nautral light

Victoria & Tony’s Engagement: Santa Monica Pier

I met Victoria and Tony last week, as they started planning their April wedding.  It so happens, we’re both getting married at Calamigos Ranch!  With similar tastes and styles, Victoria wasn’t hesitant booking.  She pretty much inquired, consulted, and decided to book within 72 hours!  I guess, when you know, you know… and I’m so glad to be a part of their wedding day plans!  On Friday, we did their fun engagement shoot at Santa Monica Pier.   Victoria brought a couple of props and we had a great time exploring.  I think this first picture pretty much sums up their playful spirit!  =)

Santa Monica Wedding Photographer

Santa Monica pier engagement

Santa Monica pier lifestyle photoshoot

The first outfit matched their school spirit.  Blue and gold for UCLA!

Santa Monica pier engagement

Los Angles Wedding Photographer

Santa Monica pier engagement

Reagan & Ken’s Wedding: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu

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.

Malibu wedding Photographer

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.

Malibu wedding Photographer

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

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

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Los Angles Wedding Photography

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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.

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

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Taking a romantic golf cart ride to our photo spot!

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

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

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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!  =)

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Location: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu
Photography: Sherri J 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

Jane’s Addiction: Sony E3

It’s pretty much the middle of wedding season and you’ve been seeing lots of love on the blog, but last night was a little different for me.  I was covering the Sony E3 press release party with 5,000 guests.   There was love, but I guess more on the technology front.  Long story short, at the end of the night there was a surprise performance by Jane’s Addiction.  I just had to share some of my faves.

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction dave navarro

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction dave navarro

janes addiction dave navarro

I just couldn’t help taking lots of pictures of Dave Navarro…  he’s not too bad to look at.  😉

janes addiction dave navarro

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction e3 sony

janes addiction e3 sony

Some other things going on included hip hop and ballet dancers.

e3 sony 2011

e3 sony 2011

I dunno the name of this DJ, but he was awesome!  Gotta love the eye contact.  =)  Hey-yo!

e3 sony 2011

Destination Wedding: Lower Yosemite Falls

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Kelly and David’s destination wedding.  When Kelly described her wedding to me, I was super excited.  She planned on a very intimate ceremony with about 25 guests, lots of personal details, and the location…. Yosemite!  I’ve actually been wanting to go to Yosemite for a while now, so this was a dream.  Included below are mostly pictures of the guest experience and Kelly.  First, a picture of the “Tunnel View.”

yosemite wedding destination

yosemite wedding photography

A welcome gift bag awaiting at the hotel for us.  Included in the bag was snacks, water, mini flashlight, map, paper soap, band-aids, sun block, compass, hand sanitizer, carabiner, off repellent, matches, and tissue.  I love all the details Kelly thought about!

yosemite wedding photography

I started with some pictures of David at 9am.  Location: The Lower Yosemite Falls Lodge.

yosemite wedding photography

Kelly got ready in a cozy cabin at the historic Awahnee Hotel, right under the falls.

yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel

Kelly’s dress was customized with a beautiful red flower and sheer gold fabric on the backing.  She also made her necklace, earrings, and the hangars!

Awahnee Hotel yosemite

Ever since I got my Canon 100mm macro lens, the “ring shot” is one of my favorite things to do.   I like to incorporate one object that represents the wedding.   It’s usually something simple like a pine cone (as shown below), a leaf, a bird’s nest from the table decorations, or flowers.

yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

Intimate ceremony at the falls.

yosemite wedding photography

Guest added leafs with their finger prints on a tree Kelly made.

yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

Since the wedding took place in the morning, everyone had a great lunch at the historic Awahnee hotel.  I was done shooting by 3:30pm, which is the record earliest finish time for me!  After their busy morning, Kelly and David were able to start their relaxing weekend hanging out with friends and family, hiking, and rock climbing.

Awahnee Hotel yosemite

*Pleast note: for personal reasons, some of the images from the wedding will remain private.