MNP Blog

December 11, 2008

Tonight I shot Blake and Krystle's day after session outside Houston. Blake and Krystle eloped a couple of months ago but decided they needed some "wedding pictures". They called me up a few weeks ago and luckily I was open so I flew out here to shoot some images for them. My friends over at Studio563 gave me a little direction on some good spots and we had an awesome time and got some really fun stuff.

After a while they changed in to their normal clothes for a few engagement style images. The light faded quickly but we got a few off before dark.

14 Comments Add A Comment

[December 11, 2008] clint said:

these are great! to bad it didn't snow....

[December 11, 2008] jenberry said:

stop it. did you say "today". you shot this today and blogged. You are rad. Once again i LOVE the stair shots. love the holding hands shots. love the shot away from camera/holding her dress. actually come to think of it, most of them are wicked!

[December 12, 2008] Craig D said:

Dude thanks for the link. Okay now the praise. As usual bro, this stuff looks INSANE! cool to see different takes on places we shoot often. Great shoot man.

[December 12, 2008] Pascal said:

The settings are fabulous and add a lot to the atmosphere. The pics are just gorgeous.

[December 12, 2008] Cathy and David Photographers said:

Again you prove to me why you're one of my top top top favorite photogs. :)

[December 12, 2008] Lindsay P. said:

This shoot seriously rocks! LOVE the ones with the bridge in the background. And really love to see your eye on a place I shoot regularaly! Awesome, awesome, awesome!

[December 12, 2008] ScotWharton said:

These ROCK! Dude, nice job, I agree with Lindsay, the ones with the bridge....NICE!

[December 12, 2008] Meg said:

Great locations and really beautiful photos!

[December 12, 2008] Vanessa - V3 Weddings & Events said:

What a fun spot for pictures! These are AWESOME!

[December 12, 2008] Anna said:

Amazing locations.. :) Love these!

[December 15, 2008] chipgillespie said:

How you gonna come into our backyard and show us how to shoot it?!? That's messed up. Amazing shoot man! Come back soon (only, this time, I'm stalking you at a distance with the 200...)

[December 17, 2008] Aaron Dieppa said:

Norwoooood!!! Awesome as usual man! Haven't seen you in awhile...we need to hang out after the new year!

[December 29, 2008] Cynthia Q. said:

Cool shots!

[January 6, 2009] Jonathan Ruiz said:

Awesome photos Mike! I like the details in the brickwork.

HSIN + PING... ENGAGED

December 4, 2008

A few days ago I met Hsin and Ping in Pasadena to shoot their engagement images. We almost got rained out but it held off just long enough for us to get done. I'm shooting their wedding this weekend down in La Jolla and can't wait. They hired Kerrie Underhill of Platinum Weddings to coordinate and she always does an incredible job.

Here are a few from the day.

10 Comments Add A Comment

[December 4, 2008] Matt Dorroh said:

Great shoot, love the images!

[December 4, 2008] Cathy and David Photographers said:

Love the last one there Mike. These are so so cool and so you. :)

[December 4, 2008] jenberry said:

yeah. you posted again. how excited am i!!!! these are awesome. love the 3rd to last. great colors.

[December 5, 2008] Meg said:

Beautiful- love the feel of these..... the light really reads FALL which is kind of rare for us socal kids ;) Awesome!

[December 5, 2008] chipgillespie said:

Very nice ... How much? : )

[December 6, 2008] Pascal said:

I love the photos in front of the brick wall, it really creates a lovely mood.

[December 7, 2008] Lisa Llarena said:

Hi, Michael! Came across your blog earlier today and fell in love with your work. I particularly like the treatment you give your images, everything's so clean and crisp.

[December 7, 2008] clint said:

great choice on the backdrops.. great stuff!

[December 22, 2008] anna brewer said:

these are beautiful pictures, and they are a beautiful couple!! happy holidays michael norwood!

[January 16, 2009] Sarah Smith Photography said:

*sigh* i adore your images :)

STEPHANIE + DAVID... MARRIED

November 29, 2008

A few weeks ago Jessica Claire called me up and asked if I'd come shoot a wedding with her down at the Montage in Laguna beach. I, of course, accepted and had a blast shooting David and Stephanie's amazing wedding with her. The bride and groom were incredibly in love and so laid back... its always refreshing to be around couples who care less about the wedding than being married. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

L'ezu Atelier and Kate Spade Square Root handled the florals and did an incredible job.

13 Comments Add A Comment

[November 30, 2008] Jasmine* said:

You blogged a wedding?!? What is the world coming to? Miracle of miracles! ;) Just kidding...I love your work and it's so nice to see it! Now that the season's slowed, we should hang out! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

[November 30, 2008] jenberry said:

wow. i'm so excited you shared more pix. your work is way too good to hide. these are gorgeous.

