When my twin sister and I were younger, our mother forbade us from taking the Lord’s name in vain. Even though my mother was from East Los Angeles, she could have easily fit in with a Southern Baptist preacher’s wife with her moral rules and regulations. So, in order to get around her verbal restriction policies, we’d think of creative alternatives. Okay, so maybe they weren’t creative, but to two ten-year-olds, they were brilliant.

If something amazing or cool happened, we’d say Ah Mah Gaw…well, because that’s so not saying Oh My God. Duh.

Like I said, our alternatives were brilliant.

When I received an email from my good friend [b]ecker asking if I’d like to shoot with him this past weekend, I was so stoked that the first thing that came to mind was, yes, Ah Mah Gaw. Not only is [b]ecker a very good friend, he’s someone I’ve always looked up since the very beginning of my photography career to and whose work I find particularly amazing. So when he asked me to second shoot for him, I was more than happy to oblige!

On Sunday I had the distinct pleasure of shooting Michelle and Christian’s wedding with [b] and we had a great time. Not only was the couple adorable, the venue fabulous, and the details just lovely, the day flowed beautifully. The wedding and reception was at the stunning La Venta, overlooking the gorgeous coast line and the sea haze kept the day nice and cool. The couple’s families were inordinately nice (and gorgeous to boot!), so the wedding was a photographer’s dream.

Here are a few of my favorites…

I'd be remiss not to show Michelle's couture shoes…l.o.v.e.d. them!

One of the three beautiful flower girls getting ready…

Michelle's first look as a bride…

Last minute makeup touch-up…

Christian seeing his bride walk down the aisle…

Yes, the Michelle and Christian were both extraordinarily good looking, but they're even nicer than their looks can convey. I want to wish them the very best in their lives together…they are positively destined for a fruitful marriage. I also need to thank [b] for letting me be a part of their special day.