Damion Hamilton-Photographer | Wedding and Portrait photographer | Specializing in Napa Valley and Southern California http://hiscreationsblog.com/ Blog for Damion Hamilton-Photographer en-us Jennifer and Jeff's Wedding! http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/163/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/163/ Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:13:24 -0500 Our 2010 wedding season started off with a bang as we traveled down to San Diego for Jenn and Jeff's wedding. The rain was threatening to ruin the festivities, but if there's one thing that we realized about Jenn and Jeff, it's that NOTHING could dampen their party! It was obvious from the get go that Jenn and Jeff had put alot of thought and planning into their special day (which turned out to be a gorgeous sunny, breezy day) and that they had one thing in mind for their guests.....FUN! Forgoing the usual bridal party transportation, J and J had a trolley from Old Town Trolley Tours come to shuttle their bridal party around to the locations for the day..as you can imagine, it was a great background some images too. The ceremony was held in The North Chapel at NTC Promenade, but after that, the crowd partied over to the Miramar Officer's Club, where Jenn works, for an evening packed with delights. This party took over the entire Officer's Club inside and out! It started off with the usual wedding reception traditions, but was filled with surprise after surprise. FIrst, in honor of Jeff's "Husker" heritage, Jenn had a special groom's cake made just for him, in the shape of..what else? Corn. Then, in honor of Jenn's heritage, the Lucky Lion Dancers came and performed! It was so cool to see the dancers/acrobats going around the room and the electricity and excitement in the place just rose. I know the guests thoroughly enjoyed their great performance as did I. I didn't want it to end. Then, as the DJ was working his magic, in the outdoor lounge area, there was a sound. The unmistakeable sound of....bagpipes. The California Celts were beginning their performance for the evening. I loved the way they started...by playing a simple traditional sounding Irish song, while they were walking through the crowd. As the crowd gathered, they picked up the pace and by the end of the song, they were playing Irish rock and the whole crowd was loving it! I truly don't know who had the best time: Jenn and Jeff, their guests, or us. It was a great way to start off the 2010 wedding season!

Jenn and Jeff, thank you for being so welcoming to us and just encouraging all to have fun. It was such a pleasure to be there on your wedding day and to celebrate with you. We wish you many more years of celebrating and F-U-N!

Also, special thanks to Eddie from Studio 512 who was our awesome third shooter. Eddie rocks.

Without further ado, here are a few of our favorites from Jenn and Jeff's wedding, but you can see more when you

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SLIDESHOW OF OUR FAVORITE IMAGES!!!!

Until then, Keep having FUN,

Julie

This image captures Jenn and Jeff each perfectly!!!

Sharing a sweet mother-daughter moment just before the ceremony

Show off those killer red shoes girl!

A private moment after being pronounced "Mr and Mrs. Jeffrey Brockmeier"

The Cornhusker cake for the Nebraska boy...the kernels are actually candy corns turned upside down!

Great entertainment by the Lucky Lion Dancers!

The happy couple!

]]> Celebrating the Year of the Tiger with the San Francisco Symphony http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/162/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/162/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:43:14 -0500 San Francisco City Hall was again the site of a gorgeous event with the San Francisco Symphony, the "10th Anniversary Chinese New Year Concert and Imperial Ball." This event was to celebrate and welcome the Year of the Tiger. I have to say, this this was one of the most colorful and innovative events that Damion has had the privilege of capturing. The clear, lucite chairs provided a perfect view of the gorgeous tables that were lit from within. The color scheme, overflowing with oranges, magentas, and purples carried over into the swanky lounge area where the guests could relax and enjoy themselves. I am in love with this event!! Of course, our hats are fully off to the AMAZING array of work by Got Light? and the event design by Blueprint Studios. We are so privileged to have the honor of capturing their pure artistry to share with you!! Enough said!

Keep celebrating, Julie

The graphic designs that you see here on the bottom left and right were actually a video that was creating and filling the design in real time as the guests were celebrating!

One word: Stunning.

]]> Shanghai Opening Night Gala http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/161/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/161/ Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:19:25 -0500 The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is celebrating a new exhibition called "Shanghai" and Damion was fortunate enough to be asked to document the Opening Night Gala for this event. As always and forever, the gorgeous and elaborate lighting elements were provided by our friends at Got Light?, one of the best lighting professionals in San Francisco undoubtedly! Many congratulations to those involved with the success of the Shanghai exhibit! We hope to see it soon!

