isabelcinema.com

MICHELLE + ALEX // a four seasons santa barbara wedding

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:11:53 +0000

“To witness something is a privilege and a responsibility. A witness must share what they have experienced. They must tell the story of those with whom they have shared a moment. Something in which they’ve had a special privilege to take part in. … The story of what you have seen must be shared so that it may live on.”

Those were the words from the groom’s sister. She was speaking to all the guests at the reception but I couldn’t help but feel that she was talking to me. It is, after all, my responsibility to document all the moments in moving pictures and sound so that the story lives on. What a responsibility. What an honor.

Here is the story of one very special day in the life of Michelle and Alex.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

Cast of characters:

Venue: Four Seasons Santa Barbara

Planning and Design: Natalie Good, A Good Affair

Photographer: Tauran Woo

DJ: Elevated Pulse

Hair & Makeup: Kelly Zhang

LISA + SETH // trailer

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:40:02 +0000

When a couple first comes to me asking about my services, the first thing I do is ask a ton of questions. Probably not what a lot of couples want to hear especially when they just want to know “how much?” Now, here’s the reason I ask the questions I do. Not only is it important to know the logistics of the day so I know how to build the right package, but it’s also important to know what the couple’s style is like, what’s important to them and what their favorite cookies are. Ok, ok … the cookie part is more for me – as a cookie lover with a gluten allergy, I live vicariously through the cookie-eating habits of others. :)

So after I asked Lisa and Seth the questions above, here’s a small excerpt of what Seth wrote … “Lisa has been adamant that she “doesn’t care” if it was BYO-food and we provide red Solo cups and kegs, yet we are having a black tie wedding … a mature, fun, energized event, with the heart of college party.”

Red Solo cups and black tie? That gave me a nice glimpse as to who they are a couple. Combine that with their fun-loving, silly energy on the day and I had a pretty clear vision as to what I was to do for their wedding teaser. Here’s their trailer. Let me know what you think.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

Cast of characters:

Photography: Ellice Boone, ES Photography

Venue: Sephardic Temple

MARGARITA + SUJAY // highlights

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:10 +0000

The world got a little bit smaller earlier this year. Did you feel it? It happened when Margarita, a beautiful Armenian woman, married Sujay, a handsome Indian man in, not one, but two ceremonies … to honor both bride and groom’s rich and colorful cultures. What a beautiful, busy, colorful, love-filled day it was.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

Cast of characters …

Venue: La Venta

Photographer: Hazelwood Photo

Floral & Décor: Bobbe Vagell Floral Design Studio

DJ: DJs At Your Service

Hair & Makeup: Swell Beauty

Bridal Fashions: Panache Bridal Salon

Special thanks to guest event filmmaker Martin Montgomery.

KIM + JEFF // highlights

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:56:40 +0000

I can’t tell you how much I love the toast given by one of the groomsmen at Kim & Jeff’s wedding. Truth be told, all the toasts given that evening at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu were genuine and heartfelt but it was this one particular toast that can be used to describe the magic of a real love story. It’s almost like winning the lottery. You’ll see what I mean once you watch the video.

So, without further ado, here is the wedding story of a girl from Massachusetts and a boy from Illinois.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

P.S. Did I forget to mention that the second song in this highlights film was created by the beautiful bride herself? Very fun stuff. Check out the rest of her music at kimdivine.com. Other music for the highlights licensed through The Music Bed themusicbed.com.

CAST OF CHARACTERS …

Venue: Calamigos Ranch, Malibu

Photography: Tyler Branch Photo

Coordination: Jenifour Jones, Go Get It Events & Weddings

Florals & Decor: The Little Branch

Band: Ground Control

Music: Jason Sulkin

Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop

Flip Book Station: A Little Scene Flip Book

Transportation: Wilshire Limousine

Hotel: Huntley Hotel, Santa Monica

Hair: Jessica Krueger, jesskrueger@gmail.com

Makeup: Nicole Walmsley

… and me! Isabel!

OC/LA Blissful Wishes Ball 2012

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 20:30:45 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to shoot a wonderful charity event – Wish Upon A Wedding‘s (WUW) Blissful Wishes Ball at the ever-lovely Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. If you’ve never heard of Wish Upon A Wedding, here’s the scoop … it’s the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. The ball was a success with over 200 people in attendance and over $25,000 raised. Methinks we should go for $50,000 next year. What d’ya think?

In attendance was Veronica, one of this year’s WUW recipients. Listen to her story and you’ll see how this organization touches lives and makes a difference.

Here’s a highlights of the event and how it all came together that day. Enjoy.

Here’s a list of the generous 2012 Gala Sponsors …

Vibiana
Good Gracious Catering
TGIS Catering
Vanilla Bake Shop
One Hope Wine
Cocktail Concierge
Samuel Lippke Studios
Classic Party Rentals
Wildflower Linens
Ice Bulb
Shirvan Designs
My Flower Guy
Commerce Flowers
Calligraphy Katrina
DJ Nahchey
Event Company OC
Undercover Live Entertainment
Rev. Clint Hufft
Fusion Designs
SoCal Shutterbooth
The Electric Violinist
Fusion Linens
Chiavari Chair Rentals
Wine Straws
ZinGBer Publishing – Barbara Wallace Weddings
Here Comes the Guide

and me! :)

ELMA + TETS | highlights

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:37:00 +0000

Once upon a time there was a lovely bride.

