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Sun - April 1, 2007

Last post on this blog

I am getting kinda choked up... as this will be the last update of this blog. I started blogging almost 2 years ago, and I never knew how much blogging would become a part of my life. It started as a fun little hobby... that turned into a great marketing tool and a way to inspire and educate other photographers, and it has evolved into a part of my daily routine. I could not have imagined how much I enjoy doing it, and the feedback I receive has been amazing (especially this last week at the wedding photographer's convention).

563 entries later, with over 3000 images posted and over a couple thousand comments, not to mention almost 375,000 views (averaging over 10,000 per week these days)... it's time to mix it up a bit.

I am proud to announce my NEW BLOG at:

WWW.BECKERSBLOG.COM

Of course this blog will stay up as an archive, but all future posts will be on the new blog, so be sure to update your bookmarks and rss feed. I'd also really appreciate if you wanted to post a link to the beckersblog.com on your blog or website and of course tell your friends about it.

Thanks to all who have visited, commented, linked to, shared with a friend or have simply enjoyed this blog. I hope to see you on the new one soon! I still have a lot on my mind and I plan on sharing often.

Posted at 03:39 AM Read More

Sat - March 31, 2007

The Simple Photo Booth

My friend Dane Sanders, founder of SimplePhoto.tv has a new toy to play with and the Simple Photo Booth was the hit of the convention. Watch this movie of a few of my favorite shots from the booth while it was at Jessica's Shootsac booth and my party.

You can pick up a copy of "Ca Plane Pour Moi" on iTunes.

A couple more stills from the booth:

A link to the rest of the images will be on my new blog sometime next week. Check back tomorrow for MY FINAL POST on this blog and a link to the new blog.

[ b ] sure to check out my new and improved blog

Posted at 10:58 AM Read More

Fri - March 30, 2007

Mike Colon loves his Shootsac

I know I was supposed to post the Simple Photo Booth photos today, but there are so many to go through, and I am super tired and there are still things going on in Vegas so they are going to have to wait until this weekend.

If you want more info now on the booth, email dane@simplephotobooth.com or check out simplephotobooth.com.

In the mean time, here are so hilarious photos of Mike Colon giving the Shootsac some love:

[ b ] sure to visit my new blog

Posted at 09:47 AM Read More

Thu - March 29, 2007

Going up?

Attention photographers:

Some of you may have met my friend Gary at my party the other night. Sadly I didn't get a shot of him so here is an old "file photo" of him and his wife Jana:

Today is Gary's birthday so my gift to him is to tell everyone that his website just launched and you should check it out. www.yourelevation.com

If any of you purchase my branding materials, they well all done by Elevation. But they also do much much more than that. They are a brand experience agency and you should really read the about section on their website to fully understand what they are capable of.

Anyway, happy birthday my friend!

also, check out my new blog

Posted at 09:05 PM Read More

Wed - March 28, 2007

The 7th Annual [ b ] Party!

Oh my! I am literally speechless. Well technically I am voiceless and I can barely ever whisper right now. I am exhausted. After three days of burning the candle at both ends, I am plum tuckered out. I am back in the hotel room, relaxing and napping trying to save up energy for the DWF poker tournament that will take place later tonight.

I am also reflecting on the party I hosted last night. It was a blast and by far the best one to date. The things that make my parties so cool are the people who come. After all, if no one came, it would just be me in a huge hotel suite with a bunch of beer. And as most of you know, I don't even drink... except for my crazy Diet Coke addiction. I am not a big party animal... but I am a huge people person and I love connecting with others. I have been hosting a party during the convention for the last 7 years. It's fun for me to get to know other photographers on a social level. I find it so awesome that the people who I looked up to (and still do) when I was starting out, come to my parties. I also invited a bunch of new people and love that I have made some new friends. I feel bad when I have to turn people down... I wish I could let everyone in but the room just isn't big enough (and trust me, it was roasting hot in there last night with all those bodies).

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who stopped by and played with us. Here are a few snaps:

I was so stoked my sister April & bro-in-law Matt flew out just for the night (and thanks for helping with the clean up):

Jessica was a lovely co-host this year and will have more images on her blog soon:

I was floored when Jerry Ghionis and his entourage showed up in their [ b ] XSiGTed shirts:

(I'll be posting a link to the more of the Simple Photo Booth Photos tomorrow to coincide with the launch of their new website. And by the way, thanks to Dane, Carl and Peter for donating, delivering, setting up and taking down the SPB... it was the hit of the party for sure!)

