what is cosplay? part II - steampunk style of unusual denizens


commentator: ed

cosplay is back!!! what is cosplay you ask?

according to the public library of cincinnati & hamilton county, "cosplay is a term that originated in japan but is based on the english words “costume play,” essentially play-acting in costumes. in japan, cosplay is not limited to anime/manga, but also a staple of many other entertainment industries such as science fiction and horror. in north america, the term cosplay is reserved for anime/manga related costuming."

CosPlaying can be divided into two categories: basic cosplay and Masquerade. While basic cosplay only involves an attempt to look like a particular character, either in the halls of a convention or on stage, Masquerade is much more involved. When masquerading, CosPlayers attempt to act as the character would. They often have prepared skits with memorized lines, and the more advanced masqueraders can easily ad-lib their character’s personality.

"anime/manga cosplay has become very popular amongst fans in japan and north america. some cosplayers make their own costumes, investing large amounts of time and money in the process, while others buy their costumes from professional costume designers. the end products are generally shown off at anime conventions."

cosplay contests are often held at these conventions, the most well known convention being the comic-con held annually in san diego. san francisco has it's own mini-version, wondercon, held at the moscone center. and this group of cosplayers is no stranger to being crowned champs at these contests!"

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this shoot is based on steampunk. here's a good rundown of steampunk via Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk

now let me introduce to you C.R.U.D. or the Coalition of Rather Unusual Denizens in no particular order:

  • Cheryll as Audioline Mixwell, Sonic Manipulator
  • Sho as Aerial Cloudstream, Rocketeer (the guy with the big backpack thing)
  • AJ as Nai the Spiderlily, Assassin (Asian girl with the rice picker hat)
  • Aimee as Madame Cardea, Time Traveler & Opener of Doors (tall girl in all blue with huge wrist thing)
  • Judy as Captain Adline Astra of the H.M.S. Zephyr (girl with all the trim/braiding on her lapels)
  • Oscar as Lord Obadiah Carton, Evil League of Evil Hopeful (Asian guy with the goggles on his head)
  • Kim as Speaker Mable O'Shira, Girl Thursday (tiny Asian girl with the long skirt and jacket)
  • Lydia as Diabolica Grand Duchess Elspeth Bustledomme (Asian girl with sleeveless dress)
  • Tony as Viscount Jarvis Kendrick, Ringmaster of the Cirque du Mal (TAAAALLL guy in the red jacket)

whew!!! now, kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com




janice and mike's engagement session - dirty martini, san francisco, california


commentator: ed

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com

i just LOOOOOOVE this first photo of janice and mike. i think this pretty much sums up
how they feel for each other.

this is one awesome gate

multiple exposures are always fun =)

silhouettes are sweeeeet!

monica is awesome in catching details

even the brick walls in san francisco are friggen' awesome!

this is also one of my faves from this session

the dirty martini is where they first met... awww... memories

individual images
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if you want to see individual images of this session, simply click here!
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venisa and jason's wedding -


commentator: ed

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com


beautiful ladies

i love silhouettes

"fish hook"

man, this church was awesome to shoot in. the lighting is just friggen unbelievable

sorry jason, but these are too good not to post up. =)

very beautiful ceremony

showing off some details... heyyy!

the name of this pose is either...
cool name = reservoir dog
uncool name = backstreet boys

this group is so funny, they are simply hella-rious. straight up comedy.
awesome... awesome to work with.

details

a different angle to show off the details...

when i took this photo, i was saying to myslef
"man, a cold brew like that sounds delicious... i'm going to drink me one tomorrow"

first dance as husband and wife

the money dance isn't all glam, people! there's also pain from those needles!
just look at what jason is going through... poor guy. LOL

that cake was delicious... just asked monica, she had my piece too!

special performance to "oooooh" and "ahhhhh" the crowd

i was debating for a long time whether i should post this part of the wedding.
it made me laugh SO hard when i first saw what had happen when
browsing the photos. our bride, venisa, actually has an arm on her.
she has got to be the one that packs the most heat
on that backwards throw. watch out ladies!!! here comes the bouquet!!!

and then this comes along... i have no words. =)
(i have to apologize yet again, but it would be a crime to not show)

the love birds

this wedding can dance the night away!

LOL

how many times have i said "sorry" in this post alone? heh heh heh

so we usually take a picture with our clients before ending the night. this particular photo is special because michelle and dennis were special guest of venisa and jason AND they are also our clients. check out their wedding here! in addition, it's usually us and the couple... this awesome photo had a special guest. =)

individual images
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if you want to see individual images of this session, simply click here!
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marivic's family session


commentator: ed

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com


awesome little bridge to play with

who says that all photos should be in focus?
bringing blurry back!

