One astounding photographer

I made this amazing photographer find again, but this time its not wedding related. Marco Di Lauro's work made my heart stop. The most astounding photojournalist I've ever seen. Covering places of conflict like Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Israel, India, Kosavo, Egypt, Lebanon, Kenya, Uganda... and then turn around and shoot someone as glamorous as Angelina Jolie. No wonder this guy works with Getty Images. I didn't bother pasting any of his images here, because a visit to his website is a must. There's no way you wont be inspired by what you see on his website, so please share your thoughts..

An interview with a winner...

Remember this image? It won the title of Stellar Image of the Year. The photographer? Samuel Lippke, one young photographer whose work is admired by magazine editors and brides alike.. His talent takes him coast to coast, and as far away as Thailand to shoot an exotic wedding. Samuel Lippke Studios is one of the hottest names in Southern California right now, and if there's a photographer to learn something from, it's him. Check out my interview with him below..

About the winning image:

Samuel - I shot this with a Canon 5D Mark II. 24-105mm Lens and I believe a 5.6 F-stop. I knew that I wanted some motion blur, as we crossed the street the bride just happened to look down the road and I panned with her to capture her whole look. I made it B&W because I wanted it to be about what was in focus (the bride) and not about the background which was just a boring parking garage. Exactly how I had planned! I was thinking how dark it was getting and how I wanted to take advantage of the magic hour without using my flash. So I felt rushed, but comfortable at the same time.

I love the real & gritty sense of life in general. Wedding's can be very pure and clean feeling, but when you truly document the whole event, you can't be scared to get a few real life gritty images. In this case I tried to push the fashion and beauty even though its in some rough surroundings.

Secret to my Success: Hard work and an open mind. You have to enjoy what you do too, accept your role and run with it. Set goals and reach them one step at a time.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Photos that look like they are from yester-year.. we just seem to be drawn to the past dont we? I think of film photography, anything vintage, black/white style.. at some point we just seem to go back to it and say, ahhh...

- WINNER -

Thank you a million times over to the fabulous judges Harmony Walton, Mike Colon, and Robert Evans of this year's, "Stellar Image of the Year". As you can see, these judges took their job seriously. I mean they went on for hours!

and the winner is.... Samuel Lippke Studios in Long Beach, California!! This image was the one the judges kept coming back to, and couldn't get enough of.. Congratulations Samuel, winner of the title "Stellar Image of the Year" + a fabulous collection of DVD's by master shooters Mike Colon and Robert Evans + a $250 gift card from Apple!

Check out the comments by these celebrity experts on why they chose this image as The Stellar Image of the Year!

I like this image because it reminds me of when photographers used to shoot film. It speaks to the realness, and the moments of an actual wedding. I appreciate the photographers raw talent that captured something special on the fly, and didn't alter it too much in photoshop. It's real and timeless, not your typical "bride and groom crossing the street" either.... - Harmony Walton

I liked this image because it felt "real". I love the motion, and urban setting... and yet it looks like it could be anywhere, even a 3rd world country! I also liked the contrast of the bride's gown with the street.. - Mike Colon

I loved Samuel's image plain and simple because it is real. This image can stand the test of time. Beautiful use of motion blur to create a sense it could be anywhere in the world, and yet the couple looks flawless through it all.. - Robert Evans

- Stellar Image judging photos by Annette Biggers

- For information on entering next years Stellar Image of the Month/Year, shoot me an email to RHermes@aol.com with subject: Stellar Image 2

Where the magic happens...

I'm late, I'm late to a very important place! I know, here and finally now! The judging for the "Stellar Image of the Year" was amazing, and took up a tremendous amount of time to finalize.. thus my lateness in blogging folks. - Stellar Image post is coming very soon -

Ok, so I've been getting request, after request to see where it is I'm working away, and dreaming up the next big thing. I was thrilled to have my good friend Annette Biggers, of TripleCord Photography take pictures of my place..

The "big" room! Basically living room/dining room. It's got a modern - art deco feel about it.



My meeting/dining table!




I love art, this picture is hanging on the side wall by my balcony door.



Hallway of my favorite books, leading to my bedroom.



My bedroom in vintage - glam style!











Oh yes, the bathroom too!








This is the kitchen..





... and the hallway across..




and I just had to hang something up I created from my collage days as an art major..





I just love my guest powder room, it has a relaxing vibe about it, very "laguna beach". My favorite things are the mellow yelllow walls and my Jaysun McMillin picture on the wall.









