Black Swan Imagery

Aug 24 2010

Ben and Shiva, Engagement Portraits, UCLA

Posted in Engagement, Portrait

Ben and Shiva are a fun, yet focused couple. In the weeks prior to the shoot, we exchanged many conversations about what they should wear, what they should bring, where to go, etc. Yet, as planned as it all was, when we arrived at UCLA, we were still all able to let loose, have fun and enjoy the moments. When I asked Shiva what she liked about them as a couple the most, she told me that they could spend endless amounts of time just being in each others’ company. Hours would pass by and even though nothing in particular had really happened, they were both very truly happy. We hope these images convey that simple pleasure and without further ado, enjoy!

~ Sarah

As a side note, we also filmed some video that day as well, which will debut when we post up their actual wedding film (sometime after September 5th). Maaaaybe we’ll post up a “preview” clip if you ask nicely (;

Posted in Engagement, Portrait

no comments

Jul 28 2010

Canon Cinema Caravan and StillMotion in Las Vegas

Posted in Uncategorized

Last Sunday, Bryant and I decided (at the last minute! and by last minute, I mean that we decided at 4:00PM and left by 6:00PM, then reached Vegas around 2:00AM for a 10:00AM workshop) to head to Las Vegas to attend a workshop hosted by one of our biggest cinematography inspirations, StillMotion. I took my little point and shoot along with us and took some quick pictures while Bryant carried around his new toy, the iPhone4. Here’s a few pictures from our trip with a recap at the bottom.

Yes, Bryant got carried away with the SmileBooth. We’re pretty sure that he was in at least half of the photos that StillMotion posted up on their CinemaCaravan blog, and was probably in 75% of all of the others that weren’t posted. All in good fun! All in all, the workshop was a blast. We were one of the few people there who came with a photographic background, so we had a nice refresher talk with Amina. Justin let us try out equipment and film two models playing card games, so we got to try out a few new lenses. Patrick let people demo the Merlin, Pilot and Flyer… Bryant and I reached for the Flyer, and subsequently we decided to return our Pilot to purchase the Flyer. Thanks, enablers!

On the second day, we were paired off into groups depending on which spot we picked beforehand: director, first shooter, second shooter and grip/lighting. Bryant was nominated for director in his group, and I ended up being the grip/lighting in my group. To see my awesome gel and cookie, check out this post: here. After filming, we broke down the set and wrapped up. We were invited to dinner with the SM crew and went to California Pizza Kitchen… in Nevada. (At least I found it pretty funny). Lots of fun, good food, and probably a few too many laughs (if that’s possible).

We ended up tagging along with them out to a sunrise shoot in Palm Springs… which turned into a noon shoot because their bus driver needed to sleep. It was great to be able to sleep… but that meant we were out in the blazing sun. All in good fun. Bryant and I shot some behind the scenes and also set up a time lapse; we’ll either link them or post them up after SM posts it up on their blog.

We arrived home late Wednesday, exhausted but still extremely excited.

Time to put our newfound knowledge to work!

~ Sarah

Posted in Uncategorized

1 comment

Jul 05 2010

Sam and Christina Whittaker, Gilroy, CA, Same Day Wedding Film

Posted in Films, Love, Same Day Wedding Film, Wedding

This wedding was also close to our hearts; Christina was one of our classmates at school. She recently graduated (congratulations!) and got engaged (double congrats) and now… got married (triple congrats!).

One thing about being in the world of capturing weddings, by the time the wedding comes around you are usually pretty good friends with the bride and groom. When you show up to the wedding, you are suddenly find yourself in a room filled with their closest friends and family… So, sometimes it feels like you’re amongst strangers, and there have definitely been some awkward moments in the past, though not to say we haven’t worked past them. Either way, with this wedding, all of this went out the window.

We arrived a day earlier in order to capture the rehearsal, and from the first few steps into the house, we were greeted very openly and warmly and were treated like family. We sat down to eat with Christina’s parents and aunt/uncle and had a full conversation. Many people came up to us to talk or inquire about our gear (whereas in prior weddings, only a handful have come up). Everyone, even to the event planner and the caterers, were very friendly. There was so much joy floating around in the air that it was completely contagious.

All of this good feeling makes it very easy for us to get wrapped up into moments and to feel what everyone else is feeling. I have to admit, I sniffled a few times during the day, the top times being when the mother was passing on the jewelry to the bride, at the beginning of the ceremony and during the father’s toast. I’m sure that as you watch the video, that you’ll understand what moments I am referring to.

The location, Fortino Winery, was great! Debbi the coordinator let us take over her office for so we could keep all of our equipment and our 27″ iMac for editing out of the way.

With that, hit play, sit back and enjoy!
—
Bryant + Sarah

PS.. There are two films. One from the rehearsal dinner before the wedding and one from the day of.

Christina and Sam Whittaker, Gilroy, CA Same Day Wedding Film from Black Swan Imagery on Vimeo.

Posted in Films, Love, Same Day Wedding Film, Wedding

11 comments