Wedding site at Long Beach:
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden - CSU - Long Beach

I went to Long Beach three times.  All three time, the wedding venue was Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden in Cal State University Long Beach.

Blog Entries and pictures on Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, CSU Long Beach

• Japanese Garden, Long Beach - At Night (October 13, 2007)
• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, Long Beach (September 16, 2007)
• Wedding at Long Beach, Japanese Garden (June 6th, 2006)

Wedding Site: Santa Barbara Courthouse

I came to Santa Barbara Courthouse a few times.  You can see some of the pictures in my past blog entries.

• Santa Barbara Courthouse, Mural Room, Clock Tower (Feb 21, 2008)
• Santa Barbara Courthouse Lawn, rainy day (September 21, 2007)
• Santa Barbara Courthouse Lawn (August 11, 2007)
• Small (thumbnail) pictures from Santa Barbara Courthouse (June 2, 2007)

This is a little part of my life that was not been told before. From this, I hope you will get to know me better.

Wedding Site at Oxnard, Heritage Square

Whenever I arrive at the wedding site, I take pictures of my coffee cup. 

How it all started

1. I am a coffee drinker  Also, I religiously drink coffee whenever I do anything that's related to photography. 
   • For example: If a customer schedule a meeting, I will come to the meeting with a cup of coffee in my hand.
2. I always brew fresh coffee right before I leave home for a wedding.  I drink coffee as I drive to the wedding site.
3. When I arrive at the wedding site:
   • I get out of the car with the last sip of the coffee in my hand.
   • I place my coffee cup on top of my car to stretch.
   • Then I get my cameras out.  Take the lens caps off. etc..
   • I snap a few test pictures to make sure my camera is in working order
   • When I take test pictures, the closest object I see is my coffee cup.  So I take pictures of the coffee cup.
4. The cup is about 18 years old (maybe older). I bought this cup through mail-order.  There was no Internet back then.  I bought it along with a Canon & a Nikon cup.  The other cups were broken a long time ago.
5. I am a Canon user.  I never liked Minolta.  I don't remember why I decided to buy a Minolta cup.  Anyway, this is my favorite cup.

Before I knew it, this practice became one of my wedding photography rituals.

Each photograph of my coffee cup marks the moment I was getting ready for a full day of work ahead.  These are my personal moments.  I usually have a little butterfly in my stomach because I am about to work with hundreds of strangers.

Then I say to myself "Let's do this"

*Old archive: This page shows low quality scans (older technology). Obsolete links removed

Long Beach Wedding Photographer

This month issue

• Wedding at Long Beach - Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
• 4 Wedding photography customer comments
• Wedding locations in Long Beach

Wedding photography

Long Beach, CA - June 6, 2006

Wedding photography schedule
1:00PM - Arrive at Long Beach Airport Marriott for getting ready shots.
2:00PM - Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (CSU Long Beach). Formal photography before wedding ceremony.
3:30PM - Wedding ceremony starts.
6:00PM - Back to Long Beach Airport Marriott for wedding reception photography.
11:00PM - Wedding reception ends

Long Beach Airport Marriott

I was looking at a long day at Long Beach (1pm - 11pm, plus 3 hours driving) I left home 10:30AM (2 & 1/2 hours before my schedule). I went through some heavy traffic, but I arrived at Long Beach about 40 minutes before my schedule.

After a few limo shots, we went to Japanese Garden, located at CSU Long Beach. Getting to the Japanese Garden was somewhat tricky, because the garden was located inside Cal. State Long Beach.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, Long Beach

Long Beach Photographer - VenturaPhoto.com

Before reception, when I was taking detail shots of the table, I leaned on my camera and broke my flash cable. It didn't really effect my work because I carry 3 identical cameras at the weddings just in case. So, broken cable didn't effect me at all. Well, I'm out $60.00 :(

Inside Long Beach Airport Marriott

They rented the entire section of Long Beach Airport Marriott for wedding reception. It was one of the fanciest wedding receptions I have ever seen.

