Louis Palos

8.14.2006 :: New Blog! UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS!

2006-08-14T23:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, we wanted to let you know that we've outgrown our place here and now have a new home for the Blog section of our site. The new Blog features include a new brighter and fresher look, bigger images, and now leaving comments is easy! Please stop by and visit the new Blog here and leave us a comment or just say hi.

Thanks again for reading!

8.5.2006 :: Sheila + Guy Wedding

2006-08-07T02:35:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our Honeymoon the night before and today we are back shooting another wedding! Today's wedding was an intimate ceremony with only imediate family and a few close friends. We could totally relate, it was very similar to our own wedding. This took place on a bluff overlooking the ocean in San Diego. What an awesome view. We were right on the edge, so it was a little scary looking down at times. Sheila and Guy make a great couple and you could see in both their eyes how much they are in love with each other. Congratulations to both of you and thank you for having us share your day with you.

The bride and groom were running a little late so Erin and I took in the view.

Family and friends waiting for the Bride and Groom to arrive.

Here they are!

I told you they were on the very edge!

Some details and awesome light.

I think this is my favorite shot of the day. The backdrop almost looks unreal. Notice again how high we are, see those little people on the beach below?!

The very happy bride.

Erin shot me while I really went to the EDGE to chase down the little light we had left and these cool shoes. Check out the next shot to see how I did.

Not bad huh? I was really enjoying the light but it was going away so fast.

The happy couple.

Another cool sunset shot, couldn't decide which one we like better.

8.2.2006 :: Great weather + fun shooting

2006-08-03T00:43:00.000-07:00

Today the weather was 100% better than yesterday. We had to get an early start because we wanted to get as many pictures and sights in today as possible incase the rain came back. First we stopped at "Wailua Falls" on our the way to North Side (again we love that place). Erin actually shot this one and I forgot to give her credit when I framed it.
This bad boy has seen better days...

When I pulled over to shoot the next photo, this little guy came over to see if I had some food! I shot him with the long lens so he wouldn't bail.

This is another beach on the North Side where we hung out today. Love these colors!

This is a shot Erin grabbed while we were driving along the North Side.

This car is toooo cool, chic magnet, I wish I had this back home, I would totally cruz it and you know this if you know me! I can't get over how when a car dies, people just leave them where they died. This one like the others was just taking a dirt nap along the road. By the way this was a very difficult shot because I took it with the long lens WHILE driving! Don't try this at home! At least the speed limit here was 25 miles per hour.

We closed another great day back at the Hyatt. Gavin is looking too cool sporting is little swimmers and watching his big bro swim.

Jett didn't want to leave he wanted to sleep in the lagoon.

All the kids are wearing these! Thanks Grandma! Grandma knows whats sylin for the kids these days more than me! I saw some "grown-ups" wearing these too.....please don't! haha.

Gavin never leaves his "Binky" too far behind.

Another postcard shot ending day. I LOVE THIS PLACE! Im not coming back home. I felt really good behind the camera today. Maybe it's because I know the week is almost over, or that the weather might change again. But anyway I'm really excited because my parents are going to visit us tomorrow, (they were in Oahu this week) and we might all book a boat ride along the Napali Coast on the North Side. The best photos are taken here and you can only get there by boat or air. Also maybe Erin and I can have a little date on our last night on the island!

8.1.2006 :: Rained out

2006-08-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Today it rained most of the day, but that didnt keep us from getting out. First we stopped downstairs in the lobby for "Parrot Talk." Jett got to finally hold these birds that he has had his eye on since we arrived. Later on we had lunch at a really cool place on the beach. The windows opened up so we could see the beach and the rain. We ended up going swimming in the rain to finish the day, then it finally cleared up.

7.31.2006 :: The North Shore

2006-08-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Today was by far the best so far. We took a drive all the way to the north side of island as far as you can go by car anyway. We ended up at a dead end and these two beaches. These two beaches were amazing! We felt like it was some kind of dream or something that and artist painted, it didnt seem real. Check them out...

Don't you just hate crowed beaches!

Me and my two boys.

Jett was so awesome, he offered to take this shot of me and Erin. This shot is amazing and our favorite one of the trip so far. Jett told me he is going to be a professional photographer someday, I think he is on his way! Thanks Jett!

