Urban Engagement

No, this is not a military thread. I have quite a few weddings coming up in September so we have been busy with engagement sessions a lot lately. I had a fantastic couple this weekend who wanted something a little different. Paul & Arminah have a real edgy but classic style about them, so we went cruising around downtown LB to see what we could get.

This little alley was the last thing we found and is now my new favorite "spot".

I loved shooting Paul. He has a very old school James Dean look about him. When we started, he looked at me with a cigarette in his mouth and said, "ok, what do I do?" It told him "you're already doing it man, don't change a thing".
Armineh is gorgeous. Check out those eyes!

She also has her tough side.

Don't get me wrong, I love the beach. I got married on the beach I shoot a lot there, the light is great and we get fantastic shots. Just that not everyone is a beach person, or a back alley person, that's what makes my job so great. It's never the same old thing.

What Do Your Clients Really Think?

After every event my online hosting company sends out a survey to my clients. I just received one from a few weeks ago and wanted to share. You can see all the comments HERE or just click on "People are talking" on the toolbar to the right.

"Joe is an incredible photographer and I would recommend him to any bride in a heartbeat. He is a great person to be around and his pictures are artistic, unique, and just what we wanted. I can't tell you how many people have complimented our pictures since the wedding just a few weeks ago. My grandfather even said, "I don't know what you paid the photographer, but it wasn't enough!" Thanks Joe!"
- Garrett & Lauren Brown July 8, 2006

By far the very best decision we made, was selecting Joe Latter as our photographer. Your wedding day will be over before you know it, and the day goes by so fast! The most precious moments we will have to look back on are the beautiful memories that Joe Latter created for us. When we look back at our photos we are so impressed with the creativity and uniqueness that Joe was able to capture in moments that can never be recreated. Joe was able to identify & relate to my husband and I in a very sincere way that was certainly expressed in his work. You really feel as if Joe has known you, your entire life with the moments that he captures, as if he knew exactly what to create without telling him. He has the ability to pick up on the type of individual you are and how to express that in his work, so instead of getting a bunch of pictures of just people he’s capturing moments. I would absolutely without a second of hesitation recommend using Joe Latter for your special day; I have utilized his services for several events and will continue to do so!!
- Eddie & Ingid Espinosa November11, 2005

Your Photographer for Life

I got to hang out with some of my favorite clients yesterday. I shot Melissa and Jeff's engagement session back in 2003, their wedding in 2004 and yesterday their maternity session. Melissa is 7 months pregnant and looks great. We plan on doing baby photos in the first 3 days of birth, again at around 3-4 months and finally 1 year old. At the end of all this we will do a baby's first year album, don't know if it will be blue or pink yet.




I have been doing so many of these family, maternity and baby portraits lately. I actually have a new website in the works that will feature my portrait work. If your interested in doing some portraits that aren't the same old thing, give us a call.

Destination Weddings - Take Us With You!!

I was contacted recently by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine to feature some of my work from the Caribbean. If you happen to pick up this great magazine, check out the cool article in the "Real Brides, Real Advice " section on page 20 to see my work.

This brings me to another point. Many of the weddings that we photograph have guests who have traveled in from all over the country. After seeing the slideshow we have running at the wedding they often tell us "We wish you were in our city because we are getting married next year and love your work" or " We are getting married in Italy, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, etc.. and wish you could be there". OK, so why not fly us out for the wedding. I have traveled and shot weddings all over world. For all the effort and planning that goes into a wedding and the extra effort that goes into planning a destination wedding, it always makes me sad when people come home with photos that they hate because they skimped on their pictures. Remember, the photos are forever and usually the only thing left from the wedding day. When we travel for weddings, we also have the opportunity to shoot the rehearsal dinner and any events you have planned as well. So no matter where you live or where you're getting married, we can be there to photograph those incredible memories.

Were Published Again!

Looks who's shot is on the cover of the latest Ceremony Magazine . Seems as if we are getting published alot lately. It's always nice to see your work printed. If you are planning a wedding I highly suggest you pick up a copy of Ceremony. It is the premier annual wedding guide for all of Southern California and features only the best vendors available. Be sure to also see my ad on the inside front cover and my featured wedding towards the back.

What's the latest?

OK, OK already. I know it's been 2 weeks since my last update. I have just completed my busiest month ever. 9 weddings, 6 engagement sessions and 5 portrait sessions all in the last 5 weeks. We've also been meeting with many potential clients eager to book us for next year. Looks like we will be in Texas, New York, Hawaii, Mexico and San Francisco along with our Southern California events this next year. After all this work I needed a break, so my wife Cindy, my little boy Boston, my dog Kaizer and I all took a family vacation to Mexico. My family has a small house on the beach in Rosarito which makes a great place to relax. Cervesa, tacos, sun, fishing and surf with no cell phones or computers. That's my idea of paradise. Read below to see all the fantastic events we've been a part of lately.

Garrett & Lauren and the USC Marching Band

Second weekend in a row at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. And another fantastic event coordinated by Jen Scheuman of It's Your Day . Flowers were provided by Nisie of Enchanted Florist . You may remember Lauren & Garrett from their engagement session. This is one of those weddings were I had great light and a super fun couple. Since I have too many favorites to show them all, I put together a SLIDESHOW. Check it out!!Something a little different with the shoes.A beautiful dress courtesy of Rivini.A beautiful bride courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Hollingsworth.This is Lauren's version of a subtle wink. Nice ice!!
Lauren was great in front of the lens.
Classic California bride.

I would have photographed Lauren all day if it wasn't for that silly reception getting in the way of my art.

This is one of my favorites from the day. I like the story it tells.

And of course, the USC marching band. Although I am more of a Bruin fan, I have to say these guys were really awsome. They did about 10 songs with heavy crowd participation. Along with Lauren & Garrett, I think half the guests were USC alumni.

John & Sandra at Casa Del Mar

Sandra called me 3 weeks before her wedding to see if I was available. Luckily I was since it was on a Friday. Side note to future brides- DON'T WAIT TILL 3 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER!! We hit it off right from the start. Sandra is in the advertising business and still works with many of my past clients. Can you say weather day? I really liked John as he was a very happy and sincere person. The best part of the day was when he thanked me for making his wife so happy. You're welcome again John. The ceremony was right down the street at St. Monica's in Santa Monica.
The lobby of Casa Del Mar.
I always like searching out different angles that many other photographers overlook.
This is in the street in front of the hotel. The doorman said this was the first time he's seen anyone shoot out front like that in the 10 years he's been working the door. I like being different. Great window light in the lobby.
Sunset stroll on the beach.

Sean & Ashley

This was a gorgeous wedding on the main lawn of the Laguna Beach Marriott in Dana Point. I love working with Kim Bradford. If you have a wedding coming up and don't want to sweat the details, Kim should definitely be on your list of coordinators.
Vera Wang made an appearance at today's wedding.
The dress was beautiful but could not compete with Ashley.

It's all about the details.Blue and white is a big theme this year.

Romance in Malibu

Yesterday I shot an incredible wedding. This was a small intimate affair of about 35 people and took place on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This couple was truly in love and I must admit that I teared up slightly when they said their vows.

The groom tried to pretend that he had never modeled before.Something about shoes and rings that always seam to atract me.
This is the grooms grandfather and also the best man.

Where's the bride you ask? Like I said above, this was a very private couple and she asked that I not use her image. Sorry, but my clients wishes always come first. I will tell you that she was absolutly stunning