Just Below Big Bear

We made our annual trip to the snow right after the Christmas holiday. This year we stayed at Lake Gregory which is about 2000 feet below Big Bear mountain. Jess' sister Monica was kind enough to invite us to stay in the cabin for a few days. The cabin has a wonderful view of the lake from the balcony and was a perfect place for chilling out and playing guitar, although Monica might have thought differently. Here's a shot of Jess by the window that leads out to the balcony.


And here is a shot of Jake as he was heading down the stairs



Jake was ready to find some snow so we set out for a place to set up a battle ground for a snowball fight. There is a school about a mile from the cabin that had a nice spot where we eventually ended up. After about an hour of pelting each other with snowballs, Jess had found another spot where we could go. It happened to be a perfect spot to try out my new lens that Jess got me for Christmas (85mm 1.8, which is competing very hard with the 70-200 to become my favorite lens).



You can see in the last photo how wet Jake was getting from playing in the snow and he quickly realized why being cold is not the most fun thing in the world. He soon found his way to the car where the heater provided the right amount of comfort he needed. The little coffee house we went to right after this helped out as well. Luckily, Jess was a willing participant for the lens battle and didn't mind posing for me.


On the way to the coffee house, Jess saw this view of the lake as we were driving around.


The 3-day stay went by way too quick. It wasn't cold enough for snow to fall the night we got there so hopefully next year Jake and the "little one" will get their first winter with actual falling snowflakes. Hopefully we find out for sure what we are having on our next visit to the doc. Once we find out, I can replace "little one" with Jayden. I hope we can stay at the same cabin next year. The place is huge and has a very cozy feel to it. I still have a few more photos I am going to be posting over the next few days so check back often. We hope everyone had a nice Christmas and enjoyed the holiday season!

Harumi & Larry's Wedding

Harumi and Larry officially tied the knot at Castle Creek Inn located north of Escondido. The last time I was there was about 5 years ago to play a round of golf. Larry is a retired Marine who is a great person and a great friend. I had scoped out the location the weekend prior to the wedding and the overcast skies were very pleasing as far as photography is concerned. Being that we are in sunny southern California, the sun was in full swing on the actual day of the wedding so I had to make a few minor adjustments. Here are a few of the photos of Harumi prior to the wedding. Harumi, you look wonderful!




After the ceremony, we stepped outside to grab a few photos and here is one of my favorites!


This little girl is just too cute. She would follow me around everywhere I went and when I started taking photos of other people, she would try to get in the shot. I have a series of 3 photos with her grabbing her mom's camera to take my pic. I need to add those. Ain't she a doll!


Here are a few details of the wedding





This next one was taken during the best man's toast. It was more like a roast and the whole room was filled with laughter.


Congratulations Larry & Harumi. This was a very fun day!

Back From Pasadena

We made it back home tonight after spending the weekend up in Pasadena/Hollywood. Jess had been wanting to go to Universal Studios this summer but I had been working on the business side of my photography. I have also been laid up for a couple weeks with a torn calve muscle (and who said volleyball wasn't a contact sport)! I had planned a meeting with Scott Robert and I actually became more than just a hat rack. Pasadena's right next to Universal Studios so why not just make a weekend out of it? I have been impressed with Scott's work and figured he could really help me out. At times, weddings can be a big challenge. Either the light's just not optimum or you want to get a better angle but you don't want to miss the moment that is taking place. At times, you just have to get the shot in spite of the situation. I know what I want to convey but the shot is dictated by the situation at hand. Take the example of Jake in the following photographs. As we were walking around (walking off a killer dinner we ate at Mijares - I highly recommend the Baja Special), Jake was running around. He was literally climbing up the walls. I noticed the light being cast on the wall and thought it would be a cool shot. So I had him stand there on this little ledge where the light was just falling on his face. The shot is cool but it just needs a little seasoning to make him stand out.


...and BAM! (am I watching to much Emeril??) This is what I was seeing in my head! Just a little more drama needed to be added. The image was captured with a Canon 20D w/50mm prime, ISO 1600, f/2.0 @ 1/125 sec.


The next image was taken just around the corner from the first shot and I wanted to get him just chilling out. I was actually just finishing up some pix with Jess and Jake had sit down next to this wall. If you look closely, you can see a drop of sweat dripping down by his ear (I told you he was running around like a banshee).


..and the conversion. The highlights on the right are still a little funky but it's 2:00a.m. and I need to post some pix. Image was shot with a Canon 20D w/50mm prime, ISO 1600, f/2.2 @ 1/50 sec.


This last photo was inside this cool outdoor mall. I just really like the colors in the sign. Image was shot with a Canon 20D w/50mm prime, ISO 1600, f/2.8 @ 200th.


The weekend was a blast. Jess enjoyed getting back to Universal Studios and I got some time to photograph in a new area. Pasadena is beautiful and very historic. I would like to get back there soon. There are some really nice places to photograph (Westin Hotel is next on the list). It had been 22 years since I had been to Universal Studios and the place was cool.

A little side note before capping off the night. There is a lower level at Universal Studios and there are a series of escalators that take you down there (5 series total). There are also stairs that run parallel with the escalators (about 500 steps total). If your child decides to take the stairs on the way back up to the top level as Jake did, your quads better well be rested. I remember those days of endless energy and man do I miss them.

Janna & Mike

Mike and Janna were married in La Jolla on this wonderful day. I was fortunate to be asked by a fellow photographer and friend, Melinda Del Toro, to assist with photographing this fun and energetic couple. The weather did not start out particularly well, but the sun made every attempt to not put a damper on the day's events. I had the pleasure of photographing the groom and his party and then it was off to La Jolla for the ceremony. Mike is a very down to earth person and was very cool to work with. (All images are (c)2006 Taylor Design & Photography for MDT Photography).


These ladies were having a wonderful time and the umbrellas were perfect.


Doesn't Janna just look radiant along with her wedding party? She kept that wonderful smile all day.


and for a little detail...


The weather ended up being perfect for the wedding ceremony.


Janna walking towards the crowd of excited attendees


A little Charlie's Angels action (for those that remember the original).


This is one of my favorite photographs from the day.


These two are just so happy in each other's presence.



Congratulations Mike & Janna! Your wedding was so much fun. You both made the day flow so easy. It was an honor to photograph your day and I wish you both the best!