Costa Rica Wedding

On November 15th, with my wife Karen, I had the pleasure of attending and photographing the wedding of Christa and Kevin Hanson at sunset on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

It was a beautiful afternoon and the ceremony was performed as everyone gathered around the bride and groom as the sun was setting. Wow!

The reception followed in the two side-by-side houses that they had rented for the families just steps from where the ceremony had been held on the beach. A good time was had by all!

Check out a few of the beautiful images here and see more on my website in the destination wedding portfolio.

This is the second time we have been to Costa Rica and I would recommend it as a place to consider for a wedding or as a honeymoon destination.

I have traveled to over 65 countries and 45 states and enjoy traveling with my camera to capture beautiful images anywhere in the world. Let me know if I can be of service to you.

A busy week for DGP!


Lifetime Giving Luncheon and Good Scout Award

On October 22, my wife, Karen, and I attended a luncheon that The Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council held to honor a good friend of ours, the Honorable Harriett M. Wieder, with the Lifetime Giving and Good Scout Award at the Islands Hotel in Newport Beach.

It was a great event with lots of people there to honor and support Harriett who has worked for many years in Orange County politics and has put together programs that supported organizations like the Boy Scouts.

It was great for me to reconnect with the Boy Scouts because I earned my Eagle Scout award as part of a troop here in Orange County. I hope to continue that involvement in the years to come and can highly recommend to others to consider this worthy organization. www.ocbsa.org

A project that has been in the works, and is now open, is called the Outdoor Education Center which is located in and around Irvine Regional Park.
This facility will be available to everyone to learn and enjoy outdoor activities. For more information please visit: www.outdooreducationcenter.org



The President's Volunteer Service Award

On October 23, I was honored to be the photographer for a ceremony to honor the recipient of The President's Volunteer Service Award in Orange County which was held at the Village of Hope in Tustin.

Rather then try and tell you a lot about the award, simply go to their website at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

In another one of those small world moments, as I was walking past some of the recipients before the ceremony, I heard someone shout out my name. It turned out to be Karissa Kiremit who just two nights before had booked me to photograph her wedding that will be held in January 2009. She was there with her mother because her father was one of the recipients that day. It was wonderful to meet Karissa’s parents and then have someone that I knew receive one of these prestigious awards.




Girls Incorporated of Orange County

On October 24, my wife and I attended another event at the Islands Hotel in Newport Beach in support of an organization we have enjoyed supporting for many years, Girls Incorporated. http://www.girlsinc-oc.org

Mission: Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.SM
Vision: Empowered girls and an equitable society.

This says it all about the organization who serves about 4,500 young girls from 4 to 18 years of age with many programs around Orange County and the country.

It is such a pleasure to be around the girls that are part of the program. If the mission and vision speaks to your heart, getting involved with the girls and the organization will only make them both come alive. I can wholeheartedly recommend Girls, Inc. as worthy of your time and support.

Friends of Dorothy Halloween Party

October 25, I donated my time and talent to photograph the Haunted Halloween Costume Party for the Friends of Dorothy Guild at the Village Crean in Newport Beach. The event was a smashing success raising $45,635.00 for Aids Services Foundation.

As you can see from the other post in this blog, I have been supporting this organization proudly all year.

I hope to see you at the next event! For information:

www.ocasf.org/dorothy.htm

VW Drag Races at the Irwindale Raceway

Finally, on October 26th, Karen and I went out bright and early in the morning to the Irwindale Raceway to watch my sister, Susy, and her husband, Mike, race their VW’s down the drag strip. It turned out to be an all day family affair, with my sister, Kathy, and her husband, John, my Aunt Judy, my cousin Jack and his wife, Linda, there to support Susy and Mike.

My sister and brother-in-law ended up racing each other in the practice runs – great fun to watch this married couple beat it down the stretch! The race of the day, from my perspective, was “The Powder Puff VW Division” comprised of all seriously competitive women – including my little sister! She placed second while her best friend took the checkered flag. I was the unofficial photographer for that division. The next race is Fontana on May 3rd, 2009. Be there!

