Orange County Lifestyle Photography

“You’ve got a Friend” | Huntington Beach Lifestyle Photography

August 29th, 2010

Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach, CA Ah…….my favorite place to shoot……Huntington Beach High School! Our school that we have come to absolutely love. Home of the Oilers and home to the ever-so-wonderful Academy for the Performing Arts. My daughter and her friends wanted to do a special shoot, to commemorate the end of the [...]

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Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach, CA

Ah…….my favorite place to shoot……Huntington Beach High School! Our school that we have come to absolutely love. Home of the Oilers and home to the ever-so-wonderful Academy for the Performing Arts.

My daughter and her friends wanted to do a special shoot, to commemorate the end of the summer and the beginning of a very special time in her life and the lives of her friends…….HIGH SCHOOL!!! It’s so hard to believe that my baby is already in high school, but I truly believe she is going to have four absolutely amazing years. This day also happened to be the birthday of two of her favorite friends and twins, Phi and Phuong, so it was such a special opportunity to get her friends together and have some fun.

Most of the photos were taken around the historical Huntington Beach Union High School Theater and Bell Tower (that is the official name). Originally built in 1926, the theater was recently renovated and re-opened last September. It is beautiful, majestic and is now home to APA and used by many of the surrounding schools in the district. I have always wanted to take photos there with my daughter and her friends, so this was the perfect opportunity. “FRIENDS LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY” have become quite popular and high school students seem to much prefer these kind of shoots to typical studio sessions that are offered for seniors. I highly recommend getting a bunch of friends together for a shoot like this, it will be something you will remember forever.

I am incredibly excited for this upcoming year. So many wonderful shows, new friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. To all of you heading back to school, may this be a joyful year for you!!!!

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Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts

August 15th, 2010

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR – Orange County Lifestyle and Event Photographer, Cindy Meadors It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a huge proponent of Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts. Music and the arts, precisely performing arts, seems to have become a dying breed amongst public schools in the last few [...]

Tags: Academy for the Performing Arts, APA MMET, Event Photography, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach photographer, Lifestyle Photography, MMET, music, OC Fair
Posted in: Concerts, HB Academy of the Performing Arts, Huntington Beach High School, Lifestyle Photography, Music, Orange County Fair

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ORANGE COUNTY FAIR – Orange County Lifestyle and Event Photographer, Cindy Meadors

It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a huge proponent of Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts. Music and the arts, precisely performing arts, seems to have become a dying breed amongst public schools in the last few decades. I remember going to high school and you could take an abundance of music classes from vocals to whatever instrument you were interested in learning. Nowadays, with budget cuts and state deficits (my state being the worst in the nation!) there’s not much available to today’s students in the way of music and performing arts. The city I live in and the high school in which my kids attend just happens to have THE BEST performing arts program in the county, and perhaps even in the state. I would venture to say it’s one of the best in the nation. Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts is a magnet program of Huntington Beach High School and has been in existence since 1993. The high school students who were fortunate to have been accepted in this program receive a world-class musical education and put on performances in which audience after audience walks away in disbelief that the students are in high school. I have stood in the aisles and listened to people make comments about the caliber of talent, it’s one of those things you must see for yourself to believe. In addition to Music Media Entertainment and Technology (MMET), APA has a Musical Theater, Dance, Acting, Dramatic Production, Costume Design, Technical Theater, Orchestra and Liberal Arts program offered. Auditions are held every year around February for the following school year. The Musical Theater department took home so many awards this past year for their production of “Singing’ in the Rain” that it will take another blog entry just to write all of them. It was beyond fantastic, it was extraordinary as was the talent that was on one stage in one show. Next season’s schedule and dates will soon be announced. Please check back here soon for upcoming dates.

The Orange County Fair got a real treat, a 4 1/2 hour show filled with music from today, the 70′s and some classics from Paul McCartney’s “Wings over America” tour. It was a culmination of songs played during the last school year at various shows and all those who attended loved every minute of it. I know I did!!!! I love all of these kids and am proud of every single one of them. Much thanks to Time Warner Cable for their sponsorship of the event and to Mr. Jamie Knight, the head of MMET, Mike Simmons, Mike Wilson and Nicole Kubis for putting it all together. As always, YOU KIDS ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!

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The Wedding of Kendra and Scott | Laguna Beach Wedding Photography

July 30th, 2010

One year ago today, in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA I was honored to photograph the wedding of Scott and Kendra Terry. It was such a beautiful location and the wedding itself was one that I will always remember, just lovely! I wanted to take a moment to wish Scott and Kendra a very happy anniversary [...]

