Alex and Jeff both hail from Madison, WI but didn’t start dating until they both nestled into the west coast- Jeff in Los Angeles and Alex finishing up medical school in San Francisco. They spent all of their dating years long distance, both wracking up the Southwest frequent flier drink coupons, – Jeff and I once passed each other in the Burbank airport, him coming from and me going to the bay are- and are finally enjoying being in the same city after Alex left the bay area (and me and Tim) behind to join Jeff down in Southern California. I can’t wait for their wedding in October (just two weeks before ours!) and to celebrate our marriage with them in November.

A few months ago I was reading some comments people had left on a blog post that featured some of my work and one comment someone made was, “These are nice but shouldn’t the subjects be smiling more- they are supposed to be in love!” Of course, criticism effects me so for the next couple of shoots I did everything I could to make my clients extra “smiley” and then it hit me- sometimes that is just not only not the look I want but it’s not how my clients respond to me. I tend to be a quiet shooter- I talk to my subjects quietly and prefer to evoke those types of expressions out of them- so to you, critic – not all love is boisterous, laughing, smiley love- sometimes love is intense,  quiet, and emotional …… I spent a little extra time working on these images and the styling for this shoot so we could achieve a certain vibe… Wish I could say this was all me but Jeff and Alex seriously know how to work the camera- although I am sure Alex would argue otherwise.

LOVE YOU GUYS!

]]> http://megperotti.com/blog/jeff-and-alex-san-jose-engagement-session/feed/ 6 http://megperotti.com/blog/a-photographers-wedding/ http://megperotti.com/blog/a-photographers-wedding/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:57:55 +0000 admin http://megperotti.com/blog/?p=6146 Working on some wedding details today- thought I’d share a little something we’re incorporating.

]]> http://megperotti.com/blog/a-photographers-wedding/feed/ 1 http://megperotti.com/blog/stop-and-smell-the-roses/ http://megperotti.com/blog/stop-and-smell-the-roses/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:57:42 +0000 admin http://megperotti.com/blog/?p=6140 When I was working at the magazine I made an 8 mile – 45 minute - drive to and from the office each day. I used to see a lot of things on that drive- I made it a point, actually, to be acutely aware of what was going on around me. I decided that if I was going to have to make this drive, I was at least going to people watch.  One afternoon, while stopped at the light at Wilshire and Highland I glanced over to my left and caught a glimpse of a man in a black suit with a briefcase walking with a bit of a pep in his step that I wasn’t used to seeing in anyone at 5:15 pm on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday- hell, barely even on Fridays. He floated by a rose bush in full bloom- took about 2 steps past it and stopped dead in his tracks. He retreated, placed his briefcase on the ground, leaned over to the left and gently tugged a rose towards his nose and inhaled so deeply I could almost see his chest filling up with air.  He smiled, picked his briefcase up, shook his head and continued on his way. The light turned green and I started to drive away, chuckling to myself. That man, that business man- with a suit and briefcase, had literally just stopped to smell the roses. I suddenly became not only acutely aware of the people shuffling around me, but of myself. Have I ever done that? Ever? Sadly, the answer was no. At that moment I made a pact with myself- not only would I stop and smell a rose if I passed one, but I would stop and take in other things- let myself revel in beauty and wallow in misery alike. I kept this promise to myself on Monday-

I pulled over on my way back from Bolinas to capture the image below. It really doesn’t even do the real thing justice. I just leaned against my warm car and looked at it for a good 10 minutes. The sun was quickly disappearing and I knew that the drive back up to the 101 was not an easy one to make in the daylight, let alone the night, but there wasn’t another person around for miles and someone had to enjoy the site. Thoughts raced through my brain like a wildfire but the one memory that came to the forefront of my mind is the day I saw a business man, with a briefcase, literally stop and smell the roses on his way home from work on Wilshire Blvd.

So, on my way home from work, I did too.

]]> http://megperotti.com/blog/stop-and-smell-the-roses/feed/ 2 http://megperotti.com/blog/alicia-and-vlad-a-wedding-at-holly-farm-carmel/ http://megperotti.com/blog/alicia-and-vlad-a-wedding-at-holly-farm-carmel/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:23:54 +0000 admin http://megperotti.com/blog/?p=5909 It’s amazing what a good solid week of work from home followed by a weekend off will do for me. I haven’t had a case of the Mondays in a long time but having a weekend to actually enjoy myself (not that I don’t enjoy myself at weddings, but you know) made me crave a real vacation. Honeymoon anyone?

