So the first day of college Jesse ran into this beautiful girl named Lisa and knew that she was the one. Not knowing how it really started, they began to date and were inseparable. As soon as they finished all of their classes, Jesse popped the question. They contacted me immediately as their first vendor to shoot their special day. We did engagements and I was honored when they asked me to design their save the date cards. The day of the wedding was so calm and cool- taking place at a family friend’s house in Somis. Unintentionally, in Lisa’s getting ready room was a poster of David Beckham staring at everyone with his shirt off… so funny. I was given complete freedom to create lasting images which is always appreciated because I love creating art rather than going with the typical norm. The flowers were bright and fun, created by Your Neighborhood Florist. The DJ I love as well; David Gill… he did my wedding and always keeps the people on their feet!  I can’t say much more as the images will speak of the chemistry between Jessie and Lisa and of their love for one another. It was great to see a couple so in Love and each others’ greatest fans.

Side note of Jesse and my history- I used to baby sit this kid… no really I did. It was a little weird to shoot this wedding only because it made me feel super old- not really. We go way back.. his dad bought me my first car! I will always be grateful for the Taylors for all the advice, love, and meals the family has given.

Enjoy!

PS- Images of the entire wedding will be online in one month’s time. Please visit www.studioBenjaminJames.com main website and click client login.

Bri, a new client, contacted me through the blog and wanted to know about my fine art prints. She absolutely loved the series on Two Trees and wanted to display the photo in her home as it brought back memories of days spent here in the city of Ventura. Along with two 5×7’s she ordered a canvas print -shown below. It’s beautiful gallery look is stunning in any home as it displays each piece of work to the highest level of presentation.
Canvas wraps start at $65 ( 8×12) and can be ordered with any wedding photograph or fine artwork on my website and/or blog.

Amy saved my card from last year! I shot a friend’s Senior photos last year and she held onto my card until it was her time! We were a little bit concerned when we first began to shoot at the Mandalay Bay beach resort… the weather in Ventura was cloudy and the wind was high. We could not wait until another date, as Amy’s Graduation was quickly approaching. The weather in Ventura can be so odd. We met at the hotel and the sun pierced through the clouds. Not too bright; it was perfect! Amy and I had a great time together as Jess and Amy’s mom talked, giving us our space to create.

A week went by and Amy and her mother came by the studio to pick up their images. They were so excited, not knowing what to expect! They were both in shock and instantly loved the photos! It’s the reaction I go for with every client.

Thanks Amy for letting me be a part of your graduation memories!

Ben

Remember going to CPK and ordering the Tortilla Soup? It was soooo good and now they don’t serve that one anymore. They’ve replaced it with a not as low cal cream-based recipe…Which is still yummy!! We are trying to encourage healthy eating together, Fun!!  This is a delicious way to do it!

Jess I must say improved the original recipe with flavorful & healthy toppings and bites of chicken.  I’ve eaten it like three times in a row… it’s that good!

I love my wife!

 

Here is the recipe!!  Enjoy making it!!  It’s fun and not too hard!

Tortilla Soup

 Ingredients:

 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil ( I use a little more because I use more tortillas) 

1  1/2 &” corn tortillas cut into 1 – inch squares (I always use way more) 

1  1/2 Tablespoons minced fresh garlic

2 Tablespoons minced white onion ( I like to use sweet onions)  

1  1/2 teaspoons minced fresh jalapeno pepper

1 pound white corn kernels  (I use the sweet frozen corn from Trader joes)

1  1/2 pounds chopped fresh tomatoes

 1/3 cup  tomato paste

2  1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 Tablespoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/2 teaspoon chile powder

1  1/2 cups water

1 quart chicken broth

 

Preparation:

1.  Over medium high heat, fry tortilla squares in olive oil until they begin to crisp and turn a golden yellow.  Add garlic, onion and jalapeno pepper; cook 1 to 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.  Add half the corn along with all the other ingredients, reserving half the corn to be added at the end. Bring the soup to a low, even boil. Boil for 5 minutes.

 2. Remove soup from heat. Use a hand held propeller blade food processor to process to the consistency of a course puree. (I don’t have one of those fancy things yet!! So I scooped the soup into a blender and it worked great! I only had to do  3 trips to the blender).

 3.  Return the soup to the burner and add the reserved corn. Bring the soup to a boil, once again being extremely careful to avoid scorching or burning. Serve, garnish with tortilla strips and I added green onions, cilantro and reduced fat mozzarella cheese!!

Here is a shot from our honeymoon that Jess took of me… it’s Amazing! She is such a talent to have by my side.

Enjoy

Its been a few months in the making. StudioBenjaminJames.com is now new, updated, and Live!!!

Check it out!!

