Sneak Peek of Weekend Project

WeddingWire 2010 Bride's Choice Awards

I was just informed that I have received, for the second year in a row, the WeddingWire 2010 Bride's Choice Awards for Wedding Photography.

The annual Bride's Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

April Rocha Photography is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community.

Dream in Plastic - Analog Exhibit

I was honored to be a part of Dream in Plastic's first gallery exhibit, Analog. The images had to have been shot with a toy camera.

Dream in Plastic is located in Beacon, New York and sells toy cameras (and lots of other gems).

The exhibit ended in September but I forgot to blog about it. Oops.

Working with a Beautiful New Stationery Line

I am now working with a gorgeous new stationery line, which includes wedding invitations, save the date announcements, baby announcements and holiday cards.

While I don't have my new samples yet, I wanted to share with you the some of the proofs they sent me. Both of these samples are with my images.

To see larger views of the samples, just click on each card.

I will be sharing more samples with you in the next month or so.

Thank You Piaget

The Bridal Event at Piaget at South Coast Plaza was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who came.

Piaget Bridal Event on June 24

Piaget, the high-end designer of jewelry and watches has opened its first California shop at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. They are having their first bridal event at this beautiful new boutique on Wednesday, June 24 from 11-2 and I was flattered when they asked me to participate.

Other vendors for the event include Godiva Chocolatiers, Papyrus Stationers and Blossoms Floral Design.

I photographed the beautiful invitation they sent out.

So if you happen to be in the OC that day, stop on by as I would love to see you.

Featured in Victoria Magazine - May/June Issue

One of my favorite magazines for many years was Victoria Magazine. It ceased publication a few years ago and last year it was revived and I was always happy to see it again in my mailbox every couple of months.

A long, long time ago I sent them one of my business cards hoping to one day be featured in their "Calling Cards" feature. Well it finally happened and I got a box of the issue on my doorstep today even though the issue doesn't come out until April 21.

What a great way to start my Easter weekend!!

Through the lens of her camera, April Rocha captures the sincere romance of a wedding day with images that last a lifetime. By focusing on the meaningful details of a couple's special ceremony, she creates the ultimate artistic expression with pictures that evoke true emotion.

One of My Favorite Blogs {frolic!}

One of my absolutely favorite style blogs is {frolic!} created and written by photo stylist/floral designer extraordinaire Chelsea Fuss. Chelsea wrote today about my Holgaroid work, wedding photography and Etsy store. I feel so honored to be a part of her blog and look forward to reading it every day.

Click here to view the blog entry.

Constant Contact All Star for 2008

I was informed last week that April Rocha Photography was named a Constant Contact All Star for the Year 2008. This award is to recognize excellence in email marketing.

Only 15% of Constant Contact's 250,000 customers met these requirements and received this recognition.

I'm honored that they chose April Rocha Photography for this award.

Here are three email newsletters that I sent out last year using Constant Contact.

Fall 2008 Newsletter

April Rocha Photography's New Website is Live

April Rocha Photography has Opened an Etsy Store

Chosen as one of WeddingWire's Bride's Choice Awards of 2009

I am pleased to announced that April Rocha Photography has been chosen as of Wedding Wire's Bride's Choice Awards of 2009. I was chosen because of my company demonstrated excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. A special thank you to my brides that wrote reviews of my services.

2008 - Year in Review Slideshow

I just love putting together my year in review slideshows. It always reminds me of all the fun shoots I have had all year long. I work really hard to find good songs for my slideshows and I love how my images from 2008 work with this song.

Click above or to see the slideshow on it's own page, click here.

Click here to view 2007 and here to view 2006.

Enjoy and again Happy New Year.

My New Website is Live!!

I can't believe I can finally announce that my new website, www.aprilrocha.com, is live. A big thank you to Big Folio for making this happen. A special thank you also to Jeff Caston of Big Folio who always immediately returned my emails no matter how annoying they probably were.

Highlights and New Features of the Site:

All New Images
New Wedding & Portrait Galleries
5 New Songs
New Wedding Slideshows
New Pricing Structure
Things I Love Page
Updated Bio

Please check it and enjoy.

Mark and Ingrid's Wedding at the Catalina Country Club

Mark Mettler and Ingrid Franchini Silva met in Portugal while Mark lived there and are happily living here in the US. They were married at the Catalina Country Club on Catalina Island. The details were exquisite and much of that was due to the wedding coordination of Cathy Machado of An Event Two Be and Tracy Spiter of Bloom Floral.

Click the slideshow below or to see it on a separate window, click here.

Jennifer & Mark's Wedding At Descanso Beach on Catalina Island

Jennifer and Mark had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception on Catalina Island at Descanso Beach. It was a beautiful day and I just love how their wedding photos turned out. They were both so blissfully happy that day and it shows in their faces.

