Boutwell Studio

Emily + Eric @ [seven degrees](plus a 5d Mark II review)

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:43:42 -0800

The delightful Emily and Eric tied the knot at [seven degrees] in Laguna Beach on New Year's Eve. This was a wedding of many firsts for me. My first NYE wedding, my first time shooting portraits after dark, my first time shooting 8 months pregnant (!) and my first Canon 5d Mark II wedding. It was a lot to think about, but I am so thrilled with the results.

I have lots to share, and I know I've been slacking on the blog lately, so I'll get right down to it!

Some details -

A few shots of the lovely Emily -

I especially love this one -

The handsome groom -

Just after sunset, Emily and Eric exchanged vows. For the photographers out there who are wondering about the 5d Mark II, I shot these entirely natural light - ISO 1600, 85mm 1.2 @ 1.4.

The first kiss! -

After the ceremony, we braved the freezing cold to shoot some night portraits of Eric and Emily. The first shots were done with a Smith Victor video light, which promptly broke in the first 10 minutes of shooting.

These next three were shot with studio strobe, held by my darling husband/baby-daddy/best-second-shooter-a-girl-could-ask-for...

Of course, my favorite image is me getting back to my roots and what I like to do best... just some found light and a fast lens -

Emily and Eric did an awesome job with the details and decor -

The grand entrance -

A couple shots of Emily and Eric's first dance -

I think they look so darn cute in this shot -

The party was still kickin' at midnight. My shot of the newlyweds' first kiss of 2009 and Doug's awesome scene-setter shot....

One more of the party -

I nearly set myself on fire getting this sequence, but I think it was worth it -

And a couple shots in the vintage Rolls Royce -

To my fellow pixel-peepers: Overall, I was pretty happy with the Canon 5d Mark II. The focus is better, the high ISO range was a lifesaver and the camera is quick to respond. But beware - only PS CS4 reads the files (without some crazy DNG conversion) and, so far, it sucks. And don't buy a Smith Victor video light :)

To Emily and Eric: Thanks for a great NYE! Enjoy your honeymoon!

delightfully,
Chenin

Jen + Patrick: Featured on The Wedding Chicks!

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:22:43 -0800

I hope everyone had a very happy holiday! The lovely Jen and Patrick are featured on one of my favorite blogs today - The Wedding Chicks. Congrats to this fabulous couple!

And to my fellow vendors, I just heard that The Wedding Chicks are now offering the opportunity to advertise on their blog! You should definitely scoot on over and see what this adorable bridal resource has to offer!

In other news, I know I have been a very naughty (and boring) blogger lately. Stay tuned this week for what is sure to be a beautiful New Year's Eve wedding, plus a rockin' day-after session!

delightfully,
Chenin

Giving is awesome!

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:13:08 -0800

I have been a very naughty blogger and forgot to share with the the details of an amazing project that I recently learned about. Giving is Awesome is a worldwide photography project where photographers can donate their time and art to families in need. Just in time for the holidays, Kristen Kelp, our Totally Rad Customer Service Diva, has created a website where photographers can donate their time to families who can't otherwise afford beautiful family photography. This is a completely grassroots and totally amazing project. Kristen's goal is to collect $1,000,000 worth of photography services for needy families; she is doing an incredible job and has over 250 participating photographers! hope you will all consider being a part of it.

Are You Totally Rad?

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:05:15 -0800

If so, we need you! Totally Rad Stuff for Photographers will be exhibiting at the annual PPA Imaging USA Tradeshow in Phoenix, AZ this January. We need warm bodies and smiling faces to help in our booth! If you will be there and have a few hours (or a few days) to help out, please contact doug@gettotallyrad.com. Compensation and smiling faces will be provided :)

Totally Rad Black Friday Sale (plus CS4 updates)!

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:50:42 -0800

Back my popular demand, the Black Friday sale starts at 12midnight PST on November 28th! Visit the Totally Rad Action site anytime on the Friday after Thanksgiving (PST) and receive up to $29 off of any Totally Rad product! It's our little way of saying Happy Thanksgiving!

On another note, this week we sent out an updated version of both sets of actions, adding some features and making all Totally Rad Actions CS4 compatible. There is no charge for this update (provided that you have already purchased the actions) - it's just part of our commitment to taking care of our Totally Rad Customers (and our way of making those other guys looks like schmucks ;) ) For more info, visit Doug's Blog.

