Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Saturday, January 31, 2009
I was incredibly honored to receive a call from a producer at ABC's
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition asking me to shoot portraits for six people whose lives would forever change when Ty Pennington shouted "Gooooooood Morning, Almquist Family!" The trademark bullhorn surprise happened early today, in the small town of Phelan. And when I finally met the family, and their eldest daughter told me that their prayers had been answered, I couldn't help but realize that on this day, I was part of something truly magical.
Day 1 of this seven-day shoot involved hundreds of production people and trailers, along with several thousand tons of rural-road dirt (which is currently embedded into every part of my being). It also served as a mini-photographer convention (if you can call a 10-minute visit a convention). The great
Bruce Dorn drove all the way from Arizona to photograph the family's wildlife. And to my utter surprise, my friends
Victor Sizemore and
Julie Hill were also on site, as they were documenting the events for the construction company.
Much of the day was spent waiting for small windows of opportunity, as the wildlife presented numerous technical and logistical challenges. But the family's four beautiful children were an absolute delight to shoot, even though I only managed a few minutes with them in between the filming of segments. Images are not allowed to be shown prior to the episode's air date, so I have no visuals to share with you. But believe me when I tell you that this generous and lovely family truly deserves this wonderful gift. They have spent their lives giving to others (I'll post more about them closer to the air date), so it's great to see their lives change in such a wonderful way.
I've always loved this show, and have cried numerous times while watching deserving families walk through their new homes. I'm so happy that I was able to be one of the hundreds of people who donate to each and every episode, and that I was able to create something that will hang in this family's new home. I don't yet know when the episode will air, but I will be sure to post about it before it does. A big thank you to my colleagues
Yoshi Morimoto and
Corey Nickols for accompanying me on this long, dusty shoot in the dirt. Corey, thanks for the mohawk. Yoshi, thanks for the Pho.
Labels: Random
Posted by Dina Douglass [+]
Deena & Yash
Friday, January 30, 2009
I love Deena, and not just because she won't stop sending me amazing presents. Well, OK. I love Yash, too. So I guess I love both of these guys. Deena and Yash were married on a beautiful sunny day at
Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa in Dana Point. The lovely backlit mandap artfully dripped dark pink roses into a canopy that framed the ceremony just perfectly. And speaking of perfect frames, the centerpiece of the reception was a hand-crafted custom frame inspired by the world-famous
Pageant of the Masters and its "living art" concept.
The frame served as a focal point for all the guests, as Deena and Yash sat inside of the frame until they hit the dance floor. I also did the family portraits with the families standing inside of the frame, which prompted my colleague Yoshi to remark, "Would you frame the image if the people are already in a frame?" I've never seen anything like this at a reception before, so I have to give serious props to Shawna and Smita for not only making such an insanely unique creation, but for helping Deena realize her vision.
With decor and coordination by the wondeful Smita Mohindra and Shawna Yamamoto at
Ethnic Essence, makeup and hair by the fabulous Oscar Naranjo at
Ziba Beauty, videography by the lovely April and the team at
Robles Video, and DJ and lighting services by Hemant at
Ambiance AV (who one day will take the "launch coming soon" off his info page [which has been there at least two years] and will actually launch a site -- LOL).
And one more thank you to Deena for the beautiful tapestry makeup bag and the wonderful Edible Arrangement (which my production manager Danielle and I really enjoyed eating). Law student. Visionary. Giver of gifts. Blog stalker extraordinaire. And all-around cool chick. Thank you for being you. :)
Labels: IndianWeddings
Posted by Dina Douglass [+]
Andrena in Asian Photography Magazine
Thursday, January 08, 2009
I'm very proud to be the featured Pro Profile in the most current issue of
Asian Photography Magazine, the oldest photography magazine in India (21 years and counting), with circulation in both India and Singapore. I was flattered when writer Gautam Kagalawa contacted me to ask if I would be interested in being interviewed. The Mumbai attacks took place while we were finishing the article, and he was kind enough to give me some first-hand reports as events unfolded (as the magazine's home office is in Mumbai). I thought the Pro Profile section might be two or four pages, so I have to admit I was a bit shocked when the magazine arrived and my interview was featured on 12 pages in the center of the magazine. Congratulations to my beautiful brides who were featured in the article (all images chosen by the magazine's editors): Nita, Sheila, Emily, Dimple, Shilpa, Tara, Geeta, Simrit, Charmi, Danielle, Lora, Achala, Allison and Sai.
Labels: Random
Posted by Dina Douglass [+]
Sai & Shailen
Sai and Shailen were married in
Founders Park, a lovely outdoor location adjacent to
Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes. The soggy weather cooperated during the wedding, but just as I was shooting the final family shot, the skies opened up and soaked my team, most of our gear, and Sai and Shailen's parents. Much shouting and running ensued, but everything eventually worked out . . . even though my team and I were trapped under a leaking mandap for about 20 minutes before we could make a mad dash to the car. This great couple didn't bat an eye, though, and the temporary rainstorm did nothing to dampen their happiness nor their reception at the
Long Beach Westin.
Shailen is approximately 9,000 feet tall, and he is also a twin. More importantly, I thought everyone might like to know that he has the absolute best posture of anyone I have ever met. Ever. In fact, it's almost impossible for him to slouch, even when asked, and even though he's 9,000 feet tall. So I did have to make note of this fun fact, and I truly hope he forgives me. :) Meanwhile, Sai is a wonderfully down-to-earth and beautiful girl, and I've so enjoyed getting to know her. She is also an accomplished classical dancer and a brainiac who works for one of the world's most prestigious consulting firms. These two are sure to have kids who are tall smarties with great posture. With coordination by the uber-cool
Yogi Patel at Sheer Romance, and hair and makeup by the fabulous Oscar Naranjo at
Ziba Beauty.
Labels: IndianWeddings
Posted by Dina Douglass [+]
