Jeanette + Mario’s Engagement Session – What a great time hanging out with Jeanette and Mario this past Monday! We went to 3rd St. Promenade and the pier in Santa Monica, and even to the exact location where Mario proposed to Jeanette. They’ve been dating for several, several years, and I’m just beyond thrilled to be a part of their day later this October 9th.

Thanks to one of my favorite people in the world Yolanda, who roomed with Jeanette for four years, I was able to meet this wonderful couple. Jeanette and Mario even busted out their old school Descendents rock band t-shirt during the shoot. Thanks again guys for a great time in Santa Monica, see you again soon!

Amy + Jimmy’s Engagement Session – I drove down to Newport and Laguna Beach for Amy and Jimmy’s e-session late Tuesday afternoon. This very, very easy-going couple actually went to the same high school as me, Abraham Lincoln High School in LA! Amy graduated one year after me in 2002. Thanks to one of our mutual friends, we were able to connect via Facebook a few months ago.

We ran into a few hiccups at the beginning of the shoot, but that didn’t stop Amy and Jimmy from making the most out of their e-session. The hotel we wanted to shoot at said no, the entrance to a few trails I wanted to take them were blocked, and the security guy at Crystal Cove was being a total *beeeeep*. Nevertheless, we went to Victoria Beach, hidden behind the beach homes of Laguna Beach.

It was so much fun working with Amy and Jimmy, they were so laid-back and chilled :). Special thanks to Amy’s friend Ngoc (sp?) for helping us out. It’s always a good idea to bring an extra person to a shoot :). See you guys again in December, we’ll have to do the rain check on that dinner!

Iris + Simon’s Engagement Session – From hot blue ties and shoes to a stunning yellow motorcycle and killer helmets, I + S owned the streets of Downtown LA this past Monday night. Move over Mr. Andy Lau, Iris has her eyes all set on Simon :). And btw, I found out that Simon is the other Clipper fan in Los Angeles. To Iris: we’ll do our best to keep the NBA talk to a minimum on your wedding day :P.

I love it when couples want to spice up their e-session by dressing up a bit more and bringing a few props; and in the case of Iris and Simon, a really big prop. Special thanks to Simon’s groomsman Kenny for helping us out, we couldn’t have done this shoot without you! And to Iris and Simon’s friend Elsa Feng of ME Events & Design for referring me to them. I’m really looking forward to working with you guys at the wedding.

Back to the e-sesh…along the way, we broke a rule or two, like illegally parking the motorcycle on the sidewalk, standing in the middle of 4-way intersection, getting a bit wet by the water fountain, and running into traffic in a tunnel at night (my mom’s going to kill me when she reads this). I just love how fun and willing (to get in trouble :P) Iris and Simon were. Thanks guy for showing me how to be cool on Monday. And speaking of Monday, happy belated birthday Iris! See you both in October!

Vivian + Chris’ Engagement Session – It was SO GOOD to finally meet Vivian and Chris yesterday afternoon (it was just e-mails up to this point). He’s from Southern California but traveled abroad to China for his teaching job a few years ago. While there, Chris met the love of his life in Vivian. Both of them are in the states (first time for Vivian while Chris is returning home) these past few weeks. Amidst their busy schedule, Vivian and Chris found a few hours to do an engagement session with me yesterday.

The two will be tying the knot later this September in Beijing, and I couldn’t be more excited, honored, and simply THRILLED to be traveling to China and documenting their wedding! Also, I just want to give a shout out and thank you to Tami, whose a friend of Chris and dancer/cheerleader for the Clippers. I met her a few years ago while photographing the games at Staples Center. If it weren’t for Tami, I would’ve never met Vivian and Chris, so thank you so much!

For the e-session, we went to Union Station followed by LACMA, where all those pretty bright lamps are at :). Special thanks to Ms. Nancy Pantsy for helping me out yesterday. I’m so glad to have her come to China with me for Vivian and Chris’ wedding. Here’s a few of my favorites from the shoot…