[December 1, 2008] Fernanda Petelinkar said:

UAU! Jessica is rigth! You are the best!

[December 1, 2008] Sarah Smith said:

um...wow! breathtaking work, I adore your vision!

[December 1, 2008] Ajira said:

beautiful!

[December 1, 2008] Anna said:

Amazing photos.. and location, and her flowers, wow! :)

[December 2, 2008] Cathy and David Photographers said:

Gorgeous man. These are seriously some of the most beautiful photos we've seen from you guys. Wow. Loving the tones and digging the light. WOW again.

[December 3, 2008] Britt said:

These are amazing- wow!!

[December 3, 2008] Robin said:

I love every one. You're an inspiration.

[December 3, 2008] Sara G said:

M, You make everyone look amazing..I mean everyone. Not just the bride and groom. What bride in her right mind WOULDN'T want you to shoot her wedding? Amazing as always.

[December 8, 2008] anna brewer said:

comment #1: pretty sure you and jessica claire are the bomb! mazeltov!!

[December 9, 2008] Kevin Le Vu said:

I love your Bridal shoots. You have done a great job with these pics. I like how you capture a natural emotion of everyone.

[December 11, 2008] Jamie Delaine said:

Michael! I follow you on twitter but for some reason haven't really been on your blog! Love this wedding; wow! :)

MAMMOTHMEN.COM

November 17, 2008

The adventure has begun... follow along at MAMMOTHMEN.COM

For the blow by blow follow me on twitter! Click here.

4 Comments Add A Comment

[November 18, 2008] .escamilla. said:

this is fantastic! so...when does mammoth women begin???

[November 19, 2008] bobbi+ said:

:)

[November 21, 2008] CReid said:

I loved the last sand/beach shots!!!

[November 21, 2008] Helen (Dogeared) said:

Can I assume by the "legendary" and "suited up" comments that at least one of the Mammoth Men is a fan of Barney from "How I Met Your Mother"? If so, I think I just got even more admiration for the group. "This is going to be legen- wait for it, and I hope you're not lactose intolerant, because the next part is - DAIRY!" Hee!

THE LADERA RANCH SOCIAL CLUB

November 13, 2008

I live in Ladera Ranch, a small, idyllic oasis of a community nestled among the sprawling cities of Southern California. We happen to have a lot of photographers that live here... really good ones too. From Jessica Claire, to Mark and Candice Brooke, to the TOTALLY RAD Doug and Chenin Boutwell to Victor Sizemore and Morgan Taylor (who's new site is almost live and is pretty much the greatest thing I've ever seen... I'll post the link when its done), we've got a great little group going. We get together for lunch or dinner a few times a week, hang out at each other's houses, lend each other gear when one of our lenses, bodies or flashes inevitably goes bad (thanks Canon)... we're friends.

Recently, following the lead of Victor, we started playing cards at night... rook, spades, 10 on down... any number of games. You probably know that most of us are in some way or another mildly (or completely) addicted to poker. You probably also noticed that these games I just mentioned are not played for money.

Well last night after Mark's birthday party we went back to their place to play. After a while playing cards with nothing on the line does get a little dull so Jessica and I decided to mix it up. I gave her 5 to 1 odds that I could win a certain number of hands in our game. She, being the incorrigible gambler that she is, couldn't resist and so we bet 10 bucks on that hand.

I of course won and made Jessica sign the bill she paid with. Just in case you were wondering... I AM a better player than Jessica Claire.

Sidenote: After I scanned the bill I pulled it into Photoshop to crop and resize it and it told me that "Printing bank notes from this program is prohibited" Haha. What the heck? How did it know? Am i being watched?! If I am, let the record show that it was Jessica who defaced Federal property, not me.

11 Comments Add A Comment

[November 13, 2008] marco said:

Alexander Hamilton... PWNAGE

[November 13, 2008] jamie delaine said:

That's too hilarious that PS knew it was a bill! Haha!!

[November 13, 2008] jason groupp said:

LOL - I would have given ten bucks to watch Jess sign that. :) Good times. You need to move here so I can kick your butt!

[November 13, 2008] jessica claire said:

Hey, if i'd won, i'd have made $50! Not a bad return on my money, if, of course, i had won. And he were only a better player that ONE HAND, mnp readers! (sidenote: michael is actually a great card player, it's definitely better to be on his team than against him).

[November 13, 2008] stikman said:

I can't believe with all the brains between you lot, you didn't know it was a federal crime to deface govt. property. I think even that nitwit Palin knows that. ;-)

[November 13, 2008] Lara @ Southern Weddings said:

That is crazy about Photoshop... hilarious! Great post.

