Kristine Atienza Photography's blog » l "Celebrating Moments of Love" l Orange County Children's Photography

This past week I had the amazing opportunity of taking the StyleLab seminar taught by Chenin Boutwell, The Wedding Chicks, and Totally Rad Actions!  Although Southern California is known for its year round sunny weather, for some odd (and rare!) reason, El Nino decided to make a comeback on our very first day! I remember looking around the room at the other photographers, who all seemed to be thinking the same thing — what is going on? And when is this rain going to stop?

When the tornado warning (yeah a tornado warning!) finally went around the room via twitter updates, Chenin finally realized that it was now or never to shoot the outdoor “wedding reception”. Immediately Jocey and Amy from the Wedding Chicks began passing around trash bags to use as ponchos and protect our cameras as we made our way out into the stormy outdoor reception. (Don’t judge, we were definitely ghetto fabulous!). We must’ve all looked silly to the staff at Arroyo Trabuco because we were actually excited and laughing at our predicament as we followed our fearless leader (Chenin) out into the rain!

We probably shot for a good 15-20 minutes until the conditions started to deteriorate and forced us back inside. Although Chenin later admitted to us that she was internally freaking out, she never once showed that side of her. That’s how awesome she rocked it out. And she was definitely rewarded for it because about 1-2 hours later when the sun started to show it’s face.

here are my favorite photographs from StyleLab…

The wedding reception piece was styled by Angel Swanson of Events of Love and Splendor. If you’re a nerd like me, you are going to LOVE her stylish concept. No joke!

Chenin, Jocey, Amy, and Doug. I just wanted to personally thank you all for teaching an amazing seminar and sharing your talent and stories to all of us. Ya’ll definitely brought pretty back! I’m sure we all left knowing that this was a workshop we’d never forget. ever. For anyone even thinking about taking StyleLab. Don’t even think! Just do it! You won’t regret it!

Thank you also to the vendors who helped style the StyleLab with their amazing talent and creativity and especially to Angel Swanson for *re-setting* everything up once the rain stopped!

Styled By: Angel Swanson of Events of Love & Splendor

Floral Design: The Treasured Petal

Stationary: Wiley Valentine

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Dress Designer: Joan Shum

Makeup & Hair: All Made Up Team

Deserts & Goodies: Vanilla Bakeshop

Venue: Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club

Also to the following sponsors for their coupons and giveaways to all of us attendees— My Funky Camera ( I won a camera strap from them!!), Shootsac , ProDPI , Colorati, Finao Albums , & Totally Rad Actions

Lastly… I’d also like to thank the 20 new friends I made that day, including Amanda and Mike who were our lovely models that day! Words can’t even describe you how awesome you all were and I’m definitely grateful at the opportunity of having met, and bumping via iPhone you all! (so who shot the video?? C’mon and share!). ‘Til next time…

This past week, a group of photographers came down from all over the country to attend StyleLab, a wedding photography seminar taught by Chenin Boutwell, The Wedding Chicks and Doug Boutwell from Totally Rad Actions. (more on that on a later post!)

The best thing about being in this industry as a photographer (as opposed to my alter-nurse-ego), is that when I network with other photographers, they become instant friends. With nursing however, there’s a stereo-type about “nurses eating their young,” and sadly, it’s true! I’ve witnessed it! I’ve experienced it! Not to say that photography is a perfect world where everyone gets along and helps each other out, but... it does come pretty darn close! Again, don’t get me wrong, i love love LOVE nursing and what I do as a NICU nurse! I just wish that sometimes, nurses would take care of their own in the same caring manner that they give to their patients.

So on that note! Here’s a photograph of two amazingly talented people that I had the honor of meeting during StyleLab! Gladys Jem (from San Francisco), who ran out to to Jen Ballard (from Canada) to literally save her life from the sudden downpour of rain (which is extremely rare in Southern California!). All the while, Emily Steffen (from Wisconsin) is behind me trying desperately to keep dry as I snap this photo ! I had literary just met these people but I felt like they were long lost friends and we were having lunch to catch up! It was the exact same way we started our StyleLab adventure only 2 days before! Mother Nature sure was having fun with us! And for that reason, We’ll have have Irvine spectrum!!

Meet River! This little guy came 3 weeks earlier than expected, but just in time to spend Christmas with his brand new parents! When his mom contacted me to let me know of his arrival, she gushed on the phone over how cute he was. And indeed, he was…

This next image made me smile. In the NICU when physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy come in to help with developmental feedings, they’re always looking for these crinkles on the forehead. I was told that they’re signs of engagement… that the infant is interested and ready to participate in their surroundings. In our situation, I guess you can say River was ready to participate in his photoshoot!

Some special moments between a dad and his son…