06Apr

The Ultimate Skybox

By, April 06, 2023

The Ultimate Skybox night skyline photographed by True Photography

The Ultimate Skybox

At True Photography we understand the importance of finding the perfect venue for your big day. One of the most breathtaking venues we’ve had the pleasure of working with is the Ultimate Skybox. Located in downtown San Diego, the Ultimate Skybox offers panoramic views of the city skyline and the harbor. The modern and elegant design of the space is perfect for couples looking for a contemporary and luxurious wedding venue.

Natural Light:

Firstly, the natural light in The Ultimate Skybox is ideal for spectacular wedding images. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide an abundance of natural light, making it easy for us to capture stunning, well-lit photos. Plus, the cityscape backdrop provides a unique and stunning setting for your wedding photos.The Ultimate Skybox wedding table setting decor captured by True Photography

Versatility:

One of the best things about this venue is its versatility. Whether you’re planning an intimate wedding or a grand celebration, the space can be tailored to your needs. The venue can accommodate up to 200 guests, and the layout can be customized to create the perfect atmosphere for your special day.Urban wedding ceremony captured by True Photography

Location:

Another great feature is its convenient location. Situated in the heart of downtown San Diego, the venue is easily accessible for both you and your guests. Plus, with so many amazing photo opportunities just steps away, you can maximize your time and get some truly unforgettable shots.Petco Park wedding photo shoot photographed by True Photography

Technology:

Additionally the Ultimate Skybox features state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities. The venue is equipped with a top-of-the-line sound system and lighting, which can be customized to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding. Whether you’re looking for a romantic and intimate setting or a high-energy dance floor, the Ultimate Skybox has the technology to make it happen. And as photographers, we love how the lighting and sound can enhance the mood and atmosphere of your wedding, making for even more beautiful and memorable photos.The Ultimate Skybox night lighting photographed by True Photography

Overall, we highly recommend the Ultimate Skybox as a wedding venue. The stunning views, versatile layout, and convenient location make it an excellent choice for couples looking to create a memorable and picturesque wedding day. And as photographers, we can’t wait to capture the magic of your special day at this beautiful venue. Check out our Ultimate Skybox gallery for more inspiration!     

16Mar

2023 San Diego Wedding Trends

By, March 16, 2023

At True Photography, we love keeping up with the latest wedding trends, and 2023 promises to be an exciting year for San Diego weddings. From bold color schemes to intimate micro weddings, here are some of the top trends we expect to see in San Diego weddings this year.

Bold and Bright Colors

Firstly, say goodbye to pastels and muted tones! In 2023, we expect to see more weddings in San Diego featuring bold and bright colors. Think vibrant jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red, paired with gold or silver accents. These bold color schemes can add a pop of personality and excitement to your wedding photos.Bold color table setting wedding trend photographed by True Photography

Micro Weddings

Due to the ongoing pandemic, many couples are opting for smaller, more intimate weddings in 2023. Micro weddings are perfect for couples who want to prioritize their closest family and friends, while still having a beautiful and memorable wedding day. Some popular venues for micro weddings in San Diego include Sunset Cliffs, Balboa Park, and La Jolla Cove.  Check out True Photography’s elopement gallery for more micro wedding inspiration.True Photography photographs an elopement in downtown San Diego

Sustainable Weddings

As more couples become conscious of their environmental impact, we expect to see an increase in sustainable weddings in San Diego. Additionally, couples are opting for eco-friendly wedding venues, locally sourced and organic catering, and recycled or biodegradable wedding favors. Not only does this help reduce waste and carbon emissions, but it can also add a unique and thoughtful touch to your wedding day.Healthy farm fresh wedding appetizers San Diego wedding trend

Mix-and-Match Bridesmaid Dresses

Gone are the days of matchy-matchy bridesmaid dresses! Particularly in 2023, we expect to see more bridesmaids wearing mix-and-match dresses in different styles, colors, and textures. This trend allows each bridesmaid to showcase her unique personality and style, while still maintaining a cohesive look.A classic San Deigo wedding trend of non matching bridesmaid dress captured by True Photography

Interactive Food Stations

Interactive food stations are an overall fun and engaging way to add some excitement to your wedding reception. In 2023, we expect to see more San Diego weddings featuring unique food stations. For example, DIY taco bars, sushi rolling stations, and dessert tables with a variety of sweets and treats.Wedding dessert bar photographed by True Photography

If you’re planning a San Diego wedding in 2023, consider incorporating some of these top wedding trends. From bold and bright color schemes to micro weddings and sustainable touches, these trends can help make your wedding day unique, memorable, and also on-trend. At True Photography, we can’t wait to capture all the beauty and excitement of these upcoming weddings.

01Feb

It’s all about having the “True” Eye

By, February 01, 2021

With over 17 years of photographing professionally, we’ve seen our share of beautiful locations, some of which have been designed to look perfect. But not all locations have what many would consider “a lot to work with.” For example, a photo shoot could take place in a nondescript backyard. Or the light condition may be really harsh. Or perhaps, due to rain, the shoot may be moved indoors at the last minute. No matter the environment, it’s our job to make the photos look their very best!

When we are presented with a challenging location, there are two techniques that we like to follow. One is to use the location as it is. We incorporate the existing conditions into the photo shoot, and show the background as it is. Ex: if we are in a supermarket parking lot, this will be apparent in the finished images. We take what we have to work with, and find ways of making it interesting and creative. 

The other technique we use is to re-purpose the environment. We basically work around the constraints of the location, looking for dramatic lines, angles, unique lighting and focal blurs. The result is nice stylized shots, even if you can’t tell exactly where they were photographed.

To demonstrate these techniques, and take you through our creative process, we selected a location in downtown San Diego. This spot is just down the street from our studio. 

This is a building just outside of our studio that is currently under construction.

When looking critically, from our perspective, here is how we see the location:

When we scout out a location, we are looking at it from a very different frame of mind than the everyday eye. We look for opportunities that may typically go unseen. We start to look for potential opportunities that may photograph well.

After stepping into the shot, we can better identify potential spots for our subject.

Having scouted the location, and determined our plan, here are a few examples of the results.

Example 1: Traffic median and building under construction

Here is a traffic median (left) and a building under construction (right).

Here is what the “True” eye sees :) The picture on the left was just the floor in the center median, which made for a nice graphical background. On the right, we used a long lens to shoot through the environment. This added visual interest, and tied in the colors.

Example 2: Normal street view

Here is what a normal street view looks like in this spot.

Above is what the “True” eye sees :) By using a long lens, and looking for interesting lines, we were able to take a standard city view (street crosswalk and rows of lined trees) to create two dynamic images.

Example 3: A small spot of greenery

Here is… not all that much to see. These are the bushes that you often find in a center median. Not the prettiest, but the only greenery nearby.

Here  is what the “True” eye sees :) We wanted to show color within the photograph, and this location was very narrow. To make the image look more lush, we photographed at a sharp angle.

Example 4: A crosswalk under construction

Here is a crosswalk under construction… We were drawn to the potential of the white, wooden construction boards.

Here is what the “True” eye sees :) We re-purposed the environment in the absolute simplest fashion, using the construction boards. This kept the backdrop high-contrast and clean.

Rather than trying to hide the environment, we made use of it, and looked for cool symmetry and lines.

For more creative uses of the city streets in our photography, check out our full gallery of urban downtown photos

See also: San Diego Affordable Photographers