I am so excited to share this wedding for so many reasons! This was my first wedding of 2015 and the first wedding I have shot since no longer being pregnant! Let me just tell you, even though it is a little challenging shooting while being a nursing mama, shooting while pregnant was way more physically taxing! I am also so excited because this wedding took place at Ranchos Dos Pueblos which is one of my top 3 favorite wedding venues in Santa Barbara (maybe in the world??)!!!Seriously, Dos Pueblos Ranch is a photographer's dream. I have shot there a couple times before and I don't think I could ever tire of it. From the private beach and ocean lawn to the dilapidated green houses to the rustic barn to the orchards to the lush natural landscape... there are SO MANY AWESOME PLACES TO SHOOT! My only wish is that I could have had even more time to just shoot and shoot and shoot! But even with the crazy tight timeline of a wedding day I think I was able to capture so much beauty! Seriously! Amazing!Then of course was my couple. Though I normally do engagement sessions with my couples, I did not have the opportunity to do one with Vanessa & Mark, so really their wedding was the first time we met! That's always a bit of a challenge for all parties too figure each other out on the spot, but luckily Vanessa & Mark are awesome and really rocked it in front of the camera! Vanessa + her bridesmaids are practically models! What a gorgeous and sweet group of gals! And Mark and his groomsmen were really stand up guys! I had a blast photographing them and just love the images that we got! I mean, just look at the length of this post!Special thanks to my ever amazing friend & talented second shooter Kelsey, who definitely helped extra when we got into a pinch with the timeline! This is why I work with strong second shooters, so we can tag team when the day throws curves balls! ;)So... now for a lengthy look at just a FRACTION of the gorgeous images captured at V + M's Ranchos Dos Pueblos wedding!! I hope you enjoy!
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I am so excited to share this elegant Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey wedding with y'all on this happy Friday! :) Jen + Eric are one of my favorite couples! I have loved Jen since I met her a year ago, where she booked me on the spot! Jen is the perfect combo of witty, genuine, sweet and stylish! And Eric is so warm and caring too. These two are the perfect pair. They have embraced each others values, dreams and even sporting teams! And you can tell how deeply they love one another when they look into each others' eyes... they just radiate! All day Jen was full of big smiles! Clearly, she was beyond giddy to finally be marrying the man of her dreams!Jen's elegant style was totally in every detail of the day, from her stunning Priscilla of Boston gown, to the chic purple and yellow color palette, to the adorable candy bar! The day was also infused with many Jewish traditions, from a touching Ketubah signing, to the breaking of the glass, to a crowd pumping Hora (which, Jen, I SWEAR I didn't ask the DJ to play...hehe)! But more than anything it was the love between Jen + Eric and the way all their friends and family rallied around them to celebrate that made this day so special! I am so honored I got to document it!Thanks to Angel and Belinda for assisting me on this! Girl Power! Now, for photos...
Jen's accessories were just as lovely as her gown!!
I love the sweet moment on the right... Jen's mom helping her into her dress!!!
Stunning bride!!!!!
I mean, really, does it get any cuter than this?! I loveee happy brides!
I also love a little bit of fierceness... Jen worked out the diva poses fabulously too!!!
This is the excitement and joy that comes with doing a First Look! Why would anyone want to pass this up?!?
Because their Jewish Ceremony coincided with sundown, we did all their romantic portraits beforehand! It was great! How gorgeous are these two?!?
My personal fave shot of the day...
So tender!
CUUUTE!
Their massive bridal party joined in on the modeling fun... check out this "vanity fair" style shot!
Girls like to play Diva, what can I say!
Jen glowed as she walked down the aisle! I mean really! The look on her face says it all!
I was truly touched to see how emotional the bridesmaids became during the ceremony! You could see how much they loved Jen and how happy they were to witness her marriage!
The reception was very elegant!
I always love a candy bar!
I also always LOVE a Hora! Jen didn't want to do one... but some relatives requested it and well... when 100 Jews hear the Hava Nagila began to play it's pretty impossible to stop them from getting their Mazel Tov on!! I know, because I am Jewish too! ;)
Mazel tov, indeed! These two were so smitten! So glad their day turned out just as perfect as they hoped!! :)
To see more from this beautiful wedding please CLICK HERE to watch the slide show or view below:
On Sunday I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Frances + Jared's wedding at the Sherman Library and Gardens. I had never done a wedding at Sherman Library before, but let me just say it is a fantastic venue! There is so much charm there with it's Spanish architecture. And they have an absolutely amazing succulent garden! So cute! The venue fit Frances + Jared's style perfectly as well-- charming, stylish, but also casual and comfy!Their wedding day started off so fun and relaxed. Frances got ready at home with her sister/maid-of honor Whitney (who's wedding I will also be photographing in November) and their mother. The three gals laughed as they got all made up, and also found some time to watch the Sex and the City movie! Love it!!! As the Kate Middleton inspired veil was being pinned into Frances' hair, Whitney squealed and helped make everything look perfect. She said she was fulfilling her "Pippa duties!" Also love!The First Look was a sweet moment! Jared was just floored to see Frances, but how could he not be? She looked STUNNING in her beyond fabulous dress! Their ceremony was beautiful with some sweet words by the Rabbi. I especially loved the story he told about their first date... the story that totally explains why these two were meant to be. You see, on their first date Jared accidentally knocked over and spilled the wine on the table. But Frances quickly told him it was all okay because all night she had been fearing that she might knock over and spill the wine. These two have the same cute quirks and it's why these two just get each other. As the Rabbi said it was clearly B'shert (a Jewish term for "meant to be") and I have to agree!Thanks so much to Ami for shooting this with me! And now... onto the photos!
Can we talk about how FIERCE that dress is?! LOVE!!! But that smile on Frances below?? That's even FIERCER!!!
This is Whitney fulfilling her "Pippa duties!" I LOVE it!!!! And doesn't Frances totally remind you of Kate?! Classic elegance indeed!
Frances, you are GORGEOUS!
The First Look was as romantic as ever! Loved that we were able to stage it in a greenhouse!
LOOOOOOVE this!
Frances + Jared, are you sure you aren't super models?! I mean, REALLY!
I just love this candid moment from the Ketubah signing! Their whole families gathered to watch them sign this marriage contract! And the looks on Frances + Jared's faces are priceless!
The ceremony was just lovely!
Officially MR + MRS! Mazel tov!!! These two were on cloud 9!
Seriously, I can't get over how gorgeous you two look together!!!
ADORE!
You two are too cute for words!!!
This is maybe my fave shot of the day! Just fabulous!!!
And a quick shot from the first dance! Soooo lovely!
On Sunday I photographed Becky + Bernadette's fabulous wedding at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens. The day was so beautiful and it was brilliantly planned and coordinated by my lovely Paola of Just Chic Events! I absolutely adored the beautiful late-summer color palette of orange, purple, brown and golds. I loved that Becky and Bernadette chose to have long communal tables, and the long tables were dotted with beautiful stems of flowers arranged by the fabulous Little Branch. It was so nice to see all the guests-- family and friends-- come together as a big community to support these two in marriage. Everyone was so warm, inviting and just happy to be celebrating this big moment that had been a long time coming!There were so many touching moments about this wedding-- The First Look, the smile on Bernadette's face watching Becky walk down the aisle, the way the two laughed and smiled all the way through their first dance, and the amazing toasts by friends and family. There were many many moments that I nearly choked up with happy tears. But to me the most touching thing was seeing all the ways that Becky + Bernadette were already a family. How they were totally there for each other all day. How they can anticipate just what the other needs at any given moment. And how they just feel comfy with each other. I saw this at the engagement session, but I saw it even more on the big day. I saw it in their families too-- their two families already seemed like one big happy unit. It is always such a gift to witness love and commitment like this. I could not be more honored to document it.Also, big thanks to Candice for shooting with me and helping capture all the lovely moments of the day!Without further ado... pictures!!
It was so much fun capturing Becky + Bernadette getting ready! I always love the transformation of watching a woman go from "everyday girl" to BRIDE. Always fun to document that moment!
The first look! These two were so so happy to see each other!
Work it you two!!!!
The picture on my left is my FAVE PIC OF THE DAY! Becky + Berna look FIERCETACULAR (yes I said it again!)!! And Bernadette, you look smokin' in this picture on the right my dear!
La-la-love! Becky you are gorgeous!!!
Bernadette beamed as her brother walked her down the aisle!
Becky looked pretty happy walking down the aisle too!!
The ceremony was beautiful! It was officiated by a friend, and also close friends gave readings. There was not a dry eye in the courtyard!
Pretty reception details!!!
LOVE the long tables and use of chalkboard signage!!
The newlyweds toast each other!!!! I adore this photo sooooo much!!!
To see more from this lovely wedding please watch the SLIDE SHOW:
Back in April, I photographed Carolyn + Prescott's adorable spring/Easter themed engagement session! The shoot was featured on Style Me Pretty's Facebook Page and in a gallery on the main site! Super exciting!I absolutely adore Carolyn + Prescott! They are so super sweet and adorable together. They recently bought a house together in Valencia, CA and the home over looks a beautiful nature preserve! We shot our session in the nature preserve-- Carolyn collected some props and made some baked goods (she is the owner and pastry chef of Half Baked Co) and I also brought a few things! Together we styled an amazing little picnic set up that just screamed springtime love!I just love how the pictures turned out and I am so excited to finally share them with y'all! Hope you enjoy!!!
Seriously how adorable are these sweets Carolyn made?? From cake pops, to chocolate covered oreos to mini cupcakes! ADORABLE! And Deeeelicious!
Carolyn you are STUNNING!!!! And Prescott is so handsome! Loveeee!
The photos below are FIERCE and FUN!!!! Which is why I <3 them!!!!!
Swoon. That is all. Just SWOON!
These are my two faves of the day. And they are sexxxxxy.
How adorable is this marshmallow on a stick topped with a candy engagement ring?????? I die it's so cute!
Gah! You two are just too gorgeous for words!!! For real!!!!
To see more of this adorable engagement session watch the slide show below!What do you think of the images? Please leave your comments below, and help Carolyn + Prescott when a free canvas from their session!!
