Victoria and Tony met while attending school at UCLA, and celebrated their 5th anniversary of being together on their wedding day this past Saturday.   Tony is currently a successful video game designer for the biggest selling game of all time, Call of Duty and Victoria is exploring the PR field and is pursuing her passion for event planning.  It was no wonder their talent and creative mix lead to lots of fun and personal details!    Victoria and Tony chose yellow and grey as their wedding colors, as also seen from their engagement session at the Santa Monica pier.  These two tied the knot this past weekend at one of my favorite venues, Calamigos Ranch in Malibu!

Venue: Calamigos Ranch. Malibu, Ca
Photography: Sherri J Photography
Entertainment: SOS Entertainment
Florist: Butterfly Floral & Event Design
Cake Designer: Jaqki’s Cake Creations
Videographer: Make My Day Videography
Flipbook Booth: VC Flip Books
Invitations/Stationary: Save the Date Designs
Wedding Planner: Beverly Bliss Events
Bridal Gown: Winnie Couture
Rings: Bridal Rings Company

*UPDATE:  This wedding has been published on Ceremony Magazine Blog.  You can see pictures of their beautiful wedding album HERE.

I recently added a new lens to my arsenal, the Canon 50mm 1.2L.  It’s taken me a while to pick it up because I’ve had the range in a 24-70 2.8L (my first pro lens back in 2004).  I actually bought a “cheaper version” Canon 50 1.8 (non L version) a few years back for $400, but it ended up getting dusty in my camera bag, so I sold it.  Looking through a 50mm is kinda like what your eye naturally sees so I didn’t find it that interesting.  Lately though, I’ve been having a change of heart.  The 50mm gives great clarity and minimal distortion around the edges, being a great lens of choice for detail shots and portraits.  So, $1500 later… I got the upgrade.  I wanted to try it out some more, so I teamed up with Jenna to do some test shots at one of my favorite spots for engagements, Paramount Ranch in Malibu.  All of the pictures below were either taken with the new 50mm 1.2L or second to newest lens 24 1.4L. I’m pretty happy how it they came out!

Angela and Eugene’s Wedding, Rancho Del Cielo.  Malibu, CA

Shana and Brandon’s Wedding at Gainey Winery.  Los Olivos, CA

Laura + Chris’ Wedding, Santa Barbara Zoo

Kelly and David’s Destination Wedding: Yosemite, CA

Anne and Peter’s Wedding, Verandas Manhattan Beach

Jen and Rylan’s Wedding, Seven Oaks Country Club, Bakersfield

Reagan and Ken’s Wedding, Sherwood Oaks Country Club

Monina and Matt’s Wedding, Calamigos Equestrian Center Burbank

Karina and Kevin’s Wedding, Malibou Lake

Tara and Timmy’s Backyard wedding

Tina and Armando’s Wedding, Sportsman Lodge

Melissa + Ray’s Wedding, Walnut Grove.  Moorpark, CA

Manami + Nick’s Wedding, Museum of Art Long Beach

Danielle and Gabriel’s Photobooth

Engagements

Personal: My engagement at Joshua Tree

Bridal Photoshoot: Las Vegas

Portrait: Paul Kenny

Sony E3 for Playstation, Jane’s Addiction

Mindy: Feather’s Photoshoot (unblogged)

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may know that I’ve been planning my own wedding for the past 10 months.  Our wedding finally took place on October 2nd, 2011 at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu (exactly one week before our 3 year anniversary!)   Now, looking back at our wedding day, I can definitely say it was awesome and really everything I could have hope for.  I’m really looking forward to the new chapter in my life as a Mrs.  =)

Our vendors
Venue: Calamigos Ranch, Malibu
Photography: Alison Yin
Florist: Exotic Green Garden
Hair/Makeup: Kelly Zhang
Dessert: Sprinkles Cupcakes
Graphic Design (all paper goods): Manami and Nick Leebert
Music: DJ Celeste Lear (Processional: Nick Drake “Cello Song,” Priscilla Ahn “Dream.”  Post ceremony: The Who “Cant Explain.”  First Dance Bride/ Groom: Chuck Barry “You Never Can Tell” (choreographed first dance from Pulp Fiction).  Father/Daughter: Rascal Flatts “My Wish”, Mother/Son: Harry Connick Jr “It Had to be You.”)

By nature, I am a huge procrastinator.  It seems like, the less time I have to do something, the more I get done!  With only one month left before our wedding day, we are on a mission to overcome the “Wedding-To-Do” list.  One of the things on the list was finally getting our engagement picture taken, so the other day Mat and I went out to Western Town in Malibu.  I love the sunset light, ranch vibe, and beautiful hills covered in tall grass.  I have to admit, it did feel a little awkward being on the other side of the camera, but I definitely believe everyone should have their portrait professionally taken at least once a year!  It’s a great way to document your life, and remember the good times; where you lived, what stylin cloths you rocked, and how in love you were.  Well, at least I hope that’s what I think of when looking back at these pictures.  I want to thank my lovely photographer Dana Grant!

