Michelle & Danny's Oceanside Engagement Session

I loved this couple from the first time I met them for our initial consultation together.  In that half hour we spent together I could tell that they had a special connection.  And they were just all sorts of fun to talk to.  They are the type of couple you'd want to hang out with.  When Michelle sent in their engagement questionnaire, she mentioned that she and Danny like to go to concerts and other shows and are fans of The Shout House.  In my head while reading through that questionnaire I kept saying "hey, me too!" again and again.  So I was stoked for their engagement session, and a chance to get to know them both a little better.

Not being from San Diego, Micelle and Danny were open to any location for their engagement photos as long as it included the beach.  The beach is always gorgeous, but I felt that they also needed to have a dose of color and fun because they are such a vibrant, fun couple.  I suggested the Oceanside Pier area because not only do you have a great beach setting, but also because it is one of the more colorful beach areas in San Diego.  I had a great time with them.  They weren't afraid to walk a bit further into the water than most couples were for the sake of my... vision?  They humored me, and were great sports about a few (not so small) splashes.  Here are some of my favorites...























I'm so excited for their wedding, which is coming up in just a few months.  I can't wait to work with them again!

Get Rid of that Awful Guest Book!

Guest books are somewhat of a staple at wedding receptions.  Whether it is a blank mat featuring a photo from your engagement session {{cute}} or a surfboard {{fun}} or the dreaded lace covered book {{not so cute or fun}}, couples tend to have something for their guests to sign as a little memento to look back on.

Now stop and think... if you're spending so much time planning a wedding that is you and a representation of your relationship,
why would you just go out and pick up a boring guestbook?  The same guestbook that hundreds, possibly thousands of other couples used at their own weddings?  And why would you ever want to look at that borring book ever again?  Face the facts:  A standard fabric and/or lace, frilly album looking guest book will probably end up shoved atop one of you highest closet shelves, gathering dust, only to see the light of day when you move and when an earthquake rattles it loose from whatever it was buried under.

But not necessarily!  Think about working with your photographer to create a customized guestbook using the photos from your engagement session!  Not only will your guests love flipping through your beautiful engagement photos, they will also have the ability (minus the harsh restrictions of signature lines) to write you messages, offer words of marital advice, doodle little pictures, and all sorts of other things right alongside your favorite engagement photos!  This is a book worth keeping.  This is a book you'll want to look at after the wedding, and this is definitely a book you'll want to show off to your family and friends!  This style of guest book is fully customizable, and something that no one else will ever have because it will feature YOU!

And now it's time for a little special!  If you didn't already hear, engagement sessions are now included with all of my wedding packages!  Yippee!  If you book a wedding package by May 30, you'll receive a complimentary guestbook featuring your engagement photos! Get excited and schedule your session now!

Why Do An Engagement Session?

Well folks, we are officially in the midst of engagement season!  Did you know that the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day produces the largest numbers of engagements?  It definitely contributes to the holiday cheer!  If you are among the newly-engaged, congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of planning your wedding!

When you first get engaged, you are plunging into a brand new world.  Almost instantly you'll be flooded with questions, suggestions, decisions, and a whole new vocabulary regarding etiquette, vendors, and budgeting for what everyone likes to refer to as "the big day."  One of the challenges  engaged couples often face is deciding whether or not to take part in an engagement session.  Nearly every credible photographer will offer these sessions, often as part of their wedding packages.  Almost every couple you've known that's been engaged has shared their own engagement photos on facebook.  What's the point?  Is it worth the extra cost? As a photographer, I cannot stress enough how great engagement sessions are.  In fact, they are one of my favorite subjects to shoot.  Let's review some benefits of the engagement shoot...

1.) They are a fantastic way to announce your engagement. Many couples chose to send out engagement announcements to their closest friends and family to alert them of the great news and spread the excitement.  This is often done via postal  mail with a small post card, or sometimes via e-mail with an e-card.  Taking part in an engagement session will give you a multitude of images showcasing the new bling and your love for each other in these announcements!



2.) Save The Dates, Etc. Just like announcements, many couples see the benefit in sending out Save The Date announcements once they have settled on a firm date for their wedding.  Again, this is a great opportunity to send your friends and family a loving  image or two of you and build some excitement for your approaching big day!  Aside from Save the Dates, you can also use your images around your reception (think guest-books, gift tables, and guest table decor, etc.).

3.) Get nice and comfy This is probably the most important reason to do an engagement session.  You get to know your photographer, and your photographer gets to know you.  From personal experience, your wedding photographs will be ten times better if you've done an engagement session with your photographer!  You'll have already had practice relaxing as hundreds of photos are snapped.  You'll know what poses work for the two of you as a couple, and what feels and looks unnatural for the two of you. Your photographer will learn what quirks make you unique as a couple.  Some couples are touchy-feely, some aren't.  Some are more daring than others.  Engagement sessions are a great time to push your boundaries and test each other and your photographer.  Once you've all established a style together, your wedding photographs will be a true representation of your wedding day and yourselves, rather than your photographer going in cold-turkey and guessing what does and doesn't work for the two of you personally.

4.) It's just plain fun! Like I said before, the wedding world is not the same as the real-world.  Sure, the lines blur a bit, but in wedding world, most of your time is preoccupied with so many decisions,  etiquette rules, meetings, etc., that planning one of the best days of your lives together can become downright stressful!  Engagement sessions are a great way to take a little break and spend some loving moments together to truely remeber how excited you are about your wedding and your future together.  Plus, it's always  nice to have a beautiful, relaxed, casual photo of the two of you to hang above the new mantle ;)

And if you're engaged, boy, are you in luck!  I am currently offering an engagement session special!  There are two options to choose from:

Option A: Book a wedding package and recieve a complimentary engagement session!  You'll receive a 2 hour session and a DVD of all of your edited images that you are free to print to use for whichever projects you'd like!

Option B: Schedule an engagement session at regular price ($150).  If you love your photographs and want to book your wedding with me,  I will extend a $100 credit towards the price of your desired wedding package!

To hear more about these deals, or to get information about specific pricing and date availability, please get in touch with me!  I'd be happy to discuss  your event and create a customized proposal for you!

Megan & Dylan's Engagement Session - Downtown San Diego, CA

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing another amazingly adorable couple in Downtown San Diego.  Downtown is definitely one of my favorite places for photo sessions.  I love all the vibrant colors and activity of the city.  I was so excited with Megan and Dylan said they wanted to shoot their engagement session there!

Although we couldn't get any sunset shots due to the heavy fog rolling in, Megan's laughter and smile definitely brightened up all of the photos!  I think it's so great when couples can be silly and share a few laughs with each other during their engagement shoots.  Those photos always turn out among the best.

Megan and Dylan have been dating since they were 15... so nearly 10 years!  They have shared so much in their lives together, and it's so great to see a young couple so much in love after all that time.  They will be tying the knot in October of 2011!  A big congratulations to them!