Becerra Photography

NEW BLOG!

2010-01-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

A new year, a new website and now a new blog! Head on over to the new and improved BECERRA BLOG to see all the latest and greatest happenings in my world. p.s. Don't forget to update your bookmarks to www.becerraphotography.com/blog.

New Website

2009-12-20T09:54:00.001-08:00

It's more than a new website, it's a new way to document weddings. Video and Photography in a seamless integration is now available from Becerra Photography. For the past two years I've dreamed of providing brides and grooms with a complete documentation of their wedding. Now brides and grooms can have the confidence of having using Becerra Photography for not only their photography, but videography as well. Check out the new website here.

To Tweet or not Tweet, that is the question

2009-12-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

So a friend of mine talked me into a twitter account. @becerraphoto. We'll see how it goes...

Mandi and Ian's Wedding at The Aerie at Eagle Landing

2009-12-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

Who says you have to get married in August? Mandi and Ian had a beautiful winter wedding at The Aerie at Eagle Landing. Mandi and Ian were so bubbly and fun I knew that no matter how cold it was outside their pictures would have a warm welcoming feel.

As the bride was getting ready I felt like I hadn't got a real dynamic portrait yet, and so I sent her into the closet and turned off all the lights. I love the dramatic affect that we got from these two shots.

We even got some blue skies! It was a little chilly so we shot some pictures and ran inside, shot some pictures and ran inside.

A little Becerra Backlighting to always adds some drama.

And on to the slideshow! Enjoy!

You can view, these photos and more on Facebook!

Oregon State vs. Oregon

2009-12-04T01:16:00.000-08:00

Ok so the Beavers didn't quite pull out the victory. You'd never know it from looking at the pictures I took though!

Shute Family Shoot

2009-11-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the title of this blog post. I couldn't resist! I had a VERY quick 10 minute photo session with the Shute family as they were all home for Thanksgiving, and this was my favorite shot. Happy (late) Thanksgiving!

Abby and Jacob's Wedding and the Portland, Oregon LDS Temple

2009-11-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Just because it's a little colder outside, doesn't mean this isn't the perfect time of year for a wedding. Abby and Jacob were married in Portland last saturday and it was just a really beautiful day. The sun came out for about 15 minutes and we really made the most of it. At the LDS temple in portland, photography is not allowed inside the building, but the outside is simply stunning and a great place for photographs.

You can view these pictures and more on Facebook.

Becerra Photography Workshop

2009-11-17T18:57:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! I announced this in the summer but had a hard time getting a time for it to work. Many of you have contacted me about doing a workshop and teaching people how to use their cameras to get better pictures is something I am very passionate about. Part of the great thing about Becerra Photography is that I get the chance to capture people's most precious moments. Now I want to help people capture their lives by teaching them photography skills that will last a lifetime. So here are the details!

Saturday #1 (November 28th, 8:00 am - 12:00pm)

The Basics: This workshop answers the age-old-question, "What are all these buttons for?" I go over the fundamentals of creating great pictures. We go over how to manually control your exposure on your camera and also the basics of composition.

Then there is a week break where we all practice and share what we learn on a workshop flickr account. I'll comment on the pictures that you take throughout the week.

Saturday #2 (December 5th, 8:00 am -12:00pm)
Applied Basics: This workshop shows how to really apply the things that we learned in the first workshop to photography that you are interested in. Whether it is flowers, people, landscapes, sports, etc. We'll learn how to shoot it, and what equipment to use.

The charge for both workshops together is $100, and our class would be limited to 8 people. The workshop will be at my home in Corvallis.

If you are in need of a digital camera or looking to purchase one, I have 4 cameras that can be used at the workshop that you can try out for free.

I hope to see you there! Space is limited so if you'd like sign up let me know soon!
Chris

Oregon State University vs. Washington

2009-11-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

I got to shoot the OSU shellacking of Washington last Saturday. It was great because it was the last home game for the Seniors and they were very emotional before the game as they were introduced.

Quiz Rodgers played a great game as usual, but the offensive line is what really impressed me. Look at that hole they opened up for him!

Custom Wedding Dresses by Marianne Egan

2009-11-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

Did you love the fashion shoot from a few weeks ago? Marianne Egan the designer of the dresses now has her own website with plenty of shots from the shoot. Check it out by clicking here. Marianne can custom design your dress whether it is from your own description, or if you bring in a picture you have seen. Having a custom dress is something that I'm sure a lot of brides will enjoy.

Canon Cameras for Sale

2009-11-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

So I've decided to go ahead and sell some old cameras of mine. I have a Canon 40d with a battery grip and 2 batteries for $800. and Canon 5D Mark I with a battery grip and 2 batteries for $1250. Both are in good working condition and have served me well. I'm kind of nostalgic to part with them as my business took a giant leap with the help of those cameras, so I'd like them to find a good home! Let me know if you are interested by emailing me at chris@becerraphotography.com.

OOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUU

2009-11-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Beavers pulled out a tight one versus UCLA this last Saturday. This time I focused more on the actual game rather than the fans. I have to say the Rogers brothers are amazing athletes and always seem to line up a great shot for me.

A Good Year

2009-11-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

2009 has been a good year. It's been a great year. A couple weeks ago we closed on our new house. I want to give a big THANK YOU to all the brides and grooms who trusted me with documenting their wedding this year. I feel so privileged to be able to provide for my family by capturing your memories. THANK YOU!

Mandi and Ian's Engagement session.

2009-10-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes an engagement session just clicks and the lighting is great, the couple is great and the end result is so much fun.
Mandi and Ian really enjoyed themselves as we ran all over Corvallis. Check back in June for their wedding!

You can also view these pictures and become a fan of Becerra Photography on Facebook.

Holly and Brad's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-10-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

I love Fall! The colors of the leaves are amazing and if you can get a break in the rain, the nice soft light of an overcast day is perfect for beautiful rich colors. Holly and Brad's engagement session was no exception.

You can view these pictures and more on Facebook.

Wedding Fashion Shoot in Corvallis

2009-10-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Something I've been wanting to do lately is shoot wedding fashion. Up until now my fashion photography experience has been watching America's Next Top Model with Kara and flipping through the pages of Vanity Fair. As more of a photojournalist wedding photographer, I thought it would be fun to mix things up and shoot more of a fashion look, or at least give brides the option of having wedding pictures with a little more of an edge. Part of what I love about my job is there is always something new to explore!

For this shoot I teamed up with local wedding dress designer Marianne Egan. She is currently working on her website and I'll link to it as soon as it is live. Marianne and I have a project that we'll be working on later in the winter that I'm really excited about so expect to see more!

You can view these pictures and more on Facebook.

Becerra Photography now with Portland Location!

2009-10-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

This blog post is big, huge, and important. I have three announcements:

1. Becerra Photography is proud to announce that we've partnered with Geranium Lake Flowers to provide Portland Brides with a wonderful and convenient setting to look at albums, view wedding photos and wedding videography in Downtown Portland!

Geranium Lake Flowers, located in the U.S. Bank Tower, now has a 32 inch screen provided by Becerra Photography to view wedding videos and photos. If I am in Portland I can meet with brides, there, but if I am not, the screen is equipped with a camera so that I'm able to video conference with Brides in the Portland area. Brides will now be able to look through my albums as they hold them in their hands while we discuss their wedding plans through video conferencing! I'm really excited to be able to bring this great technology to the Portland area and connect with future brides and grooms.

2. Becerra Photography is from this day forward dropping wedding day travel fees to the Portland area. I figure if we now have a Portland location, we can't be charging travel fees for Portland weddings right?

3. Becerra Photography now has a 503 phone number. Our new phone number servicing the Portland area is 503-592-0453.

Ok that's all for now. More surprises to come!

