Sanaz + Arash’s Engagement Session – What started as a hello at a party quickly turned into destined love. Just celebrating their two-year anniversary earlier this month, Sanaz and Arash wanted to have their e-session in beautiful Santa Barbara. On Friday, Nancy and I trekked out to the botanical garden, beaches, and downtown streets of SB to hang out with Sanaz and Arash.

As we drove home, Nancy mentioned how she noticed that extra special way S + A looked at each other. It’s the little twinkle in his eyes and the certain smile she gives that makes their love that much more meaningful. Once again, I’m giving brownie points to Sanaz and Arash for dressing up a bit and picking out a different outfit for each place :).

Their wedding is in less than three weeks and will incorporate both their Jewish and Iranian cultures together. It may very well be the first wedding I party at, um I mean work at ;), through midnight. Thanks guys for a great time on Friday, Nancy and I had a wonderful experience exploring Santa Barbara with you!

Lillian + Sang’s Engagement Session – I didn’t meet L + S until the day of their e-session (last Thursday), and I’m not even shooting their wedding (introduced Lillian and Sang to the amazing Brian Khang), but somehow, through our e-mails and phone calls, I felt like I knew of Lillian and Sang for a while now. They are good friends of Debbie and Brian, whose wedding I photographed back in August of 2009. See, everything connects :).

Side story. I’ve been in talks with Melissa and Rafael at AVIA Hotel in Long Beach, which is a 5-minute walk from my studio, on doing a few wedding/e-session shoots there. They’ve been so gracious to give me free reigns of the place for photo shoots. So I propose to Lillian and Sang the idea of just doing their e-session at AVIA Hotel, followed by a few around Downtown Long Beach. The rest, as they say, is history :).

I had a blast working with L + S, still bummed I won’t get to shoot their wedding, but am glad I still got to work with them. And a special thanks to AVIA Hotel for letting me use their space. If you’re planning a wedding or just need a place to stay in Long Beach, I HIGHLY recommend you contact them. Ask for Melissa Selmanson or Rafael Llorente! Also, a shout out to Mark Chastek for shadowing/assisting me, thanks everyone!

Melissa + Bernie’s Engagement Session – These two were loads of fun last Wednesday, when we hung out at Union Station (in LA), and City Hall plus Colorado Bridge (in Pasadena). I loved how Melissa and Bernie got all dressed up for their e-session; really dug the black + white look and matching shirt and blouse color! It’s like major Henry brownie points when my couples sport the ooberly cool looks :).

I’m super stoked for M + B’s wedding over Memorial Day weekend for so many reasons. Getting to work with Trini and Deanne, plus seeing Kristin and Rafael (who introduced me to Melissa and Bernie), are two of them. For Melissa, keep looking fabulous. And for Bernie, don’t forget to bring a soccer ball to the wedding :D. Also, I just want to give a shout out to Steph Lloyd for shadowing/assisting me on this shoot; thanks for all your help that day Steph!

Vy + Linh’s Engagement Session – Vintage car + super fun couple = great time shooting last Thursday. Linh was so thoughtful to surprise Linh with a 1965 Austin Healey last Christmas. We took it out for a spin for their e-session around Orange County, catching the attention of passerbys and security.

The only thing that is more rad than the car, Linh, and Vy is their wedding being THIS Saturday. Special shout out and thanks to Fayth Vuong of Three Petals, who does fabulous floral and decor, for referring me to them. See you guys again, very, very soon :).