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It was such a blast traveling around Downtown Chicago, Illinois for Ann and Song’s engagement session! Something I have always loved about Chicago, Illinois is how centrally located so many beautiful places are. We were able to walk from The Art Institute of Chicago next to Millennium Park over to the incredible Lurie Garden filled with colorful tulips. We ended the session outside the Adler Planetarium, with the Chicago skyline in the background.
Read MoreI absolutely love working with Megan and Jonathan, and when they wanted to shoot at El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara, California I knew it was going to be special. El Capitan State Beach is off the beaten path, but ends up being a perfect little private beach for an engagement session, or just to take some updated couple pictures.
Read MoreWhen Samantha and Michael told me they wanted to shoot their engagement session at the Denver Union Station in Denver, Co I was so excited! When they told me that they were also dressing up in 20’s vintage attire to match their Gatsby themed wedding, well words don’t even describe what I was. Historic Denver Union Station provides the perfect backdrop for such an engagement session, having been built in 1914 in the current Beaux Arts Classicism and Italian Romanesque style. Luckily for us, the “no kissing” rule established in 1902 by the Denver Union Station depot police is no longer relevant; and Samantha and Michael were able to kiss to their hearts content.
Read MorePhotographing Jennie and James around Pacific Palisades, Ca was anything but boring! We started at the Temescal Canyon Park in Pacific Palisades and ended for sunset at Will Rogers State Beach, and the entire session was a ball of laughs. I honestly would not have expected anything less from a couple that got engaged at Disneyland on the Fourth of July. Between running from the ocean, and skipping through the fields, Jennie and James make a perfect pair that are always finding joy in each other’s company.
Read MoreEugenie and Justin chose the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Ca for their engagement photos, and it is such a stunning place to get to visit. Besides its sprawling views of the Los Angeles skyline, this historical building also boasts incredible architectural. Opened in the early 1900’s, it was the first institution in the United States dedicated to public science. The Griffith Observatory is always free to visit, and makes for a beautiful location to capture an engagement session. Eugenie and Justin chose to do their engagement session at sunset, and we were able to watch the sun descend over the Los Angeles basin.
Read MoreWhen fellow photographer Bree reached out for an engagement session before tying the knot at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, I was excited to say the least. It is always such an honor to photograph a fellow creative, and when they chose Lizards Mouth Rock in Santa Barbara, Ca for their engagement location; I knew we were going to create something magical. When I’ve gone up to Lizards Mouth Rock in the past, sometimes the wind is just too much- so I am always so happy when the Santa Barbara weather conditions line up perfectly to take some pictures.
Read MoreJayna and Daniel have the sweetest love story, and when we had a change to do an engagement session in Venice, Ca before their wedding day I was stoked! Traveling from Washington DC, they planned a destination wedding in Santa Margarita, Ca from across the country; we were not entirely sure that our schedules would match up for an engagement session in California! I am so glad that they did, because everything about this sunset session was magical. We started at the Flowerboy Project, a local coffee shop in Venice that these two used to frequent; and ended up at that Venice Pier, in Venice, Ca to wrap up their engagement session.
Read MoreI had the chance to photograph Dasha and James for their engagement session at the Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, California, and we had probably one of the prettiest Southern California sunsets ever. Combine that with Dasha’s stunning red dress, some birds who were not minding their own business and this engagement session was definitely memorable.
Read MoreI am so in love with the Chicago, IL skyline, and how many places around the city you can view it’s picturesque beauty for engagement pictures! Julie and Jon chose the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and the Lincoln Park Zoo for our photo locations, and they definitely did not disappoint. Filled with so much greenery, they were a perfect compliment to our spring day walking around. I love getting to hear my couple’s stories, and especially when they meet online! These two met on Match.com, and had their first date back on 12/13/14. I’m so excited to get to photograph their wedding later this year at the Eagle Brook Country Club and it was definitely such a fun adventure to walk around the city exploring. Check out their proposal story below, and see just how cute they are.
Read MoreI can’t love a couple harder than when they want to do something amazing, including driving 8 hours round trip to the middle of nowhere to take their engagement photos at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, sometimes just known as the Glamis sand dunes. Known for being the largest sand dunes in the state, they were formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Extending for more than 45 miles, with dunes reaching heights of 300 feet above the desert floor. I have to say the whole experience was out of this world, especially based on the many movies that have graced the area. Including but definitely not limited to the original Stargate, Resident Evil : Extinction, and Star Wars : Return of the Jedi! It was so much fun getting to spend the day with Gaby and Josh, and the pictures tell a story of so much love between these two high school sweethearts. Check out their proposal below, and learn why these two are pretty much the best.
Read MoreWhen I told everyone that I wanted to start shooting in Chicago, IL regularly, people thought I was insane. I was told that Chicago has no sunsets, it will never match what I’m used to photographing out in California. I was told it was cold, and at the end of the day, I was going to hate it. Well, they say the grass is always greener, but I have to say I still believe that the Chicago grass is pretty dang awesome.