Old friends Jim & Stephanie Kennedy looking good as per usual:

Brook Todd (who finally just started a blog) showing off the [ b ] school cups with Jessica:

Three of my favorite people ever... Tim Holmes, Jessica and Joe 'Flippin" Photo:

Brian Kramer with the Bianchi twins:

Matt Blum, Jules, Joy and Becker:

Two of the most talented photographers I know... true artists in every sense of the word, Jesh De Rox and Jose Villa:

The usual suspects... Robert Evans, Josh & Jay:

Mr. Six Peeps himself Mark Cafiero & his girlfriend Jenny:

Neil Cowley & his lovely wife Liesl:

The gorgeous and talented Jasmine Star:

The party was still going strong well after 1am:

Again, more photos from the Simple Photo Booth will be posted tomorrow and more images from Vegas will be posted on my new blog sometime next week!

becker's blog

Posted at 05:38 PM Read More

Tue - March 27, 2007

The Blu Shin Dig + Day 2 Recap

Highlights from Monday: (I'll add captions and links tomorrow as well as images from the 7th Annual [ b ] Party!)

The Blu Shin Dig:

check out my new blog

Posted at 03:28 PM Read More

Mon - March 26, 2007

WPPI Day One

I just wanted to post a quick recap of our first day at the wedding photographers convention. It was long an exhausting, but so much fun too. It's always great talking to other people who share the same passion. I was also so proud of Jessica and her amazing team that helped out with Shootsac. She got a bunch of orders today and the booth was so crowded all day long. It was very well received and she got tons of positive feedback.

Jess & I sporting our brand spankin' new [ b ] school t-shirts as we arrived at the hotel:

By the way... we gave our most of the shirts today, especially the women's shirts... but there are still a few left, so just stop by the Shootsac booth near the WPPI registration area to pick one up on Monday. We mostly have smalls and mediums for the ladies, and large for the gents (with a few XL shirts). Don't worry, we did keep a few back in the OC and those will be for sale on our website shortly after we return.

500 inflatable pink flamingos sure did cause quite a buzz around the convention floor today:

The fabric swatches were also well received:

Of course we had to give a little plug to the [ b ] school. The back of these postcards let people know that all who pre-register will get financial aid (in the form of discounts) once we launch later this spring:

Yervant and Jerry Ghionis stopped by to show some love (I made Jerry and his crew their very own [ b ] XSiGHTed shirts):

Who knows what Joe Buissink was doing the the Simple Photo Booth with Jess & Marisa:

Jeff & Julia Woods with Parker Pfister:

(There will be many more from the Simple Photo Booth tomorrow)

Here is Tony trying to keep his energy up with some Red Bull. Tony is the guy you give your credit card # to when you buy a Shootsac. He has worked so hard to help Jess and Keats with the entire project. We like Tony!:

It was so awesome to watch Jessica shine today! So many people came by to check it out and give her some support and thankfully a lot of people placed orders. I am so proud of her!

Here are a bunch of people that came by to say "hi". 8 people in a point and shoot self portrait (my record is 9... and yes, the composition isn't perfect but I want to point out that it was taken left handed):

After 10 straight hours at the booth, most sane people would go home and relax. But we are in Vegas so we needed to burn the candle at both ends and headed out to the "Swanky, Sexy, Soirée" at the Bellagio. Here's Jess and I leaving THEhotel:

Becker sandwich with two of the hosts Lauren Hillary and Sara France:

Two of my favorite guys, Joe Photo and Blake Schwendimann (Why so sad Blake... don't know know who you are hanging out with?):

Blake has a new Livebooks website that is worth checking out!

It's only day one and I have pretty much lost my voice.

Check back tomorrow afternoon for images from the actual Simple Photo Booth as well as the Blu Domain ShinDig!

becker's blog

Posted at 01:08 AM Read More

Sun - March 25, 2007

Off to Vegas

I just wanted to let all my clients know that I will be out of the office for the coming week. Kathleen & Gina will be working part time this week make sure at least some work gets done! I'll be on an official "business trip" attending the WPPI/DWF Convention in Las Vegas and I promise I'll be working hard!

I'll be back in the office April 2nd. Keep checking the blog every day to see what we are up to.

southern california's best wedding photographer

Posted at 12:21 AM Read More

Sat - March 24, 2007

Engagement Photos in Laguna Beach

Sometime I get a little nervous when people hire me without meeting me. It happens often when I book destination weddings, and lately it is happening more and more for the local weddings. These days, most people have busy schedules and don't always have time to come over and meet me in person before they hire me. They see enough of my work on my website, and they get a sense of who I am via the blog, so they obviously feel comfortable enough to book me... but until we actually meet face to face, you never really know if you are going to hit it off, or be on the same page, or whatever.

Thankfully I had a great time with my couple yesterday and I am really looking forward to their wedding in September. These two were referred to me from a couple whose wedding I shot in Kauai a couple years ago (thanks Leigh & Aaron!) and we met for the first time just a few minutes before we were going to shoot. I always try to explain to my clients that I like to show up at a wedding, "as if I were an old friend with a fancy camera". I know that sounds like a hokey sales pitch, but I truly believe it in my heart.

We had a blast running around the beach, getting wet and capturing some of my signature "relaxed portraits", and I have no doubt we will have a fabulous time at the wedding!

Posted at 12:36 PM Read More

Fri - March 23, 2007

Pre Vegas Warm Up

Last night I hosted a little Pre Vegas poker party to get into the habit of staying up late and gambling, so I invited a few friends over to help break in my new table: