Taylor met Allie while in college at UCLA and instantly knew she was good at making chemistry. Between the two of them. Her smile captivated him from the start and they've been together ever since. Together they're building a life together at home, in the classroom, and the newsroom where Taylor resides as a journalist.
They'll be making headlines later this month when they marry in Ojai. I'm excited for what's in store because after spending the afternoon with them, I know only great things are in store!
We started the engagement session just off Lido Island in Newport Beach, California. The day was perfectly sunny with a slight breeze which made for hat weather...
As we walked around Newport Beach for engagement photos, Taylor spotted a recently inked cover story. He writes for the Orange County Register, but also gets featured in local newspapers, so we were in luck to read his workmanship firsthand!
Before sunset engagement photos, Allie packed snacks so we took a CUPCAKE BREAK. And, boom, right there I knew I loved her.
Allie, I'm tempted to weave you a friendship bracelet.
The coastal clouds set in a bit early, so we ventured to the dock for the last bit of sunset to have a little more fun...
I'll end with this picture because I hope this amazing couple has days filled with leisurely pleasure along the coast...
Happy Monday!
SLS Hotel Proposal : Chuck + Jenney
05.30.13
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hen he emailed, I knew I liked him. Right away, sometimes you just know these things. Chuck told me he was planning to propose to his long-time love, Jenney, while on vacation in California. They planned to leave Washington D.C. for the rolling hills of Hollywood and the glorious Beverly Hills weather.
They checked into the SLS Hotel and though its box was small, the weight of carrying a diamond ring leadened his pocket. The day after their arrival, Chuck invited Jenney to watch sunset and it was there he asked her to be his wife. Seeing Chuck on his knee was romantic, sweet, and only he could also make it look quite cool.
Jenney said yes and they toasted with pink champagne. The moment couldn't have been more beautiful.
Chuck planned to propose on the rooftop pool of the SLS Hotel and arranged to have a cabana reserved (and decorated) for his special moment...he was ON IT!!!
I was hiding in a nearby cabana and my heart was pounding outside of my chest as I waited for Chuck to pop the question...I loved how oblivious Jenney was to Chuck's nerves and opted to take photos of her own! :)
The BIG moment...
...and she said YES!
Jenney is clearly happy to be a wife soon...
Shortly thereafter, I came out from hiding...and introduced myself. In a matter of mere moments, she was proposed to, stalked paparazzi-style, and then asked to enjoy a quick photo shoot...she was such a trooper!
Yup...this is the face of a guy who knows just how lucky he is...
Bling and bubbly...
So in love...and enjoying the view.
Many heartfelt congratulations to Chuck and Jenney...and special thanks to Sarah Schwartz (Director of VIP Services at the SLS Hotel) for meticulously arranging the proposal...and making me feel so darn special along the way.
Happy Thursday!
Shooting Star : Tips for Engagement Photos
03.19.13
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ast week I spoke at a conference (more on that coming soon) and I had the pleasure of talking about the 10 Biggest Mistakes I made when I started my business. Okay, maybe pleasure is a bit of a stretch, but I was honored to speak to a group of talented peers and I love where the photo industry is headed. Truly. One of the mistakes I made early on was showing up to a photo shoot and hoping things would work out for themselves.
I mean, wasn't that the way it worked for professional photographers?!?
When my shoots weren't faring the way I wanted, I realized it was no one's fault but my own. As a wedding photographer, I need to prepare my clients for success. This usually begins at the beginning of our working relationship, the engagement session. I realized I needed to prepare my clients for the type of shoot I wanted in order to get the type of photos they wanted.
This is best achieved by letting them know what I need in advance, but instead of merely talking about, today I'm stoked to show you how I do it. I filmed a recent engagement session to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how I work with my clients to plan for a delightful engagement session...
If you'd like to get more information on the detailed email I send clients to prepare them for the shoot, feel free to check it out HERE.
spoke at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference yesterday and though I'm exhausted, it was a truly wonderful experience. Coming to Las Vegas every year reminds me of my beginning as a photographer and how much has changed, both personally and professionally. In light of these changes, it's always an honor to collaborate with Anton Lorimer of LorimerWorks.com to create a new business commercial.
Putting these projects together is a labor of love, but Anton is amazing at what he does and helps me tell a story my brides--both current and prospective--can grasp onto, and it provides insight to who I am as a person.
Without further ado, I'd honored to share the fruits of his labor...
Las Vegas Engagement : Marissa+Jeremy
03.12.13
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hey met outside their writing professor's office. Jeremy noticed her from a distance, but as the entire One L class navigated the University of Hawaii Law School, Marissa remained just out of his orbit. Until, that is, they stood across from each other in a hallway. Jeremy was speaking to a friend about fishing and as he continued his conversation, Marissa's heart melted. Her father, who passed away when she was a child, fished the way Jeremy described. A distinct fondness washed over her, so when Jeremy navigated the conversation to include Marissa, she beamed in his attention.
They studied and walked to class together and when summer arrived, they decided to study European Law in Brussels, France, Italy, and a myriad of other countries. Tucked between law books sat love notes...and tucked between their intertwined fingers were tickets to a World Cup game. They studied, traveled and fell in love along the cobbled streets of Europe.
Jeremy and Marissa are marrying amongst their friends and family on island where they met and promised to spend their lives together: Oahu, Hawaii. It's a day that promises to celebrate their love for life, and each other.
Marissa and Jeremy wanted to have their engagement session in Las Vegas, a place they jokingly refer to as Hawaii's Ninth Island...
After a game of Cribbage (one of their favorite past times), we walked down the Vegas Strip for an afternoon stroll...
One of my favorite things about Jeremy is his calm, cool demeanor in any situation...but with a simple quip, he can also Marissa roll with laughter...
Jeremy is returning to Las Vegas for his bachelor party in a few month and it could be just me, but I secretly think he's making his wild plans already! ;)
Marissa and Jeremy decided to hit the town for the evening, so after a quick outfit change, they were ready to toast with a glass (or two) of champagne...
A huge shout out to Lavey Ortiz of Your Beauty Call...hands down, the best makeup artist in Las Vegas! I adore working with friends in a professional and personal capacity, and Lavey ranks near the top.
I'll end of this note because it was just the start to a long and fun evening in Las Vegas for the happy couple...
