PG P.R.I.D.E. The Great Taste of PG 2026 | Event Photography Pacific Grove

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PG P.R.I.D.E. The Great Taste of PG 2026 | Event Photography Pacific Grove

An Evening That Brought the Community Together

This was my first time photographing an event for PG P.R.I.D.E. and also my first time photographing this large of a silent auction that ran the entire length of the event and was the main feature of the event itself. This brought about an energy and level of activity I had not experienced before in all my years of photographing events! Some time before the big day I met with Crystal and Brandy and other organizers here at my photo studio in downtown Pacific Grove to go over the shotlist and the photography plan for the evening. All this preparation on their part helped me get a wide variety of photos from the vendors, to guest portraits, to candid moments, to the full PG P.R.I.D.E. board members in a group photo!

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Military Service Headshots in Pacific Grove | Studio Session

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Military Service Headshots in Pacific Grove | Studio Session

The search for a tie during a headshot session!

William contacted me with a sudden need for a headshot, and not just any headshot, a military service style headshot, which I have actually never done before. Fortunately, I had time in my schedule to get him in my Pacific Grove Photo Studio the very next day. The scramble right up until shooting time was finding a flag to use in the background! William found one last minute, but it was too tall to stand up on its base in my studio even with its high ceilings. So I then had to figure out how to prop it up at an angle so it could first, fit, and second, look like it needed to. There was use of a lot of clamps and a couple of light stands to make the final background happen! But!! Then William had forgotten his tie and there really was not time for him to drive back home to get it. So I thought, let’s check the nearby thrift stores for one. We had to go to three to find one that was close to what he needed, albeit the wrong color. Dark blue was close enough, so that in editing I could adjust it so it looked black like he needed. As you can see, this was not the usual headshot session, but I was glad to be able to pull everything together in a true team effort to make these headshots. Good luck William with your applications!

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Twilight at Monterey Regional Airport | From a Secret Viewing Area

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Twilight at Monterey Regional Airport | From a Secret Viewing Area

Finding that old photographer feeling again

A networking event at Monterey Airport was winding down. I was about to leave with fellow PG Chamber Ambassador VJ (owner of Monterey Car Company) when he said let’s go check out this area down a long, empty hallway. We discovered a viewing deck to the runway! In the twilight light passengers were boarding a plane. The railing was pretty high, so I had to hold my camera up over my head to get a clear photo. After a couple of attempts, I was able to get this one with the composition I wanted, a level horizon and since I could not clear the railing in the frame, I decided to use it as a leading line into the photo frame itself.

I have only flown once in the past 16 years, and it was in fact from Monterey Airport, but I do not remember seeing a viewing deck or my own plane boarding experience so this all felt like seeing a secret world I had no idea existed in the Monterey area. It is also a good feeling that “finding” a photo like this can still excite the old photographer side of me. I am glad to now share it.

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Lexus Car Auction Photography for Cars & Bids | Monterey County Auto Broker Shoot

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Lexus Car Auction Photography for Cars & Bids | Monterey County Auto Broker Shoot

Making the most of a tight location for Car Auction Photography in Watsonville

I am always excited when Brian of Peixoto Auto Group reaches out to me about photographing his latest client car. This time it was another car auction photography shoot for Cars & Bids. I drove up to Watsonville looking forward to making great shots of the white Lexus GS 350 he told me about prior to the shoot. The one challenge was going to be the location. I had seen it before, and at that time of day, the mix of sun and shadow would not really work. However, scheduling this one early in the day allowed for me to have the lighting and space to make it work. I used the barn as the backdrop for the required 360 exterior shots, then had Brian move the Lexus to another driveway spot to get cleaner backgrounds for the interior photos. I wrapped up the shoot going low angle getting some hero shots with my trusty 24mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.2 lenses. In the end I was very pleased with the variety of photos I was able to make for Brian in this location and really liked the inspiration I had in photographing the very cool looking interior of this GS 350. Thank you Brian for continuing to choose me as your car auction photographer and for the wonderful 5-star review!

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Ribbon Cutting Photography in Pacific Grove – Dr. Jamie Klinefelter Grand Opening

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Ribbon Cutting Photography in Pacific Grove – Dr. Jamie Klinefelter Grand Opening

An Energetic Grand Opening Celebration

I first met Dr. Jamie and her team two months ago, when they visited my photography studio here in downtown Pacific Grove, CA. The result of that shoot was one of the best group photos I ever made! So I was delighted when she asked me to photograph her grand opening ribbon cutting hosted by the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. That meant I was there in an official capacity as a professional event photographer, and also as an ambassador for the PG Chamber. Dr. Jamie has personality and energy that cannot be contained! This makes getting great candids and other action shots both easy and a pleasure. I invite you to check out all the smiles below, no doubt made bigger and better both by the fun of the event and her skill as a dentist! Thank you Dr. Jamie for continuing to choose me as your photographer, I really appreciate it.

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LinkedIn Headshots | Pacific Grove & Monterey Peninsula Headshot Photographer

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LinkedIn Headshots | Pacific Grove & Monterey Peninsula Headshot Photographer

Your LinkedIn Photo Often Creates the First Impression

For many professionals, LinkedIn is the first place a potential client, employer, referral partner, or colleague goes to learn more about you. Before they read your experience or recommendations, they see your profile photo. A professional LinkedIn headshot helps you appear confident, approachable, and current. If your photo is outdated, cropped from a casual snapshot, or simply does not represent where you are in your career today, it may be time for an update.

A Photographer Experienced with LinkedIn Headshots

Over the years, Jason Collin Photography has photographed dozens of professionals who specifically needed headshots for LinkedIn. Many clients arrive saying the same thing: they know they need a professional photo, but they are not sure how to pose, what expression works best, or how to look natural in front of the camera.

That is where experience matters. Jason works patiently and collaboratively with each client, guiding them through the entire process so the final images feel relaxed, confident, and authentic. Even people who normally feel uncomfortable being photographed often leave the session surprised at how easy and enjoyable the experience was.

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Carmel Meadows Trail Coastal Views | Carmel California Photography

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Carmel Meadows Trail Coastal Views | Carmel California Photography

A Quiet Afternoon with an Old Friend Along the Carmel Coast

My oldest and best friend, Terry, made another visit to Pacific Grove recently. On a spectacular February afternoon, we went back to Carmel Meadows Trail, a place we first visited when he helped me move to the area. We did not hike far after finding a bench with the view you see above. The view was just stunning, and we both just enjoyed some quiet contemplation time as the fog rolled in below the setting sun. Just one of the many, amazing, and totally free places along the Monterey coast one can enjoy an afternoon unlike anywhere else in the world.

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