Jennifer & Woody's Wedding

Jennifer Skowlund & Matt Woodlief's Wedding
at The Arrowhead Inn in Durham, North Carolina








I met Jennifer Skowlund over 20 years ago when we both went to St. Monica's Youth Ministry. We hit it off the minute we met each other. I was so honored when she asked me to shoot her wedding to Matt Woodlief in Durham, North Carolina at her mother's bed and breakfast. The Arrowhead Inn is so beautiful and the perfect atmosphere to get married. Check out the slideshow of her wedding below or click here.

Wedding Shot with my Holgaroid Camera

Jennifer Pawlack and Mark Claussen
Descanso Beach on Catalina Island

There is something out there that is even faster than a digital camera.........after 60 seconds I could literally hand to my bride an image of her in her exquisite wedding dress. With what you might ask? With my Holgaroid camera.

A Holgaroid is a plastic toy camera with a polaroid back attached. I used Chocolate Type 80 film which I bought from unsaleable.com

I first shot Jennifer with this camera as she was getting ready at the Zane Grey Hotel and then shot both her and Mark after she was married at Descanso Beach.

I'm totally in love with how these images turned out.

Guest Book from Collages

Collages.net makes these fantastic guest books for wedding guests to sign on the day of their wedding. I made one for Jennifer and Woody with images from their engagement shoot in San Francisco. Coincidentally Collages had a color leather almost identical to Jennifer's invitation. I can't wait for Jennifer and Woody's wedding guests to sign it this coming weekend.

Santa Clara Mission and Coyote Point Museum

Santa Clara Mission

Coyote Point Museum

Wedding at Las Rocas Resort, Rosarito Beach Baja Mexico

I just loved shooting Kristofer McNeeley and Ali Spuck’s engagement photos and their wedding day was beyond incredible. It took place at the Las Rocas Resort & Spa in Rosarito Beach, Baja Mexico. The resort was fantastic, their wedding guests were so happy to be there and the weather was just perfect. We got really lucky with a beautiful sunset right at the end of their ceremony.

Check out the slideshow of their wedding below or click here.

Once Again I Survived Vegas

Every year I attend the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year I shared my hotel room with the very talented Kara Frans. This photo was taken at the Pictage party on Monday night. Obviously we had a lot of fun.

Wedding at the Trump National Golf Club

I met Chris and Bo last year at Sanjeet and Tommy's Halloween party. They were dressed as Christine and the Phantom from Phantom of the Opera. Already a fan of my work they decided that evening that they wanted to hire me for their wedding.

The ceremony took place at the most incredible church in Palos Verdes -- the Neighborhood Church. Then a couple of hours later the festivities continued at the Trump National Golf Club.

The weather that whole day was spectacular and so was the sunset. Because it was a full moon we also got some incredible shoots of the bride and groom with the moon.

Click here to view the slideshow or below.

Metropole Hotel on Catalina Island

I was so impressed with all of the work Jessica put into her wedding details and she created most of them herself. I just love how the slideshow of their wedding turned out. It was a very small wedding but also very memorable.

The wedding took place at the Metropole Hotel on Catalina Island and because of my special connections I got to up to the top floor of the Casino Ballroom for some very special shots.

Click below to view their slideshow or here.

Mike and Deborah's Wedding

I met Deborah Obad in 1994. We shared an office together the size of a shoe box at the Shapiro-Lichtman Agency and thank goodness we got along so well. She has since become my best friend and I was honored to shoot her wedding last year to the lovely man in her life, Mike Kampler. My good friend Laurie Bailey also shot that day and we both love how the photos came out. She's been married now just over a year and I never shared the images of her wedding until now. These are my four favorites from the day.

A Sneak Peak - Jessica and Paulo

I had never met Jessica and Paulo until their wedding day and what a lovely couple. They got married at The Beach House at the Metropole Hotel on Catalina Island and it was a very appropriate venue. It was sweet, intimate and Jessica is incredibly talented and thought out every and I mean every detail of the wedding. I only have these photos back from the lab and I thought I would share them with you. They were shot with infrared film and with my ever trusty Diana camera. My next entry about this wedding will be about all the wedding details that Jessica so cleverly thought up.

Scott and Ashley's Wedding Slideshow

As promised, I created a fantastic slideshow from Scott Butler and Ashley Weber's wedding day. Click the slideshow box below to view.

Scott is a fighter pilot with the US Air Force and in the fall will be going to Germany. A special thanks to Linda Sturgeon of Fenyes Mansion at the Pasadena Museum of History.