7.30.2006 :: Time for a change

2006-08-02T01:13:00.000-07:00

On our second day we decided to explore the west side of the island, more great beaches!

On the way back to the south side of the island, we stopped to check out more scenes. Jett had fun chasing around all the roosters that are all over the island.

We had to stop at the local store and pick up some more supplies for Gavin. He went through a couple of oil changes before we got back to the hotel, so we picked up these cool diapers!

7.29.2006 :: Destination Kauai!

2006-08-02T00:14:00.000-07:00

We have arrived in Kauai and are having a blast. Everything is soooo colorful here, I understand why they call this the Garden Island. We are staying at the Hyatt in Kauai, highly recommend this place if you have little ones too. Here are a few shots from day one. More to come so check back!

7.27.2006 :: Our Wedding Day!

2006-07-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

I'm actually writing this from the hotel room in Kauai a couple of days later because this was the first chance I had to jump on the computer since the wedding. All I can say is that we are both extremely happy to be married, everything turned just the way we had hoped and was beautiful except the dinner reception. I would really like to post a review about our horrible dinner experience in Newport Beach, but I wont even waste another thought on it. I guess not everything can be perfect. The ceremony was at a little park in Laguna Beach, only our immediate family was with us. My son Jett was the best man and did a great job by my side. Gavin would have been up there too but he's still not able to stand or walk by himself so he watched from the side. Erin was beautiful and picture perfect. I was hot and sweating like crazy!
We are now enjoying our honeymoon, and enjoying all the awesome sites this place has to offer. As soon I can, we'll post some shots from Kauai. We want to thank our families who helped us with all the last minute details especially my Mom Joyce, and Erin's mom Andrea. Thank you very much! Special thank you to Jessica Claire who captured our day with her amazing talent, these images are unbelievable and you exceeded all our expectations. Please visit her blog for more!

7.17.2006 :: 10 more days

2006-07-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

The countdown begins! 10 days till our wedding day. We are just about done with the planning for our little ceremony. We still need to finish up with the cake and flowers. Here are a few sneak peek shots of Erin's shoes and dress...I know we are dorks, but since I can't shoot our own wedding, I couldn't help it!

7.15.2006 :: Erin

2006-07-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry we haven't posted in awhile, as some of you know we are in crunch time right now finishing up the last bit of planning for our own wedding on July 27, 2006! I'm so fortunate and blessed to have found someone who is so much like me, shares the same dreams, is an excellent mother, and I can honestly say is my best friend. Did I mention she also loves photography? I took this picture of Erin this morning, isn't she beautiful! I promise it will be back to business as usual in August. Hope everyone is having an awesome summer.

7.8.2006 :: Faith turns one!

2006-07-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

Remember we introduced "Faith" a few months ago? Well today was Faith's big day because she turned the big....ONE. Faith is now crawling, says a few words, eats big girl food, and still likes the color purple and teddy bears. The big surprise for her was that she found out that she is going to be a big sister! Happy Birthday Faith and congratulations to Mary and Daniel.

7.1.2006 :: Me and "Tank"

2006-07-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today Erin shot me while I was in front of the computer, (working on your pictures). Later on I went outside to help Tank cool down and gave him a bath. Tank asked me to put his picture on the internet to help him find a date! So is it true, do dogs really look like their owners??? haha!

6.19.2006 :: Danielle + Michael e-session

2006-06-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

Today I shot Danielle and Michael at the special place where they got engaged in Menifee, California. This park and lake is really special to them because they have spent so much time together here and it made sense for us to capture their engagement shots here. They will be married on 9.23.2006, and we are very excited to be there to capture their event. Congratulations Danielle and Michael!

6.18.2006 :: Happy Father's Day

2006-06-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

I thank God for the greatest thing in my life, my family. Today was a great Father's Day! I grabbed this shot of the boys this morning before we got ready. We headed over to meet my mom and dad at my sister's and her husband's house for an awesome breakfast that they made for us. Later on the boys splashed around outside, I watched the race for a minute, then we finshed the day at Papa and Grandma's house for a good BBQ and a good round of playing catch. As you can see the boys clean up pretty good!