Her name was Elma.

She had a pretty smile.

Her groom’s name was Tetsuya … Tets, for short.

He had an even bigger smile.

Their wedding took place at a grand location called the Park Plaza.

When Elma walked down the long staircase towards her groom, everyone swooned.

Watch their highlights.

I hope you swoon too.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

Cast of characters:

Wedding Planner: Whitney Drake, Wish Wonder Dream

Photographer: Tony Hoffer, Hoffer Photography

Wedding Venue: The Park Plaza Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles

Lighting: Amber Event Production

Cake: Bonjour French Pastry

Flowers: Rosebud Floral Design

Makeup: Kat Laskey

Stationery: By the lovely bride herself! Simply Letterpressed

And then there’s me … Isabel, resident moving picture person!

MUSIC LICENSED THROUGH Song Freedom and The Music Bed.

MEGAN + NIR | same-day edit

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:40:33 +0000

It happens a lot after a wedding … sore muscles and achy feet. I like to call it a wedding hangover … without the alcohol, of course. Something else that happens, and it was definitely the case in this instance, is a feeling of gratitude. Megan and Nir and their families were an absolute joy to work with. There was no need to ask anyone to turn their frown upside down with this group. There was joy everywhere. Another reason to feel grateful is the wonderful people I got to work with behind the camera. A talented group, no doubt. From the coordination to the design to the music to, well, everything … it was all splendid! Take a look for yourself. It was quite an event.

To Megan and Nir, congratulations!

To everyone behind-the-scenes, thank you!

A very special thanks to the talented Loyd Calomay and Chloe Weaver for their shooting and editing magic. I couldn’t have done it without you!

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Coordination: Kimery Sherwood, Kimery Events

Venue: Four Seasons, Westlake Village

Photography: Kerry Corcoran, David Michael Photography

Design: King Dahl Event Design

Music: DeBois Entertainment

Music licensed through The Music Bed.

VIVI + ROBBIE || highlights

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:31:27 +0000

Vivi is a force to be reckoned with. One would know better than to get in her way. Maybe the wise thing to do is hold on and enjoy the ride. That’s what I did. When I first met them, I would have said Robbie might be doing just that … but it wouldn’t be true. Robbie is a force unto himself. Together Vivi and Robert are going to do great things … side by side. Ya just feel it.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Wedding Coordinator: Jessi Kaufman, Just Chic Events

Photographer: Michael Segal

Catering: Contemporary Catering

Location: Union Station, Hollywood Locations

DJ: Hey Mister DJ

Band: Son Mayor Salsa Band

Floral Designer: Kate Baker Florals

Cake: Takes The Cake

Vintage Furniture: Found Rentals

Chair Rental: Classic Party

Spanish Classical Guitarist: Brandt Jacobus

Hair & Makeup: Leah Gonzalez, Long Lasting Impression

Linens: La Tavola

Cigar Bar: Old Oak Cigar Company, albert.chrikjian@verizon.net

MICHELLE + ALEX || trailer

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 01:37:58 +0000

Do you ever go to the movies, then after you’ve finished watching a flick you walk out of the theatre and you look around to see what else is playing? But instead of walking back to the ticket counter to buy another ticket, you think maybe you can just casually sneak into the next movie? What? You don’t? Hmmm … ahhh, me neither.

So, let’s just say you finished watching the Leura & Jeremiah wedding film I just posted today and you’re thinking, “Wow! I sure could use another spectacular spectacular (stealing from Moulin Rouge here). Where can I sneak in next?” Well, don’t you fret none. I’ve got another tasty nibble for you … Michelle and Alex’s trailer. They’re cute. Nah, forget that. They’re not just cute … they’re damn cute.

Enjoy the next little nibble. Bon appetit. ;)

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

Cast of Characters ….

Planning and Design: Natalie Good, A Good Affair

Venue & Cake: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, Santa Barbara

Photography: Tauran Woo

Flowers: My Floral Bliss

DJ: Brian Lee, Elevated Pulse

Lighting: Infinity Lighting

Music: Marco Tulio

Hair & Makeup: Kelly Zhang

Invitations & Stationary: Darla Marie Designs

Lounge Furniture: Classic Party Rentals

Chivari Chairs: Fusion Event Rentals

Photo Booth: SoCal Shutterbooth

LEURA + JEREMIAH | highlights

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 18:41:20 +0000

What a sheer pleasure this wedding was to be a part of … from the flaxen-haired bride’s laughter to the super 8 film used to capture so many of the key moments. It was all a treat. When I first met with the couple, they asked for a wedding film that was happy with a nostalgic feel. Enter super 8 film. I’m not sure what it is about shooting with an old movie camera that brings nostalgia to the forefront but it works. I hope you enjoy it.

Oh, almost forgot to mention … you know what else I loved about this wedding? Aside from everything, it was the way Leura busted it out on the dancefloor. She really knows how to shake the tuchus.

For smoother playing video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

Cast of characters:

Wedding Planner: Charley Izabella King, Bluebell Events

Venue: Riviera Country Club

Photographer: Ben Hoffman, Two Sparrows

Officiant: Rabbi Ed Feinstein

Florist – Toby Kassoy, Lilla Bello

Lighting and Chairs: Luna Rentals

Linens: La Tavola

DJ: Anthony, Red Shoe

Ceremony Music: La Folia Chamber Emsemble

Cinema: ME!!