Cabo San Lucas Destination Wedding | Published on Le Magnifique

Excited to be published today on Le Magnifique, you can view the post here.

Elopement Wedding

You can also view my blog post on Yessica and Leonard’s Cabo San Lucas destination wedding, here.  Now booking destination weddings for the 2013 fall season and the 2014 spring season. Ask me about special pricing to the following destinations: Hawaii, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Belize and Costa Rica. Cheers!

Rincon Beach Club Wedding | Santa Barbara Wedding Photography

Loved this venue. And besides, what’s not to love about a Santa Barbara wedding? This town has such a special place in my heart.

The Rincon Beach Club is located just off the beach, so you get the best cool breeze at night. Perfect for a September wedding in California. Bride and groom set-up different food stations for their guests to enjoy at dinner. I thought it was the best idea. For those wanted to warm up a bit, you could sit by the outdoor fireplace. The courtyard was set-up very nicely, a true al fresco dining experience.

My favorite details of the day were the special bridesmaid’s bouquets that Kimberly made herself. So pretty, right? She hand picked all the brooches herself too. Love special touches like this. Brett gifted his groomsmen cuff links that were all different and unique to each groomsmen. Just love special touches like this.

I’m ready to photograph another Santa Barbara wedding. Looking through these photos again is making me reminisce that darling, sleepy town.

There were many tearful moments here. Surrounded by love is an understatement.

First Look.

They were such a fun bridal party.

I had the death by chocolate, it was delicious!

And so did this little guy!:)

Can’t wait until the next Santa Barbara wedding. If you’re a bride and or groom looking for a venue in Santa Barbara, I would definitely recommend Rincon Beach Club. Special thanks to Charla for bringing me along to capture this day.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Working from Home

I wrote this last month and well, life got crazy and reading through it now. I still feel it applies so thought I’d share.

One of my clients made the comment that she thought my life was so great, from my blog posts and what I post on Facebook. And it is. However, I never want to give the impression that it is perfect. And after having a bit of a rough week, I felt compelled to share my experience. It’s not a big deal in the whole scheme of things, but it was my big deal for a few days, I’m only human.

This past year was very tough on a personal level. I have many loved ones suffering of illness, depression, the list goes on. Most of which I have no control of and therefore makes it even harder. I hold my family and friends dear to my heart so when they hurt, I might as well have been punched in the face too. I wish I was kidding, really. I work hard at this, every single day. Staying positive is key, but not always easy.

At the start of this year I took on too many projects all at once, I’m finally back to my main priorities. My life with Kris, my friends, family and this little business I’ve built in the least five years. I am just now getting to my business plan for the year and organizing my thoughts of how to move forward and keep growing. Not just to be profitable, but to maintain a good quality of life and stay inline with my personal goals. In case you wondered, this running a business thing, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Silly me, I thought that overtime it gets easier. Wrong.

With all that said. One of my struggles that keeps haunting at me year after year is working from home. I have a safe home, have healthy delicious food at lunch. Our spare bedroom is my whole office and I sit right in front of a large window that I get natural light from. What more could I want? I’m an extravert, I love people and I’ve learned that for me. Working from home more than two days alone makes me go bonkers! But I have control over this.

Solution? I recently purchased this keyboard and case from Logitech for our iPad so I can go to coffee shops and work on my blogging, emails and anything else internet. More importantly, I’m making time to meet-up with friends in the industry to work together and to get out and meet new people. I call them coffee dates because it’s less commitment for most people and work well for having meetings as well.

We shall see how this works for me. Pictured below are a few additions in my office, such a small thing, but really has made a difference for me on feeling inspired to walk into my office every morning. I still have to add a small area rug and hang some of my photography, but one step at a time.

I often get the most emails and comments from my brides regarding posts I share in this space with you. So I thank you for taking the time to read and getting to know me on a personal level.

My question to you is how do you feel about your workspace? And what changes are you making this year to improve your happiness? Would love to know.

 

NYE 2013

I realize I’m a bit late on this, but after finally getting caught up with editing my own personal photos. I couldn’t resist. Plus, it’s my blog so I get to do what I want.  :)

Last year for NYE, we had such a great time. Epic, really. And not normal for us, for years we stayed in with a nice meal and bubbly at home. Which we loved, but we decided to do change things up and we’re so glad we did. Nothing like trying new things and doing the unexpected.

It was a Friday afternoon, If I remember correctly. Kris and I had decided to stay in and I was on my way to Whole Foods to pick up steak and goodies for our NYE dinner. My friend Vy and I had been talking about visiting them up in Lake Arrowhead and briefly told her about our plans for the evening. Somehow, we entertained the idea of spending the evening together for NYE and a few texts later, it was decided. We were spending NYE weekend with them in Lake Arrowhead. I don’t think Kris believed me until I told him that I had purchased tire chains, just in case. Yeah, I was that determined! Completely last minute and spontaneous, so much fun!

Growing up, my family spent many holidays up in the mountains in Lake Arrowhead as one of my uncle’s owns a cabin there. I don’t do well in cold weather for a long period of time, but I love the things that come with being snowed in, kept indoors. Like slowing down, enjoying the company, hot tea and sleeping in.

We enjoyed our dinner so much, that I didn’t photograph it. But probably one of the best parts of the weekend because when else do you get NY steak, wild shrimp, roasted red potatoes and green beans? Exactly. Like the wild partiers that we are, we chatted, had dinner then watched movies until midnight.

Is it midnight yet? We’re over 30 and tired.

 Next day, Kris and Julia played in the snow. That’s why all the kids love Kris, he is adventurous.

A few portraits before we hit the road and the perfect ending to the weekend.

These photos melt my heart, this is why I love photography. REALLY!

Who knows what NYE 2014 will bring us, but can’t wait.

I’ve got way too much energy so be prepared for many blog posts in the coming week. Excited to be working with Tyler this weekend in Las Vegas for a commission he’s working on. Have a great weekend!

 

San Francisco Wedding Photographer | Jessica + Mark

I still can’t believe the relationships I build over the internet. Jessica reached out to me last year through Facebook for her San Francisco wedding later this year. We went to high school together and had a few classes together, but never really got to know her. Until now.

Jessica and Mark are great people, as in they take care of others and give so much of themselves that it just makes you like them even more.

A few of my favorites from their engagement session.

cherry blossoms

spring engagement photos

Jessica said she wasn’t photogenic. I told her I would prove her wrong. Looking gorgeous, girl!

cherry blossom engagement photoscherry blossoms, spring, la engagement photographysan francisco wedding photographer

I’m so glad that they wanted their engagement session with cherry blossom trees. I always encourage clients to pick the location that is best suited for them as a couple. They’ve got great taste, so I can’t wait to see what the day holds for their wedding day. I’m thrilled to be photographing their destination wedding and beyond honored!

Thank you Jessica and Mark for trusting me. The love you have for each other is beautiful.