convention center Archives -

23Dec

Ultimate Skybox

By True Photography, December 23, 2017 Venue Guide

Highlights of The Ultimate Skybox

Located high above the city on the top floor of East Village’s DiamondView Tower, the Ultimate Skybox (aka the Skybox at DiamondView Tower) is a stunning showcase for some of San Diego’s most breathtaking views. Overlooking Petco Park, the venue sits in the heart of Downtown, within walking distance to many of the area’s popular destinations. When planning your Ultimate Skybox wedding, we suggest reserving time for portraits during the wedding day. This way, we can take incorporate a blend of city and nature landscapes by visiting the Gaslamp District, or cross the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge for waterfront views of the San Diego Bay.

As the day transitions to night, guests can party late into the evening while admiring the venue’s mesmerizing 180-degree view of the glowing Downtown cityscape. The venue’s diverse range of unforgettable views, Metropolitan aesthetic, and proximity to the water make it a fun, unique location for any modern downtown wedding.

Night photo of bride and groom overlooking Petco Park and kissing

Known for its iconic view of Petco Park, the rooftop at the Ultimate Skybox is an intimate location that offers a wide variety of possibilities.

Bride and Groom on rooftop during sunset at the ultimate skybox

For a completely different look, we took Justine and Danny out during sunset to capture the beautiful city, and Point Loma in the distance.

Night portrait of bride and groom looking out over city during wedding reception

Facing north provides a view of the Skybox itself.

Solo portrait of bride and groom alone at the Ultimate Skybox

When photographing, we love utilizing the modern design of the Skybox and often look for ways to incorporate the building itself into images.

Black and white portrait of wedding couple with bridal party in lobby of ultimate skybox

Portrait of wedding couples outside lobby of ultimate skybox in downtown

The building's exterior also offers a dramatic option for photos. For the images above, we used the same location but created two completely different looks by switching focal lengths and shifting our angle.

Stylish black and white portrait of groomsmen walking in garage at the Ultimate Skybox in Downtown

Even on a rainy day, the Skybox has a number of locations to get creative with.

Aerial photo of Petco Park and Downtown San Diego

From the park, we like to head over to Petco Park on days without games. Within walking distance, the park provides lots of natural foliage as a contrast to the Downtown urban landscape in addition to an up close and personal view of Petco.

Bride and groom pretend to play baseball outside field at petco park

Bride and groom surrounded by flowers at Petco Park

Wedding couple pose with bridal party under brick opening at petco park

For a classic dose of San Diego culture, Petco Park is a great location for incorporating your love of the Padres and Downtown. The park within the park also includes a a mix of local restaurants and bars with a cross between modern and classic architecture.

Bride and Groom against wood wall at Petco park

From the park, the streets surrounding the Ultimate Skybox offer a diverse range of colorful backgrounds with a metropolitan feel.

Groom picks up and kisses bride in middle of street by dances in downtown san diego

Wedding couples with modern architecture in downtown san diego

Bride and groom sit laughing on balcony at bar

While walking, we always keep our eyes out for new locations to add a more candid, casual look to things.

Bride and groom embracing in front of grey wall with veil blowing in wind on wedding day

Portrait of bride and groom on their wedding day in downtown san diego

Wide angle photo of two brides embracing on bridge in downtown

Bride kissing groom outside wall at Luce Loft in Downtown San Diego

Individual photo of bride and groom alone on wedding day

With so much condensed into the area, Downtown provides an eclectic mix of classic and modern backdrops for different looks and styles.

Wedding couple with bridal party at sempra energy building

Wedding couple with their bridal party stand outside red doors at fire station in downtown

Bride and Groom kiss in carriage under gaslamp sign in downtown

Just around the corner from the Ultimate Skybox is the iconic Gaslamp Quarter sign and nearby Hilton Gaslamp.

Wide angle photo of bride and groom kissing on bridge at hotel

Bride holds onto Groom in front of petco park at harbor street bridge

Wedding couple with bridal party under arches at the convention center

The nearby sculptures at the Convention Center also provide lots of open space and fun, natural props.

The Skybox's proximity to the water also makes it a great location for couples looking for a balance of city and waterfront views.

Bride and bridesmaid overlook balcony and cheer at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Exterior photo of wedding reception at the Ultimate Skybox

At night, the Skybox provides a completely different look with new colors and energy.

Night photo of bride and groom on balcony of Ultimate Skybox

Beyond the city lights, the rooftop's balcony features a fireplace which acts asu00a0a fun prop with multiple ways of photographing creatively.

Bride and Groom kiss under fireplace at the Ultimate Skybox

Stylized night portraits of wedding couple at Petco Park in San Diego

Night photo of Bride and Groom walking in rain with umbrella in downtown

Candid portrait of bride and groom with cotton candy

Bride and groom kiss on pedestrian bridge next to petco park

Environmental portrait of bride and groom kissing on stairs at modern library in downtown

same sex wedding couple hold hands and walk on grass at Petco Park

Stylized portrait of bride and groom kissing by blue door in downtown

Outdoor roof ceremony at the Ultimate Skybox

The Ultimate Skybox Wedding Photography

As preferred photographers of The Ultimate Skybox, we photograph weddings here frequently :) If you are considering a wedding at this venue, we are happy to talk over specific photography questions. We also suggest checking out more of our Ultimate Skybox wedding photos.

14Dec

Downtown San Diego Engagement Photo Shoot

By True Photography, December 14, 2014 Engagements

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From a photographer’s standpoint, Downtown San Diego provides almost every environment possible. For example, there are photo shoot opportunities at the boat dock, on and around trolleys, and in front of distinctive buildings. The Gaslamp Quarter alone boasts stunning venues such as The Hard Rock Hotel, The US Grant, and The Manchester Grand Hyatt, with unique textures and city scenes throughout the area. If you want your shoot to have an urban edge, downtown is the place to be. There are also small parks to get a bit of nature as well.

Tip: If you plan to arrive in heels, we suggest bringing a pair of flip flops, as there is typically more walking to hit up all the best spots.

To arrange a Downtown San Diego engagement shoot, please feel free to contact us. And be sure to check out recent Downtown San Diego engagement photo shoots below.

24Jul

Comic-Con 2014 Exclusive Photos | Best Costumes Day 1

By True Photography, July 24, 2014 Quick Updates

It’s finally happened. We’ve been invaded by swamp people. Steps from our studio is an endless parade of dashing heroes, buxom heroines, and brave parental types with kids in tow. Together, it makes for a gigantic, lanyard-brandishing mass of costumed crusaders, zombies, warriors, and wizards. All have the same objective, a shared critical mission… get inside those doors!

We’re talking of course about Comic-Con, the annual fête of upcoming Hollywood releases, TV shows, and comics. Now in its fifth decade, Comic-Con has become the zeitgeist of pop culture, a place where hype is in full effect, expectations are high, and even causal fans get swept up in the madness. Early this morning, we grabbed our super-cameras, and ventured into the epicenter to capture the anticipation, meet new super-friends, and appreciate the awesome spectacle that is Comic-Con 2014.

No longer confined to the Convention Center, Comic-Con now permeates San Diego during its run, with immersive experiences in the Gaslamp, hush-hush film screenings, and celebrity sightings. Everyone seems to be getting into the spirit, from the San Diego Symphony to local fave Searsucker to the San Diego Law Library. There’s even at least one Batman-themed burlesque show across town. Not to mention the late night after-parties, where bleary-eyed enthusiasts schvitzing through their masks and costumes will dance the night away.

But that is all to come; as of this writing, the fun is just beginning.

Enjoy the photos below!