James + Anna – Tuscan Villa Estate Wedding

June 12th, 2012:

Tuscan, Villa, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, Simi, Valley, Chatsworth, Wedding, Outdoor

When Anna & James showed up for their engagement shoot several months ago, they started the conversation with, “There’s something we need to tell you.”

We then learned that, just before their shoot, they had discovered that they would soon be parents! This meant that their intended late summer wedding would have to be brought forward, and James & Anna wanted to make sure we would be available. Thus it was, we became some of the very first people to know of their impending bundle of joy! Some of the unexpected surprises of being wedding photographers!

Fast forward to late May, and we were part of their wedding day at the Tuscan Villa, a private estate in Simi Valley. Anna was still her feisty self, wearing her baby bump with ease, while James and his very entertaining groomsmen made sure to enjoy the day. Congratulations Anna & James, on your marriage and little one!

Tuscan, Villa, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, Simi, Valley, Chatsworth, Wedding, Outdoor

They even had a real shotgun on hand for photos. Absolutely awesome.

Tuscan, Villa, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, Simi, Valley, Chatsworth, Wedding, Outdoor

Their cake-topper was pretty sweet, especially with the little pink egg to symbolize their little girl.

Tuscan, Villa, Wedding, Photography, Photographer, Los, Angeles, Simi, Valley, Chatsworth, Wedding, Outdoor

Friday Funday – Toys for Rob!

June 8th, 2012:

So I woke up this morning, fired up the computer and while puttering around on my cursory morning tour of the internet, I found that Canon had just announced a 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens (an ultra small/light prime lens). Not really something I would use in my professional work (at least until after much testing), but it was something that really excited me for wandering around on a daily basis. Almost weightless (compared to our other lenses), and right around my favorite focal lengths, this just might be the thing when I want the high quality of the 5D Mk II without all the weight – so I dropped the $199 on B&H and preordered one of these little babies – already being called the Shorty Forty all over the web. Hell, I figured if I don’t like it I can always sell it on eBay and probably only be out 20 bucks.

Then I started editing, and editing and editing until somewhere around 6pm Felicia dragged me off the computer to get some dinner and go to Target to get deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste and makeup remover – all the exciting things… I grudgingly tagged along, found some clearance chocolate and coerced her to leave before the entire evening was lost. Standing in aisle 16 (waiting for the masses of other people who also spend their Friday evenings buying odor-fighting products), I glance down and noticed this little Asian kid is holding a Lego set. Always the Lego fan, I peer over his shoulder and see what buildable treasures he found, only to see it was an X-MEN set! (one of my other nerdy loves)

I glanced at the pile of stuff the kid’s mother had on the conveyer belt, told Felicia “I’ll be right back!” and made a beeline to the toy section. It was the only X-Men set I saw (I’m not a huge Avengers fan), so I grabbed it and made my way back to Felicia. When I got back the little kid looked at me and said “You got one too!”
I replied “Heck yeah, you don’t pass up and awesome set with Wolverine!” Although he was a bigger Deadpool fan, me and this random eight year old kid bonded over Legos and X-Men, until his mom dragged him off.

I just slipped my set in with Felicia’s pile of stuff and let her pay. I rule.

Totally cool and unexpected toys for a Friday.

Samantha + Josh – Placerita Canyon Park

June 6, 2012:

Placerita, Canyon, Engagement, Photography, Photographer, Country, Santa, Clarita, Los, Angeles

Samantha & Josh live in San Diego, and they happened to contact us just as we were headed to San Diego for a couple of days to say goodbye to Daniel, one of my closest friends, who was moving out of California. Thankfully our schedules all matched up so we managed to meet up for a consultation while in San Diego, and everything went swimmingly. Fast forward a few months, and this time, Samantha & Josh are up here, north of Los Angeles, visiting family. Again, things worked out perfectly as Felicia and I met up with them at Placerita Canyon Park for an early morning shoot. Their boisterous black Lab pups Molly & Ginny were very excitable and seemed to have enjoyed a day out in nature too!

Placerita, Canyon, Engagement, Photography, Photographer, Country, Santa, Clarita, Los, Angeles

Congrats Samantha & Josh!

Gayatri + Pradeep Get Engaged!

June 4, 2012:

Proposal, Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer About a month ago, I received an email from Pradeep, who is based in Seattle. He would be heading down to Southern California soon for a weekend trip, and wanted pictures with his girlfriend, Gayatri. They haven’t had nice photos taken together (I’m sure all of you are familiar with the outstretched-arm self-portraits), so it would be fun to just dress up for a photoshoot, especially since it would be Gayatri’s birthday that day.