Kristina and Sam's Wedding at Willamette Valley Vineyards

2009-10-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Kristina and Sam's wedding caught the tail end of beautiful weather in the Willamette Valley. I started the day in Salem with Kristina and her bridesmaids.

Then we headed out to Scio for a beautiful traditional Catholic Ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel.

Afterwards we went to Willamette Valley Vineyards, and I think you can tell from this shot why it was voted best sunset wedding location in Oregon, by Oregon Bride Magazine.

Enjoy the slideshow below!

You can view these pictures and more on Facebook.

Schell Family Portraits in Corvallis

2009-10-11T20:01:00.001-07:00

The Schell Family are the latest to take advantage of my October Family Portrait sale. We headed up to OSU campus to take advantage of the great weather and fall colors. Don't all three of the Schells have great smiles?!

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

The Gonzalez Family Portraits in Corvallis

2009-10-09T08:13:00.001-07:00

The Gonzalez Family is the first to take advantage of my October Family Portrait sale! We had a fun time starting at their home and then went to Starker Arts Park for some more relaxed shots. With limited good weather now is the time to book your family portrait session and take advantage of the beautiful fall colors. During the month of October you can book a 2 hour family portrait session for $250 and receive all the images on dvd and a 13X19 print of your choice. Email me at chris@becerraphotography.com or call 541-908-0776 to book your session!

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

Fall Family Portrait Sale!

2009-10-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

If you love the Moore's Family pictures here you are going to love this announcement. For the month of October I will be running a family portrait sale. All family portraits are only $250. This includes a 2 hour photo shoot in Corvallis, all your high resolution image files on DVD and a big, beautiful 13X19 inch print to hang over your mantle in time for the holidays. The weather this week is supposed to be great, so contact me while it lasts! By phone -541-908-0776, or by email chris@becerraphotography.com

Gabriel's 2nd Birthday

2009-10-03T20:13:00.001-07:00

It's so cliche, but I can't believe my baby is growing up. I'm so proud of my son. He brings joy, love, humor and balance to our family. Today we had some family over and celebrated Gabe's 2nd Birthday.

We started off with a venture to the Kids Conservation Day in Corvallis where kids learned all about animals and habitat.
Gabe dressed up like a bear.

And Ellie showed off her toothless ladybug impression.

Then Sofia went fishing for salmon.

And Gabe had a turn.

Then we came home for cake and presents and Sofia's hair caught on fire. No really it did. Check out the video!

Then we figured we should learn about fire safety so we headed down to the fire station where Sofia tried on some gear.

And Gabe showed off his artistic side.

I love you little man. I'll always be your daddy.

Wagner Family Portraits

2009-09-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

As things have settled down a little with weddings I have some time to post a few pictures of the Wagner Family that I took a few weeks ago. Steve shoots with me at weddings sometimes and I've done quite a few weddings where Nicole has been the makeup artist. Besides working with them, the Wagners are just a fun (and photogenic) family! Here are a few of my favs.

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OSU vs. Arizona

2009-09-27T20:33:00.000-07:00

I know that weddings and college football are worlds apart, but they might be my two favorite things in the world to shoot. I'm working on a project right now that focuses on showing fan reactions and the OSU stadium. Here are a few of my favorites.

It is SOOOOO hard to know that the Beavers are about to score a touchdown and turn my back to the field, but only then can you get the really emotional reaction shots.

I couldn't resist, so I did shoot a little of the action on the field too.

Angie and Jason's Wedding at Zenith Vineyard

2009-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ok so if you've seen the last few weddings I'm kind of into the flowing dress thing. Can you blame me? Angie had the perfect dress for this shot too.

One thing I've been wanting to talk about is the importance of having a 2nd shooter. The following five photographs were all taken by my 2nd shooter Tino Zapien. Having a 2nd shooter is great because it allows for a more complete coverage of the wedding day.

I often have my 2nd shooters focus on detail shots, and reactions, things that may go unnoticed but can really round out the story of a wedding day.

Watch for a lot of detail shots in the slideshow below. We're hoping to submit Angie and Jason's wedding to Martha Stewart Magazine!

You can view, these photos and more on Facebook!

Ericka and Andy's Wedding at Beckenridge Vineyard

2009-09-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

As wedding season starts to wrap up here, I start getting all nostalgic thinking about all the great people I've met this year and how they invited me into their lives for one amazing day. It's something that I just never get tired of. Andy and Ericka's wedding was no exception. There were lot's of laughs and love and and since it rained in the morning, great clouds!

I'm pretty swamped right now so I"m going to get you straight to the slideshow. Enjoy!

You can view, these photos and more on Facebook!

Dawn and Stormy's Wedding in Philomath, Oregon

2009-09-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Man do I love the Willamette Valley! Every summer I shoot at new places that I haven't shot at before. Each place is unique and beautiful. Dawn and Stormy's wedding was no exception. Their ceremony was in this beautiful setting tucked into a clearing with huge oak trees providing nice shade and perfect soft light.

Dawn found me through Shane and Danni whose wedding I shot 3 years ago. Shane and Danni were in the wedding party and it was really nice to see them again. I've been doing this long enough that sometimes when I go to a wedding I'll recognize 3-4 couples from other weddings I've shot. I think it really helps me blend in a little more like a friend with a nice camera rather than an intrusive photographer.

Enjoy the slideshow!

You can view, these photos and more on Facebook!

Joanna and Jay's Wedding at the Portland Art Museum

2009-09-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

Jay and Joanna's wedding was one I will not soon forget.

First, the beautiful bride was prepped by Baruk and Fong of the Dosha Salon and Spa. One thing I appreciate about shooting weddings is the chance to see other artists at work.

Voila!

While every one was busy getting ready, Mike and his team at An Affair to Remember not only set up the Portland Art Museum for a beautiful ceremony, they flipped the room during the cocktail hour to accommodate the guests while Vibrant Table served dinner.

Then the real party began. The Swinging Cubs (an eight piece band) were rocking! The dance floor was so crowded it was hard to maneuver around to take pictures.

At one point, one of the band's singers came down and led the party. By this time it was all I could do to keep from ditching my camera and joining in the fun.

Enjoy the slideshow below!

You can view, these photos and more on Facebook!

Catherine and Cory's Wedding in Salem at the Viticulture Center

2009-09-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Wow. So I'm thinking the above shot might be my best of the year. What do you think?
Cory and Catherine's wedding day started with a little anxiety. Good old Oregon rain poured down all morning making us all nervous. But as I tell brides who are having an outdoor wedding, every bride should pray for rain in the morning because it makes for AMAZING clouds in the afternoon. That is exactly what happened. The rain stopped the clouds parted and right around sunset we went into the vineyard to take some of my favorite pictures of the year.

This is the view that the guests had right before the ceremony.

This little hill in the vineyard gave me the chance for a pretty nice angle on the group shots.

I really love the look in Catherine's eyes in this one.

Ok Enjoy the slideshow below and as always you can view these pictures and become a fan of Becerra Photography on Facebook.

Bridal Show at The Resort on The Mountain on Sept. 13th

2009-09-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

Hey for all of the brides out there considering The Resort at the Mountain as a venue, Becerra Photography will have a booth at their bridal show on Sept. 13th. Kim and Cedric whose wedding I shot a few weeks ago will be representing me there. You can come see prints, albums, videos, and talk first hand with Kim and Cedric about their experience with Becerra Photography. I can't be there because I will be shooting a wedding that day, but I strongly recommend checking out the beautiful venue and stopping by our booth!

