2011 Wedding Images Of The Year

It’s never too late to post a recap of the previous year, and since I’m the boss (video), I’m proud to finally share the majority of all the beautiful things from 2011.
There’s so much to say about 2011, and how hard I worked shooting my own and helping my friends with their weddings. It’s been such a blessing to have many supportive friends encouraging and pushing me even when it hurts. Because sleep is for people that don’t want success, and because we need to want success like we want to breathe. I learned this here, which is something I often reflect on. Push yourself.

I can’t thank enough people for last year. I’ve had the opportunity to have a couple of great mentors to help guide me, and incredible friends who are all coming up together. Edmund Prieto, Victor Sizemore, my thanks are not enough. Eli, Kenny, Kristen, Desiree, George, Jess/Tim, Sara/Steve, Regis, Melissa and Natalie, thanks for such a great year! God bless you.

There are still several weddings to post from 2011 that I haven’t gotten around to. Nevertheless I’m just as excited to show them.

Here’s a huge mixup of everything beautiful, in between, and moments overlooked :

P.S. Our 2012 Wedding Contest Giveaway submission deadline will be extended for ONE MORE WEEK. We’ve had some amazing submissions so far, and want to make sure we reach the maximum amount of awesome couples, because this is for them!

Please share your thoughts below!

CONTACT DANIEL / FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER / BE MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK

Edmund PrietoJanuary 15, 2012 - 5:23 pm

Dude, so proud of you man. Your work looks amazing. Good job brotha!

annaJanuary 15, 2012 - 6:55 pm

Hehe heeey! I’m in there! Lol great job Daniel!!! Wow!!! What an amazing photographer you are!! Can’t wait to see whatcha got for 2012!

AuroraJanuary 15, 2012 - 9:35 pm

awesome work Daniel! keep it up! blessings!

p.s. i’m so in love with the styled shoot y’all did. that girl model is amaze-balls.

KatieJanuary 15, 2012 - 10:28 pm

Looks like you had a great year! Fantastic review:)

Meredith MelodyJanuary 16, 2012 - 6:42 am

What a great year in review! Beautiful images and super happy couples!

SarinaJanuary 16, 2012 - 10:34 pm

I am SOOO very proud of you!!! You continue to blow me away everyday. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown with your talent, and I feel so blessed to be able to say I was there when you first took that leap of faith to start your business. Keep it up babe, I love you!

JessicaJanuary 16, 2012 - 11:19 pm

Awesome photos and an awesome year!!!

Kim KravitzJanuary 18, 2012 - 4:16 am

Your images are just stunning!!! I love cruising your blog. Looks like you had a fabulous 2011!

Chris FawkesJanuary 18, 2012 - 9:16 am

You are definitely an artist my friend. These are as usual both creative and emotional, perfect.

ErinJanuary 18, 2012 - 7:41 pm

Awesome set! Filled with lots of fun, creativity and beauty. Great job! Also love the shot of bride and groom on the “bicycle”. How did the bride get up there??

Tessa Harvey (@tessajanae)January 19, 2012 - 1:18 pm

Great JOB!!!! I like how you snuck some photos from the water on the jet ski’s in there! Loved the way you capture people. Well done to a good year! Keep it up!!

-Tessa

Thomas BeamanJanuary 19, 2012 - 5:47 pm

WOW…..you have had an amazing year. I love the moments and expressions you are able to catch. I can’t wait to see what you do in 2012!

danielle nielsenJanuary 20, 2012 - 7:23 am

The couple where the groom is in the grey suit and green tie, I love all their images. It looked like a great group of people.

I LOVE the photo of the bride/groom on the bike rack/bike sculpture. It is stunning.

Nice job!

JCJanuary 24, 2012 - 2:38 pm

Its crazy how far you have come my dude. Congrats on all your success thus far.

