Jillian Bisinger Modern Photography | Modern Wedding Photography Los Angeles and Orange County » Uncategorized

Tara Circle Wedding | Rachel and Mario | Alder Manor, New York

jillgirl — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:48:58 +0000

All of the couples I photograph are special to me. I’m so blessed by the lifelong friendships that are formed as a result of this job. Rachel and Mario conference called me on the way home from their post-wedding brunch, just to rehash all the fun of the day’s events. That phone call was the icing on the cake of this event. I love getting that call or that text message the day after!!! Dishing about the party with your girlfriends the next day is almost just as fun as the actual party! A big celebration should supply you with smiles for year’s to come…and clearly Rachel and Mario’s event will do exactly that!

I talked a bit about the event location: Tara Circle in a previous post…the pictures should speak for all of it’s haunted charm. But the venue wasn’t the only thing that made this wedding a complete original. I love that the couple made a space designated as the ‘Man Cave’ … a dark room off the main dining area where the guys could hang out, drink whiskey and smoke cigars. Some girls managed to elbow their way in as well…but it was a space that was geared specifically with the Men in mind. The candle-lit ambiance in the library of the giant distressed mansion, made for a perfect intimate dinner party for 200 of the couple’s closest friends. And the ceremony on the grounds of the eerie courtyard at sundown was something out of a old world mystery novel. This wedding was nothing short of Pure Magic, what an honor it was to have captured it ….

Floral / Event Design & Production: Nicky Balestrieri
Dress: Vera Wang
Shoes: Valentino
Jewelry: Judith Ripkah
Hair: John Mendola
Make-up: Valerie Gug
Venue: Tara Circle at Alder Manor – Yonkers, NY
Catering: Chef’s at Work – Westchester, NY‘
Band: Jay Nash
DJ: JT Kendal

Meels on Wheels | Los Angeles

jillgirl — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:45:24 +0000

My whole life, I’ve always been drawn to the elderly. As a kid I would have my mom drop me off at the nursing home … for hours at a time, just so I could talk to the old people. I loved listening to their stories about what it was like to live in the “old days” or how much pride they had in showing me pictures of their families. To me, visiting with the elderly was just as fun as going to the mall or to the movies. I look back on this now and think, gosh, what a strange kid I was. Didn’t anyone think this was odd behavior for a 5^th grader? It has only just now occurred to me that, wow – this is a gift that I’ve been given.

A few years back I witnessed the nursing home from a whole different perspective. My dad had fallen ill with Parkenson’s Disease, his health had gotten so bad that it became unsafe for us to keep him at home any longer. My mom and I were unable to give him the kind of medical attention that he needed. Reluctantly, we had to check him in to a nursing home. We just didn’t have a choice. This was the most heart wrenching and difficult time that I’ve experienced in my life to date. Even as I write about it now, it brings uncontrollable tears to my eyes. Deep pain and sorrow is what I feel when I think about visiting my dad in the nursing home. I remember visiting him one time and he had a moment of clarity, just a brief moment when that Parkinson’s veil was lifted and he was able to comprehend just exactly where he was and the state of his well-being. He looked up at me and said, get me out of here. We sat together in the public area of the nursing home that day and just wept. I hugged my dad and we both just cried. I wouldn’t wish that moment on anybody. Having to check a loved one into a nursing home is a depressing experience. Unfortunately, due to my dad’s medical condition, a nursing home was our only option. Thankfully we were able to provide him with the finest care of Doctors and nurses who were especially attentive and pleasant to be around. But for some people, there may be other options….

Enter Meals on Wheels! Meals on Wheels is an organization that provides home-delivered meals to people in need. My grandmother received a hot meal everyday from Meals on Wheels for years and years. Because of this amazing service, she never had to be checked into a Nursing Home. She passed away in her own home…a familiar surrounding – the place that made her happy. Not only did she receive a daily meal, but the folks who delivered it became her friends. They would come in and visit with her – ask her how her day was … sit with her while she enjoyed a cigarette. They brought her a smile, and she gave them one in return.

