I am the best man - Chateau La Joye, San Gregoria, CA

So, yes, it finally happened. My best bachelor of a friend is getting married...and I'm the best man.

It took me a while to juggle the fact of the matter, should I be helping to photograph his wedding, or should I be enjoying that beautiful day.

Well, I figured I'll do a half-ass job at both, bringing me joy and contribution to this wonderful event at Chateau La Joye, located in San Gregoria, California; a few miles from Half Moon Bay.

During the ceremony, I setup my camera from a high position and used a remote shutter transmittor to snap pictures. Who woulda thought, the best man could still shoot images DURING the ceremony. Yeah baby! I'm the BEST....man!

Here is their album, my photojournalistic view, from the bachelor party to the rehearsal to the wedding itself.

*sniff* *sniff* 'Lil John's all grown up. ;-)

- Michael Soo

My First Wedding Client....all over again!!

Willie works mere minutes away from me in the big Apple HQ in Cupertino. This will give you a preequisite knowledge of where I shot Willie & Pattry's rings... But that's not what I'm going to write about.

Rather, it comes as a great pleasure to have Willie & Pattry be the first wedding clients to grace my new website, Wedding Impress. From now forth, all my clients will have their space for their friends and families to view their Engagement images, Wedding Album, provide Testimonials, etc. Ok, Ok, enough of my shameless plugs.

I do have to say that Willie is a heckavu cool guy. I had a load of fun shooting their engagement shoot at the Palace of Fine Art in San Francisco. The fun part isn't just taking shots where every single one of the usual photographers has burrowed their tripods. Rather, the fun arises where we took numerous shots that no other photographers has ventured to take. That, in my opinion is the fun.

BTW Willie, despite protests from beautiful Pattry, I do think you look hellavu cool in your shades. ;-)

- Michael Soo

From the ashes, she rises once more

Everyone meets someone unique every once in a while... Meeting someone who perservere through life's trials of fire and rise again from the ashes, that's definitely inner strength unseen.

Demara & Reynold are two such persons.

Wife of two months to Army Sgt Adam W. Estep, Demara went through the worst type of pain that I can only claim to fathom. But time heals and despite not seeing Demara going through the pain she went through for the past years (and will probably continue to face), it is my greatest honor and privilege to see her rise from the ashes.

Her new mate, almost a common man, but one that possesses healing energy of a water dragon of sorts. Definitely one of the biggest heart a creature could claim to own, a kind soul and a being of true love; he managed to coax and soothe her from her burning cinders. Wings torn, golden feathers in soot, she rise again, slowly but surely.

I watched in tears, my heart trembled. I am sadden by their circumstance but I envy their bond.

These two mythical beings join into a harmonious cry. Such roaring silence of rebirth. For this is truly, life's greatest trials.

Demara & Reynold, you both have opened my heart. My warmest wishes to you both. May life open doors in every direction as you move into your new life together.

Wedding Album shot at Hakone Garden in Saratoga and Maggiano's in Santana Row

- Michael Soo

Wedding Cake Photography, the natural way

Making food photography look better than before using natural AND artificial lighting!

I hope you didn't blink. This is the last shot of the day where the baker made an amazingly beautiful wedding cake in less than 2 hours!!!

We were using the stone background when the setting sun started shining it's warm golden light onto the wall (top right), casting the shadow of the structure 50 feet above. It lasted mere minutes.

I whipped out my 35mm lens to include more background in the shot, change the 5 lights setup in 2 minutes (if you've done wedding or engagement photography, that'll improve your reflexes and thinking speed. Anything "wedding" has to be done in lightning speed, both physically and mentally.

The lighting on the cake itself was controlled to show the depth of a white cake that still has texture within itself.

The light behind the cake was carefully metered to be subtle and to accent the background, lighting what was supposed to be dark. Its dual purpose is to light up the "La" in "La Baguette" as well. Now, it glows a halo around the cake. Nice! Just what I needed. Within 2 minutes, all the lights were setup to show the white cake on white tablecloth nicely while the composition is surrounded by darker shadows (except the La Baguette paint). Perfect.

I took 4-5 shots and the light that hit the wall was there no more.

Could I recreate it? Of course!

How much would it cost me to recreate a cookied shot like that using the best equipment? $10,000. (A high end Fresnel light + powerpack + a nice tall lightstand + a cookie board)

Uh, any cheaper way? $3000. (A fresnel light modifier, the light of course, a tall light stand and a cardboard)

Still expensive? $300. (Two really tall light stand, a cardboard and a light source but you need to do it at night.

