Will and Lisa: Engagement

This beautiful couple are from opposite coasts, met at George Washington University, and now live here in the Los Angeles area. When we first met, I was struck by how well they complement each other - Will is smart and funny and has a very sharp, dry wit and Lisa, who is equally smart, has a quiet sweetness about her that softens Will a bit. They are both easygoing and really fun to hang out with.

They had both never really thought about getting engagement pictures, but with the wedding nearly upon them we decided to steal away a few hours in their old stomping grounds of Malibu and snap some images. Despite the warm weather, the tourists, and the hoards of weird little bugs (sorry, Lisa!) they were total troopers and we got some great pictures.

Yesterday, they were married in Lisa's hometown and are now officially husband and wife! Will and Lisa, thank you for allowing me to take your engagement pictures. I wish you much happiness as you begin married life and hope you have a wonderful honeymoon in Panama!

Simple Albums

When it comes to albums, sometimes simpler just is better. Not a lot of bells and whistles, just great images on quality materials for a good price. While I'm guilty of sometimes shoving all my photos in a box too, it's important that people take the time and money to invest in their photographs - they are, afterall, important in telling your story - but still, times are tough and not everyone can just drop money anywhere they want.

This simple album I ordered (featuring the fabulous Kevin and Janelle!) was based on a great premise - the Guest Sign In Album. These are small albums that take the place of a traditional guestbook at your wedding and make a great memento long after your big day has passed. They also allow you to share images from your engagement session with your wedding guests.

Although you can customize your album, the Guest Sign In Album shown here is 8x8" with a black leather cover, lay-flat pages, and lots of white space around the images for your guests to sign. If your wedding has already passed, these would make a wonderful parent album or baby brag book as well! To order yours, please contact the studio at: info {at} forthelovephoto.com

Ken and Lauren: Just Because

Ken and Lauren met because Lauren was best friends with Ken's stepsister. How cute is that? I remember growing up thinking how perfect it would be if my best friend somehow became part of my family. If you think that's sweet, about halfway through the session with this fun couple I realized in almost all the frames Ken wasn't looking at the camera... he was gazing adoringly at his beautiful wife!

Okay, maybe that's a little too cute... Ken is probably going to get made fun of for that! But that's pretty much how these two operate - they both have a great sense of humor and enjoy ribbing each other in good fun. But they are very much in love, and you see that too.

We shot this session at a neat old restored train station and then in a park near their home. I love how even in the city it felt like we were out in the country. These pictures and their relaxed atmosphere led to a more antique, vintage feel when I edited the images.

Although they've been married for three years, they decided to do a photo session to put up some updated pictures in their newly purchased home. They also wanted to take some last shots together as a twosome - they will be adding to their family soon as they are expecting their first child early next year. (We were able to hide it most of the shoot, but the last photo is a mini baby bump picture)!

Ken and Lauren, thank you so much for your hospitality and the delicious dinner! I'm so excited for all the big changes going on in your lives and feel privileged to be able to document a little piece of it. I can't wait to take baby pictures!

A preview of the growing bump... not sure what Ken was trying to do though?!

Point, Click, Edit...

After a fantastic long weekend of good food and great company, I woke up this morning at the Viceroy hotel (a little mini-getaway that wasn't so far away) and realized I have a lot of photo editing in my future. This past weekend I had two fantastic photo shoots and the weekend before that I had a fun "just because" shoot that I've been working on. The great thing about it is that I love the whole process of photography - from conceiving the shoot to capturing the images to viewing them after I download my CF cards to tweaking them on my computer to make them their absolute best. I sometimes miss the quiet rhythm of working in the darkroom (but not the chemical smell!) but I get into that same kind of mode when I'm editing digitally now.

It's not a lightning fast process, however, so until then here is a sneak peek of a session I'm editing right now...

Keith and Mariah: Rehearsal

As the beautiful bride and beaming groom walked down the aisle to strains of "All You Need Is Love," I think everyone attending sighed a little. That happy, joyful sigh when all is right and you know that two people who are perfect together have committed themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. On a sunny, hot day the last weekend in July, Keith and Mariah were that gorgeous bride and groom.


I was so excited when Keith asked me to help capture their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner because he's been a dear friend for most of my life. These events are such a fun time, as friends and family gather and excitement and anticipation for the actual wedding build. Normally, the bride and groom also look much more relaxed during the rehearsal process, but if Keith or Mariah were nervous on their wedding day, it didn't show a bit. Call it destiny, fate, God's will - whatever your beliefs - but they had the contented look of two people walking down the aisle toward what was simply meant to be.


Here are just a few images from the day before the big day... Congratulations and much love to you both!