“Morning Light” Movie Premiere

After waiting for more than a year for Leslie and Roy E. Disney to complete the editing process on the documentary movie “Morning Light,” my wife, Karen, and I were invited to attend the premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Tuesday, October 7. The movie will be in “select” theatres starting October 17th.

For those of you that don’t know, I did still photographs during the filming of the movie. If you go to the “meet the team” tab on the “Morning Light” website and, at the end of the movie, the photographs of the crew are all my images. It was fun to see my name in the credits at the end. To our surprise, Karen and I are in the background as the boat leaves the dock in Long Beach for the start of the race, so we get a little face time in the movie, too!

If you would like to know more about the story, there’s an excerpt below straight from the movie website.
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/morninglight/

Fifteen young sailors... six months of intense training... one chance at the brass ring. This exciting True-Life documentary tells the inspiring story of a group of intrepid and determined young men and women, on the cusp of adulthood, as they embark on life’s first great adventure. Racing a high-performance 52-foot sloop in the TRANSPAC, the most revered of open-ocean sailing competitions, the crew of "Morning Light" matches wits and skills in a dramatic 2300 mile showdown against top professionals. From their earliest training sessions in Hawaii conducted by world-class teachers through their test of endurance on the high seas, they form an unbreakable bond in the process of becoming a singular team that is greater than the sum of its parts. Edited by one of the key filmmakers responsible for the acclaimed 2004 surfing documentary, "Riding Giants," written and directed by the team of filmmakers behind the recent rock documentary "Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who," and the critically acclaimed "Once in a Lifetime; The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos," "Morning Light" will appeal to the sense of adventure in everyone.

It was great to see and catch up with all the “kids” again and to finely see what they were doing for eleven days at sea. We had only heard a few stories, but because it was all documented, we got to see what they experienced. It is an amazing journey!

I know I am a little biased, and I would recommend seeing the movie. You will not be disappointed. It is a wonderful story, told well! Heck, it’s a Disney movie!

Cheers!

Centennial Heritage Museum

I had the pleasure of donating my photography services to document the 4th annual fundraiser, “Gangster Gala and Flapper Fling,” on September 27, 2008, at the Centennial Heritage Museum in Santa Ana to help raise funds for the education programs at the museum.

For those of you that do not know about this wonderful organization, the Centennial Heritage Museum is an award-winning, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and restoring the heritage of Orange County and the surrounding region through quality hands-on educational programs for students and visitors of all ages. The museum receives approximately 20,000 visitors each year primarily from schools, both public and private, and groups affiliated with United Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America.

Besides the educational activities that go on throughout the year, the historic Kellogg house and wonderful gardens provide a beautiful background for numerous weddings and corporate events. So, check them out if you have a wedding or other event coming up.

Visit their website at, www.centennialmuseum.org for more information about everything that is going on at this amazing location. They can also be reached by phone at 714.540.0404. They are located at 3101 West Harvard Street, Santa Ana, California 92704.

Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope

On September 12, 13, 14, I had the privilege of working for Roberta and Howard Ahmanson photographing a series of events for the Orange County Rescue Mission and the opening of the Village of Hope in Tustin.

The Village of Hope is a 200-person residential facility for homeless families located at the former Tustin Marine Corps Air Base. The Ahmanson’s have been long-time supporters of the OC Rescue Mission and were a big part of helping to build the Village of Hope.

Friday night, September 12, the Ahmanson’s hosted a sit down dinner for the residents and staff of the Village of Hope at the facility in Tustin. After dinner, everyone was treated to a concert by The Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale that played for the first time a commissioned piece titled “From Greater Light” by composer Alva Henderson.

Saturday night, September 13, a benefit dinner and concert for the Village of Hope was held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The dinner for 375 guests was held in the Samueli Theatre. The Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale headlined the concert in the Renee and Henry Concert Hall that was dubbed the “Concert for Hope.” After the intermission, it was time for the world premiere of “From Greater Light.” It proved to be a delightful musical event, not just a noble one.

