salinas wedding photographers | Manuel Ortega Photography

Manuel Ortega Photography Opens New Location in Monterey, California

Passion for art and attention to detail distinguish the best wedding photographers, and Manuel Ortega decided to open a new location in Monterey to make consultations more convenient for customers on the Monterey peninsula and provide dramatic settings for local shoots.

Monterey, CA, January 03, 2014 –(PR.com)– Manuel Ortega Photography proudly announces that it has opened a new office in Monterey, California, to serve customers from San Francisco, San Jose, Carmel, Santa Cruz and, of course, Monterey. The new office is located near historic Cannery Row that John Steinbeck immortalized in his novel of the same name. Clients can attend wedding consultations, sit for Corporate Head Shots and arrange family photos while enjoying the stunning shores and ambience of San Carlos Beach. You can arrange photo shoots along the beach, visit picturesque cannery buildings and charming gift shops or tour wineries, parks and signature area attractions after your photography appointment.The new location will make it easier for many clients to meet with Manuel Ortega because many had trouble getting to Salinas. Ortega specializes in wedding photography, and the new Monterey location has fairy-tale charm and convenient access to California’s central coast community. The photographer explains that wedding photography is a holistic experience and couples should capture every aspect of their marriages with engagement photos and informal shots as well as formal wedding shots. Ortega anticipates that many clients will fall in love with Monterey and choose local beaches for wedding venues and engagement photos. “As an artist, the wedding day is my canvas, and my ability to anticipate and capture those fleeting moments of laughter and tears is what drives me.” Ortega has many years of experience capturing signature moments with memorable photography and transforming photos into living and breathing works of art.

Destination Wedding Photography

Manuel Ortega Photography tells your wedding story through a unique style of photojournalism that beguiles viewers while giving an accurate representation of love, family, friends and events leading up to the actual ceremony. The Monterey Bay area photographer chronicles destination weddings worldwide but focuses on the local communities of Salinas, Big Sur, Monterey, Watsonville, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel, San Jose and San Francisco. Couples can tell their story through a unique blend of candid and formal shots that allow their true personalities to shine through in high-definition.

Giving Back to the Community

Choosing a photographer is a very intimate decision, and California’s central coast residents happily provide glowing recommendations and testimonials of Ortega’s skills, lighthearted personality and artistic vision. People don’t choose artists based solely on skills, and Ortega impresses many clients with his commitment to local causes, experience with high-profile events and down-to-earth personality and humor.

– Ortega takes part annually in the Birdies for Charity event that benefits the YWCA of Monterey County for domestic violence and intervention programs.
– The photographer donated his time, materials and skills to chronicle Tatum’s Garden, a Monterey Bay initiative to provide a safe and secure place for children to play, socialize and learn.
– Ortega sponsors a customer-submitted photography contest that feature senior portraits he posts on social media forums. Social media users then “vote for the best” portrait. Contest winnings include a free high school senior portrait for the one that receives the highest votes.
– Celebrities often choose the photographer, and local news anchor Michelle Imperato booked Ortega recently for her upcoming Pebble Beach wedding.

The Best Photography Captures Life as Art

Manuel Ortega Photography adheres to Ortega’s personal philosophy of support for family, community and real experiences. The talented photographer finds magic and art in everyday life and offers the following services for clients:

– Wedding and engagement photography in a journalistic-type study
– Location shoots of baptisms, children, birthdays and anniversaries
– Classic family photos and memorable artistic shots taken in stunning Monterey Bay locations
– Photos of children from maternity to graduation
– High School Senior Portraits that capture a teenagers true personality
– Photos of parties, special events, holidays and celebrations

About Manuel Ortega

Manuel Ortega began pursuing photography at the age of 13 and photographed his first wedding at age 18. Although Ortega has been in business since 2005, he has taken professional photos since 1990. Self-taught and observant of the smallest details, Ortega preserves the magic of events, places, people and relationships. Although specializing in wedding photography, Ortega also takes stunning maternity photos, portraits, family photos, and high school senior portraits that families can treasure for generations.

http://www.pr.com/press-release/535473

Important Things to Ask Salinas CA Wedding Photographers at the First Consultation

Important Things to Ask Salinas CA Wedding Photographers at the First Consultation

Picking a Professional Salinas wedding photographer can be hard, but you should never rush the (more…)

Big Sur CA Wedding Photographers | A Special Wedding Photography Testimonial

Wedding photography is not easy, In fact it is very difficult. Capturing emotional moments which happen so quickly under different lighting conditions can be a daunting, but there is nothing that compares to the exhilaration of knowing you got “the shot”.
I absolutely love what I do and feel very blessed that I can make a living doing what I love. I love wedding photography. Truth is, I love all kinds of photography, but especially wedding photography. I love the laughter. I love the tears. I love the emotion. I love the beauty. I love being there on that special day with a bride and groom. Best of all, I love capturing moments filled with emotion. Weddings are the perfect avenue to do just that.

