Remembering Farah Ramsdell
by Administrator on Sep.13, 2009, under Personal
Last Christmas, Michelle and I had the privilege of meeting Farah Ramsdell. Farah was Daniel’s (Michelle’s brother) girlfriend, and the both of them worked with us for the entire month of December. We had the contract to do Santa Photography for the City of Riverside at their Festival of Lights event. Through the entire month, Daniel and Farah worked tirelessly and helped make the season a successful one.
Through the year, Michelle and I only saw Daniel and Farah a few times. However, we looked forward to working with them in December as they already said they were game for another season.
Unfortunately, Farah is no longer with us. She passed away due to illness September 2nd, 2009. Farah was such a sweet, kind girl and we all grew to care and love her over the past year. She is survived by her mothers, her identical twin sister and a younger set of twin sisters. Please keep Daniel and Farah’s family in your prayers.
Farah, you will be missed.
Remembering September 11th, 2001
by Administrator on Sep.11, 2009, under Personal
Today is the 8th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. As such, Oak Valley Photography is closed to commemorate the memory of all those who lost their lives that day.
If your reading this post, let September 11th be an annual reminder to you that you only have one life to live. Now go live it. Make a difference. Be an impact player in life. Go out and make today and every day the best it can possibly be.
Where is Santa Vacationing?
by Administrator on Jun.27, 2009, under Business
Santa is vacationing at San Clemente this summer. Santa is allowing us to bring our “Special” guests down to take professional pictures with him.
Imagine Santa in a lounge chair, with a surfboard behind him, the beach in the background, and several red velvet boxes stacked ever so nicely. Your child will sit right next to him and tell Santa how good they’ve been.
If time allows we are also planning to have your child walk next to Santa down by the water.
Please RSVP, walk up are welcome, but appointments have preference. (951) 769-4726 ask for Bruce
Date: July 11th, 2009
Place: Via the Metrolink, San Clemente (not the pier) and look for the white ez-up.
IEOC Line – Weekend – To Oceanside
Take Train 857 @ 7:50 or 859 @ 9:15 (leaving from Riverside)
be there early to buy train tickets
$29.00 for four round trip tickets on Saturday 11, 2009
For more information go to http://www.metrolinktrains.com.
Photo’s are taken starting about 10:00am
We will upload photos after the event!
1-question morality test (what would you do?)
by Administrator on Apr.05, 2009, under Personal
There’s a morality test with only one question, but a very important one. It features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a choice. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.
THE SITUATION:
You’re in Florida. There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding. This is a flood of biblical proportions. You are photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you’re caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You’re trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all of its destructive fury.
THE TEST:
Suddenly you see a man and a woman in the water. They are fighting for their lives, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer. Somehow they look familiar. You suddenly realize who they are. It’s Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi!! At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take them under forever. You have two options: You can save their lives or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize winning photo, documenting the deaths of two of the world’s most powerful people.
THE QUESTION:
Here’s the question, and please give an honest answer…
Would you select high contrast color film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?
My First Apple
by Administrator on Mar.18, 2009, under Business
I have been wondering what to do about our workspace as the computer takes up to much space on the table. In a moment of frustration, I complained to Michelle that I wanted to get an apple with a wireless mouse.
Anyway, I had to go out and run some errands and when I come home my wife surprised me with this.
Nothing brightens the day like bunnies!
by Administrator on Feb.04, 2009, under Business
With the economy in the state that it’s in, I hear a lot of talk about how bad things are. Hmmm, I just don’t see it. How can everything be so bad, and yet most adults have their own car, cell phone, Flat Panel Plasma TV (and cable), internet connection, etc. I agree that the mood of our country is a low, but things could be much, much worse.
Anyway, since I can’t do anything about the state of the economy, maybe I can brighten your day with some adorable pictures of children and bunnies. How could you not smile after looking at these images? I mean seriously!
6 month old Shane
by Administrator on Jul.02, 2008, under Business
This is Shane he’s 6 month old today.
Shane was photographed in the comfort of his home, where he feels really good about the surroundings. We spent about 2 hours photographing and then Shane went down for a nap.
Mom (Lisa) and Grandma (Ronda) had a great time looking through all the images and choosing about 10 for their package.
Their favorite image was the beach scene where he looks all kicked back.
Note: that the little filmstrips go in the same direction on both sides, this is too create the feel of the large image also in a filmstrip. (Thank you Lisa for that idea)
Restoration Prom
by Administrator on Jul.02, 2008, under Business
Story behind image: This image was brought in to be enhanced in order to complete a family wall which includes all the mothers and daughters (Same client as the next post). Grandma needed the young man removed. We were all hoping this image would be simple by adding a tall prop. This was not the case, after examining her hand placement.
Task: Copy image and flip to create most of the background for right side. Find one image in our archives with black dress to create left chest area and left arm. Find another image with elegant podium. Use existing arm and bringing it down to podium.
Time: This image took a total of 6 hours to complete, including finding images in our archives.
Restoration Cap & Gown
by Administrator on Jul.02, 2008, under Business
Story behind image: This image was brought in to be enhanced in order to complete a family wall which includes all the mothers and daughters. All the ladies have a cap and gown professional portrait and this one didn’t quite match in elegance.
Task: Find one image in our archives with curly hair and same coloring. Find another image with a nice blouse to replace the t-shirt. And airbrush the shiny spots on face and remove any blemishes.
Time: This image took a total of 2 hours to complete, including finding images in our archives.
Play Ball!
by Administrator on Jul.02, 2008, under Community
Saturday March 1st, we photographed over 1000 kids for the Beaumont Youth Baseball & Softball League and oh what a day it was. Dozens of teams, both girls and boys outfitted in their uniforms took part in the Opening Day festivities.
The only downside was the weather. I had prayed that it wouldn’t be windy and my prayers were answered. Unfortunately, it was cold and drizzly instead. Did I mention it was cold? I mean it was really cold!
Anyway, here is a sampling of some of the kid’s images.