Sunday afternoon, September 14, was the Grand Opening for the Village of Hope in Tustin. The afternoon was full of fun, food, drink, music and tours of the facility for the public. The Ahmanson’s commissioned art pieces by sculptor Albert Paley and artist Peter Brandes which were also dedicated that afternoon. Jim Palmer, the director of the OC Rescue Mission, hopes that these and additional paintings that are on loan from the Irvine Company will, with their beauty, help to inspire the residents.

The weekend was a lot of work and extremely fulfilling. It was great to be a part of all the events over the weekend and to see what was being done by the Ahmanson’s to support the homeless in Orange County.

DON ’T MISS OUR SPECIAL “FAMILY PORTRAIT MONTH ” PROMOTION !

This October Doug Gifford Photography will participate with an elite group of photographers around the country in a very special family portrait promotion. Throughout October we will celebrate “Family Portrait Month,” a wonderful opportunity for you update your family portrait (or portraits of your children), and help to support Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Along with other studio members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), we have pledged to contribute $25.00 from each session to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner.

What’s more, we want you to benefit from this special offer: With your purchase of a single wall portrait, choose one of the following:
• 2 free gift-size portraits
• 24 free custom holiday cards
• 10 percent discount on framing
• $75 gift certificate (for your use or as a special holiday gift)

Recording the faces of children and their families is our greatest pleasure. That’s why we believe so strongly in the work of Operation Smile. Each year this incredible organization of more than 6,000 volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and specialized health-care professionals, perform free reconstructive surgeries for children suffering with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. More than 1000,000 children are born with a facial deformity each year in Operation Smile's 26 countries.

We also believe that Family Portrait Month is a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile’s work, and they are eager to help these needy children.

We hope you will join with us in helping to make this vital work possible. Don’t forget that the holiday season is right around the corner, so there’s no better time for a family portrait, which is always appreciated as gifts for family and friends and to send along with holiday greeting cards.

Call today to schedule your appointment so that you do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

As always...we look forward to creating some truely wonderful portraits of your family.

What I have done during my summer; vacation?

I hope everyone has had a great summer so far. I have been busy!

Here is the latest news!

Cheers!



Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's

In June, I was hired by Charlie Palmer to produce the advertising images for his newest restaurant in Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza. The restaurant and its affiliated Next Vintage Wine Shop are located on the ground floor of Bloomingdale’s. I certainly recommend that you stop by if you are in the South Coast Plaza area for a drink in the beautiful bar, for a great meal at lunch or dinner, or to pick-up a bottle of wine from the Next Vintage Wine Shop.

Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's
South Coast Plaza
3333 South Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
ph: 714.352.2525
www.charliepalmer.com

Charlie was at the restaurant as I was photographing it. He’s a really personable guy with great vision and I really enjoyed meeting him. To get a taste for the personality of Charlie and one of his dishes, check out this clip from a cooking segment that he did July 30th, 2008 on the Today Show.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25916605/


The 4th of July on Bainbridge Island, WA

My wife, Karen, and I were invited to spend the 4th of July on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, at the home of our dear friends who live on the water’s edge. The “boys” did their work early in the holiday by assembling a couple of new deck chairs and putting up a new flagpole. After that, it was time to relax and enjoy the fantastic weather. The tall-masted ships sailed by through the morning fog and then it was off to the street fair. On the morning of the 4th, it was back to Main Street for the “big” parade. That’s Americana! Back at the house for the fireworks, the grandkids found it hard to wait for the sun to go down at 9:30pm to enjoy the show – a spectacular and endless display throughout the bay and Puget Sound!



















PPA International Print Competition

July 20-24 found me heading to Daytona Beach, Florida, to judge the International Print Competition for the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). I was one of 40 judges selected from a total list of only 125 qualified jurors who, over a three-day period, judged over 5,000 entries from PPA’s 15,000 plus members. To become part of this esteemed group of jurors, I first had to become a Master Craftsmen Photographer with PPA, then judge for many years at the local, state, and regional competitions, followed by completing a series of judging classes, and finally a review of my background and submissions of my work for review by other judges. Over the years, I have also had many opportunities to judge the international print competition for the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). By judging these international print competitions, I get to see thousands of prints from photographers around the world. This allows me to stay in touch with the latest trends and styles in photography and, most of all, to always provide fresh perspectives and ideas for my clients.

