For their e-session we spent the day roaming around Pasadena looking for cool spots.  Old Town Pasadena is full of alleys with great lighting and textures.  We got kicked out of our first alley, but the rest of the day went smoothly.  I actually don’t consider it a successful engagement session unless we get kicked out of at least one place ; ).  I always encourage couples to bring personal items to showoff their personalities.  Allan brought his motorcycle, which is honestly, one of the best personal props.

Herrianne and Allan are a great fun loving couple. I can’t wait to join them in Hawaii!

Jay grew up in LA and the couple wanted to have an urban feel to their session.  I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to shoot around the LA River and this was the perfect chance.  It’s always great to have an engagement session in an area that means something to the couple.  I also took them to Melrose, where I’ve shot before, and have been wanting to go back.  I knew by Rachel’s stunning model looks she would look great in any setting, especially with some high fashion poses.  I can already imagine how awesome they’ll both look on their wedding day.

Our original shoot date was set for Jan 2nd. They wanted some images for their Save the Dates, but the weather at the beginning of the year was not helpful.  Rain was forecasted for the first two weekends of the year.  But in the end it worked out great and we got a perfect day.  Lot’s of wispy clouds and a calming breeze.  Rachel and Jay’s engagement session was an exceptional way to start 2011.  The Beginning.

A storm had just past the day prior to their wedding.  The Southern California skies came through once again and gave us a stunning backdrop for their bridal portraits.  Their reception was at the Pacific Palms Resort which sits on a hilltop in the City of Industry.  The clouds, skies, and the beautiful view from the hotel all lent a hand in the amazing images we got for Aleessa and Jason.  I’m very happy to have met these two and I know they’ll have a blissful marriage full of, “hip hip, hip hip…. hoorays”.

For more visit Aleessa and Jason’s engagement session and their custom wedding website.

This workshop took place at the impressive San Juan Capistrano Mission. Known for it’s beautiful historic structures it is a breathtaking location. That being said, we actually spent a lot of time in a small dark room working on posing techniques.  Scott shared with us tips and tricks on getting the most out of our clients.  Being comfortable in front of a camera is hard for most.  Getting my clients comfortable is key.  If they feel good, they look good.  Using some industry tricks to assist in overall composition can turn a good photo in to an amazing one.  The right pose for the light, thinking about diagonals, lines, and finding balance.  Most importantly we must not forget the moment. The emotion is really what it’s all about.  All those factors are just a small part of what goes into the perfect shot.

The rules for shooting at the workshop were simple. Each photog takes a turn. No one shoot over your shoulder, aka shot stealing.  When it was my turn I had 5 minutes with each model.  I had to position them, give them instruction, consider the light,  adjust my camera settings, and shoot. Again, all within that 5 minute limit.  But when you’re a wedding photographer you’re used to being rushed.  Overall it was a great exercise and once again I walked away changed.  I’d like to call it growth.

I met the two in Little Tokyo on a Sunday morning.  After spending a few minutes with them, we quickly realized how much more we all had in common.  They loved Little Tokyo for all it’s great places to eat. Personally, if I had one place to pick to each lunch everyday… it would be Little Tokyo.  They were getting married at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels by Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik.   My wife and I were also married by Msgr. Kevin at the Cathedral.  The groom, Jason is also a bit of a sneakerhead. Which I must admit I am guilty of as well.  And of course, more importantly, the groom and I share the same awesome first name.  The list goes on and on… we spent the whole morning talking, sharing, laughing, and connecting.

After seeing what a fun couple they were and how much we had in common, I really wish I could shoot their wedding. But overall, I’m grateful that I met Marianne and Jason. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to hang out and take pictures again.  You know, like their family session for when the kids come!  Oh, I forgot to mention, they also wanted to have twins. But as a parent of twin toddlers, that’s a whole other conversation for another blog post.  First things first, enjoy your engagement and have a great wedding you two!

Engagement sessions are more than just photo shoots, they’re like dates.  A date night for the bride and groom as they celebrate their engagement.  A date between me and the couple as we get to know each other.  Hanging out with Aleessa and Jason showed me what a great couple they were.  We shared stories, laughed, and talked about everything.  I know for sure we’ll have fun on our second date.  I get to meet their families, party it up, have some cake, and capture their most beautiful moment together…. their wedding day.  I can’t wait!

For the first half of their E-Session they wanted to have their daughter, Nika come along and make it like of a family session.  Nika, who will probably make a great photog one day, brought a lot of energy and fun to the session. She was a great little assistant who knew how to make Eugene and Doreen laugh.  I took them to Cal Poly Pomona which has great textures and diverse backdrops.  It also happens to be where Eugene and I went to college. It was actually kind of fitting. We both went there as naive teens, left as naive men, and were back…. as naive family men. Well, less naive.  For the second half of their shoot we hung out at old town Pasadena. I love the feel of their back alley and buildings. Colorful, rustic, and intimate.

Seeing Eugene again brought back a whole lot of fun memories. Meeting his family, Doreen and Nika,  it was a pleasure to see their great future.

We shot their engagement session on a Friday afternoon. I had never seen Griffith Observatory so packed. But, I never really worry when there are a lot of people around anymore.  Generally, people know when a couple is engaged. They see it instantly. Sure they see the big camera, but they also see a happy couple; holding each other, looking into each others eyes, and showing lots of PDA. They smile, say congrats, and get out of the way.  LOL.

Yes, there were lots of people around and they all got to witness Vince and Garnette’s moment as a happily engaged couple. Everyone should have a moment like that.

Congrats guys!!! Can’t wait for the wedding day!