Alison Cotton's Blog

Bleu and Alison are combining Blogs!!

2009-07-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

We have decided to combine our blogs....so check out the articles below...but then open up Bleu's Blog and see what we are up to now!!!! Also, feel free to find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Donielle & John

2009-06-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

While Bleu and Brandon were in Kuaui photographing a wedding over Memorial Day weekend, Nathan and I had an amazing wedding right here in our own backyard... Donielle and John had an incredible event at the Turnip Rose. Wow!!! www.turniprose.com Congrautulations to both of you and your families!!!!

Newport Beach Film Festival

2009-04-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

Today was the opening day of the Newport Beach Film Festival. Bleu Cotton Photography is an official event sponsor, and we are proud to be a part of the week. Tonight was a movie called "LymeLight"....Wow, Wow, Wow!!! You must see it!!! Alec Baldwin, the Culkin Brothers, and an all-star cast.

Check out the website http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com/ and see the movie line - up. Make sure you get to the movies early, so that you can see our Logo on the screen prior to the start of the film. You may see us at the red carpet photographing the celebrities!

Hallmark Institute of Photography

2009-04-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Bleu and I just got back from teaching at the Hallmark Institute of Photography.. the best photography school in the entire United States. I graduated from it in 1995...14 years ago...egad!!! Since then, the school has grown twice the size, and I am so proud to be an alumni.

Katie and Sean's Wedding

2009-02-19T20:15:00.001-08:00

What an beautiful day! Congratulations, Katie and Sean. Their day was perfect in every way...and what a gorgeous location to end it at... the Turnip Rose... http://www.turniprose.com/

One Year Since the Surgery!!!

2009-01-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite photos of the Fishman I took over the holidays! I can't believe one year ago today we were in CHOC at this very moment during Fisher's operation...It has been a whole year and his forehead is head looks great!!!! Talk about the modern marvels of medicine!!! Thank you again Dr Muhonen www.choc.org/physician_guide/detail.cfm?ID=300

and Dr Sundine www.drsundine.com for your incredible talent!!

Fisher and Jessica

2008-08-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

Bleu and I are so grateful to have Jessica in our lives. She has been Fisher's Babysitter...Nanny...Girlfriend...Miss Jessica...for almost a year now. Jess is our Angel! I wish all families could have someone like her to watch their baby when they are out shooting weddings! She came with us last week to watch the FishMan while we did a family session at the beach, so we ended up taking some photos after sunset of them. Jess is heading out to American Idol auditions next week...Break a Leg Jess!!

Fisher Meets Michael Cage

2008-08-02T01:05:00.000-07:00

This week Fisher met NBA basketball player Michael Cage and his amazing family during a shoot we had. Michael is such an incredible person, and his kids were all Fisher's buddies for the afternoon. Michael does the "Fisher face"....
Fisher helps out the team.

Best Photographer in the OC!!!

2008-05-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Winners have been posted for the Best in the OC...and we are pleased to announce that Bleu Cotton Photography is Voted the Best Photographer in Orange County on the Fox LA's Hotlist.

Thank you for making us number one!!!!

http://myfoxla.cityvoter.com/bleu-cotton-photography/biz/66040

Fisher meets Constantino Bertuzzi

2008-02-16T17:06:00.000-08:00

Fisher exchanged tips with Famous Italian Race Car Driver, Constantino Bertuzzi last sunday...he was learning how he can cut his time as he races his Mickey Mouse Scooter Airplane up and down the hall way at home!

Wine Time on the King Fisher

2007-08-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a FABULOUS Newport Bay Cruise with our Friends, Jami and Rick Delgado. Bleu photographed their wedding back in 1999...I met them as we designed their wedding album in 1999...an amazing wedding our studio photographed at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Ask Bleu about his drive to the Hotel...and his equiptment at the stop light...these are the moments that reality shows are made of. :)

Jami and Rick have been friends since then. We adore them! Tonight we spent sunset with some perfect bottles of wine and time to enjoy the view in the bay....and our Fisher got to spend time with Sophia....their daughter born 1 week after him at Hoag...thank you to Jami and Rick for letting Fisher piggy back with their babysitter!!! We are looking forward to Fisher and Sophia dating and going to their High School Prom together in about 17 1/2 years!!!

Summertime Summertime Sum Sum Summertime!

2007-07-25T23:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is that time of year again. Summer takes so long to arrive, and then I blink and it is already the end of July. We have had a such a busy summer so far, and there are SO many items I want to post. From our trip to NH to visit my family, Fourth of July, and our camping trip on Catalina Island, to tonight, when we photographed the Newport Beach Breakers play the New York Sportimes in the World Team Tennis Tournament. We photographed John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova playing against each other. Very cool!!!

