I have mentioned before and have posted before some of the photography blogs that I follow but I also follow a lot, and I mean a lot, of design blogs.  I love to see how they organize, decorate, and learn a lot of do-it-yourself ideas.  And I have to say that the interior photography is pretty rad!

Here are a few of them that I love to read.

• Poppytalk
• Designsponge
• Aesthetic Outburst
• Life's A Design
• Apartment Therapy

Check them out for some awesome design ideas!  They are on my daily read.

Birds at the park during my 7am run.  Taken on my Android phone.

And I recently read on another photographer's blog, Candice Benjamin, about keeping a schedule and really making time count.  I have tried this and I am a little bit embarrassed to admit that I have failed in sticking with a set schedule.  Albeit this fact, Candice reminded me that I should try to make another schedule and really try sticking to it.  A better schedule.  Better than last time.

Here is my new schedule!  Of course, there is some flexibility considering I may have shoots scheduled and meetings but this is the general schedule.

• 7am-745am:  Workout
• 8am-9am:  Shower, get ready to work
• 9am-2pm:  Work ( I work part time for another company as a product photographer)
• 3pm-4pm:  Eat and relax
• 4pm-8pm:  Work, emails, Facebook, blogs, mail, etc.
• 11pm:         Sleep.

Hopefully I can stick to this schedule and so far, we're on day 5.  I've ran every day, made food at home, and I feel like I'm not all over the place with my work.  Now that it's on the internet, I feel a little more bound to it!  

Happy Friday!

Portraits sure have come a long way since the 1800's.  No need to sit still for one hour to take one family photo or engagement photo.  Or can you imagine an hour sitting for a wedding portrait of your new wife/husband?

I thank the photography gods (and technology) for making it easier to do my job! And as part of my job, I would like to let you in on a few tips for your next portrait session.

Tip #1:  Matchy-Matchy is so out
You mean we don't have to wear white and kaki at our beach portraits?  That's right.  That is great for really large groups where variety would be distracting.  However, for families and engagement couples, being matchy-matchy is sometimes stale.  What is in:  Colors that go well together and complement your skin tone.  Like so:

Tip #2:  Large weird prints
Ed Hardy is most certainly out.  It is for your own good!  Large and distracting prints do just that: distract.  I want to focus on how well you look, the background of the location we chose, and those who are also in the photos.  Having prints that distract aren't very flattering.  Instead where textures or patterns that aren't large, flattering, and don't distract us from how awesome you look.  Case in point:

Tip #3:  Get Groomed
This goes for both men and women.  Men, make sure you get your haircut 2-3 weeks prior to the session, just in case they didn't do a great job you have time to get it fixed.  Day of the shoot make sure to shave, groom, and look oh so debonaire because who doesn't like a handsome guy?  Women, get your hair and make up done.  Even if you don't wear lots of make up, make sure you have a pro do it for you on the day of the shoot.  You'd be surprised how far professional make up will go on a day of a shoot.  Plus, who wouldn't want a day to get a make over!  For example:

Tip #4:  Bring Props
I love it when my clients bring props to add to their sessions.  It represents you and it is my job to do just that.  Get you the way you truly are.  If you play the guitar, bring it and strum a few chords.  If you have an idea that involves props, bring them!  It's better to try it than to have wished you had.  And I love to see  the true you!  Like these two couples did:

Tip #5:  Have fun
This is probably the most important tip!  Getting photographed can be nerve recking and trust me, I've been on that side of the camera, I know how you feel!  I tell clients that it takes about 15 minutes for one to really relax and start showing off to the camera.  Once you're relaxed, getting photographed becomes your own personal America's Next Top Model moment!  And that's when the fun really starts.  That's when I play with your two year old or when I get you to smile with your eyes.  This is a special time to really be you and show off what your mama gave you!  See how much fun we have:

And that's all!  Happy Thursday!




if you would like Jackie to photograph your next portrait session contact her at 951.732.7039.

Some photos from her pre-wedding shoot and wedding.  I read the article at Vogue and was a little confused as to who photographed what.  I do know that Mario Testino photographed the pre-wedding shoot.  Read the article and view more of the photographs.  I would love to have photographed this myself!  Le sigh... a girl can dream!

if you are getting married and would love for me to shoot your wedding contact me at 951.732.7039 or email me by clicking HERE!

I am offering a special rate for the Fall Portrait Series beginning 

September 1st. and ending December 1st.

Make sure you reserve your date by November 15th to receive your holiday cards 

in time for the holidays in December.   

These two are so in love and so perfect for each other that it was almost hard to stop taking photos of them.  The photos are all vintage because that was the request of the couple, something vintage.  Which I think matches them perfectly.  And honestly, these two are such a hot couple!  

Thanks Amber and Kevin for having me be your engagement photographer.  I hope you love these as much as you love each other, well, you know what I mean :).

I couldn't help posting a little sneak peek of the engagement session I had today... these two are too cute!  keep an eye out for the full post :)

full post of alex and make up artist rachel at the disney concert hall in los angeles.  we had such a great time getting to know each other and doing what all three of us love.  rachel: you're awesome!  and so glad we did the orange lips and two different looks one day and one night... so perfect!  alex:  you are a natural! so professional and amazing at wardrobe styling.  we'll be shooting again soon ladies!

happy week! 

Couldn't help posting a little preview of this incredible shoot today at the 

Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.  There are waaaaay more to come.  

Will someone please publish this for me because I think they belong in a magazine!

Stay fresh and have a great weekend!

A day spent in Venice Beach.  I just live how much life is always present in Venice.  

And a nice bike ride on father's day.  Both days were absolutely beautiful and so much fun.  The sky was so blue and makes me think about all the wonderful things in life.  

When I photographed my beautiful and very pregnant friend, Amanda, I did not know that those close to baby Jahzara would be looking at the photos.  After receiving a few emails regarding the session with Amanda, I figured that Sheryl must be a friend.  After playing detective, I found out that Sheryl is in fact baby Jahzara's grandmother!  I was so excited to help Sheryl with some new head shots and do a very special portrait session of her and her three grandkids.  

Summer is about beaches, black and whites, vintage, and a time when grand kids can enjoy the pleasures of Grandma.  Especially when she is as cool and calm like Sheryl.  

Sheryl: Here is a little sneak peek of our session together.  More will be the on the way as soon as the edits are finished :).  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family, even if for just one day!