Families + Vendors, get your images here! http://hhhints.meobaaklini.com/ Cute kids in costumes + sugar to fuel the event! Whew--this was a whirlwind day for me. This was the second year I shot the candid's for Hilarie's Helpful Hints Munchkin Masquerade Parade at the Sports Basement in Walnut Creek. I went in this year with the idea that I was shooting for this stop motion video. There were over 650 families, and the only way to show off the energy and fun level was to throw over 1,000 images into a 3 minute video!

For families and vendors, there are a couple offers still available.

1. Receive a complimentary 5x7 from the event by 11/11/12. Fill out the contact form here and make sure to include your image number from the gallery and mailing address.

2. Enter to win a full session with gift print package! "Like" the Meo Baaklini Photography Facebook page and "Share" the HHHints Video on your own page.  Contest closes on 11/11/12 and will be announced on Sunday 11/12/12.

Good luck families!

2012 Hilarie's Helpful Hints Munchkin Masquerade Parade from Meo Baaklini on Vimeo.

700+ images in 2 minutes! WHEW!! What began as me tagging along with Marcie Lynn Photography ended up with this awesome Stop Motion video for Rachel & Mike's Save the Date!

We started shooting in Oakland at Preservation Park, which is seriously the cutest little "set like" neighborhood I've ever seen (next to Sesame Street, of course). Our sunset beach are was shot in Alameda, with the gleaming lights of the stars and AT&T park in the back.

While marcie did the main engagement shooting, I focused on the stop motion portion. We shot Sunday, and had the video up and running Monday night. It was a LOT of fun, and I hope to keep trying out new things to keep it fresh.

Here is the final video. Leave your thoughts below :)

Music from TripleScoop, "Maybe" by Sparrow

Rachel + Mike Oakland Engagement (Stop Motion/Time Lapse) from Meo Baaklini on Vimeo.

Ahh, to be 15 and carefree again. In my head I feel like 15 wasn't that long ago, when in reality it was a very long time ago when Sisqo's blonde hair was somehow trendy and people rocked every color Fubu shirts. Have I lost you yet? Anyhow, meet Mariana. This girl is beyond beautiful. The world is yours.

I've been flipping a coin now for a year on whether to finally upgrade my gear to shoot video. I'm finally taking the leap to do so because I've realized how much more of a story I can tell through it. I didn't plan on shooting clips from this wedding, but when Amy let me know about a week before that her dad's health is in serious condition, I knew I wanted to give her something extra special. I rented the 7d from Borrow Lenses to test drive it. I literally practiced the night before, so I knew as long as I knew which buttons to push I'd be ok to grab some clips and the rest would be flying by the grace of God.

Now, first I just need to give a HUGE thank you to Marcie over at Marcie Lynn Photography for being my right hand wo(man) that day. I ended up doing the makeup for the bride, matron of honor (my cousin Ingrid-hey!!) and the mother of the bride. So, while I had my hands full, Marcie was a detail shooting beast!

We enjoyed a warm summer day at the community center in San Ramon, and enjoyed some delicious Fuddruckers that was catered! (A bride after my own heart!)

There were a couple key moments for me. One, I stayed choked up watching Amy's dad walk her down the aisle. Two, getting to pull him aside to ask him for some special love to send off to Amy on her video and three, their son Logan FINALLY opening up and getting his groove on the dance floor.

Enjoy,

Meo

PS. The coin has landed and I am aiming for the 5dmkII ;)

Amy+Elmer San Ramon Wedding from Meo Baaklini on Vimeo.

Maria, Maria...such a beautiful soul. You can see right into it in each frame. I met her at a charity event I shot over the summer called Fashion for Freedom. Maria was the lucky raffle winner of a full makeover session. She showed up with a portion of her closet, and her garment bags were full of beautiful dresses. Some from Italy, some sparkly, some rich fabrics and a rockin' deep red Alexander Wang (which I then added a corset and my  homemade tulle skirt.)

It was like playing dress up in your mom's closet, only everything was fitted and no shoulder pads.

Enjoy.

  Oh! That hair!! Meet baby J. One of my bride's welcomed him into this world, and by the looks of it, he came out swinging! (Just kidding, he just looks tough on the outside)