Another part of being in Daytona Beach was it gave me a chance to get to see the Raceway. Wow, is it big! The track is 2.5 miles in length, with 30 degree banked turns. They have a great IMAX show that tells the story of the track and of NASCAR. There is a terrific museum about racing as well as you get to ride a tram around the track. I can’t wait to go back for a race!


I am proud to say that two of the four images that I put into competition where accepted into the load collection. They are part of the top 5% of the images accepted into the exhibit.
























Newport Beach Breakers, World Team Tennis / Hoag Hospital

This July, Hoag Hospital hired me to cover the seven home matches of their World Team Tennis (WTT) team, the Newport Beach Breakers, which features marquee stars such as Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova, Martina Navratilova, and John McEnroe. The team played their matches at Breakers Stadium at Newport Beach Country Club. If you have never seen WTT matches, they are lot of fun. In between points, there is rock music and they use graphic replays to check if a ball is in or out. They use the stars in both single and double matches, and then have an autograph session for the kids at the end of the night. At the end of the season, I photographed a favorite of mine, legendary comedian Dana Carvey, as he performed at a Benefit Comedy Night for Hoag Hospital at Breakers Stadium. What a great night! I am looking forward to photographing more events with Hoag Hospital in the future.

NAWBO – Orange County
I have become one of the few male members of the National Association of Women Business Owners' Orange County (NAWBO- OC) which happens to be one of the largest NAWBO chapters in the country, with 400+ active members. NAWBO-OC is committed to enhancing the overall success of women business owners by providing its members encouragement and support, networking opportunities, educational programs, and professional development. Earlier this year good friend and then President of NAWBO, Barri Carian, asked me to photograph a special speaker that the group had at that month’s meeting. As long as I was there they asked me to do some other photographs. Then I was asked if I could do photography again for the next month, and the month after that. At the last of those meetings Barri suggest that I become a member, and so I did. Besides providing my photographic service to the group at the meetings each month, I have also become the photographer of choice if a member needs to update their business portrait. With my wife, Karen, as President-elect, it looks like I with be hanging out with the women of NAWBO awhile longer.

Brooks Institute of Photography students visit with Doug

A group of 16 graduating students, all women, from the world renowned Brooks Institute of Photography, stopped by to talk to me this August about how I have been able to be successful as a photographer over all this years. Brooks Institute is celebrating more than 60 years of educating students in the visual and media arts. With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, the school offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production, and Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography. I was honored to have an opportunity to tell my story and answer questions from this wonderful group of young women as they make plans to start on a career of their own in this profession that I have loved for so long. I talked to them about how they now have great photographic skills to compete with, but they must also be as good as any one in the way they do business. I also reminded them that it is tough to rebuild their reputation with their peers and clients if they don’t go through their careers with integrity. I wish them much success!

“Morning Light” - a documentary sailing movie by Roy E. Disney

Last year, you might remember that I had a chance to work with my friend and long-time yacht photographer, Sharon Green (www.ultimatesailing.com), shooting stills for a documentary movie being made by Roy E. Disney. The movie is about a young crew of sailors that are on the yacht Morning Light in the Trans Pac Yacht Race that sails from Los Angeles, California to Honolulu, Hawaii every other year. The movie follows 15 young sailors through the selection process in August 2005, their training in Hawaii and Long Beach, and sailing the race in July 2006.

The movies trailer is now available and the release date has been set for October 15th, 2008. http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/morninglight/large.html
They have made this into a compelling story that will be great to see up on the big screen in October.


First Basic Photography Class held at DGP studio is a success!

After years of teaching a basic photography class with the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Extension program, I taught my first basic photography class here at the studio. It was a great success! The students loved the individual attention I was able to give them and I loved being able work with each student until the concepts were clearly understood by each of them.

The response from the class has inspired me to soon offer basic, intermediate, and advanced classes, along with field trips, for small groups of photographers – from the enthusiast to the professional. And for those who prefer personalized instruction, I will continue to provide individual coaching as before.

For dates and times of the classes, please check the DGP blog for announcements. For private coaching, please call me at 949-362-3661 or send me an email at doug@douggiffordphoto.com.