I’ve been in Vegas most of the week, learning how to bookbind and doing a little bit of shooting! Soon, I’ll be adding another kind of album to my lineup!

The fearless workshop leader, John Michael Cooper of altf, took us on an anti-bridal shoot. The groom-to-be is a firefighter and got us clearance to their training facility! So 15 photographers started shooting a bride and groom being sprayed with a fire hose and next to a burning building. It was pretty wild. I went with an infrared only theme…

John

and the couple

I don’t drink coffee, but I do drink tea. A lot of it! The employees at the nearest Starbucks have long since known about my work, and I’m happy to say that some of my personal work is now hanging in the store at Pioneer and Del Amo (I did say close to home).

Wow. Yesterday was the most beautiful, warm (not just the weather), and fun wedding I’ve been to in a very long time. I feel honored just to have been a part of it! DJ and Laura not only planned a great wedding, they’re just fun to be around! Hartley Botanica is a long drive for me, but so worth it. It’s a beautiful place to photograph–especially with the infrared camera. The staff is helpful and nice, and the food is great.

I could talk up the couple and the location forever… but instead I’ll just show the photos, starting with the ceremony.

Can’t you feel the excitement? :)

A couple portraits

Racquel, the flowergirl. Good luck to her parents later on in life…!

Pretty reception stuff

And the sparkler exit!

Zach and Jacquelynn had a beautiful wedding this past Saturday. Pretty crappy weather, but great wedding! The ceremony was at Palos Verdes Baptist Church in Rolling Hills Estates, and was officiated by Zach’s grandfather. After roaming Palos Verdes for a while, we stopped and took a few photos near Trump National, by the entry driveway. The reception was held at a truly gorgeous restaurant, Marcello Tuscany Room.

Jackie was worried about photos, because the area around Marcello was “ugly.” Ha! I laugh in the face of ugly! I want to go back there to shoot portraits– it was that great! Here are a few from the surrounding alleys.

Some within the restaurant… I love the stained glass and the pretty light streaming through the colored panes.

The cake, surrounded by homemade Croatian desserts.

the band!

I’ll have a sneak peek up soon– just go to the main website and click on “client area”

I think my sister needs to move back home so I can start shooting her more often!

Jun makes me want to photograph all day! We had a great time yesterday, shooting in Torrance.

Juan and Teresa had a beautiful ceremony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA yesterday. They kept laughing during the ceremony, but I was so far away that I couldn’t figure out why. They later told me that the priest was speaking so softly they could barely hear what he was saying, so they ended doing the wrong thing a few times! That, and they didn’t drink enough of the wine during communion, so the priest said, “You’re going to make me drink all of this!”

After the ceremony, we drove a good 30 miles to the Orcutt Ranch in Canoga Park. Teresa had really wanted an outdoor wedding, but had to compromise for an outdoor reception since they were married in the church. Orcutt is a beautiful place, but it was so hot! This is my second time this month shooting in temperatures over 100°F — except this time from 3pm onward it was all outdoors! The ice-cream cake didn’t come out until about 2 minutes before Juan and Teresa cut the cake!

It’s been almost two years since Mike and I got married! Yeah! Last year I shot a wedding on our anniversary (and a wonderful wedding it was!), so this year I thought I’d take the weekend off and spend some time with my husband. We decided to go away for the weekend.

We’re thinking of Vegas, Palm Desert (next to Palm Springs), and kind of considered Catalina for a while. If we go to Palm Desert, we’ll probably stay at my grandma’s place. If we go to Vegas, we’re not sure where to stay.

Important facts:
- I am an absolute princess when it comes to bed quality. I’m a light sleeper and I have a bad back, so I really don’t get any sleep at all in beds of poor quality.
- The Westin is just off the strip and has GREAT beds. That’s where I’ve stayed the past two years for conferences, and where I’m staying again in two weeks for Combo#2, another workshop.
- Mike and I are pretty much workaholics. We’re not good at relaxing. The optimum place to stay would be one that has lots to do.

So should we just stay at the Westin since I know I’ll be comfortable? Or should look for an entertaining hotel? Do you know any hotels with great beds that also have good entertainment?

Also, we’re going to see a show. Any suggestions?

Or should we just to Palm Desert?

I’m a bit overwhelmed, if you can’t already tell! Send comments quickly, please!

Making Memories is coming to Anaheim this weekend. If you or anyone you know is still looking for a wedding gown, they’ll be at the Marriot on Harbor Blvd. on Friday and Saturday.

You can read more about them on their website.

Calendar of Events

Paulo and Nancy married yesterday at the Long Beach Aquarium. I love that place! It’s got some really funky lighting (although it was not nearly as bad as I remember it being last year), and all the blue backgrounds and tanks are so inspiring. I think it’s a good thing that the jellfish tank is kind of hidden away, because I could probably spend hours watching them move around.

On to the photos!

Paulo

Nancy getting dressed. This, of course, is the problem that comes with those beautiful buttons!

During the ceremony

A shot of Nancy after the ceremony, and a few portraits of the two of them across from Shoreline Village

And a detail. Did I mention I love all the bright blue backgrounds?