Tags: Crescent Bay Point Park, Laguna Beach, wedding photography, weddings
Posted in: Weddings

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Fourteen and Fabulous | Newport Beach Lifestyle Photography

July 28th, 2010

Tags: Fashion Island, Lifestyle Photography, Newport Beach
Posted in: Lifestyle Photography, Personal

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Fourteen years ago an absolutely incredible and life-changing thing happened to me, I gave birth to my second child. This time God gave me a beautiful baby girl. Not just any girl, mind you. She is beautiful, talented, funny and just a joy to be around. She can sing, composes beautiful music, plays piano and is starting to play guitar. She loves her family, her friends and she especially loves Taylor Lautner!! I took her and some of her closest friends to Fashion Island in Newport Beach for the second year in a row to hang out, shop, eat and have fun. Of course, no shopping trip is complete without a visit by two Star Wars troupers, who just happened to walk by in full costume. Why, of course!!! It’s the OC, anything can happen there, right?! I have learned so many things through my daughter and her friends that I had almost forgotten from my youth, it’s so wonderful to be able to feel like that again once in a while.

The last photo was taken exactly nine years ago at Fashion Island (yeah, we love that place!!!) on your birthday. We had gone there with our dear friend, Dan and Joyce and went to the same restaurant we went to on Monday – The Cheesecake Factory. You got a beautiful new bear at Build-A-Bear, which you named Patti (after Patti Scialfa). Yes, I have trained my kids right that they must all things that have to do with Bruce Springsteen!

My darling, I love you so much and I know the best years of your life are still to come. Up next: High School and the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts!!!!

I love you a million Swedish Fish!!

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You may be saving money, but what is it costing you?

July 23rd, 2010

Tags: Huntington Beach Wedding Photography
Posted in: Weddings

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I got married in 1992, seventeen years ago to the love of my life. My wedding was beautiful and so many details went into the day. You plan your wedding for years, heck some women plan it their entire lives as that day is all they dream about as a young girl. Almost two decades later, there is only one part of that day that matters to me. That’s right, the photos! I know it sounds like I say that because I shoot weddings, but that is definitely not why I feel that way. All my closest friends feel the same way, the memories of that day slips away over the years and all that remains are what you can see, touch and feel that bring back the splendor of the happiest day of your life.

I hear it all too often, “I don’t have the budget for photos really, I just can’t spend that much.” Times are definitely challenging lately, people are out of work and everyone’s belts have tightened. I have received phone calls from too many brides at this point who are in tears over the photos that “Uncle Bob” took at their wedding to save some money. They ask me if I can save them somehow, restore them in some fashion. Restore what? You can’t take a bad photo and make it good. You can certainly enhance images, but if you did that to several hundred photos you will have spent more than if you have spent the proper amount in the first place for a professional.

There are many arguments in the wedding photography industry about rates and how they are all over the place. I won’t enter in that discussion right now because it is true and there are many reasons for why that exists. BRIDES……you get what you pay for. Please research the photographer you are thinking about hiring. Get referrals, check their websites, blogs, portfolios, etc. to make sure they are who they say they are. Mostly, go on your instincts. Remember, you aren’t just hiring the photographer, you are hiring the person. I believe my personality, work ethics and how I care about people is 95% or more of my talent. Yes, I have the skill, the eye, whatever it is you want to call it, but “who I am” is in my opinion why I get hired over hundreds of other potential photographers. I treat every wedding as if it’s my own. I shoot based on what I want to see today, in 50 years and mostly what would my grandchildren and great grandchildren want to see decades from now.

I emphatically urge you to cut your budget wherever you can in other areas, but make sure your memories will be handled by someone who cares as much about your wedding images as you do.

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The Wedding of Ashley and Nate | Huntington Beach Wedding Photography

July 22nd, 2010

Ashley and Nate were married on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the home of Ashley’s grandparents. It was such a lovely setting overlooking the water with the sun shining and everything was just perfect. One lovely surprise for me was, Jack, Ashley’s dog, who came dressed in a specially-made tux to top off the day. [...]

Tags: Huntington Beach Wedding Phtotography
Posted in: Huntington Beach, Weddings

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One lovely surprise for me was, Jack, Ashley’s dog, who came dressed in a specially-made tux to top off the day. He was adorable!!!!

Despite the wedding being in the middle of the afternoon, the light was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day spent doing what I love. Ashley and Nate, my congrats to both of you!!!

Jack was simply irresistable!

The flowers were so beautiful!!!!

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Huntington Beach Senior Portrait Photography | Kelsey

July 5th, 2010

Senior Portraits I LOVE taking senior portraits!!! So when beautiful Kelsey came into my life unexpectedly I was thrilled to have been selected to take her graduation photos. She was just a delight to work with and so photogenic and FUN!!! So many future graduates are choosing to not settle for standard studio images and [...]

