From a recent wedding, which I’ll be blogging about soon. Shot by my second shooter, Raya.

Ilford XP2 black and white film. Some sort of Canon camera and lens.

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to photograph a very elegant party, which was hosted at the former estate of an iconic actress. While I’m not at liberty to give much information or to show actual party images, there are some really great detail shots I can share. The event was designed and catered by Good Gracious Events in Los Angeles. The event was overseen by Michelle Nowak, and the menu was created by chef Joanne Purnell (who also made the desserts in the previous “teaser” post).

Technical details at the end.

The daylight images were shot using Portra 400, a Nikon F100 and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. The evening shots were shot with my Nikon F5, a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, and Kodak Vision3 500T movie film. Bounce flash was used on many of the food shots.

The 500T film was processed and scanned at The Finer Image, with help from Joseph Prezioso. The Portra 400 images were processed and scanned by Richard Photo Lab.

Wedding and event photography for Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and all of southern California by Matt Haines.

I recently photographed a private party that was catered by Good Gracious Events in Los Angeles. The event was overseen by Michelle Nowak, and these yummies were created by chef Joanne Purnell. I didn’t get to try one of these but the main course was amazing!

Technical details: shot with my Nikon F5. Bounce TTL flash off the wall to the right. Kodak Vision3 500T movie film, processed and scanned by The Finer Image, with the help of Joe Prezioso.

Today is my 11 year anniversary. Yes that’s right, we got married on Cinco de Mayo! That wasn’t intentional, but makes it easy to remember. I have very few pictures of Dianne and I that were actually taken by me, so I’m sharing one from Alaska in 2007. Additional benefit: I look younger in this one!

I think about all the couples I’ve photographed at weddings, and wish them what I have: a wonderful, solid marriage to a great person. Happy anniversary, honey!

What the bride was watching as she waited for the bridesmaids to get ready.

Nikon F5, Kodak Vision3 500T movie film.

Model: Daryl Nicole
Hair and makeup: JaNice Estrada
Short dress: “April” by Fancy Bridal New York
Short dress and accessories provided by: Camarillo Bridal
Long dress: model’s own
Shoes: Irregular Choice
Bouquet of light purple spray roses, pink and white ranunculus, white and purple anemones, pink sweet peas, dusty miller, purple lilacs, pink jasmine, white berzillia, purple dahlias and passion flower vine by Ruth Gulden of Petals Floral Design, Simi Valley, CA.

Technical details: Color images shot with Mamiya 645AF, 80mm lens and Fuji Pro 400H. Black and white images shot with Bronica SQ-Am, 80mm lens and Ilford XP2.

Processed and scanned by Indie Film Lab.

Wedding photography for Simi Valley and all of southern California by Matt Haines.

A preview of an upcoming bridal-shoot post.

Bouquet by Ruth Gulden of Petals Floral Design, Simi Valley CA.

Fuji Pro 400H film, Mamiya 645AF. I know, Fuji huh? Weird. I like to give it a whirl every once in awhile…

Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles, CA

Wedding and Family Portrait Photography by Matt Haines.

One more from my trip to the Caribbean. This is a rocky little island in Gustavia harbor, St Barthelemy (aka St Barts). Olympus OM-4, Kodak Portra 400.

Destination wedding photography for the Caribbean. Contact me here if you’d like more details.

Learning to THINK like a photographer.

The blog is called Shoot IQ.

There are lots of books and websites out there that will tell you how to use camera equipment, lighting, Photoshop etc. Even plenty of books on marketing and operating your photography business. But very few of them actually teach the mental skills necessary to be a great photographer. For example:

• What do you look for when scouting a location?
• How do you practice composition? What makes a nicely composed image?
• How do you position your business so that you stand out?
• How do you get started and rise above it all?

So if you’re a photographer, or would like to be, please check out my new site. There are some useful posts on there already, with tons more to come. Thanks!