So here's a taste of some cool images yet to come. Bleu and I went to see Weird Al in concert last week at the OC Fair with our friends, Carolyn and Mike. I must say, Al is such a talented artist...and such an entertainer. We had a blast!!!

Mother's Day and Father's Day Specials!

2007-04-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

We have created an amazing opportunity to have a session with your children. Spots are filling up fast, so make sure you call our studio and book your session today. Use it as a gift for yourself to remember this holiday with your kids, or suprise your spouse on sunday morning with a finished piece.

Mother's day Session

May 1-10

Mom OR Dad with kids

Father's day Session
June 1-10
Mom OR Dad with kids

$195 & tax

Includes this memorable session and (1) 8x10 (2) 5x7s and (8) Wallets from one pose.

Additional images available at regular prices.

Monte Zucker

2007-03-20T22:31:00.000-07:00

With sadness we just learned that Monte Zucker passed away on March 15th. He was like my Godfather. I was fortunate enough to work with him when I worked for his protege, Clay Blackmore, from 1995 - 1999.

Monte was a leader in portrait and wedding photography, with an amazing eye for lighting and posing. I recall reading photo magazines that my father subscribed to when I was in high school and college, and I would read Monte's articles. He was definitely a celebrity in the photography world...known worldwide! I would never imagine working with him and learning so much while I worked with Clay.

Here are some images I pulled from my scrapbook of my photography life in Maryland during the 90's. The first is Monte and Clay teaching in Baltimore. I loved assisting at their seminars together.

In April of 1996 I went on a job with Monte and Clay at the French Embassy in DC. Monte is at the computer working on an image they just photographed and were printing onsite. They were one of the first studios to work with digital photography. Monte amazed me at his love of learning and teaching photography. He wrote articles and taught photography right up to the end. He had moved to Florida from Maryland in 1996 to retire...not a chance! I remember being in awe working with him on this job.

This photo was taken at Ed Pierce's Wedding 2000 Seminar in April 1996. Monte and Clay were featured, along with Denis Reggie, Wendy Saunders, Calvin Hayes, David Ziser & Gary Fong. I modeled for Monte...that is me in the bridal gown on the TV with him posing my hands...I can't tell you how much I learned while being around Monte and Clay. That is one thing young photographers do not understand...the art of posing and lighting...and photographing each image to make it count. Monte could shoot 12 different perfect images on a roll of 12 on a Hasselblad camera.

On the back of this polaroid I wrote "Ali's first portrait taken by Monte Zucker 9/95" I framed and cherished it. Monte and Clay shot with Hasselblad cameras, Kodak film, and Polaroid film to test their lighting. They used their famous 5 light set up in this image. As I pulled it out of the album, I could still smell the chemicals...wow...what a difference from today's photography tools!

Here is a photo that makes me smile. Monte and I photographed a wedding for the Bainum family in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1997. He photographed the portraits and I photographed candids. Monte was so good at making his shots count, that he took the image of the couple kissing and turning to walk down the aisle, and after his 2 shots, he just turned around to walk back ahead of them. I took this photo of him to remember his precision and confidence in his work...photographers now a days would be photographing all the way up the aisle...ok, me included...but Monte - nope...always in control and not wasting an image.

Bleu and I have the fondest memory of Monte at the PPA conference in 1999. Monte, Clay and I were at a table during a cocktail reception. I had already announced I was moving to California to be with my "new love" Bleu Cotton. Monte looked Bleu in the eye and asked "What are your intentions with Alison? How long will you have her? Bleu said "As long as she'll take me." Monte said "WRONG!..the correct answer is Forever!"

Monte Zucker was a brilliant photographer and such a gem for me to know. I will cherish the time I was able to have with him. I was such a lucky girl ending up working with Clay and Monte...Rest in Peace, Monte...your work in the photography world will live on forever!

Yearning for Sushi!

2007-01-18T16:22:00.000-08:00

One thing I have missed over the past 39 weeks is Sushi! Bleu and I love to try new sushi bars, and we have our favorite spots, one is Maru Sushi, located on Harbor and Adams that we would frequent often on the way home from work. Another one of our favorites is California Beach Sushi in Newport Beach. The chefs there are the best! Very talented and great personalities. A while back Bleu and I did a photoshoot that lasted until about 1:oo in the morning! It was for one of our clients, who owns eatsushi.com, for a new book and DVD he published...Sushi A - Z. These make great gifts for the Sushi lover and are available at Amazon.com.

