But, there is one circumstance in my life where I really enjoy being in second. It’s a place where I am free to roam in my creativity, doing what I love with little or no pressure. The only time when I am in second place and don’t want to stomp my feet and throw a fit.

The only time I don’t mind being in second is when I am second shooting for another photographer. In my first year of business I jumped at every second shooting opportunity I could get. I saw them as my on the job training – a crash course if you will. It gave me confidence, portfolio prints and an understanding to how to run a wedding day. Now, I still jump on those opportunities if I have time. It’s a great way for me to try new things with my angles, camera, and look for creative outlets without the full weight of someone’s wedding day on my shoulders. It keeps me fresh and it let’s me see how other photographers work.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine saw someone needed a second shooter and called me up. I had the pleasure of meeting and shooting with Adrienne Fox Photography. Thanks Adrienne for a fun experience!

Dana and Ian were married at the Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach. As everyone else I knew were melting in the sweltering triple digit heat, we were enjoying the 75 degree goodness on the golf course, ducking from flying golf balls and surrounded by Laker’s purple and gold.

I channeled my friend, Matthew Saville and his love of landscapes for these next two…

I’m working on 3 large projects and about a dozen little projects/goals. The summer shootouts (yep, you heard me correctly. There will be a back to back month of shootouts – first time it’s been announced right here folks!) are gonna be so huge, it’s gonna blow your mind! I’m awed and humbled that our little group has come so far in such a short time. I can’t give you details, but I can tell that you need to be a part of the Facebook group to get the registration link at 6:30PM tonight! It’s gonna be worth every penny, let me tell ya!

I am also working on my philanthropist side and planning some fund raising and awareness opportunities for Endometriosis. I have been sworn to secrecy on the rest and since I’m not good at keeping secrets, I better stop now before i get in trouble!

All this to say that I am cutting my blogging days down to two times a week instead of three so I can accommodate all this plotting and taking over the world plans until September. But keep coming back, keep up with me on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for being a part of my life!

Onto Cindy and Shawn….

I love second shooting….and I’ve done A LOT of it. My many opportunities to second shoot have helped me develop important photography skills that have helped me in many wedding situations. Thanks to my friend Cean, I’ve been given many hours of practice in the trenches if you will with a seasoned photographer to ask as many questions as I want without a ton of pressure to produce. I encourage photographers (new ones especially) to second shoot as much as they can. I always learn something new from Cean, from the wedding, from the vendors.

Working with Cindy and Shawn was no different. What a great, laid back, in love couple. they were married at the beautiful Grand Tradition Arbor Terrace in Fallbrook. I was glad to be a little part of their day.

Ice on ice

Love dad’s expression