Last August I was overwhelmingly honored to have been invited to as the guest speaker at the “Inspired By” wedding event hosted by Lemonade and Lenses, and Belle Lumiere Film Magazine.

This was an opportunity for film and digital photographers to get together and photograph a “mock” wedding for portfolio building as well as to learn some new “tricks of the trade”.  This incredible event was held at the Stolpman Estate in Solvang, Ca., and was styled the AMAZING and talented Rani Roover.

We started off the morning at Stolpman Vineyards in this beautiful sun drenched room where 15 talented photographers shared about their photography journey and goals. Lexi Vornberg started off the day by speaking and reiterating that this was “their day” and the purpose of the event was to learn and build their portfolio.  While we were talking, sharing and laughing, Rani Hoover was working her magic throughout estate.

Rani Hoover took care of styling the event and she went above and beyond.  Every photographer was able to experience what it was like to shoot a small intimate wedding, and were provided several gorgeous vignette’s to photograph.  Rani created a “details” station, a complete table setting for 6, a cake table, and one of the most gorgeous ceremony set-ups I have ever seen.  It was overwhelmingly beautiful.

We finished our discussion portion and we were provided with a delicious artisan lunch with Stolpman wine before the shooting began!

Lexi asked me to start with our first bride and groom and show how I would pose and photograph them as if they were my clients.  I shared some tips, what my settings were and how I interact with my couples to help them relax.  Our “couples” were all professional models and were a DREAM to work with!  From there, everyone was split up into stations and were given time to shoot each vignette and work with the models.  It was so inspiring seeing how all of these talented photographers would pose and “see” the shot.

The attendees finished the day with photographing a mock wedding complete with a flower girl.  It was just about 30 minutes before sunset and the light was absolute MAGIC.

The following morning was a scheduled sunrise shoot in the vineyards and olive groves.  This was personally my favorite part of the event. I am so in love with Olive Groves!! Brings me back to Tuscany. 🙂

So, here are a handful of my favorites from the event.  (As seen in Volume III of  Belle Lumiere Magazine)

Film : Fuji 400H

Canon EOS 1V 35MM

A few Digital: Canon Mark III

Various Canon Prime Lenses

CREDITS:

Venue: Stolpman Estates and Vineyard 

Host: Craig and Lexi Vornberg of Lemonade and Lenses/Belle Lumiere

Event Styling: Rani Hoover

Florals: Renae’s Bouquet

MUA and Hair : Team Hair and Make-up

Gowns : Lazaro at JLM Couture Boutique

Jewelry: Coast to Coast Collection

Models: Isis Wills

Hunter Smit

Elly Brown

Gabe Kimpson