Dana and Jeff Archives – Page 4 of 10

Temecula Wine Trip

I have a little fun for Monday! Let’s face it, if you work hard, you should play even harder! Sometimes we need to slow down and just take a break. Well, this past weekend I got to do just that. I had the privilege of joining 14 other fabulous ladies to go wine tasting in style! The trip came about when a few of us girls mentioned getting together for a wine night. Well, wine night turned into a wine day trip to Temecula. The group grew and I had the opportunity to hang out with some of my peeps and also met some new friends! We stopped at three wineries; Leonesse Cellars, Robert Renzoni Vineyards and Oak Mountain Winery. It was a fabulous day filled with wonderful wine and people, so I thought it would be nice to share it. I know some of you love when we share photos from our travels, so this ones for you! Hope you can escape with me for a few minutes as I share the highlights from my wine tasting adventure. Cheers, Dana

The Ladies are ready to go! Hummer Limo provided by United Limo. This shot was courtesy of our limo driver, Bob!

Leonesse Cellars Vines

Leonesse Tasting Room

Our fabulous host Joel at Leonesse Cellars!

Wine Bottles at Leonesse

Logo on the door of private tasting room at Leonesse Cellars

Some of the girls enjoying the Leonesse wines!

One of my favorite wines of the day! The 2007 Limited Selection “Six”, a fabulous Sangiovese Blend.

Leonesse Cellars Barrel Room where we enjoyed a few more tastings!

A fun portrait of my friend May in the vines!

The ladies in the vines! What a fabulous day. Cheers to all of you!

Temecula Wine TripDana Sipper2011-04-26T16:48:29-07:00

Sipper Photography in OC Business Journal + Forbes

Sipper Photography has been nominated for the Orange County Business Journal’s 2010 Excellence in Entrepreneurs Awards. This is the 9th annual award celebration to recognize OC Entrepreneurs. We are thrilled to be a part of this and honored to share the company of many other fabulous Orange County business owners. An awards luncheon will take place on March 17th to announce the EIE winners, so wish us luck! Our sincere thanks to everyone who continues to support us at Sipper Photography. Your love and support is greatly appreciated! Thanks, J+D

Nominees are announced in the February 22, 2010 edition of the Orange County Business Journal

Here is our Nominee Profile

Congratulations Page with a list of all of the 2010 Nominees. You can see our names just above.

In our nominee profile there is mention of another recent credit we received and wanted to share with you! We recently had one of our photos credited on Forbes.com feature entitled Web Celeb 25! A big congratulations to Danny Sullivan for making the list and our sincere thanks for using our portrait.

Here is the shot of Danny seen at Forbes.com

Life is good and we are so happy to be recognized for our work and talent. It is amazing that all of this comes from something we love, our passion of photography.

Sipper Photography in OC Business Journal + ForbesDana Sipper2010-02-25T14:31:35-08:00

Meeting Tommy Lasorda | Orange County Event Photographer

Happy Friday everyone! We hope you all have a fun Valentine’s holiday planned. Jeff and I will be visiting Palm Springs this weekend for some work and then a little R&R! We are so excited to shoot Jeff and Kacy’s wedding tomorrow at The Viceroy Hotel, this is our first wedding of the year and it is going to be fabulous. Since we were staying over for the wedding, we decided to take an extra day to stay and celebrate Valentine’s Day and relax. I can’t believe with all of the bad weather we have been having across the country, Palm Springs will be a beautiful 75 degrees for the wedding and almost 80 degrees for the rest of the weekend. What to pack??? LOL Whatever you are doing this weekend, in the snow or the warmth, remember to celebrate your loved ones!

Here is a little Friday Fun I thought I would share. I recently had the opportunity to do a shoot for Argosy University and the Orange Chamber and met Baseball Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, yes Mr. Dodger himself. What an honor to shoot this event and hear Tommy speak. That man loves baseball! He reminded me of my dad, always could talk about baseball and his team. In my dad’s case it was the Yankees, but the passion was just the same, he loved baseball and all of the history that went with the game.

I snapped several photos of Tommy speaking and even got a photo with him myself. My friend Tanya of Design Action Studios was also there and put together a little video montage of the event and his speech which you can view here. If you like baseball, especially the Dodger’s you want to watch this!

Here is Tommy when he arrived!

Here is Tommy exercising his freedom of speech!

Orange Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Argosy University

Me and Tommy, it was such an honor to meet him…you can see how excited I am!