Angelique CasadosJanuary 24, 2012 - 3:02 pm

Daniel,
Your photos are great. I LOVE all the creativity. Keep it up Daniel.

Cathy CrawleyJanuary 26, 2012 - 3:39 am

Looks like you had an amazing year! I love the second shot with the carousel. So fun!

Justin DouglasJanuary 26, 2012 - 2:06 pm

I must talk with you about your reception lighting because I must say one word. EPIC!!!!!!!!!

Wedding Contest Giveaway

Daniel Cruz Photography is pleased to announce our Wedding Contest Giveaway!!! This contest caters to weddings WORLD WIDE. Yes, you heard right. Every wedding across the ocean, over the mountain, and under the bridge.

What’s included :

  • Engagement session.
  • 8 hours of wedding day coverage.
  • Retouched images on disc.
  • Custom slideshow to share with your friends and family.
  • (upgrades such as custom leather albums are available at an additional cost)

The idea came about this past November you see. I want to give an amazing couple the chance to earn this gift. More than hair cuts, more than nails done and more than that scarf you bought for the Winter. This is my gift of memories that will last forever.

ADMISSION

Submit one photo of you and your fiance’ via daniel[at]danielcruzphoto[dot]com with the subject “WEDDING CONTEST”.

This is what needs to be included :

  • NAME OF BRIDE AND GROOM
  • DATE AND VENUE LOCATION OF WEDDING (If not known you are not eligible to apply.)
  • ADMISSION ENDS MIDNIGHT SUNDAY, JANUARY 22nd, 2012.

ROUND ONE

Upon receiving your entry I will publish each couple’s photo to the Daniel Cruz Photography page on Facebook starting the morning of MONDAY, JANUARY 23rd, 2012.

NOW LISTEN CLOSELY :

FIRST, EVERY VOTE FOR YOU YOU MUST LIKE OUR PAGE ITSELF. From there, it is the will of the Bride and Groom, and their family and friends to vote for each couple. The Bride and Groom will gain one vote per each “like” they receive on their photo. Simple enough right? So spread the word to all of your family and friends, and gain support!

The THREE Bride and Groom couples with THE MOST VOTES by MONDAY, JANUARY 30th, 2012 will advance to the final round.

FINAL ROUND

We want to know you!

Now here is where it gets interesting. Once the three couples are chosen to advance, contestants will then submit a VIDEO telling us :

  • Your names.
  • How you met.
  • What makes you different as a couple?
  • Why you want to win this contest?
  • What would it mean if you won?
Who will decide who wins you ask? Well…ME! It’s true, I juggled the idea too many times to count. Should I have other photographers, coordinators, or even brides vote? When it comes down to it, I will be the one spending time and getting to know you. I will be there during the consultation, and I will be there to document every single second of your wonderful day. And that is why I can’t stress enough how important it is to IMPRESS ME. I WANT a couple who I can be best friends with. THE DEADLINE FOR VIDEO SUBMISSION IS  MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6th, 2012.
So get comfortable, and most importantly, get creative with your video. Story, personality, and content will pull you to win. For the one who knocks my socks off the furthest…well, I’ll be seeing you on your wedding day!
The winning Bride and Groom will be announced SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11th, 2012.
REGULATIONS
  1. Contest is only applicable to new inquiries.
  2. All travel expenses must be covered by the Bride and Groom.
  3. Bride and Groom must have a wedding date set for 2012.
  4. Bride and Groom cannot have conflicting dates with those weddings already booked by Daniel Cruz.
  5. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

CONTACT DANIEL / FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER / BE MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK

Justin DouglasJanuary 15, 2012 - 2:28 pm

Good luck!! I can’t wait for you to announce the winner

[...] Our 2012 Wedding Contest Giveaway submission deadline will be extended for ONE MORE WEEK. We’ve had some amazing submissions [...]

