Los Angeles Indie Wedding & Portrait Photography by Jessica Schilling

Los Angeles Union Station Engagement Photography – Lauren + Rob

Jessica — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:00:50 +0000

Lauren and Rob and I met at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on a rainy Sunday afternoon for their engagement photos. Lauren’s vintage dress and retro train case and Rob’s stylish suit all fit perfectly with the art deco architecture of the train station. After exploring the amazing interiors, the rain let up enough for us to go out to the train platform. An Amtrak train was waiting to depart and we so we got to use it as an extra prop!

Film Fridays – 35mm Diana Mini – Toy Cameras and Mason Jars

Jessica — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:05:55 +0000

Last year, some photographer friends of mine started the amazing wedding photojournalism blog Moment Junkie, and then as a spinoff this year, started a blog dedicated to everyone’s favorite wedding decor item – Mason Jar Junkie. Today’s MJJ post is actually my second time being featured, but is extra cool because it’s one of the 35mm toy camera shots I took at Adam and Evangeline’s wedding. Here’s that image and a few more of the beautiful mason jars they had there:

Flowers and decor by Curly Willow in Ojai. All toy camera shots were taken with the Diana Mini Jiyu, on Kodak Portra 800.

Ojai Wedding Photographer – Intimate Ceremony at Meditation Mount

Jessica — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:02:07 +0000

Everything about Adam and Evangeline’s wedding was meaningful, sweet, and adorable. They got married on their 7th anniversary, which was the same thing my husband and I did, so I knew from early on we would have some cool stuff in common. The couple got ready at Emerald Iguana Inn, where Adam and the guys celebrated by toasting with the same beer he had on his first date with Evangeline, before doing the first look. The ceremony took place at Mediation Mount overlooking the gorgeous hills and valleys of Ojai. The intimate ceremony had 25 guests and was so personal that Evangeline’s mom actually officiated it. After the ceremony, we wandered through the retreat’s gardens and took portraits as the sun was setting. Then we headed over to Azu restaurant for the reception, filled with warm toasts, delicious food, and some amazing dance moves to the couple’s awesome iPod playlist. Such a beautiful day!

Getting ready and first look – Emerald Iguana Inn

Ceremony venue – Mediation Mount

Reception venue and food- Azu restaurant

Florist – Curly Willow

San Dimas Engagement Photography – Kristen + Will

Jessica — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:00:22 +0000

I met up with Kristen and Will at the University of La Verne in San Dimas for their engagement photos. After exploring different parts of the campus, we headed over to Bonelli Park to take pictures near the lake and had some adorable ducks join in the fun. I brought my Holga TLR along for a few toy camera shots as well. Kristen has the most adorable smile and Will was making her laugh the whole morning. These two are so cute and sweet and I can’t wait for their wedding next month!

Film shots taken with Holga TLR 120 and Portra 800 film.

Protected: Hacienda Siesta Alegre Puerto Rico Destination Wedding Photographer

Jessica — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:41:09 +0000

Film Fridays – Old San Juan Perto Rico Toy Camera Travel Photography

Jessica — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:26:49 +0000

Next week’s Film Fridays post will be an amazing destination wedding with tons of film, but in the meantime here is a photo of a rundown building I saw while walking through Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. It was right between several well-maintained homes and businesses, so it really stood out with its exposed wood and brick and the lack of a roof which left the whole building open to the sky. There are even small trees growing out of the inside of the building, so it must have been like this for awhile. A cool find in the middle of a busy neighborhood!

Taken with the Diana F+ on 120 Kodak Portra 800 iso.

Film Fridays – Diana Mini 35mm Cross Processed Caribbean Photography

Jessica — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:32:51 +0000

In January I went on a cruise to the Bahamas and decided to only shoot film for my vacation photos. In addition to some regular film stocks, I also wanted to try some cross-processing to bring out the blues and greens that are so abundant with beaches and the Caribbean scenery. These are a few of my favorites from Nassau and Freeport, Junkanoo Beach and Paradise Cove.

Taken with the Diana Mini Jiyu, Agfa CT Prescia 100 ISO slide film, cross-processed.

A Practical Wedding book tour- Pasadena event photographer

Jessica — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:38:53 +0000

Earlier in February I got to meet Meg Keene, the author and mastermind of A Practical Wedding, the book and the blog. I’ve been reading the blog for awhile now and advertising with them because the readers are smart, cool, and grounded and because I love the Sanity Pledge they ask their vendors to commit to. So when the book A Practical Wedding came out this year, I knew it was going to be good. And when Meg announced a cross-country book tour that would be ending at Vroman’s in Pasadena, I was excited to go to meet Meg and other APW readers.