Well, that’s the story he told her. In reality, Pradeep was ready to propose, and wanted us to be there to capture this special moment. So Felicia and I, prepared with 4 cameras and our assortment of lenses, met up with the happy couple in Malibu, and attempted to find a quiet spot on the beach on this particularly beautiful Saturday. Gayatri wasn’t aware of the ploy, of course, as we coaxed them into posing for the camera. For being purportedly nervous with the ring in his pocket and so much on his mind, Pradeep did really good right off the bat!

About 15 minutes into the session, I walked ahead with Pradeep to scope out a good spot while Felicia chatted with Gayatri to distract her. It was time!

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer

Proposal, Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer Clearly, Gayatri said yes, and everyone was thrilled.

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer, proposal

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer Pradeep picked out the ring because the band reminded him of an infinity symbol. Cool!

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer

Malibu, California, Los, Angeles, Engagement, Session, Photography, Photographer Congratulations Pradeep & Gayatri! Have a beautiful life together!

Victor + Rynicia – The Viceroy and Franklin Canyon Park

June 1st, 2012:

Viceroy, Hotel, Santa, Monica, Engagement, Photography, Session, Beverly, Hills, Photography, Los Angeles,

Rynicia & Victor are 2 of our 4 attorney clients this summer, making the legal profession probably the most prevalent among our clientele so far. We enjoyed a wonderful day with them, starting off with Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills before heading over to The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. Victor’s in the process of moving from Chicago to Los Angeles, and he certainly got the authentic LA experience as we sat in awful traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard on a Friday afternoon, taking 90 minutes to travel 11 miles. Welcome to Los Angeles!

Thankfully, with some cocktails to soothe the post-traffic nerves, we had a wonderful time shooting at The Viceroy.

Franklin, Canyon, Park, Engagement, Photography, Session, Beverly, Hills, Photography, Los Angeles,

Viceroy, Hotel, Santa, Monica, Engagement, Photography, Session, Beverly, Hills, Photography, Los Angeles,

Congrats, Rynicia & Victor! We’re looking forward to your big day in August!

The Dirty Thirty-Three

May 30th, 2012:

A couple months back, when Felicia asked what I would like to do for my birthday, I quickly rattled off that I’d like to eat a burrito. Now, if you know me personally, you’ll know this is no jest: the burrito could easily be the world’s most perfect food, and Felicia took my idea to heart and ran with it, creating an entire Fiesta Party centered around me eating burritos and drinking Margaritas.

Lily decided to grace our event. It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 months since Felicia and I photographed her being born. I guess that’s what babies do: they grow.

Felicia prepared a booze-filled piñata, and with thoughtful bubble-wrapping, only 1 bottle of Jack Daniel’s actually cracked. The grown-ups enjoyed the mini bottles while my sister (pictured above sending a bottle of bubble-wrapped booze flying out the piñata) attempted to stop her children from taking all of the candy.

I had a wonderful Memorial Day birthday surrounded by burritos, nachos, tacos, and carnitas. Oh, and the friends & family that came out to celebrate me, that was pretty sweet too. Happy Birthday to me!

Angela + Derrick – Downtown Los Angeles and Chinatown

May 29th 2012:

Disney, Concert, Hall, Engagement, Photography, Session, Photographers, Los, Angeles, Orange, County

Last week, Felicia and I shot six engagement sessions in six days, one of which were Derrick & Angela’s. They knew their choice of locations right from the start, as they wanted places that were of sentimental significance to them. So we spent a couple of hours with Derrick & Angela, working our way around the nooks and folds of the stainless facade of the Disney Concert Hall which alternated between hues of grays and blues as the light changed; before we headed over to Chinatown for some nighttime shots.

Thanks for a fun shoot, and for being such awesome models! Felicia & I look forward to your wedding in July!

Disney, Concert, Hall, Engagement, Photography, Session, Photographers, Los, Angeles, Orange, County

Chinatown, Engagement, Photography, Session, Photographers, Los, Angeles, Orange, County

John + Alisa – A Backyard Wedding

May 25th 2012:

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

Felicia and I are fortunate to meet lots of wonderful, interesting people on a weekly basis, but John + Alisa truly stand out as one of the most adorable duos we’ve ever met. They have a unique, quirky, sense of humor and are just an absolutely blast to be around, and even more fun to photograph. (You’ll see why in the pictures that follow). John and Alisa, you truly are representative of why we love what we do, and you two personify AWESOMENESS. (No, I’m not just saying that because I received Storm Trooper cufflinks as a Thank You gift)

The lovely couple wed at Alisa’s childhood home, a sprawling property in Fallbrook with pine trees, orange groves, grassy fields and everything else in between. It was a beautiful, heartfelt wedding, full of cake, cake, and more cake: There were at least 12 cakes, 8 of which were singlehandedly made by Alisa’s sister. Felicia and I lost count somewhere between Cocoa Caramel and Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache. Alisa had also patiently collected vintage dishes, cups and silverware over the past year, and everything turned out “beautifully eclectic yet cohesive” (according to The Felicia Wong).