Me, Tommy and my friend Tanya

Meeting Tommy Lasorda | Orange County Event PhotographerDana Sipper2011-10-10T20:13:56-07:00

Please Vote for Sipper Photography!

We need your support today, we have been nominated for the MyFoxLA Best of OC Wedding Photographer 2010. Currently, we are in 2nd place and hope to move to the top! Last year was our first year participating and we made it to the Top 5. Currently we hold the title of “Top 5 Best of OC Wedding Photographer in 2009”. Please help us defend our title, by voting today!

Voting is easy! It will only take a few minutes and it would be greatly appreciated!

Follow these easy steps to cast your vote now!

Go to our profile link:

http://myfoxla.cityvoter.com/sipper-photography/biz/162929

Click on yellow button that says “Cast your vote”
Register to vote by filling in your name, email info, etc.

*You will not receive spam!!!!! A confirmation email is sent out to verify your vote, then no other emails will be sent unless you sign up for updates!

Click Blue “Register and Vote” button
If you have time, leave us some love under the recommendations, if not your vote is most important!

Please pass this along to any of your friends, their votes count too!

Again, thanks so much for supporting Sipper Photography! J+D

Please Vote for Sipper Photography!Dana Sipper2010-11-28T20:42:30-08:00

My 35th B-Day by Dana

Today I am celebrating my 35th birthday, Happy Birthday to me! I guess I am officially in my mid 30’s as of today. The hubby jokes with me that I am getting old and I sigh, but I know it is only in fun and out of love. He is just kidding with me, so I don’t really take it to heart. Besides, he is a month and a day older than me, so he will always be the older one!

Over the last month I have been looking back on my life all that I have accomplished and all that I look forward to. We hear it every day that time is flying by, and well, it is! We truly have to embrace every moment because life is a gift. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life. I love all of my family and friends and I try to let them know as often as I can how much they mean to me.

I want to send a big thank you to my mom for giving birth to me and making this day possible. Words can’t describe what this woman means to me. She has always been the anchor in our family and such a strong supporter in my life. When I wanted to move to California 10 years ago, she was sad, but let me go because she knew I had to find my way and follow my dreams. Until this day, she still supports me and loves me for all that am and all that I will be. Thanks mom for all you do, I love you very much!

As I chased those dreams more than 3,000 miles away from home, I was scared, but they led me to the most wonderful man in the world, my husband, Jeff. He has always been there for me, since the day we said our vows. I love him dearly. Today, tomorrow, and forever. I thank him for standing by me through it all and sharing this wonderful passion we have with our photography. We truly love what we do. I feel it is a part of my soul and has been for many years.

This morning, I had this overwhelming feeling that my Dad was watching down on me with so much pride. As I turn another year older, I will continue to walk through life and take in every moment. I feel blessed every day to have love and passion in my life. I love what I do and I am so thankful that I have all of you to share it with.

As part of my birthday celebration, I had Jeff take a few photos of me, so I can always remember who I am today and how far I have come. From the smiles you will see how very happy I am. I get that from my dad, he was always so happy go lucky. I am excited for the years to come, as all I can do from here is continue to grow, love, and just be ME!

A special thanks goes out to Kristin at The Meringue Bake Shop for my lovely red velvet cupcakes I got for my birthday. They look so yummy because they really are. Cheers to all!

My b-day cupcake!

My 35th B-Day by DanaDana Sipper2010-11-28T20:24:40-08:00

Happy Birthday to Me! Things I’ve learned…

So today I turn 35! What did ya get me? 🙂

I never really think much about my birthday. Since it falls in between Christmas and New Years, it just sorta gets lost in the end of the year holiday shuffle. This year, for whatever reason, I’m thinking more about it. Where I am in life, where I want to be, and what I need to do to make it happen. Also, at the same time, looking back. Esquire Magazine runs a column every month where they interview somebody called, “What I’ve learned…” It’s always interesting to me what people say. So, bear with me for this entry, as I tell you what I’ve learned, and hopefully keep it interesting for you…

Knees won’t last forever. I’m not sure if bad knees are hereditary or I just abuse mine, but I’m not sure how much longer mine will go before they just totally give out on me.

Love will only get you so far. You need to actually like the person you are with. I think that is why Dana and I get along so well. She’s my best friend, and I really do like to spend time with her.