Sequoia National Park Photography

A couple of weeks ago Sarina, myself, and my sister Jess decided on a last minute trip to visit my parents up north in Visalia to bring in the New Year. For fun, we skipped driving up there and went the long way taking a bus and train. It was kind of a fail considering that the trip took 6 hours, as opposed to 3.5 by driving there. haha We knew that before hand but we didn’t expect the train food to be as hard as Chuck Norris’ biceps (image).

Ultimately it was such a fun time being somewhere different for a change, and getting the chance to drive up to Sequoia National Park. Being in Southern California pretty much all my life brought some surprises as we walked among giant trees. It was an awesome experience being above the clouds fog way up in the mountains. Well, the fog could be called dust if you’re looking at the glass half empty. Acres upon acres of farmlands make up the California Green Belt where my parents live. Everything from oranges to chestnut wood is grown there. So the next time you want orange juice and supplies to build a table, go there for sure. haha

Here’s some images as we jumped across rocks, climbed through black widow infested trees, and screamed through the forest to hear the reverberation of our voices :

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Meredith LordJanuary 12, 2012 - 11:56 am

Beautiful light! Looks like you guys had an amazing time!

TracyJanuary 12, 2012 - 10:06 pm

What a fantastic trip! Those brown boots are soo photogenic! I love them!! Oh and yes the scenery is gorgeous – love all the awesome landscape images!

Eli MurrayJanuary 12, 2012 - 10:21 pm

Such a cool post Daniel! Beautiful photos!

Meredith MelodyJanuary 13, 2012 - 7:04 am

What a fun trip! Beautiful set of photos!

JEFFJanuary 13, 2012 - 10:31 am

The picture of your Dad standing between 2 broken trees is crazy! The trees are so massive!

Gina NguyenJanuary 16, 2012 - 7:00 pm

I was all ready to say my favorite image is the glistening spiderweb… I love little details like that.. But then you followed up with the image of the split tree. All very lovely images… I can’t pick a favorite :)

MicheleJanuary 17, 2012 - 12:33 pm

Awesome images. What a trip!!!

ErinJanuary 17, 2012 - 12:42 pm

I love these! Gorgeous!

Nate PerkesJanuary 17, 2012 - 5:19 pm

Love these. So so beautiful. I especially love that last one. So awesome!

Allie BartelskiJanuary 17, 2012 - 5:45 pm

Amazing! Really, really love the bottom one!

KarloJanuary 19, 2012 - 6:11 pm

Wow, epic shots. I love the black and white of the girl sitting in the baby pines.

danielle nielsenJanuary 20, 2012 - 7:41 am

Beautiful! I love the shot of her sitting on the ground amidst the baby trees. And the one of (is that) your dad in-between the two halves of the tree that had fallen – stunning.

California Field Portraits – Haas Family

I’m not one to post too many family sessions as I’m focusing on my craft of wedding photography, but I wanted to share this special one with you.

Why is it special? Sommer is the awesome owner of Kayden’s Kake Pops, who lent a big hand with my Elegant Wedding Style shoot this past November. They were so well made and so delicious that I offered her and her beautiful family a session!

When I first met up with Sommer she was missing her husband, Brett, pretty bad. He was away for a couple of months for job training, and I followed all of her status updates about how her and kids missed him. We planned for the shoot when he visited for Holiday leave this last week, and it was awesome seeing them together again!

We had such a great time hanging with the Haas family. Their kids are sooo cute and fun to watch run around. And her baby girl Kaiden was an ANGEL. Completely calm the whole time with not one fuss! …With the addition of a few ounces of slobber.:)Brett is one of the nicest guys too. Together they were completely down for my suggestions, and that is GOLD to me. I love GOOOLLLDDDD (video)

Sarina helped me and shot some amazing images, starting with this first one and all of the behind-the-scenes shots at the end. It was cool having her around to watch the kids while I shot some solo portraits of Sommer and Brett. I guess I could get used to it! haha
Tickling = effective. Working men.All that is man. hahaSome behind the scenes :Totally surprised that Sarina fired off these 2 EPIC shots! She’s the bomb, like Corbin Dallas. (video)
P.S. What’s next? I’ll be throwing some images up from our New Year’s trip up north, mainly from Sequoia National Park! So beautiful it will blow your mindz, with a Z.