The event started out with Meg doing an introduction about planning her own wedding and that prompting her to start the blog as an alternative to how over the top expectations were from the wedding industry. After that, questions from the audience covered several topics, like courthouse elopements, what to do when you have a big guestlist, and more. Meg is even more witty and charming in person than she is in writing, and she was also adorably stylish. Dana of The Broke-Ass Bride popped champagne, Becca of A Los Angeles Love helped people get organized, and everyone nibbled on vegan cupcakes and gluten-free truffles while books were signed. Such a fun, energetic, lovely event to be a part of!

Film Fridays – Toy Camera Church Architecture Photography

Jessica — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:52:07 +0000

I have some cool vacation photos I recently shot on film, but when I was trying to pick an image for this week’s Film Friday, I kept coming back to this church exterior I photographed while walking around my neighborhood. I have a few weddings coming up in some really great churches, one in Puerto Rico and a couple in Los Angeles. I’ve always liked the way churches look, inside and outside, and I’m looking forward to each of these weddings!

Taken with the Diana Mini Jiyu toy camera, Lomography brand Lady Grey ISO 400 35mm film.

San Francisco City Hall Elopement Photography – Kelly + Justin

Jessica — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:36 +0000

I first met Kelly way back in film school and we became fast friends over our mutual love of Guided by Voices and post production. Fast forward a few years and Kelly got me first job in Los Angeles, and then another job a few years later and another one after that. She’s pretty much the best boss because working with her is more like hanging out with a friend. When I met Justin a few years ago, I was thrilled that Kelly had found someone who made her so happy and they are almost annoyingly cute together!

Kelly and Justin eloped at San Francisco City Hall on a Tuesday morning. They got ready together in adjoining rooms at the lovely Hotel Whitcomb, then walked the few blocks to City Hall with Justin’s parents and two friends for witnesses. The courthouse is so gorgeous, it made the perfect backdrop for their sweet, intimate ceremony. I was so happy to be there to celebrate with them. Congratulations, Kelly and Justin!

Film Fridays – Rocky in 35mm Black and White

Jessica — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:03:55 +0000

Rocky, a white Boxer, came into my family when I was in college. He started off as my brother’s puppy, but eventually became my dad’s dog and the whole family’s pet. Rocky had the sweetest personality with people and a series of enthusiastic dances and prances that earned him lots of teasing but lots of laughs. Once I got interested in photography, Rocky ended up in lots of photos whenever I would go home to visit, including this shot of him and my dad that was taken at Thanksgiving in 2007.

After 11 years of sprightly activity, Rocky was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and after lots of tears, my parents decided to put him to sleep last week. He’ll undoubtedly be missed by me and everyone in my family, though I’m glad we have so many pictures to remember him and all the joy he brought into our lives.

Taken with my Canon EOS 50E, 35mm black and white film.

Culver City Cafe and Park Engagement Photography

Jessica — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:14:01 +0000

For Adam and Evangeline’s engagement photos, we went to a few of their favorite places in Culver City. We started at the adorable French cafe and marketplace L’Epicerie for some tea. They also had some amazing looking pastries and a very impressive wine and beer selection, so definitely a place that deserves further exploration. After walking around downtown Culver City, we headed up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook for some gorgeous views of the city below. Adam and Evangeline were so cute and sweet and playful, and I can’t wait for their wedding next month!

This was one of my first two sets trying out the new VSCO presets for editing, and I’m really liking them so far.

Film Fridays – 35mm Roller Derby Photography

Jessica — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:47:32 +0000

One of my new year’s resolutions for 2011 was to shoot more film, and I think it was pretty successful. Though I wasn’t perfectly consistent with Film Fridays, I know posting them got me thinking about film, shooting film, and showing film much more than I would’ve otherwise. And I plan to keep going with Film Fridays and film in general in 2012!

For the Los Angeles Derby Dolls season championships game, I shot some film alongside digital. Manually focusing on fast skaters in a dark warehouse is definitely a challenge. There’s a lot more on flickr, but this was one of my favorite film shots of the night.

Shot on a Canon AE-1, 50mm f/1.8 lens, Kodak P3200 TMZ film.

And speaking of roller derby, though not necessarily film-related, this shot I took of Tara Armov has been nominated as “Most Derby” Photo of the Year in DerbyLife’s photography contest. I’m of course very honored to be in the running. Show some support for Tara and LADD if you feel like voting!

