Propel - Photography Mentoring by Caroline Tran

Photography Styling & Directing Workshop

Caroline — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 07:02:08 +0000

propel retreat | engagement session

Caroline — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:17:49 +0000

Did you see my Propellers featured on 100 Layer Cake today?! I’m even more proud to see them featured than myself. This is the first of three shoots that we will be sharing from our recent Propel Workshops Retreat. This engagement shoot is inspired by Merrill & Tim’s actual proposal story… he proposed on Valentine’s day! Wilmarose of Lovely Jubilee took their story and styled this sweet engagement session for us. If you want to learn how to put together shoots like this for your clients, we’re hosting a one day photography workshop on Styling & Directing!

Happy proposal anniversary to Merrill & Tim! You two are so cute and fun together!

Photo & Wardrobe styling: Wilmarose Orlanes of Lovely Jubilee / Hair & Makeup: Theresa Huang Makeup & Hair Design / Florist: Krista Jon / Rentals: Archive Vintage Rentals / Merrill’s outfit: Ruche / Heart Garland & Confetti: the Path Less Traveled

Propel Workshops – The Retreat

Caroline — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:03:57 +0000

A little glimpse into our recent Propel Retreat…

Propel Workshops 3 from studio205films on Vimeo.

Photography Workshop – Styling & Directing

Caroline — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:51:28 +0000

The next big retreat will be in Fall 2013, but in the mean time, I thought it would be great to have a series of mini Propel… one day workshops, covering a specific topic. The first of the mini workshops we’re offering is STYLING & DIRECTING: A Simple Approach to Well Styled Portraits. I will be working with stylist Lovely Jubilee to show you simple things you can do to make your clients look great! We’re sending out applications next week, so sign up below if you want to be considered for early admissions. Every Propel has sold out in the past, especially since we keep the group size very intimate, so I expect this to sell out as well. Sign up below if you’d like more information.

Propellers from our Malibu retreat

Caroline — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:04:23 +0000

A few of the faces I got to spend a week with last month at Propel – The Retreat. I miss our late night conversations, roaming around the Malibu mansion, and sharing delicious meals with such inspiring people. Can’t wait for the next! And I may even be ready to bring some Propel alumni back to help!

You see that cute pregnant girl there? That’s Ngoc, the one who helps me stay organized. Crazy fun fact about this photo… it is probably the last photo of her pregnant! I made this photo right before we checked out… and her water broke the very next morning!!!

Branding & Marketing Strategies to Grow your Studio

Caroline — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:03:24 +0000

I was invited by LA Smugs to talk about how I grew by business “by leaps and bounds in just a few years.” Come join me as I share what has worked for me these past few years. Click to sign up!

Mock Wedding at Saddlerock Ranch | Propel Photography workshop

Caroline — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 02:46:01 +0000

I’m SO excited to finally be able to share with you these gorgeous images from the last Propel photography workshop. This is easily one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever shot… and it was all dreamed up by the insanely creative ladies over at Utterly Engaged. If you haven’t, you have to see all the photos from me and my Propellers in the current issue of Utterly Engaged, Ruffled, and 100 Layer Cake!

Together with a team of talented vendors, Utterly Engaged styled a gorgeous mock wedding for us, from getting ready, to ceremony, to reception. These Zebras were the source of our inspiration, but check out the current issue of Utterly Engaged to see how they went from inspiration to reality. It was amazing to see how they went from a sketch to this stunning set up.

We got to eat dinner here:

The amazing team behind this shoot:

Venue: Saddlerock Ranch / Editorial Creative Director: Lucia Dinh Pador of Utterly Engaged Magazine / Head Designer and Stylist: So Happi Together / Floral Creative Director: Inviting Occasion Inc. / Floral Assistant: Art With Nature / Wardrobe and Photo Styling: Lovely Jubilee / Caterer: Chef Anahita / Cake: A Wish and A Whisk / Desserts: Cake Monkey / Lighting: Chivari Chairs Rentals / Stationery: DL/sh Designs / Rentals: Found Rentals / Textiles Props: Scalamandré / Linens: Wildflower Linen

Malibu Propel video by Rainbowfish

Caroline — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:53:34 +0000

Propel // Photography Mentoring by Caroline Tran from RainbowFish on Vimeo.
During our last dinner together at Propel, Mike from Rainbowfish suprised us with this amazing Same-Day-Edit. Thank you, Mike. You are so incredibly talented! xoxo

Propel – The Retreat

Caroline — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:06:24 +0000

We are sold out for the next Propel, but join the mailing list below to be notified about the next!

glamping engagement | malibu photography workshop

Caroline — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:11:24 +0000

I finally get to share a glimpse into my July Propel Photography Workshop at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu! We had a wonderful feature on Green Wedding Shoes last week where my Propellers and I were featured. I was so proud to see all our photos together! It was my first multi-day workshop and while it was a tremendous amount of work, it was an amazing (beyond words) experience. I’ve gotten many emails asking when the next one is… honestly, I’m just barely recouping from July! I’m kind of serious. We’re currently looking into Winter, so if you’d like to be among the first to be notified (we do sell out!), sign up to be on my Propel email list. Okay okay, so without further adieu, *pull open the curtains*.

I actually shot Lauren & Chad’s engagement photos & wedding over 2 years ago… and like most of my couples, we still keep in touch. When Wilmarose and I first brainstormed this concept, I knew Lauren & Chad would be the perfect couple for this shoot. The concept here is that he proposed on a camping trip…

Appropriately, their save-the-date was printed on a dish towel that hung with their laundry. Jen Simpson did a beautiful job designing the save-the-date!

And of course, you know it’s going to be beautiful when Krista Jon has a hand in it! And I love all the adorable props that Archive Vintage Rentals brought in!

Lauren’s makeup and hair is so beyond adorable thanks to the awesome Amy Clarke.

Is that not the most beautiful centerpiece you’ve seen? I love how effortless Krista Jon‘s work is.

I LOVE this little row boat!

Special thanks to all the people who made this shoot possible: event designer: Lovely Jubilee // floral designer: Krista Jon // venue:Saddlerock Ranch // graphic design: Jen Simpson Design // rentals: Archive Vintage Rentals // workshop coordinator: Skybox Events // makeup artist: Amy Clarke Makeup Artistry // film processing & scanning: Richard Photo Lab