Helen + Phong’s Engagement Session – The beauty about being a wedding photographer, especially in Southern California, is there’s really no off-season/down time. Even in months between November and March, there’s weddings, meetings, and certainly engagement sessions. I personally love portrait sessions in the Winter time because the light just seems to be more crisp, there’s lesser people at the popular locations, and things just tend to be more relaxed versus other times of the year.

It’s even more fun when you work with couples as easy-going as Helen and Phong. I met them a few months ago and it’s been nothing but a joy getting to know these two. Helen and Phong met a decade ago at McDonald’s. She was working there part-time and one day, Phong walked in to order some food, saw her, and ended up getting a job there just so he could hang out with Helen. Little did they know they would be marrying each other one day :).

I don’t know what’s more awesome, being together for 12 years or meeting at McDonald’s. Nevertheless, Helen and Phong are still madly in love and are tying the knot in March. From candies and french fries to dodging security and braving the cold weather in the fields, I had a great time working with Helen and Phong. Congrats you two, be sure to bring a few Chicken McNuggets and McFlurries to your wedding :). Please enjoy the sneak peek!

Esther + Sam’s Engagement Session – Thanks once again to the ever-amazing wedding planner Yingka Chou, I was able to meet and work with this wonderful couple. Esther and Sam were totally awesome today as we hung out around Downtown LA for their e-session. They said their first date was a bit rocky, and how Esther was “cold” and Sam was a “Debbie Downer”. But all I saw between Esther and Sam was lots of love, silliness, and definitely hugs and kisses :).

What I really liked about Esther and Sam was how they treated me like I was the client and took the time to get to know me, instead of the other way around. In addition, we had a chance to chat more about their wedding, which is coming up in less than two months, ahhhhh! Esther did her own make-up and looked beautiful, while Sam was his usual calm, GQ self :). Thanks guys for a great time, hope you like the sneak peek! Also, I can’t wait to be neighbors with you!

Janice + Jeff’s Engagement Session – On the eve of Thanksgiving, when most of us are probably on our way to our loved ones’ home or thinking about what to buy on Black Friday, I was mentally making a list of what to be thankful for. And certainly near the top of that list are all the wonderful couples I got to meet this past year and work with, like Janice and Jeff.

These two lovebirds met several years ago at a mixer for young working professionals and will be tying the knot in the Spring of 2012. What I love about Janice and Jeff is how much in love they are and how they’re not afraid to show it in front of the camera. They’re super easy-going and individuals you simply click with (no pun intended). We met up in Downtown LA and shot at various locations such as the Concert Hall and Barker Block.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Janice and Jeff. Every hug, smile, kiss, and gaze were so genuine and just so…Janice and Jeff. I’ve no doubt their wedding is going to be a blast, and am more than thrilled and honored to be capturing it! Thanks guys for a great time, and just showing me what I’m so thankful for each Thanksgiving – awesome couples turning into dear friends!

Priscilla + Roger’s Engagement Session – I joked with Priscilla and Roger that they win my award for the most laid back and easy-going couple ever! They were so awesome to book me about a year ago just via e-mail. Our paths actually across in Vegas this past February, when I was out there for WPPI and they were on a business trip. It was our first time meeting and we hit it off right over Starbucks coffee. It means so much to me that Priscilla and Roger treated me like an old friend from the second we said hello and shook hands.

Fast forward 9 months later, and I had a blast shooting their e-session around the South Bay. Priscilla and Roger met 14 years ago through a mutual friend. Talk about commitment and love in the truest and longest form! I can’t commend them enough for having such a strong relationship, which certainly showed during the shoot. Priscilla and Roger were all smiles, laughs, kisses, hugs, and giggles the entire time. I seriously think both do modeling or acting on the side, as they weren’t hesitant to show their affection towards one another in front of the camera (major brownie points from me).

I’m beyond excited to shoot their wedding in…wait for it…LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. Yup! Told you these two lovebirds were super relaxed and chilled :). Besides a destination wedding, this is the shortest period of time between an e-session and wedding for me, but I’m just happy to get to see Priscilla and Roger again and so soon. Thanks guys for being so much fun to work with and know, see you in a couple of days. I’ve no doubt your big day is going to be amaaaaazing!