[November 13, 2008] Melanie Watson said:

I am entirely jealous of your card playing group. The only people who will play rook with me are my husband's grandparents. So jealous. Too funny that Photoshop was on to your money printing scheme. I guess you'll just have to keep winning the real ones from Jessica. ;)

[November 13, 2008] Mark Brooke said:

Heck yes!!!! i am so glad that i live here in ladera!!!! You DID give here 5 to 1 odds..... who WOULDN'T take that? I don't know though, you know your "10 on down" well..... tough call.

[November 14, 2008] gabriel.ryan. said:

carlie & i enjoyed hanging with the LR socialites the other night. jessica claire officially makes the best brownies ever! the funny thing is, even though you are a better player than jessica, i think it was a different player who actually won that round... it may have even been a rookie player... [ahem... me] ;)

[November 21, 2008] CReid said:

That's too funny...we got to make some time to play some cards on the cruise!!! Peace, Carl

[December 8, 2008] anna brewer said:

this is probably one of the funniest things ever! i wanna play poker with you and jessica sometime.

KATY + JOHN... MARRIED

November 10, 2008

Katy and John were married last month at John's parents insanely amazing home in Palm Springs. I think I've come to realize that backyard weddings are my favorite to shoot... of course it has to be the right backyard. :) The wedding was coordinated by Red 25 Events. They did an awesome job.

Here are a few favorites from the day.

10 Comments Add A Comment

[November 10, 2008] carrie@urbanbaby said:

gorgeous. these belong in grace ormonde.

[November 10, 2008] Jeremy Gilliam said:

You are consistently raising the bar for all of us. Your portraits glow, your details jump out, your action shots are alive, and you're a sexy beast. Well done, again.

[November 10, 2008] jessica claire said:

there is a ridiculous amount of awesomeness in this post!

[November 10, 2008] jenberry said:

how excited am i. you blogged photos. AND they are wicked and fabulously. you are inspirational. love the couple sitting on the high angle steps. you rule.

[November 10, 2008] Katy Kennedy said:

Michael - You are so awesome! I love, love, love the photos you have posted on the blog. We are so lucky to have worked with you. Can't wait to see the rest of the photos! - Katy

[November 11, 2008] Amy Lewis said:

What a beautiful couple...and a beautiful wedding!

[November 12, 2008] Lawrence @ Furious Photographers said:

Beautiful wedding! Awesome backyard indeed :D

[November 13, 2008] Jennifer said:

WOW! Seriously amazing work. What a fantastic couple. The details are so exquisitely captured-love it!

[November 18, 2008] Cathy and David Photographers said:

DUDE!!! Loving every single shot man but for some reason I really dig the detail shots in these. :)

[December 6, 2008] Tiffany Aicklen said:

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

MAMMOTH MEN... IT'S A LIFESTYLE

November 5, 2008

In the early wintery months of 2008, eight celebrated, award-winning and downright awesome photographers from all over the country grabbed their snowboards to ride the mountains of Mammoth, California. This marked the beginning of what is now known as...wait for it...The Mammoth Men. What ensued during that getaway was a week filled with adventure, spontaneity, hijinks and storied tales. A bond was forged amongst these men and a commitment made to doing it again, and doing it often!

During the Summer of 2008, The Mammoth Men hit the road again. Only this time, they loaded up 10 photographers in a Prevost rock star tour bus, drove for five days up the California Coast and shared it with everyone via their traffic happy blog. So much so that their blog readers actually got to choose their day-to-day adventures while watching them play out the next day. The blog following continued even after the West coast trip ended and garnered media attention in the blogosphere.

Well, the guys are back for their much anticipated third installment of The Mammoth Men. Watch the mayhem unfold as these 12 photographers board their Prevost and head into the American Southwest to document their Route 66 road-trip. Packed with more guys, more miles and more camaraderie, it's not just a roadtrip...it's a lifestyle.

3 Comments Add A Comment

[November 6, 2008] joyful weddings & events said:

Looks like trouble to me...

[November 6, 2008] joyful weddings & events said:

Looks like trouble to me...

[November 11, 2008] joe r said:

Awesome edit....wanna job cutting for me!???

JEN + ANDREW... FAMILY

October 23, 2008

You might remember Jen and Andrew... I shot their engagement images in New York and their wedding last year.

They recently had a little girl, Sofia. While we were in Manhattan recently they asked if I'd shooting some family pictures of them. We went up to the Cloisters on the Upper West Side and shot for a little while. Here are a few images of their beautiful family!

And a few of the happy couple. It was great seeing you guys!

7 Comments Add A Comment

[October 24, 2008] Jeremy Gilliam said:

Beautiful family, and session. Your photos are always inspiring. I'm keeping an eye on your Twitter for more 2nd shooter opportunities. Which has nothing to do with my mission to become a Mammoth Man.

