I met Jace in high school while playing football together, and we both picked up the guitar around the same time. I believe I was 16. Right from the get-go Jace would play during lunch break and even sing! That was something I couldn’t understand. You see, I was an extremely shy guy in school. I did bring my guitar to school, but could never muster up the courage to sing like he did. I’ll always remember him playing Dashboard Confessional and singing while I played Red Hot Chili Peppers. To this day we’re still good friends, and I’ve never stopped supporting this guy.

Though he is my friend, I believe in every song that he makes. His passion and diligence is inspiring. I’ve followed/supported every band he has been in and had the awesome chance to play guitar in our band Asleep In Every City a few years ago. I not so secretly wish we were all still playing together. It was one of the most fun times in my life thus far! Before I had even called myself a photographer I started taking pictures at his shows for fun. Having said that, it’s safe to say that I’ve come a long way since I started. haha

Coming off of my tangent, Sarina and I had a ton of fun climbing mountains and doing all things dangerous for his album. Here’s a few of my favorite shots:

Here’s the album cover that came into fruition. Please give his music a listen by clicking the image!

As you  might have assumed, I did in fact end up booking Natasha and Brendan. On their thank you card, I told them that they were the nicest couple I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Their day went along beautifully, with some tears here and there during the ceremony and father-daughter dance. Natasha’s dad didn’t choose just any song to dance with his daughter. When Natasha was younger, he made audio clips of them all the time. The audio clip that played during their dance was of little Natasha singing an old school jam. It was one of the most amazing and personalized things I’ve ever seen! To match this, Natasha looked absolutely beautiful.

Thank you Natasha and Brendan, for being amazing, and for letting such words come so easily from my mind. My wish is that you’re blessed with gratuitous amounts of love, until the end of time.

Special thanks to the amazing planner, Ann J Kim. Makeup by Sheba Snow. Hair by Kioni Ben Celeb Hair and Channion Wade. And the always amazing Kristen Booth for assisting!

This couple was sweet, just like their favorite things they brought along with them.

No one gets to Anand’s Toblerone chocolate. Not even Jana!Thank you Anand and Jana for being such a sweet, fun and loving couple to document.

While I have taken a black and white film class in college, it has been some time since I’ve shot a roll. And besides disposable cameras that I used to take the the zoo when I was in 6th grade, this was the first time shooting color film. Every now and then I take my film camera to weddings, engagements, or anything out of the ordinary. I shoot film in conjunction with my main camera, the Nikon D3. I love mixing things up, and I love the challenge of learning. Indeed, I learned.

Here’s what I learned: Always double check the speed of your film, and make sure that it matches the camera settings.

Don’t be afraid to push the film! By push I mean overexpose. Film has a lot of lateral to it that can handle highlights much better than digital. Even if it seems like it will be too bright, do it anyways.

Make sure you choose a quality processing lab when dealing with professional film. I learned that taking film to Walgreen’s is equivalent to having your 21st birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. They’re not as excited about film as you are, and the colors are not managed well. I do say this, however, on behalf of my own local Walgreen’s. Feel free to try for yourself, while praying that the gods provide you with safe passage. For this particular set, I processed with Pro Photo Irvine.

When shooting manual focus lenses, you better do this: VIDEO. Yes, hold on to your butts, and make sure that your focus in on point.

And lastly, thus far, take your time. Study the light. Let us all strive to be better at our crafts.

Shot on Kodak Portra 160/Fujifilm 400H:

P.S. I’m please to announce that our new site is nearly done! The final preparations are beginning shortly, and I can’t wait to show you!

Cheers!

I made a voice memo on the drive back that night, cementing what was most important to me, concerning the people I work with. Anything I asked of Josh and Amanda was done whole heartedly, even with Amanda wearing sandals in the insect infested forest! Sacrifice. These photos that will last forever. They both had such a positive and hospitable personality. These are ingredients for the best experiences, and most beautiful photos.

I have known Josh since the school days. I say school days because I can’t remember the first time meeting the guy. He is one of those keystone people that automatically get associated with a big chunk of my school life. Memorable, and super funny. This was the beginning of another note: Knowing Josh for quite a while, I understood him even more after we were done shooting. It has to do with my clients being vulnerable, and in those seconds deciding whether or not to open up, or close up. The experience of feeling awkward during the first few minutes of any of my shoots transition into a feeling of relaxation and trust towards the end of the evening. That transition of such shows another side of people for me. The most important thing for my clients and I are the relationships that we forge. This helps me be the best that I can be.

On a different note, I was happy that these two had running careers in college.  During the shoot they became my running coach, as I recently took on a running lifestyle. Come to find out, the shoes that I was rocking were not good for running long distance. At all. Which explained the pain in my left leg! I failed. Because of them, I’m going out and buying some Asics with Sarina this very evening! Josh and Amanda, you add value to my life.

For the future’s sake, Josh and Amanda will now be known as Janda.

