HI, my name is Marc Weisberg, I'm a wedding and portrait photographer based in Orange County, California. For the past ten years I have photographed couples on one of the most emotional and special days of their lives using a mix of photojournalism, gorgeous portraiture and amazing details to tell their story. Through a natural progression, my style has evolved into fine art portraiture for children and families. This is where i post my photography and random thoughts about my life and travels. It’s both my web site and my blog. My award winning work is published internationally in magazines and books available on Amazondotcom. My client list is made up of people like you. Over the years some of the places where I’ve photographed are: Paris, Copenhagen, Mexico, Los Angeles, New York, Cuba and Stockholm.
The Grand Del Mar in San Diego recently completed a $25 million dollar renovation. I don't know what it looked like before. But all I can say is Va-va-Boom. The Grand Del Mar IS spectacular! SPECTACULAR without being overbearing. It's textures and colors are rich and luxurious like a Creme Brulee. What makes it even better, is the vision of the architect who took advantage of the light shaping qualities of the tall structures and how they interplay with the angle of the sun. High arches and large enclosed outdoor spaces buffer harsh light creating a soft blanket of luminosity perfect for portraits.
Over the last ten years I've photographed over four hundred weddings and am always delighted by subtle nuances of culture and how it shapes the rituals of the day. Many times I've photographed bi-cultural weddings. But this had a slightly different twist. Both the bride and the groom's family practiced Judaism but were from very different cultures. Jessica was of traditional Mexican heritage and the Marc {what a great name!} was of traditional French heritage. Their ceremony was performed by a reformed Orthodox Rabbi. Their Cantor {In Judaism a cantor, also known as a chazzan or hazzan, is the person who leads the congregation by way of singing a melodic prayer.} had a voice like silk and honey and had an agent in Beverly Hills {I kid you not.} The supporting cast included a small men's Jewish choir and an amazing quartet that would make Tevye {from Fiddler on the roof blush}.
The groom Marc {center} his father, brothers and uncle.
Notice the Moroccan inspired arches above the Chuppah.
I'm guessing that the Kiddish cups are Jessica's mom's and dad's from their marriage.
Oh...I forgot to mention that there was a second band. In keeping with Spanish tradition there was a fantastic Mariachi band too.
An absolutely perfect day for a wedding.
Happily married.
Portrait fun.
The quartet from the ceremony changed into their tuxedos and joined a larger twelve piece band in the Grand's ballroom for {a perspiration filled, and...} what seemed like an endless, celebration of tantric dancing.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, Orange County Engagement Photography
Monday, 3.8.10
This is a lovely, relaxed, fun, engagement session I photographed for Jennifer & Steve at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. What's phenomenal about photographing at the MSJC is that due to the architectural design {an abundance of roof line overhangs,} it creates a wonderful diffused light source all day long. That coupled with the gorgeous backdrop of textured Tuscan/Spanish pastel colored plaster walls, repeating red brick columns, chunky adobe brick and an inner and outer courtyard, well you just can't go wrong photographing here.
Just having fun and turning up the heat a notch.
I can't help but smile when i look at this image.
Some peaceful and tender images incorporating the arches and photographing in the ruins at the Mission.
Another fun series. I like telling little vignettes or stories with a series of images.
A before and after image. Steve was whispering a secret sweet something in Jennifer's ear.
P.S. Very cool. The diamonds in Jennifer's band are from Steve's Grandmother's ring.
They were artfully placed in a new modern setting. After the Mission we headed down to Laguna Beach for some Z-Pizza.
Then across the street to the beach to finish up our session with a sunset shoot at the Montage Resort and Spa. Good times :-)
P.S.S. Just as a total aside, a friend turned me on to one of the best dim sum places ever. Its called Capital Seafood and its in Irvine at the corner of Jamboree and Alton.
P.S.S.S. Just next door, a couple stores down from Capital in the same plaza is a killer bakery 85˚Celsius. After you have dim sum, stop in and ask for a Sea Salt coffee and treat yourself to one of their excellent pastries. I had their Milk Custrad Bun. Yummy!
