Hey peeps!  Here’s a quick recap of what’s been going on in Totally Rad-ville this week.

*Congrats to Cyndi Montgomery, who won the $500 Apple Gift Card!  Thanks to everyone who played along and downloaded their free TRA sample!

*The fantabulous Anti-Alumness  Lisa Robbins is having a blog contest!  She has vowed to blog everyday for the month of May and, if you catch her cheating, you could win a free set of the Totally Rad Actions!

*There is a new video tutorial posted on the Totally Rad Site.  This one focuses on Yin/Yang, Big Blue and Green with Envy!  Learn how we get screaming blues, bright, rich greens and how to use the Yin/Yang action to really make an image pop!

*We are working hard on our next product and want to hear from you!  Log on the the new Totally Rad Forum and let us know what actions or effects you would like to see us rad-ify.

*Since it’s not any fun to post with some piccies, here’s a new recipe for ya!

Have a delightful day!

I’ve been feeling like I needed to shoot something for myself lately and so I gave myself a little challenge this morning.  I drive 5.8 miles back and forth to my studio everyday and often find myself forgetting to look around, see the world and appreciate it for what it is.  So, here was my challenge - to make a series of photographs along my normal 5.8 mile route to work.  My goal was to make all the images fit together thematically and stylistically, so as to stand on their own as a body of work.  It took me over 2 hours to make it to work this morning, but I had a nice time stopping to appreciate what I often pass right by.

I know they’re not setting the world on fire, but I thought it would be fun to share some of the images I made this morning.  I tried to post them in the order in which they were shot -

There you have it!  5.8 miles.

If you’re a photographer reading this, I highly recommend you do this project (even if you work from home, you probably still have your normal route through the house!).  If you decide to, please email me a link - I’d love to see them!

delightfully,

Chenin

Wow!  This has been a crazy couple of weeks for the Totally Rad Action Mix!  Late last week, we launched a brand, spankin’ new website, designed by the completely fabulous/delightful/rockstar team at Theta Interactive, creators of the Into The Darkroom Software.  Check it out -

The new site has lots of bells and whistles, including new and improved samples, a recipe gallery, a testimonials section where Rad Photographers can share their thoughts, a bunch of video tutorials to help you out, plus a link to download a couple of FREE SAMPLE ACTIONS!  That’s right - unlike the other guys, we actually show you examples of the actions and let you try a couple out!

Now here’s the cool part!  Go to the Totally Rad Site and download the free action sample set before midnight PST on Sunday, 5/11/08, and you will be entered in a drawing to win a $500 Apple Gift Card. The winner will be announced on Monday, 5/12/08!

That’s it - get your free actions and get entered to win.  Easy Cheesy. Super Simple. Win-Win.

delightfully,

Chenin

pee-ess:  Feel free to share the contest on your own blogs, or tell your friends!  The more the merrier!

Yesterday I shot a “just because” session for Jeff and his lovely wife, Kara.  What is a “just because” session, you ask?  It’s just like it sounds!  For some reason, a lot of people think you need to wait for a special occasion to take photos, like an engagement, wedding or the birth of a new baby.  I say, why not just because?

Jeff and Kara were a pleasure to shoot and I had a blast trying out some new ideas I’ve been cooking up….  Here are just a few (ok, maybe more than a few!) of my favorites -

Been really playing with shapes, shadows and tones lately -

Then it was off to my favorite little open space for more tilt-shift experimenting and some playing with flare -

Mad props to Kara for braving the tall grass and weeds in her lovely dress  (you’d never know she was wearing Jeff’s soccer cleats under there!)-

If any of my readers are interested in scheduling a session (just because!), give me a call!

delightfully,

Chenin

Yesterday I got to shoot David and Sandra’s engagement session at Mission San Juan Capistrano.  It was such a beautiful place to shoot and the day couldn’t have been more perfect!  I still have lots of ideas for how to use this super-neato space, so if any of my clients would like to shoot their engagement session here, drop me a line!  I would love to shoot here again!  Here are some favorites from David and Sandra’s session -

And my favorite from the session -

I have another shoot today, so I’ll be a blogging fool this week!

delightfully,

Chenin

After everyone’s overwhelming response to our Totally Rad Recipe, I’ve been meaning to share some new recipes!

The totally bitchin’ thing about the Totally Rad Action Mix is that they free you from that canned look you get from most action sets.  They allow you to customize your look, to massage the images to fit your vision and, most of all, to do it quickly!  I know a lot of you have your own ways of combining the actions to come up with awesome results and now we have a way for you to share those recipes!