Keep appreciating, Julie

The backdrop for these chandeliers and the lighting centerpiece, which you'll see below, was a clear top tent from which one could see SF City Hall.

Stunning Samsung Hall

Love the lighting pattern, even on the walkway...great detailed work by Got Light?

And now for the Night Magic!

The evening's entertainment included a performance by Mezzo Soprano Zheng Cao

]]> ISES Birthday Celebration! http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/160/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/160/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:43:17 -0500 Beautiful Artesa Winery was the place to be last week when we celebrated the 5th birthday of the Napa Sonoma Chapter of ISES! ISES (International Special Events Society) is an international organization that brings together professionals in the event industry for education and networking and we were so fortunate to be able to sponsor and capture this event! For the educational portion of the evening, we were treated to a brilliant presentation from industry leader and trendsetter Sasha Souza on Design Trends for 2010. Though I am not an event designer, I learned so much more about color trends and how to predict them, how to meet your client's needs and give them an event that they will love, and I really enjoyed learning more about great color combinations and seeing the inspiration boards that Sasha shared and some of the events that her team has created! Loved it! Of course, we had a delicious dinner, plenty of wine and bubbly to share, a scrumptious cake and tons of fun. Damion and I thoroughly enjoyed making new friends and reuniting with old. We are really looking forward to the next event! Without further ado, here are some of the fun moments and gorgeous details of the evening.....

Keep celebrating, Julie

Planner: Dana Macaulay and Michael Brock Alexander

Education Session: Sasha Souza

Event Sponsors: Artesa Winery, Cal West Rentals, CORT Event Furnishings, Damion Hamilton, D'Argenzio Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards, Jess Flood Event Design, Julie Steven's Design, La Tavola fine Linen Rental, Pacific Entertainment, Patio Heaters-R-Us, Scrumptious Occasions, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Sweet on Cake, The Lux Productions, and Fleur de Lisa

We would like to offer a huge THANK YOU to all of you who worked so hard to make such a wonderful evening possible!

Beautiful, dramatic lighting in the cellar room by The Lux

Sasha with a lil' pre-speech warm up :)

You'll see that this evening's theme was the peacock--"a symbol of lasting partnerships, community, and renewal." Kudos to Jess Flood's team for the Thank You gifts!

Beautiful work by Julie Steven's Designs. I love how they took the time to add the jewel touch to the fern fronds.

Stunning cake by Sweet on Cake

Another beauty by Fleur de Lisa

Damion in action!

Outdoor lounge area in the center of the Artesa winery...the best thing about it was hearing the frogs throughout the evening celebration!

A few smiling faces in action!

Oops! Was I supposed to be working now? Caught red-handed. I was working...on socializing!

And they gave away some awesome prizes too!

Who is that man in black?

Having a little too much fun

These images show off the clean, modern design of Artesa as well as the amazing furniture by CORT

A little Sasha to top off the night, featuring her new book "Signature Sasha," full of gorgeous photography and event design.

Last but certainly not least, Damion getting PUMPED UP for this event!! He is the CANON NiNJA!!!!!

]]> San Francisco Ballet Opening Night "Silver Celebration" Gala http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/159/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/159/ Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:31:57 -0500 Over on Damion's FB page, he showed a little bit of the "Silver Celebration" Gala on the opening night of the SF Ballet, BUT to appreciate the magnitude of the design in this event, you must see more! Not only was is spectacular because the dinner courses were served in seperate locations with FOUR completely unique design layouts, but when the guests returned from the ballet 90 minutes later, they were treated to a completely different set up and design for the late evening events. You will not believe the kind of work it took to transform all of these spaces within the 90 minutes that the guests attended the ballet. Major kudos to ALL of the hard working vendors from this event, including but not limited to Blueprint Studios, Got light? (amazing lighting), and Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Here are a few details to get your imagination whirling:

One of the beautiful designs featuring the "Silver" theme

Another beautiful design in the main area of SF City Hall

Another aspect of the "silver" celebration

Candlelight paired the with the dark red calla lilies were carried throughout the theme as well.

Candles everywhere!

So the guests dined on a delicious looking dinner from Paula LeDuc, retired to the ballet and when they returned to the same spaces as before, 90 minutes later, they found a much sleeker, much sexier event!

I love the drummer's face!!!

]]> Love each other deeply and from the heart.... http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/158/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/158/ Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:15:23 -0500 Around here, it's obvious that, well, we love "love!" So naturally Valentine's Day is one of our favorite days to celebrate. Unfortunately, Valentine's Day isn't always a happy occasion for all to celebrate. Sometimes there are broken hearts, even perhaps loneliness that can affect those around us in ways that we might not see. There IS something you can do about it though!

