Sara and John's San Diego Bayfront Engagement Session

Oh my what a weekend I had!  I was a shooting machine and had three engagement sessions this weekend, and each one of them was such really great time for their own special reasons.

My first engagement session of the weekend was with Sara and John.  I met them down at the park near the USS Midway Museum... Sara really wanted to recreate the pose of the kissing sailor statue (modeled after this famous photo) with her own sailor fiance, so that's where we started.  From there we did a bit of walking around the bay with their sweet dog Nilla and got some really fun photos.  We ended the day with some gorgeous light and beautiful shots at the County Administration Building.

Here are some favorites...

















Sara and John are all set to be married next June.  Their ceremony will be at beautiful Breaker's Beach on base in Coronado!  Congratulations Sara and John!

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For more of Sara and John's engagement session visit the facebook page!

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!

Emily & Brandon's Colorful Downtown Engagement Session

I am a lucky girl.  I have the best clients and routinely get to shoot at some awesome places.  My engagement session with Emily and Brandon was another to add to the list of amazing, fun, adorable couples!  Emily & I have been in contact over the last few months bouncing around ideas about their engagement session.  Emily wanted bold, bright colors for their photos, so we decided that the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego would be an excellent choice for them.  The city is always changing.  Buildings get painted over routinely.  There's always something new popping up.  It's bright, vibrant, and a perfect blend of modern with a touch of classic appeal.  Love it.



Who knew you could have so much fun at the Horton Plaza parking garage?  Oh but there's more fun at the garage...

That's not all he was carrying...











This might have been one of my favorite parts... Early in the shoot it was apparent that Brandon (and Emily a little too) were a bit nervous.  Let's face it-- having a camera in your face is awckward, espcially if you're not used to it, and espeically if you're not used to a camera watching you kiss eachother in public places.  Brandon mentioned half jokingly that he wishes he could have a beer.  If you know me, you know that I am a beer lover too... so I said "Let's do it!"  We found a bar, got them a tasty frosty glass of beer and everyone was good to go! So lesson here is speak up!  If you're feeling nervous, tell me.  I'll help you.  If you have an idea, share it, even if you think it's weird.  Those are usually the best photos anyway :)

Another lesson:  feel free to make cute props and bring them.  Emily made these herself!  And they resulted in some really cute images!









Thanks Emily & Brandon for such a fun engagement session! You were both awesome!

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For more visit the facebook page...

Michelle & Michael's Ocean Beach Engagement Session

For those of you who know Michelle and Michael, you may be asking, "Why on earth are they doing an engagement session?  Aren't they married?"  Yes, it's true, Michelle and Michael have been blissfully married for a couple of months now.  Although they've already made it official, they've planned an awesome wedding/reception to finally celebrate with their family and friends.  And what better way to get to know your wedding photographer (plus end up with some great photos together) than with an "engagement" session?  So yes, you can still have an engagement session even though you're already married.  :)

I was very excited when Michelle contacted me about shooting their wedding.  I knew Michelle from what seemed like forever ago... we went to high school together!  So I was happy to hear from her and hear she was doing so well.  I always love connecting with people from my past, especially when I get to work with them, too.  Mike and Michelle decided to do their session in Ocean Beach.  They spend a lot of time there together (they live there!) and felt it was the place that was most... them.  I had a great time strolling Newport Ave. and the surrounding area with them.  I thought it was great that Mike wore one of his Navy uniforms, since that is such a big part of their lives together.  There was much laughter and so much sweetness between the two of them.  I can't wait for their wedding in June!



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To see more visit the facebook page...

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!

April & Chris' Liberty Station Engagement Session

I have so many good things to say about April and Chris.  First of all, they are adorable.  I love them.  They have a great story of how they met... again!  They went to high school here in San Diego together before April moved away.  Years later they "met" at their high school reunion and have been inseparable ever since.  Their telling of the story was much better, obviously, and I enjoyed hearing them share their own versions.  April said she knew of him, but she is convinced he had no idea who she was in high school.  Chris says he remembers her very clearly but that they never spoke because she was "too pretty" for him.  Aww.

We met at Liberty Station, first for a glass of wine at Wine Steals. Wine plays a little part in how Chris & April met {{again}} so we incorporated that into their shoot.  From there we strolled throughout Liberty Station... both the beautiful remodeled parts and the areas that are still being renovated.  At one point April mentioned that she really liked the not so renovated areas because she felt the area (once a navy base) had such great history and so many stories to tell.  I agree!  Liberty Station is also a special place for April because her father spent time at this base while he was alive.  I love when make can make such a wonderful  connection to their surroundings.  Their shoot ended up being a little goofy at times, a bit emotional, and so full of love.  Here are some favorites:







April & Chris- You guys are so great!  I can't wait to be part of your wedding day in a few months!!

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NTC Promenade {{Event Space!}}

Liberty Station @ NTC Promenade

Wine Steals @ Liberty Station