I’m not Indiana Jones with a camera as I thought I would be when I was 16. I’m not traveling thru some jungle working for National Geographic. Most of my work consists of working in a confined studio space taking pictures of things that do not move. Some days it can be a bit boring, but I do get to sleep in my own bed every night.

I’m a bar person, not a club person. Give me a couple drinks in a nice quiet place with some good friends and I’m there. As much as I like loud music in my car, or when I’m working, it drives me up a wall trying to have a conversation with people if I feel like I have to yell at them.

Proper planning prevents piss-poor performance. I’m not sure where I heard this first. It might have been my dad when I was a kid, but I heard it again the other day and it could not be more true.

I don’t really mind the gray hairs on top of my head. They’ve slowly been creeping in since I was 23. It’s the gray hairs in my goatee that bug me.

I’m still completely in awe of how far technology has come in my lifetime. On Christmas day, we were in Arizona with Dana’s family, but yet, I turned on video Skype on my laptop too see my family 800 miles away. Just amazing to me still!

Facebook is still wild to me. It’s fun to see what happened to people I knew from 20-25 years ago. On the flip side, sometimes people you didn’t like from high school always tend to want to be your friend. My memory is still pretty good about a lot of stuff. Obviously, theirs is not!

I don’t hold grudges and I’m not a violent guy. However, there are a couple people, that if I ever run into them, I will punch them in the face. 🙂

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received lately comes from Don Draper on “Mad Men”. He said, “Always move forward.” I try to do this everyday. Moving forward keeps you from getting stuck.

And since ya’ll love the pics. Here is one that Dana shot at me last time we were in New Orleans…

Jeff

Happy Birthday to Me! Things I’ve learned…sipperphoto2010-11-28T20:35:08-08:00

New Orleans Street Portraits | Orange County photographer

Happy Monday to everyone! Just wanted to drop in, and show off a few pics I shot when Dana and I were on vacation a couple weeks ago. This being my fifth trip to New Orleans, I’ve seen most everything. Over the past 10 years, the main things that keep bringing me back are the amazing food, the great music, and incredible people watching. In and around the French Quarter, there are dozens of musicians at any given time, playing in the street and drawing crowds. It’s always a ton of fun, and always makes for fun photos! Hope ya like them!

Jeff

Mike the Poet

Woman in Jackson Square watching the Jazz Band playing

The Jazz Band in Jackson Square- I’ve been photographing these guys since my first trip 10 years ago. The lineup always changes a bit, but the trombone player/singer has always been the same!

This guy was just jammin’ on the clarinet! I also thought he was going to beat down a guy across the street that set up a drum kit, and was trying to drown him out!

Not really a portrait, but I saw this guy a few times over the course of a couple days, and really dug his Tall Bike. I just happened to have my camera out and at the ready to finally snap off a few frames!

New Orleans Street Portraits | Orange County photographersipperphoto2011-04-26T16:49:19-07:00

Weekly Wednesday Blog-Rules of Travel | Orange County Photographers

Hey everyone!

So, in just a couple of days from now, Dana and I will be heading off to New Orleans for 6 days of relaxing, eating great food, having a few cocktails, and checking out the sights. This will be our 4th trip together there, and my 5th trip to New Orleans, overall. Every time we go, we find something new we had not seen before.

Over the years, I’ve developed a sort of code to live by when traveling. It started with my sister, years ago. It was mainly just a couple rules, partly to get you out of the day to day rut most of us are in, and to keep track of how many places you’ve been. I asked on FaceBook and Twitter for other people’s rules. Some were pretty good. Here are mine:

1. No Chain Restaurants-I can eat at a McDonalds, or a Denny’s anywhere in the US. That’s pretty boring. Get out and try truck stops, diners, hole in the wall joints. Ask the locals where they eat… and then go there! That leads into the second rule…

2. Eat and Drink like a local-If I’m in New Orleans, I’m not drinking a Budweiser. I’m reaching for an Abita Turbo Dog. Mainly because I can’t get it here, easily, and it’s brewed locally in Lousiana. When we were in Minneapolis a few weeks ago, I had a Bells beer. It was pretty good… and local! If there is a local specialty food on the menu, try it. If you aren’t sure what to get, trust the waiter!

3. Don’t be that guy at Airport Security– You know who I’m talking about. The guy that complains the entire way thru the security line. Listen… we’re all in the same line, and YES, airport security sucks. You have no choice… deal with it.

4. States count as 1 point, Countries count as 2-I think my sister is beating me overall. She has a few more countries than I do, but I have about 22 states plus Mexico!

