E-Session: Louie and Bern (08/22/10) feat. MotionScope Studies

All photos taken by Nicole Velazco

Pictured left to right: Nicole (Assistant), Francis (Video), Ryan (Video), Bern and Louie, myself (Photographer), and cousin of Bern, Ian.

I'll first start off this post with a group picture of those present on this engagement session with my grammar school friend Bernadette and her soon to be hubby Louie. This was taken on School of Motion's glidetrack in which my assistant, Nicole, placed her Canon G10 on top of while we post in back of Coit Tower in San Francisco.

Here's Ryan and I waiting for Bern and Louie to arrive as we also make some final adjustments to our equipment.

During this shoot, we definitely hit two birds with one stone as in between locations, Ryan would interview the couple and answer a few questions about who they are and how they meet for example. Professional audio and video were taken so you can imagine how this scene looked like in such a public [and beautiful] spot.

While it may look like this as I'm photographing them...

It looked like this from afar haha

Francis and I battling it out to get "the shot."

Next spot was taken at a place where they actually met: Jefferson High School in Daly City. Glad that the gates were open despite it being a Sunday.


We took a few shots around the school and was glad that they chose a spot that had special meaning to them both.

While I showed them how they can possibly pose, I joked about the poster that hung right next to me haha

This was one of the last shots I took before calling it wrap. Francis [pictured at left] was taking some BTS video that he and Ryan will incorporate in the couple's love story video.

For old times sake, Bern and I took a photo and reminisced real quick on our years at Thomas R. Pollicita where I got to know Bern from 7th and 8th grade. Good times!

Thanks Bern and Louie! I'm so happy to take your photos and even more thrilled to be covering your big wedding day! =)

Stay tuned for some images.

BTS Video: "John and Jane" Photoshoot (07/24/10)

A collaboration with stylists MyBFCloset.com and Jane Park, stylist of MotionScope Studies for an androgynous photoshoot.

Big thanks to everyone involved for a practically 10 hour photoshoot!

Full Credits:
Talent: Jane Park
Photography: JJ Casas
Make Up: Karen Wan
Stylists: Jessica Phan & Agnes of Fernandez of My BF's Closet
Stylist Assistant: Tristan Orlino
1st Assistant: John Enriquez
2nd Assistant: Rina Pera
BTS Photographer/Videographer: Nicole Velazco

Video produced by JJ Casas
Song: "Be Still" by Big Boi feat. Janelle Monae

Michelle Unboxes Her iPad!

Today I delivered cotillion [18th Birthday] client Michelle's iPad which contains video and photos from her birthday party. She was definitely happy to see me with the Apple bag as she has been patiently waiting for its arrival. =) Check below for a quick recap video + pics:



Here's Michelle playing with her iPad for the first with sister Julie who is just as excited!



She laughed as she saw her photo right away as the wallpaper and lock screen.

I also dropped off the photo book since her mom still wanted a photo album in addition to the iPad.

Julie laughing on as her big sister plays around with the iPad.

I walked through the iPad interface with her but it seems like she already knew how to navigate.


I had her lil sister Julie take a quick pic with her new viewing albums. =) Thanks again Michelle and we'll definitely keep in touch. Good luck in your first year at UC Merced!


For more info, please check out MotionScope Studies!

Photoshoot: The Foreign Exchange [07/23/10]

On Friday, July 23, I got the honor of taking The Foreign Exchange official portraits while they were here in San Francisco for their 2 night performances at Yoshi's San Francisco. I mention "official" since I was able to get MotionScope Studies all access with The Foreign Exchange and I was the only one taking their portraits right before their performance on Friday.

The portraits posted below were all done less than 25 minutes for these 5 individuals of The Foreign Exchange: Phonte, Nicolay, YahZarah, Darien, and Zo!

Many thanks to Aimee for making this opportunity happen!








These images will be on the homepage of my photo + video development company MotionScope Studies.

A full post of the concert coverage and portrait images coming soon!

BTS Video: Michell Dizon's Pre-Cotillion Shoot

Thank you to Markie Idea of MotionScope Studies who completed this behind-the-scenes video of our Cotillion [18th Birthday] celebrant Michelle Dizon.

Michelle Dizon Portraiture BTS from motionscopestudies on Vimeo.

Credits:
Photography: JJ Casas
Hair Stylist: Brittany Valenzano
Assistant: Jiro Bantay
BTS Video: Markie Idea


Please visit her page too HERE!

Ad Campaign: Molecover [BTS: Haight St., San Francisco]

These are the behind the scene pictures I took for the Molecover Ad campaign series--this time at Haight St., San Francisco.

I'll be honest right away: I forgot to bring my pocket camera so instead I used my iPhone--and no, not the newest iPhone 4--but the very first generation iPhone.

Safe to say though, I'm loving the black and white photos I can get from this camera! =)

Pictured in these photos are the latest members of MotionScope Studies, the photo/video company that I started with my friend Ryan Brown. The fella is John and the lady is Nicole.

I was their photo director for the day as I instructed them to take the Molecover notebooks around Haight and capture it in great scenes.

Nicole [pictured above] was asking me if she could just come back here another day since I was giving them too little time. I had to be somewhere by 4:30pm meaning I only gave them 25 minutes haha

Despite the time constraint, I'm sure the images will be looking great as I'll be editing them and publishing them for web by the end of the weekend.

So here's to add another collection of Molecover images to the ad series!

Edited spreads coming soon! Stay tuned!

Wedding: Gaby + Edgardo (Oakland, CA)

So this is gonna be a longer post than usual since I've been lagging on my posts!! So do enjoy Gaby and Edgardo's wedding day. =)

Pictured above is Edgardo and his groomsmen.


Gaby doing some last minute touches on her eyes and makeup.



One of my favorite photos from the day: Edgardo pictured here asking Gaby and the ladies if they needed to put anything back in the room. My secondary photographer and girlfriend Cherry shot this and made sure too that Edgardo doesn't see Gaby.




Gaby with her Bridesmaid.


The Bridal Party at Morcom Amphitheater of Roses.




Before the ceremony, Gaby was rushed by the event coordinator straight from her limo to her office to wait as the guests rolled in.

The beautiful bride walking down the aisle with her parents.







I love how the entire bridal party was fun and open to suggestions--like chasing after Gaby and Edgardo as they drove off!

The sunset light was beautiful to shoot and work with!



The party welcomes the newly weds to their banquet.

The first kiss as the crowd cheers them on [and for more!]




Gaby and Edgardo were able to get an awesome photobooth for their guests to use and definitely everyone had fun wearing the accessories.



Thanks to Gaby and Edgardo for having me photograph their special day! I definitely had fun and I'm sure you both did seeing your friends and family together for you.

We'll be keeping in touch for sure! =)

Check out the wedding trailer below produced by MotionScope Studies! This is the company I co-founded with Ryan Brown. Enjoy!