Steve and Nicole Wagner

2009-09-07T23:27:00.001-07:00

This dynamic duo not only can not only make you look great on your wedding day, they can get in front of the camera and show you how it's done. Stay tuned for more of the Wagners (and their two cutie-pies, Ericka and Megan) in a couple weeks.

Photobooth!

2009-09-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

An additional detail of Kim and Cedric's wedding was that they ordered a photobooth! Kim and Cedric asked if I could put something together for them where we could take their guest's pictures photobooth-style and print them there at the wedding so that the guests could then sign their picture as a guest book. It was so much fun and such a great idea that I made sure that we could get it done. We ended up taking the pictures and getting combining them on a 4x6 layout and then printing them in about 45 seconds. I'm so glad that Kim and Cedric asked me to do the service because the pictures are great and I think it helped to create some fun memories. Sooooooo Becerra Photography now officially offers a photobooth service available to add a la carte to any wedding package. Contact me for the details and pricing. And enjoy some of the more ummmm... "G" Rated pictures!

Kim and Cedric's Wedding at Paradise Springs

2009-09-01T23:23:00.000-07:00

August 29th 2009 was day I'd been waiting for for a long time. Primarily because after shooting Kim and Cedric's engagement session they were so outgoing and fun-loving that I knew their wedding would be a blast. Also this is the first wedding I've shot at Paradise Springs in Monroe, Oregon and I have to say it is a VERY impressive venue. The photo possibilities are endless and the details and craftsmanship of the reception are rarely seen. You can see why even though Kim and Cedric are from Portland, they came down south for a mini-destination wedding. If you are a Portland bride and groom that kind of want to get away from the noise of the city, but don't want to go half way around the world, this is the place.

Anyway, enough typing. Onto the pictures!

Since Cedric is from France, they incorporated many French traditions in the wedding. The cake on the left is a french wedding cake, and man was it good! Those little pastries were honey glazed with a cream filling.

Now that you're all craving French pastries, you can feast your eyes on their slideshow.

You can also view these pictures and become a fan of Becerra Photography on Facebook.

Fun Family Portraits

2009-08-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Something I don't do often enough is take pictures of my own family. This Sunday we walked to a playground and just had fun.

Suzanne and Cherwyn's Wedding at Zenith Vineyard

2009-08-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes great pictures aren't about amazing lighting, or split second timing or a beautifully captures sunset. Sometimes a great picture is all about the expression on the subject's face. I think the above shot is one of those pictures. Suzanne and Cherwyn, had a truly touching day, with a lot of great memories.

I love this shot of the flowergirl looking in the mirror as everyone is getting ready. It kind of reminds me of something you'd see in Life Magazine.

Suzanne's mom did an amazing job planning every detail of the wedding. Details are something I've been really trying to focus on this year. I bought a special macro lens just for shooting things like this amazing bouquet.

Ok sometimes great pictures are amazing lighting AND the expression on someone's face.
Enjoy the slideshow!

You can view these pictures and become a fan of Becerra Photography on Facebook!

Becerra Photography: The Evolution of Images

2009-08-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that after two years of planning and preparation, Becerra Photography is now offering full service videography packages! Now you can book your photography and videography all in one place for a seamless experience that blends both media together.

Capturing your wedding day has always been my passion and I'm so excited to be able to capture not only the beautiful details and moments but also the touching words, funny speeches and subtle movements that you will remember for a lifetime.

This service is available today. Please email me at chris@becerraphotography.com, or call at 541-908-0776 for details on pricing. And stay tuned to this blog. There is a whole lot more on the way!

Have Your Wedding Featured In Oregon Bride Magazine

2009-08-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hey all 2009 Brides and Grooms! If you'd like to have your wedding featured in Oregon Bride Magazine, click here to find out how. They are looking for creative ideas to share with their readers and I know lots of you have done some pretty amazing things to personalize your wedding day. I'll provide the pictures, you provide the story!

Alyssa and Zach's Wedding at Zenith Vineyard

2009-08-21T21:08:00.001-07:00

Alyssa and Zach's wedding at Zenith Vineyard was a blast! Here are a few shots:

The view..

The moment...

The anticipation....

The officiant....

The...um I don't know but it was a really funny speech!

The sunset...

The Slideshow...

You can also view these pictures and become a fan of Becerra Photography on Facebook.

Coming soon...

2009-08-20T22:02:00.001-07:00

Have you ever planned something for two years and then comes the moment of truth to reveal it and you are so excited that you feel like you're going to explode? That's how I feel. Stay tuned. Something big is just around the corner.

Website Update!

2009-08-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Hey this is just a quick little announcement that I've added a new section to my Main Website: Best of 2009. I haven't got it all the way updated but there are quite a few amazing pictures from this year's weddings. Head on over to www.becerraphotgraphy.com and check it out!

Shauna and Skylar's After Wedding Session at the Oregon Coast

2009-08-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes weddings can get pretty crazy. With so many people that want to see you and hug you and congratulate you getting enough time to sneak off for pictures can be downright impossible. Shauna and Skylar decided to book an After Wedding Session in Lincoln City which allowed us a couple hours to get some great shots.

There has been a big "Trash the Dress" movement where brides figure they want to get some really crazy pictures out of their wedding dresses. Shauna was game for that, and I love how the pictures turned out. However I also want to mention that you don't necessarily have to trash your dress for an After Wedding Shoot. Just having the extra time to focus on great pictures with out all the wedding hassle can be great!

You can view these pictures and more on Facebook.

Jennifer and Andrew's Wedding at the Oregon Coast

2009-08-15T11:53:00.001-07:00

I was so glad to shoot Jennifer and Andrew's wedding last week. While I've shot weddings on the Oregon Coast before, I haven't shot a wedding were the actual ceremony was on the beach. There are so many things that logistically go into a beach wedding that I would seriously recommend hiring a wedding coordinator if you are thinking about it Mandi Downs from Champagne Wedding and Event Coordination not only coordinated this wedding but styled the reception site with an amazing attention to detail.

One of the things I loved about this wedding were the expressions on peoples faces,
From emotional....

to hysterical....

to just pretty dang excited.... People were having a good time.

Enjoy the slideshow!

and as always on Facebook.

A day off

2009-08-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you've noticed lately, but I've been pretty busy. This summer has been amazing, and I'm so glad that I've had the opportunity to get to know so many great couples by shooting there weddings. However, this weekend is the only one from June through September that I'm not shooting a wedding so of course I wanted to spend my time playing with my kids.

Today Sofia told my she wanted to make a "flying princess hat" out of a cup. So we did!

I love my little girl. She is growing up way too fast.

Jay and Joanna's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-08-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Jay and Joanna, drove across the country just for their engagement session....well ok they also have decided to move to Portland but they did drive from there (Portland) to meet me in downtown Corvallis for some fun shots. Stay tuned because their wedding is coming up pretty soon!

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

Stephanie and Derek's Wedding at Zenith Vineyard

2009-08-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I finished the third wedding of the weekend at one of my very favorite locations, Zenith Vineyard. Sure I was tired afterward, but Derek and Stephanie made the day a lot of fun. (The shot above has no photoshop by the way. The sunset was that color straight out of the camera.)

One thing that is great about shooting at Zenith is the rooms to get ready in have huge windows that pour in natural soft light.
This first shot of Derek totally reminds me of something you'd see in a James Bond movie.

Did I mention it was hot last weekend? The guys had a few tricks to stay cool.

Stephanie got sprayed too, unfortunately I don't think hairspray is as refreshing.

The first dance....

Zenith has a great projection system for the reception slideshow. Here Derek and Stephanie are looking at pictures from earlier in the day. Their guests loved it too! They were literally cheering as each picture appeared.

Ok onto the slideshow!

P.S. Molli at Soiree (http://www.bonsoiree.com) provided the event coordination. Look her up, she's great!
P.S.S. FACEBOOK!