Jeanette and Pete are such a fantastic couple. They are truly beautiful inside and out and I have loved working with them so much! I remember when I first began talking to Jeanette about her wedding, she told how her and Pete had been together forever. They had two beautiful baby girls. They were already a family. And really, that was all they needed. But they had decided they were finally were ready to make it official. And I am so very honored that they trusted me to capture this very special day!Jeanette was such a giddy bride! When I arrived to the bridal suite she was glowing and excitedly told about all the little details she wanted me to capture! It was really exciting seeing all of Jeanette's plans come together and it was even better watching her and her lovely bridesmaids giggle and ooh and ahhh as they got ready! One thing that was so sweet was Jeanette's "something borrowed" was a necklace and matching earrings that her friend Erika wore on her wedding day. Jeanette asked me if they looked familiar and I knew exactly that they were indeed from Erika! Seriously girl, I remember wedding details! Especially JEWELRY, mmm kay! ;)
For more beautiful pictures from Jeanette and Pete's wedding watch the SLIDE SHOW below:
Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Dani and Tony and photographing their Mr. and Mrs. session at The Griffith Observatory! Dani and Tony recently had a very small wedding in Las Vegas, baby! But there wasn't much time for pictures, so when Dani got back home she realized she wanted a few more pics to celebrate her marriage! And really, I can't blame her. When you look THAT cute in your wedding outfit you pretty much need all the pics you can get!! ;)Dani and Tony have a dynamic to their relationship which reminds me of me and AJ. Dani is such a fun girl! She has an amazing sense of style and knows how to rock the camera. I love how confident and outgoing she is. Tony is more the quiet, shy type. But he is so caring and strong and always watching out for Dani. He gives his hand when she needs it, he has a strong shoulder for her to lean on, and gives her tender kisses on the cheek just to show his love. It is so very sweet and I was so giddy to get to document this exciting phase in their relationship! I am so happy I got to meet such a stylish, sweet and fun couple and I cannot wait to see where the future takes them! I know there is a lot of excitement ahead!!! ;)And now, photos!!!Dani brought cute little props which I LOVE LOVE LOVE! It's the little things that can really add some extra fun flavor to a session!
You two are STUNNING!!!
Dani, you are GORGEOUS girl!!!
Mmmmhmmm. These two are steamy! Yep it's true!
Tony you are not so bad on the eyes yourself! ;)
To view more of this fun Griffith Observatory Mr. and Mrs. session, check out the slide show below!!
Christine and Tyler got married at the beautiful Temescal Gateway Park in the Palisades last Saturday. The venue was such a perfect fit for them as it was completely set in nature. Trees and brush and leaves and grass everywhere you look. And I thought it was perfect because when I think about these two I think about nature. Maybe it's because of our engagement session where we hiked through the bluffs by UCSB (and apparently they still laugh about how I feared I might trip and fall to my death on the hike). Or maybe it's because Tyler is getting his Masters in Environmental Studies and hopes to work in public policy (which I think is so totally AWESOME). Or maybe it's just because they two just keep it raw and real. They are two of the most genuine people I have ever met-- never putting on a show or striving to be the center of attention. They just care deeply about those around them, and the world, and each other...and that is what makes these two so very special!Tyler and Christine met at UCSB and have been together ever since. Tyler and Christine are definitely the type of people who do everything with their full hearts and take commitments seriously. So when they found each other, I think it became clear to everyone around them that this relationship was something special. During the toasts, every one who got mentioned how they knew from the get-go that Tyler and Christine would eventually become husband and wife. Tyler's friends and family knew it was different with Christine. And Christine's friends and family? Well, they knew it was different with Tyler too. It really had been a long time coming for these two, so everyone was so very excited and filled with joy as they watched these two tie the knot. And they celebrated accordingly!I loved seeing Tyler & Christine's families come together and unite as one. Tyler and Christine both have such loving families and you can just see why Christine and Tyler turned out so darn good! ;) I was really touched by the love everyone had for each other. And I was also really touched by how welcoming they were to me and AJ. And apparently we scored brownie points for liking kimchi and other Korean delicacies. Christine's aunt Judy said I was 50% Korean! SCORE! But she told me AJ was actually 100% Korean, because he knew about k-pop bands High Five Of Teenager and Super Junior. That AJ, always showin' me up! ;)So without further ado, please enjoy these photos from Tyler and Christine's beautiful, emotional day! And be sure to also watch the slide show below!I loved the deep purple color of Christine's shoes! So lovely!
