Desi Baytan Photography

One morning, out of the blue, Connie and I decied to take a morning walk around Walnut. Before we realized it, our morning walk turned inspirational when we got sidetracked and found ourselves at the Brookside Equestrian Center. I said to Connie, this would be great place to showcase our work. One passionate thing we do when inspire hits us is to sit right down and brainstorm. We began our search for models and gowns but also we began assembling a team to help make the idea come to life. One thing led to another, we hooked up with Erica España of Twine Events and we hit it off right away. I knew this was the beginning of something. Next was to secure the location. I called Rose Wade of Rose Wade Events who manages events at the equestrian center and pitched our idea. When she got on board, the rest started to come in place. For gowns, Veronica of La Soie Bridal was welcoming to the idea of our shoot and also added hair accessories from Veronique Coleccion. We made a casting call and found two great models, Nicole Maxwell and Mark Finochiaro. For makeup, we turned to our friend Kat Laskey whose work we admire. She brought her friend David Harrington to do the hair. Erica was so kind to find the rest of our team, Nancy Benninghoff Jr. of Oak and the Owl to execute the floral designs and Amber Moon of Pitbulls and Posies for the invitations. We also turned to our friend Gretchen Norton of Barnhill Boutique for antique rentals. Baker Party Rentals provided the exposed wood table, bench and chairs. And to tie it all together, Saadia Kibriya of Kismet Event Planning & Design helped with the romantic white draping that encompass the feasting table. We even managed to get a few boleros for the bride thanks to Joyce Brady of Gertie B on Etsy. Now, we needed to make sure this was all documented on video and we turned to Kelsey and David of Charles Lauren Films. The rest is history as we not only got a wonderful photo shoot out of it, but a behind-the-scenes look of what transpired. So sit back and watch a little video of our creative collaboration.  

Horses, Cameras and Couture: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at a Bridal Photo Shoot! from Charles Lauren Films on Vimeo.

Vendors Credits

Venue:: Brookside Equestrian Center - www.brooksideequestrian.com

Venue Contact:: Rose Wade Events – www.rosewadeevents.com

Planner/Stylist:: Erica Espa̱a Рwww.twineevents.com

Florist:: Nancy Benninghoff Jr. – www.oakandtheowl.com

Stationery:: Amber Moon – www.pitbullsandposies.com

Male Model:: Mark Finochiaro – www.modelmayhem.com/2360336

Female Model:: Nicole Maxwell – www.modelmayhem.com/1614265

Makeup Artist:: Kat Laskey – www.katlaskey.com

Hair:: David Harrington – www.davidharringtonla.com

Cinematographer:: Kelsey and David Pluskat – www.charleslauren.com

Bridal Gown:: Veronica Trebels – www.lasoiebridal.com

Hair Accessories:: Veronica Trebels – www.veroniquecoleccion.com

Rentals:: Baker Party Rentals – www.bakerpartyrentals.com

Antique Rentals:: Gretchen Norton – Barnhill Boutique – gretchen.r.norton@gmail(dot)com

Draping:: Kismet Events – Saadia Kibriya – www.hellokismet.com

Bolero:: Gertie B – Joyce Brady - www.etsy.com/shop/Gertieb

Photography:: Connie and Desi Baytan Photography – www.desibaytan.com

Heart On My Sleeve from Desi Baytan on Vimeo.

The first time I heard Isaiah Olsen sing, I was struck by his voice. He sang at a wedding I photographed and later I learned he is a the lead singer for the band Last One Done. Their songs caught my attention and imagination and I invited Isaiah for a photo shoot and to make a music video.  He describes his songs as “California Soul” and reminds me of the many places in Southern California.  We picked my favorite spots in Newport Beach to shoot the video and what a perfect day it was. Together with my brothers, Apollo and Francis, we filmed Isaiah performing the song “Heart On My Sleeve“. Isaiah and his bands performs at the Orange County Fair and they do weddings as well. Check out his songs on his website, and I think you too will be impressed with their songs and his voice.

Last week I drove up to Los Olivos to an old farm house in the middle of the soft rolling hills in the Central Valley to learn photography.  What was cool about this workshop is Jose Villa introduced us to film photography.  About twenty or so photographers convened at the farm house with Contax 645 medium format cameras in hand to learn how to shoot like Jose does.  It doesn’t get any better than this!  Well it does, because Fuji provided tons of film, processing was provided by Richard Photo Lab, with models in beautiful gowns, beautiful floral designs and arrangements, and complete with a beautiful mountain backdrop.  Here are a few pics I took with my digital camera.  Can’t wait to get my film back from RPL.  Maybe I’ll share them next post.

Jane Austen mesmerized millions with her literal depictions of beauty and romance of privileged lives of 19th century England. Austen’s novels are a feast to the soul as well as to the eyes. Movies of her novels captivate with the grandeur of architecture, sculpted garden settings, wardrobe, and natural scenery.

In our Austen-inspired photo shoot, we incorporated some elements from the era with a modern twist. Lace, ribbons, books, loosely arranged floral elements and an outdoor table scape are incorporated to give that Old English romantic style. For our model bride, Isabelle, we incorporated Alexander McQueen’s off-white lace Victorian gown and Romona Keveza’s ruffled champagne gown.

Cream flower strap heels by Giambattista Valli. For this shoot, it didn’t make sense to wear sensible shoes.

Isabelle sports a pair of manosh symbol diamond dangle earrings.

Isabelle is wearing a Romona Keveza gown while Dominic is in a vintage single breast black suit and a Jared Gold Victorian ruffled neck wrap.

High Society: Table adorned by a hand-made Moroccan tea pot arranged simply like an old Dutch painting.  Elegance exude as Isabelle serves tea.  Center piece flowers by Irises Floral Designs.

Wardrobe provided by Bethany Clifton of CLD Stylehouse. Thanks to Theresa Huang of TH Makeup and Hair Design who created Isabelle’s looks. Location was at a private residence in Pasadena. Thanks to Kathleen Hopper of KC Hopper Fine Stationery and Gifts for making the connection.

Tablescape and furniture provided by Gretchen Norton of Barnhill Boutique. Flowers by Ricardo Delgago of Irises Floral Designs who helped tie in our themed shoot with their creations.

Lastly, thanks to Joan Lang for her love and support.