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

John was working hard on random things all day, digging trenches and moving stuff while Alisa got her hair & make-up done. So when it was time for him to get ready, instead of heading to the bathroom, he leapt into the pool, jeans and all.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

John had lovingly restored this 1957 Chevy. After a tire blowout and other adventures, I’m certainly glad we got to take pictures with/on/around it.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

American Gothic, of course.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

More vintage details, including blue mason jars that belong to Alisa’s Mom.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

John & Alisa also served home-brews that they had made themselves. The raspberry beers went really fast, and I can totally see why: John sent me home with the last remaining bottle, and after the first sip, I declared to Felicia that I would totally pay them for it.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

Most number of cakes we’ve ever seen at a wedding. Awesome.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

And the hungry mob launch their assault on the cakes. Earlier in the day, John and Alisa said that they would probably have to send us back with a cake each. They were terribly wrong: Their guests totally ravaged those cakes.

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

Are you now beginning to understand their awesomeness?

San, Diego, Wedding, Photographer, Southern, California, Los, Angeles, Photography, Photographer, Shabby, Chic, Backyard, Wedding, Outdoor, Temecula

Congratulations, John and Alisa. We are so thrilled that you found us, and we wish you a glorious life together. If you ever decide to switch careers and be beer brewers (because being a doctor is so gross, right???), I will happily be ordering raspberry beer in bulk.

Eric + Giuli – Disneyland Engagement Photography

May 23rd, 2012:

Disneyland, Engagement, Wedding, Photographer, Photography, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, LA, California, Disney, Session, unique, alternative

Ah Disneyland, where Dreams Come True. This proved more than just taglines for Eric & Giuli, who both work for The Mouse. Of course, having met at The Happiest Place on Earth, Eric had to propose there there too. So one day when he learned that the Indiana Jones Adventure ride was down for maintenance, he quickly got Giuli to meet him there (he already had the ring), and popped the question at the exact spot above.

We spent the next few hours of this extended engagement shoot running amok in Disneyland, dodging the army of strollers and unending waves of small children, before ending off the night with the new ‘World of Color’ at California Adventure.

Well, ending the work part, that is. I then excitedly sprinted back to Disneyland to try and get on the new Star Tours ride. I was dismayed at the length of the line and was pretty bummed that I may miss my chance (it was almost 9.30pm at this point and the park would close at 10pm). Thankfully, some kids in line decided to be nice and gifted me a Fast Pass. SCORE!

I emerged from the ride with my head spinning. Damn you, 3D! The awful feeling of nausea engulfed me, and I thought of my wife, who had so cleverly decided to sit this one out. Thankfully, a few deep breaths later, I steadied my gait and made my way back to Felicia without incident.

Disneyland, Engagement, Wedding, Photographer, Photography, Orange, County, Los, Angeles, LA, California, Disney, Session, unique, alternative

Congrats, Eric & Giuli. Thanks for the fun day at Disneyland, and we look forward to your special day in a few months!

Justin + Christa at The Mountain Mermaid

May 21st, 2012:

Los, Angeles, Unique, Alternative, Mountain, Mermaid, Wedding, Photography, Topanga, Canyon, Los, Angeles, Encino, Engagement, Photographer, Photographers, Destination, Orange, County

Blog post by Felicia:

Justin & Christa wed on a lovely day in May at The Mountain Mermaid, one of our favorite wedding venues here in Los Angeles: it’s a private estate with a colorful past, with rich textures in every nook and cranny, and great light – a photographers’ dream come true, really. Justin & Christa were their usual fun & fabulous selves, which already makes for an awesome day for us. (Hello Ben Stormer, are you jealous that we are writing nice things about other clients, at “your” wedding venue, no less?)

Los, Angeles, Unique, Alternative, Mountain, Mermaid, Wedding, Photography, Topanga, Canyon, Los, Angeles, Encino, Engagement, Photographer, Photographers, Destination, Orange, County

I told the guys to imagine a ‘band photo’, and Justin pulled it off pretty well.

Los, Angeles, Unique, Alternative, Mountain, Mermaid, Wedding, Photography, Topanga, Canyon, Los, Angeles, Encino, Engagement, Photographer, Photographers, Destination, Orange, County

Instead of a guestbook, Justin & Christa had guests sign a guitar instead, a nod to their mutual love for music. Very cool.

Los, Angeles, Unique, Alternative, Mountain, Mermaid, Wedding, Photography, Topanga, Canyon, Los, Angeles, Encino, Engagement, Photographer, Photographers, Destination, Orange, County