2011 – Year in Pictures

Jessica — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:40:43 +0000

2011 was a great photography year for me. I got to photograph many of my friends getting married and made new friends with some awesome clients for this year and next year. Weddings and elopements took me to Las Vegas and San Francisco, as well as ones closer to home in Orange County and Glendale, and some fun second-shooting jobs too. Between family photos, engagement photos, and my own anniversary photos, I got to shoot in Studio City, lots of downtown Los Angeles, and Venice Beach. It was a busy year, and next year is already shaping up to have even more wonderful opportunities. Here are some of my favorite photos from 2011, starting with a January 9th wedding and ending with a December 27th elopement!

I hope you had a good 2011, and I’m really looking forward to what 2012 has in store. Happy New Year!

Los Angeles Roller Derby Photography – Best of 2011

Jessica — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:30:48 +0000

The end of the year is typically when all the best-of lists start rolling out – top movies, best albums, most significant historical events. I love reading through those lists, and I especially love looking through “year in pictures” wrap-ups, both from media outlets and friends. So I’m putting together a few of my favorite photos from the year, and decided to start with some roller derby shots. I’ve been a roller derby fan for a long time, but 2011 was my first year as a league photographer for the Los Angeles Derby Dolls. The skaters are so amazing, and the other league photographers have become friends and mentors. Getting to shoot for LADD this year was a great experience, and I’m already looking forward to next season!

Film Fridays – Los Angeles 35mm street photography

Jessica — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:59:27 +0000

This Film Fridays image is another one from Venice Beach, which really has the best people watching and photo walking. Fruit Gallery is a great little cafe where I would go for lunch or smoothies, and Groundwork Coffee has amazing almond-milk lattes. I’m not sure what exactly is going on with the lonely suitcase standing by itself under the sign, but I like that it adds a little mystery to the scene.

Shot on my beloved Canon AE-1, 50mm lens, Ilford Delta 400 iso black and white film

Film Fridays – Los Angeles, Love, and Light Leaks

Jessica — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:50:45 +0000

I’ve already posted some of my favorite shots from Erin and Michael’s engagement session at their house and at a downtown park, but I got the toy camera photos back recently and wanted to share a few of those too.

All shots taken with the Diana Mini on Kodak Portra 800 35mm film.

Los Angeles Engagement Photography – Erin and Michael

Jessica — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:50:06 +0000

And finally here is part two of the engagement session with Erin and Michael, winners of the photography giveaway contest I held with A Practical Wedding. We went to the Cornfields aka Los Angeles State Historic Park for the outdoor part of their photos. There’s a little bit of the downtown LA skyline poking through the hazy afternoon sunlight in a few of the shots, and I love the variety and all the different colors that the location offered.

Congrats again, Erin and Michael!

Los Angeles At Home Engagement Photography – Erin and Michael

Jessica — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 07:07:15 +0000

I’m so excited to post part 1 of Erin and Michael’s awesome engagement photo session. Erin and Michael were the winners of the photography giveaway I did with A Practical Wedding in September. I knew I would like them from the sweet, funny entry Erin wrote, but I was not prepared for how it would be like meeting parallel-universe version of myself and the ways our paths had crossed before. Erin and I actually met once a few years ago when I photographed the rehearsal for a wedding she was a bridesmaid in. Then it turns out she and Michael lived in the exact same apartment complex as me, and we overlapped for a year without ever running into each other. And it’s not a big complex! But then when I walked into their adorable living room, it was cemented even further when I saw a lot of the same stuff I have in my own home. Color-coded bookshelves, Berkeley Illustration animal prints, Marcel Dzama sad ghost salt and pepper shakers, cute cats. Hanging out with Erin and Michael for afternoon felt like meeting up with friends, and when I have that much in common with the couples I’m taking pictures of, I must be doing something right. Right?

Part 2 of this engagement session, where we head outdoors with lovely LA skylines, coming soon!

Film Fridays – Toy camera wedding photography

Jessica — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:59:12 +0000

I recently posted photos from Jenn and Bill’s offbeat funny hats wedding, and included several toy camera shots in collages of the evening. This particular image is one of my favorites – a double exposure of the bride and groom in their chairs for the Hora dance, and then guests dancing a little later in the reception. Multiple exposures – whether done intentionally for a specific effect or happy accidents like in this case – are one of the things I really love about toy cameras!

Taken with the Diana F+ toy camera, Ilford Delta 3200 ISO black and white film.