6.14.2006 :: Corporate session with LOC

2006-06-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

Today was a lot of fun. I was hired by Lewis Operating Corp. to take some employee pictures for their upcoming employee recruiting brochure. Actually I happen to work for the company too at one of the sites (when not shooting), so working with this group of people was more like shooting a bunch of friends. It's nice that the company decided to use actual employees for the shoot, these people were natural models anyway!

6.10.2006 | Sarah + David Wedding

2006-06-12T01:08:00.000-07:00

Today Sarah and David tied the knot. We were excited about this wedding for a long time because they were our first couple that booked with us this year. It seemed like so long ago. This park must be a local favorite. There were SIX other photographers shooting weddings there. Our timing was good though because by the time we got through the family portraits, all the other bridal parties cleared out and we were able to get some really nice shots of just the two of them. Erin was feeling a bit under the weather, still fighting off a flu, but she was there along side me and ended up getting some great shots too! Thanks Erin I owe you! Congrats and have fun in Hawaii Sarah and David!

6.7.2006 | Sushi and "mini-me" session

2006-06-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went to dinner with our friends Luke and Jenni, and their son Vanden. Vanden is just about a month younger than Gavin, but as you can see, he's growing fast! Look at those huge blue eyes. Dinner was great, my favorite food sushi! Gavin and Vanden were so good, that they agreed to let us have a mini session with them outside the restaurant. I think they are going to send these pictures out to the ladies!

5.27.2006 | Gavin's First Haircut

2006-05-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

My favorite people to shoot, Gavin, Jett, and Erin. Everyone is looking sharp now. Erin had her hair done last night, and Gavin and Jett had their haircuts this morning. This was Gavin's first trip to the chair! Now everyone will be looking great this three day weekend, except me......I still need a haircut very badly! No picture of me this time, but it's for the best, I'm starting to look like a tumble weed. Have a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

5.12.2006 | Olga + Blake Wedding

2006-05-26T00:46:00.000-07:00

Today's wedding was not only at one of our favorite places to shoot, but to EAT! Chantrelles Fine Catering at the Padua Hills Theater has some of the best food and wedding cakes we have ever tasted! We also love shooting here because it's so close to home! This couple was so awesome, you could really see the love they had for each other. I don't think I ever saw Blake stop smiling. Olga is from El Salvador and just recently moved to the USA. Her dress was amazing just look at the pictures! Their relationship over the past months took place over many phone calls and emails. Such a great story hearing about how they got together. We wish them the best and congratulations on their new life together.

5.6.2006 | Nicole + Ryan Wedding

2006-05-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorites that I took at todays wedding at the amazing Rancho Capistrano. With this wedding I had a HUGE opportunity to shoot as an associate, with my friend Eric Cotter for Jim Kennedy Weddings. I have huge respect for Eric not only has a great photographer, but as a dad to his two little daughters. One of his little ones is currently going though a brave fight with Leukemia. During this shoot, we talked a lot about our kids, and what he and his family are going though, and though it all he amazed me how he stayed positive and kept focus on why we were there shooting this wedding. To learn more about this story and to pray for this little girl, please visit Kaitlyn's Journey. We are praying for you guys!

Where did the month of May go???

2006-05-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry we haven't had a chance to update the blog lately. We have been VERY busy. We just finished editing one Wedding last night, and have one more to edit tonight. Will post images soon....I promise! Today Erin had a really nice day in the sun with a lifestyle portrait session today at Red Hill Park. This weekend we are really excited to be shooting for the first time at the Mission Inn, in Riverside California. That place has endless places to shoot. The Bride and Groom (Yvonne & Shawn) are making this day extra nice for us because they are letting us shoot them hours BEFORE the ceremony. That way we are not rushed, they are more relaxed, and their pictures will turn out great! Thanks for reading!

This is a self portrait of us heading out to Shelly & Mike's Wedding on 4.29.2006. Love the Fisheye!

4.30.2006 | Yuki + Sheldon Wedding

2006-05-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

Back to back Wedding Weekend! After a fun but long night shooting a wedding the night before, I was up early again the next day to shoot another. I did get kind of a break though because this time I was shooting as an associate for another photographer. It's nice to work with other photographers sometimes, because it gives me more freedom to shoot more as an observer. Here are a few favorites I shot at todays wedding in Laguna Beach.