Every once in a while, I get a couple who decide to book me as their wedding photographer, without ever meeting in person.   They’re usually referrals from a friend’s wedding I’ve photographed.  I’m actually super flattered in these cases, but also a really nervous!  Last night, I met one of my 2012 clients in person for the first time, Melissa and Jeff. They were giggly and loving right from the start, which always makes my job super easy.  They chose to have their engagement session during sunset at one of their favorite spots in Malibu,  Paradise Cove!

Paul Kenny is a talented musician.  He loves music, writing, Topanga Canyon, and the outdoors.   A couple weeks ago, my fiance Mat started production for Paul’s new music video.  Since then, they’ve captured videos of Paul all over the LA area including: Topanga Canyon, Downtown LA, Venice Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica, and today at MDM Rehearsal Studio in the Valley and Vasquez Rock.   Check out some of Paul’s promotional pics below and check back for updates on the release of his new music video!  For now, if you’re curious to what Paul’s original music sounds like, just  CLICK HERE to check out!

Behind the scenes: making of the video.  After we spent most of the morning getting video shots in the studio, daylight was fading fast.  We had just enough time to make it to Vasquez Rock for a couple of finale shots at “the fork in the road.”

Last but not least, one of my fave pics of Mat in action filming “Car Broke Down on the Side of the Road.”

UPDATE: Paul Kenny’s Music Video has been released! Click HERE to watch.

Last night, I had  a great time hanging with Monina and Matt, my awesome August couple.  They both met 6+ years ago during guitar classes and have been inseparable ever since.   They’re getting married at Calamigos Equestrian in Burbank, and plan on including many personal touches to their wedding!

Saturday was a beautiful day for Angela and Eugene’s wedding at Rancho Del Cielo in Malibu.  Their ceremony took place at a private estate on hilltop, with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.  I’ll let the images tell the rest of the story.  Here are my favorites!  Friends and family may see all the images from the wedding HERE.

Venue: Rancho Del Cielo, Malibu
Wedding Planner- Betty Wan w/ Type A Planning
Photography: SherriJ Photography
Cinematography- Lunch Pail Pictures (video below)
Florals: Bunch Studio- Mai
Flipbooks: Blue Cat International
Makeup- Peilin Chen Breller
Hair: Drybar, Brentwood
Cupcakes: Enjoy Cupcakes
Wedding Gown: Kirstie Kelly

UPDATE: This wedding has been published on California Wedding Wave on July 21st!  You can check the post HERE.

Highlight: Angela + Eugene from Lunch Pail Pictures on Vimeo.

Reagan and Ken celebrated their marriage this past weekend with a double wedding.  On Friday, they had an intimate  family ceremony at Our Lady of Malibu.  Before their family dinner on the Malibu Pier, we had some time for a quick photoshoot at the beach.

It kinda reminds me of their engagement session from back in September.  Reagan wore her mother’s altered wedding dress; her favorite part of the new design was the deep V back.

On Saturday, they continued the celebration at Sherwood Country Club in Malibu for a more formal ceremony followed by reception.

As the ladies were getting ready, I took some detail shots.  The girls giggled at the “Doll-sized” corset.

Family formal shots were taken right at the ceremony site.  Some advice I give all my couples, is to write a list of family members they’d like in the family formal pictures, and then give that list to someone in the bridal party.  Reagan did and appointed her most organized bridesmaid.  I couldn’t believe it when we were done with ALL of the family formal pictures in about 10 minutes!!  Actually, I can believe it.  It really pays to be prepared.

With family formals done quickly, we had extra time to photograph the bridal party in different locations, including the front of the site.

Taking a romantic golf cart ride to our photo spot!

The pathway leading to the picturesque waterfall is lined with thick rose trees on both sides.

I love Reagan’s veil.  I think it was taller than me with my arm lifted high!

A special part of dinner, was a coffee station with the most AMAZING drinks!  Pictured on the right is Jenna Armstrong, superstar assistant and 2nd shooter!  =)

Location: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu
Photography: SherriJ Photography
Day-Of Coordinator: Peggy Shevlin Event Specialist
Ceremony and Reception Music: The Ho-Dads, Bob Schuster
Cake Baker and Decorator: LaStarr Cakes & Co., Starr
Florist: Britica Designs, Bianca Landworth
Calligraphy: First Impressions Designs (bride’s personal company!)
Hair and Make-Up: T.E.A.M. Hair and Make-Up, Mar

Update: This wedding has been published on Hind Sight Bride! Feb 20, 2012