Kristen + Randall Sneak Peek| Irvine Garden Wedding

A while ago, we shot Engagement Photos of Kristen and Randall  who we had so much fun with and clicked with right away so, of course, we were so excited when they asked us to be the photographers for their wedding.  We knew that it would be a blast and amazing; like hanging out with friends.  There are so many great qualities about each of these two:  Kristen is an all around cool person, down to earth and you can see how genuine and caring she is.  And, it's so evident how much she cares about Randall.  It really is such a sweet love that they share.  Randall is also equally as caring and as sweet to Kristen.  Watching them throughout the day, got us all misty eyed over and over, especially during the ceremony, as Kristen walked down the aisle, the look of completeness and pure happiness from them both, made us smile and want to cry all at the same time. We can't wait to post more of their wedding, but for now, here are a few favorites.

Kristen and Randall, we are so honored that you chose us as your wedding photographers and we wish you so much happiness in your marriage and your lives.  

Maternity Portrait Sessions| Don't Always Have to Be Cute

So, I'm just going to put it out there.  I do Not like having my picture taken.  It's not as ironic as it sounds.  I feel like it's one of the reasons why our clients trust that I am going to do my best to make them feel as comfortable as possible and to make sure I don't capture them in the middle of a halfway Elvis grin.  But, when the tables are turned, and I become the client I am all uncomfortable eye rolling and awkward Elvis grins.  And when I am my husband's client, I am that, plus sarcasm, bossiness, and whining.  I know, I sound like the ideal client, right?  I pity anyone who has to take my picture, so I try to avoid it as much as possible unless I can plan the whole shoot and Taka takes my pictures.  I tried my best to be easier for this particular photo shoot because I knew that it would be the most important one I would ever have:  My maternity session.  For me, capturing this time in my life was so very crucial, even if I didn't want to do it. I knew that I had to.  And, I tried to think of a way to show the beauty and true art form of a woman who was carrying the most special gift of all:  Life.  That's huge, and although, I felt like I weighed a thousand pounds, hadn't slept more than 4 hours a night for the last month, and was about to pop at any moment, I knew that those days would soon pass, and all I'd have left of this monumental time in my life, would be the memories and these photos.  In the end, it wasn't complete torture, and I am in love with my maternity shots.  I'm sharing them now because of a conversation we had with a client that was debating whether or not to do a maternity session because she hadn't found one that she didn't think was cheesy or too cutesy.  We felt the same way before we shot mine, so I could definitely relate.  Maternity sessions don't always have to be Cute.  You don't have to tie a bow around your belly if you don't want to, but if you do, that's fine too.  As long as they are representative of you and your sheer pride and joy of motherhood.  That is definitely worth capturing. 

Wedding Day First Look | Who Needs Them?

You remember the first day of school, when you put on your most favorite "New School" outfit, checked yourself out in the mirror, made sure you had your lunch pail packed, all your cool, new colored pencils, wondered if Mr. Right would be in Mrs. H's class or if you'd have to wait to see him in the hall at lunch time or maybe catch a glimpse of him at recess, playing handball with your older brother.  Remember those butterflies.  The ones that began to flutter in your empty belly at 8am as you walked into class, only to be greeted by your new teacher and close friends from last year.  Which, by all accounts was awesome and great, but it meant that the butterflies would continue to flap their incessant, fluttering wings until recess.  Yes, the feeling of waiting until the ceremony to see your husband/wife-to-be is kind of like that, only on a possibly less juvenile scale, but equally as nerve wrecking.  And, while we still know many brides and grooms who are more apt to honor the tradition of waiting to see the bride or groom until the ceremony, there are those who prefer to take a peek at their love before the big walk down the aisle.  We aren't judging either way.  We think your day is YOUR day and you should do what you want, the way you want.  No one should make that decision for you on one of the most important moments of your life, but if you want advice or just want to reminisce about your 3rd grade crush, then you've come to the right place. 

