Lauren and Patrick are Engaged!

Before jetting out of town to go visit the windy city, I combined two of my most favorite things in this world; good friends and rockin' photography!

Patrick and I go wayyyyyyyy back to Kindergarden; almost 20 years! Wow, I feel so old just typing that, but it's true! Patrick and I went to Mariners Christian School from Mrs. Nielson's Kindergarden class all the way to Mr. Bahadoor's eighth grade homeroom and have kept in touch ever since. I can't tell you how weirdly awesome it was to photograph my good friend and his soon to be wife! While going through these pictures, I stopped on more than several occasions just marveling at life and how surreal this all was (shooting a friend's wedding) and felt an overwhelming sense of honor to even be involved with Patrick and Lauren's day! As I'm sure you'll be able to see in about 2 milliseconds, Patrick and Lauren love live, love another, and LOVE to laugh! Undoubtedly those have the been the cornerstones of their long distance relationship this past year, and I have no doubt it's what will enrich the rest of their lives together :)

Here are a handful of some our favorites! Enjoy! And to Patrick and Lauren....you guys are AWESOME! We cannot wait to shoot your wedding!















































**I know that it's out of order, but I wanted to end with one of my favorite shots of the day! Isn't this how every woman wants to be? Swept off her feet, going off into the sunset with the love of her life? :) **

AND IN KEEPING WITH BLACKMAIL THURSDAY TRADITION, HERE IS A PICTURE OF PATRICK AND I IN GRADESCHOOL! (I remember my mom getting mad at me for not tucking in my shirt! haha, weird huh?)



Can you spot me? Can you spot Patrick? :)

Jeff and Steph's Engagement in Seal Beach!

To start off this post today, I need to give some major love to MY love! This month has been incredibly busy with engagement shoots, weddings, second shooting, and a week-long trip to Chicago. Okay, that last one was my bad, haha. But, while I was stuck inside brick buildings with no cell reception or internet connection, Erin was working tirelessly for our brides! And while with a few key strokes I may have the ability to praise her for all that she has been doing, it would still be merely just a drop in the pool of my thankfulness for all that she does! If you are a past or current bride you know the loyalty and devotion Erin has to each and every one of you, so I need not prattle on :)

BUT, you will have a hard time shutting me up about how much fun we had the other weekend shooting Jeff and Steph's engagement session up in Seal Beach! We'd never shot here before and both Jeff and Steph were so great as we kept moving them from place to place, practically drooling all over our cameras as each spot was more gorgeous than the next!! I loved the prop they brought with them because it's so representative of their relationship; relaxed, beautiful, and worshipful. Afterwards, we took them out to dinner like we do with all of our couples, and just had the best time talking all about life, marriage, and just fellowshipping over a burger and fries. As you can see, they absolutely melted the lens and we are so blessed to shoot their wedding in August!
















[Hollister Ad anyone? :)]