4a. If you don’t leave the airport, that state DOES NOT count.

5. Be a Traveler, not a Tourist– This might be my most important rule. Do a little research before you go somewhere. Check out what the locals are into. Blend in. Believe me, if you look and act like you belong, you might just to see things the tourists aren’t seeing! In short, act like you’ve been there!

So there a go… Anyone else have any rules they live by while traveling? Let us know… maybe we can add them to our list!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (Jeff)(Dana) to see what we are up to, and to see some camera phone pics while on the trip! See ya in about a week!

J+D

Weekly Wednesday Blog-Rules of Travel | Orange County Photographerssipperphoto2009-10-14T13:03:09-07:00

Weekly Wednesday-Minnesota Trip Roundup! | Orange County Wedding Photographer

Hey Kids!

We’ve been super busy lately, and have totally forgot to drop some Weekly Wednesday action for ya! This week, we decided to wrap up our Minnesota trip with a few pics we shot for fun while walking around downtown Minneapolis, and a few random places along the way. For those of you who don’t follow us on Twitter, or Facebook, you missed out on seeing all the details as they happened, including a ridiculously long layover in the lovely Dallas-Ft. Worth airport. There was a pretty gnarly lightning storm around Dallas, and kept us up in the air an extra hour. Once we landed, we grabbed something to eat, and waited around for our flight to board. About 30 minutes later we hear over the loudspeaker that they have closed to the airport, and they would let us know when they would reopen. Great. Well, the airport opened and closed about 4 more times before we actually boarded the plane. We should have arrived at the airport here at around 10:30. Instead, we didn’t land until after 1am, and by the time we got our bags, got our car, and drove home, it was nearly 2am. Bah! But we made it home safely, and that’s all that really matters.

We are going to take our chances in a couple weeks as we fly out to New Orleans for some MUCH needed relaxing. If any of you are in New Orleans, and wanna hook up for a drink, or some pics, hit us up. We don’t have any definite plans, as usual, and will most likely be spending our time walking around and taking pictures, eating killer food, and enjoying a cocktail, or three!

Here come the pics…

I just love this woman’s red hair. This was my view for a few hours on the flight out!

View of the Stone Arch Bridge, and Minneapolis in the background.

And, last, but not least… a few handheld self portraits. Clockwise from the top left: Us after the wedding, enjoying a drink, and some Pizza; Having a Dark and Stormy at the Sample Room; On the Stone Arch Bridge, overlooking the Mississippi River; In front of the Mall of America!

Oh, and since I didn’t write in there who took which pics, we’ll open it up to guesses! The person with the most correct gets 500 points! GO! 🙂

J+D

Weekly Wednesday-Minnesota Trip Roundup! | Orange County Wedding Photographersipperphoto2009-10-08T11:19:41-07:00

Orange Street Fair, Urban Portraits Orange County, CA

Happy Wednesday to all of our peeps! I am sure by now everyone is adjusting back to the work week after a fabulous Labor Day Holiday weekend! We had a fun-filled weekend packed with the Orange International Street Fair, a great family session in Point Loma and a bbq with friends. Check back with us because the family session from the Point Loma Lighthouse will be posted soon! So beautiful!

I can’t believe it is already September. Summer is on its way out and the fall and holiday season is just around the corner. Yikes! We are very excited for the season because we get to do holiday family portraits. Yep, it is that time, so you better start thinking about it if you want to get a holiday card out this year.

Jeff and I enjoyed a great afternoon on Saturday at the Orange Street Fair. It seems we are always so busy, so it was nice to walk around, eat, drink and be merry… oh and take some photos just for fun! I love spending time together where we can just relax and hang out. We have several images to share as the day turned into night, starting with our first stop a must have for Jeff… Aebleskiver’s! Jeff just loves those things little Danish pancakes, you can read about his first meeting of the Aebleskiver here.

Jeff snapped this as they prepared our snack!

They are pretty tasty with powdered sugar and strawberry sauce!

We came across a new restaurant in Downtown Orange. As we walked around, we both received Twitter follows from the Haven Gastropub, a pub in Downtown Orange. We may just have a new place to hang out! So, as dinner approached we made a stop in to check it out. It turns out their Grand Opening was that day, so they started serving a few menu items just in time for the street fair with more to come. We shared a burger that was fabulous and snacked on these homemade potato chips with herbs. They were so good! Very light and tasty. You must try them out!