Genelle and Eric: Engagement

After exchanging several emails back and forth, Genelle told me she didn't need a consultation: she was sure I was the photographer for her. After our first meeting, I couldn't help but agree. In addition to introducing Brandon and me to the amazing Dominic's in Oceanside harbor, we had so much to talk about at our 'getting to know you' dinner that I instantly felt like I had made a new friend.

So, when we made plans for their engagement session, and she mentioned how nervous Eric was, it only seemed natural to get together and chat, and maybe sneak a little drink onto the beach (in our defense, we did drink our champagne in plastic cups!) before the session. And, after a glass (or three) in his system and some time frolicking on the beach, Eric was a natural!

 Seriously, aren't they a gorgeous couple?

Genelle and Eric (well, mostly Eric I would speculate) wanted a more casual engagement session that a lot of my clients. No outfit changes, multiple locations, fancy things necessary. Just them, together, hanging out at the beach. 

I discovered during the shoot that Eric used to be a lifeguard - so cool!  The lifeguard stand seemed especially fitting after that :-)







Genelle, we had tons of fun and can't wait for your wedding this March!

Tammy and E-ming: Teasers

A few, because I know how eagerly you are awaiting them!

Lots more engagement sessions to come, now that I have finally adapted to the mac and am finished with vacations!

Jennifer and Jayson - Engagement Teasers

A couple of teasers until I get everything on the new mac up and running (and can process everything!)

Sara and Jarad: Engagement Teasers

Just a couple from our session at the US Grant (sneakily!) and Balboa Park today.... more to come!

ps - anyone notice anything new?

Belinda & Elijah - Engagement

Elijah looked across his church during services, saw Belinda standing there engaged in worship, and felt an instant attraction, without even knowing who she was. Belinda saw Elijah walking during a church camp getaway, and thought that she needed to meet the unknown man. In an unusual show of bravery, Belinda asked Elijah to dinner to get to know him better. They had dinner. And then another. And then, their relationship, bolstered by their faith, grew into something more than dinners. Sometimes, Belinda told me, you just know. They each knew that they belonged together, and before they knew it, a simple informal dinner turned into an impending wedding.

We met for their engagement session at one of my favorite places in Southern California, the Mission Inn. After sneaking around security for a bit, we ventured out to a nearby park. Although slightly uncomfortable at first, the two blossomed in front of the camera, and by the end, they were giving us posing lessons!

Belinda and Elijah, congratulations, and I can't wait to shoot your wedding!

After seeing Belinda just standing around, I instantly knew she was a dancer... yay ballet feet!

Abby & Ollie - Part 2

This week and next are going to be simply insane. I got back from Borrego Springs on Saturday, went to LA yesterday to have brunch with some friends, then back home to pack and clean, then off on a cruise today until Friday am, then off to Colorado until Sunday night! Insane! Packing was seriously challenging, since i'm expecting the weather to be a little different in each of the places.

Abby & Ollie: I have to admit: I couldn't decide which pictures to put up on the site. So here are a bunch more. I would have included a slideshow if I could figure out how they work (or afford ShowIt!), so hopefully no one minds being inundated with pics!

Abby and Ollie

The second day of orientation in law school - I missed the first - felt lonely, disorienting. I had put in motion some major life changes the month before, and was starting from nothing. New city, moving in with a new roomate I had never met in a new apartment I had never seen, all the day before school started. I was scared I was setting myself up for a miserable experience. I hadn't met anyone (besides said new roomate, Amanda) and everyone seemed to know each other already and formed their cliques*- after just one day of school.

That day, I was introduced to Abby by Amanda. We were in the same section, had gone to the same undergrad (but never knew each other), had many of the same interests. We instantly clicked. We sat within whispering distance in every class first year, wrote inappropriate im's during class, went to bar reviews, watched marathon sessions of sex in the city together while we gossiped about boys and life and ate brownies or my special homecooked meals; she literally was the most instrumental part of my fabulous time in law school and quickly became one of my best friends.

Abby was also the most boy-crazy twenty-something I knew. She met so many guys, had some on and off relationships, occasionally more dates in a month then me in my life; but nothing ever worked out. Abby is particular. And sometimes demanding. And, like all us girls, occasionally an little emotional.

Until she met Ollie - again. Much like Brandon and myself, they met each other waaaay back in college. She was friends with his best friend. When she met Ollie, she liked him. They stayed up talking at a party until the wee mornings. She also had a boyfriend and Ollie lived on the other side of the country. (Ollie also claims that his friend warned him away... but I think he was just teasing)

Fast forward to a year and a half ago. They meet again. And this time, the timing was right.

Ollie has the best sense of humor, he is goofy, he is patient. But most importantly, he tempers Abby. He really is the perfect person for someone I am proud to call one of my closest friends. I am so happy for Abby that she has found someone she loves so much! And most importantly... I can't wait for the day you two get married!

The two of them came down to visit myself and Brandon in San Diego yesterday. After spending some time catching up, some visiting with the puppies, and giving her the tour of the house, we went downtown to take some pictures. I had a really hard time being discriminating, because Abby just glows when she is with Ollie. So... here are lots from the day!














* - oh yeah, the asterisk... it needs to be said that law school is like high school, except with more sex, drugs, legal drinking and stress. Cliques abound, there is an 'in' crowd and 'out' crowd, every one knows every one (especially at UCLA - there were only about 1,000 people there total, which was half the size of my high school), and, much like high school, every one knows everything about everyone. But it was lots of fun :-)