Tags: Beach Portraits, Graduation photos, Huntington Beach, Kelsey, Lifestyle Photography, Senior Glam Photos, senior photos, Senior Portraits, Shorebreak Hotel
Posted in: Huntington Beach, Lifestyle Photography, Senior Portraits, Shorebreak Hotel

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Senior Portraits

I LOVE taking senior portraits!!! So when beautiful Kelsey came into my life unexpectedly I was thrilled to have been selected to take her graduation photos. She was just a delight to work with and so photogenic and FUN!!!

So many future graduates are choosing to not settle for standard studio images and are taking a more modern approach to senior portraits. I just love taking them because the young girls are so into fashion and seem to just know how to be models.

Senior Glam Photos are where it’s at!!!! The photos were taken at Downtown Huntington Beach and around the new Shorebreak Hotel. Here are some of my favorites, Kelsey graduated a few weeks ago from Edison High School in Huntington Beach. I know her future will be a bright one!!!!

Cindy

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Costa Mesa Fish Fry | Music and Event Photography

July 5th, 2010

Costa Mesa Fish Fry – June 6, 2010 This event was just too fun!!!! The Costa Mesa Fish Fry is an annual event held at Lion’s Park in Costa Mesa and yes…….they fry a ton of fish!!!! My son is one of many lucky student who take music instruction from the very wonderful Lou Lorocco [...]

Tags: Fish Fry, Lou Lorocco, music
Posted in: Concerts, Personal

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Costa Mesa Fish Fry – June 6, 2010

This event was just too fun!!!! The Costa Mesa Fish Fry is an annual event held at Lion’s Park in Costa Mesa and yes…….they fry a ton of fish!!!!

My son is one of many lucky student who take music instruction from the very wonderful Lou Lorocco of Lorocco’s Music.

Lou is one of the greatest guitar and drum instructor’s around and if you are looking for someone who is not only talented but loves to teach, look no further. He’s your man!!!!

Here are some photos and clips from the event, it was all rock and roll and it was fantastic!!!!

Thanks, Lou, and Costa Mesa Fish Fry for a GREAT afternoon!!!!!

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Getting back in the game!!!!

July 3rd, 2010

July 3, 2010 It used to be that all you had to do was blog and the world around you was good. Now, it’s bloggin’, tweating, Facebooking and whatever seems to be the social medium of the day. Yeah, it’s hard to keep up and I am guilty of focusing so much of my attention [...]

Posted in: Personal

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July 3, 2010

It used to be that all you had to do was blog and the world around you was good. Now, it’s bloggin’, tweating, Facebooking and whatever seems to be the social medium of the day. Yeah, it’s hard to keep up and I am guilty of focusing so much of my attention on Facebook that my blog has been horribly ignored. So, to make up to my blog, I gave it a facelift and I did it myself (thank you, very much!!!) Yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!!!! I decided I was going to tackle CSS and wordpress code and do it myself and you know what, it’s been kind of fun. Time consuming, yes, but fun!

Over the next couple of months I am planning on designing a brand new blog that I created from scratch, but in the meantime this is what I’ve got. I wanted to wish you all a very happy, safe and fun 4th of July!!!

By best to you!!!

Cindy

(it’s Buddy’s first 4th of July with our family, I hope he doesn’t get too frightened from all the noise!!!)

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Elizabeth & Greg Are Engaged! | Huntington Beach Engagement Photography

October 28th, 2009

October 25, 2009 Elizabeth and Greg :: The Engagement A few years ago I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Charley and Joe in beautiful Laguna Beach, California. Charley referred Elizabeth and Greg to me and I am thrilled that I will be shooting their wedding next October. Sunday after was a beautiful [...]

Tags: Elizabeth & Greg, Engagements, Huntington Beach
Posted in: Engagements, Huntington Beach

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October 25, 2009

Elizabeth and Greg :: The Engagement

A few years ago I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Charley and Joe in beautiful Laguna Beach, California. Charley referred Elizabeth and Greg to me and I am thrilled that I will be shooting their wedding next October. Sunday after was a beautiful day in Huntington Beach and we got some incredibly fantastic shots. Little did I know that Elizabeth before my eyes showed what a natural she was in front of the camera, I always know it within seconds if someone is going to be that way. Call it photographer’s intuition, but I knew the day I met her at the wedding consultation that she would just light up when I started shooting.

They are a delightful couple and I look forward to getting to know them very closely over the next 12 months. I’m not ok with just taking a couple’s photos and then moving on, I want to be a part of their lives forever. This is why I work as hard as I do, because I got into this to make a difference in people’s lives. I ask God before every shoot to make it spectacular for whoever the client happens to be and that the beauty He sees in them comes through me and my work. I don’t say it often enough, but I am so grateful to God for allowing me to work at something I love.