Kristin + Rafael’s Wedding: 7/18/2009 – My ideal wedding! Mini-destination in Temecula, CA; small/intimate crowd; gorgeous venue and lighting; and oh yeah, a rockin’ awesomeness couple in Kristin and Rafael. What really stood out about their special day was just how everything was relaxed, easy-going, fun, yet so personal and emotional.
Having a first look coupled by a great wedding party and ample time for photos allowed me to work my magic with Kristin and Rafael. Plus the family, especially the parents, were a joy to talk to and work with. Add to that an absolutely adorable ring bearer who loved hanging out around me and you got yourself a spectacular wedding!
But more than anything, I’m going to take away Kristin and Rafael’s on-going friendship from their beautiful day. They’ve been so kind to help me grow my own business and have been some of my biggest supporters since we first met (in both the NBA and wedding world). These crazy kids met through the hotel industry and have now offered their lending hands to me and my business. Thank you guys so much for everything. I wish you both nothing but the very best. And something tells me we’ll be seeing and possibly working with each other again very soon! Until then…go Clippers! Just kidding Kristin. That was for Rafael :).
Julie + Ken’s Wedding: 7/11/2009 – If I had a penny for every time I pinched myself for knowing Julie and Ken, I think I’d be filty rich; that and have a lot of red marks all over me :D. But seriously, not only are they super duper fun to hang out with, but they make me feel like I’m the client! Julie and Ken know when to be silly, dorky, and downright funny but also serious and even a little sarcastic :P. That’s what I love about them!
I’ve been anxiously waitng for Julie and Ken’s wedding since I did the happy dance last May/June, after they told me they would like to have me as their wedding photographer :). I admit I spiked their Starbucks coffee when we had our initial meeting with some Kool Aid as a mean to steer them my way :D. Julie and Ken considered me when I was still in the earlier phases of my business and wondering why on earth awesome people like them would want to go with me. I can’t thank them enough for believing in me. So thank you Julie and Ken, in my eyes you’re rockstars; both for what you do in this world and being so wonderful to me :).
As far as their wedding day, it was set at the beautiful Los Verdes Golf Course on top of the hills of Rancho Palos Verdes. Warm day with a cool breeze filled the atmosphere, as Julie and Ken’s closest guests arrived. What I’ll remember most about Julie and Ken’s special day was how much fun we all had. Some funny moments like Julie’s dad accidentally stepping on her dress as he gave her away to Ken and then stepping on it again during the first dance! Or Ken’s brothers giving some HILARIOUS speeches. Or perhaps me nearly falling out of the golf cart as Julie yelled, “HENRY!!!!” Thank you for caring Julie :). Or maybe at the end of the night, Ken asking me if I took…well, nvm on that one; inside joke there heh heh heh :D.
Congrats you guys, and as always, please know you’ll always hold an extra special plcace in my heart for taking a chance on me well before others. And for sending me tuna in the mail; yes folks, you read that right. Mmmm tuna…
Cecelia + Joseph’s Engagement Session – These two are most definitely in love :). Being high school sweet hearts, Cecelia and Joseph, or better known as CeCe and JoJo to their friends, have been through sooooo much together. They’ve defied the odds and have done what many young love birds couldn’t do: stay in love and take the next step together.
We all went out to Royal Palms State Beach for the e-session, as that’s where Joseph had proposed to Cecelia very early one morning. We had a great time dodging the waves and climbing rocks. More than anything, I felt like I really connected with Cecelia and Joseph :). They are truly two of the kindest people EVER (I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of working with awesome couples!).
Watching Cecelia and Joseph fall in love over and over again that day made me realized how lucky we are to have a special someone in our life, and to never ever take them for granted. Thanks guys for a rockin’ afternoon and inviting me to dinner afterwards (we’ll have to do a rain check soon). And an extra special thank you to my good wedding photographer friend Louis Palos for referring me to Cecelia and Joseph. Check out his work as it’s AMAZING!
Rose + Dennis’ Engagement Session – You won’t find a pair of lovebirds as fun, crazy, silly, and down-right awesome like these two! Rose and Dennis found me through Ivette and Joe a few months ago. I was super bummed when I had to tell them I was already booked on their wedding day but was thrilled to recommend them a few amazing and wonderful wedding photographer friends of mine :). I’m super stoked that Jenny Liu will be working with them on their big day; go Jenny!
A few Sundays ago, Rose, Dennis, Jenny, and I hung out around Downtown LA and the coastal area for their engagement session. Sure we took lots of yummy photos, but I remembered the day as being one filled with laughter, motion (we ran around like little kids in a candy shop all day long), and building a friendship that will last past Rose and Dennis’ wedding day. Since I love random notes, here are a few from the e-session:
- I recommended bringing some water and snacks in case we get tired or just thirsty. Dennis brought a HUGE ice chest, filled with all sorts of goodies that kept Jenny and I energized throughout the day. You rock Dennis, ever consider being a wedding photographer’s assistant? :)
- Gotta love Rose and Dennis’ tennis outfit and game face expressions. Likewise for their facial expressions and imitations of themselves and their friends.
- Rose’s Ugly Dolls and Dennis trying to “accidentally” drown them in the water lol. Super duper adorable/cute/funny if I dare say so myself. Nice touch to the session Rose!
- I asked Rose to hug Dennis from behind on the sand at the beach. She naturally placed her hands on Dennis’ man “boobs” (see one of the last photos below). Unbelievably HILARIOUS. If it weren’t for Jenny kindly reminding us that the photo might come out a little too much for the elders, I might’ve shot a few extra photos with that pose. Gotta love it!
All in all, I had a great time hanging out with Rose and Dennis. They are currently in Panama for Rose’s work. I asked Dennis to do lots of vacationing and make Rose feel a bit jealous since she has to work there :P. Btw, don’t give up on getting an In-N-Out truck for your wedding. And it’s not so I’ll be convinced to come by after my wedding and bug you for a Double-Double because I’ll come by anyway! And a special thank you to Jenny for coming along with me on the e-session. I’m really looking forward to her shooting Rose and Dennis’ wedding!
