WELCOME TO MY NEW STUDIO, 1607 Solano Ave, Berkeley
My dream has come true: I have a studio. It is located on the prestigious 1607 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA. The space is fantastic. It features high ceilings, excellent frontage windows, and space for studio photography. Not only that, there are an additional brick room that will be perfect for teen portraits and more edgy, artsy shots AND a back yard. The exterior of the building is brick and corrugated metal: perfect background for portraits.
I envision my studio to be a hub for events and a community resource. I will open my space to birthday parties, girlfriend-night-out events, make-over parties, bachelor parties and other activities. We can set up dress-up parties including professional make-up artists and glam portraits. The sky’s the limit so if you have an idea for an event please let me know. When I’m finished giving my space its own make over, I will open the doors to you all with a party (or two).
The next blog entry will show the progress of remaking the space. Drop by, and say hi!
UC Berkeley Graduate’s Business Portraits
One of the things I love about my job is that I get to meet so many interesting people as clients. Tabea, a graduating UC Berkeley student called me the other day to get portraits for her resume. We had an fascinating conversation about her career plans and her field of study, Political Economies. After the photo session, we sat together to decide what images she wanted. She couldn’t decide so she used Skype to consult with her parents in Germany. It was almost like they were with us making this important decision.
Tabea’s testimonial made me blush (stop it some more!):
I contacted various photographers about a business protrait, but from the moment I spoke to Shoey I knew she was the right person for me. Not only is she technically brilliant, but she truly cared about the quality of my portrait and we tried various different positions until we found the best fit. Shoey did a fantastic job capturing the look i wanted to portray, namely a confident, smart, charming, hirable person.
Her caring personality coupled with her professionalism and artistic talent really make her one of a kind and I can not recommend her enough to anyone looking not only for any picture, but a picture that is striking and expressive.
And here she is; a smart, confident and charming young woman posed to conquer the world. Whoever hires you is lucky.
Yaacov Mordechi’s bris
I wanted to show a bit more of this beautiful family on the happy occasion of Yaacov’s bris. Like I said in the previous post, the day was emotional and full of love. The ceremony was held at Congregation Beth Israel on Purim so the synagogue was full of congregants, many of whom were in costume for Purim. Not too many people can claim that a clown, a pirate and a queen were at their child’s bris. Like at most brit, the mom was full of tears and the grandparents were kvelling. I thought that the most touching part was when the baby was brought in by his aunt and passed from tante, to grandma to bubbeh to savta to momma.
So, welcome Yaacov and congratulations to the wonderful family.
Introducing Yaakov Mordechai
Beautiful Yaakov Mordechai had his bris yesterday at Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley. Grandparents, aunts and uncles came to celebrate. And the congregation, dressed in Purim costumes, joined the family in welcoming a new member into the tribe. The bris service was emotional and full of love and joy. I started tearing while editing the images as they were so touching and beautiful.
Mazel tov! I look forward to many other occasions. I’m saving the date for his bar mitzvah in 13 years.
Mazel tov Aaron
Aaron rocked as a bar mitzvah when he confidently read from the torah, gave a dynamite drash and chanted in front of 250 guests. Congregation Beth El Berkeley was packed with well wishers and showered Aaron with flowers and cheers of mazel tov.
Night time brought together Aaron’s friends who danced like there was no tomorrow. They feasted on a southern soul inspired meal of gourmet grilled cheese, french fries, peach cobbler, banana cream yumminess and lemon aid. Between the rockin’ tunes spun by DJ K, high sugar content and our photo booth, the teens had a great time. So did I. Thanks for the honor of capturing your memories.
Congratulations Aaron.
Supporting Cast:
Venue: Congregation Beth El Berkeley
Kiddush Caterer: Lucy Aghadjian
Dinner Party Caterer: Monifa Milton (510)789-6901
Music: DJ K
Mazel Tov Sam the Bar Mitzvah
Sam really showed his stuff at his bar mitzvah. Not only did he lead a beautiful service, he showed his musical talents as well. Sam’s bar mitzvah was held at Congregation Beth El in Berkeley and then he and his guests continued the celebration at the beautiful Berkeley City Club. I love the Julia Morgan designed Berkeley City Club. It has a variety of party spaces, beautiful decor and guests can stay in their hotel. If you visit, don’t miss the swimming pool. It’s a mini version of the famous Hearst Castle pool. At the party, Jacques Ibula and his band played live music and Sam joined in on drums and guitar. That kid can rock!
Congratulations to Sam and family. Thank you for the pleasure of preserving your memories.
Supporting Cast:
Venue: Berkeley City Club
Music: Jacques Ibula
Synagogue: Congregation Beth El
- Hi here Lovely photo. Like all the photo. But the interesting photo is mother kissing his son that is great photo to see. Thanks, Gerald
Abby’s birthday party
Abby knows how to celebrate in style. She gathered with her A-list friends and family for a beautiful evening of elegant fun at the Piedmont Community Center. The mood was set by music played by the Bob Schoen Trio with Catherine deCuir on vocals. Abby, bejeweled in her birthday crown, posed with all her guests at our photo booth and everyone enjoyed scrumptious food including a slider bar, oysters, champagne and cake.
I am designing a handcrafted photo album so Abby will remember this night and all the love for a lifetime.
Happy Birthday Abby.
Venue: Piedmont Community Hall
Catering: Barbara Llewellyn Catering
Music: Bob Schoen Trio
RIX Industries’ Holiday Party
RIX Industries really knows how to celebrate and honor their staff at their holiday party. They’re such a kind and generous group of folks. This year the company hosted the party at the Meritage Resort at Napa. The wine flowed, friends and co-workers reveled, gifts were raffled, guests played games like “Extreme Musical Chairs” and they danced the night away. We set up a formal photo booth to create a gift for the guests to remember all year.
Here’s a slide show of the event. There are a few insider puns about RIX Industries. See if you can figure them out.
If you’re looking at this site on an iPhone, it won’t show up so you have to go to: http://animoto.com/play/B2R55OMrj1g2H9AdkZN5MA to see it. (Sorry, but Apple is annoying that way.)
Supporting team:
Maggie-second shooter extraordinaire
Featured Business Superstar–Lisa Cain of MarketingU
I am not engaging in hyperbole when I say that Lisa Cain of MarketingU is a marketing genius. She is my guru and coach in all things marketing. Her motto is, “Learn it. Do it. Profit.” And that’s just what she does. Not only does Lisa teach small and larger business owners in classes and privately how to wage a successful marketing campaign but she will actually help you do it. Now, that’s big. Lisa sits there with you and gets you to make it happen.
I have previously photographed Lisa and her family members for business and event photography so when I told her I got a new studio couch and wanted to try it out, she agreed (knowing what to expect spending an hour with me). In addition to taking some beautiful business portraits, which she is already using for her own marketing, I got her to play along with me and use a graduation mortarboard prop to emphasize the “U”. Tasteful and playful at the same time.
If you are a business owner and need portraits to tell your business story, call Shoey Sindel at 510-917-0659 to schedule an appointment. And if you want to kick start 2012 with a marketing plan, contact Lisa Cain at MarketingU.
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