4.29.2006 | Shelly + Mike Wedding

2006-05-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today Shelly and Mike tied the knot in Santa Ana, California. This was a fun wedding for us. They have the nicest friends and most welcoming family. This really made our 10 hour day go smoothly. Shelly's dress was awesome! It was very unique with a ton of little details. Congratulations again to you both and thank you again for including us in your special day.

4.22.2006 | Dodgers Vs Reds

2006-04-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Today Jett had another game. It was against the Reds. This is actually his 5th game this season, and so far he has had a hit for every time he was at bat. He usually gets to bat at least four times per game. Now if we could just work on that little fear of the ball.

These were shot with the Canon 30D and the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS. Love this lens!

Happy Easter

2006-04-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! We hope everyone enjoyed time with their family and friends this weekend. Here are a few shots from Easter Sunday around our neck of the woods.
Gavin looking stylin just after church.

Jett was up at 6:45am looking for eggs!

The Easter bunny hid 38 eggs!

It only took Jett less than 10 minutes to find them all...

4.7.2006 | La Jolla

2006-04-07T22:36:00.000-07:00

Erin, Gavin, and Grandma Andrea, made a road trip to San Diego today. After all this rain we have had lately, it was the perfect day to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Here are a few shots that Erin took today.

Gavin is no stranger in front of the camera!

These guys have the life, just hanging out taking naps in the sun.

4.5.2006 | Can't play outside in the rain

2006-04-05T00:20:00.000-07:00

It's raining today so everyone is bundled up inside today. It's no fair, first the time change, now rain. When can we have some fun outside again?

4.3.2006 | Afternoon Boys Session

2006-04-04T23:37:00.000-07:00

After church we headed over to visit Grandma and Grandpa. But they werent home! They called and said they were on there way home from the store. Well we just happened to have a camera on hand, so since the boys were looking really sharp today, we decided to make good use of Grandma and Grandpa's front yard while we waited.

3.24.2006 | The other side of the camera

2006-03-28T11:42:00.000-08:00

We are supposed to be the ones taking the pictures right? Well incase some of you didn't know Erin and I are also engaged, and we wanted to have a little e-Session of our own. We called upon a good friend and also a super pro photographer, Eric J. Cotter from the OC. He provided us with an awesome experience and unbelievable images. By looking at these shots you can see why Eric has been a huge inspiration for me and has also enlightened us to what's it's like to be on the other side of the camera. Thanks again Eric for everything, you ROCK! To check out more of Eric's work, you can pay him a visit here.

This one (above) is our favorite! See you have to be brave and just go for it sometimes!

Awesome skies! Thanks again Eric.

Karla + Dan | continued...

2006-03-28T00:21:00.000-08:00

Ok so I said I'd be back the next day, but everyone at home including myself has that nasty cold right now. Here are a couple more shots from Karla and Dan's e-Session...as promised. Hope you enjoy them.

3.22.2006 | Karla + Dan

2006-03-22T23:13:00.000-08:00

Meet Karla and Dan. They will be getting married on September 16, 2006 in Newport Beach. We had a blast hanging out with them this evening completing their e-Session down in Laguna Beach. Dan had so much fun that he has decided to try out for the next season of "America's Next Top Model." Just kidding! Anyway check back tomorrow to see more of them, we just wanted to post a quick shot before bedtime. See ya.

3.12.2006 | Jody + Ron

2006-03-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

Meet Jody and Ron. Today we had a bridal portrait session with this couple. They are actually having their ceremony on 3.25.2006. We took these shots in one of the coolest backyards I've seen in a long time. With all the palm trees surrounding us, it felt like we were on some island. We got a nice break from all the rain, and the sky looked awesome! They were a fun couple and were real pros in front of the camera! We look forward to seeing them again on the 25th.

3.4.2006 | Sarah + David

2006-03-10T21:36:00.000-08:00

Ok we're back to work. Meet Sarah and David. They will be getting married on 6.10.2006. We had a really great time today with their engagement session. These two are really cool people and also huge fans of the tv series "24". We look forward to seeing them again in June for the Big Day. Congratulations again to both of you!

