The great thing about being a portrait and event photographer is that you get to meet a lot of really nice people. The moment I met Allison and her boyfriend Garret, I knew that they were those kind of people. People that value photography and know that everyone needs to work together in order to make photos that are real and sincere. Before hand Allison and I decided that before the party started and the sun set, we would meet at the venue to do a small portrait session.

Looking up at the clock tower building at the Cielo Club, Rancho Santa Fe, California.

It was a beautiful afternoon and before the portrait session started I took in the the view overlooking the pool and gardens of the Cielo Club, Rancho Santa Fe, California.

We all met at the Cielo Club which is located in the beautiful hillside community of Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe. The architecture and landscape design of Cielo is modeled in the Italian Tuscan style, so I knew we wouldn't have any problem with stunning backdrops. Although by the time we got started the sun had already set and I found myself chasing the last remaining available light. Regardless of all that, I think Allison and Garret did a find job acting natural in front of the camera and weren't afraid to share a few intimate moments with me.

I had planned on chatting a bit with them before the session, but since the daylight was leaving us quickly, I asked them if it would be OK to just get started. I had scouted the area before they arrived so I knew of a few places that would make for good portraits, so off we went. For the next hour and half Allison and Garret were great to work with. Friendly, easy going and willing to try whatever I thew at them.

We decided to go poolside an take advantage of the afternoon light reflecting off the pool.

It wasn't long before the sun had set and I had to switch to strobes to light the shots. Here I'm using an experimental homemade beer koozie snoot which allowed me isolate the light from the the flash to focus on just their faces giving contrast to the available light coming from the background.

A portrait of Allison and Garret on the stairs leading up the the club. I use a beer-koozie snoot on my flash to focus the light just on Allison's face here.

Soon the party guests started to arrive and Allison made sure he was there to greet everyone.

Once everyone arrive it wasn't long before people started migrating onto the dance floor. I was diggin' on this guy's shades as he passed by.

Of course every party has refreshments and Allison had a full bar which had a menu where you could order all sorts of cool mocktails to sip on.

The DJ kept the party going by pumpin' all sort of good hip hop and dance music.

From what I could see, people seen to be having a good time.

Before the party started I had set up a paint muslin background in the courtyard. Every now and then people would come outside and we had fun goofin' in front of the backdrop.

During the party I met these two guys who said they had graphic design website/blog and asked me if I wouldn't mind taking a few photos for them. Mind? That's why I here. We did a whole series of shots, but I think I liked this one the best.

This party guest caught me focusing on his funky obey t-shirt.

A group of people had a shot set up and the guy with the baseball hat kept poppin' up every time the shutter would go off.

There was no shortage of cool clothes at this party. I made this image using an experimental homemade red gelled snoot.

At one point it got a bit crazy in front of the background and I found myself scrambling up my step ladder in an effort to try to get everyone in the shot.

A portrait of Allison and Garret after the party.

I had set up a hot light and had it positioned off camera to make these after hours portraits.

Allison and her friend hammin' it up for the photographer.

A portrait of Allison with party lights bokehed in the background.

After the event was over and I had time to review the images from the party, I was quite pleased with how everything turned out. I want to thank Allison and all her friends for allowing me to be part of the party and for helping me make all these wonderful images.