Last night we were shopping and our little 3 year old Livy (as shy and un-opinionated as she is...NOT!) walked right up the person behind the counter and said in her cutest little voice "Do you have any stickers?" Well, who can resist that? The sales person didn't have any, but she quickly found a sheet of red round sale stickers and handed them over. We warned the lady about this, but nope, she didn't listen. It first started when I was trying on a dress and the saleslady kindly said to me "You have a sticker on the back of your dress." Sure enough, there was a bright red sticker about 3 year old height on my back. I knew who did it. I walked back into the dressing room. I started peeling stickers off the floor, off the chair, off everything...they were everywhere. Bright red dots everywhere! After I rejoined the rest of the family, I started laughing as I looked around. It was hysterical. Miranda had red stickers on her sleeves and her jacket, Damion had two right at the 3 year old height, one on the front of each pant leg. I had stickers on my pants and even one stuck to the bottom of my shoe. We had been touched by Livy, no doubt!!

I just stood back and smiled. I got this picture in my mind: See, love is like those dots. Everywhere Livy went, she was leaving a very visible trail that left a lasting impression on those that she had touched. Miranda and Damion didn't even know they were wearing those bright red stickers, but she had somehow touched them, without them even realizing it! Love is like that. When we love each other deeply and from the heart, it rubs off on those around us and they can't help but be touched and even transfer it to someone else (I wonder how many people walked out with dots stuck to their pants and on the bottom of their shoes and didn't even realize it--wait til they get home :)

So, if you have love today, CELEBRATE it! If you know someone who is hurting or lonely today, CELEBRATE with them too--love them deeply and from the heart and it will leave a lasting impression!

Keep loving, Julie

]]> "Spread the Love!" with Justin and Mary http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/156/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/156/ Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:08:34 -0500 Justin and Mary Marantz. Boy, how many times have I heard those names over the last two years! Damion met Justin and Mary over dinner two years ago at a photography conference (PartnerCon) and he came home talking about them and hasn't stopped! He fell in love with these two wonderful people who were, at that time, about to tie the knot themselves and were nurturing their own photography biz over on the East Coast in Conneticut. Well, Damion really did love them and did "spread the love" to me, so naturally I HAD to meet them when we heard they were going to be in our area! We were so excited that they took a few minutes out of their extremely busy schedule to meet and talk with us over a yummy lunch at the Rutherford Grill and I found out that they are, in fact, just as lovely as Damion had shared with me. I can see why he was so impacted when he met them. (and we got to meet Cooper, their 5 yr old baby--see the pics!). See, in the two years since that first meeting, Justin and Mary have made a national impact in the photography business, though I have no doubt they are on their way to doing the same across the world. For the last several months, they have been doing a nationwide tour called "Spread the Love" where they encourage others in their businesses, not just for business sake, but for LIFE's sake. It's not a photography workshop, but rather a LIFE-shop. Of course, there is business involved, but when Damion shared with me all that they talked about at Jules Cafe at STL, it was much more than that...it was about setting goals, being extravagant with your dreams and life (of course in a responsible way), considering how you want to live your life and much more. I am just skimming the surface of what they discussed and encouraged the participants to do. One thing I loved was that each person had the opportunity to write their own eulogy. I love this because it's very similar to one of the habits in "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" which is: Begin with the end in mind. Doing an exercise like this is great because it puts our lives into a very different perspective than just the in and outs of every day life that consume us. When Damion read me his eulogy, I actually got teary eyed. I was so proud of him for what he wrote and how he pondered the way in which his actions today will affect the generations to come. He came away from this one day LIFE-shop with SO many great ideas and goals and we are so excited to start implementing those and dreaming EVEN BIGGER!!! Life is good and so is love, so when you have an opportunity, "Spread the Love!!"

Keep dreaming, Julie

This is an abstract Miranda took...can you tell what it is? The first person to leave a comment with the correct guess wins a special something!! Anyone thirsty for Starbucks?? hint, hint ;)

Mary was craving the Corn bread at the Rutherford Grill...it was pretty darn good!

Me and Livy...photo by Justin.

Justin being Camera shy? What's up with that! :)

Our self portrait of the 6 of us!

Just and dog treats with Livy and Cooper (Not shown)

J and M with their baby, Cooper

Being "UN-ordinary!" with Mary's encouragement

J and M, J and M, J and M---third time's a charm!