Zoe + Nima are a super sweet couple, and, ever since their RAD engagement session at the Pier, I have been so stoked for their BIG wedding! The day did not disappoint one bit!When AJ, Cindee, and I arrived at the bridal suite at Pickwick Gardens, Zoe was getting all dolled up. She was very calm but definitely giddy with excitement too! She had the cutest accessories picked out-- a lovely chiffon rosette to adorn her hair, and purple flats which also had rosettes on them! So adorable! Zoe has incredible style and her whole look came together wonderfully! Meanwhile Nima was getting ready with his groomsmen and they were all laughing as they tried to figure out how in the world to pin on their boutinierres. Thank goodness for their fabulous coordinator, Shana Fu of East West Events, for saving the day!Zoe and Nima are an amazing couple! They are so sweet together and always taking care of each other. They enjoy being silly and making each other laugh! And they enjoy just holding hands and having quiet moments together just as much! Another thing is that they are very caring and generous. They made sure that we were filled with yummy Indian food through out the entire day, and that we had a place to sit with the guests! Very lovely!The reception was very festive and filled with customs from Nima's Indian heritage! There was, as I mentioned, NUMMY Indian food, Indian music, and two special performances. Then things got really romantical when Nima took to the microphone himself and serenaded Zoe with his rendition of Jason Mraz's "Im Yours." Everyone was in awe. It was pretty much the SWEETEST THING EVER. Later on in the evening, Zoe and Nima changed into traditional Indian Wedding outfits and we took some fun night shots outside! It was a prefect end to a great day!Thank you to Zoe and Nima for trusting me with your special memories and for being so generous and sweet! Thanks to my hubby AJ and friend Cindee for shooting with me! Thanks to Shana for coordinating, Floral Elements for the pretty florals, White Night Designs for the elegant draping and linens, Jaqki's Cakes for the yummy cakey goodness, DJ Sandeep for rocking the dancefloor and Sarah Young Make Up for making Zoe and her girls so very glam! I loved how this day came together thanks to everyone's hard work! So now....onto PICTURES!!!!!! Woooohooo!!!!Zoe and her friends were so excited as they got ready!
If I could use one word to describe Roy & Kristine it would be: rockin'!! These two have got it goin' on! They have such a killer sense of style, and are so fun to be around!! I knew their wedding was going to rock when I saw the bridesmaids & groomsman gathering around the back of the Los Angeles Temple. The bridesmaids wore casual-chic black dresses and flip flops. The groomsmen wore these sweet gray ties that matched their gray plaid Vans. It was awesome! Roy & Kristine didn't fail to impress me! They came out of the temple looking like rock stars, effortlessly cool & stylish and the crowd of their family & friends cheered them on! Yep, I knew right then that the day was gonna be rad!And it was! It was hot too! Probably one of the hottest days West LA has seen all summer. And there were like literally 20 other weddings going on, and we were all fighting for the good light to take pics in. But we worked out! ;) We managed to beat the heat, and the crowds, and create some super fun images worthy of a rockin' couple like Roy & Kristine! I really love the way the pictures capture Roy & Kristine's unique since of style, super fun personalities, and how in love they are. Roy & Kristine are the type of couple that can be fierce one second and laughing so hard the next. They joke with each other and get lost in their own world. They smile genuinely. And they smile big. :) It is truly a joy to be around them! Their super cool style totally inspires me but their love inspires me even more!Thanks Roy & Kristine for trusting me to capture your memories! I had such a great time with you! :) I am so glad we got to know each other! And thanks to my buddy Cindee Bae for second shooting with me! You rock too my friend! :)And now...pictures!!!Just announced as the new Mr. & Mrs, Roy & Kristine exit the temple!! Such a happy moment!
Kristine chose super cool bridesmaid outfits! And they rocked it so well!
Stylin' bridal party!
This is kinda Reservoir Dogs. Awesome.
Thanks to Cindee for capturing these lovely bouquets while I was photographing the bridal party! I like how we tag team it ;)
Birdcage veils! Swoon!
Ah! Kristine!!! You are GORGEOUS!
Work it girl.
I love everything about this.
Bride & Groom rockin' Vans. I like!
I'll leave you with the bling!
Can't get enough of the super rad Roy & Kristine?! Check out the SLIDESHOW below, which is set to the tune of one their favorite songs of all time--"Close To Me" by The Cure!!
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I loved Ryan & Kristina since the moment I met them. Our meeting was easy, fun, and just awesome. We chatted like old friends, we laughed and before the night was through they booked me on the spot. From that day forward I have been waiting for their wedding. And let me tell you the day did not disappoint at all! Ryan & Kristina had a beautiful vibrant, Hawaiian inspired wedding held at The Castaway Gardens in Burbank. The day was filled with so much laughter, tears of joy and even a little rain. What? Rain in LA in July?!!! Yep!!! About 2 minutes before the ceremony was set to start the sky opened up and gave us a little Hawaii-esque tropical shower. We all jumped up and huddled to the ONLY covered area on the Luau Garden grounds! But as soon as the sun came back everyone went back to their seats and the day just moved right along. It was quirky but perfect. It definitely added a funny little story to the day-- one I'm sure Ryan & Kristina will tell to their grandkids!So Ryan & Kristina. These two are perfect for each other. They make each other laugh. They take care of each other. They are already a family, and their kids are so super amazing. I can't even imagine a more perfect pairing. And during their vows I learned even more about these two and just how good they are for each other. How they have survived some trying times together. And how they have always grown closer and stronger through it all. Together these two have found the fairytale love they had always hoped for, but weren't sure really existed. And that is amazing. It's inspiring and it proves to me that fairytales DO exist in real life. Sigh...So Ryan & Kristina, thank you for trusting to me to document your big day. I loved the day so much and I have had a blast reliving it as I edited these images for you! You two have something special, and it inspires me! :) Also thank you to Jenn for second shooting with me-- shooting with you is always a blast!!!And now onto the photos.....Kristina's shoes were fabulous!!!! If my feet weren't totally child-size I would so ask to borrow them!