Cliff and Kelly's Wedding at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden and the Secret Society Ballroom and Lounge

2009-08-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

When I met Cliff and Kelly over a year ago, their smiles were infectious. Because of a family emergency I had to meet with them while taking care of my son who was sick with an eye infection. Gabriel was crying and whimpering and I thought to myself, "There is no way this couple will book me." But Cliff and Kelly just kept smiling as we talked and we took a walk outside to calm Gabriel down. Well needless to say they did decide to book me as their wedding photographer and I'm so glad! Their wedding day was filled with what can only be described as pure joy. I bet you can't look at their pictures without smiling too!

As always, you can also view these pictures on Facebook. (And become a fan of Becerra Photography!)

Molly and Pete's Wedding at the Eugene Country Inn

2009-08-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

When Molly decided that she was going to school in Oregon, Pete who is from the midwest suddenly had a new favorite state. Looking at their pictures it is not hard to see why. I started off a wedding triathlon last weekend with Molly and Pete's wedding at the Country Inn in Eugene.

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

Steffany and Michael's Wedding at Camp Colton

2009-08-02T11:10:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone, I'm off to a wedding today, so I have time for a quick post of Steffany and Michael's wedding. Enjoy the slideshow!

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

Kara and Forrest's Wedding at Beckenridge Vineyard

2009-07-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Being a very popular wedding venue in Oregon, I've been wanting to shoot at Beckenridge Vineyard for a while. Kara and Forrest's wedding gave me that chance and it didn't disappoint.

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

WeddingWire.com Reviews

2009-07-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Last year I won a WeddingWire.com Bride's Choice award based on reviews of brides who used my services. If you'd like to review the service you received from a wedding that I shot in 2009 click on the wedding wire logo below!

Kate and Howard's Wedding at Local Chapel and Corvallis Country Club

2009-07-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm off to a wedding this morning so I don't have a lot of time to talk about Kate and Howard's wedding. I'll just say that it was one of the most emotional/spiritual weddings I've been to in a long time.

The sunset was amazing!

There are two groups of people that can always be counted on for great pictures, cute little kids, and grandmas that aren't afraid to shake it.

You can also view these photos and become a fan of Becerra Photography here on Facebook.

Samantha and Nick's Wedding at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and The Governor Hotel

2009-07-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

Most brides are pretty happy on their wedding day, but Samantha could not stop smiling! She kept her beautiful smile on her face the whole day. This is the first Greek Orthodox ceremony I shot and it was a lot of fun. The rituals were so symbolic and interesting. We then headed to The Governor Hotel where the reception was held in the Grand Ballroom. I think the best word to describe the room is elegant. The room was beautifully styled by Kim Foren of Geranium Lake Flowers , who also provided on site coordination. Here are a few of my favorites before the slideshow.

(Click the Play button in the lower left hand corner)

You can also view these pictures on Facebook

Annie and Jason's Wedding at Columbia Edgewater Country Club

2009-07-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Annie and Jason are the kind of couple you never forget. Always laughing smiling and cracking each other up, their wedding was a blast.

Here are a few of my favorite black and white shots before you get to the slideshow.

You can also view these photos on Facebook.

3 Weddings in 3 Days

2009-07-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

So I just got home from my third wedding in as many days. Everyone has been asking me if I'm totally exhausted. While my feet are sore and I am a little sleepy, I have to say that I feel totally content. If you can work three 12-16 hour days in a row and still love your job you know you are in the right profession. What a blessing!

The last three weddings were as wonderful as they were unique. Expect a flurry of photos soon. Peace and Love, I'm going to bed. =)

Jaime and Wayne's Wedding at the Oregon Golf Club

2009-07-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

Wow! This year I've gotten to see some really great wedding locations across the state. The Oregon Golf Club is a beautifully maintained facility located in West Lynn, Oregon just a few minutes south of Portland. Besides a beautiful backdrop of trees, lawns and roses, they have an amazing permanent tent that is perfect for receptions.

Here are a couple of my favorites before the slideshow...

The Groom's dressing room had these beautiful doors so we kicked the guys out a few minutes early to get this shot.

About 20 minutes before the ceremony it start to rain pretty hard. Everyone was worried, but miraculously things cleared up and all that was left were these amazing clouds.

Ok I didn't actually plan to have a rainbow appear just behind Jaime's head, but one reason I love using a backlight on the reception/dance pictures is because of the unpredictable lens flair that can appear.

OK On to the slideshow. You can hit the play button at the bottom left.

You can also view these pictures on Facebook.

A shout out to my amazing wedding vendor friends who I had the plesure of working with on this wedding!
Terra and her team at The Oregon Golf Club were amazing! From helping get the dress just right to wiping down the seats after the our quick rain storm they had EVERYTHING covered.
Nicole Wagner did the makeup, need I say more?
Ryan Hein as D.J. It's always great to work with Ryan!
A Floral Affair did the beautiful arrangements.

Melissa and Zak's Wedding at The Resort at the Mountain

2009-07-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I had the chance to shoot Melissa and Zak's wedding near Mount Hood. I always love traveling out there because the scenery is just breathtaking. Every where I pointed my camera were beautiful scenic mountains in the background. It's a great place for a wedding and really represents Oregon.

Melissa was super relaxed before getting ready. I like how you can just make out the dress behind her in the window.

I've taken a lot of pictures of flower girls, and they are always so cute. But this one might be my favorite flower girl photo....at least it is at the moment!

Ok onto the slideshow below. You can also view these photos on Facebook.

Mondisa and Luis' Wedding at Green Villa Garden

2009-06-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

Mondisa and Luis celebrated their marriage last week in a beautiful ceremony just outside of Independence, Oregon. Having planned the day for more than a year, everything worked to perfection. Here are a few of my favorites.

Putting on the garter, I love the bridesmaid's expression!

Luis was pretty calm getting ready.

This next sequence of the "first look" turned out great. They were so genuinely happy to see each other you could see it in their eyes.

Taking whispering in sweet nothings to a whole other level.

His mom will probably hate this, but I thought it was pretty cute.

Sometimes at a wedding you know that you are taking a picture that will really stand the test of time. Yes you get the exposure right and have nice composition, but the subject matter transcends all of those things to create a moment that will last for years. This picture is one of those moments. It is of Mondisa's daughter, watching as Mondisa dances with her dad. You can just see it on her face that she is thinking of her own wedding day.

There's nothing like a nice field at sunset to finish the day off.

This was literally the last frame of the night. Great idea Peter!

See more on Facebook.

Brittany and Ryan's Engagement Session

2009-06-26T11:02:00.001-07:00

Brittany, Ryan and I headed out to shoot their engagement session and it seemed like it would be short lived as it quickly started to rain. Luckily it was just a quick sprinkle and the sky opened up to give us some amazing light an beautiful clouds to work with. Click here to view them on Facebook. (and become a fan!)

Mandy and Mike'sWedding at The Chemeketa Viticulture Center in Salem, Oregon

2009-06-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding. The sky was thick with huge clouds and provided a soft natural light that made everything glow.

We started the day at the Phoenix Grand Hotel in Salem where Mandy got dressed with her closest friends.

Then we headed to the Chemeketa Viticulture Center, which I have never heard of before, but I would love to shoot more weddings there. It is this beautiful wine research facility with an amazing view of the valley.

This little girl was so cute, but when she was walking down the aisle I think she had enough of me taking pictures and gave me the evil eye.

I told you there was an amazing view!

I wanted to throw in a couple of these backlit dance shots before you get to the slideshow. I love the backlit look and the highlight rim that it creates around people.

