Bay Area Engagement Photographer : Burrell Winery : Megan and Kevin

Picture this... you're driving on HWY 17, singing along to the soundtrack for Spring Awakening, clean air's blowing in your window, through your hair, you've got your camera by your side and two amazing clients waiting for you to shoot their engagement images and then: ...ding ding ding, your gas tank suddenly drops to ZERO! You know that sound in movies when something stops the party and the DJs record scratches? Add that sound in here. Imagine an audible gasp, immediate sweaty palms, and disbelief. How could you let this happen? You are a professional! This is a JOB, these clients are counting on you... where the HECK are you going to pull over if you run out of gas???!?!? The liiiight, you're going to lose the light!!! Panic.

Then acceptance. Okay, so you're going to run out of gas. Not much you can do. I hope they understand that you are not a complete eff-up and that you would never ever let this happen on a wedding day.

Then relief.. you make it to the driveway of the location, call the clients, and all they say is, "Oh my gosh! We'll just drive you down to the gas station when we're done, DO NOT WORRY!" :) WHEW!

Megan and Kevin, you guys are seriously the best! I absolutely cannot wait to shoot your wedding this summer- thank you for bringing such smiles, love, and creativity to your shoot. Xoxoxoxo

Check out Burrell Winery if you are local- seriously such an adorable tasting room!

A New York Engagement Shoot : Bay Area Wedding Photographer : Jessica and Brett

Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I knew it'd be cold, I anticipated wearing a hat, scarf, coat, gloves.... I had been checking the weather for the better part of two weeks hoping the bulk of the storms would be over by the time I arrived to shoot Jessica and Brett's Manhattan engagement shoot. But nope, the snow was relentless and so were we. We embraced the weather like it was a blessing and enjoyed frolicking around in the, for me, never before experienced photographic atmosphere and as Tim Gunn would so eloquently say, we made it work!

With Jessica's teeth chattering and Brett's head freezing we kept moving to stay warm and I think the final product is better than I could have ever imagined. It was so refreshing to have the chance to shoot in a new environment as lately, I've been craving a change of pace. (I can hear all you east coasters groaning... what you wouldn't do for a little California sun flare huh?) I have to thank Jessica and Brett for trusting me and embracing the weather so fully and to Heather for coming out with a 2nd set of professional eyes!

Can't wait for Jessica and Brett's October wedding in Southern California... something tells me the images will look very different ..... ;)

We started at this lovely little place called Cafe Gitane at The Jane Hotel in the west village...we asked permission to shoot a few shots ... but I think when we started moving chairs they got nervous and we were kicked out into the streets. Renegades!

So I don't necessarily think this next shot is a winner .. I just wanted to show you guys just how much snow was falling!

Brett brought along a camera that belonged to his grandpa- made for a fun little prop!

Thanks to Heather for this last one of me working ....whew! I'm cold just thinking about it :)

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Bay Area Wedding Photographer : Los Feliz Engagement Session : Blessin and Min

Good things come to those who wait really rang true for this session! Blessin is one of those brides who is super involved in all things photo and her and I, I feel, are meant to be. People often ask me how I get my clients to bring props and take more of a role in planning their engagement images and I have to say, I think I am just lucky! About a year ago I started getting frustrated with the lack of creativity I was putting into my work. Five years ago editorial/fashion photography was where I thought I would be and while I absolutely love love love shooting weddings I really wanted to start bringing more editorial aspects to my shoots. Insert Kaumyar and Ashley here. I produced the shoot and video I have on my main page, thanks to Jeff Conrad, and followed that with Chris and Carly's vintage car engagement shoot... and voila! everyone wanted props and craved an editorial flair for their engagement images. Lead by example... "if you build it, they will come" ... hee hee. :)

Back to Blessin....We exchanged countless emails regarding her and her love, Mins, engagement images... locations, props, clothes, everything was all set and then WHAM! Mother Nature appeared.... we held out to the very very last minute to reschedule but when Mayor Villaraigosa threatened downtown LA with flash floods we just couldn't hold out any longer- we postponed their session for my next trip to Los Angeles and kept our fingers crossed for sunshine. As you'll see from the images below we got plenty of it! Thanks to Blessins "photo club" friend, Brent, for helping us out that day!! Couldn't have done it without you, Brent! :)

Blessin wore a dress that belonged to her mother- fit her perfect and had such a GREAT style to it!

Thanks guys, can't wait for your wedding!!!

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Bay Area Engagement Session : Audra and Charlie : Tulips and Mirrors

Audra and I go way back, like, way ... way... back. I've probably known her since the day she was born and spent a lot of days in my childhood at parks, playgrounds, and backyards eating snacks and playing house with her. Our moms went to high school together and I used to spend summertime at her house when my mom was working. We took swim lessons together and I distinctly remember dropping her off at gymnastics regularly. She is a bit younger than me and when it was time for her to start high school I remember her shadowing me... of course, she chose Mitty over Presentation- but why bring that up? ;) I was so excited when I heard she got engaged and more excited and totally honored when she told me she wanted me to be the one to document her and Charlie's big day! It was so great to finally meet Charlie and we had such a great time using fun props and lovely lit locations in the Santa Cruz mountains. Thanks for being so great you guys- I can't wait for your wedding! See you at Aqui!!!

Bay Area Engagement Session: Alison and Chris : Santa Cruz

I met Alison and Chris last year at their Newport Beach home and as we spent the morning chatting about their wedding plans, how great their wedding planner, Courtney Toney, is and how much fun their wedding is going to be I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest girl ever. When Tim and I decided to make the move to the bay area I risked jeopardizing my relationship with my clients- I crossed my fingers and knew I was doing the right thing for me and just trusted that my clients would understand. I knew that I'd be traveling back and forth a lot and hoped that my relationship with my 2010 couples would be able to grow despite the locale difference. Imagine my surprise when Alison e-mailed me to tell me her and Chris would be living in the Bay Area awhile while she took classes up here! And then even more surprise when we realized that our new places of residence were practically around the block from each other! It's so nice having them close by and I can't wait for their gorgeous wedding- Carissa Jones from JL Designs is working on it so I know it's going to be nothing short of amazing.

We started shooting at the house they are staying at- too cute for me to handle!

Tim and I are off shooting our engagement session today- will have a full recap soon! :) Yey!!!