Happy Shopping!

delightfully,
Chenin

Danielle + Tommy @ Balboa Island

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:16:11 -0800

Yesterday, the delightful Danielle and Tommy came down from Monterey for their engagement session. It was so much fun getting to know this super-cute couple and hearing all about their plans for the Big Day! Here are a couple of my favorite images from the session -

To Danielle and Tommy: Thanks for a great afternoon! Can't wait for the Big Day!
delightfully,
Chenin

Melissa + Van @ San Gabriel Hilton

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:58:02 -0800

On Saturday, I shot Melissa and Van's very large, very fun wedding. With a guest list of 750 people, I definitely had my work cut out for me. But Melissa and Van, with their wonderful warm personalities, still managed to make the wedding seem personal and intimate. It was a lovely day for a great couple and I was so happy to be a part of it!

The shoes -

I loved Melissa's Chinese dress -

The happy couple, seeing each other for the first time -

A little prayer, right before the ceremony -

After the ceremony, we headed to Chinatown for some portraits of the newlyweds -

And a couple shots from their very cute first dance -

To Melissa and Van: Enjoy Tahiti!

delightfully,
Chenin

Jen + Patrick: The Album

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:51:04 -0800

Every once in a while I like to share an album on my blog. My amazing bookbinder, Finao, recently started to offer 20x8 panoramic albums. That's 20 inches wide, by 8 inches high when the book is closed and a full 16x20 print when it is open! I thought it sounded like a cool challenge and the amazing Patrick and Jen were nice enough to indulge me and allow me to switch the album in their package for this very interesting form-factor.

It was a very difficult challenge to design this book, but I think it's so unusual that I wanted to share it with you all! To see the complete album, click here!

delightfully,
Chenin

New Boutwell Studio website! Check it out!

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:32:12 -0800

I am so excited to announce that my brand new website is live and ready for your viewing enjoyment! CHECK IT OUT RIGHT HERE!

Special thanks to the awesome team at Into the Darkroom for designing this site from the ground up (literally!) I sent them a horrible iPhone photo and a crazy list of things that make me smile and they were able to design a site that is a perfect reflection of me and my work. I highly recommend them to anyone!

As you peruse the site, be sure to check out the galleries, full of brand new work, as well as the fun "hidden" content, courtesy of my bird friend, Wrigley.

delightfully,
Chenin

Netta + Geoff @ Hideaway, La Quinta

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:10:49 -0800

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of shooting Netta and Geoff's wedding in La Quinta. Netta and Geoff are a very cool couple - totally laid back, madly in love and free-spirited. It was an absolute pleasure to shoot for them! The wonderful Cathy and Dory, of Celebrations of Joy, saw that every detail was just perfect for this super-cute couple.

I had a few minutes to shoot Netta putting on the finishing touches -

We shot a couple of portraits of the lovely couple before their ceremony -

The Ketubah signing -

Netta, walking down the aisle with her mom and dad -

After the ceremony, I was able to squeeze in a few last shots of the newleyweds -

Netta and Geoff are huge animal lovers (one of the many things we have in common!) and they wanted to incorporate that into their wedding. I was totally floored when I saw these super-unique centerpieces -

And a couple of shots of their party -

To Netta and Geoff: Thank you for a wonderful day! You are a perfect match and it was a pleasure to capture your beautiful wedding!
delightfully,
Chenin

Checking in....

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:47:20 -0800

It's time for another information-/rant-filled post to clear my head of all things I *meant* to blog but never got around to... So here they are, in no particular order:

*Barack Obama ran for, and won, the Presidency. I typically try to avoid political discussions on this blog; mostly because I know that my views are extreme and I'm already probably on some government watch list for Hippie Liberals who shouldn't be allowed to take part in the political process. But I will just say this - America, I am very proud of you. Thanks for taking a chance and thinking outside of the box. (Now Californians, that's another story. I am more than a little disappointed at how 52% of you voted on one particular issue, but, hey, one step at a time, I guess.)

*Speaking of election night, something has been bugging me for a while. Wolf Blitzer of CNN reminds me of someone, and I've never quite been able to put my finger on it. It plagues me on and off, sometimes interfering with my ability to sleep, or complete basic tasks around the office. But, on election night, it hit me. He looks like Snarf from Thundercats. I think the resemblance is obvious.

*I am still knocked up. I don't blog about personal things too often, which is why I have spared you all the day-to-day details of my pregnancy. I figure you would all much rather see pretty pictures than listen to me ramble about what color I painted the nursery (blue-grey and buttery yellow), or whether we're having a girl or a boy (a boy), or what I'm craving (tomatoes), or how I'm feeling (great, thanks!). But, rest assured, baby is growing quickly and we will be welcoming our little one in a few short months. For those of you who feel incomplete without a piccie, knock yourself out (shot by John, my second shooter at last week's wedding) -

* My darling husband and I were interviewed for f-stop and beyond, a cool little podcast/internet radio show for photographers. If you have about 45 minutes to kill, it's a fun get-to-know-us interview.

