California Here We Come! | Los Angeles Photographer

I am very excited to be relocating back home to the Los Angeles area in less than two weeks!  We have been living in Charleston for the past 12 months so my husband can complete his neuropsychology internship for his PhD.  We are both celebrating that today is his last day of internship!  Congratulations, Doctor, I am so proud of you! :) This year has truly been a whirlwind bringing some very big changes into our lives.  The biggest, most joyful change this year has been the addition of our sweet baby boy.  I will be sharing tons of photos and anecdotes on the blog, like a proud mamma, but for now you can see his debut HERE.

I am so excited to get back to California and start working on my photography again.  I did a few portrait shoots here and there and a wedding during my time in the Charleston; but between my seemingly-never-ending morning sickness and the birth of my first baby, I haven't done as much shooting as I would have liked.  As I prepare for a new start in California, I am rethinking how I want my photography business to run and what I want to photograph.

I still love photographing newborns and babies and have been doing a lot of that lately with my baby.  Hopefully he doesn't get too tired of the camera.  I love becoming a part of a family and documenting their milestones, especially as they welcome their first baby home.  I consider it a privilege to watch those babies grow up and become big brothers and sisters.  So as I refocus my business, I definitely will continue photographing all things family-related {maternity, newborn, baby, children, and family sessions}.

I am thrilled to announce that I will once again be accepting wedding commissions.  I started photographing weddings professionally in 2003 and am honored to have documented over 175 couple's wedding love stories.  A few years ago I needed a break from weddings.  At the time I was shooting two to three weddings per weekend and I was exhausted and getting burned out.  So, I took a step back to breathe and regroup.  I wasn't sure if I would go back to photographing weddings again.  Then a little over a month ago, I shot my first wedding in two years.  And, guess what?!  I loved it!  I realized that I did miss being a part of such a happy day and being able to document once-in-a-lifetime-moments for each couple.  While I was shooting the ceremony and the couple's kiss {as well as their gorgeous details} I found that I couldn't stop smiling from behind my camera.  So, that's the brief version about why I am returning to wedding photography.  I will be accepting a limited number of weddings commissions in Southern California once I return to Los Angeles.

I am also very excited about some updates that I am making to my website.  You can check out a few of the changes HERE, but be on the look out for a complete redesign to the layout and the photography offerings.

In the meantime, California, here we come! We left as two and are returning as three!

 

Josh and Tara | Charleston Wedding Photographer

I had the honor of photographing Josh and Tara's gorgeous beachfront Charleston wedding as they said "I do" while surrounded by their family and friends.  Though the wedding venue, the ocean view, and details were beautiful, what stood out to me was how deeply in love Josh and Tara are and how much their friends and family adore them.  It was so fun to stand back and see how happy everyone was to celebrate them and their new marriage. Tara and Josh, thank you for the privilege of including me in your wedding day.  And thank you for the endless kindness and generosity you have shown me and my growing little family during our year in Charleston.  Your friendships have been one of the high points of our year here.

Daniel & Martina Say I Do | Orange County Wedding Photography

Daniel, my younger brother, and Martina got married on Monday in downtown Fullerton. Both of their families were there to support them and to celebrate their commitment to one another.  After the ceremony, we went all went to take wedding portraits at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton and followed it up with a delicious, celebratory dinner together.  Best wishes to you both for a life full of love, joy, peace, and happiness!

The bride's family

The groom's family

My older brother, Sean, and my husband, Brandon, wanted to decorate Daniel's car as a funny surprise for him to find when we were all leaving the restaurant after dinner.  I think Daniel was really surprised and the noisy clanging of the cans helped them make a very noticeable exit!

Laura & Daniel | Santa Monica Engagement Photographer

I couldn't be happier for Laura and Daniel's upcoming wedding at the end of May.  I have known Laura for several years and she is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people.  Coincidentally, Daniel and I went to undergrad together at Azusa Pacific University.  Laura has been practicing law for several years and Daniel will be starting his medical residency at the prestigious Dartmouth College shortly after the wedding and honeymoon are over.  Needless to say, they are also two of the most well-educated, brightest people I know.  I look forward to seeing the positive impact their lives will make on the world. The sparkle in their eyes as they stole glances at each other showed their deep love and adoration for one another.  I am honored to be able to document their wedding vows next month.  Although Santa Monica was really chilly and windy when we were hanging out, and the rain clouds looked threatening, we still had a great time with lots of laughter.  Laura and Daniel, I had so much fun hanging out with you both and I can hardly wait to celebrate with you on your wedding day!

Rancho Capistrano | Orange County Wedding Photographer

Megan and Eli were one of my most fun couples to photograph! Their adoration of each other was so clear throughout the whole day, which made my job so simple as I simply captured their love that was shining through.  I truly enjoyed being a part of their wedding celebration at Rancho Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.  Congratulations Megan and Eli!