Emma & Guy got married!

I just returned from England where I attended my niece's wedding in one of the most picturesque parts of the West Country. Emma married Guy at Pitminster Church, Somerset, with the reception held in a huge tent in a meadow close by (OK, it's a big field) . The bride arrived at the church in style, in a London cab! The setting would have been a movie director's dream and to top it off the weather was perfect! I was not the official photographer so I got to eat, drink & be (very) merry.

Marissa Graduates!

Marissa Gravett, who happens to be my God Daughter, graduated from Aliso Niguel High School this summer. She is now at college in Santa Barbara so she has not seen the results from her photo shoot. She was completely adept at posing (for several hours!) and we all had lots of fun as we ended up at the beach on one of the warmest evenings of the year.

Oregon Poet

During a recent trip to Oregon, we had the pleasure of photographing our friend, Dr. Malcolm MacGregor, for his new book. We gave him the challenge of putting his portrait experience into poetry. The following is entitled "The Picture Man".

There I sat like clay
To be molded and fit his plan
Ne'er turn nor sway
Conjuring up smile or deadpan

Giving up liberty to become his pawn
Unforeseen trust to muster up
Dry not green this lawn
Tasteless soup to sup

Assistants hover around me
Holding mirrors that bend the light
I cannot turn to see
Helpless is my plight

See or avoid that lens eye
Please make up your mind
Heartless tyrant to decry
For humanity he is blind

Finally I saw his picture goal
Where are all my flaws?
A miracle he did extol
Easy at last to join his cause

Like all men of noble intent
Misjudged, scored, and doubted
Buoyed by what he does invent
In the end, a hero, to be touted

Morgan graduates!

We never seem to travel without our photo gear. We packed Madonna's new long lens and a reflector. Our friend Susan happens to live on a 37 acre farm near Portland which gave us the perfect setting to photograph her daughter Morgan.

Courtney & Jason tie the knot!

On a beautiful day in March, two young people who met on a tour in Europe, joined together in front of family & friends at Palos Verdes Country Club and became man & wife. Our groom, Jason, managed to bring most people to tears (happy ones) during the ceremony. His heart felt words were delivered to his beautiful bride, Courtney. We wish them all the luck in the world. Congratulations!!

Press Release

David Nicholson of San Pedro, CA, co-owner of David Nicholson Photography, was awarded the title of "Photographer of the Year 2009" in Portraits; Senior High School category in San Diego at the Professional Photographers of California annual print competition on February 3rd, 2009. The competition is designed to recognize outstanding photographers in the state.

"Last To Audition", a portrait of Tristan Nieto MacDonald, a Rolling Hills Prep Senior that David photographed at the Warner Grand Theater won him the award. David also entered 5 other portraits in various categories, receiving merits on each entry.

The Award Ceremony will take place at the 56th Annual PROPHOTO EXPO in Pasadena on Sunday, March 22nd. The Western States Conference and Trade Show will have all the top-scoring images from the 2009 PPC State Print Competition on exhibit from Friday through Monday, March 20-23, at the Pasadena Convention Center (which will be open to the public).

Here are the other five images that merited at the State Print competition (Professional Photographers of California.
The image above is titled: "Leap into the Light". Gina Su, the subject, is a Senior at Rolling Hills Prep.

This portrait is called: "Simply Lindsey". Lindsey Gaudenti is preparing to graduate from Rolling Hills Prep School in San Pedro.

This image is titled: "Steppin' Out". Paul Pourzia graduates this June from Rolling Hills Prep School.

"Les & James" (note the Les Paul guitar) is how James Mischel would like to be remembered at this time of his life. He found music during his time at RHP.

This picture was taken in the basement of a house under construction and Wolfie Trausch (RHP Senior) is leaning against a pile of drywall. The title is: "The Dark World of Wolfie".