Here's one last look at what you see when you enter my place!

Short & Sweet

Think sweet thoughts of me until my return from Palm Springs... back on Tuesday, week of the Stellar Image judging!!!!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I'm back, singing the lines of Julie Andrews again... Sound of Music anyone? Ok, so I love a bride with creAtivity, unique and inspiring style... and of course, a brilliant photographer to capture this, like one of my personal favs, Jennifer Lindberg.

Happy Halloween!!

I'm going to do a little personal bragging this holiday.. Scotty aka "Scotty the Kid" took home first prize at Three Dog Bakery's Halloween Costume Contest!! He beat like 45 other dogs, and he did it with a huge smile on his face as you see here!

The big "Stellar Image" news!!!

This is it, the big news! One of the 12 talented photographers who have won the title of "Stellar Image of the Month" are now eligible to win the title of "Stellar Image of the Year" !!!

The winner will be chosen next month, by some pretty fabulous people...

Judge: Celebrity photographer Mike Colon

Judge: Celebrity wedding expert/founder of The Bridal Bar, Harmony Walton Judge: Celebrity photographer, Robert Evans The lucky winning photographer who takes the title of "Stellar Image of the Year" will get a $250 gift card from Apple and the latest DVDs by Mike Colon and Robert Evans.. One fabulous prize for one fabulous photographer! Questions about next years "Stellar Image of the Month/Year" for 2011? shoot me over at: RHermes@aol.com with the subject: stellar image 2011

Stellar Image of the Month

This is it, the final Stellar Image of the Month for 2010! G. E. Masana rocks, he created a work of art here in the way he defines the architecture, lines, shadows, and subjects in the middle of it all.. Makes me want to get out my sketch pad!

Upcoming exciting news!

I know, I know... where's the inspiring imagery?? In this post, I want to alert everyone the last "Stellar Image of the Month" is coming up. Next month, one of those 12 monthly winners will be chosen as the "Stellar Image of the Year" by some pretty important people... stay posted to find out more ;)

The place you want to be seen...

Getting mention, praise, and used as a favorable example in a prestigious publication, is the best press. I love to see clients highlighted this way. Two of the best, Details Details Event Planning and Details a la Carte Custom Invitations are two vendors featured here.

These are a few of my favorite things...

The cover.. a big juicy feature.. at an exotic destination.. with a bride that happens to be a Victoria's Secret model.. It sounds like a photographer's dream job, but this just happens to be Chris Schmitt's reality. He is no stranger to spending his time being requested by today's hottest bride's-to-be to fly to exclusive locales to shoot their private wedding fete.

Stellar Image of the Month

Perhaps one of the key shots of a wedding that a magazine looks to use in a wedding feature is the ceremony exit. It happens in a flash, and getting that perfect shot is not easy. Steve Hoffmann makes this task look like a piece of cake here. This shot has perfect composition, it has such an easy feeling, so natural.. Kudos Mr. Hoffmann.

Featuring... the wedding of Samantha & Ben

Junebug Weddings knows its stuff. Especially when it comes to featuring real weddings, so when they picked this wedding by one of Chicago's finest photographers (his studio is a work of art!) Kevin Weinstein, I wasn't surprised. Here is one of my favorite shots from the wedding featured, by, as Junebug called him.. "the wonderful world of Kevin Weinstein Photography.."

Link to full feature:
http://junebugweddings.com/blogs/photobug/archive/2010/09/06/real-wedding-samantha-and-ben.aspx

Because his style is just as important as hers...

Yes, yes, yes! Capturing the grooms savvy style is important too! Here are perfect examples from two pros (and former clients) Jessica Claire & Jasmine Star.

Let's get a little personal...

Here's my mom playing fairy godmother to her niece!

Featured in...

The latest issue of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style highlights an eye catching cake by Filigree Cakes, and the latest in floral designs from Shawna Yamamoto Event Design.

Stellar Image of the Month

The perfect silhouette of a bride, that's what I call this. There's no denying John & Joseph Photography nailed this shot.

Tre Chic

Nisie's Enchanted Florist wows me with her beautiful and bold designs... love the summer color!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Dogs, of course! Dogs in weddings, is there anything as heartfelt as this? Especially those who take time to dress up their furry little friends proper!

From - Wedding Publicist Post

A wedding with a purpose

Making Wedding Dreams Come True Across America

As the World’s first nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness. It is a chance for couples to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, we help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.