P.S.S. This weekend I’ll be announcing BIG NEWS for 2012 brides. You don’t want to miss this, bro!:)

Please share your thoughts below!

CONTACT DANIEL / FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER / BE MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK

RavenJanuary 4, 2012 - 5:35 pm

Love the one of the baby is the only one looking at the camera! It’s usually the other way around! :)

ErinJanuary 4, 2012 - 5:49 pm

This is a fabulous family session Daniel! Man what a cute family. Love the poses, love their outfits and the colours in the setting! P.S. 5th element = awesome movie :)

JCJanuary 4, 2012 - 5:56 pm

beautiful post my dude! killin it!

Meredith LordJanuary 4, 2012 - 6:00 pm

What a gorgeous family! Love all the photos – just amazing!

kaydens Kake popsJanuary 4, 2012 - 11:37 pm

One word <3 LOVE <3

Brett HickmanJanuary 5, 2012 - 10:10 am

Daniel! These are off the charts creative. Awesome work. I absolutely love #s 23, 21 and all of the ones of them laying in the grass. Thanks for sharing!

-Brett

coreyJanuary 5, 2012 - 10:22 am

very nice Daniel, awesome looking family portraits!

Jen JohnsonJanuary 5, 2012 - 11:17 am

Precious!!!

Kim KravitzJanuary 6, 2012 - 2:05 am

Oh those are some cute kids!!! Love the behind the scenes look too. :)

Meredith MelodyJanuary 6, 2012 - 9:07 am

Awesome session! Super fun and fantastic light!

Leah AubreyJanuary 8, 2012 - 6:49 am

fabulous session Daniel! The light is killer.

Heidi LeighJanuary 8, 2012 - 1:07 pm

Gorgeous light!!! Beautiful session, nice work. :)

emilyJanuary 8, 2012 - 2:36 pm

i love using big open areas for phots, and these are fantastic!
sure doesn’t hurt that the whole family is GOREGOUS!

Sierra La Verne Wedding

Happy Wednesday everyone! A few weeks ago I shot an awesome wedding at the Sierra La Verne Country Club with Kristen Booth. Cari and Morgan were some of the nicest people I’ve worked with; And it proved to make the day so fun!

Here’s a few of my favorite shots:

While Kristen covered the girls in a second room, I was with the guys in a wood furnished locker room. The tones were amazing!STOP.HAMMER TIME.P.S. I do have a few more posts coming up to end this amazing year for me. Perhaps the best posts. ;] Until then I’ll be creating a “The Best Of” post for you all. Until then, be well!

Please share your thoughts below!

CONTACT DANIEL / FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER / BE MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK

RavenNovember 30, 2011 - 11:15 am

Glad to see red making a come back in wedding colors! Love how it just pops!

Tara ShilohDecember 1, 2011 - 8:21 am

I love the one with the boy and the guys in the background. Stellar!

Jen JohnsonDecember 1, 2011 - 11:59 am

LOVE that ring shot!!!

DesireeDecember 1, 2011 - 12:28 pm

Love it! Great job! Love that ring shot!

Meredith MelodyDecember 1, 2011 - 1:19 pm

Love, love, love that ring shot! The first ceremony image and the portraits are my favorites. As always, beautiful work, Daniel!

Kim KravitzDecember 3, 2011 - 2:12 am

Absolutely love the black and white images of the bride and groom!! Great work! :)

coreyDecember 11, 2011 - 11:16 pm

love this daniel keep it up great shots

Justin DouglasDecember 29, 2011 - 12:19 am

Your dance floor shots are killer!!!!!!!

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