I had the chance to meet with and photograph Alyssa and Andrew during their short stint in Chicago, before moving to Portland, Oregon. These two were absolutely the best to get to photograph and explore Milton Lee Olive Park, especially since it was the middle of winter and a bit cold outside. Besides walking down to the nearby beach, we also explored the entire boardwalk- while the beautiful Illinois sun was setting! Alyssa and Andrew could absolutely not be cuter, and are the epitome of a couple completely in love, and their wedding rings are just to die for. Not to mention the iconic view in front of the Chicago skyline made the whole evening just complete.
You could say that I am mildly obsessed with Lizards Mouth Rock trail in Santa Barbara, Ca. It’s hard to not be though, and it is definitely one of my favorite places for an engagement session, or a picnic, or a walk. After showing Rachel and Jon some pictures of this incredible place, it wasn’t hard to convince them that it was the perfect place for us to photograph their engagement. Rachel and Jon are getting married next October at Bella Vista Groves in Fillmore, Ca; so having some grandeur views of Santa Barbara was the absolute perfect juxtaposition for the grandeur views of Santa Clarita we will have then.
Read MoreLupita and Omar are going to have a beautiful wedding at Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula, Ca, so we decided to do their engagement session there too. What made this even more special, was the fact that Omar used to work there and knew all the secrets of the property! Limoneira Ranch is 7,300-acres of the county’s largest producer of oranges, avocados, and, lemons. It’s so cool for guests that have their wedding here, as they can take home the oranges as a wedding favor. A super cool fact about Limonerira Ranch is that is was a center of silent film production in the 1920s, and still attracts filmmakers to this day. With such a renowned history, I can’t even imagine how beautiful the venue will be on their actual wedding day in the fall for these two high school sweethearts.
Read MoreThere is not much I love more than snow, Disneyland for sure, but snow is so far up there. So when Lake Geneva had a snowstorm, I was so unbelievably happy that I had the chance to photograph Lisa and Kalleb when the snow was fresh. These two held up like absolute champs in the 20 degree weather, and it is just extra special that we will be coming back to this very spot to photograph their wedding at the The Riviera Ballroom. What I absolutely love about Lisa and Kalleb’s proposal, is it almost happened at the exact same place they had their first date; to see the Christmas lights at the Cincinnati zoo. But with Lisa zipping through the evening, “No marriage proposals took place at the zoo that evening — at least not involving me and Kalleb.”
Read MoreIt was so much fun getting to photograph Diana and William at the Los Osos Oaks State Reserve in San Luis Obispo, Ca! These two met in SLO, so it only made sense to do their engagement session at some nearby beautiful areas. After photographing in this incredible forest, we went to the Montaña de Oro State Park beach for sunset, and had the chance to play in the waves!
Read MoreAngelina and Jordan have the cutest engagement story I’ve ever heard, and it is probably because their love started before they were 8 years old. Angelina and Jordan knew each other through their families, and played together on the very same ranch that Jordan proposed on 20 years later. What makes all of this even more special, is that Angelina is also a photographer! I absolutely love getting to photograph other photographer’s and it is easy to say that my little photographer heart soured pretty high as we explored their gorgeous property. It was also only fitting that we included their gorgeous puppy Asher in their engagement photos, as he was there for the proposal.
Read MoreWhen a couple decides that not only do they want to bring their dog to their engagement session, but they also plan on bringing a pizza- well color me excited. This was Kassidy and Andrew’s dream engagement session, and I have to say that it’s pretty much mine as well. We met at the nearby La Brea Tar Pits park, as it is next door to their favorite pizza place: Apollonia's Pizzeria! The people at Apollonia's Pizzeria were even nice enough to create a pineapple heart, and for all you haters; yes, pineapple does belong on pizza.
Read MoreKelsey and Jordan got married in Asheville, North Carolina, so it was such an amazing honor to get to do their engagement photos in Millennium Park in Chicago, IL where they live! We decided on Millennium Park in the heart of the city, as the two live downtown- and absolutely love all of the picturesque architecture. As unpredictable as the weather in Chicago is, we were super lucky to get a clear winter day with the sun peaking through the buildings. Also as popular as this spot is for weddings, we were blessed to get to spend it alone. These two lovebirds were an absolute treat to get to spend the afternoon with, and I cannot imagine a more gorgeous couple to get to tie the knot together.
Read MoreDiana and William chose the San Luis Obispo, Ca area for their beautiful engagement session, since that’s where all of their memories meeting were made. Diana is the most incredible map sleuth, and found not only an amazing forest to shoot at, but also the most stunning beach I’ve ever seen. We started at Los Osos Oaks State Reserve jumping near trees and around the occasional slab of poison oak, and moved onto the Montaña de Oro State Park. The whole session was such a dream and their love shown through with every image and cuddle.
Read MoreWe were hoping for a snowy session up at Ice House Reservoir, but instead we were blessed with some of the best sunset light ever mixed with the gorgeous Icehouse Lake! The pine trees and mountainous background were a beautiful contrast to their High Sierra Iris & Wedding Gardens wedding that will be happening next spring. Joey and Nathan were an absolute treat to get to photograph, full of smiles and giggles the entire time and I am so excited to get celebrate their wedding in 2017.
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