For more from Ryan & Kristina's happy, vibrant, fun wedding...and to see why the song she chose to walk down the aisle to made me bawl my eyes out... please check out the SLIDESHOW below:
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I was super flattered when Ala asked me to second shoot this wedding with her! I had admired her work for such a long time, and getting to know her and, better yet, work with her was totally awesome! I learned so much that day and also captured some great shots of Courtney & Tomojii's beautiful Los Angeles wedding!Courtney & Tomojii grew up together. They were in the same circle of friends, they went to the church, their families knew each other. But it wasn't until they were adults that things changed. That they saw each other as more than friends. But once they got together, they realized it was fate. Everything clicked and a short time later they were engaged! I can see why, these two are truly great together! I so enjoyed watching them commit their lives to each other and also getting to know their love story.
Awhile back I had the great opportunity to second shoot Jenessa & Joel's wedding with my homegirl Jenn King. You see Jenn was doing double duty on two of the most important wedding-related jobs a girl could have-- Jenessa had asked Jenn to be her Maid of Honor and The Photographer! My oh my! That's some pressure! So Jenn needed help, and I was more than happy to oblige!Growing up in West Los Angeles, I would drive by the Los Angeles California Temple all the time. Almost every day actually. As a kid, I didn't know what it was, I thought it was a castle! Hehe! Its just an amazingly huge structure with beautiful architecture! So it was really fun to get to shoot at this location! And I actually learned that the grounds are open to the public, and they are soooo beautiful! I totally recommend just going to the Temple to check out the grounds. Especially at Christmas time, because they put up the most beautiful lights! So for anyone interested here is the info: 10777 Santa Monica Boulevard,Los Angeles, CaliforniaSo back to Jenessa & Joel! Jenessa & Joel are such a sweet couple. He is from Australia. She is from Orange County. They met here in the USA and when he had to go home she went to Australia to be with him. But she got homesick and came back. And then she realized, she was lovesick. She missed her man too much. And he missed her. So they got engaged, and a short while later they made it official at The Temple! That's a strong love. A love that can conquer miles, and countries, and different cultures. I have no doubt that they will make it! When you are with them, you just feel a spark! They are very good for each other! And I can already say, Jenessa is happily living as an Australian resident and even more happily married! Woohooo! So without further ado, here are my favorite shots of the day! You can view more images on Jenn King's blog!
Everyone gathered outside to watch the newlyweds exit the temple!
The newlyweds!!!
Look at that fierce bridal party!!! Jenn is rocking it as Maid-of-Honor on the right!
The dudes.
This is one of my favorite shots of the day!!! I love everything about it!
Jenessa, you are gorgeous!!!!!
My favorite shot!!!!
So here is part two of the Romeo + Juliet Wedding themed shootout!This post is more centered around the portraits...and you know the flowers too! Cause I couldn't get enough! Really I'm still drooling over them!!Again I want to thank the following vendors who made this all possible!!Coordinator: Amanda Auer of In the Now Weddings www.inthenowweddings.comVenue: Ron at the Romanesque Room www.castlecaterers.comFlorist: Megan Gray of Honey and Poppies www.honeyandpoppies.comDJ: Marcel Gonzalez FirstChoice Entertainment http://www.firstchoicedjs.comVideographer: TBARentals: Town & Country www.townandcountryeventrentals.comCatering: Jay’s Catering www.jayscatering.comVenue Concierge: Mary Lallande www.venueconcierge.comBakery: Colette at Fancy That! Cupcakes 909.524.1864Linens: Wildflower www.wildflowerlinens.comStyling: Michelle Cunningham www.milaphotography.comHair/Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy & Becca www.kaceegeoffroy.comHair/Makeup: Alisha Baijournas www.vanitykillstudio.comSpecialty: Classic Party Rentals www.classicpartyrentals.comAnd now for the photos:So my friend and fellow photog who often second shoots for me, Jenn King, modeled for this shoot! Isn't she gorgeous?!?
There's those flowers again by Megan of Honey and Poppies!! Seriously, is that not just stunning?! Brides run don't walk to Megan!
Work it Jenn!
The Romanesque Room has a beautiful garden out back, a perfect setting for photos! This pond is stunning!! What a fun backdrop for a bride!
Fierceness.
Meet Ashley + Sean aka the sexiest couple I have ever seen! They really worked it for us!!! This is most definitely a favorite image for me! Most definitely an Ashleigh Taylor signature ;)
Seriously, Ashley? You are STUNNING!
