We had a blast with our new friends Michelle + Kevin in San Diego a few weeks back.  Despite a little “tan” that Kevin got on one of his more recent fishing trip, they both had fun with it and we love how everything turned out.  The next stop for these two beautiful people will be in Hawaii in October…can’t wait!!

If for whatever reason we’ve never expressed this out loud, here it is…..Lauren and I love engagement shoots!!   Why?  Simple…..

We get to hang our with amazing people like Martine + Chris

Having grown up in Newport his entire life, Chris came up with an amazing idea of spending a few hours on a Duffy boat cruisin’ the Newport Harbor.  Long story short, we ended up spending the full day together and seeing parts of Newport Lauren and I haven’t ever seen! So much so, we felt like tourists!!

We even got to talk to a celebrity (right Martine + Chris?!)

As it turned out, just as we imagined when we first talked about the idea…from the setting/scenery to the perfect outfits and more especially, the amazing company, this is one of our favorite shoots to date.

To Martine + Chris…thank you for your hospitality, humor and for showing us around your old stompin’ grounds  You two looked fantastic and we can’t wait for your big day in July. Let’s jump in a duf PS – so where to first…Ireland or Bali?!

We shot Sheryn + Tim’s wedding last year and when we heard that rather than doing their Trash The Dress, we’d be shooting her Maternity instead…we couldn’t be happier for them. =)  Congrats you two!  We can’t wait to meet baby TJ!

This day was the first time I got to meet Zainab + Dib because they’re currently residing on the East Coast but within minutes I knew this was going to be a great shoot.  You may hear us say this a lot but connecting with our couples is the most if not one of the most important aspects in producing great images…at least for us it is and just as we did over the phone, we all connected rather effortlessly right away.

With the Santa Monica Pier and the rainy whether just the day before giving way to clear blue skies…Zainab + Dib got exactly what they were hoping for…California at it finest.

To Zainab + Dib…your visit to So Cal was too short lived so hopefully next time you’re back we’ll finally be able to sit down over some yummy food and coffee…enjoy your engagement pics and we’ll see you soon! – John + Lauren

No sun?!…no problem…

Probably one of our favorite photo merges yet!

Church: Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano

One thing we love about shooting weddings are the little  ”side stories” that happen throughout the day.  These ”Side Stories” are little moments during the wedding day that many times to the everyday bride, groom and family go unnoticed or are simply never ones that are thought to be captured or photographed or even set up….they just happen.  And for us, it’s our job as photographers to make sure we get as much of it as possible =)

For Kara + Kevin, these “side stories” were plentiful.  There were many emotional moments like when the Kevin’s mother unexpectedly entered the room and put on her son’s boutonniere and when Kevin finally got to read Kara’s journal for the first time where everyday she wrote reasons why she was thankful for him.  There were also fun and priceless moments like capturing the Father of the Bride carrying every women’s accessory possible simply because that’s just what dad’s do!

Yes, amazing portraits are all part of the plan but it’s the also the parts that are not planned…the ”behind the scene” stories if you may,  that complete each wedding.

To Kara + Kevin – we’re so happy we got to meet you two and experience your day with you.  You both were absolutely fantastic and we loved sharing it with you and your families.  Where ever God leads you two, we hope these images always help you revisit your amazing wedding.  With Love, John + Lauren

It’s been a busy summer to say the least (hence the lack of blog posts). But we thought we’d share an image from a wedding we just shot a week or so ago. Can’t wait to share the rest!

Gotta love California weather.

When Xocitl+Craig told us where their engagement shoot was going to be we were super excited.  It was our first time at Dodgers Stadium and my second time ever at a baseball stadium period. There was a bit of mystery in what we were to expect but wow when we got there I felt like a kid in a candy store!  The weather turned out to be perfect that day and it was pretty amazing having the park in a way, all to ourselves.  Much like how many of our shoots go, it was non-stop laughs from the start.

To Xochitl+Craig – thanks for taking us along the ride.  You guys did fantastic and we can’t wait for your wedding!  We’re going to have a blast!  Maybe we’ll see you next week and then in October! =)