It goes without saying, I’ve been to many beautiful weddings in my day.
Like, lot and lots. and lots.
But, I must say… I’ve never been to a wedding as fun as this one:
Hey Rachele and Tyler— whatever you did, you did it right.
Even for someone “on the job”… this celebration was the sort that I truly didn’t want to end. Not just for my sake, but for the sake of the attendants. I don’t think any of them had that great of a time, if not all summer, all year.
I have this confident feeling, that as the guests piled home, they talked about how epic the Gardner dance session was, and [...]

I think the very thought that drives some people away from marriage may be the very thought that drives other to it.
That is, thinking about spending the rest of your life, committed to one person. One person. One who may be extremely lovable, beautiful, funny, WHATEVER, yet still comes complete with all their hiccups, bad habits, and inconsistencies.
One. You can only choose one.
It’s sort of like that overdone journal prompt English teachers loved to assign, back in the day. “If you could only choose one person to live on an island with, who would it be and why?” (Which, upon viewing on the white board, I almost always immediately thought [...]

Remember this bubbly couple?
The sun was all out– she was all giggles, and he was all proud.
Now they’re all married, and I’ve got the story.
More from the Newport Beach wedding in the works.

Their wedding day was fresh;
Fresh like soft cotton, like new linens, like a cool ocean breeze,
Fresh like a sweet kiss followed by a deep breath.
It is spring, and not only is love in the air,
But it’s in his eyes, and her laugh, and their hands– locked tight,
From her cozy home, to the Newport Temple, to Three Arch Bay, to her aunt’s coastal estate,
Following them always: shades of sea blue, friends light on their feet, and the sun rising and sparkling and setting.
I watched her dance with her daddy, while her new husband, hands clasped, stood sensitive to the giving away.
Sensitive to the giving away, but so ready for the receiving.
I [...]

Right now, these little birdies are at sea–
Playing amidst the heat of the day, snuggling amidst the cool of the night,
Soaking up the freshest feelings, now as husband and wife.

C+M, Enjoy the honeymoon. Your wedding post is coming so SOON!

When I was little, I dreamt a lot about love. Like other girls, I imagined things that people would later tell me is precious… but unrealistic. My heart was saddened by the world’s lack of participation in what my mind could envision. As I listened to their dull reality of what to expect, I nodded, but quietly marveled at the invented girl and boy who lived in color.
Something that I appreciate about being a photographer is the creative ability to make fairy-tale realities happen for people who feel vibrant things about one another.
Mark: For you, a girl in a red dress. With bright blue eyes that sparkle when you speak. [...]

It was Valentine’s Day. Courtney, Mike, and I were on our way to Laguna Beach to shoot their e-session at this private beach we had in mind. We had it all worked out. The place. The lighting. The mood. It was ours. Almost.
If you live in Southern California, and have a brain, you know that Laguna Beach is going to be slammed with lovers on their way to the Charthouse, to the White House, or to whatever-else house that serves steak, lobster, and cocktails. Unfortunately, I only had Courtney and Mike on my mind. I forgot that the canyon to Laguna Beach is a two-lane pain, synonymous with “parking lot” on [...]

After three promises made to her father, he hopped on a plane to London, with a diamond ring in his pocket, and four words on his mind:
“Will you marry me?”
A charming love story coming soon.