining us to shoot their wedding! we had such a blast with this very talented photographer!



//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com


the jewelry



the flowers and antoinette's great victoria's secret find of her sassy bridal prep shirt



glamming up!



neil's wedding gift to antoinette: an ipod with a specially-made video of neil explaining the sentimental value of the sweet and simple diamond stud earrings, which she chose to wear instead of her glamorous drops for the occasion



the wedding gown



veil shot of antoinette as she gets ready to line up for the ceremony



the men at the church



here comes the bride!



a beautiful ceremony



the entourage



a moment to cherish before they head to the festivities of their reception



the beautiful couple taking advantage taking in all the beauty of their venue



dinner at tiffany's! delicious cake provided by: sweetie pie's, napa



a very touching moment between the two brothers, neil and hervey



the tosses



dance, dance, dance!

crystal & louie's engagement session

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guest commentator: monica


we had the opportunity to shoot crystal and louie just a couple of weeks after their civil wedding, as they plan their church wedding for september '08. this pair is an adorable, super-goofy, and creative duo! so creative that they chose eye-candy filled locations that we were unfamiliar with... boy, did they pick the spots! we started at the sutro baths in sf, which is where they've called home for the past few years. artistically-inclined, they knew that this was the place to capture some breath-taking views of the ocean & architectural ruins. then we hiked up the great highway to shoot a few city symbols before we headed to usf, the alma mater of crystal.

here are just a few shots of this chameleon-esque couple... watch them go from silly, to serious, to lovey-dovey. congratulations to the newlyweds, crystal & louie!





//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com


the "lone mountain" campus... a misnomer for this passionate couple



role reversal



the sutro baths... check out their "star wars pose!"



they "heart" sf and one another



you better recognize the "t!" and if you don't, recognize the rings!



crystal & louie's variation of the headshot

deana & jeff's engagement session

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guest commentator: monica

we had the honor of photographing deana and jeff for an early morning e-session at the edge of golden gate park and ocean beach. with only weeks away from their wedding next month, they wanted to be sure to include a variety of images for various pieces of their big day. these two are not only totally in love & "modelicious," but they were brave enough to bear the cold pacific & climb into small crevices... or at least deana was! here are just a few teasers from their shoot.

congratulations, deana & jeff! we hope you have a beautiful, memorable wedding!



//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com


much more action between these two lovebirds than the blades on the dutch windmill



tender intimacy & deana's bling!



island spirit



Ka honi mai me ke aloha ~ And with love is a kiss

we're winners!

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check out this cool site, the wedding photography project, dedicated to "creating better wedding photographers," created by seattle-based photographer, cory parris. this is a great place to learn more about photography, especially for those who contact us with lots of questions about how to improve their craft. we're actually featured in the latest post as the winners of the
"cool photo" contest, with an entry from joy & john's e-session. check it out below!

We have a winner!

Published July 10th, 2007 photo techniques , photography - exposure , photography contest , photo contest , wedding photography , flash , Boda , composition , photography

In the first ever Wedding Photography Project contest, we have a winner! And the winner is (drumroll please)…Ed Pingol!

Here is the winning entry:

camera setting was 100iso 30th @ f19. this smooths out the water falling and also gives us enough ambient light to light the whole scenery. monica, my wife is hiding behind the falling water on the left side (notice i didn’t clone her out so you can see her head) holding a SB-24 triggered by a pocket wizard mounted on a monopod.

The reasons behind my choice are first that I thought it was a cool composition with the lines traveling around the frame, the way line of the groom’s head and neck echo the line of the rock above him, the slow shutter speed to let the water blend, the cool use of flash during the day, the educational value it has for the people that read here, and just because I liked it!

I know that contest judging is always controversial because everyone has different favorites, but I hope everyone will congratulate Ed!

A big “thank you” to Ed Pingol, all the other entrants (I learned a bit, so hopefully others did, too), and Jim Garner the owner of the Boda bag company for putting up the prize!

here's the contest entry rules/description:

The “Cool Photo” Contest!

Published June 19th, 2007 wedding photography business , wedding photography marketing , photo techniques , Photoshop techniques , Photoshop , wedding photography , photography

This website is all about teaching each other cool tips, tricks, techniques and philosophies. So here is our first contest to convince people to send me some cool tips, tricks and techniques.

Send me a cool photo (c@coryparris.com) that you took at a wedding. Include with it a short paragraph about how you shot and processed it. If I like it, I’ll publish it. If it’s the best entry (judged solely by Cory Parris, no complaining), meaning that you have a really cool photograph and included some cool thoughts or ideas on how you did that could help another photographer, then you win a brand new Boda Bag!

To show you what I mean here is an entry from me (I’m not going to judge myself the winner - I already have a Boda).

I took this photograph at Hill’s Resort in Priest Lake Idaho. The couple loves the lake and mountains, so I had them go out on the dock and used a telephoto lens (85mm on a 30D) to compress the distance between the couple and the mountains in the background. I used a small aperture (f7.1) to have some detail and definition in the mountains. When I processed this, I used a neat trick that I just discovered. For the last few years, when I want the colors to really pop, I create a duplicate layer and change the blending mode to “Overlay”. This time I sandwiched a black and white layer in between the original layer and the Overlay. This created the high-contrast, desaturated and intense look.

Here’s the prize.

I can’t wait to see your entries!

//ed pingol
707.334.1468
edpingol@gmail.com
edpingol.blogspot.com