I am so excited to announce that we have a Totally Rad Forum, where Radsters can post and share their favorite recipes!  There are also a ton of frequently asked questions for your to peruse at your leisure!  This forum is not meant to compete with the completely-bitchin-and-can’t-be-matched Digital Wedding Forum (if you’re not a member, become one now!) - it’s just a fun, free way to have your Totally Rad Questions answered and to share your favorite ways of combining them.  So log-in right now and share with your fellow photographers! (And before you cranky-pants-I-am-an-island-and-I-DON’T-SHARE!-types brush me off, remember that it was our spirit of sharing that brought you the TRA and that we can all benefit from a little open sharing - besides, you might make a friend or two! [*wink*])

Here are a couple combos that I use a ton in my own work!

Delightfully,

Chenin

I’m so excited to report that one of my fabulous clients nominated Boutwell Studio for the Best of OC Hot List!  But, in order to win, I need your help!  If you’ve got a second to spare, please go to the site and vote for Boutwell Studio!  It’s quick, it’s easy and it would make my day!

delightfully,

Chenin

Last Wednesday, I had the absolute pleasure of shooting a very intimate wedding in Santa Monica.  Suzanne and Don are totally, completely, madly in love with each other and I was lucky enough to document their incredible wedding.  Although I do love to shoot big, grand weddings, my favorite weddings to document are those small, special little ceremonies, where it’s all about the love.  And Suzanne and Don’s wedding was definitely filled with love.  The fabulously delightful Kelley Gin coordinated the wedding, and was sure to make everything special for Suzanne and Don and their 4 guests.

I’ll start with a couple of sweet details; I especially loved the miniature wedding cakes, complete with a tiny bride and groom -

A couple of portraits of the lovely couple -

Then it was ceremony time!  Instead of chairs and an aisle and all that jazz, Suzanne and Don opted to march right down to the water and have a little  impromptu/guerrilla ceremony!  It was a gorgeous day in Santa Monica!  Here’s the view from the ceremony -

A couple shots while they exchanged vows -

After they exchanged vows, Suzanne and Don said a few meaningful words to each of theirs guests -

And a couple more shots on the beach, just for fun!

To Suzanne and Don:  You reminded me what weddings are all about.  Thank you!

delightfully,

Chenin

I recently started a new little blog series, called The Cat’s Meow! This is where I post awesome resources for brides, photographers, or just regular old people looking for some inspiration. My next installment is devoted to a favorite new blog, called The Wedding Chicks!

It’s a delightful resource for brides to discover top vendors, for photographers and brides to draw inspiration from amazing photos and design concepts, and for anyone who aspires to be a cool chick! I am excited to be included on their list of photographers and delighted to share this lovely site with you! Click below to discover one of my daily must-read blogs!

delightfully,

Chenin

I know you might not expect it from a hard-core punk girl like myself, but I love movie soundtracks. It’s music for the lazy listener. I love that a good soundtrack can completely change your mood. A good soundtrack simultaneously reminds you of the movie that it derives from and feels like a surprise around every corner. Like how, in The Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack, you can go from DeVotchKa to Tony Tisdale… I love it! So I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorite movie soundtracks - if you have some that I’m missing leave a comment and I’ll go on an iTunes shopping spree!

The Darjeeling Limited - love this one! Wes Anderson always has great music in his movies, but this one is my favorites. I listen to this one when I’m feeling quirky or stressed.

Magnolia - I’ve had this soundtrack for years and it’s still in heavy rotation. Amy Mann is a gem. I listen to this soundtrack when I’m feeling a little blue.

Little Miss Sunshine - Quite possibly my favorite soundtrack of all time. A long time ago, a fellow photographer sent me an email suggesting that I check out DeVotchKa. I immediately fell in love! Believe it or not, I listen to this soundtrack when I go running. It makes me feel like I’m in Chariots of Fire

Juno - I actually think the silly single from this movie (The Moldy Peaches song) is the weakest on the album. Kimya Dawson is a genius; if I could sing or write songs, I would sound just like her (at least I like to think so….) My favorite line from this soundtrack is: “I like my new bunny suit. It makes me feel cute.” I listen to this soundtrack during consultations or when I’m cranky.

Garden State - I just picked this one up, although I’ve known about it for ages. It’s just a kick-ass compilation of some of the best songs written in the last 10-15 years. Good for parties, or when you’re feeling indecisive - it’s got something for everyone.