J and M listening and encouraging....

Love you guys...you're awesome. Keep going!

]]> We're Back! http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/154/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/154/ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:49:37 -0500 Hello to all of our friends! As you may have noticed, we've been absent from blogging for a few weeks, but for good cause! As of last week, we have finally taken the plunge to follow our hearts and re-locate to the Napa Valley in Northern Ca. Damion grew up here in the valley and I (Julie) also lived here as well, but 15 years ago, we moved down to Southern California where we had remained and grown for the last 15 years. Over the last few years, we've been very blessed and excited to see our business growing in Northern California and well, after much consideration, here we are! We are doing well and getting settled in here. The girls are starting to make friends and learn about the old haunts and history here as well, which is fun!

On that note, as our own welcome back, I wanted to share with you a few images from a shoot that Damion did on the morning following a heavy rain. If you haven't been to the Napa Valley during spring, you simply must come! It is a beautiful time of year with the mustard flowers filling the vineyards, and the Mustard Festival is in full swing, spanning the time from Jan 30 through March 27th, with many events spread in between those dates. (As a side note, I just learned today tradition holds that as the "padres" were blazing the mission trail or "El Camino Real", they would sprinkle mustard seeds along as they went, which marked the path with bright yellow flowers so that others could follow.)

Hope you enjoy! More to come!

Keep enjoying, Julie

Taken at Alston Park in Napa

The beautiful, countryside view from Artesa Winery. I love the open country!

]]> Wedding Emergency at Solage -- right place, right time! http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/153/ http://hiscreationsblog.com/index.php/post/153/ Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:50:42 -0500 So, in this post previous to Livy's birthday, I was telling you the story about the day that Damion had the opportunity to capture the Vintage Reserve Band Review. I continue...but first let me tell you a little back story and explain that you never know what your day will include when you start out in the morning!

Here's the back story: Got Light?, an awesome lighting company (OK, the best lighting company!) based out of San Francisco had originally planned to hire us for an event at Solage Calistoga, a great resort in Calistoga, on the same evening as the Vintage Reserve. Somehow, there was a little email miscommunication and they ended up hiring another photographer for that event. Fine, no problem...

So, Damion was shooting away at the Vintage Reserve, going on about his eighth hour straight when his phone rings. It's a wedding emergency! His friend Jill Sandy, a hospitality consultant in Napa Valley, was calling from a wedding where unfortunately, the photographer that they had flown in from Texas had gotten very ill during the ceremony!! They needed someone to come to the wedding right away to help photograph the remainder of the wedding! Where was the location? Solage Calistoga :) This was so awesome for a number of reasons:

1) Damion happened to be in Napa for just two days.

2) The very last event that Damion had captured a few weeks before was an event with Rebecca Feeney from Custom Event Group and was at....Solage. So Damion was familiar with the resort and it's layout and knew exactly how to get there in the dark!

3) Come to find out, the event was put together by Jenne Hohn, who is wonderful and is very well known for her beautiful work! Damion also already knew many of the vendors.

4) We were able to meet and help out some awesome people..the Sengbushes. They are fabulous photogs from Texas and are such darling people...they've been in the wedding business for 35 years and I can see why they are so loved...so sweet! Damion had an instant connection with them and we are so glad to have met them.

Anyway, come to find out, it was the exact same event that Got Light? had originally wanted to hire us for...it's so interesting how all of these things came together. Damion and I agreed that it was exactly where he was supposed to be. Damion went intending on giving, but instead gained so much in relationships...what a reward! It was such a privilege for Damion to be able to work with such a great team of people.

There is no photographic evidence (maybe it was destroyed!), but my understanding is this: because Damion rushed from the competition (in jeans and tennis shoes) and didn't have time to go back to the hotel to get his wedding photog clothes--he had to wear a server's uniform!!! I would have paid money to see that!! and Jill, if you see this, thanks for giving him such a hard time...I'm sure I would have been cracking up too!

Here's the gorgeous event created by Jenny Hohn with lighting by Got Light? that he had the privilege of capturing:

Solage Calistoga in the evening

Lounge areas on the lawn showcasing Got Light?'s talents

For those of you who love the Mason jar look!

Reception at Solage. One amazing effect that Got Light? produced is that the entire room changed color at least three times, from this warm amber/red hue, to purple, to pink!

Love the candles in the trees and the ring above the dance floor shown below. It created beautiful shadows and gave the illusion of raining flowers over the dance floor.

The beautiful couple, Megan and Kevin

Enjoying the party!

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