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…

Pia + Marc’s Engagement Session – They’re one cool and nice couple. And on Friday, I hung out with Pia and Marc around Pasadena for their e-session! It’s been nearly 8 months since I first met Pia to talk about her wedding, and the e-session was the first chance I got to meet Marc.

They met several years ago while attending UCLA thanks to their respective roommates who introduced them to each other. Now Pia and Marc are tying the knot this September at the beautiful Langham Hotel, also in Pasadena. Thanks guys for being so wonderful to work with :). Congrats on your new home (it’s beautiful!), I’ll see you both again in a few months!

Melissa + Stanley’s Engagement Session – From Yucca plants and a miniature bicycle statue to fire sticks and totem poles, I had an amazing time hanging out with M + S yesterday afternoon. Along with Melissa’s brother Matthew, who was a trooper for providing a helping hand, we spent four hours yesterday acting like kids without a care in the world again. We stopped by UCLA for a few architectural/modern shots before heading out to the mountains and beaches of Malibu.

As Stanley was driving (we carpooled), I asked Melissa a bit more of how they met and when the l-o-v-e connection really started to take place. She’s from Chicago and came out to LA after her parents move here, while Stanley grew up in So Cal. After a few “suggestions” :P by family members to Melissa on how she might want to consider hanging out with new people, one of which being Stanley, they hit it off and got to know each other quite well.

Over the last three years, Melissa and Stanley have done things most couples never even think about (Stanley is very much into the outdoors and is one of the main reason why I got a bike the other day; also thanks to him :P). From hiking and watching movies to traveling and para-gliding (as well as a bunch of other activities most of us would freak out over), M + S are now ready to tackle the next big step in life together. See you guys again very soon and thank you so much for a wonderful time yesterday!

Angela + Michael’s Engagement Session – They both live in the valley of Southern California and met at a small pub a few years ago. Rumors has it that it was actually Angela that initiated things with Michael, but I could be wrong :P. Then shortly afterward, they had their first date at a Calabasas Starbucks. Fast forward to last September, Michael proposed to Angela at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland!

And this past Sunday for the e-session, we took a trip down memory lane. Angela and Michael took me to the pub they met at, the Starbucks they had their first date at, and although we skipped Disneyland, we had a chance to explore a local shopping center, Malibu Creek State Park, and El Matador Beach.

We saw some rather interesting people/things along the way, like Big Boy from Power 106 heading into a Rite Aid, supposedly a rattlesnake in the bushes of the park, and whales/dolphins/high-tides at the beach. That along with Angela and Michael’s wonderful personality made the shoot and the car ride in between (we carpooled) a super fun experience (minus the rattlesnake rumor).

I distinctly remember getting an e-mail from Angela last Fall, not too long after she got engaged. And I was so thrilled that she was already set on having me document her wedding this October well before we spoke on the phone or met in person. Here’s some of my favorites from this past Sunday, see you guys again very soon!