Quinceaños de Miguel Peña: La Previa (The Preview)

I have had the honor of being the photographer of Miguel's XV años celebration . I met Jenny, his mom, a couple of months ago and She shared with me that his son was going to turn 15 in March. They had chosen Miguel's Quince's theme to be The Count of Monte Cristo, like the movie. She wanted something really unique a for his son's party, Since I can't turn off my imagination, although sometimes I try, I got all kinds of ideas.

I wanted to take him up to Mount Lemon and do some shooting in the snow, something different. I wasn't sure what was going to be Jenny and Miguel's reaction, but fortunately, Jenny was excited and Miguel was all for it!. First we started with a photo-shoot which I call "La Previa" that means "The Preview", generally defined as: 'an advertisement consisting of short scenes from a motion picture that will appear in the near future'.... Of course, this time, taking it to a different context.
This is an idea that I've been wanting to introduce as an alternative to the classic slideshow with pictures of the XVñero (a) and his growing years. Just like the concept of "surprise dance" was brought to 'spice-up' the traditional waltz, The 'Movie trailer' brings an exciting surprise to the the guests who are invited to the reception. It's like a little taste of what it's coming, more like "You ain't seen nothing yet" kinda-thing...
People don't know all the things that Miguel had to go through during his photo-shoot and the production of his 'Preview'. We do. We put him to work. Even though he had been at a Quinceañera the previous night and had barely slept, he cooperated and pulled it through. His guests were expecting a sequence of pictures since he was born all the way through his teenage years, but he went a bit farther to give his family and friends a complete and unexpected surprise.

Miguel is definitely a super- super cool guy, not only he is extremely handsome but he is well mannered and loooves his parents. We had a blast during the production of his "Previa-Movie Trailer" and of course, his photo-shoot. I'm going to share some of my favs from the Previa, but keep tuned for the pictures from his Big Day.

Boudoir Photography (Tucson)

What is boudoir?...The word itself means "Bedroom" in French, but in reality, it means way more than that. Boudoir Photography is a new trend that has been developing in the later years. It consists of a photo-session in which women, in my opinion, look gorgeous beyond the usual. Many brides choose to experience this kind of photography and prepare a small repertoire of this images as a present to their future husband on their wedding day. Other women choose boudoir as a surprise for Anniversaries or as Birthday present for their boyfriend. And other women explore Boudoir Photography as a mere form of expression. I am personally fascinated by beauty in women. I like to always emphasize the glow in her eyes, her anatomy and her nature.

I am not afraid of nudity, nor I see it as something inappropriate, much less indecent. For me, the concept of nudity or even implied nudity, is an artistic expression of ones self in full awareness of our existence and acceptance as a unique and gifted creature.

Whatever the motive is for anyone to consider boudoir photography, it is important to understand that this artistic perspective of portraiture is intended to be natural, feminine and simple. It doesn't have to do with one's definition of perfection, but with our spiritual, mental and physical connection to express in a different way... subtle, intimate and still elegant.

Saguaro Buttes Wedding Trailer: Lety and Daniel

eclipsi cinematography/ saguaro buttes/ wedding/ Letty & Daniel from Ricardo Rodriguez on Vimeo.

Saguaro Buttes Weddings: Lety & Daniel

I had the honor to be the photographer for a really really nice couple that live up in Seattle, Washington. Lety and Daniel aside from being a great looking couple, are great people, I mean really fine people. When we met for the first time, Lety was super excited about her wedding, I started to share my style with her, my vision, and explain what I like to accomplish on every wedding, and we totally clicked. So from that day, they got me me counting the day to meet them again for their wedding day. Lety and I kept very close communication through out the months until the wedding day came. We were on the same page, I knew all the important details that were going to be and that I could not miss.

The wedding took place at the beautiful Saguaro Buttes. I walked around and observed every little detail. I knew that the galletitas on the table were hand made with a family recipe, that the arras came all the way from Venezuela, that the souvenirs from their wedding were hand crafted by their family and were a beautiful piece of art called repujado. I felt so involved with the wedding that I could feel the warmth around them. It is such a great feeling to feel so loved even from miles away. Lety and Daniel have to consider themselves very fortunate to have their families with them on such a special day in their lives. Daniel's father played the guitar while he sang a Tango piece with such feeling that I got chills all over while I was shooting. Everything was perfect, Lety looked beautiful, elegant and classy, her bouquet made by Xochimilco Flowers was exquisite, the flowers were Black Magic Roses. Gorgeous.

There was absolutely nothing left behind. I want to congratulate them once more for their wedding, I wish them the best and I thank them for letting me be part of their wedding and all those special moments.