We created this display which you can find on the wall at California Beach Sushi - check it out if next time you head out for some great food!

New Magazine to check out!

2006-11-24T18:07:00.000-08:00

We are advertising in Location 3, a new publication featuring Newport Coast...this is the talk of the town!!! If you come by our studio, ask us for an issue. We are looking forward to being a part of future issues!!

What a great moment!

2006-10-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

I just love this image...Bleu and I photographed this amazing wedding at sunrise in Malibu...Bride and Groom, Rabbi, 2 friends and their dog...one of the most intimate and amazing weddings we photographed this year! After the ceremony the couple rode bikes down the canyon...this is where I captured this image. Congratulations Timothy and Karinna!!!

Where did the Summer Go???

2006-08-19T23:33:00.000-07:00

So, it has been since April that this blog has been updated. We have been slammed with wonderful, wonderful work. We have traveled with our work, and we have worked on adding another Cotton to the business...Yes, I am 18 weeks pregnant! We have a little boy bleu on the way! That has not stopped me from shooting yet. Tonight we just got back from a gorgeous wedding at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point. Bleu, Dawn and I rock together when we work as a team!!!

So, here is some more personal work I shot this summer. Some may recognize this work from the Orange County Fair Visual Arts Competition. Mimi and Rhonda have been with me since photography school, and Edna is a treasure I just got off Ebay...all are fabulous models!!!

The Roosters

2006-04-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

Bleu is a member of the Roosters, an organization of 100 businessmen who raise money for children's charities. He has been a member for 3 years, and not only is he proud to be involved in such a wonderful group with such a great purpose, but he (and I) are thrilled to know such amazing men (and wives...{chicks?}) who have become such close friends...(actually family)!

On Thursday we attended a wine tasting dinner, and yes, we brought the "P&S" (point and shoot)...you gotta leave the Canon Mark II at home when one hand has a wine glass in it.

Check out www.roosters.org for more info on this group!!!!

What happens at the Venetian, Stays at the Venetian.

2006-04-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

Bleu and I were supposed to leave Vegas last Wednesday, and fortunately, we realized the traffic was a nightmare going back to the OC before we got on I-15...so we checked back into the hotel and took advantage of the night....these photos are taken by Bleu of me...yes...me...don't I look sweeeeeet with a little extra help in the Make-up Dept?

WPPI 2006

2006-04-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

Bleu, Dawn and I just got back from WPPI in Las Vegas. We go every year and catch up on the newest info out there for professional photographers...What a blast! Here are some pix from our night at the Pictage Party and dinner at Nobou in the Hard Rock.

It was great to hang out with Asgeir Bollason, from David Michael Photography in Woodland Hills, Andrew Clark, from Andrew Clark Photography out of Denver, Jennifer and Corrinne, from Cobabe Studios, and Brian and Maria Phillips from Brian Phillips Photography from Boston.

Great photos, team!

2006-04-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

As we are revving up for our wedding season, I am looking back on a great 2005 season. Here are some of my favorite images from Mitzi and Shoney's wedding in Long Beach last July.
This event was photographed by Bleu, Dawn, myself, and Nathan. Wow! What a spectacular coverage!

Random Images for a Sunday

2006-04-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have always loved photo booths. They have to be black and white with the 4 shots. I am so happy that they now offer booths for events that you can rent, that way guests can take photos in them during the reception. The one "no - no" is when the attendant actually cuts these 4 images apart for sign in books...that is such an error on their part.

Every year Bleu and I get our photos taken at the Orange County Fair. I believe this is from 2004.

Last weekend Bleu and I went to the Swap Meet, and found these most amazing African Masks. This is just one of them that I photographed and layed out Andy Warholish, this is actually the mask I have named after Bleu's daughter, Nicole. We got four of them, and each one represents one of his kids. I think I am obsessed with them! How cool!

Finally, I just love this image. We photographed it at Nicole Gale's wedding in January at the Turnip Rose. I guess these random favorite images all have some things in common.

You're my boy, Bleu!

2006-04-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Ali's Blog.

As Easter Approaches, I am really ready to travel again! We have been fortunate enough to have been in Athens over Easter, where we celebrated at midnight with Bleu's Greek Cousin, Joanna and her family. One year we camped on the beach in L'anai, Hawaii waking up to locals playing guitar at sunrise. After we became engaged in Paris a few years back, we stumbled upon a midnight mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on a rainy Easter-Eve. This year we are going to be back in California celebrating with family....eating the traditional Greek Lamb and making "red dye" Easter Eggs. Next year we will hope to be en route again, celebrating with another culture over Easter.