[October 24, 2008] Jen & Andrew said:

michael, so glad we were able to hang out!! thanks again for shooting us. the pictures came out BEAUTIFULLY -- no surprise there. =)

[October 25, 2008] jenberry said:

beautiful family. and as usual you are amazing. i agree with @jeremy truly inspiring. you are so perfect with composition and capturing the perfect light. and from your writings it seems like a nice person too! (pure speculation of course). anyways, i can't 2nd shoot yet, but i'd love to hold your reflector, camera bag or get you coffee.

[October 26, 2008] AmyC said:

These are great, Norwood! I love the one of the parents kissing & baby looking. Too cute!

[October 27, 2008] Cathy and David Photographers said:

DUUUUDE!!! THAT BABY IS SO CRAZY ADORABLE!!!! Ahhhhh!!!! I'm going to have a big smile on my face for the rest of the day. ^_^

[October 29, 2008] carrie@urbanbaby said:

these are such incredible family images...gorgeous work, as always ;).

[December 8, 2008] anna brewer said:

dang that baby is cute!

MAKENZIE AND LAW & ORDER

October 8, 2008

It's late and I just lost everything I typed... again. I shot Makenzie in Central Park and the stayed to watch the filming of Law & Order Criminal Intent. Here are some pictures.

20 Comments Add A Comment

[October 9, 2008] Jennifer Skog said:

your comment made me laugh. Been there WAY too many times to relate! She seriously has to be the cutest thing ever! What a personality she has! Did she pick out her own outfit?! I love the hat... Love every image!

[October 9, 2008] Courtney said:

Goldblum wants to take you out! ha. that girl is adorable and so comfortable in front of the camera. great pictures.

[October 9, 2008] Bonnie Berry said:

Great shots of Mackenzie. And I am such a 'Law and Order' whore that I drooled over those.

[October 9, 2008] Shy said:

I still think your little girl is one of the prettiest little ladies I have ever seen. I say you start preparing yourself with rifle lessons so as to intimidate the drove of boys who will be banging on your door! :)

[October 9, 2008] david & kim - ohana photographers said:

love the sequence shots of her she is too adorable! law and order, that's awesome!!! nice lighting in those too!

[October 9, 2008] Gloria N said:

I am so lovin' the "Many faces of Mackenzie", she is way too adorable for words! And seriously Michael, Jeff is comin' for ya, you'd better watch out!

[October 9, 2008] joyful weddings & events said:

She is so adorable! I hope you guys are having a great time!

[October 9, 2008] Brian Khang said:

That's some great lighting and how cool is that, that you got to stay around for the filming of Law & Order.

[October 10, 2008] Lizett Esparza said:

OMG! your little girl is such a doll:) Love the stairs shots! awesome work! once again:)

[October 11, 2008] Sara said:

Michael, these are GREAT! I love her faces!! She is the new GAP girl in my mind. :) --Cousin Sara

[October 14, 2008] Evelyn said:

I LOVE Law & Order! It's cool that they actually shoot where the show is based. I watched a little of "CSI: New York" the other day. It was about a cop being shot in Central Park. But you could tell they probably just used some park in Pasadena. All the shots were pointing downward, so as not to catch any palm trees in the background. Lame and lazy. I would've loved to see the L&O folks at work.

[October 15, 2008] Cathy and David Photographers said:

Dude! It was so much fun getting to meet with you! :) Can't wait to meet you on your own turf some day. ;)

[October 15, 2008] Jen VanSuydam said:

She is the cutest darn thing. What a beautiful little girl.

[October 16, 2008] Michelle said:

Hello There Michael, I really love your pictures of Jeff Goldblum from Law & Order:Criminal Intent. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me using them in my website, I'd credit you if you accept :) thanks -Michelle

[October 18, 2008] AmyC said:

Norwood! Update, man! LOVE the pictures of Makenzie.

[October 22, 2008] jenberry said:

wow. the lighting in your photos is unbelievably perfect. the african pictures were some of the best i have ever seen. you should become a professional. haha. i have a hat like mackenzie, but i totall don't look that cute. What lens were you using with Mackenzie?

[October 23, 2008] angel swanson said:

makenzie is absolute perfect. what a beautiful girl!!

[November 10, 2008] Catha Duck said:

Michael... Makenzie's mother-in-law is going to be so disappointed at the rehearsal dinner when everyone is laughing at her son's awkward snapshots and are ooo-ing and aww-ing over your perfect pictures of your perfectly beautiful little girl.

[December 1, 2008] Bobbie Brown said:

Hi! I just came over from Jessica Claire's blog... Just going down thru here checking all your amazing pictures and I just HAD to comment on this post! I LOVE LOVE these pictures! So cute!!!!!

[December 8, 2008] anna brewer said:

pretty sure you and the wifey should get an award or something for making such a cute kid! :)