...and no, this little guy isn't part of the family. he was just hanging out watching us
while snacking on some nuts. mmmm... nuts.

individual images
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if you want to see individual images of this session, simply click here!
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rhea's family session


commentator: ed

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com


gramps with his great grand daughters

now that we're done with individual portraits, let's have a little fun

while i was shooting, monica caught these
awesome moments behind the scenes

individual images
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if you want to see individual images of this session, simply click here!
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cara and brian's wedding - the faculty club, uc berkeley, california


commentator: ed

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com

Venue: Berkeley Faculty Club http://www.berkeleyfacultyclub.com/
Shoes: Mika Inatome http://mikainatome.com/
Dress: Angelina Faccenda for Mori Lee http://www.morilee.com/bridal.aspx
Makeup: Studio Abasi (Shannon Carter) http://studioabasi.com/
DJ: Sound in Motion (Raffi) http://www.simdjs.com/
Flowers: Grandiflora http://grandi-flora.com/
Petits Fours: Dragonfly Cakes http://dragonflycakes.com/
Princess Cake: Montclair Baking http://montclairbaking.com/

Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss http://www.hugoboss.com/


getting ready - mom helping cara

awesome details = awesome ring shots

yes, those are what you think they are... aren't they awesome? and no, we didn't eat them,
though they look good enough to eat. =)

have you ever seen asparagus bloom? now you have.

these guys are HILARI-FUNNY!!!

beautiful ladies deserve beautiful jewelry

one of my favorite portraits

sorry mom, but cara's tattoos are HOTTTTT!

moments captured... just look at dad. i wonder what he was thinking at this moment.

the many faces of brian. he REALLY REALLY REALLY loves cara.
this is one of the reasons why i do what i do. awwww....

the ceremony was very emotional. very heartfelt.

thanks to cara's mom for the wonderful details. she actually grew all these.
aren't they awesome?!?!

the speeches were more like a roast, specifically targeted to brian.
pure comedy at its best.

first dance as husband and wife

i love this. can't you just feel the love?

so one of the groomsmen demanded that they do a pyramid in order to really start the party. he wouldn't take "no" for an answer... just look at the determination on his face. LOL!!
the first try was a hilarious FAIL! so they decided it's just way too hard to do a 4 tier pyramid with alcohol pre-consumed. eventually, success!!! the party will now be deemed as
"frick'n-ta-bulous!"

rock on!

yeah!!!

thank you cara and brian! we had a blast covering your awesome wedding!

individual images
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if you want to see individual images of this session, simply click here!
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Angelace


commentator: ed

check these beautiful and very talented ladies out on MYSPACE.

about:
3 sisters, Christine (19), Ella (18), and Angel-Lee (16) Matutis, come together to form a group, now known as Angelace. With their charm, beauty, talent, harmonies, poise, and intelligence, these girls stand out amongst all others.

Starting from the young age of 7 (Christine), 6 (Ella), and 4 (Angel-Lee), these girls performed throughout the cities of California and parts of Nevada. A few of their performances includes singing at the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs games, opening for Filipino artists Gary Valenciano, The Ultimate Loveteams; Rayver & Shaina; John LLoyd & Bea; Gerald & Kim, Jolina Magdangal, performing on stage with American Idol's Camille Velasco, and singing for politicians Arnold Schwarzenegger and Deborah Ortiz.

With their natural ways to stand out they paved their own way. Each one has their own unique look, style, and sound, but they come together to form one group. As artists under Megaverse Records, Angelace hopes to set a new role model for young ones, pre-teens, and other aspiring artists.

Set for a release in Mid Fall, Christine, Ella & Angel-Lee will debut their first album. With pure originality, and their unique sound, all three artists have written and arranged their first album with producer, composer and cousin, Rodge Mamauag.

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com



jean & rich's wedding - casa real at ruby hill winery - pleasanton, california


commentator: ed

kindly please enjoy the photos. =)

//ed pingol
info@edpingolphotography.com
edpingolphotography.com

venue: CASA REAL at Ruby Hill Winery
shoes: Manolo Blahnik
make up: Maria Chang
band/dj: Synthesis Band
videographer: Studio MSV
flowers: Freshbloom
harpist: Krista Strader
Wedding Cake & Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Ana's Creative Baking
Cupcakes: Twee's Treats