Pictures were returned to the clients in 18 days at Starbucks Coffee. I met the newly weds and hand them the albums. They loved the pictures.

Later, they sent me a nice thank you card plus they wrote me a good testimonial at my website on July 4 [click here]

Long Beach Photographer - VenturaPhoto.com

4 wedding photography customer comments

I have received 4 customer testimonials in May. 4 notes in a month is a lot. I know my clients are happy with me. Read quotes below.

"...calmly instructed our crazy families and wedding party. Many of his pictures brought tears to our eyes..." - May 27, 2006 -

"John did a great job at my son's recent Bar Mitzvah..   ..I am pleased and will pass his business cards on" - May 19, 2006 - (Bar Mitzvah, Woodland Hills)

"We can't thank you enough!! We really appreciated how well you stayed in contact with us, making us feel at ease from the very beginning" - May 16, 2006 - Will & Kara

"Look for yourself. His pictures are excellent quality. Thank you John, for all your hard work and for making my wedding very memorable" - May 3, 2006 - Frank & Geneva

More wedding photography testimonials

Wedding Locations in Long Beach

Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel
4700 Airport Plaza Drive Long Beach, CA 98015
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/LGBLB
(562) 425-5210

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden - CSU - Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach , CA 90840
http://www.csulb.edu/~jgarden/
562-985-8889

Long Beach Photographer - VenturaPhoto.com

*Old archive: This page shows low quality scans (older technology). Obsolete links removed

Woodland Hills Wedding Photographer

This month issue

• Bar Mitzvah, Woodland Hills / Tarzana
• John Parks Photography
• Wedding Client's Baby Due
• Film Quality Test
• 2 more Weddings
• 4 Photography Client Testimonials

Bar Mitzvah at Woodland Hills

(May 6, 2006)

Bar (bat) Mitzvah is the holiest event that photographers will face. Even if I don't use flash, photography is not allowed during Bar (Bat) Mitzvah ceremony. I met the customer at the temple in Woodland Hills before the ceremony. Rabbi and Bar Mitzvah organizers setup a few mocked ceremony scenes for photography.

Bar (bat) Mitzvah reception is a heaven for youngsters and good party for grown ups. Today's party was held at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana near Woodland Hills, California.

They started the party with 2 Laker girls. They had a lot of activities and a lot of vendors (magic, psychic, tattoo, caricature, DJ.).

Braemar Country Club
P.O. Box 570217, 4001 Reseda Blvd.,  Tarzana, California  91357
Phone:  (818) 345-6520
www.braemarclub.com

John Parks Photography?

Chit-chat

My name is John Park, it's not Parks. There is no " S " in my name But, a lot of people call me John Parks. Some my clients call me John Parks. I get junk mail with the name "John Parks" Every month, a few people find my website on searching by typing "John Parks Photography" or "VenturaPhoto John Parks".

Wedding client's baby due

I received an email from a past client. Their baby is due in July~! This is the third baby news I have received from my past clients. I am so happy for them.

Also, I am happy that they didn't forget to include me in their baby news. That means a lot to me.

Photographer 's Homepage - Click Here

Film quality test

*FYI: as of 2008 I have stopped shooting with film. I have switched to digital.

I only use professional equipment, including film.
I test all my film, and I store them in refrigerator.
Both film and digital photography have their own elements that can go wrong. So, I test my film.

I buy films in boxes, each box contains 20 rolls of film.
From that box of 20 rolls, I sacrifice 1 roll.

I do a test shoot. I want to make sure if the films are good. If the test is bad, I would discard the entire box it came from.

Today, I tested 4 rolls of film.
They all seem pretty good.

--------------------
4 rolls of film & processing $32.00
Time spent = 2.5 hours.

Film in refrigerator

Actual Test Image from Film - Negative Scanned

Cropped image from above

2 more wedding photography work

I have completed 2 weddings, on May 22nd and May 27th. I am still working on the albums as of now.