I recently had the pleasure and opportunity of photographing famed, Swedish, best selling cookbook author Sanna Ehdin for the cover of her new cookbook. The shoot took place on a brilliantly sunny day at the Beverly Hills Farmers Market. Sanna is a free spirit who splits her time between Los Angeles and Sweden.
So, how in the world could this possibly have anything to do with wedding photography? Simple. Making people look beautiful and relaxed is what I do. And on your wedding day I'm creating gorgeous portraits of you and your families. How do I do it effortlessly? Well, there's a little secret that I'll share with you. As a professional photographer the first step before I even lift the camera to my eye is forming a connection/relastionship with my client. I do some homework ahead of time. I always chit chat get involved in some laughter before my shoots. Laughter is like helium. It lightens up everything and warms up any situation. Another thing I do, is always show up early to my shoots to find the best light and the best background.
First comes the connection then the light. I choose my background last. In this case I shoot at the Beverly Hills Farmer's Market which is buffeted by some tall buildings creating a wide swath of open shade. Open shade is a photographer's best friend. When finding the light I'm also looking for the direction of the light. Ten years ago in the beginning of my photography career this was a challenge. Now I don't even give it a second thought. I just comes naturally.
Finding the sweet light, knowing my gear so well that i don't need to think about it, using the right lens and the best location are all key ingredients to making a flattering portrait. Take a look at any of my portraits in the blog. A common theme emerges that unify all of them. The focus in on my client, they are relaxed and the background falls off to a nice blur (a.k.a. bokeh: from boke (暈け or ボケ) in Japanese, meaning blur).
Remember earlier I mentioned connecting with my client. Here's the thing...that secret I was alluding to earlier. I keep connected with my client the whole time I'm shooting. The exception is when I'm in p.j. (photojournalism) mode. Because I've smartly chosen my light, know my gear so well that I don't need to think about using it and have selected the most flattering lenses I can be playful and engage fully with my client and create beautiful images. There is nothing distracting me. I'm in the moment with my client and she/he/they are in the moment too fully engaged in what's happening. Time disappears and people's real personality comes out to play. It's the inner beauty (not thae fake persona) that I want to capture.
We all have insecurities. In my opinion everyone is at their best when they are relaxed and happy. As a sensitive human being and a professional photographer, I can tell at a glance, if someone is apprehensive or completely relaxed. Keeping the connection going while I'm behind my lens while allows me to make sure you are at your best when I'm photographing you.
Sanna wrote me an email from Sweden: "Marc, I just want to send a short note and say that the photos you took of me are sooo appreciated and I am very happy for them. The cover looks great and the pics have just the quality of earthiness, femininity, strength, fun and health that I want to put out there. Thanks from my heart Marc! It means a lot to me."
P.S. One of my favorite things to do is create gorgeous portraits on location and in my studio. It's always a new adventure getting to know some one and finding out what makes them relaxed and happy.
P.S.S. If you don't already know it. I'm a huge foodie and wine lover. In my previous life I was a restaurant baby and worked my way up the ranks from dishwasher to executive chef in NYC. So, when I visited the Beverly Hills Farmers Market (which is open on Sundays) I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of selection. All of the produce is regional, super fresh with a smattering of boutique cheeses and even a gourmet selection of fresh dates. Yummy! A trip to the BHFM is totally worth your time. Next time I'm headed to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market it's open on Saturdays.
Oh-nine was super busy. In June, we moved our studio from a loft in Newport Beach to store front in the center of Historic Old Town Tustin. There was so much going on with the new studio and setting up shop there wasn't time left to post on the blog. The is a funtastic, relaxed, engagement session with Holly and Robbie at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. It was one of those things were everything fell into place naturally. Happy couple in love and excited about life and their upcoming wedding at Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine. Perfect weather, gorgeous light and big surf.
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