Had to share this family pregnancy shoot with all of you. We had the simple idea to have them come over and all hang out together in a white bed with white sheets and left the rest up to my eye. The images are striking and will definitely go up on my new website that will be launching very soon. Their kiddo Hudson is the cutest child… ever! I absolutely love the way the entire family connects with the camera.

The Morris family is very special to Jess and I as close friends as well as to the studio. They referred my first wedding to me with Studio Benjamin James and have helped book two other events as well. This shoot was a gift to them in appreciation for everything they have done.

Love you guys!

Yvette, Arnie and I go way back… but all separately.  Yvette and I were Drama buddies in High School and did Bye Bye Birdie together.  Arnie and I met in college in a performance class.  And to top it off, Jess knows Yvette’s brothers very well through her job at CKE.  Small world! It took us about an hour to figure out how we all knew each other!

Okay Jess and I love these two! They are fun, warm & friendly, and ready for anything! Before the shoot in Santa Barbara, Jess and I drove around for a 1/2 hour and found several really great locations which ended up photographing beautifully.  It usually takes any couple about 40 frames before they start warming up and relaxing.  During that time it was so fun to watch these two and listen as one of them would say, “what are you doing? What smile is that?” They were completely playful and laughed at each other the entire time.  Starbucks is a favorite past time for them as they got to know each other hangin out there and now often enjoy their beverages together daily.  This Starbucks turned out awesome in the photos because it’s so urban and classic looking.  I truly love shooting engagement shoots because they “engage” us with our couple and through the course of shooting, we are able to relate to them  and find out more of who they are.  This is huge in knowing who they are as a couple and how they will be on their wedding day; it gives me an advantage to shoot more of them candidly, capturing greater moments.

Have fun and Enjoy!

My Wife’s amazing Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken…. Yum!  Look what I get!!!

Here is the recipe for the Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breasts…

Ingredients:

4 Boneless, skinless Chicken Breast halves, 1 Cup chopped Seedless Grapes, 2 Oz. Goat Cheese-crumbled, 1/4 Cup minced Shallots or Onion, 1 tsp. chopped fresh Rosemary, 1/2 tsp. Salt, 1/2 tsp. Ground Pepper- divided, 1/4 Cup Flour, 1 tsp. Seasoned Salt, 1 Tbs. Olive Oil, 1/2 Cup dry White Wine, 1 Cup whole Seedless Grapes, 1 Cup halved Seedless Grapes, small sprigs fresh Rosemary.

Directions:

Slit the thick edge of chicken breasts, lengthwise, to make a pocket for holding the stuffing; do not cut through the thinner edge.  Drain excess liquid from chopped grapes and mix with cheese, shallots, and rosemary, salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.  Fill pocket in chicken breast with one-fourth of grape mixture.  Close opening with skewers or wooden picks. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.

Mix flour, seasoned salt, and and remaining 1/4 tsp. of pepper.  Coat entire surface of chicken breasts with seasoned flour.  Using an oven-safe nonstick skillet, brown both sides of each chicken breast in oil over medium-high heat.  Pour wine over chicken, scatter whole grapes in wine, add 2 small sprigs of rosemary and bring mixture to a boil.  Place skillet in oven and bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is cooked and juices run clear.

Remove chicken from pan; reduce liquid until slightly thickened.  Strain and reserve sauce; add halved grapes and heat thoroughly.  Spoon over chicken.  Garnish with sprigs of rosemary.  Makes 4 servings.  (Recipe from the California Table Grape Commission)

Enjoy!! Serve with a yummy green salad and some Garlic Naan Bread or whole grain rice with veggies.

Jess and I had no idea that the desert could be so amazing! When I think of the desert I think heat, misery, snakes, and most importantly… air conditioning. Amma Dyan (Grandma/Aunt) and Mikey invited us to their stunning Palm Springs get away to escape the normal world over Memorial Day weekend. The Drive was hot… we were hungry and couldn’t find anything to eat until we came to the oasis of Mike and Dyan. We pulled up to their beautiful desert castle with our mouths dropped holding our breath. Mike was standing outside the home waiting with drink in hand. Jess and I changed our clothes in record time into our bathing suits and jumped into their perfectly cool desert pool. Through the course of our stay, we were privileged to work out and relax at the Country Club’s 40 million dollar spa. The work out room had chandeliers… OK– Awesome steam rooms, neck massaging spas, luxurious lounge areas, and several vanities with every hair and body product you could need. We didn’t want to go home!!! Dyan and Mike were especially sweet to Jess and Me, hanging out BBQing, out to a nice dinner, and getting to know each other on more of an intimate and adult level. We truly are blessed to call them family and cannot wait for more great times and good laughs!!!

Thanks Amma and Mike!!!

Their home with scenic views…

My beautiful wife… I don’t allow her to drive!! she’ll kill us all!!

The Spa & Gym…– YUM