4 wedding photography client testimonials

I have received 4 customer testimonials in May. 4 notes in a month is a lot. I know my clients are happy with me. Read quotes below.

"...calmly instructed our crazy families and wedding party. Many of his pictures brought tears to our eyes..." - May 27, 2006 -

"John did a great job at my son's recent Bar Mitzvah..   ..I am pleased and will pass his business cards on" - May 19, 2006 - (Bar Mitzvah, Woodland Hills)

"We can't thank you enough!! We really appreciated how well you stayed in contact with us, making us feel at ease from the very beginning" - May 16, 2006 - Will & Kara

"Look for yourself. His pictures are excellent quality. Thank you John, for all your hard work and for making my wedding very memorable" - May 3, 2006 - Frank & Geneva

More wedding photography testimonials

Woodland Hills Wedding Photographer

Photography as Fitness Activity (workout)

• Heart rate, calorie, & distant monitoring of a wedding photographer at work
• Wedding photography can be an intense workout.
• Proving wedding photography is not for weak person.  That's why a lot of photographers hire assistants.

VenturaPhoto.com is the first (& only) photographer to monitor physical activities of a
wedding photographer on the job - Just for fun

I used to be a fitness expert.  I used to bench-press 225lb 10 years ago.  I was approached by a gym to lead aerobics classes.  Now I do light workout.  I am 158lb, 5'7" (31 inch waist).

Anyway.  I wanted to know how much calories I burn while I photograph a wedding.  I wanted to know how many miles I walk.  I wanted to know what my average heart rate was.  So, I bought a sophisticated heart rate monitor.   Ever since, I've been monitoring my physical status while I'm at the wedding.

Heart rate monitors: Old and New

###

For exampe. On my "Normal Day" I burn 637 Calories in 8 hours.

###

At the wedding, I burned 2754 Calories in 6 hours and 19 minutes.  Sometimes I burn 3000+ Calories easy.

###

Measuring physical activities at the wedding only takes a few seconds.  I just set my monitor and go about my business.  I believe I am the only person in the world providing this kind of data.   This is fun.

* Old archive: This page shows low quality scans (older technology). Obsolete links removed

Happy Holidays

Slow Season has began. I was super busy this year. It's been real fun. I am starting to receive booking inquiries for 2006. Things are already looking better for next year.

Have a happy new year. I will keep in touch.

Recent Pictures

Here are some pictures from Oct. & Nov. (One picture each from each event )

Baptism

Wedding

Wedding

Wedding

Wedding Photography

Family portrait, Ventura, California

* Old archive: This page shows low quality scans (older technology). Obsolete links removed

I had the busiest month in July 2005, including 4 weddings in 2 week period. I still have 3 weddings I need to package them and send out. Please excuse my short newsletter. But I am very tired.  I do not have time for anything.

Tired is good, as always. Working is good...

Recent wedding photography

Wedding July 30, 2005

Wedding July 29, 2005
Photographer 's Homepage - Click Here

My photography business is going great, I was a little tired with hot weather and 4 weddings back to back. I don't mind being tired all year long. I am very happy being tired. Life is good.

I am going to slow dow a little for the rest of the month in August. I only have 2 weddings and one engagement in August. I finally get to wash my car and visit my mother.

Then I will have 4 weddings in September, possibly 5. This will be fun.

Next month, I will come back with some fun stories and more pictures. Sorry about the boring newsletter this month, but I had a real busy month.

Thank you. - John Park -

Customer testimonials

"Oh my gosh, where do I begin. First let me say that John was one of the best parts about my daughter's wedding!..."

"Your photos are great and your personality brings out the best in people, all without the price of a second mortgage!! Everyone that we know knows your name."