Can you think of a life event that has so many different emotions attached to it? A bride looking in the mirror anticipating the event she has waited for most of her life. The look on a groom’s face as he sees his bride walk down the aisle. A father about to walk his daughter down the aisle, proud of his little girl and wondering how she grew up so fast. A couple just married, having a quick second alone before going off to meet their guests. I love freezing these moments for people, the moments they will want to remember for a lifetime.

I received a thank you card last week from a very special couple I didn’t meet until their wedding day. Laura and Todd are from Minnesota and they chose to have a destination wedding in a private resort in Big Sur CA. When Laura called me, I felt honored to have been chosen to be their wedding photographer. I felt an immediate connection with her infectious personality and I just knew her wedding would be a lot of fun. I spent one day with Laura and Todd and it is a day I will never forget. Trekking the short trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns state park for some formal wedding photography shots with the iconic waterfall as a backdrop was a lot of fun and one of the many highlights of the day.

It’s always nice when a couple recognizes the hard work you put into their special day, so when I received their custom hand written thank you card (with a photo I took) I was very happy to say the least.
The following is their testimonial, which makes me love what I do even more..

“Manuel,
Thank you so much for photographing our special day! You were awesome! We loved your energy and passion and our pictures turned out so beautiful. We absolutely love them. We’ve received so many compliments from our guests and others. Thank you for making our special day so wonderful and for capturing the emotions so perfectly.”

Laura and Todd

Minneapolis Minnesota

Monterey Bay Wedding Photographer

SALINAS CA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

BIG SUR CA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Why Choosing the Right Salinas | Monterey Makeup Artist is Important for Brides

Most brides-to-be stress over their dress, shoes, the cake, the guest list, the right Monterey Bay Photographer and a myriad of other things that they dread may go wrong on their wedding day. Yet, far too many neglect their makeup choices. While it may seem straightforward, your wedding photographs can turn out to be a disaster if your makeup is done incorrectly, so you should only trust the job to the right professional such as Bianca Giuriato at M.U.A.H. Makeup & Hair, winners of the prestigious “Bride’s Choice Awards 2013” Only the top 5 percent of wedding makeup artists nationwide win this award & they are located right here in the Monterey Bay area!

Five Reasons to Choose your Professional Makeup Artist Wisely

There are a number of reasons to choose a professional to do your wedding makeup. These range from getting a flawless finish with quality makeup, to having someone who understands the intricacies behind wedding photographs and what works for different weddings. As you plan your big day, remember the following:

1) You need a makeup artist who understands lighting.

The relationship between makeup and lighting must be recognized or you risk shine reflections or even whole areas of your face being blotted out by light once your photograph is taken. In fact, some makeup is specially made to reflect light to create a glow while some naturally reflect it despite not being made to do so. Someone who has worked with different makeup or various professional Photographers in Salinas will be able to make the best choices based on past experiences.

2) The wrong foundation can cause unwanted shine.

Powders and foundations differ in how they reflect light, so they can look very different in photographs. The wrong makeup can cause your face to look shiny or bright in some areas, causing your skin to look oily or uneven. Additionally, badly applied makeup can cause reflections because it simply does not show up well in flash photography.

3) You need to look natural.

A competent and professional makeup artist knows that the best choice of makeup is the one that works with your skin tone, since this will give you the most natural look in your photographs. You therefore need someone who will match the perfect colors to create a palette that compliments you. He or she will also have to keep your theme, venue and the time of day in mind.

4) Blending is important.

Your wedding photos will not look good no matter how great your face looks if you fail to blend your makeup well. A professional makeup artist will know how to blend in your foundation so that your face and neck match. Otherwise, you could have the horror of your head looking as if it belongs on a different body.

5) The Ingredients Matter.

Makeup with sunblock sounds like a good idea, but it can contribute to “ghostly white” images. In fact, anything that says “titanium dioxide”, “aluminum oxide” or “zinc oxide” can cause your face to look whiter than your body once flash is used. A professional makeup artist should know what can and cannot be used under the circumstance. Be sure to stay away from silver eyeshadows and other shimmery products as they tend to photograph in baby blue.

Lastly, makeup done incorrectly can run, fade or crack and this will look horrible once captured by your Salinas Wedding Photographers. There is no guarantee you will be able to pull away from the festivities, so you want a look that will last. Plus, even if you do get to freshen your makeup, chances are there are bound to be a few unflattering photographs taken in between trips to the bathroom. Why risk it?

