Jen came over today for a “passport photo” for her major application form. I normally tell clients that the first photos don’t come out very well, but that’s not always true! Don’t worry, we used another photo for her application!

Well, Ana and Gino have stretched me about as far as I can go, because we shot their engagement shoot in downtown Long Beach at 7am this morning. It’s not that I can’t wake up that early, because I often do– it’s more that I hurt my back yesterday so I ended up rolling straight out of bed and into the car. We had a great shoot, and I want to say thanks to Gino for helping me carry my bag!

Jonelle and Bill had an intimate wedding at The Beach House in Dana Point this past Saturday. Weddings with fewer guests always seem more emotional to me, which means I spend the whole day looking for the perfect moment! It’s usually at these smaller weddings that I find them.

Bill getting ready

Jonelle, just before the ceremony

the kiss

I love this portrait of Bill– he just looks so excited and proud!

Bill putting Jonelle’s ring on

rings with the favors (sadly, I didn’t win)

Showing off the new ring to guests

The meal

And the exit– Bill and Jonelle are both Orange County Sheriffs, so the patrol boat took them away, sirens and all!

Yesterday’s wedding with Luis and Melva had a bit of a rocky start, but after that we started into a great day. The rocky start was the few trips back and forth to pick up forgotten items. You know, important things like the groom’s boutonniere! Max, the limo driver, and I got pretty good at u-turns… After that, we went on to downtown Long Beach to shoot their portraits, and then to The Reef for the ceremony and reception.

Melva, on the way down the stairs after getting ready.

Rings

a funny little portrait. This is one of those shots that I just love, even if I’m not sure why!

Another funny little one.

Melva, just as she started getting nervous before the ceremony

A friend of the couple, a Native American minister, married them. Though he performed a Christian ceremony, he presented Melva and Luis with this traditional vase. The symbol on the front is a representation of the medicine wheel, and the two spouts represent Melva and Luis retaining their individuality even though they are becoming a unit. Such a beautiful idea!

I love this one of Luis! It looks like he’s waving at Melva as she’s walking down the aisle, but he’s really telling her to slow down.

Long Beach skyline

the DJ, at the beginning of the rocking party!

I’m excited! I’ll soon be offering one-of-a-kind custom albums to all portrait and wedding clients. All the albums will be printed, constructed, and bound by my hand. Here’s the latest sample:

While finishing up the last touches on my next handmade wedding album this afternoon (post to come soon!), I looked up and noticed that the light coming through the window had a decidedly orange glow to it. I walked over to the window and noticed the sky is covered in an orange haze of smoke from the local wildfires. The sky sure looks gross, but the light coming through it is nice in quality. I took a quick break from the glue mess and took a few photos.

USATODAY.com – Feds lower boom on alternative money

Maybe it’s just because I’ve had a really great day today, or maybe it’s because this story is really as bizarre as I think it is… But you’ve got to read it.

First, this is just a gentle reminder to all clients still working on their albums. You need to approve your album design by October 1st if you’d like your album to be available for pickup before Christmas. If I don’t receive approval by then, I will not be sending your album in for printing or binding until January.

In an effort to encourage a speedy reply, I thought I’d post some of my favorite album spreads from recent wedding albums.

Beth and Mario

Evie and Jeff– a spread from the new guestbook sample I’m working on

Eren and Wayne

Sosi and Will

Carole and Steve– simplicity is so much better most of the time!

Christine and Reuben

Eva and Javier

Many faithful blog readers will recognize someone in these photos– it’s Ines, who’s often the second shooter at weddings! We decided a couple weeks ago that it was high time Ines’ family had some updated photos, so I spent the evening with them. We walked down to the local park for some golden light photos, and then went back home for dinner and Dylan’s bath. Mike, Ines’ husband, had to leave a bit early for a client meeting (he’s a DJ, you’ll find his link to the side), so it was just the three of us for dinner and bathtime.

I was trying out a new panoramic frame while shooting today– it was so much fun pushing myself to fill out all that space!

Yup, another post with my dog. He’s crazy. Well, more than crazy I would say he feels entitled. I spent a couple hours a week and a half ago scrubbing down the patio furniture and cleaning it up so that it would be presentable again. And what happens? Fez has decided he has a new bed…