So if you are all about tradition, and love the idea of working up to the big moment, if you and your groom have any conflict whatsoever, or are unsure about seeing eachother before the ceremony, if you've hidden every detail about your appearance from eachother for the last year of wedding planning, we say don't push the envelope because you don't want that to be the one thing you wish you'd have done differently. On the other hand, if you are envelope pushers, if you like doing things a little differently, if you want to release some of those crazy butterflies from your corseted belly, and you want an intimate photo op with just you and your partner where you can surprise eachother with how unbelievably fantastic you look and get lots of beautiful images whilst checking eachother out, then a First Look is definitely for you.  Some thoughts when making the final decision:  We kind of think you should BOTH agree on this, First Looks will generally include only you and your future hubby/wife and photographer(s), There should still be an element of surprise i.e. one of you is turned around as the other approaches, there are alternatives to first looks like Day After Shoots, which will be in a later post.  And finally, it's always up to you.  These are just the ramblings of two photographers that love capturing weddings with or without First Looks.  Here is one that we love though:

Brianna Bee: Portrait Session

Mother's Day is here and we know some pretty amazing moms.  Brenda is one of those mom's and people, in general, that inspires us to be better parents and individuals.  She always has a smile on her face, even through the most difficult of times.  She works for a non profit organization that services children with exceptionalities and is a dedicated mom, wife and employee.  She has a positive outlook on life and is a true embodiment of what a mother should be. Brenda has a beautiful little girl named Brianna.  The love she and her husband Jon have for their daughter could melt your heart into an overflowing puddle of joy and awe.  Their strength moves us to be stronger.  Their story is this:  Their Brianna "Bee" was diagnosed with brain cancer two years ago and they have been fighting for her health ever since.  Recently, they were given the prognosis that there was  not much more the doctors could do for their precious baby girl and were advised to begin preparing themselves for what will follow.  When Brenda asked us to photograph Brianna, for one final photoshoot, we were both overcome with this feeling of not being worthy for something so big.  I know some people might think that it's just a photo shoot, we do it all the time.  But, this was not just another photoshoot.  These were fragile moments that needed to be the happiest of memories captured.  They would be truly irreplaceable.  We can't even begin to express how very grateful we are to have been asked to be a part of that.  Really, truly honored.  

On May 19th, Brenda and her family will be hosting an event:  "One Step at a Time... Brianna Bee Walk-A-Thon" in ELDER PARK - 1950 Wilcox Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91755
It's a 5K walk to raise money for memorial services for Brianna.  I know that she is a stranger to most of our readers, but to her family she is their light and their whole world, and if you feel so compelled to give some of your time to the walk a thon or to donate anything at all, here is a link where more info. can be found:

https://www.wepay.com/donations/briannabeewalkathon

We want to wish you the happiest Mother's Day ever Brenda!  You are extra deserving of honoring and lots of pampering! 

And just look at this magical little girl!

Mother's Day Portraits: Carlsbad Flower Fields

Mother's Day means something so different to us now.  It's not just an appreciation for the person that raised you.  It's awe and admiration for the woman that, everyday, woke up sans REM sleep, pulled herself from the clutches of her, now, bff:  her bed, put a smile on her face (most days), said "Good morning" admist wake dreams of more actual dreams, picked you up, held you, changed you, fed you, played with you, danced to your beat, laughed when you laughed, felt pain when you were in pain, and made everything, always, ok. She's the person that would help you become the person that she is more proud of than anything in her life.  For this and much more she is so very deserving to be honored on Mother's Day.  They should probably just make everyday Mother's Day, but hey, we'll take what we can get.

And in honor of this special day, here is a Portrait of one of those mom's that we will continually be in awe of:  Our Friend Lorena.  We really have no idea how she does all that she does, times two!  We kind of have a hunch that she might be a super hero.

Happy Mother's Day (I'm calling it Mother's Week) Lorena!  We hope you are spoiled and treated like the amazing person you are.  And thank you for all of your advice and encouragement throughout our first year of parenthood. And for never being one of those judgy moms even when you have every right to be.  ;)