Teaser Blog

Here are a couple teasers from two of our photo sessions last week!

...Sarah & Clint ... Maternity



...Michael & Vanessa ... Engagement

Why take time to practice in the mirror?

Every girl does it, even if they wont admit it. Every girl practices that seductive look - the piercing eyes, the parted lips, the firm jaw line. It's the look in every Calvin Klein ad, most perfume ads, and about every pop-star and actress has it mastered. How did they master it? They practiced in the mirror, were coached on it, and tried thousands and thousands of times in front of a camera.

This look of seduction is fun to practice. Get your favorite lip gloss and try it out. Some of us girls are better at it than others. I fall in the "not-so-good" half, but Nick frequently humors me and tells me I am getting better (See... I practice). An engagement session is one of those times to practice for the camera. Of course, not every photo will have that look, but it gives you some air time to try out what you have learned thus far. We want you to, quite literally, work the camera! The more you are able to let your guard down and allow yourself to be beautifully you in front of the lens, the more it will show.

Last week Jasmine Star wrote an awesome blog about giving the woman permission to feel beautiful in front of the camera. Permission to be yourself, go for it! This is quite along the same lines. Nick and I are never judging from behind the lens. We are dying for your guards to fall and for you to "ham it up" (as we tell Kara).

This is another reason we LOVE, love engagement sessions. They are prep for the bridal session, trash the dress session and wedding.

We photographed Samantha and Mike's engagements a couple weekends ago down in the beautifully spectacular Orange County. We started at Rancho Capistrano and then headed over to Laguna Beach to catch the sunset. Samantha is one of the women that fall into the "Perfect every time" category for the seductive look. She has it nailed. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

WPPI 2010 - Las Vegas (Numero Dos)

We have been home from WPPI in Vegas for one week. How have things changed here at Nick Corona Photography? Well, we are head over heels in deep with ShootQ! ShootQ is a business management software that simplifies our workflow and correspondence with you, our brides. We always welcome feedback, so if you receive any correspondence through ShootQ, let us know what you liked (or didn't like) about it!

We are gearing up to launch our very own Rockin' Senior Portraits here in So Cal. Such adventures have already begun in Texas and Colorado! If you are a graduating senior of 2010 or 2011 and are interested in a free photo shoot, contact us to arrange it! The first three seniors that contact us will get a free Rock Star Senior Portraits treatment!

We actually got to meet Chenin Boutwell of Boutwell Studios. My heart was racing as I noticed her standing behind me. I was like a toddler at Disneyland giggling as I waiting in line to meet a Disney character. Yes, she is that famous in my book. She was so gracious to talk to us and even let us snap a photo with her. She is hosting another Style Lab in May - and we are saving our pennies to be able to go.



We are excited for all the amazing things we learned at WPPI to take into fruition. We are already planning our trip for next year, including our very own Trash the Dress session on the strip!

Still more to debrief... stay tuned

Liz Corona

Why we recommend Engagement Photos!

A little camera shy? Unsure of how to "act" in front a camera? What to test your hair or makeup for the BIG day? Well, here at Nick Corona Photography we offer a simple solution to all those questions...an Engagement Session! Engagement photos can be used at your wedding as centerpieces, made into awesome sign-in books, played as a slideshow during your reception - there are TONS of things you can do with engagement pictures. What's the best thing about engagement pictures though? The extra time spent in front of the camera will make you feel more comfortable on your wedding day. If you feel awkward in front of the camera, it will show - so let's eliminate that awkward feeling and get some fantastic photos! Here are a few of Jennifer and Marc's pictures from their engagement session in Laguna Beach, CA.

Jessica Bartolome - Trash the Dress

Trashing your wedding dress is becoming more and more popular. Most of our brides are making a bold statement when they decide to trash their dress. They are saying, "I am married; I will NEVER need another wedding dress!" What an awesome way to show your husband you meant your commitment!

Some of our brides are looking for the edgier, unconventional, "no one else has this" photo... we are at your service! We LOVE the opportunity to take photos in one of the most expensive dresses you have probably ever bought and go to obscure locations just to give you that perfect picture that will "WOW!" your friends. That is what trashing the dress is all about!! Here is one of our latest trash the dress session.






















A little dirty, maybe a little grimy... but nothing a dry cleaner cannot get out!

-The Corona's

Recent Engagement Pictures

To take or not to take engagement pictures is a common questions we get asked. "I am camera shy!", "I am not photogenic...", "Isn't it sappy and cliche?", are a few of the hesitations we hear. Here is the thing, you should take engagements...ESPECIALLY if you are camera shy!! Getting to spend a little time with your photographer pre-wedding day, and learning the feel of the camera is a sure-fire way to kick that shyness! Instead of saying you are not photogenic, let your photographer know if you have a profile side that you favor. Lips are big (meaning important) in engagement sessions... so don't be afraid to throw on a bold color, or interrupt the lip-locking session to freshen up the gloss.

Sappy and Cliche? They certainly don't have to be!!! We definitely have the requests for the traditional beach or park engagement pictures, and there is nothing wrong with that. Families love them and they are great to hang in the entrance to your home... but these days engagement sessions can be much more unconventional! Take a stroll down the streets of Los Angeles, or jump into a busy boardwalk at the beach and your engagement pictures have gone from traditional to trendy --just like that!! Nick and I have tons of cool places to take engagement photos, so if you are open to the unconventional, just shoot us an email asking for some ideas on locations...we're bubbling with information!

Here are a few of our recent engagement sessions. We hung out with Lily and Chris in Venice Beach, CA, which was incredible. Where else are you going to see guys walking down the street with 12 ft. Python's wrapping around them?
















We spent a little time with Veronica and Gustavo at USC in Los Angeles on probably one of the nicest days we have had in a while!! Even though school was in session, the students were gracious and jumped out of our pictures!








We also got to get to know Erick and Vanessa romping through the streets of downtown Los Angeles.









Getting to spend some time with our brides and grooms is fun, but getting to capture their personalities... that's what makes us keep picking up the cameras!

Christina & Joey - Pomona Valley Mining Co.

The antique charm possessed by this couple was magnetizing. From Christina's shabby-chic veil to Joey's love filled, Christ-cententric vows, this couple's love permeated through the souls of every guest in attendance. Praise and prayers filled the air as Joey and Christina said their "I Do's". It was a beautiful and refreshing sight to see such love and mutual respect for the other. After the ceremony everyone headed over to Pomona Valley Mining Company to celebrate Christina and Joey's relationship. We are excited to see God's will play out in their lives, and look forward to capturing many more of their special moments. Congratulations Joey and Christina!!