Ok onto the slideshow! Press play to see the rest. You can also view these pictures on my Facebook fan page.

Dawn and Stormy's Engagement Session in Brownsville.

2009-06-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's nice to get out and shoot somewhere new. I had that opportunity with Dawn and Stormy as I shot their engagement session in Brownsville last week. We started off with their 5 horses and shot a little in a hay field. Their dogs came a long too. The sky was just beautiful and I loved the really rich colors that we got. You can also view them on facebook, here.

We then headed into the barn where they saddled their horses

Stormy got his horse ready and started walking out before I was really ready, so I just quickly snapped this picture without really having time to focus. I love how it turned out though with the blurry image Stormy walking into the light.

Molly and Pete's Engagement Session

2009-06-21T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hey photo fans! Wedding season is definitely here and I am going to be busy from pretty much now until forever. So if I can keep up, the blog posts will be coming a lot faster.

Molly, Pete and I headed out to shoot their engagement session last week and we went to a covered bridge by OSU, and on to Bald Hill. No matter how many times I shoot in a location there is always something new to use are to capture the couple from a different angle. This time it was a big culvert that I had never really noticed before. I had to wade into the water to get some of these first few shots, but it was definitely worth the cold toes!

Cute Kids

2009-06-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I gave a family update. With such a crazy end to the school year I really haven't had time to take pictures of my own kids. We took a trip to Southern Oregon last weekend and I mad a conscious effort to get the camera out and shoot some pictures of my kids.

Ok, so I told them to set at the end of the steps, but Sofia and Gabe really do get along well. The often hold hands while sitting in their car seats and love to play and wrestle together.

Sofia was hard to take pictures of because she is so busy playing. She was twirling in the front yard of my parent's house and I yelled out her name to get her to look up. I grabbed this one frame and then she was off playing again!

Gabe is such an adventurer. He is only 18 months old and he NEVER stops exploring. I love this picture because I totally think Gabe is going to be the next Indiana Jones.

Suzanne and Cherwyn's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-06-18T13:03:00.001-07:00

Lot's of engagement sessions these days! The good weather has continued to hold and after a few rescheduling tries we finally got a nice sunny day to shoot Suzanne and Cherwyn's engagement session. We stuck to mostly downtown Corvallis. I love the fountain pictures!

Cory and Catherine's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-06-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

It's been about a year and a half since I invested in some new equipment. I just felt like I was at a sweet spot where I was happy with the images I was producing and I really liked the consistancy. Well, I just invested in a new camera the 5d MKII) and Lightroom 2.0 and Cory and Catherine's engagement session is what you get. I was absolutley thrilled by the colors and the sharpness of the new camera and the ability to really bring out the skies while holding detail in the faces in Lightroom 2.0 is a big plus.

Angie and Jason's Engagement Session in Portland

2009-06-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

Sooooo....before the weather turned all ridiculous on us I ran up to Portland to shoot Angie and Jason's engagement session. I'm super busy this weekend so I don't have time to comment other than it was a lot of fun getting to know Angie and Jason and to shoot in some locations in Portland that I had never been before!

Jennifer and Andrew's engagement session

2009-05-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

As summer rapidly approaches I shoot more and more engagement sessions. One of the challenges is to always give clients something unique but to stay true to my style and provide something that is consistent with my other work.

This first shot is definitely more on the unique side, but I like it. I love the texture of the old wood, and it almost feels like they are about to embark on an epic journey.

Sometimes during an engagement session I interact a lot with the couple, and I have been known to tell a cheesy joke or two to get them to smile, but these Jennifer and Andrew were having such a great time cracking each other up that I just sat back and let them laugh.

It't not a Becerra Engagement Session without a silhouette...

...or some backlight.

Andrew saw this sign with this beautiful verse and suggested that we shoot something with it.

A whole new perspective

2009-05-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had an experience that I won't soon forget. Rather than explain it I'm going to send you to the blog of some photographer friends of mine who asked me to help shoot their brother's wedding. Bottom line, life is short, spend time with those you love, take lots of pictures.

Read the whole entry at Blue Castle Photography's blog

Ericka and Andy's Engagement Session

2009-05-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

I love it when the weather cooperates! Not only does having the sun shine help with lighting, but being able to shoot in the spring with everything green and blooming has been a big help lately.

Click on the play button below for Ericka and Andy's engagement session.

If you'd prefer to check this out full screen, be sure to head over to my main site, click on "engagements" and then Ericka and Andy!

Tracy and George's Wedding at the International Rose Garden in Portland

2009-05-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is starting to heat up! Last Saturday I shot Tracy and George's wedding at the International Rose Garden. The weather was perfect and Tracy timed the wedding based on when we'd have ideal light. The light was perfect. They had a wonderful small ceremony in a corner of the garden and then we were able to spend a little time there shooting afterward.

We started out in the Benson Hotel where Tracy got ready with her bridesmaids.

Most of the shots I exposed to get that nice backlight pouring in, but just as we were headed over to the garden, one of the bridesmaids gave Tracy a handwritten card and I exposed more for the shadows. I love this picture because I think it really emphasized the moment of friendship and reflection.

Walking down the aisle...

Tracy and George looked so content and happy during the ceremony.

Tracy's dog Cody, performed the ring bearing duties.

The wedding party (I told you it was good light!)

The happy couple.

Tracy wore a long veil, and can I just say I love long veils?! Long Veils are so fun and really add some interesting movement to pictures.

I wanted to include a detail shot as that is something that I really want to focus on this upcoming wedding season. One of Tracy's bridesmaids made this fabulous cake.

Erik and Katie's Wedding in LaGrande, Oregon

2009-05-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

The first wedding of the year is here! I drove all the way out to LaGrande Oregon last weekend to shoot Katie and Erik's wedding. Shooting their wedding was really special because I have shot weddings for two of their friends, I knew many of the guests there. Not by name, but by their pictures from the other weddings. So here we go.

I wanted to start with this shot just because I love their expressions. Katie ran and Erik caught her in his arms and then they giggled together. Pretty cute stuff.

There was this great stained glass window that I used for a backdrop.

Of course we had to do some silhouettes.

Katie and her dad just as they started walking up the aisle....I wonder what they said to each other to get those expressions?

I had to throw this one in too. The kids up above on the balcony are great!

I turned the exposure way down for this one because I wanted to emphasize the light that they were creating.

All day driving up and during the ceremony it was pouring down rain. Then the ceremony ends and bam, Sunshine!!! We hurried outside to get a few shots like this one.

Shadows are cool.

Ok at the reception I tried out some new gear and I am VERY pleased with the results. (Warning camera nerd speak ahead) So these radio transmitters are great because they are extremely reliable, they have a range of around 200 feet, and they ALWAYS fire.

Anyway I love a nice backlight so I set up the light on a stand and went for it.
I love this intimate shot of Erik and Katie dancing.

There were lots of cute kids, and here is more back lighting.

And some more.

And more.

Ok, that's it for my first wedding of what is going to be my busiest year yet! I'm shooting a wedding today in Portland so check back soon for more!

Jaime and Wayne's engagement session in Corvallis

2009-05-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I don't have a lot of time because I am getting ready to drive to LaGrand Oregon tomorrow for a wedding but I wanted to take a minute to post Jaime and Wayne's engagement session that I shot earlier today. They moved from Portland to Texas a few years ago but are going to be back this summer for their wedding. Enjoy the pics and check back for more for more soon.

Kim and Cedric's Engagement Session All Over Portland

2009-04-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

Man, I've got to shoot in Portland more often. Kim and Cedric took me on a whirlwind tour of the city as we ran from the Pearle District, to the Waterfront, to some mansion that overlooked the whole city. It was great! I loved their expressions. Cedric has an unbelievable talent to make Kim laugh and I really enjoyed capturing their relationship with the beautiful city as the backdrop.
If you like these pictures and would like to see more, Kim and Cedric are now one of the featured engagement sessions on my main site.