*My new blog, designed by the fine folks at Into the Darkroom, was featured in this month's Rangefinder Magazine. It's a great article on the role of blogging in a wedding/portrait photographer's arsenal. Check it out HERE.

* I am hosting a little Finao Open House at my studio next week. Check out the details below-

*I am obsessed with South Park (who saw the Peruvian Flute Band episodes?!?). There is really only one show that even comes close to making me giggle like those darling 4th graders, and that is The Office. Well, one of my wonderful Twitter followers sent me what can only be described as the most perfect marriage of the two most perfect shows ever! Check it out (Stanley is my favorite) -

Ok, I think that's it for now. Consider yourself "caught up!"

delightfully,
Chenin

Holiday Orders

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:38:17 -0800

Dear clients,

The holidays are quickly approaching! In order to facilitate quick and easy holiday ordering, Boutwell Studio has reactivated all 2008 wedding and portrait galleries! These galleries will remain online until December 1, 2008.

We are also offering a 20% discount on all reprints and holiday card orders placed before December 1, 2008. (To receive your discount, simply enter the coupon code *XMAS08* when you check out. Please make sure you enter this code and it is properly applied to your order before you check out. No refunds will be issued, once payment is made and check out is complete.)

We are also offering holiday cards this year! Login to your gallery to learn more about these.

ALL REPRINT AND CARD ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2008 TO BE GUARANTEED FOR DELIVERY BY DECEMBER 24, 2008.

Let me know if I can answer any questions, or chat with you about holiday orders!

delightfully,
Chenin

Happy Birthday Murray!

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:05:27 -0800

Longtime followers of my blog know that I do a yearly birthday post for our beloved mutt, Murray. Well, it's that time again! Mr. Murray turns 15 years old tomorrow. Last year, he was so upset with me for taking his birthday portrait that I decided to skip it. Instead, I'll post a couple family photos, shot by the fabulous Anna Kuperberg.

And, just for fun, Doug shot this little video of him waking up this morning. As you can see, he is still a very sweet, happy boy :)

Murray Wakes Up from Doug Boutwell on Vimeo. delightfully, Chenin

Dena + Adam @ Mountain Gate Coutry Club

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:07:41 -0800

The incredible Dena and Adam tied the knot on Saturday and I was lucky enough to document their day! This adorable couple are so in to each other that it's hard not to fall in love with them. It was definitely one of those "pinch myself" weddings - a great couple, a beautiful venue, awesome coordination by Jen of Lyndsey Hamilton Events, and a killer team of videographers. I am so excited to share, so let's get down to it!

I started the day off with some portraits of the happy couple -

Then we headed inside to sign the Ketubah, which is one of my favorite wedding traditions to photograph-

A couple of ceremony details (special thanks to my second shooter, John, who shot that adorable shot of the flower kids' Chucks) -

The little ones (check out baby Liam in his awesome tux!) -

Adam walking down the aisle with his folks -

I loved that the Rabbi gave Adam a little push as Dena walked down the aisle -

And doesn't she look thrilled to be handed off to her darling husband-to-be?

Adam couldn't take his eyes off Dena through the entire ceremony (*magic*) -

The ceremony setting was so gorgeous -

The first kiss!-

After the ceremony, Dena and Adam wanted to do a couple more shots at twilight (thanks to Jeff, with Elysium Productions, for letting me mooch off of his video light!) -

I loved the flowers. Simple arrangements of jewel-tone wildflowers and succulents in different jars and pots...

A shot from the most rousing Hora I've ever shot (complete with juggling and jump-roping!) -

And a little toast -

To Dena and Adam: I am so thrilled for you both! Thank you for your trust and friendship!
delightfully,
Chenin

Attention Photographers! Come play with Finao!

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:47:18 -0800

That's right! The awesome folks at Finao are coming to town and hosting a little shindig at my studio! Stop by and learn why this is the most delightful album company around!

Who: Finao folks (and me!)
What: An open house, show and tell, meet and greet!
When: November 11, 2008. 3-7pm
Where: Boutwell Studio, 27324 Camino Capistrano, Suite 207, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Why: Because you know you're sick of "the other guys" and you're ready for a change; because you want to see what all the hype is about; because you have nothing better to do than hang out with a bunch of photographers!
How: RSVP to haroldj@finaoonline.com

Hope to see you there!