Thank you, Janda, for being such a trusting couple. Sarina and I had such a great time hanging out, and we both cannot wait for your wedding!

I would change nothing. Nothing at all about her. In life, not one is perfect. I’m happy that Sarina is my complete opposite. She’s the light of my life, pretty much my manager, and my spell checker extraordinaire. Responsible for coming with me to every shoot, holding reflectors, and a wonderful future prospect to my wedding photography team. She recently bought a D700 for her birthday, and I’ve  been coaching her to the best of my abilities. I have to say, she’s coming along!

I digress.

I wrote something on Facebook when we reached our 3.5 year mark of being together. About 3 months ago. It was very real, and I couldn’t think of a better way to tell the world about us. This is my blog, and I hope that every post I do gives you insight into my own life.

This is Sarina. This is how I see her.

Sometimes you forget the small things. I’m happy to say that Sarina Harbin and I have reached 3.5 together!

She’s my support, the driving force behind me, and a wonderfully beautiful woman. We’ve watched each other grow since 19/20, and I can’t wait to see where life takes us next.

I still remember seeing her for the first time at Baja Fresh. I got horribly sick that night due to a horrible burrito, and Sarina being a bit buzzed. That day was no good at all.

And then, I saw her once more at one of my band’s shows. Back when I was a wild child. I didn’t notice her when I was getting heavy with my guitar, but the after party… There she was, with a white v-neck shirt, black little vest, dark jeans, and those cute little black boots she used to wear. Everything was in slow motion. Looking through the crowd dancing, I had tunnel vision. On a girl that had dark hair, with deep green eyes that called my soul. I’ve come to realize that Sarina’s eyes switch back between a tad green, and a whole lot of green. I’d like to say that she does that when she’s most happy. “My name is Daniel C.” “Does C stand for cutie?”, Sarina said.

Well then, that is only the beginning.

Cheers my love,

Daniel

Thank you Martha Davenport for such beautiful hair/makeup.

Thank you to my amazing team:

Wardrobe and Prop Styling by Sarina Harbin

Hair by Ashley Jael Wheatley

The day was filled with a multitude of locations, but my favorite spot by far was this Victorian house. It reminded Sarina and I of one of our favorite movies, Up. What a sweet lady the owner was.

Cheers to finding love, however long it may take you.

Reflecting back on my last birthday post…well, from last year :

Last week was amazing. I did everything I wanted to do, and practically ate out every single day of the week! haha On May 4th I turned my 23rd corner! Yes, I’m now 23, my Michael Jordan year. The year I’m pushing myself to new heights. Both in my own creativity, and making a difference in people’s lives is what’s coming this year. Thank you to all of those who’ve shown support to all of my ideas. This is only the beginning for me. :]

I think coming back to what I wrote a year ago helps give me insight into my own life. My hair is now kept a little longer, and therefore people tell me I look like Bruno Mars when I go to Disneyland. I traded in my Vans for leather Clarks, and I hardly wear slacked/loose ties. Instead I tie them up to the neck baby! These are the face values… And I still love red Vans.

Last year I pushed myself as hard as I said I would. I met some incredible people who have changed my outlook on life, and who have given me new eyes to see. Contacts for 20/20. I’ve been incredibly blessed to gain experience shooting the most beautiful weddings I never knew existed. Humongous diamond rocks, massive ballrooms, Bentley GTs… Face value. I’ve become even more humble about these opportunities and try to reach out to people who are in the shoes I once was. I cannot thank my family who have questioned my hard work, and the friends that have held me up by my arms. I’ve reached higher.

Most importantly, I cannot thank Sarina enough for being the light in my life. It’s super tough carrying the weight of the world, and I’m so glad that she’s there to bring me back to life every time I get down on myself. BREAK TIME : I just saw a spider crawling on my bed. O_o

Here are some of the things I was happy to receive for my birthday! A super dope Kelly Moore Bag. More specifically the Thirst Relief bag which provided 4 people with clean drinking for a lifetime! Please check our their site and see how you can further help people in need of fresh drinking water. http://thirstrelief.org/

Secondly, I fought myself over and over, but I finally bought myself a clean film camera!!! Clean. Wahoo! I was going back and forth between the Nikon FE and Nikon FM2, but decided on the FM2 because it was a pure manual camera (and built like a tank). Sometimes you just have to get uncomfortable. I’m so happy it’s now mine! Moo-hahahaha (video)!

And the most important gift, is the creativity of my ruca/heina/love Sarina. This birthday card ROCKED MY WORLD. My most favorite thing I’ve ever received. Thank you to everyone who have continued to follow my work, read my insight, and feel my struggles. I feel most alive when I can reach out and help people, so please connect with me!

These are some film shots, of my first color film. And, my first roll since college! Here’s some advice, don’t take your film to Walgreens. They’re not too excited about processing. And, it’s not good for color perfectionists. haha

Love and light,

Daniel