After-Wedding Session

Perfect idea for weddings that fly by too quickly (or for those unfortunate people that didn't like how their wedding pictures from another photographer turned out): Book an "After-Wedding" session! It gives you a chance to get all dolled up in your finery again, and get those shots that you weren't able to capture on your actual wedding day. This is your time to PLAY! Spice things up with a few new accessories (colorful shoes or sunglasses, or even tennies, if you'd like). Choose your location... want some pictures of you in your wedding gown on the beach? Go for it! Or maybe walking along the streets of downtown? Fabulous!

And for the more daring, you might consider a "trash the dress" session. This is not for the faint of heart, but can be QUITE glamorous. From wading in the ocean, to lying on the sandy shore, we can get the dramatic shots you'd like.

Below is a sample of an "after-wedding" session.  These shots were taken a few months after the actual wedding day.

adriana + mario {wedding}

Adriana was waiting to get nervous. She just kept waiting for it to hit her.  But there were no nerves, and she was more than ready to marry her best friend, Mario. And as the entrances were made, and hands were clasped, you could tell that they were both ready to make this journey together.  The priest commented on how one should enter marriage not looking for a savior, but a partner and a friend… and Adriana and Mario knowingly looked to one another.  Theirs is a friendship that is stronger than ever, and a love that is meant to last.

Their story began long before, when Mario’s kindergarten teacher’s aid happened to be none other than Adriana’s mother.  Flash forward several years, and Adriana and Mario became high school sweethearts.  But there is a lot of change that occurs between high school and adulthood.  And so, there were times when these changes forced them from each other’s side, as each individual needed a chance to grow more fully into themselves.  Yet, something kept bringing them back to one another.  And, having had the time to grow more as individuals, they were able to come back together even stronger.

Now, they are ready to begin their lives together as husband and wife.

The reception was such a BLAST!  It was definitely a celebration, complete with emotional toasts, an amazing dj, and even a mariachi band.  The mood was upbeat and festive, and I often found myself swaying in time with the music as I shot my pictures.  When it was time for me to go, Adriana invited me to just put down the camera and come DANCE!  I was too tired to take her up on the offer, and so I reluctantly left for the evening… the sounds of the party continuing in the distance.

It was such an amazing day, and I am very honored to have been a part of it.

Vendors: ceremony:  St. Norbert Church reception:  Cerritos Senior Center catering:  Lascari's dj:  Elegance Elegancia DJ

shaun & hollie {engagement session}

Theirs is a love story YEARS in the making. Seriously. Shaun & Hollie originally met in junior high and were in several classes together. Pre-teen crushes ensued. But they never really got around to dating for any period of time. (Especially since they were still too young to do any actual dating.) Time moved on, and they ended up going to different high schools. Rival high schools. And you know how it is at that age... even if you are only a few streets apart, you might as well be half a world away. But Shaun and Hollie kept in touch with one another; they were each other's dates at a couple high school dances, and Hollie even came to show support for Shaun at a few of his show choir performances. But time, and life, kept progressing.  After high school graduation they simply lost contact with one another, their lives having moved them in different directions.

But you never forget your first love...

Years later, they were brought together again... with the help of a little social networking site known as "Facebook." Hollie found Shaun's profile, and sent a message to say "hi." And their relationship began anew.  And in some ways, it was if no time had passed at all.  And so, it was at a sunset picnic, and just in time for Hollie's birthday, that Shaun asked Hollie to be his wife. And Hollie said yes.

So, to my brother Shaun, whom I love dearly... and my sister-to-be Hollie, whom I look forward to being able to call "family," I give the best gift I have within my grasp: capturing these moments of the two of you together, so that you might be able to look upon these images and remember the joy you bring one another.

You can also see a few more images from their engagement session by clicking here.

shaun & hollie {sneak peek}

In the works... I am busy editing photos from my brother (Shaun)'s & his new fiance (Hollie)'s engagement shoot. Many more to come (and the full story, too), but here's a sneak peek in the meantime:

Adriana and Mario {engagement-take ONE}

I met up with Adriana and Mario yesterday at Balboa Pier to shoot their engagement pictures. And, wouldn't you know it? It started to rain.  They were real troopers, though... we decided to go forth with a mini-shoot and see if we could out-last the rain. (Nope. The rain won.) But, even though Mother Nature forced us to reschedule the main part of the shoot for a sunnier day, we managed to capture a few great shots in the sprinkles:

More to come when we get a chance to finish the shoot.

Susan & Erik {wedded bliss…}

Susan and Erik were wonderful to be around. Their love and adoration for one another was completely obvious, as was their close friendship, too. One moment they'd be staring at each other lovingly, and the next moment they'd be sticking out their tongues at one another and laughing out loud. Their energy was contagious, and it totally kept me smiling. I've already posted a sneak peek of their session in the park, but here are a few more favorites of mine:

After the park, it was on to the reception, held at King Harbor Seafood. WOW... all the different foods. It was a full banquet, served family-style. I was ushered to a seat by a family member, and when an auntie asks you to eat, you EAT. Here was the menu for the night:

The couple served tea to the family members who weren't able to attend the tea ceremony earlier in the day:

And Susan's father visited each of the tables, giving his blessings/well-wishes.

It was a beautiful celebration, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it. (Thanks, you two...)

Susan & Erik {sneak peek}

Susan and Erik were married on October 3rd in a private tea ceremony. I met up with them at a nearby park afterwards, to take the formal family portraits... and then the not-so-formal pics of the two of them. Here is a sneak peek of a few favorites so far... more to come soon.

Erin + Justin {married!}

Erin & Justin were married on Saturday, August 8th at the Aliso Viejo Country Club.  It was a fabulous day overall... family and friends came together to  celebrate in the beautiful southern California sunshine. Here are a few of my favorite moments captured from the day:

Before "giving her away," the father of the bride made the gesture for "I'm watching you..."  Classic moment!

Erin and Justin were lucky in that they got to take a golf cart out for a spin... we headed to this area on the green that was next to their picturesque waterfall and lake. And thank goodness that things were running on schedule, because the coordinator told me that they would be turning off the waterfall in about 8 minutes.  Go, go, go!

Gotta love the guy who was leaping across the floor. Hah! He did this several times, actually. Maybe he REALLY wants to be next in line to get married, you think?

Some of the details of the day:

Venue:  Aliso Viejo Country Club (Coordinator: Gina)

D.J.:  Manny, from DJ Connection

Florist:  A to Z Floral Wholesalers

Officiant:  Rev. Bruce Danzara