Bianca has applied her wedding makeup artistry at weddings in Monterey CA, Carmel CA, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, San Jose, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and destinations throughout the country. She can be reached on her blog as well as her Facebook page.

Salinas Makeup Artist Bianca Giuriato

SALINAS CA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

WEDDING MAKEUP ARTIST IN MONTEREY

MONTEREY MAKEUP ARTIST

BRIDAL MAKEUP ARTIST SALINAS

BRIDAL MAKEUP ARTIST MONTEREY

BEST MAKEUP ARTIST IN SALINAS

BEST MAKEUP ARTIST IN MONTEREY

Why Professional Photography Gear is Crucial for Dark Wedding Venues

Bad lighting can make wedding photographs look like a sea of dark figures; however, it is not uncommon for venues to be dark. In fact, the inside of a church or tent can make lighting an issue. Plus, late weddings are likely to have some darkness issues as well, no matter how much artificial light there is. The only fix to this is to ensure that your Salinas Wedding Photographer has the right equipment to take great photographs no matter the available light. Therefore, this is something you should inquire about during your consultation.

Camera Quality, Use of Flash and Available Setting

Entry level DSLR’s and point-and-shoot cameras are unlikely to produce great photographs when used in dark venues. In fact, even when they manage to capture the main subject, the surrounding people and things can look like an ugly cloud of black. Additionally, the camera used under such circumstances need to have the right manual settings for proper adjustment. Professional Wedding Photographers in Salinas should understand this, so you should only choose one with the best professional-grade equipment.

Four Things to Remember about Photography

1) When it comes to taking pictures, lighting is everything:

It is best to have as much natural light as you can. However, this is not always possible, so you must ensure that the cameras being used can take quality pictures in any light. This is possible by adjusting a few manual settings, but the best professional-grade cameras offer the best photographs in conditions where natural light is lacking.

2) Flash does not solve every problem:

It is highly likely that photographs taken in a dark room will look unnatural when direct flash photography is used. Additionally, pictures may lack the life-like qualities that are often added when movement is captured or a person’s features. With the right camera, your photographer can easily turn the flash off, adjust the settings (such as the ISO and aperture) and end up getting beautiful pictures that look like they were taken in a well-lit area.

3) The lens type is important:

Some lenses do poorly at allowing photographers to capture light while others can provide 2 to 4 times more light than the room naturally has (even more). Therefore, this feature cannot be neglected when choosing lenses for a dark wedding venues. Otherwise, your photos could just be a big blur.

4) Equipment means more than the camera:

A professional must be prepared to introduce artificial light if needed or change the camera’s lens, among other things. While what they choose is a matter of preference, many professionals will have things like:

• Backup Camera bodies
• Lenses (often 3 types to accommodate different zoom focal lengths)
• Prime Lenses (for various artistic effects)
• Flashes
• Accessories (Light Stands, Monolight heads, etc.)
• Remote Flash Triggering

Much of this will not mean anything to non-professionals, but it is good to know that the Monterey Bay Photographer you choose has them. In fact, it is always good to see the equipment beforehand. If necessary, take the time to do some research so you can understand the basics, you will be glad you did when the big day comes.

SALINAS CA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

The Importrance of Hiring a Professional Monterey Bay area Wedding Photographer

This is an excerpt from a book I’m reading (more…)

Salinas CA Wedding & Engagement Photographer | Leal Vineyards Hollister CA

What an amazing day this was! Charlie contacted me to see if I could capture his special Valentines day at Leal Vineyards in Hollister CA. Charlie planned to propose to his girlfriend Laura & only I and the staff at Leal Vineyards knew his plan. He arrived earlier in the day and decorated a hidden cave at the vineyard. Photos of their times together were displayed, candles were lit and music played. This was definitely one of my favorite Engagement Photography Sessions I’ve ever had the honor of photographing.

Salinas Wedding and Engagement photography Leal Vineyards Hollister CA from Manuel Ortega on Vimeo.

SALINAS CA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Salinas CA Wedding Photographers | Salinas and Monterey CA Weddings

Here is my television commercial showcasing my wedding photography which will be airing throughout Salinas, Pebble Beach, Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay area!

(more…)

On stage with Jerry Ghionis

Hello everyone!

I had an amazing time at the “Power of Passion” photography seminar with my wife Melissa. It was great to see world-renowned photographers Sandy Puc, and Jerry Ghionis.

Jerry is considered one of the top 5 wedding photographers in the world and is by far my favorite photographer. (more…)