I’m happy to have the busiest stretch of my year behind me and am so happy to be recharged for Megan and Kevin’s wedding this weekend. Been looking forward to this one for some time! I think I’ve seen Megan at least once a month on my porch for wedding planning therapy sessions since they booked and after Saturday I’m going to have to beg her to meet me for margaritas so she can help me through the next 4 months. Wedding planning is a lot of fun- but can also be a lot of stress. I go through waves of emotion about it-

“Let’s just ELOPE! Gasp! What are we going to do for menus? It has to be adorable! Oh screw menus- why do people need to know what they’re eating anyways? Oh it’s going to be so beautiful…. oh! I need to do research on *insert dumb detail that makes no difference in the quality of life Tim and I are going to have but will look so good in photos!*” Can anyone relate to the caring immensely and then not caring at all dichotomy of planning your wedding? I’m starting to feel like I am going to spend the entire month of October crying… or laughing! Here we go again…..

Alicia and Vlad tied the knot at one of my absolute favorite venues in Northern California- Holly Farm. I don’t just love this venue for it’s total charm though- I love it for the darling owner, Erin Moses. She is such a joy to work with, makes sure vendors are taken care of as well as the guests, and handles all sorts of wedding day shake-downs with a smile on her face! Alicia and Vlad’s wedding was full of laughter and lots and lots of vodka! It was such a joy to have been a part of their beautiful day!

Onward!

If that mockingbird won’t sing,
Mama’s going to buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama’s going to buy you a looking glass.

Decor by King Dahl
Event Panner-Tori Cooper
Catering Manager-Victoria Chivers

Thank you to Melissa and Matt for inviting me into your lives- this is one wedding I will never forget- you guys are THE BEST!

Check out the size of this bridal party…. to date, the largest one I’ve ever photographed!

This shot was caught by Regis, he snuck away during the ceremony to grab it and then got stuck up there, had to book it ALL the way back through the casino to catch the kiss. That’s dedication!

When Melissa and Matt came to our initial meeting they were surprised by the location of my apartment in Los Angeles- directly next door to their friends Ben (below) and Hutchie! I knew the universe was telling us something…..

melissa | matt from David Robin on Vimeo

I always hate talking about the weather because it seems so impersonal. That subject you broach when you’ve either run out of ideas or have absolutely nothing to say at all.

“It’s been warm, huh?” “How about that rain last week?” “Burrr (followed by awkward silence)………….”

The fact of the matter is, though, weather played a huge factor in Dan and Kim’s wedding day and I couldn’t write this post without mentioning it. During your planning process people tell you to be prepared for anything and everything. Brace yourself for things to go wrong so you can take it all in stride. DON’T FREAK OUT. The day before Kim and Dan were supposed to get married on the outdoor terrace at the beautiful Edgewood Golf Course in Tahoe the weather was crisp and clear. There was a chill in the air but that’s only to be expected for Tahoe in May but the sun was shining and there wasn’t a storm to be seen. We all crossed our fingers for the best up until we arrived- and saw the ceremony had been set for inside.  The windchill was rough and we were now expecting snow. My lovely assistant, Jennifer Hostler, and I had our fingers crossed: SNOW! How FUN!

Right smack in the middle of bridal portraits, just miles outside of the California border in May, it snowed! And Kim and Dan took it all in stride- with smiles and an acceptance that said, “It’s all good- we’re in love!” I had such a blast hanging out in Tahoe with their families and friends and can’t wait to get back there and shoot again! Thank you Kim and Dan for your absolute kindness and for welcoming Jennifer and I into your wedding day!

Onward!

Shout out to Alison – Dans sister and Maid of Honor …. I went to high school with her and didn’t know it until I arrived to the bridal suite!! No referral connection or anything- you crazy world you.

Kelsey and Jason got married early last month at the lovely Los Altos History Museum- Coordinated by Nicole Lisanne, it was a day full of love and laughter and having gone to kindergarten with Kelsey I couldn’t have felt more happy to be doing what I do that day. There were a lot of faces there that I recognized, a lot of people who watched me grow up and who grew up with me. Kelsey has a smile that could light up the darkest of nights and as you scroll down I’m pretty sure you’ll see where she gets it from.

Here’s to many more margie’s, Kels. LOVE YOU!

Thanks to Lili Durkin and Orbie Pullen for coming out to assist that day!

Courtney, me, Claire, and Kelsey – so good to see familiar faces!

This might sound strange to some, but I kind of fell in love with these two extraordinary people! Both of them are extremely talented and successful in their fields and exude the kind of elegance and kindness you really only think exists in the movies. They both held out for each other and I couldn’t be happier for them that they married the person of their dreams! Coordinated by the ever-fabulous Kimery Sherwood and held at The Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles this was, by far, the most elegant wedding I’ve ever witnessed. Thanks to Heather and Regis for being my right and left hands!

Stacy and Clark- thank you so much for inviting me into your story – I couldn’t feel luckier!

You guys must check out this trailer from film maker extraordinaire,  Isabel Gonzalez – Stacy surprised Clark and delivered her vows in french and had the whole room, including me, bawling.

stacy + clark | trailer from Isabel Gonzalez on Vimeo.