Christmas Eve

Our church, Calvary Chapel Murrieta, had a wonderful Christmas Eve service.

If you belong to our church then hopefully you were able to attend one of the Christmas Eve services.  If not, then please take look at some of the photos I took on Christmas Eve.  

For you photographers out there, I often get asked how to take these types of stage photos because, even as smart as cameras are now, they cannot properly expose for a lit stage such as this.  All the camera wants to do is get an average exposure reading based on middle grey, or 18% grey.  The results will be images that are far too overexposed causing them to look almost washed-out.  The actual scene was dim and rich, just as you see here.

All the images you see here were shot in full manual mode, meaning I controled every aspect of the camera, ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.  It does take some practice to get proficient at using a DSLR in manual, but once you get the hang of it, you'll want to use it most of the time. 

And if you're interested in taking your photography to the next level, or you just want to get a better understanding of that fancy new camera you got for Christmas, then click the link below and you'll be taken directly to my  "photographers" lesson page.  There you can sign up for lessons perfect for beginner to advanced photographers.   

Photography Lessons

Looking for a great Christian church in the Murrieta/Temecula area?  If so, please click on this link and stop by our church on Sunday.  Calvary Chapel Murrieta

Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria, abbrivated  S.D.G.  What is it?  What does it mean?  Have you ever given it much thought?  I can honestly say that I have not, at least not with any deep thoughts as to the meaning.  That changed last night when our pastor Brian Bell of Calvary Chapel Murrieta defined the meaning clearly in his sermon.  

Soli Deo Gloria means "to the glory of God alone."  Pastor Brian shared an interesting fact that some of the worlds most famous composers like 17th century German composer Johannes Sebastian Bach would inscribe the letters S. D. G. in the margins of his completed sheet music.  You can see two examples of Bach's sheet music below.  

Why would Bach, a composer at the very top of his field, write those three words on his completed works?  He was, after all, very successful at what he did, but he knew that it was not about him.  It is about giving glory to God!  

Three powerful words and letters that say that it's not about you and it's not about me.  God has given us life and allows us to breathe in the air that keeps us alive. When you really think about this, you begin to realize that God deserves for us to glorify Him through everything we do, including our work.  It doesn't matter if you're a bus driver, a photographer, or a CEO of fortune 500 company.  He deserves much more than all of our praise for what he has done for us.  

So now I think I understand why Johannes Sebastian Bach wrote those powerful three words on his work.  It's because he was working hard for an audience of one, God and God alone.  He was motivated to composing to the best of his ability because God called on him to do so.  Can we say the same?  Are we doing our work in excellence unto Him?  I know I fall short of that every day, but I will be striving to do so every day.    

As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, it's the perfect time to give glory to God alone for all He has done for us!

If you're anywhere near Murrieta California, come by and check out our awesome church.

Here a ink to our church site:  Calvary Chapel Murrieta

S. D. G.

Mayra & Robert

In the first week of December, 2013, I met Mayra & Robert at the Mount Palomar Winery for an engagement photo shoot.  The weather was beautiful but quite cold, and if you look close, you'll see "goose bumps" on Mayra's arm as proof.  

Mayra & Robert are a wonderful young couple, and they are clearly in love as you can see from their photos here.

If you are looking for an incredible wedding venue in southern California, I highly recommend you look at Mt. Palomar winery.  Not only is this one of the most beautiful wineries in the Temecula Valley, the staff is also very courteous and professional.  

Lauren Shields is the Weddings and Events planner at Mt. Palomar.  Here is her phone number and a link to the website if you are planning a wedding or event:

Ph # 951-676-5047

Mt. Palomar Winery

And if you are getting married, be sure to contact me too, We'd love to be your wedding photographers!  

Send us a note here:

Tiffany & Sean

On October 19, 2013, Tiffany & Sean were married at Meanda Grove in Riverside California. 

Meanda Grove is a barn wedding venue that has beautiful surroundings well suited for weddings.  

But what made Tiffany & Sean's wedding at Meanda Grove absolutely stunning was all the attention to detail and the personal items included in almost every corner of the venue; all the outdoor lights, chandeliers in the barn, candles on the pathway, etc, were either made or brought by Tiffany & Sean.  Even that awesome wooden bar was handmade by Sean!  

It was a beautiful wedding, and we felt honored to be a part of it!

Congratulations Tiffany & Sean!