gem helen photography • blog

Camera+ • Enjoying San Diego

gemhelen — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:00:50 +0000

Last weekend we spent some glorious time with our friends, the Linams. We enjoyed a walk in La Jolla and then lunch at Torrey Pines Gliderport. It was the perfect afternoon. It has been said that the best camera to use is the one you have with you. So I made some images using my new iPhone app “Camera+“. One feature I really love is the ability to choose where the image will expose (meaning you can brighten an area of your image just by tapping the screen before you shoot). You can also process your image right in the camera using some pretty nifty filters. Here are a few images that I made using Camera+. Enjoy!

Amy & Umberto • Orange County Wedding Photographer

gemhelen — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:42 +0000

A few weeks ago, I was the second shooter at a wedding right here in Mission Viejo. Here are just a handful of images from the getting ready portion of the day. I love detail shots…rings…flowers…shoes. Also, check out Amy’s adorable daughter putting her best face forward. Enjoy!

Shrimp Scampi • Quick & Easy Cooking

gemhelen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:06 +0000

I’ve been in a cooking rut lately. Can.you.say.not.inspired? So I found this recipe on foodnetwork.com and I prepared it for my family. It is easy and fun and it is already a new favorite. Enjoy!

Total Time: 40 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 25 min Yield: 4 to 6 servings (4 if feeding 2 adults and 2 teenage boys) Level: Easy

Ingredients

1 pound linguini (I used angel hair)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 shallots, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves

Directions

For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat.

Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil.

Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.

Here are the directions in paragraph form so you can follow along more easily:

Directions

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.

Montage Tree Lighting • Laguna Beach

gemhelen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:17 +0000

Monday night we attended the tree lighting at the Montage in Laguna Beach. I love Laguna. Anyone who knows me well has heard me say, “When I make my million I am going to plop it down in Laguna Beach.” I love that little artist’s colony by the sea. Our friends, Tom & Marla, invited us to attend the tree lighting ceremony with them.

First, I have to say it was possibly the best food of my life. There were stations set up all around the grounds. And, of course, we made our way to each and every one. First was the perfect piece of crab meat on a bed of lemony risotto. Second was the most amazing, mouth watering, buttery tender filet on a swirl of mashed potatoes, drizzled with gravy. I hesitate to call it gravy but I can’t think of a word that means “gravy so good the angels were singing.” According to Marla, I was moaning like Bill Murray in What About Bob. This was followed by the perfect red tortilla soup with fresh corn and a carne asada taco, topped with fresh cilantro and red onion. Can you hear the moaning? We made our way upstairs to The Loft and had salted brownies along with a tiny little snack that included a small piece of brie topped with an almond, honey and the best raspberry of my life. Then a young woman came up to us carrying a tray of velvety, creamy squash soup. The savory warmth went down our throats and brought joy to our tummies. The only down side to this was that each portion was the size of a 2 spoons. I could have eaten a plate brimming to the top with all of the above.

Here are a few images I snapped as we made our way throughout the grounds. Sorry I don’t have more photos of the food…I was too busy moaning…

Happy December 1st!!!

Here is the tortilla soup…

The decorations on an indoor tree…

The tree just as it was lit…

We were surprised, just as the tree was lit, snow machines began to blow snow onto all of us onlookers.
I raised my camera up high and snapped blindly, trying to snag some images of the people’s glee.

This is my favorite…little hands…reaching up to catch some magic…

Merry Christmas!

Brase Family • Orange County Family Photographer

gemhelen — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:08:12 +0000

As we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in Laguna Beach, my friend, Jen, said “This will make a good story for your blog.” She was right. Welcome to the annual photo session of the Brase Family. This year they decided to bring their dog, Halo, and she quickly became the star of the show. After sitting for only one pose, Halo decided she wanted to take a dip. Enjoy!

Behind the scenes at GHP…this is what it takes to get…

This…

October Is Here! • Plant Depot • San Juan Capistrano

gemhelen — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:00:46 +0000

I know we are nine days into October already, but there is still plenty of time to acknowledge the beautiful Fall colors and bounty. On Saturday we took a trip to the Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano. We were looking for some morning glories to plant in our front yard. I grabbed my camera “just in case” and I am so glad I did because the Plant Depot really is, as they say, “a fine nursery and gift boutique.” I plan to go back there some time to linger a bit longer and take in more beauty. I was so glad to be there while they had their pumpkins out on display. Gotta love a gourd! Enjoy!

