Allison + Nathan’s Engagement Session – Where do I even begin with Allison and Nathan? They both hold an extra special place in my heart, as not only are they my “clients” but also my good friends. Nathan was one of the very first wedding photographers I met back in early 2008 when I started. That’s right, he likes this whacky word of weddings as much as I do :).

So it meant so much to me when Allison and Nathan asked me to be their wedding photographer. We joked that Nathan wanted to hire the best, unfortunately they were all booked on 10-10-10 (the magical date for this year!) and there was no way he would be shooting his own wedding. Thus, Nathan was stuck with hiring me :P.

I felt so honored and excited to be hired by Allison and Nathan; not just because of how we met, but simply because these two are amazing individuals. You can’t help but feel warm, fuzzy, and smile when you’re around them. And the story of Allison and Nathan met is one for the ages. They met on Craigslist! Actually, that didn’t sound right ;).

It was more like Nathan was looking for models to photograph and put out an ad on Craigslist (did I get it right guys?). Turns out one of the people that replied back to Nathan’s ad was Allison. The story goes that it was actually Allison that asked for Nathan’s number by the end of the shoot (go Nathan!). And the rest, as they say, is history!

As a wedding photographer, you won’t find a colleague/friend more honest, trustworthy, easy-going, and reliable as Nathan. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him at several weddings but also knowing him personally. And when I met Allison, immediately I saw why Nathan picked her as much as she picked him. She compliments Nathan so well and the two live life to the fullest. So with cameras, iPhones, iPads, and balloons in hand, I present to you their e-session sneak peek :). See you guys again very soon!

Kate + Mike’s Engagement Session – It’s amazing how we can be strangers one minute and long lost friends the next. But that’s kinda how things worked out between Kate, Mike, and myself. They walked into a jewelry store in Downtown Santa Barbara a few months ago and walked out not only with their wedding bands but also my info (all thanks to my good high school friend Lia, who works at the store and actually got married last month; congrats and thanks Lia!).

I met Kate and Mike a few days later and by the end of the meeting, was their photographer for their wedding this August in Santa Barbara :). They met each other not too long ago at a place called Creekside Bar and Grill, where they LOVE to squar dance! We ended the e-session there, and guess what? It was actually Kate’s birthday as well (this past Sunday) and all her friends were waiting at the bar for the party to start! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kate! What an honor for me to photograph your e-session on your b-day!

Kate is a retail manager for a clothing store and Mike is a recruiter for the military. Safe to say, they’re both making the world a better place by helping people dress better and finding the best of the best to protect this country :). This past Sunday, I drove up to Santa Barbara for their e-session. And I’m not going to lie, I was pretty dead tired and was hoping I could muster some energy to keep up with K + M. But I got a huge kick of adrenaline as soon as I saw them and the last thing on my mind was resting!

We had the chance to shoot inside Granada Theater, a historic place right in Downtown SB. It was great having the entire theater to ourselves. Afterward, we trekked down to a “secret” beach location in Goleta. We went up a path that took us to an amazing view of the SB coastal line and ocean. The scenery was truly beautiful and serene, just like the love between Kate and Mike. The way they looked, laughed, hugged, and kissed one another was simply perfect. Only Mike could make Kate that happy, just like how only Kate could bring the silly, funny, and soft side of Mike :).

Yolanda + Hanson’s Engagement Session – I love these guys. No seriously, I really do! I’ve been waiting and waiting to photograph Yolanda and Hanson for ages. You won’t evvvvver find a bride as sweet as Yolanda and a groom as nice as Hanson. It’s no secret these two are absolutely perfect for each other.

They met through mutual friends a few years ago and now are tag teaming to save the world. Yolanda is a nurse at a hospital and Hanson is a cop (am I allow to say that? :P). So you’ll always be in good hands if you’re hanging around these two. Their professions reflect their own personalities so well – caring about their family, friends, and even a stranger on the side of the road or rushing into the emergency room that needs help.

And it feels like I’ve known Yolanda and Hanson forever. I met Yolanda at one of my other brides Allison’s wedding back in November of 2008. She came up to me at the end of the evening to say hello and a few nice things about my work :P. Since then, Yolanda has been hands-down my biggest and longest (as far as I know!) fan. She would check in with me on Facebook every now and then to say hi and I would always bug her when she thinks Hanson might pop the question (poor Hanson, always getting harassed by Yolanda’s friends :P).

I felt so honored and excited to find out right away (as in the very next day) when Yolanda and Hanson got engaged. Shortly afterward, we met and set a wedding date that worked with everyone. And here we are at their e-session. Yolanda and Hanson picked a multi-cultural/his-her-theirs theme for their shoot. We incorporated Yolanda’s Mexican and Hansons’ Chinese cultural backgrounds as well as an American theme.

Their wedding in beautiful Santa Ynez and Solvang is still another 5+ months away and I simply can’t wait. Thanks guys for being so wonderful in my life and always being a supporter of what I do and who I am. And in case I haven’t told them yet, I’m Yolanda and Hanson’s biggest fan :).

Helen + Daniel’s Engagement Session – One absolutely loves having their photos taken, dressing up, and planning their big day this August. The other is Helen :). Sorry guys,  I had to sneak one in! On a more serious note, which by the way, is something, neither, Helen, Daniel, or I know anything about, we hung out around San Juan Capistrano and the Eastern part of Orange County yesterday afternoon for their e-session. Special thanks to Nancy for assisting me :).

With a cloudy sky (that ended up being a blessing in disguise) in hand, we all trekked along train tracks, sat in front of garage doors, climbed up a grassy hill, walked through a field of flowers, caught a huge beetle, “rode” on the bike, and “flew” across the sky with an umbrella. It was literally non-stop laughing, silliness, and down-right Helen and Daniel fun the entire time.

There’s no doubt these two are meant for each other. Only Daniel’s calm, reasonable, and “mature” personality can compliment Helen’s jokes, dorkiness, and singing :P. But all kidding aside, when these Helen and Daniel lock arms, lips, eyes, and hearts, you can see the chemistry they have. Thanks guys for entrusting me to photograph your life, love, and happiness together. And also thanks to my good wedding photography friend Brian Khang for referring me to Helen and Daniel!