Spinning the Bride Around

I attempted this set of images for the first time with Ashley and Scott on their wedding day at the Fenyes Mansion at the Pasadena Museum of History. I just love how they turned out and created this flash show of the images in sequence. More images to come (including a slideshow!) of Scott and Ashley's incredible wedding.

Brian and Erin's Wedding

My friend Louise Sorel has these two fabulous friends the Pauls (both named Paul). They are the kind of friends you want to have at every party you throw. They were kind enough to refer me to Brian and Erin for their wonderful wedding over Memorial Day weekend.

It was a Hawaiian-themed wedding with 50 guests in the backyard of their home in Thousand Oaks with a very big surprise after the wedding ceremony. You'll know who are the Pauls when you watch the slideshow. They are only two boy bridesmaids in dresses. The look are Brian and Erin's face is totally priceless and worth watching on this slideshow.

Click here to view the slideshow of Brian and Erin's Wedding Day.

Ricardo and Veronica

During my teenage years I belonged to St. Monica's Youth Ministry and it was one of the most positive experiences of my life. After the group disbanded I organized a bunch of camping trips and reunions and I always had the best time with this group of people. Kathy Torre Sexton, who was one of the adults who went on retreats and such with us, has kept in touch over the years and when her son decided to get married she called me. I felt so privileged to shoot their son's wedding. It took place near the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Click here to view the slideshow.

Noah and Heather were married on Catalina Island at the beautiful Casino Ballroom. It was such a festive and beautiful event supervised by the wonderful Cathy Machado of An Event Two Be with flowers by Tracy of Bloom Floral Design Studio.

Click here to view the slideshow of this wedding.

Juan and Kim's Wedding Slideshow

I made a previous entry of Juan and Kim's Wedding Click here to view.

I made this slideshow of their wedding set to their favorite song.

Click here to view the slideshow I created from their wedding day.

You can also click any of the thumbnails above as well.

Sarah and Ken's Wedding

When I was a talent agent Sarah Schroeder was my assistant. She was the best assistant I ever had and I was so honored when she asked me to shoot her wedding.

The ceremony and reception took place at Duke's Restaurant in Malibu and it was such a fun event to attend and to photograph. My old associate Kevin Turner and I are so proud of her and all of her accomplishments. She is currently the Director of Alumni Relations and Development, West Coast for her alma mater Columbia College Chicago. Ken also graduated from Columbia College Chicago but they actually did not meet and start dating until they both moved out to Los Angeles almost six years ago.

The only photos I have back from the lab are the creative ones. These images were shot with infrared film and the last two were shot with a toy camera called the Holga and some quasi-infrared film from Rollei. Thank goodness for Rollei since Ilford has stopped producing their version of this film (Ilford SFX 200, which is rumored to return to the film market).

The light leaks on the last image are part of the fun and creativity you can have with a Holga.

Sarah is being interviewed today by a online radio program called "Your Dream Wedding" on Big Media USA

As a side note, I have been waiting for the Pixtivity program to come out for about a year and it was finally released. The above "Photo Wall" as they call it was created by this program and I absolutely love all of the different things it can do. Click your mouse over any of the images from the wall to get the full image. I will continue to be used by me on this blog when sharing photographs from various events with you.

My First Newsletter

I just created my first newsletter and I am really proud at how it turned out. I sent it out to 250 people and I'm already getting an incredible response to it. I hope to able to create a new one every couple of months (especially after the holiday season).

It's Holiday Portrait Time

It's that time of year again. I designed the card yesterday and it will be going out in the mail next week.

Juan and Kim at the Villa Bellefontaine

Before I shoot any wedding if I am not familiar with the wedding site I scout it a couple of days before the big day.

Juan and Kim's wedding took place at a friend's 5-acre estate in Duarte (a gated community called Bradbury Estates). The Villa Bellefontaine Estate was a wedding photographer's dream and the minute I drove up I knew I had to rent a Hasselblad X-Pan camera for the big day. This incredible panoramic camera was a great addition to my repertoire as the three panoramic photographs below attest.

I somehow can't get the images any larger on my blog. However, if you click on the images you can a larger view of them. The square image is from my ever reliable vintage Diana camera.

Juan and Kim were a lovely bride and groom and it was a really wonderful wedding. Kim looked like a princess in a castle with Juan as her prince.

Gene and Jill's Wedding

I just loved using this tree
Gene's Family surprised them
Jill and Emma
Two Generations
A Silly Moment
We Just Got Married!!
My favorite tree in B&W
Oh no!!

The Diana Image

Gene and Jill's wedding was just lovely. The ceremony took place at St. Matthew's Church in Long Beach and the reception was held at a little park in Lakewood called the Monte Verde Park.

Jill's daughter Emma was very much a part of the day and Gene and Jill both so enjoyed themselves and it really shows in the photos.