Family: A Day In The Park!

During this time of year family portrait sessions can become a little monotonous. A key importance to me is originality, but when I am doing a few sessions a week it can be a challenge to bring originality to the table. I love meeting all the different families that come to me and briefly getting a look into their world, but at times I find it so hard not to conform to the same ideas for each portrait session. So when I am greeted by a warm family, that instantly feel like I have known for more than the five minutes I actually have, I get so excited. Michelle's family is definitely a prime example of a warm friendly family.

We arrived to the park simultaneously, and while I was still exiting my car the entire family made their way over to me and greeted me with the warmest smiles. It was like I had known them for years. We chatted for a bit before starting pictures to allow the kids some time to warm up to me. I was so entertained the entire session. The kids were a blast and so cute. Michelle and Michael have done an amazing job with their kids and you can see that they have a blast spending time with their kids, and show them love every single day!



Jadon was the absolute cutest! He was so eager to play and can go a mile a minute. I don't know how they keep up with him on a regular basis. I enjoyed playing "I'm gonna get you" with him. It was so rewarding acting ridiculous because every time I received the most adorable smile ever!



Elle was so sweet. As soon as she got out of the car she came and said hi to me. When I asked her name, she gave me her full name. It was adorable! She was so excited to be able to run around and play for an hour. I just love that I caught this in between the moment shot when she decided to take a break.












The kids had a blast taking a break on the playground. It allowed for some great natural pictures. To me, those are the pictures that last a lifetime!





After taking a little break, we decided to try for a few more portraits before calling it a day. I think the brick was a great addition to their session.





Our day was full of smiles, fun, and active kids. This last picture is one of my favorites. I love that its a moment frozen in time!

Wedding: Two Peas in a Pod and a dose of hotness!

I met Connie and Ryan over a year ago when they came and had CSUB Winter Formal pictures, along with a first engagement shoot. I had a blast with them so when Connie contacted me about doing their wedding I knew it was going to be the wedding of the year!

I have never met a couple who is so passionate in the way they show love, yet can still have such an eccentric quality about them. By working with these two in the past, I knew their wedding was going to be nothing less than fabulous, and over the top!

They had the most elegant backyard wedding I have seen. You could tell so much hard work had been put into putting this production on and it really paid off. The backyard was astonishing, elegant, vibrant, and full of life. On top of the amazing location they had so many awesome details that completed the finishing touches. I would say the whole day turned out picture perfect and I have the photos to prove it!



Connie got ready at a beautiful home, with the best bathroom to get some great shots of her getting ready!





You two belong in a magazine! HOTNESS all the way around!!!!!



So Ryan got cold feet right before the wedding, and Connie being bossy like she is, had to put her foot down real quick!



No not really, they both have been counting down the days for this day to happen, and chose a traditional style wedding waiting to see each other when she came down the aisle! I am so glad I was able to capture both of their expressions when the anticipation finally gave in!





Their first portrait as Mr. & Mrs. I must say it's an unforgettable one!



After the Ceremony, we went in back and had some time to take some stunning photos. It is my dream come true yard. I wish we could have spent hours back there with these two! There were so many different areas to chose from and so little time! We really should do a trash the dress session right there in the backyard guys (hint hint)!



Thank you Andrea for this amazing shot! You rocked the scenic picture!





You two are so adorable I can't stand it!

















OK, so Connie loves sweets! When I saw this table I was like of course she would have a table full of sweets in her wedding colors! See what I mean, finishing touches all the way to the candy!



Ryan has way too many buddies that love to play jokes on him! I gotta hand it to them this one was the best tackle of the night!







I decided I had to end with this picture! Absolutely love it! Connie and Ryan have this passionate romance about them but in the very next instant can be so fun and goofy. This really shows their fun side! By the way another great shot by Andrea!

Wedding: Noriega House

Friday afternoon was an absolute beautiful day. We arrived at the Noriega house early like we usually do to check things out before we started. We were in complete awe with not only how beautifully decorated the place was but that the bride was completely ready, sitting, and waiting for us to start pictures. Nicole looked absolutely stunning. She had that simple elegance about her! I could feel my excitement build for the groom to see her for the first time. How could he not be totally breath taken by her!

Justin and Nicole have been together for what seems like forever and this day couldn't have been a more perfect day for them. They have such a comfortable presences with each other that only years of relationship can bring, yet I'm sure they both will tell you that when they saw each other on Friday it felt like the beginning for them.



I just love the elegance of these traditional pictures. They are pictures I could see their grandkids hanging in their house when they get married!



While I was capturing those pictures, Andrea caught this amazing side view shot!



The ceremony was short and simple, exactly like the entire day went! I love how you can see the awe in Nicole and the happiness in her dad!







I absolutely love love love this picture! It shows a strength to me, and Nicole looks GORGEOUS!



Ok, so these photos just look so old fashioned to me! And yes another great side shot by Andrea!









Did I mention I love my assistant? She does a fantastic job at capturing these special moments for the bride and groom that I am not able to capture.
I see such a strength in their relationship through these photos, or is it that Justin just looks really good having this gorgeous bride on his shoulder!


Their first dance was beautiful!





So I had to throw this picture in. I took it during the father daughter dance and for whatever reason fell completely in love with it! I guess it has to do with my love for detail shots, they are so simple yet can tell such big stories.



The whole cake area was gorgeous! I loved how there was a chandelier hanging over the cake.





I wanted to end on this next picture because I had so much fun with the whole bridal party and wanted to show them love. Candid shots are my favorite pictures, they draw you in, making you feel completely part of the moment! Thanks Nicole and Justin for sharing your moment with me!