Carmen and Dale's Engagement Session

2009-04-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

Being a wedding photographer is a great job. I get to be around really happy people. The hard part is that when family members get married I often already have a wedding booked. Although I won't be able to attend my aunt Carmen's wedding, I was able to shoot Dale and Carmen's engagement session this last week. Their wedding will be really beautiful and is going to incorporate fields of beautiful flowers and Native American traditions. I wish I could be there, but I'm glad I had the chance to shoot their engagement session because the sun is back, the flowers are blooming, the grass is green and it is a great time to be in the Willamete Valley.

Wedding Hair and Makeup by Nicole Wagner

2009-04-13T16:44:00.000-07:00

If you haven't booked your hair and makeup for you wedding day make sure and take a look at Nicole Wagner's new site. I've shot a few weddings with Nicole and she always does a fabulous job. Her new website really shows off her work. Check it out!

Becerra Photography Workshop

2009-04-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

Ok. You’ve just bought your first real digital camera. Probably a Digital Rebel, or a Nikon D70. You’ve got a couple of lenses and are ready to embark on a great summer vacation with the kids. Only one problem. What the heck do all of those buttons mean?

If you’ve ever felt like this, I have the solution for you. I’m very excited to announce that I will be offering a series of workshops for people who have a Digital SLR and are looking to learn how to use it.

The idea for the workshops came to me from a couple different sources. First, I’ve had a lot of people emailing me about offering some sort of a workshop, and second it seems like many of the parents of my students have said, “I wish I could take your class”.

Because I want to give everyone some one on one time, and individual instruction, class size will be limited to 8 people. The workshops will be a three part series with each session lasting 5 hours. A description of each workshop follows:

The Basics - This is the course where you learn the foundations of photography. I’ll cover how to manually control your camera while focusing on two areas, Exposure and Composition.

The People – On your amazing summer vacation you’re definitely going to want to capture images of your family. I’ll show you how to get great individual and group shots.

The Scenery- Most people want to take a summer vacation to a beautiful place. But sometimes its hard to know how make your pictures look as good as they did in person. I’ll teach you how to take everything from pictures of flowers to breathtaking sunsets.

Are you interested? Email me at chris@becerraphotography.com to find out more about pricing and specific dates.

p.s. This is NOT a workshop for professional photographers. It is an opportunity for regular people who enjoy taking pictures and want to learn more about the process. I think a lot of people end up paying upwards of $1000 for a camera but then don’t invest in actually learning how to use it. This is a chance to learn how preserve memories for a lifetime.

A relaxing Sunday

2009-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful day. Spending it with these two made it even more beautiful.

WeddingWire.com's Bride's Choice Award

2009-04-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't really been into entering photography competitions. Not that I'm against it I just haven't really felt the need to yet. However something that I'm really proud of is that I was awarded a 2009 Bride's Choice Award from Weddingwire.com

Here is what weddingwire has to say:

"In its inaugural year, the Bride's Choice Awards recognizes vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride's Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through surveys and reviews. Our winning vendors have set the bar high for this competition, demonstrating excellent service and expertise in their industry."

You can read the reviews or write your own here.
Thank you to all the brides who reviewed me. It has been a pleasure working with you!

Boys and their Toys

2009-03-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

So legend has it that a few years ago I sold my truck to start my business. I've really wanted a truck ever since. I mean every guy needs a truck right? I live in Corvallis so I mostly ride my bike around town, but I'm from Klamath Falls originally so it just makes sense that I would need a 4X4 full-size pickup eventually. Last December I got my dream truck, nothing too fancy, a 2000 Toyota Tundra with an access cab for the kids. I had visions of taking a really cool sunset picture for the blog, but the crappy weather wouldn't cooperate and neither would my kids. (Gabe is in the truck during this picture. He refused to come outside and instead ripped through my glove compartment) It actually even started snowing right as I got the tripod setup. So long story short, I'm glad that selling my truck and starting my business has worked out. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Steffany and Michael's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-03-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

This Saturday we must have had the best luck ever. It was rainy and gloomy all day, and Steffany and Michael's engagement session was set for 4 o'clock. We started shooting and just as we finished up, it started raining again. You gotta love the Northwest. Anyway, I'm glad we got to shoot while we had the chance. Here are a couple of the highlights:

Sometimes great backgrounds like pretty waterfalls and gorgeous sunsets can really add to a picture, but sometimes the best shots are more simple, and intimate. I love the first few pictures here. To get these shots I just kind of sat back and worked my way around Steffany and Michael as they shared a moment.

I love the sparkle in Steffany's eyes here.

A little funky foreground....

This is right before it started to rain, and I think its a pretty good ending shot for the session.

Bad Blogger Great Wedding Album

2009-03-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, I think this has been possibly the longest wait between blog posts since I started this thing a couple years ago. I apologize! My new resolution-once a week blogging!

So here we go, recently I've switched album companies and I am very happy with my new albums. I love the new company's flexibility with custom covers and materials. Here are a few shots of the new flushmount albums I am offering with my Platinum package or they can be purchased a la carte.

This cover was made with pearl leather and a platinum strip. I also really like the high quality binding that is sure to last for a loooooong time.

Flushmount albums have super thick pages that are almost like posterboard in width. They give a nice sturdy feel to the book. And make it pretty heavy.

This album had a 6 inch metal cameo. I think it goes great with the platinum leather strip.

Vivid Color!

One thing I REALLY like about the flushmount album is that there is no gutter, so your pictures don't get lost in the binding.

That wraps up the new album preview. For all your photo-gear junkies out there (Steve) I shot these with my new 50mm 2.5 macro lens. Expect to see a lot more details shots in the upcoming wedding season as I plan to put this lens to work.

Facebook Slideshows!

2009-02-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Have you been dying to share your engagement session or wedding slideshow with all your Facebook friends? If I've shot a wedding for you and you'd like a custom slideshow that you can embed in Facebook let me know and I'll get you setup. It's all for free of course!

Kara and Forrest's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-02-08T21:14:00.000-08:00

Kara Forrest and I spent a lovely Saturday shooting their engagement session in Corvallis. What a blast! Kara called it our "bonding time". We spent a lot of time walking around downtown and in a nice natural area and I got to know them really well. I think that one of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is meeting so many fun couples.

Derek and Stephanie's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2009-01-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

Since Derek and Stephanie came all the way from Seattle for the engagement session, I'm so glad that we had a break in the weather! It cleared up just enough for us to get in a great photo shoot at OSU and Bald Hill. This is the first time I've ever posted a purely black and white entry. Of course I shot in digital so they will receive both color and black and white files, but as I was editing I just loved the creaminess of the white tones, and the boldness of the black that I decided to do a slideshow in pure black and white. Also Stephanie and Derek had such beautiful expressions that I really think that seeing them in black and white makes you look more at the happiness in their eyes.

Happy MLK Day!

2009-01-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

My father-in-law gave me a book for Christmas and I wanted to share it with you. I'm sure many of you have heard of Randy Pausch's last lecture. For those who haven't Randy, a professor at Carnegie Mellon and father of three, found out he had a few months to live when he decided to give one last lecture at his school. The lecture was videotaped and became a Youtube viral hit. Randy who died last year, wrote a book based on his ideas in the lecture, and my father-in-law gave the book to me for Christmas. If you get a few moments in the next week or so, READ THIS BOOK! As a dreamer, a husband and a father this book really helped me put into perspective the things that are most important in my life. Of course my family is most important to me, but Randy shows also the importance of achieving your childhood dreams in a refreshing down-to-earth way. As I read the book, I couldn't help but think of what a great life I have. I have a beautiful wife, two adorable kids, amazing parents, great siblings, and not one, but two jobs that I am super-excited about. I really am living my childhood dreams. I wanted to be photographer when I grew up. I wanted to have a family when I grew up. I wanted to be in the Olympics when I grew up... ok well I'm still working on that one. Randy's life helped me to see that life is not perfect, but it can still be great.