I’ve had a tugging in my heart for a long time to finally give back to this brilliant organization. For so many years it was hard for me to be around the sick or elderly, because I hadn’t healed from the pain of losing my dad. But it’s been several years now, so I finally made the call and started delivering a meal and a smile to people in need. Opening your heart to the elderly is something that just feels good. If you’re looking for a philanthropic experience that doesn’t take too much time out of your schedule, then this is your ticket. Delivering meals takes less than an hour at lunchtime. You’re out the door and back to work before anyone has a chance to miss you. In fact it’s so convenient that I try to go a couple times a week if I’m going to be in town. What a great thing to do with your kids during the summer … if they’re anything like I was, they’ll really love it! haha. There is a Meals on Wheels in almost every neighborhood, so please visit their website for more information on how you can help. Just think, you might be the only face they see that day.

jillgirl — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:32:00 +0000

When I first moved to L.A., these two little ladies were some of my first clients in town….and they remain two of my very favorites! Not just because they’re so cute and polite or because the camera loves them…but because these girls remember my name! (their mom must teach them that) When a little kid calls out your name, it’s the most precious thing … I love it! (: Anyway, here’s a few layouts from their Christmas Album this year…

Heather and Michael’s Anniversary Photos | New York Wedding Photographer

jillgirl — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:21:05 +0000

Just because Heather and Michael aren’t married, doesn’t mean they don’t have anniversaries! Because they do! And they are not going to sit around and wait until their ENGAGED just to have their pictures taken together. Nope, these two are going to get started documenting their relationship right at the 6 month marker! (sounds like true love don’t ya think?) They also decided to start a family right away too! They recently adopted this cute little baby girl, STELLA! Truth be told, she’s the real reason for all the fuss and pictures. And my camera could NOT resist her!

We shot this in the couple’s neighborhood of downtown New York. Stella brought her most fashionable jacket. ADORBS!!!!

Venice Beach Family Photographer

jillgirl — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:02:02 +0000

These are Kerry O’s kids. The first image showcases these two boys’ personalities just perfectly. You can immediately tell which of these kids is going to jump off the couch, pretend to punch himself in the NUTS and fake fall on the ground in agony. In the middle pic I asked the boys to “just be cool”. In true ‘Cool Like Fonze’ form, Diego thought it best to give a thumbs up for the camera. So ADORABLY cool!

Utterly Engaged

jillgirl — Sat, 01 May 2010 17:33:17 +0000

Tony and I are just *tickled* that we made the cover of this month’s issue of Utterly Engaged. (Tony always uses the word *tickled* to describe the way he’s feeling) You can go check it out here.

Engagment Portrait | Venice | Ginny and Mike

jillgirl — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:10:30 +0000

Ginny and Mike’s Engagement Photos were captured in the sunny atmosphere that embraces Venice Beach on a colorful block of both laid back and trendy shops that is known as Abbot Kinney Blvd. It’s so nice to live in a place where it’s warm year-round. A place where you can wear halter tops in October and flip-flops in December and whenever you step outside you’re met with a giant hug from the sun. I know that people complain about missing “the seasons” but that’s what road-trips are for! Living here makes me feel like I’m on vacation year-round. Enjoy Ginny and Mikes Sunny SoCal shoot….Fall in LA! ~J

Child Portrait Photography | San Francisco

jillgirl — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:24:21 +0000

I photographed this family the last time I was in San Francisco. We spent the majority of our time together just chasing little Tyler up and down the block. Which is how most of my shoots go. Capturing a child in action always makes for the very best (and most natural looking) images. Big props to the ~B Family, you make such lovely photos together. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create some memories with you. (: Cheers! ~J

Child Portrait Photography | Venice Beach | Joah Love

jillgirl — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:26:53 +0000

I got the shoot the Joah Love clothing line TWICE! The designers added so much good stuff, it took two shoots to get it all in! Here’s some of my favorites from the second time around. I swear, these kids are so irresistable! The 2010 Spring line is up on the website at Joahlove.com….mom’s go check it out! ~J

Judy Reyes Baby Shower | Casa Del Mar | Santa Monica

jillgirl — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:54:37 +0000

Just this weekend we photographed Judy Reyes’ Celebrity Baby Shower at the Casa Del Mar Hotel in Santa Monica. I’m sure you know Judy, she plays Carla Espinosa – the Head Nurse at Sacred Heart Hospitol. Of course she does. I’m talking about the television comedy Scrubs (sidenote: I do love that Zach Braff…had to say it).
When you shoot celeb stuff – everything becomes a crazy race to get all the pictures out to specific magazines who were promised the “Exclusives” before the issue goes to print. So for the past 48 hours we’ve been going back and forth with Managers and Editors and Publicists to make sure everyone is happy with the images that are going to be used. There’s really a lot of politics involved! Here are the first fruits of our labors…a picture of Judy and her hot new [strategically placed] ORBIT STROLLER – it’s the “it stroller” to have you know….at least if you live in Hollywood (:
We just have to wait until things clear with one or two more publications, and then I’ll be able to post the story that I saw through my lens and how I will tell it when I present it to Judy … which you all know is going to be an entirely different story from what the magazines show. Still, we’re very proud of our page in Life & Style Magazine. ~J