2.26.06 | Race Day California Speedway

2006-03-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

Today was the main event for the weekend, The Auto Club 500. My favorite team #48 Jimmie Johnson finshed 2nd and my second favorite team #07 Clint Bowyer came in 14th. This was the best weekend I've had in a long time. I want to thank our special friends at MB2 Motorsports and Stacie G. for the sweet hookup of the garage pass that gave me all access to go and shoot anywhere I wanted! Not only did I take a few thousand behind the scenes photos of my favorite sport, I also met a few stars.

It would have been wrong to ask Nick Lachey, "hey Nick, hows Jessica doing" right? Don't worry I didn't! Nick heard I was a photographer and wanted to have his picture taken with me. I was like, "ok man, just don't stand in front of me and try to look cool."

He's also a big time Jimmie Johnson fan.

I know this was a dorky shot but it made everyone else laugh so why not! "Hey Jimmie do you have anymore Gatorade?"

Check out who else was in the house, X-Games Freestyle Moto medalist Brian Deegan! Not to mention my second favorite sport! Brain happens to be a #99 Carl Edwards fan. Brian just got back to California from Indianapolis promoting his new DVD -"Disposable Hero". For all you Freestyle Moto fans look for it this May 2006.

Behind The Wall! Talk about action packed excitement. Watching a race will never be the same for me. I was in the pit area the whole race, I was so close to all the action it was amazing.

Seriously I was so close, I could tap this crew member on the shoulder! "Hey man hows the car running???"

I have to say this weekend was a huge workout. It was a lot of fun but I don't know how those sports photographers do it. No doubt I'm so out of shape! With some weddings starting to come up next month, I'm looking forward to getting back in a more relaxed pace. Take care.

2.24.06 - 2.25.06 | NASCAR Weekend in California

2006-03-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

This weekend I'm very fortunate to be at the California Speedway behind the scenes in the garage area! Among so many exciting events happening this weekend, I had the great honor of meeting many of my favorite drivers. Including Chip Foose custom car designer and star of TLC's "Overhaulin". Chip is at the speedway this weekend celebrating the race-day debut of his creative paint scheme, "Heat Waves & Flames" featured on the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet driven by four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion, Jeff Gordon.

The Heat Waves & Flames paint scheme is meant to mimic the look of heat radiating from searing asphalt.

Action Performance Companies Inc. is producing the official authentic die-cast replica of the the No. 24, as seen on the full-size race car. My die-cast was Chip's FIRST that he signed! I was very lucky to catch Jeff Gordon later to sign it also. This is for you Jett!!!

2.10.2006 | New Baby Slideshows

2006-03-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

We have been busy creating Baby Slideshows for our clients. This is a great way to share your pictures with family and friends. These two slideshows are examples from our last Baby photo shoot with "Faith" and a slideshow of our very own "Gavin". Enjoy...

2.3.2006 | Meet "Faith"

2006-03-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

Faith is 6 months old. Her favorite color is purple. Her favorite food is milk. She likes long walks in the stroller and teddy bears. Here you can see her slideshow.

1.20.2006 | Laguna Beach

2006-03-10T21:29:00.000-08:00

We took an afternoon trip down to Laguna Beach to get away and enjoy some sun. This was Gavin's first trip to the beach. We ended up staying until sunset. Today was a reminder of how much I love living in California.

"One small step...."

Nice way to end the day.

1.14.2006 | Mindy + Brian

2006-03-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had the privilege of working with Cynthia of Cynthia's Photography. The Bride & Groom are friends of Cynthia's. This wedding was a lot of fun, over 500 guests, photos taken in three different locations. Oh yeah we also had to dodge the rain every now and then too. The skies cleared up a little and the wedding turned out to be a blast. I really had a great time, learned a lot, and met some really great people this weekend.

1.11.2006 | Sumer + Alexei

2006-03-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

Erin & I were "guests" at this wedding on a Wednesday night at Tavoli Terrace in Laguna Beach. They actually hired a Super Pro from the OC, named Jim Kennedy for their photography. Jim is an amazing photographer. I had Lex look him up on the WPJA website, and later on they booked. There were so many people taking pictures, I just tried to blend in and stay out of the way. This image was one of my favorites that I took in the mix of all the other flashes going off. (I left my flash off so I wouldn't interfere.) I've known Lex for a few years. We used to work together, and "once" in a great while, we would actually go to the gym! They make a great couple and I wish them the best in their new life together.