Yes we can.

2009-01-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

I had a football coach who always used to pose the question, "Do great players make great plays, or do great plays make great players?" Coach Schefstrom would then pontificate on how in the decisive moments of a football game, great players would rise up and get the job done. They'd make the tackle on 4th and 2 to stop a drive. They'd convert a 3rd and ten to keep a drive alive. Perhaps they weren't the best players, or the most valuable players, but great players have a knack for coming through when everything is one the line. I still don't know the answer to that question, but I think we are at a moment in American history where a man and a nation can prove their greatness. Five days from now we will have a new president, a chance to start over and to take our country in a new direction. As a nation we're down by 6 with one minute left and it's 3rd and ten. It will be interesting to see if President Obama can stand with Washington, Kennedy, FDR, and others who at dire times rose to greatness. For the sake of all of us I hope so.

Here is the spread for Mi Gente Magazine that was produced from the pictures I shot of Obama on a campaign trip through Eugene. (I hope you've brushed up on your Spanish) Si Se Puede!

On Second Thought...

2009-01-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

I like this picture best! Danae commented below that this was her favorite from Cliff and Kelly's engagement, and I have to agree...so I thought I'd post it again.

Cliff and Kelly's Engagement Session

2009-01-05T22:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just get lucky. Cliff and Kelly picked about the only day I've seen since the snow started to do their engagement session. We had a beautiful sunset to work with that you really just don't get in Corvallis this time of year. Shooting their engagement session was a blast. They really reminded me of why I include engagement sessions in each wedding package I offer. I love getting to know each couple!

I took a lot of cool silhouette shots in this engagement session but this is my favorite. Cliff and Kelly staring off into the sunset. I was worried when I shot it that you wouldn't be able to see their legs but when I got the picture into the computer I could just make out the outline of their bodies with the highlight coming around them.

Make sure to click the play button on the slideshow to see the rest!

Nic and Alli's Wedding at the LDS Temple in Medford Oregon

2009-01-02T09:09:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! What better way to kick off 2009 than with a wedding? Nic and Alli were married during the last few days of 2008 in the LDS Temple in Medford. This is the 2nd LDS wedding I've shot, and since no cameras are allowed in the temple, you won't see pictures from the ceremony. However we were lucky enough that it didn't rain so we did get some great shots outside of the temple. On the subject of rain, do you know that I still have a perfect record of never being rained out of a wedding? That is quite an accomplishment being based in the Pacific Northwest!

Ok back to pictures.

One of the best moments in an LDS Wedding is when the couple comes out of the temple and the whole family waits to great them. Nic and Alli were just beaming coming out of the doors!

Nic is in love with Alli.

Alli is in love with Nic.

Nic and Alli both come from big families. They have nearly 30 nieces and nephews, and this one loves to pose for pictures.

I love this picture. It is Alli sharing a moment with her mom while her Grandpa gets ready to take their picture. A lot of times I like to set up behind family members who are taking pictures because while they are getting their camera ready the subjects are natural and talking and laughing. It's a great way to capture moments like this one.

The sky wasn't raining, but it was very overcast so I tried to use that to my advantage with this shot and create a very dramatic picture by lighting Nic and Alli from the side and above.

The happy couple, walking in the cold!

After the temple ceremony we headed down to Klamath Falls for a reception at Alli's parent's house. I ran up to the balcony to get this slow shutterspeed shot.

This shot is just in the stairwell but I do like how it turned out. With the highlights just on their hair it kind of leaves the expression on their faces up to your imagination.

Many Thanks

2008-12-21T22:20:00.000-08:00

This year has been so amazing for me professionally. From taking pictures of President-Elect Barack Obama, to shooting at some of the best wedding venues in the state, to venturing into California and Washington for a few weddings, Becerra Photography has really grown over the last 12 months. However there have been a few people who have been helping behind the scenes and I just wanted to give a little shout out to those who have helped bring you some pretty amazing pictures this year.

First, thank you Steve Wagner! I met Steve after shooting a few weddings that his wife Nicole had done makeup for. Steve and I hit it off right away. We both have a passion for photography which is only surpassed by our passion for buying the latest photographic equipment. =) Steve worked with me on quite a few weddings in 2008 and I hope to have him shoot with me a lot in 2009!

Thank you Tino Zapien! Tino is currently one of my photography students and he shot his first wedding with me this year. I have been so impressed with his work both in wedding photography and in the classroom. He is constantly pushing the creative envelope and teaching me new things. He has a bright photographic future. But just so you know, when he becomes a famous photographer some day, remember that you read about him here first!

Thank you Lydia Shute! Lydia is a former student of mine who is majoring in graphic design. She currently designs my wedding albums and does a much better job than I am capable of doing. She really understands how to put my pictures together to tell the story of the wedding day. Hiring Lydia has been such a blessing because it has freed up a lot of my time so I can focus more on making great photographs.

Thank you Carlos Becerra (Dad) What can I say about my dad? Not only has he shot many weddings with me this year, my dad is always encouraging me to "Go for it!". Whenever I need a boost of confidence I can always count on my dad to point me in the right direction.

Well there you have it. I don't always have the opportunity to give these people the credit they deserve but I just wanted to say thanks for helping to make 2008 such an amazing year!

Luke and Jodie's Wedding in Harlan Oregon

2008-12-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

What you've never heard of Harlan Oregon? Well let me tell you, you've been missing out. Harlan is a small former logging community tucked behind beautiful rolling coastal hills about half way between Corvallis and Newport. I shot Dani and Shane's wedding there about 2 years ago, so when Shane's mom called me up to tell me that her son Luke was getting married I was very excited to go back!

Harlan really is a peaceful place. I pulled up to the little community church early in the morning, got out of my car and just listened to the silence for a few minutes. Now Corvallis isn't a large town, but being out in Harlan everything was so still. There were no cars, no humming of electricity, just the silence of the wind blowing over the hills. It was breathtaking. I walked around a bit and took this shot of the sun coming up over the hill and melting the frost on a blade of grass.

So we started with the getting ready. I grabbed the wedding dress for a few classic back lit shots. To be honest this I didn't mean to over expose this one, but I liked the angelic look so I kept it.

All things being equal I had to include the guys too.

Speaking of the guys...they were kind of tired. Luke and his cousins rolled in a couple of hours after the girls but still needed some sleep.

I love the soft window light in this one and Jodie's calm expression.

There were a ton of cute kids running around, and I just loved this shot of the little girl getting her hair curled like a big girl, but still needing to sit on a box.

As Luke got ready with his cousins, they kept cracking each other up.

More of Luke getting ready...

I am really digging silhouettes lately. They can be over used but I think this one really works with the shirt in the background and looks goatee forming a distinct outline to his face.

Back to the girls.

I LOVE this shot. I didn't pose it at all. I shot a few more at different exposures but like I said before I'm really digging silhouettes right now.

Jodie just looks happy!

Most ceremonies are pretty much the same, but you gotta love the expression on the officiant's face!

More cute kids...

There is nothing compositionally exceptional about this picture, but the expressions on their faces are so genuine I had to include it.

As the sun started to go over the hill it turned into prime time lighting. It was actually a little chilly so all the girls had to hold their breath so you couldn't see it in the photo!