More wedding photography testimonials

* Old archive: This page shows low quality scans (older technology). Obsolete links removed

Ventura California Photographer

This month issue

• Wedding photography from last month
• New wedding photography gear
• Photography work for Cornett Masonry website
• Wedding customer testimonials
• Ventura wedding locations

Wedding photography from last month

Wedding June 25 Pierpont Inn, Ventura California.
Photography VenturaPhoto.com

Wedding June 25 Poinsettia Pavillion, Ventura California
Photography VenturaPhoto.com, John Park

New Photography Equipment

I have added a new lens (Canon 70-200 IS L) to my equipment list. Purchase price was $1,623.90 after $50.00 Rebate. This is the best tele zoom lens Canon offers. (White lens pictured below)

Photographs for Cornett Masonry Website

Cornett Masonry is a high class masonry designer in Ventura County area. I did some photography works for them . You can see my pictures incorporated on the homepage. They have created Portfolio section entirely with my photographs.

Ventura California Photographer

Wedding Customer testimonials

"Oh my gosh, where do I begin. First let me say that John was one of the best parts about my daughter's wedding!..."

"Your photos are great and your personality brings out the best in people, all without the price of a second mortgage!! Everyone that we know knows your name."

More wedding photography testimonials

Wedding locations in Ventura, CA

Pierpont Inn (Ventura): Pierpont inn and Racquet Club is located walking distant to ventura pier. Pierpont Inn is a perfect place to plan the whole wedding day. You can book a room, hold a wedding ceremony, and have a reception.

Because of its beach location, you will get cool Ventura sea breeze even on the hottest day. But, you should consider using Sun blocking lotion if your wedding will be outdoor.

Pierpont Inn and Racquet Club, Ventura
Address: 550 Sanjon Rd. Ventura, California 93001
Phone: (805) 643-6144
WebSite: www.pierpontinn.com

Poinsettia Pavillion, Ventura
Poinsettia Pavillion is a busy wedding spot in Ventura County. They also hold various meetings and activities in Ventura County. Poinsettia Pavillion is located on the hill top, that provides ocean view from distant.

Poinsettia Pavillion doesn't seem to have an official website.
Address: 3451 Foothill Road Ventura, California

Ventura California Photographer

*Old archive: This page shows low quality scans (older technology). Obsolete links removed

Camarillo Photographer - Professional Events

In this Month's Issue:

• Pictures from last events
• Pictures of Camarillo, Old Town Camarillo bridge (before)
• Event photography customer testimonials
• Massage Envy, Camarillo Branch, CA

Recent event photography works

Massage Envy (Camarillo) Grand Opening May 6.
Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, with mayor of Camarillo. Photographer John Park.

Catalog photography for Cornett Masonry - May 15 2005
Photographer: John Park

Wedding, Ojai May 14 2005 - Photographer: John Park

Camarillo Photographer, professional events

Pictures of Camarillo, California

I have been living here in Camarillo since 1999. Life in Camarillo is wonderful. I've been taking pictures of Camarillo for a few years. I try to document the changes in the city. You can check out more of my Camarillo pictures at www.VenturaWeekly.com

Freeway. Camarillo. View From old overpass	Construction: Freeway off-ramp to Old Town Camarillo.
Construction: Over-pass to Old Town Camarillo	Camarillo city Hall, Camarillo X-Mas 2001

Event photography customer testimonials

"Oh my gosh, where do I begin. First let me say that John was one of the best parts about my daughter's wedding!..."

"Your photos are great and your personality brings out the best in people, all without the price of a second mortgage!! Everyone that we know knows your name."

More wedding photography testimonials

Massage Envy, Camarillo

Massage Envy opened their first location on May 6th in Camarillo. The mayor of Camarillo was participated in ribbon cutting ceremony. Massage Envy is a membership based Massage place that will keep massages affordable and professional for all of us.

Camarillo location is the first in California. Branch locations will soon follow.

Massage Envy; 2360 Las Posas Road #-G Camarillo, CA 93010 (805) 987-1010

Camarillo Photographer, professional events