I had the opportunity to shoot some twilight photos at this really cool place in Dana Point. It was a pretty rough week since I came down with the flu on Monday. Luckily this place helped me bounce out of it since it’s not everyday you get to shoot such a unique place like this. Have a look at some of the photos in the full post.

Mike Ameel with Coto de Caza Realty always has some awesome homes for me to put in front of my camera. This one was a little more modest, but very nice none the least! Have a look at some of the photos in the full post!

Here’s one in the Canyon Crest community of Mission Viejo. Be sure to check out the master bathroom in the full post!

I recently won the Real Estate Photographer of the Month – a monthly contest on Flickr where a distinguished panel of judges comprised of some of the best real estate/ interior photographers in the country, some even abroad. A true honor in our industry.

Be sure to read the full post to see a breakdown of how I lit this image!

I love shooting white interiors. They have their challenges, but the end results always look so clean and crisp. This home was unbelievably stellar. There was almost zero drywall in the entire house! All millwork and paneling. The craftsmanship and finish work was some of the best I have ever seen! Photographing it was going to be satisfying, yet challenging. This was the composition I settled on for the kitchen because it really showed off the inlaid butcher block counter with the marble island, and you could see how it was connected to the dining room with all the detail in the arches that separated them. Here’s a breakdown of the lighting:

All ambient base exposure.

Two speedlights here. One out camera left, bounced off a closed door that goes into the butler’s pantry. The other out camera right bounced off a wall. Note the reflection in the window, no bueno.

Added a light in front of the camera bounced off the lower cabinets to light the near side of the island and opened the window to get rid of that reflection.

Adjusted the light out camera right. It wasn’t doing enough for me and it was throwing to much of a shadow off of the beam on the ceiling.

Added a light in the dining room via a shoot through umbrella.

Added a light behind the island, bounced off of it, to light the far lower cabinets. I should of used a reflector, or something white to negate the color cast. Lighting is pretty much done at this point.

The final shot with basic RAW adjustments made in Lightroom.

The finished imaged that was delivered to the client after a few small tweaks in Photoshop to tone down some of the hot spots and shadows. Of course there always seems to be little things you wish you caught in the field while making the image, but in the end I still love this shot and so did the client – which is what matters most!

Custom tripod stand

On location with Wallbeds N More.

I got to shoot this awesome home right on the canal on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. This place has a ton of character and charm. It was a really fun shoot! Have a look at some more of the final images on the full post.

At the beginning of the year I was contacted by the company I use to send out my mass emails. They wanted to interview me and my business to get an insight as to what sets me apart from my competition and how I utilize their services. It’s a great way to get to know me a little bit if you already don’t. Have a look at the video above and hit me up in the comments if you have any questions of your own!

My beautiful bride!