So as you know February for me was all about putting myself out there, going out of my comfort zone, and learning as much as possible! I wanted to kick off 2010 with a bang! And it was really important for me to stay active considering this is "the slow season" for wedding photographers. I figured I should do everything I can now before I get too busy. Plus I know all these workshops and shootouts will only make me a better photographer for all my 2010 clients ;)When I heard the SoCal Photog Shootout group was staging a mock wedding and that some successful local photogs would be there teaching us how they shoot weddings, I thought "hrmmm that sounds like a good thing to attend." But when I heard Amanda Auer of In The Now Events was designing/coordinating the event and it would be Romeo + Juliet themed I was STOKED. I was like, sign me up! And I signed up the second tix went on sale. Good thing I did, the tickets sold out in TWO MINUTES. Two minutes people!! I am so glad I got into the shootout because it was amazing!!!!You see Amanda Auer is someone who's blog I have stalked for like 2 years. She amazes me with her creativity. And getting to photograph the details she had set up was kinda a dream for me. I LOVE details. I LOVE weddings that are detailed, thought through, and personal! And I know all the weddings Amanda coordinates are just that. So imagine if she had free reign? Imagine what she could come up with! The lady did not disappoint! And then there were these flowers on this shoot. Flowers that looked so delicious I wanted to eat them. I couldn't take my eyes of them. They were dripping with romance. And they had so much texture. That's a biggie for me. Floral arrangements with a lot of great texture! I found out the florist was Megan Gray of Honey and Poppies, and when I met her I wanted to bow down. Obviously the woman is a floral goddess!I also have to give major shout outs to Ron at the Romanesque Room for letting us use the venue. FYI Brides, the Romanesque Room is a TOTAL hidden gem for a wedding venue! It would be great for brides with vintage or glam style! The Romanesque Room is in the heart of Old Pasadena. The ballroom has these amazing roman vaulted ceilings with gorgeous molding and gold trim! And there is a beautiful garden and outdoor space for a ceremony! Its really something special and I totally never it knew existed! So if you need a venue check it out!
I LOVE all these details! The paper goods that Amanda designed were so unique and so so beautiful!
A closer look at the invitation Amanda designed! I love the lace wrap, and I love the antiqued paper!
Oh my gosh! Megan are you kidding me with that bridesmaid's bouquet?! Sooooo delicate! Soooo romantic!! Soooo unique!! Swoonie swoon swoon! I am in love! I also love the styling of the bridesmaids! Such a romantic and unique dress! Very chic and unexpected!
The ceremony details! I love every part!!! Soooo gorgeous!! Amanda and Megan truly joined forces and outdid themselves!
The married couple! Work it! Look at the great light too! Sigh...
And finally the tablescape details!!
Tuesday was a great day. A fabulous day. A Jasmine Star day. But let's start with Monday. I met 19 other photographers and Jasmine Star for a dinner/mixer thingy at Javier's. It was really fun to get to know everyone in person! You see I had become facebook friends with these people, followed them on Twitter, and even stalked there blogs. But the internet is one thing. Real life? That's something different entirely. So ooooh boy was I relieved to see how friendly and open everyone was. Everyone was so supportive. And a few people even said how much they admired my blog and work, which almost made me cry. Really? ME?!! I needed to be pinched. A year ago I would have never imagined this for myself. When Jasmine arrived she was so friendly, down to earth and personable! She truly is sucha giving and generous person. I thought I'd be a bumbling fool in front of her, but she made me feel like an old friend. She is truly that cool!! Then she treated us to Pinkberry and I nearly died! How deliciously sweet! Oh J* you know the way to my heart is through my tummy ;)By the start of The Workshop Tuesday morning, I felt like old friends with everyone. Not intimidated at all but just ready to learn. We spent the morning talking about branding, which was so helpful as its a concept that I didn't fully understand. I didn't take any photos of Jasmine talking 'cause y'all I was taking notes! I don't mess around with note taking. I wanted to get every word of what she had to say down on paper. But I did take a few pics of the pretty stationary Jasmine gave us...looksy...plus its branded ;)
Jasmine reiterated a concept I already knew to be true. A hand written note goes a long way! I will be saving this one for sure ;)
One thing that really struck me about Jasmine is how self aware and deliberate she is. Everything in her business is done with clear understanding and reason. Its like "I am doing this because of this..."And I think that being intentional is such a key part to running a consistent, successful, well defined business. This year I will be spending A LOT of time further developing my brand, and being intentional with what I do in my business. No more just doing because I feel I am supposed to do it that way or because peers seem to do it a certain way. No more haphazard actions or intentions. I will be intentional and aware from now on!My other favorite part of the day was of course THE PHOTO SHOOT. Oh my gosh! First can we talk about the yummy prettiness going on here?! The models, married couple Jodi and Matt, were so good looking it hurts, and also sooo sweet together! The hair and make up was done by Vivian Tran's All Made Up Team. The divine jewelry was provided by Noaki Jewelry. And Jodi's breathtaking dress was designed by Joan Shum. I'm kinda in total awe of Joan's work! Its just so unique and fashion forward-- pure art, to say the least! Make sure to check out Joan's etsy store!
I would always read on Jasmine's blog how she uses "natural reflectors" to get stunning images even in the harshest of lighting conditions and I had NO CLUE what the heck she meant! Thankfully, Jasmine planned the day with this lesson in mind. Our photoshoot was in full day sun with harsh light, and J* showed us how to rock it out using natural reflectors. And it all clicked. J* you are a smart one, you really are. I will be using this technique all the time!!!
Jasmine wanted us to all walk away with a signature image from this shoot! The following image is most definitely mine!!
The florals were provided by Kristin of The Treasured Petal, someone who's work I've been obsessed with for awhile now! She just comes up with the most stunning arrangements. And I loved the bouquet and boutonniere she designed for this shoot! Just lovely!
Jodi you are stunning! Really really stunning!
