Rachel & Matt

Rachel and Matt are from Idaho and they wanted a very "Californian" location for their engagement pictures. I suggested the San Juan Capistrano Mission because besides the beach you can't get much more Californian than that. I love shooting at the mission. It's such a gorgeous location! We went down to the beach after the mission and it was COLD! Even they were cold so I know it wasn't just me being a wimp!

I hadn't met Rachel and Matt before shooting their engagement pictures and I was pleasantly surprised at how well we all got along. They are so cute and so in love! And they are really nice. People from the midwest are so nice! I thought it was just people from Ohio and Kentucky, but I'm adding Idaho to my list now too. They even brought a gift for the baby. Very appropriately one of the presents is a book about farms. That way Brayden will know all about farms when we travel to Idaho for their wedding in June!

They are getting married in Downtown Boise at a big, beautiful Cathedral. It's going to be a nice change to shoot in Idaho! I'm very excited!

Matt and Rachel, thanks so much for trusting me to shoot your wedding! You two were a blast to hang out with and I'm excited to get to know you both more over the next 6 months! Stay warm and I'll see you in June! Here's your slideshow!

*** I used a country song in the slideshow and those who know me know how I feel about country. Icky. But, I figured Rachel and Matt are from Idaho so they probably like country. And I really like this song. I was introduced to it at Brigid and Dave's wedding. It makes me a little teary eyed. I think it's the hormones...

Rachael & Abel

Pasadena is one of my favorite cities. Not just because that's where my Bruins play, but also because it's an awesome place to shoot. This was my first time shooting an engagement session in Old Town. There are so many great alleys and fun places to shoot. Rachael and Abel hang out there often so it was the perfect place to take their engagement pictures. There's a really cute fire station and since Abel is a fireman for LA we stopped by for some pictures. The nicest fireman let us in!

Abel and Rachael are getting married in December. I don't want to give away too many details about their wedding, but it will be a first for me so check back! For now here are some of my favorite pictures and the slideshow!

Michelle & Shawn

Last week I met Michelle and Shawn in Huntington Beach on an absolutely gorgeous November day. Shawn is the unofficial mayor of Huntington Beach. He knows everyone. I didn't believe it at first, but while we were shooting down at the beach he got stopped by one of his friends and we saw another one while we were shooting on Main Street. It's true, he is the mayor :) Michelle and Shawn were neighbors before they started dating. A few years later and they just bought their first house together! How exciting!

Michelle and Shawn are having a backyard wedding next April. It will be one of my first weddings back after the baby and I'm excited to shoot without my bump. It's a lot easier :) Here are a few of my favorite pictures and a slideshow! Enjoy!

Nikki & Jeff

Every once in a while I get brides and/or grooms who don't want to do engagement pictures. I include complimentary engagement sessions in all of my packages because they help SO much. The session helps me get to know the bride and groom and for them to get comfortable with me and in front of the camera. All my couples always tell me that they didn't even notice I was there for most of their wedding day and that's exactly how I want it :)

Nikki didn't want an engagement session :) I had to give her my whole speech about why it's important and she decided to go forward with it. I'm so glad they did! Nikki and Jeff are naturals in front of the camera and I had a lot of fun with this session. I also got to shoot somewhere new, which is always fun. Jeff's parents have an awesome house in Newport by The Cannery restaurant so we explored that area. It's also where Nikki wants to shoot her pictures before the ceremony. Nikki and Jeff are getting married in April and their reception will be at The Balboa Bay Club. All I'm going to say is that there are boats and cool antique cars involved so I'm sure it's going to be an awesome day!

Here are a few of my favorites and the slideshow! Since Nikki is a loyal blog stalker I know she's anxiously awaiting this post :)