I admit, the first couple of years in my photography business, I would report an extremely rough estimate of how many miles I’ve accumulated for tax reporting. An estimate basically means zero to the tax man, so I hope he isn’t reading my blog. I absolutely hate logging anything manually on paper, so I searched for many iPhone apps that allowed me to track my mileage, which worked for about a month because I would always forget to run the app after my trip, not to mention I still have to plug in the data.

I finally discovered a simple device that does pretty much all the work for you. I’ve been using the GiSTEQ GPS TripBook for 4 months now, and thought it was good enough to highly recommend it. The TripBook is a dongle that you plug into your car through a USB car charger. I recommend getting any sort of dual USB charger so you can charge another USB device while using the TripBook.

The TripBook does not have any batteries, so it must run off a charger. It comes with a short USB extension cable to give the device more room to maneuver. When you plug the device in the charger, the green LED will flash once it acquires a GPS signal. A hot start can take less than minute, while a cold start or while moving can take a few minutes depending on your location. You are now being tracked! All data is stored on the TripBook’s internal memory, which you have to download onto your computer. Even the software is fun to play with since it uses Google Maps API. Instead of giving full details on how this device works, just read the reviews here.

I love this device because I can leave it in my vehicle’s ash tray, plug it in before I drive off to a wedding, and unplug it when I get home. Whenever I remember to bring the device to my office, I plug it into the laptop, load the software that downloads the data for you, then I just type in the client’s name and any additional details I need. I can even view the playback of my day’s drive right in the Google Maps API, and not to mention, the software will export everything into Excel ready for tax reporting.

This device is one of the best investments I’ve made, but it doesn’t come without some bugs, all of which I can live with. Because the GPS device is sitting so low near the ash tray, the signal isn’t always accurate and I get glitches or jumps in the data, especially in a dense city. Perhaps I will get a long extension cable and move the device closer to the windshield. I also dislike how the device creates a new trip log when it loses signal under a tunnel, so you end up with two trip logs for one event.

For anyone that drives a lot for business purposes, I see no reason why you shouldn’t buy one right now. It costs under $70!

My last project took place at The Standard in Downtown LA. Undoubtedly one of the largest rooms I’ve ever gotten at a hotel, for a great price too! A room with the same cost in New York City would be 250 square feet, while this one was 710 square feet. The emperor bed (larger than a king) is big enough for any NBA player and the bath tub can fit at least 5 ladies. I booked the Wow! room, and everything in there really makes you go “wow!”

From my experience, a traditional Chinese wedding only requires the banquet and tea ceremony – no need for a typical church ceremony. The bride and groom got ready at the Soho Grand North Penthouse in Chinatown. Unfortunately there was not enough time to get formal shots during daylight, thank goodness for prime and the videographer’s model lamp. I love it when the client doesn’t want to waste time on group photos so they squeeze everyone into one super wide shot and call it a day. The rest of the time is fun time!

The secret into getting the meaningful shots that the bride and groom will cherish the most is being observant, unobtrusive, and patient. For example, when you’re sharing an elevator with the couple, do you A) start some witty conversation with them so they think you’re actually a funny person, B) take every opportunity and free time they have to pose them in a high fashion shot, or C) be silent, be still, let the couple fall into their own groove and do the little cute and affectionate interactions with each other as if they were alone. Most likely you will get the following responses when they see the results for A) None. You weren’t taking any pictures. B) “Oh, that pose looks pretty cool, good job photographer.” C) “Wow I can’t believe you captured the way I always rest my head and hands on him! You’re totally a ninja.”

Now pay me $5,000 for this online workshop. Thank you.

As a photographer who shoots the “same” cookie cutter weddings every weekend, it is always a nice treat to see something new. The Eglinton Grand reception hall in Toronto was exactly that surprise. What used to be a movie theater is now a banquet hall while keeping the character of theater. The warehouse session was completely unplanned and some trespassing was required. The unexpected is always welcomed in photography.

One of my major goals in shooting weddings is to convey a cinematic mood to the audience. The main method is to shoot in landscape format since that is how video is shot. Landscape is also more calm to the eye than portrait, which is tall, grand, and energetic. Portraits usually limit photographers into thinking it has to fill the frame with the subject, but if you’re willing to color outside the lines, you will discover a lot more interesting composition throwing the subject off center and to the side.

You know you’re in a good place when all the vehicle license plates are tagged with “One Happy Island.” Aruba is known for the dry weather and not affected by the hurricane season. I had the best Surf n’ Turf dinner in Aruba and I can’t wait for the next one. I promise myself I will have a destination wedding of my own to avoid all the unimportant guests, uninteresting rituals and traditions, and cookie cutter reception halls.