Some of you may remember that a few months back, I participated in a contest with Christina of TinaMolina Events! Christina was generous enough to give free wedding coordination to a lucky couple in need, and I was providing a 2 hour session for the winners as well! Also, Elena of Beauty By Elena generously threw in free make up for our photo-session. The winners were Melissa and Miguel, and I am so glad they won! They decided to do a Mr. & Mrs. session with me, at one of the best locations in the City of Angels. Of course, I speak of Union Station. :)Melissa and Miguel are so sweet with each other. We shot on a rainy day, and Miguel was so careful to carry Melissa's train, and make sure she didn't step in puddles, and when her necklace broke (yes, her necklace broke...sad!!) he made sure to collect the beads up in a hurry! That's a good man right there folks! A man who cares about your jewelry ;) But really, these two are just so sweet together, so tender, so loving. I can tell it's a timeless love. A love that will go down in history. And for a timeless love, what better than an Old Hollywood themed Mr. and Mrs. session?!? I loved shooting these two, and loved the images we created :)Melissa and Miguel, thanks for everything!! And again thanks to Elena for making Melissa looks extra gorgeous, and thanks to Emalou's Stuff For Do's for providing the hair flower! And thanks to my girl Christina for inviting me to join her give away, and for picking such a fabulous couple!!
Melissa, you are too gorgeous for words!
About two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing Rachel and Mark's wedding in Redondo Beach. Rachel and Mark are a super special couple to me. We instantly clicked and I knew I had to be a part of their big day. Over the course of working together we became friends. And that is what I love so much about my job! Becoming friends with my bride and groom!! Then on the wedding day it doesn't seem at all like work. It's like, whoa my awesome friends are getting married today and I get document it for them!! And its fabulous!!! I strive for this relationship with all my clients!!Rachel + Mark are the perfect couple. Their story makes me definitely believe that soul mates exist and fate is totally real! Rachel + Mark were super close friends growing up. They hung out in high school together, they were BFF's. As the Best Man recounted in his toast, "Mark said he thought of Rachel as his sister." And though then the best man (hilariously) added, "...and if you really think about it, that's kinda sick dude!" I know what Mark meant. He meant he loved Rachel so much, he had her back, he wanted to look out for her and protect her, he just felt this strong bond with her that only families share. But then life happened. Rachel + Mark went to two different colleges, and sorta lost touch. Sorta. Every now and then they'd check in. And through the beauty that is Facebook they reconnected when they realized they were both back in LA. And that was it. They fell in love. And soon after they knew this was it-- they only needed each other. And then came marriage.I'm so happy for these two! They have the kind of love that shines through their eyes. They light up when around each other. They are definitely soulmates. And their wedding? Well it was epic!! Full of love, laughter, happy tears, and stolen glances. I love this day. The day my new friends Rachel + Mark made it official! Awesome!Special thanks to Jenn King for second shooting with me, to Susie Chhuor's hair & make up team for making all the ladies look super gorgeous, to Eddie of Commerce Flowers for all the gorgeous florals, to John & Haydee Suarez of After Dark Entertainment for being the best DJ's ever and keeping the party rockin', to the Blue water Grill for providing such an awesome reception space and nummy food, and to King's Hawaiian Bakery for the beautiful and delicious cake!
How pretty is Rachel?!!!?? Answer: SOOO Pretty!
The first look!! Did I mention I LOVEEEE first looks??
The FIERCEST bridal party ever! Love their dresses!
I love the two different bridesmaid dresses!! Too Cute!!!
I love this moment, just before Rachel and her dad are about to walk down the aisle. There is so much emotion in both their faces!
I LOVE this bubble exit!!! Such a cute idea!!!
After the ceremony we went out to the marina in Redondo for some gorgeous photos! The light was kinda harsh but we managed to show it who's boss!! We definitely worked it out with soooo many pretty shots!!!
Jenn grabbed their reflection in the water! Thanks for spotting that Jenn!!! ;)
I LOVE this!
Rachel's mom MADE her veil!!! It was stunning with sooo many beautiful details!!!
These might be my fav shots of the day!!! I think Rachel looks like she could be doing a Cover Girl ad!! And I love the way the veil is moving-- so playful!!!
Just kidding, maybe this is my fav shot of the day!!!!
Rachel did all the paper goods for the wedding herself!! She is a graphic designer so she designed all the beautiful floral graphics you see below! I am amazed at her talent! So beautiful!!
Rachel also made all the signs for the candy bar! How cute!!!
The Best Man really brought the LOLZZZ for his toast!!!
See the LOLZZZ?
I know this post is kinda MASSIVE but should you still not be able to get enough of this wedding, please check out the slideshow below!!!
