When I saw Sonia and Alan putting on their crazy dance shoes and getting down at Brenda and Joel’s wedding two Sundays ago (whom by the way I’d like to thank for referring me to Sonia and Alan), I knew without a doubt their e-session was going to be a huge blast. Sonia and Alan dressed to simply kill for their e-session. Not only did Alan sport a kick-arse suit and hat, Sonia had several sweet-looking outfits, but there were their three secret weapons: Jorge, Erik, and Mickey. Sonia got her hair done by her maid of honor/hair stylist extroardinare Jorge, make-up by bridesmaid Mickey, and outfit critiqued by wardrobe specalist/Jorge’s boyfriend Erik (who made a mean peanut butter sandwich for me). Wow! For Alan, well he’s simply GQ and put Will Smith, Usher, Chris Brown, and the other Alan-wannabes to shame ;).
I just love how Sonia and Alan really went all out; we stopped by at four different locations, starting out at Jorge’s gorgeous home up in the mountains. He had these amazing work of art on the wall and a beautiful bedroom, living room, and backyard. It was very, very thoughtful and kind of Jorge to not only extend his top-notch hair styling services to Sonia, but also to invite me over and allow me to take photos at his place. Now I just need to steak out in front of his house everyday and wait for his celebrity clients to show up :P. We ended up going all over Los Angeles: Bonaventure Hotel, Via Rodeo, and finally some fun by the water at Santa Monica Beach.
To Sonia and Alan: thank you so much for giving me an amazing Sunday afternoon and evening. Your love for each other was not only seen through my camera, but also felt by my heart. You guys have a fairytale-like story on how you two met and I’m very honored to help document the next chapter in your love story next April. Please extend my thanks to your wonderful friends who welcomed me into their lives and provided a much needed helping hand. I hope you enjoy the “behind-the-scene” shots!
The secret behind Sonia’s beautiful make-up, hair, and outfit:
A trash the dress session? Maybe. A day-after shoot? Not quite. A wedding? Nope. Although Elizabeth and Dat officially had an e-session this past Sunday, it was actually much, much more. Their shoot took place at two gorgeous locations in Southern California: Crystal Cove and Downtown Long Beach. This shoot was all Liz and Dat. They took the meaning of “going all out” to a whole new level for an e-session. I can’t commend and thank these two enough for giving me one of the most amazing shoots ever. It was the first time I had a couple get completely drenched at the beach and also shoot at night…while wearing their attire for a wedding day. Some of you might be thinking that is bad luck, but technically, the dress and suit that Elizabeth and Dat wore respectively are NOT the ones they’ll be wearing when they tie the knot in December :). Clever kids aren’t they?
I absolutely love how Liz and Dat went that extra mile, which only motivated me to go that extra distance with them. Not only did I have an amazing couple to work with, but I had the best light around the entire afternoon and evening. Almost all the shots were taken with natural light, even the ones around Downtown LB. I’d like to thank Liz and Dat again for being such a fun (and daring!) couple to work with. You guys have inspired and helped me find a new/refreshing look into an e-session. Can’t wait for your wedding in December, it’ll be Christmas come early for me!
If fate had told me less than three weeks ago that on September 20th, I’d be shooting one of my most favorite e-sessions ever, I’d first be wondering who the couple is, since the only thing I had planned this past weekend was finish planning the final details of my first bridal show tomorrow. I met Angelina and Matt a few weeks ago at Nozza Studio in Downtown Long Beach (thanks Trini you’re the best!); not only did we connect the instant we saw each other, but I sensed how much these crazy kids were in love with one another.
Listening to them tell me how they met and what they like to do got me very excited about their e-session. I knew I was going to be able to get Angie and Matt to just go all out – from running and sitting on the ground to jumping and kissing in front of the old ladies :). On Saturday, we all felt like high school students making trouble all around Downtown Long Beach, breaking about a dozen rules along the way. I absolutely LOVED the enthusiam and energy Angie and Matt brought to the shoot, which really movitated me to bring an extra level of creativity to their photos. It’s not everyday we can get the silly and funny shots to the serious and peaceful ones.
Guess what the best part is? Angie and Matt’s wedding is in just about a month! It’s going to be a very small and intimate gathering on a yacht in Newport Beach! So in about six weeks, we went/going from not knowing each other, to meeting, to shooting the e-session, and soon documenting the wedding day. To Angie and Matt, thank you for a wonderful weekend; I’m stoked and all geared up to rock your big day!
When I spoke to Emily about a week ago on the details of her engagement session, I was very excited to hear that Philip and her were going to REALLY dress up at both the Greystone Mansion and Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills. Working in the graphics design industry and planning her own wedding, Emily was all about the details: the outfit; the shoes; the earrings; even getting the proper documents to shoot at these places!
Emily wanted to make sure we had Greystone Mansion all to ourselves to photograph without random people getting in the way or watching us, so big kudos to her and Philip for getting a permit (that’s when you know they mean business hehe). Check out the amazing outfits these two lovebirds chose for both the Greystone Mansion and Via Rodeo. I’m not a fashion expert, but I totally loved Philip’s white shirt with all those textures and Emily’s top with the patterns and various colors. They gave a very elegant yet casual feel to their photos, which fits Emily and Philip’s personality so well. They definitely know how to wine and dine but also kick back and chill out :).
Then at Via Rodeo, Emily and Philip wore the most kick-butt outfits I’ve ever shot. Check out the purple and black, hotness! It was really fun shooting right smack in the middle of Los Angeles’ most lucrative and famous shopping area, where everyone and their mother checked out Emily and Philip’s good looks. For one day, I was able to call myself a celebrity photographer ;). Emily and Philip = stylish, classy, sexy, and smooth. I plan on taking classes from them on how to be cool.
