Candice Benjamin {Photography} bio picture

  • {welcome}

    Hi, my name is Candice Benjamin and I am a wedding photographer in Southern California. Fullerton to be exact. But I do travel for weddings and LOVE to shoot destination weddings. Almost as much as my love for Zombie movies and Sci-Fi. Seriously. If you would like to learn a little more about me, check out the Info section.

    This is where I post pictures from recent sessions as well as other happenings. If you have any questions or would like to inquire about a session, please feel free to contact me at info{at}candicebenjamin.com.
    In 2011 my goal was to visit 5 states. I managed to visit 7 and loved every moment of it. In 2012 my goal is to visit 5 countries. Lets see where my work takes me...

    Much <3
    Candice

    P.S. I will be traveling this year for Destination Weddings and Engagement Sessions, and I always let my couples split travel fees. :)
    Feb - 17-23rd - Vegas, NV
    Mar - 19-20th - San Fransisco, CA
    Jul - 11-18th - Kauai, HI
    Oct - 12th - San Jose, CA
    Nov + Dec - 5 Countries Adventure

Shane + Charity { Temecula Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyard Wedding }

Thursday, April 5, 2012

It’s been months since I’ve second shot a wedding. I was really missing it. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a main photographer…but being a second photographer kinda feels like a creative vacation. Can’t live there forever, but you can sure enjoy it.

So when Amanda Patrice emailed me and asked if I could help her shoot Shane + Charity’s wedding, I quickly moved around my calender to make it work. Working with Amanda is so fun, so I could only assume her couples are the same way!  It also helped that I was very familiar with the Wilson’s Creek Winery in Temecula since I shot a wedding there last year. No brainer;)

I might of danced a little bit when I was packing my gear. No lie.

Shane + Charity have a 3 year old son, and he was the cutest thing ever. He was a part of the day as much as possible and was so well behaved I almost couldn’t believe he was 3. He also was a big helper.

Waiting for the first look…

After the first look and a few photos, Shane and Charity helped their son get dressed for the wedding. Again, my heart melted. <3

While Amanda was busy photographing important family photos, I started photographing reception details. Charity created the book + succulent center pieces for the long gorgeous tables.  So pretty.

Their little boy ran around (cutely) and gave everybody a thumbs up during the ceremony.

The barrel room at lit up…

Thank you Amanda for having me shoot alongside you!

<3
Candice

Posted in Weddings

by Candice

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Wedding Photography Bucket List

Thursday, April 5, 2012

I have a confession. I’ve never seen the Bucket List movie. But since it’s came out, I’ve created hundreds of mini-bucket lists on napkins and note pads. Whenever I see something amazing online, I pine to have the same experience.  Sometimes I even make grabby-hands at my computer screen, it’s not pretty.

Last month when I visited Muir Woods near San Fransisco, my bucket list kicked me in the gut. It told me that I had to do something to make it happen.

So instead of losing the little scraps of napkins, I wanted to put it out there. I’ve been wanting to photograph these things for a while, and if given the opportunity I might just squeal like a little girl. My goal is to have couples where distance doesn’t matter. As long as I can get there by plane, train, or hot air balloon…I can be there.

My Photography Bucket List:

  • Civil Ceremony at the San Francisco City Hall
  • Mountain top wedding in Mammoth or Mount Tamalpais
  • Wedding at Muir Woods National Monument near San Fransisco
  • 7 day Indian wedding in India
  • Elopement in Vegas
  • Simple beach wedding on Kauai
  • Wedding at the ACE hotel in Palm Springs
  • Colorful Argentina wedding (with photos in the Recoleta Cemetery)
  • Greenhouse wedding
  • Castle wedding in Ireland
  • A wedding where the groom helps the bride get ready
  • A wedding where the groom walks down the aisle with the bride

This is going to be an ever changing list, and I hope someone out there can help me make it happen.  Remember, I will repay you with hugs and a lifetime supply of lunches at the Rialto Cafe.

<3
Candice

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by Candice

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Sara + Bryant { Disneyland Engagement Session }

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Hanging out with Sara + Bryant made my day. They are just plain fun people to be around. It might of helped that we spent the afternoon running around Disneyland for their engagement session…

…nah, they would be fun just about anywhere.

These two met years ago and have a mutual passion for acting and music. They are naturals in front of the camera and are so sweet and loving to each other. And goofy.:)Also, I was very impressed when they started talking about Star Wars and could start naming all of the planets they visited on the Star Tours ride. If you can’t tell…they won me over rather quickly.

During the engagement session we explored the park and tried to look for cute little secluded spots before ending the session at California Adventure.  We were also super-super-lucky that afternoon…and got a people-free photo in front of the castle. I know, I felt like a miracle worker. I kinda had to pinch myself afterwords.

Ready for this? Photoshop did not touch this image.

<3
Candice

Posted in Engagement

by Candice

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Catherine + Alex { Long Beach Avia Hotel and Recreation Park Golf Course Wedding }

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Cat and Alex are fun, always laughing, loving people. We quickly discovered a mutual love for food and bad jokes. They are also the people that introduced me to dumplings and vinegar/soy sauce. I will forever be grateful.

I photographed their wedding alongside Kiera and Josh of Jakfoto Films, and I’m SO happy you guys can actually see Cat + Alex’s amazingness via video. These two crack me up.

Getting Ready: Avia Long Beach | Venue: Recreation Park Golf Course | Video: Jakfoto Films | Florist:  Fanny Wataru of Fanny’s Flowers | Makeup: Suzy Sun | Hair:  Kim Ettner  | Cake:  Rossmoor Bakery | DJ: Adam Timm

Thanks Niall for this shot of Cat and her Dad before they walked down the aisle.

Screwdriver anyone?

And to make it even better Jakfoto Films created an amazing fusion video of their day!

 

<3
Candice

Posted in Video, Weddings

by Candice

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Requirements to be a part of the C-Team

Monday, April 2, 2012

Lately, I’ve been referring to the people I bring with me on a wedding day as “my team”. With our forces combined, we are a power to be reckoned with. Kinda like Captain Planet, but less `90s.  We have eaten Del Taco in suits, been called “Hipster Photographers”, scared people with our epic car dance parties, and learned to shuffle on the dance floor. We also just work well together. I think it’s a perfect mix of crazy.

To be a part of my team, I have a few requirements:

Must speak “Candice” – It’s an alien language
Must have no shame – dancing in front of wedding guests or making fun of one self to get a real smile or laugh
Can shuffle – extra points if you are still holding your camera and shooting
Can stuff yourself in a photo booth at the end of the night with 4 other sweaty people – see example below

More than just coworkers, we have all become great friends. Kiera, Josh, Niall, Natalie, Jessica…you are the yin to my yang. I love you guys, thanks for making my job so awesome!

<3
Candice

 

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