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Cindy & Douglas got married in beautiful Marina Del Rey at the restaurant Cafe Del Rey! I absolutely love the Marina. It's one of those places that is picture perfect, so I was super excited to be shooting this wedding! And it did not disappoint! I was a little nervous before arriving to the hotel where Cindy was getting ready. You see I normally do engagement sessions with my couples, but Cindy & Douglas had only found me a month before the wedding and didn't have the time to do an engagement shoot. I like to know my couples well by their wedding day, to feel like we are already friends. So going into this after only having one quick meeting was a little nerve wracking. Lucky for me, I felt like I became fast friends with Cindy & Douglas. They are so easy going and warm. And when I saw how caring and nurturing they were with each other, well, my nerves didn't last long! :)One of the most fun parts of the day for me was shooting the couples shots. We had been walking around the Marina hoping that we'd see someone who'd let us shoot on their boat. At first it seemed unlikely. Then, we saw a man on the LA County Fire Boat. So Cindy very kindly asked if we could snap a few pics on the boat, and the Fire Dept Crew was kind enough to oblige. HUGE Thank You to them!! I loved how the shots we got there turned out...and in fact I'd love to go back and shoot more! It was that cool!Cindy & Douglas had a beautifully intimate wedding affair. Just their closest family and friends came to witness their union, and to share a celebratory gourmet dinner with them at the delightful Cafe Del Rey. Their wedding really touched me because it was exactly what a wedding should be-- a declaration of love surrounded by your nearest and dearest. I know sometimes weddings can make us all go crazy and it is easy to get caught up and forget the real focus-- the real focus is that at the end of the day you are married to the one you love more than anything. So it was really heartwarming to be at a wedding where it was really all about two people committing to each other forever. And what's even better is that Cindy & Douglas were so giddy happy, so in love, so full of joy! I could really see how special the day was for them, and that it would be a memory they would cherish for eternity!And I got to capture the memories, with Jenn King as my trusty second shooter by my side! How crazy cool is that?! Below are a few of my favorite shots from the day and of course even more pics are in the SLIDESHOW.
Cindy's bouquet was wrapped in her grandmother's handkerchief. It was such a meaningful touch. I love the delicate lace trim. Just beautiful!
I love how happy Cindy looks here! I think she had that realization "I'm getting married today!!"
I really love first looks. It is always such an emotional filled moment, which makes for some of the most moving photos of the day. And what makes first looks even cooler is that it leaves so much more time for pictures, and makes the wedding timeline much less stressful. I think all brides should highly consider doing first looks. And take it from me, a newlywed, they don't make the walk down the aisle any less special!
I love this photo of Cindy and her Dad. It's so sweet. She gave him a gift and then started to cry. Then I cried behind the camera. Shooting and tearing up. Yup that's me. I'm a daddy's girl so I guess I'm kinda a sucker for sweet father-daughter moments!
Cindy & Douglas - Thank you so much for trusting me with your treasured memories! I loved capturing your joy and your love. You two are a beautiful couple and I wish you all the best! Please stay in touch!
Soooo the past few days have been crazy! I've been working hard editing because I want to get two weddings up on the blog before I leave town to visit my daddy on Sunday. Add to that the fact that I'm slowly but surely revamping my new branding theme into every aspect of my blog, and that included changing my workflow a bit....which means stress! Change can be hard. But once you adapt, things get easier, and you see why it was sooo good you made the change. I think I am in that phase now!But anyways...I've been hard at work for Crystal & Steve! I gushed about them last week, when I posted a teaser from their wedding! Well, I will gush a little more! Crystal & Steve got married at The Odyssey in Granada Hills! The view there is amazing, and the ballroom was just so lovely with its wooden walls, and big windows! I loved all the DIY Crystal did, the yummy candy bar, and watching the kids dig into the chocolate fountain like it was going out of style! But what I really loved about this wedding was watching a family come together. Watching Steve give his vows to not only Crystal, but to her two kids Lindsay & Jacob. I gotta say, I cried!! It was really a moving moment...but the thing was, the vows were clearly a formality-- a verbalization of something that already existed. Because from the moment I saw Steve, Crystal, Lindsay and Jacob all together I knew they were already a team. They were already looking out for each other. They already were bonded to the core. And I loved it. It was the kind of thing that affirms your faith in love and in the world.Another thing I loved about the wedding was the amount of kids in attendance. It was truly a family affair! Everyone was included, and everyone was happy to celebrate Crystal & Steve! It was truly a joyous event-- which is what weddings should be! So please enjoy the photos below and don't forget to watch the SLIDESHOW at the bottom of the post for so many more images!Thank you to Marlene of I Do Events to beautifully coordinating the day, and Sean Lee of Masters of Ceremony for keeping the reception jumping, and bringing out the bubble machine which made for some super awesome photos! And of course big props and a thank you to my girl, Jenn King, for second shooting with me. You are FABULOUS!
I loved that Crystal wore a Dodger's garter! I wore one too for my wedding!!! ;)
Crystal made these invitations herself! Aren't they beautiful?!
I love how Jacob looks in this picture! Happy and full of anticipation!!
The flower girls were too cute!!!
These next two photos are my fav shots of the day! The light was just magic and Crystal looks SO STUNNING! She definitely worked it out!
Candy bars = nom nom nom. I love them! Every wedding should have one!!!
All I have to say is BUBBLE MACHINE!!!!!! Can every wedding have one of these too?? LOL. They sure make for some groovy photos!
I love this picture of Steve & Lindsay! It's sooo sweet! Makes me want to dance with and hug my own dad!!
Crystal & Steve -- thank you so much for trusting me to capture your special day! I loved every minute of your wedding! I think you guys make the most wonderful family ever and wish you so much happiness together! Please keep in touch!