SO Scenic: Laguna

I love the beach. The feel of the air, the smell of the ocean, the sand beneath my feet. The warmth of the sun shining down. The sound of laughter and excitement.

Today I worked from home, so I was unable to go to the beach on this summery day in the middle of a SoCal winter. Instead, I thought that posting these photos would be a good alternative to actually being there. I'm three weeks into my eleven week busy season at work, so in order to keep my head up and get through working long days, keeping this blog updated is a priority of mine, even if it's just a little post of a beautiful beach. :)

SO Individual: Christina

I suppose I could title this post "SO Married" as well, as these photos are from Christina's beautiful wedding. My last post was of the engagement photos I took of Christina and Vinny before their wedding. These photos are of Christina as she got ready on her wedding day. As you can tell, I've been a little behind on my blogging. Her wedding was in November. It's now well into January. With the holidays and entering into my 2nd busy season at work, there just hasn't been enough time to sit down and commit to posting all the photos I have. Little by little I hope to post more over the next few weeks, so stay tuned. :)

I don't know where I'd be without my best friend. She is my rock. And the past couple months she's been words of wisdom and comfort to me. She makes me laugh, knows me better than anyone, and is the greatest friend a girl could ask for. I could probably ramble on about her for a long time... but then this would just turn into my maid of honor speech. And I barely got through that without crying! So I'll let the pictures tell the story of how happy she was as she prepared for her wedding day.







Stunning. Beautiful.












Christina looked absolutely beautiful in her dress. As soon as she put it on she just lit up. She was now a bride, about to go see her groom.


Bestie, can we please relive your wedding again!? That was the most perfect day and the best weekend I've ever had! I love you!

SO Engaged: Christina & Vinny

A few weeks ago my best friend of the past 20+ years married the man of her dreams. It didn't matter that rain was pouring down during their outdoor ceremony, the wedding was perfect. The weekend of the wedding was one of the best weekends of my life. There was so much love and happiness all around that you couldn't help but get caught up in all of it. I smiled the whole weekend and cried when she said "I do."

The weekend before their wedding, Christina and Vinny asked me to take their engagement photos. We started at a park in Vinny's hometown and then headed to downtown LA. Since Christina and Vinny have moved around a lot over the past few years, taking their engagement photos at home, and having their wedding in Christina's hometown was important to them to tell their story. And I'm honored that I got to be a part of it.









Christina and Vinny rocked it for me on the roof of The Standard in LA for my first nighttime engagement shoot!








As we were walking through Grand Central Station, Christina looked at Vinny and said, "Hey. I love you." A statement so simple was filled with such conviction and meaning. I knew in that moment that Christina had never meant those words more.






Christina and Vinny, I love you both more than words can say. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I could not be more happy for you both as you begin this new chapter in your lives as a young hot married couple. :) Thank you for letting me be a part of your engagement and wedding!!!

SO in Love: Jessica and Bobby

It was a beautifully sunny day in Southern California in September. From the moment I arrived at the hotel Jessica was getting ready at I could feel the excitement in the air. Today was her wedding day. Today she would be marrying the man of her dreams. Today was going to be perfect.

I had the great opportunity to be a second shooter for Jessica and Bobby's wedding. My good friend Nicole of Chin Photography asked me to assist her as she booked her first wedding. I was thrilled to be asked to second shoot another wedding, and even more thrilled when I heard whose wedding it was. Jessica was my photo editor when I was a staff photographer on the university newspaper at APU. When she graduated, she trained me to take over as photo editor. I owe a lot of what I learned about Photoshop and photojournalism to her. And Nicole was the sports and design editor of the newspaper. So the wedding was a fun reunion for us!


Jes looked stunning as she had her makeup done.




Handamde hangers with brooches for each bridesmaid. I loved the detail Jessica put in everything, like having her bridesmaids write notes to her on the bottom of her heels!!


Her amazing garter from Etsy!




The dress. Beautiful.


I loved her reaction when she saw her dress hanging in the window.




Her bridesmaids said a beautiful prayer before they left the hotel room to go to the first look.


The picture of Jes going down the stairs is my favorite from the day. She exudes beauty and grace here.






























The ceremony and reception site was the beautiful Villa Del Sol in Fullerton.




Beautiful moment with Jessica her Dad and Mom.


Husband and wife!




















I'll end with this gorgeous shot of Jes working it!!