How much would it cost to do it with nature's help? Priceless!

- MS

Couture Bridal Photoshoot at Jinza Jin with my Profoto 600R

The most fun in any photoshoot is when you get to collaborate with the best talents the industry has to offer. Here, in this shoot, we have:

1. two absolutely stunning models, Charisse and Milena
2. our gracious host, Jinza Jin who owns the amazing couture bridal line at 2040 Union Street in San Francisco
3. our lovely Janice Daoud whom I can't have enough praise of
4. the most talented hair stylist, Mikel with a fantastic personality!
5. Of course, our Paul Ferradas who is always there to help

What's this shoot for? How about for all our portfolios? Is that a good enough reason? WE ALL THINK SO!.

While I am at it, I got the chance to try out my new toy, the latest little photo gear from Profoto. The tiny little, Profoto Acute-B 600R battery and of course, its equivalent Profoto Acute-B 600 w/s lamp head. I'm not even counting the modifiers and this tiny light bulb made me bleed $3k. Ouch! And I'm actually thinking of buying 3 more sets of these? Hahaha. Michael Soo's lofty goals.

Talk about finances, I'm leaking ... gushing money this month. My credit card bill came yesterday and even though I expected it, I still fainted for a few minutes before I ran and played with the lights again. I think I need help. Know a good therapist, anyone?

This is probably one of the main reason why a photographer charges a few pennies extra for their services.

On the bright side, this little sucker is an amazing pack. Possibly the lightest gear available in the market! 10 measly pounds!!! I could see myself pocketing the long term medical savings when I turn 70! That's where the savings will roll in by the millions!!! Oh yeah!

I really enjoy commercial, high fashion couture shoots for a few damn good reasons. I can't do the statistical type of shoot where I take 1000 shots, hoping for 1 great shot. I'm the type of guy who wants to take 10 shots, expecting 5 phenomenal shots! That made me really suitting for commercial since most companies only want 1 to 10 great shots and use it for anything from advertising, packaging to websites, etc.

I think we got enough out from this shoot to last us a while. Then again, we're doing a beauty shoot the day after tomorrow. I guess I just can't sit around long enough without fidgeting. ;)

- Michael Soo

Sample Wedding Album at Cypress Hotel of Cupertino

This completely customized wedding album was actually completed on Tuesday 4/17/2007, a mere 3 days after the 4/14/2007 wedding!!! Not to brag but this is somewhat unheard of. Most photography studios require at least one full month to complete a wedding album design of a lesser quality. I only get to post this today since I don't want others to see the album before the bride and groom do. It's a courtesy thing. They check it out last night and loved it with a minor change to the last page. So, it's signed off and ready for printing. ;) Rie & Bryan's Wedding Album - Michael Soo

Strength in Diversity

By now, you probably think I'm a nutty professional photographer, dipping my toes into such a wide variety of subjects, from product photography to food photography to fashion photography to glamour photography to landscape photography and fine art photography to gosh, portrait photography, wedding photography and what else, commercial photography. On top of all that, I'm also well versed with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Website Design!!. Still think I'm sane?! I think not. While 90% of professional photographers out there strive to specialize in one field of photography, I spread my wings and claim strength in all. Is my brain really that slow? Contrary to what you might think, I have good explanations on what I've done thus far.

1. Mastering different facets of photography has allowed me to apply my knowledge in one to another. For example, if I were to shoot an engagement session at a seemingly boring golf course, I can utilize my knowledge as a landscape photographer for composition; my discipline in fashion and glamour photography to pose my subject beautifully; my in depth experience with studio lighting to use bounce multiple light sources to the subjects to create a wonderful interplay of light and shadow.
2. It keeps me excited as a photographer and continually challenge my ability to improve. It is much more often to hear of, say a specialized wedding photographer to get bored of his craft due to lack of innovation, creativity and exciting work. He/She will tend to do the same style over and over again with overall little improvements. For me, however, I am never bored since I have been peaking my performance by learning everything I know from one area of photography to the next. What I thought about in one area of photography has constantly been applied to another.

However, in spite of the above, most clients tend to think of a photographer is best when he or she is specialized. Just think, a bride probably will be more apt to choose a photographer who is specialized in weddings versus one who does everything. How do you, as a photographer prove otherwise? Show them your portfolio. The images needs to speak and they will, if you are good.

- MS