You might recognize the faces of Aurora and James from when they got married in San Juan Capistrano back in September of last year. Their wedding was amazing, and even at that time many friends and family talked about how beautiful their children will be. A few months ago I got news from Aurora she was expecting their first baby! We decided to wait until she was about 7.5 months pregnant to have some beautiful portraits taken of the two of them and their newest addition. Aurora wanted to shoot somewhere with a beautiful landscape and grassy fields. Caspers Park in San Juan Capistrano could not be more perfect. Congratulations to you both Aurora and James!! I can’t wait to meet your baby girl!
Mao wanted to celebrate the pregnancy of her first child with some beautiful portraits at her favorite beach. We met up right before sunset, and the lighting was beautiful with a soft, overcast glow that got brighter as the sun set. Mao is about 8.5 weeks pregnant and looks amazing! I love being able to capture such a special time in her family’s life. =)
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!
As a wedding photographer, I have the opportunity to work with lots of great wedding vendors in the wedding industry. I love to refer my clients to professionals I know who can truly do an amazing job for them on their wedding day! Something new for 2012, I have a dedicated a section in my blog for my favorite vendors. I thought it’d be cool to feature some of them more in depth, so today we’re going to kick it off featuring Wendy of Just Wenderful! She can be described as “…an event planning and design company based out of Southern California specializing in weddings of all flavors with a soft spot for homespun!”
Here’s some Q&A to help us get to know Wendy a little better.
1) There are a million and 2 reasons to hire a wedding consultant. If you could only give one to a bride & groom, what would it be?
You should a hire a wedding consultant for peace of mind. From budgets to time lines and dented cakes to drunk bridesmaids, we’ll deal with it all.
2) How long have you been in business?
Officially, since 2009.
3) What got you interested in working in the wedding industry?
I had always done events as part of a UCLA group I was part of during my undergrad years and it wasn’t until 2007 that I took part of my first one and I loved it. By the time my own wedding came along in 2009 and I was full into weddings!
4) What type of clients do you find yourself most working with?
I find myself working with lots of multi-cutural, intelligent, fun crafters. From a wedding that’s $15,000 to a wedding that’s $75,000, our couples have allways had a soft spot for homespun and I love that. It makes the whole event much more personal and fun.
5) What is the #1 quality you possess that makes you uniquely suited for wedding consulting?
Flexibility. I tell my couples that there isn’t one thing that can’t be done. Of course if it’s out of budget, there are other similar alternatives. If it’s far fetched, it doesn’t matter unless it not far fetched to you.
6) What is your favorite part of the wedding planning process?
My favorite part of the planning process are the details. That’s the creative and most fun part. It’s definitely loads better than logistics!
7) What is your favorite part of the wedding day?
The exchange of the vows! I always love hearing the personal vows or just the “I do’s”. They’re so different but always so touching.
8) Any other Q&As you’d like to add for readers to know about you?
Remember that although it seems like you’re forking out a lot of money to host a party for your family, in the end it’s a celebration of your love and the beginning if a new chapter where the only that should matter are the vows, the kiss, the “I do”s and the happily ever after!
And for the last shot (above) an outtake from one of the poses we did in the grass. A couple of dogs were loving our idea and wanted to come over to play! How cute is that?! Thanks a bunch to Wendy for sharing some insights, and for Jess and Lola being awesome sidekicks. =) If you were wondering where this session took place: Silverlake Dog Park!
