Winansea Graduation Portraits {Marissa}
Marissa'a sister was the first to get in touch and get the ball rolling: it turned out that she was helping Marissa look for a photographer to capture some graduation photos. After she mentioned that Marissa was a music therapist and thought to include her guitar for her portraits, she had no idea just how thrilled I was to have this opportunity! I knew that I just had to make it happen. As a guitar player myself, I'm sure I was living through Marissa in some way but really...these photos are so gorgeous that I'm not even embarrassed to admit that! All due credit to Marissa who was a complete natural in front of the camera.
Windansea in La Jolla was the perfect backdrop for her sunset session at the beach - it's a favorite of Marissa's and mine. It's the perfect blend of sandy beach and cliff-like rock formations. It's one of La Jolla's better beach spots for watching sunsets and enjoying the coast.
This particular day at the beach did not disappoint in the least.
I've picked up my guitar a lot more often since this photo session.
A San Diego Courthouse and Balboa Park Wedding |Yun + Johnny|
When Yun got in touch a while back, she knew exactly what she was looking for - a natural photography style to capture her small courthouse wedding before the big one in China the following year. The courthouse isn't always easy to navigate and it can be difficult to know what to expect, but we were able to talk and walk through everything - even planning an extra trip to Balboa Park to capture some portraits by my favorite big tree. At this point, I think it might be Yun's favorite tree as well! The afternoon light in Balboa Park is absolutely magic and it didn't disappoint on Yun and Johnny's day.
Yun and Johnny were so easy to photograph and I truly felt lucky to have them as clients. Not only could they not take a bad photo (they were total naturals in front of the camera), they were extremely gracious through the delays and waiting at the courthouse. It's hard to mind all that extra time when you have the chance to get to know such nice people and celebrate with them.
Follow their story below...
A USD Immaculata Church and Maderas Golf Club Wedding ||Katrina + Chris||
I'm so excited to finally share Katrina and Chris's elegant wedding! San Diego is lucky to have some of the most beautiful churches and the USD Immaculata Church is no exception. It is an absolutely stunning place to begin married life and I loved sharing the day with these two lovebirds. They followed the day with a reception at the Maderas Golf Club, with gorgeous setting and even some flower arrangements by Katrina's mom. All in all, they put together a classy, relaxed, and happy celebration which is just what a wedding should be.
What these photos don't show is just how hot August can be in San Diego, and even with all the wedding crazy and the heat, the excitement didn't wane for these two. Both of them (and their families!) stayed in the moment from start to finish, having fun and laughing, which was such a treat to see and experience behind the lens. I'm pretty sure these two have been laughing since their engagement session - whether it was at me or with me, I'm not sure still.
Thank you for having me photograph the day and I hope you love experiencing the day all over again - I most definitely have!
Dog Days of Summer at Del Mar Dog Beach |Grommet!|
It was the greatest pleasure to meet Michelle a few years ago and I only wish we had managed to spend more time together. Getting to know her better, we had no idea just how much in common we had! After making San Diego home for the last few years, it was time to move on and to commemorate the city she called home, she wanted to celebrate her fur baby Grommet.
When she got in touch to schedule a shoot, I was so excited. Besides spending the evening with Michelle, pet photography is one of my favorites. Since adopting my own doggy fur baby, I've only grown more obsessed! You can never have too many photos of your kids or your pets, and Grommet is no exception.
The sun may not have graced us with its presence, but we had a great time running around and getting sandy - Grommet most of all :)
Here's to bigger and better things and that we cross paths again ♥
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Family Photography |Lindsay, Travis, and Amelia|
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve seems to be one of San Diego County's best kept secrets. Maybe it's because we have we so much incredible coastline that it gets overlooked (or that I've lived under a rock), but it wasn't really until last year that I even had the inkling to start exploring - and I have barely started! So naturally, when Lindsay first got in touch looking for a forest look, Los Penasquitos was one of the first places I thought of - mature trees, running water and established trails give the whole place a really magical feel.
Lindsay planned every last detail and she absolutely confirmed my love for a red dress. All three arrived looking absolutely perfect, but little Amelia had the best accessory: the mean mug. Mom and dad were pretty good, but they had nothing on Amelia! She is all adorable attitude and made for some of my favorite candid photos this year - the rest of us just followed her lead.