Like three angels.

The expression on their faces is priceless...the lighting is pretty good too =)

Sometimes the moment right before the moment or after the moment is the most telling. Here Luke and Jodie were about to kiss and I just loved the expression of their faces and how happy they looked.

Silhouettes. No matter how many times I type that word I still have spell check it!

Filling the frame with just their faces eliminates everything but their expressions.

Talking

2008-12-03T20:58:00.000-08:00

My wife teases me about this, but I have a habit of adapting my speech to sound like the person I'm talking to. For example, whenever I talk to my friend Tanner, Kara always says I put on this "Arizona Cool" accent.

I always tell Kara that I'm not trying sound cool, it's just that I think I subconsciously am just trying to communicate better with the different people I interact with. This can come in especially handy for a wedding photographer.

As I reflect back on this year in wedding photography I have had the opportunity to meet so many great diverse people that I never would have known before. 3 weddings really stick out in my mind with how different they were from each other, and how I had to adapt to each couple's style.

Sean and Amanda's wedding was so great and different. They put their own style on just about everything, from the 3 day wedding festivities to the belly dancer at their reception, their wedding was something I'll never forget.

Soon after Sean and Amanda's wedding I shot Bailie and Tyler's wedding in Bonanza. They're wedding had their own style too. A style totally different from Sean and Amanda's. Some of my favorite memories were the wedding party jumping on the tractor to go take pictures and Tyler wearing a gas mask to remove Bailie's garter.

A little later I shot Calvin and Lisa's wedding. Their traditional Vietnamese wedding was an amazing marathon. All the details of all the different dresses and the importance of tradition were two impressions that I took away from this wedding.

The one thing that these three diverse couples have in common of course is that they hired me to be their photographer. Looking back on my interactions with each couple, I had to adapt to their own distinct wishes and desires. It's a part of my job that I truly love. Every couple is so unique and getting to interact with each one is fun for different reasons. So yes, I guess Kara is right, I do talk differently with the people I interact with. Thinking about that now, it's something that I'm proud of.

Getting Married? Try Monroe Oregon!

2008-11-28T21:54:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I had a chance to take some shots at a new wedding venue in Monroe Oregon. Paradise Springs looks like it will become a favorite among Oregon Brides. The facilities are just fabulous. Here are a few sample shots!

Mandy and Mike's Engagment Session in Corvallis

2008-11-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

Hey Photo fans. Instead of a slideshow I thought I'd post a few of my favorites from Mandy and Mike's chilly but fun engagement session and comment on what I like about them...here goes!

Who ever said, "Save the best for last" ? I'm all for putting your best shot first. This is my favorite shot from the session. I love the strong vertical lines in this picture. I feel like my eye starts with the couple and then gets pulled up through the entire frame. This almost reminds me of that famous picture of a sailor kissing a woman in the street of New York City at the end of WWII. I intentionally put the subjects a little lower in the frame to emphasize those lines. I also really like how their black jackets pop against the lighter background.

I love this shot because it is so natural. Great pictures are about capturing real moments, and that is sometimes hard to do in an engagement session. For this shot I started inside the building and had Mandy and Mike just sit and chat. I eventually went outside and behind them to give them a little more space. Pretty soon they were cracking each other up about who knows what, and I caught this frame of Mandy laughing. Like I said,a real moment, a real connection between the couple and it doesn't even matter that you can't really see their faces.

This is probably my second favorite shot. ( I know another kissing one...) I laid down on my stomach in the leaves for this one so that I could include some of the leaves in the foreground to help frame the couple, and to emphasize the strong vertical lines of the trees behind them. Again I really like how my eye starts with the couple and gets pulled by the line of trees all the way through the photograph. I think this could be a postcard, or a movie poster or something....Something along the lines of Sleepless in Seattle.

This is kind of becoming a trademark engagement shot. EVERY bride I meet loves her ring and wants to show it off a little. The thing I particularly like about this shot is that you look at the ring first and then you can see their smiling faces behind. It's almost as if they just got engaged.

You gotta love backlight, and the expression on their faces.

I turned this one black and white because I wanted to emphasize all of the lines in the photo, by leaving the couple out of focus it emphasizes the lines even more, and it is almost like a surprise when you see Mike and Mandy in the background.

Here is a version in color and with the focus on the couple.

Ok..well I blabbed a little more than I intended to...so what do you prefer, slideshow or commentary, or maybe a little of both?

Looking into the future, and the past

2008-11-21T21:16:00.000-08:00

Last night my dad sent me this picture of us when I was about 6 months old. It's crazy because I see how much I look like my dad, but also how much Gabe looks like my baby picture. I'm really grateful that my dad was a photography nerd and took tons of pictures growing up. Take pictures of your kids!

Eric and Katie's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2008-11-12T20:09:00.001-08:00

When it rains it pours. Fortunately for Eric and Katie we had a break in the rain this week and were able to squeeze their engagement session in between a whole lot of wet. Eric and Katie are actually friends of Rachel and Brad, and Peter and Meredith. I can't wait until their wedding so that I can shoot a picture with all three couples together!
Eric and Katie are another OSU match made in heaven and spent a lot of their dating time in the piano room of the Wetherford(spelling?) building. I love the shots in their from their engagement session. Every time I shoot at OSU Campus it is a unique experience.

She's growing up

2008-11-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

My baby turned three today. I am so grateful for the joy that Sofia has brought into my life. She has brought Kara and I closer. Her smile is infectious and she truly has a kind heart. I love you Sofia!

Mondisa and Luis' Engagement Session at Willamette Valley Vineyards

2008-11-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

Can you do an engagement session in November? Mondisa Luis and I pulled it off at the gorgeous grounds of Willamette Valley Vineyards in Salem this weekend. There were some great colors there as the leaves are turning yellow, and they have a beautiful view from up on the hill. Mondisa and Luis are actually getting married at a different location, but I'd love to shoot wedding at this vineyard sometime...

Pete and Meredith's Wedding in Beaverton Oregon

2008-10-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I shot Pete and Meredith's wedding at the Southwest Bible Church in Beaverton. What really impressed me about this wedding was what a great community the church had. Everyone pitched in to help with setting up and cleaning up. The message during the ceremony was really touching and it was fun to hear the stories of "Becket Court Gang" growing up. I actually met Pete and Meredith and Rachel and Brad's wedding and when Pete saw the slideshow I put up at the reception, he decided to come and talk about wedding photography.

Nicole and Ben's Wedding at Zenith Vineyard in Salem Oregon

2008-10-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

On October 18th I had a blast shooting Nicole and Ben's wedding up at Zenith Vineyard! Nicole and Ben searched up and down the west coast for the perfect wedding location even going as far south as Napa Valley before finding Zenith. I don't think they we were disappointed! It was a beautiful sunny Saturday and the vineyard was just about to be harvested so we got some great shots with the leaves turning different colors. The happy couple came all the way from Alaska for their perfect weekend and now they are headed off to Tahiti...or was it Fiji...hmmm I can't remember....

ps Ryan Hein , DJ extraordinaire kept the party going, while Jamesjoy Videography was a pleasure to work with as well!

Annie and Jason's Engagement Session in Corvallis

2008-10-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Long time no post! I was so excited to shoot Annie and Jason's engagement session, in part because I have had a little down time and have just been wanting to get back in the swing of things. Anyway, Annie and Jason drove down from Washington to watch the Beavers-Washington State game (if you can call 66-13 a game!) so we shot their engagement session before at Bald Hill. Right away they were so expressive and happy and funny. Even though I've shot at Bald Hill a few times, I really tried to do stretch myself creatively and look for light that would be flattering and then using backgrounds and foregrounds that brought your attention to Annie and Jason.