One of the key parts of shooting any wedding, at least to us, is to capture each detail of the day. If you're already married then you'll know what I'm talking about when we say that the wedding day goes faster than you realize.  And sometimes because that, the Bride doesn't even get to see all the little details that she and even her Groom, worked so fervently to put together!  So we really make it a point to try to capture those things...from the shoes, to the ring, to the dress and even down to the center pieces...they're shots Lauren and I have to capture! =) So today, here are our favorite Details shots of 2008, in no particular order or category...kind of!  Enjoy! =) Wasn't sure if this one is considered a detail shot but eh, what they hay?! Not sure what it is with this shot exactly but we love it nonetheless =) Another tweener here but no faces+accenting the shoes=Detail shot to us! Seriously?!  Who actually gets to drive off in one of these?!!! These next two shots landed on our Favorite list because even though they are the same location they almost look completely different.  The first we were able to catch the last bit of twilight in the sky...the second, pitch black sky. Last but not least, our favorite dress shots! Off camera lighting on this shot was perfect! ________________________________________ To inquire about availability, packaging/pricing, email us at Weddings@johnlauren.com For general questions/comments: John@johnlauren.com or Lauren@johnlauren.com

Happy New Year! Hahah, ok ok, yeah kind of late we know but Haydn's been taking up a lot of our time and unfortunately, our blog has gotten the bitter end of the stick.  Can you believe she's now 5 weeks old?!?!  Just in case you wanted to follow our little Haydn and her crazy hair as she grows up, Lauren started a little blog called pinstripesnpolkadots just for her and her baby adventures =) Well 2008 came and went faster than we realized and what a year it was!  We got a chance to meet some awesome brides and grooms, shot at locations that we've never shot and overall, grew so much as professionals and as people, not just individually but together, as husband and wife.  So for those of you that have been with us since our days of Beauty for Ashes Photography, we just want to thank you for your support, love and encouragement.  Many if not all of you are part of the reason for our success this past year.  And for all the brides and grooms that believed in our work, trusted our creative thought process and allow our eyes to see your world from our perspective, THANK YOU! =)  Allowing us be be part of your special day is more special to us than you know. So with that in mind, starting tomorrow we wanted to kick off the year by sharing our favorite photos of 2008.  Each day will be broken down in categories so you'll just have to check in each day to find out what category is shown =) For today, I thought it'd be fun leaving you with a few images from a wedding back in 2006.  And hey, just like I tell everyone or anyone new to the photography world...you have to start somewhere and believe or not, this is the first ever wedding that kick started it all for us. Who says you need the most expensive camera to take a nice pictures?!  if someone tells you that, they're lying to you...it's all about the lens =)  All the following photos were shot on my first ever Canon Rebel XT that was given to me as a gift by the person who I now my wife along.  The lens was a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L =) This is one of my favorite photos ever...and i'm not just saying to that to be all "Paula Abdul" nice to myself either, i promise =) Stay tuned the rest of the week for our favorite photos of 2008! ________________________________________ To inquire about availabilty, packaging/pricing, email us at Weddings@johnlauren.com For general questions/comments: John@johnlauren.com or Lauren@johnlauren.com

Well, after almost 72 hours of what felt like being locked up in a 1980's motel room, fully equipped with a 13" tube TV and VCR, we're finally home with our newest addition.  Despite our rooms lack of audio/visual technology, we were put in pretty big room and the hospital staff were top notch. The sleepless nights have already begun but I can't express how amazing it is to hold my little girl in my arms.  I'm sure all the parents out there know exactly what I'm talking about =) Meet our little Haydn Lohren born Dec 21, 2008, 5:15pm at 7lbs 6oz and 19.5 in long.  These were taken just minutes after her birth... [Ok so for "photography talk"...during pretty much the entire time as Haydn was coming, I shot with one of our hotshoe mounted flashes and just bounced the light off the ceiling.  But for this hot, I loved how the light coming from the machine made everything else in the room seem to not matter...how Haydn was lit while everything else were in shadows.  So I turned my flash off and shot it as is.]

 

  [Here's a good example of what bouncing light can do.  If I had point the flash right at Haydn, you wouldn't have seen the wavey folds in her swaddle.]

 

And finally, this morning, as the sun peeked through the hospital blinds, I caught this special moment between mom (Lauren) and baby. =)

 

Everytime I hold her in my arms, I can't help but fall in love with her more and more.

 To our little Hayden Lohren, we love you more than you can even know, in ways that we're still discovering each new second with you.  And don't worry, even though we're two days away from Christmas, you'll always get two gifts from us =)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

 

John & Lauren

 

Last time we had seen Dina + Chris was during their Engagement Session over in Old Town Pasadena back in July.  But let me just say that nothing has changed with these two since then...they're still one of the most chill and sweet and in love couples we've shot yet. They're wedding/reception was at Tivoli Two! over in Laguna beach and like most of the Bride and Grooms we get to shoot, they agreed to meet before hand and have some alone time before the day got crazy =)  Dina got ready at this really cool little bed and breakfast with a sweet door and all so we decided to use this as the spot =)

 

 If you could see where and how I got this shot, you'd probably be laughing your butt off!  I could just imagine what Dina was thinking when i asked her to stand there..hahah.  I got this shot lying on my back with just my head propped up for this shot!  Anyway, I'm glad I did and it's exactly what I invisioned before I took it =)  It's probably one of my favorite shots of the day =)...

We then got the Wedding Party involved.  Here's probably one of my favorite groomsmen shots...can you guess which one he is? =)

We absolutely love this shot of their first dance...

OK and this one too!  There's just something so imtimate about this shot that we love...

And lastly, here's a random shot that Lauren got while I was elsewhere.  I love working with my wife =)...especially because she gets cool shots like this =)

So without further ado.....

*******Click here for Dina+Chris' Wedding Day Slideshow*******

To Dina + Chris, you guys are beautiful together and you guys looked fantastic!  Thank you guys so much for letting us be a part of you special day! We love you guys! =) John & Lauren +baby =) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Wedding or Portrait inquiries, simply shoot us an email at Weddings@johnlauren.com or give us a ring at (626)806-4990 (day) or (951)520-5674 (night).

...if we actually WON!

We have a few pictures in mind that we want to submit but if you've been following our work, what images have stood out to you the most?!  Please tell!! Oh and if you're a Wedding Photographer, I'm calling you out to enter as well!  Just click on the image for more info!