A little pre-Halloween…

Holiday Portrait Sessions

gemhelen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:16:57 +0000

Orange County Photography – Tessia

gemhelen — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:56:23 +0000

My friend, Rafe, who has been a photographer for over 20 years, recently gave me a lesson on the finer points of off camera flash and reflectors. His daughter, the lovely Tessia, is working on building her modeling portfolio. This made for a great combination as we went out the other day to grab some images. Enjoy!

Orange County Wedding Photography • Minta & Joey

gemhelen — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:52:45 +0000

Last week I took part in the SoCal Photog Shootout in Laguna Beach. The Shootouts are a great way for wedding industry vendors to meet one another. Part one of my photos appears today…and headlining is Minta and Joey. They are just the most adorable couple ever…good looking and sweet as can be. Enjoy these photos of their gorgeousness on the beach.

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this blog entry to see the names of all the people involved in making this day happen!

http://www.facebook.com/gemfadling

http://www.facebook.com/gemhelenphoto

Thank you to all of the vendors, models and leaders!

VENUE: Hotel Laguna www.hotellaguna.com

LEADERS:

Matthew Saville www.matthewsaville.com

Michelle Ford www.thecocogallery.com
Pye Jirsa www.slrlounge.com
Joe Barnet www.barnetworkshops.com
Erin and Gavin Wade www.gavinwadephoto.com
Aaron Dieppa www.aarondieppa.com

LEAD STYLISTS:

~ For Models: Heather Skelton www.thesoundoflace.blogspot.com

~ For Venue: Kaylee Sizemore http://www.twoworldsphotographyandart.com/

~ For Makeup: Jennette Pulecio www.jennettepulecio.com

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

Makeup –

Jennette Pulecio – Lead MUA www.jennettepulecio.com

Lauren Breedon www.laurenbreedon.com
Mellissa Gonterman http://www.melissagonterman.com

Hair -

Diego Ortega – http://DiegoOrtega.net

Assisted by: Kristen Macchio and Tricia Parker

VENDORS:

Venue: Hotel Laguna http://www.hotellaguna.com

Dresses: Carino Bridal www.bridalshopsorangecounty.com
Decor/Flowers: The Tangled Vine www.thetangledvineonlosrios.com
Cake: Itty Bitty Sweets www.ittybittysweets.com
Venue furniture: This & That Vintage Rentals www.thisnthatvintagerentals.com
Venue furniture: The Tangled Vine www.thetangledvineonlosrios.com

Special thanks to the sponsors of our giveaways:

UNDFIND www.undfind.com

Pixifi www.pixifi.com

Kevin Kubota www.kubotaimagetools.com

PhotogsUnleashed http://photogsunleashed.com/

Pixel2Canvas www.pixel2canvas.com

San Diego Wedding Photography • Courtney & Rick

gemhelen — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:00:37 +0000

Courtney and Rick had known each other for a while, being in the same circle of friends from church. But it wasn’t until last December when they had a very in depth conversation about life that they realized that they were meant to be together. By early Spring, Rick was asking Courtney’s dad for her hand in marriage. Quick by most standards, however, when I spoke to Courtney’s dad, Guy, he said that right when he met Rick he just knew he was the one for his daughter. God truly is the Author of their love.

Last Sunday I had the privilege of photographing the wedding of Courtney and Rick. They were so lovely to be with. They were both relaxed (of course, Rick had a few jitters right before the First Look). They just wanted to have a good time, enjoy the day and be with friends and family. It was a gorgeous day at San Diego’s Marina Village. Plus – talk about a gorgeous wedding party. On top of all that is the fact that I have known Courtney’s parents for about 25 years. It is impossible to believe that time has flown so quickly and now Guy and Cindy’s first born daughter is married. Congratulations to everyone!

I love the First Look. The bride and groom have a relaxed time to see each other privately before the ceremony. They get to see how beautiful/handsome they each are and exchange words only for each other. Courtney & Rick’s First Look did not disappoint. Here are just a couple of emotions from their time.

I love their interaction in this next series…

Venue: Marina Village, San Diego

Dress: David’s Bridal

Florist: Kathy Matranga, A Cut Above Florist

DJ: Victor Schloss

Hair & Makeup: Marianne Skutt

Officiant: Gabe Mejia