I’m engaged!

Here’s how it all went down a couple weeks ago Brian called me and said he’d like to schedule us a half day April 19. He wanted to do something romantic and he wanted to start carving out time for just us. I knew something was up because Brian is a workaholic for him to take time off work to hang out at the beach on a Friday, I knew something was up. April 14th I told Brian that I’ve been daydreaming about a studio for my photography business and then I would probably need to get some kind of space to work out of once we were engaged and we were moving in together. The next couple days he started looking for studio for me and I was thinking what was what’s the rush? It’s not like were engaged. Hummm…. At that point I knew.
I even told my girlfriends Erin and Heather, my mom, a studio owner, a client, the salon that did my hair that I’m getting engaged Friday afternoon. Everyone looked at me like I was totally nuts and in for a big disappointment.

 

So Thursday evening I had made a hair appointment for Friday and I was kind of debating whether to get my nails done or not, I thought that might have been too much. Looking back I should have had them done.

My Bridal Shower

Since My husband and I decided to elope I decided to do a dress reveal at my bridal shower. Before I came out I had a hand full of friends dress up in vintage wedding gowns. It was super fun for all, and unique. I really wanted my bridal shower to be a little different then your typical bridal shower. I had a game where guest had to draw what they thought the wedding dress was going to look like. Also tested my guests knowledge of Brian and I’s relationship.

 

 

 

My Bio

When people ask me how long I’ve been a photographer I always say forever. Like many I really started photograph in high school. In fact I took photography all four years in high school and some of my first jobs were working at photo labs. After a couple months of backpacking through europe I decided to become a professional photographer. I graduated from a private photography school (Brooks Institute of Photography). While still in college I won several photography contest, was published in photography magazines and had a piece shown in the photographers hall of fame. After college I assisted some of the top celebrity and fashion photographers. Then in 2004 I started getting into shooting weddings. I started off second shooting on of LA’s top wedding photographers before going out on my own. Now I shoot weddings all over southern California and destination weddings.

I love shooting weddings. First of all I tend to get involved in my wedding and as a result my clients become friends. One thing that’s a test to my work is that many of my clients come back to me to shoot their family Christmas cards, maternity photos, corporate headshots, newborn photos…. I find what I do so rewarding because in a sense I get to capture all the special miles stones in my friends/clients lives. 
 

Photography Reviews

 

 

 

 

I have a 5 star rating on yelp. Unlike most companies that do reviews, yelp doesn’t allow business to take down negative reviews.  In addition if you are a first time yelper your review won’t show up,  yelp doesn’t post new yelper reviews is to protect the consumer they want to make sure business aren’t posting fake reviews. Back to my Yelp page I have 8 reviews showing and 10 that are hidden, which really sucks.
I think my clients are more likely to be first time yelpers. You see I’m very hands on with my clients, I cater to them, I’m part wedding planner/maid of honor and I capture amazing memories.  Honestly my business is my love, my baby and to be able to do what I love more then anything… I’m truly blessed.  To take it a step further I want my clients to be blown away, so I always go a step above and beyond for them. So after my clients get their photos they tend to want to rave about the quality of my work. Some of the reviews that are hidden had me in tears after reading them. I’d like to share a review with you.
Sara Jordan is the best!  We paid for her to shoot our wedding and rehearsal dinner in Cabo San Lucas for 3 days.  She arrived in Cabo and immediately went to the rehearsal site to scope out the locations, sunset and lighting.  My husband and I love surprises and the reason we chose the venue is not only for the beauty/scenery, but because the ceremony and reception were held in different locations on the same property.  For a wedding like this we would normally need more than one photographer to capture everything with all the moving parts.  However, due to the expense of the destination and location we could only have one along with the videographer.  Sara nailed it and was able to be all over the place to capture our moments on top of lugging all of her serious heavy equipment.  The best thing about Sara is that she knows who hired her and she is not afraid to take charge and get the photos that you are paying for on your special day.  You don’t want someone who can’t stop someone in your bridal party from talking or walking away to get drinks, to tell someone to spit there gum out, take their shades off or put their jacket back on for the photo.  She is truly a natural and her photos are the proof!  See for yourself on her website.  Our wedding is under destination weddings.

Heather & Steve




Vintage Travel Story

Photo story.. In college one of my major assignments was to create 5 images that go together. At the time I was traveling a lot and really into vintage everything, so I did a vintage travel story…

I think I shot this with Tri-x film on my Hasselblad.

 

 

 

 

 

My take on Gays getting Married

 

 

 

 




I don’t like to express my opinion on controversial topics but this one really can’t be ignored. 

 
A girl called me wondering if I’d be willing to photograph a commitment ceremony I said “Yes, absolutely.”She felt the need to explain the meaning of a commitment ceremony, “We’re a gay couple and we’re planning our wedding.” “We’ve called around and are finding that most wedding vendors aren’t willing to work with gay couples.” (This poor girl was in so much pain.) Most of my clients are religious and if you are I hope you will understand where I’m coming from.  My personal feeling on this issue is that same sex couples being able to get married is that it is a civil rights issue and is fundamental to the definition of freedom in this country. I think it is exactly the same as racial discrimination and religious persecution. Wedding vendors that won’t work with gay couples have the right to refuse customers, but it faintly reminds me of a whites only sign. Being a wedding photographer I’ve gotten myself into a few arguments about this issue. Most religions believe marriage is between a man and a woman, however in this country we are free to have our own beliefs. Wars have been start over belief vs. law. In our country there is supposed to be a separation between religion and state. In our country people are allowed to claim any religion. In my opinion it seems wrong not allowing same sex couples the same rights as other couples.
In this country we should embrace the idea that you can practice any religion. If I were a wedding photographer in China and a Christian couple called me and said were looking for a photographer to photograph our Christian Wedding… I would be writing the very same blog post because I believe in freedom.  

I also don’t care what words people use to describe this commitment. It makes no difference if people want to call it a civil union or a marriage. In my opinion its like arguing the word God. Can the Muslim almighty and the Christian almighty both be called “God?” A wedding is beautiful commitment between two people that are madly in love with each other. Its a shame that people feel so strongly that it is their right to stand between that.

Happy St Patties Day!!!

So today is my birthday which is why I have to re-post this same photo every year of my little zipper-doodle. Several years ago he won a contest “Cutest St. Patties Day Puppy.”

I just think this photo is The Cutest!