What started out as a simple business profile head-shot turned into a fun filled rainy day photo-shoot! Win!

I met April when my RHF Lifegroup relaunched this past September and instantly liked her. {If you watch the new girl, I’m convinced she could double for Nick’s ex-girlfriend Caroline in the show.. right? right?!! ok.. anyway…}. A few weeks ago, my new friend emailed and asked if I would be willing to just snap a few photos for some head shots her company needed for their website. I love how April was like- I just need like 2 photos.. haha.. as if I can seriously limit myself to two! That’s funny. I told April to bring a second outfit “just in case” and to meet at my place and we could wander around and get what she needed.  Of course a few quick photos turned into a full out photo shoot. Hey- why not?! It was a rainy day and the street was all glossy and pretty. And.. I’ve been photographing so many Senior’s lately which is my heart, but it was so much fun to photograph a gorgeous woman my age. This shoot was a lot of fun, and it felt really personal and empowering. Love!

Now I love a fedora. Love. And April brought a dress too- and in the rusty-orangey color I am most obsessed with lately! How amazing is that orange up against the overcast weather?! I love it! So, I think it is safe to say that April has a fun sense of style and a cool, easy going way. Probably the best part of our adventure was after our shoot. We sat around on my couch and just got to know one another one on one. I can say with confidence that this woman is amazing. April is one of those highly relational, welcoming and thoughtful people and I’m so excited that she is a part of my life-group. I’m looking forward to many more fun adventures ahead!! Thank you friend for the fun afternoon and great conversation! You are fabulous!

The rehearsal was on Thursday. I attended because I was just that excited (or maybe obsessed with doing a great job) for my friends Kevin and Abigail. The past several months have been all about wedding planning mode, so attending was one way to actually see my friends! When I arrived at the venue to watch the all-exclusive sneak peek, it was already evident that an incredible amount of planning had been done to make this day the most incredible day of their lives. Toasts and thank yous and joyful, grateful tears over the best BBQ ribs and cornbread ever is the best way I can describe dinner. That and of course a few last minute planning and scheduling decisions. It was wonderful, such amazing families all joining together. Beautiful.

On Saturday, my team and I arrived at the Women’s Club of Orange. The venue was already lovely to begin with, but the ridiculous amount of detail and work that went into transforming this space into the perfect feel is well more then anything I’ve experienced before. Both families and all sorts of friends came in to help set everything up- and let me tell you- there was a lot to set up. The lighting was the biggest job of all, and it turned out amazing. Incredibly beautifully designed flowers, centerpieces, and all sorts of lanterns and wood blocks were set on each table. Kevin had designed a logo for the wedding and used it in all sorts of amazing ways. On the centerpiece wood block base, the “KA” logo was burned into a corner, on glasses and vases it was etched. “KA” was also on all of the print media for the wedding. Every detail was accounted for, and everywhere you looked, the space felt designed and entirely thought through. It was truly stunning. Good job team!

Abi arrived, hair and makeup done by my favorite stylist (Bree) at the Grand, wearing a button up Angels jersey and bright orange flowered flip flops. Too cute. Crazy eager to put on her dress and get the day going (adorable), she sat in her get ready room chatting and sipping and enjoying her time with friends popping in and out to check in. Kevin got ready in maybe 10 minutes. Typical. Then he was off to finish making sure that everything was exactly perfect for his bride. It was lovely to watch just how much he had thought of her, and prepared everything for her, and worked so hard to make sure it was perfect… all for her. Love. I love my friend and his heart for his bride. It was amazing.

One of my favorite moments of the wedding was seeing Abi and her mom and dad in her getting ready room. Abi’s dad makes jewelry. In fact, all of the rings were made by Kevin and Abi’s father in her dad’s workshop from various gold donated from old family pieces, melted down and formed into these incredible symbols of love and faithfulness and commitment. Abi and her dad had warned me that tears were unlikely. Ha! As Abi’s dad saw her for the first time- I cried- so there! Actually, it was tearful on all ends, as there was so much joy and happiness and excitement for the day. Abi’s daddy placed a gorgeous handmade necklace around her neck and along with mom, wished his gorgeous daughter blessings for an incredible future with Kevin.

Then, they saw each other for the first time. There are no words. I love the first look.

A super cool photoshoot in the Orange Circle (my friends are AWESOME!), and then it was time to say I do.

The ceremony was lovely. Truly beautiful. The ring exchange, epic. An absolutely perfect ceremony. They kissed. A long kiss. Perfect. Then turning around to see the joy on their guests faces, Abi jumped up and down, and Kev grabbed her to walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

Of course there was dancing, and a sparkler exit, and a decorated car, and all sorts of silliness and fun. My friends are a beautiful couple, and the night was truly epic. But honestly, what’s better then all of that is knowing that this couple is perfect for one another. They will last. They love each other beautifully, passionately and humbly. Their foundation is on the word of God and in Him they understand their true value and purpose. Their families will support them always. They have a community of people who will encourage and love and support them on this journey and it is going to truly be a beautiful life together. This is just the beginning!

Thank you my incredibly lovely friends for allowing me this privilege of photographing your absolutely beautiful day. I love you both so very much!!! Huge thank you to my incredible team: Amber Fox of Amber Fox Photo and Jason Filner…. amazing team! Blessings to all!

God loves me. I know this, but sometimes there are circumstances that unfold before me that show me just how much that statement is in fact truth. My new place is a love story, a “little Jesus hug” if you will {that’s right peeps, I’m finally coining that}…

So here’s how it is…

Over a year ago I went to a tattoo party at my friend Gabe’s house {the same Gabe who did my tattoo a few weeks ago, yes}. I’d never been to his place before, so when I typed in the address on my iPhone, and made it there, I was shocked that my tattoo artist friend lived in absolutely the cutest house in Fullerton. Then I went inside… man pad. I’m not gonna lie- it was a total dude house, complete with brown microfiber couch. {Sidenote: I have this theory that all single guys have brown microfiber couches. It’s been proven on multiple occasions.. or maybe I just date the same guy over and over???}. Anyway, I looked around and saw the bones of the place. Hardwoord floors, architectural details, authentic vintage door handles, and a claw-foot bathtub {I die}. I loved the balcony and how much outdoor space he had. I turned to my girl Lindsay Arnold, and said “If I ever had to live alone, this is exactly where I want to live”. And in my head, I started decorating. What would I do here, or here??… ahhh possibilities!!!

At that time, Lindsay and I had been living in a home we had purchased together 2 years before, and she had only just started dating her now husband, Chris. My friend Gabe had lived in the Amerige place for almost 2 years, and had no plans to move. Several months passed, Lindsay and Chris got engaged, and then one day shortly after their engagement, Gabe announced in lifegroup that he was moving across the country. Seriously. Out of the blue. I looked at Lindsay and she knew exactly what I was thinking (sorry Gabe, love you man). Chris had just been talking about wanting to move up from Aliso to be closer to Lindsay during wedding planning. So.. the rest I’m sure you can guess. Chris moved into Gabe’s place and saved it for the next 9 months, until this past November when I moved in. There was a 3 month gap between each of the guys leases, and in this economy, it was pretty amazing that both landlords were willing to flex and no money was lost for the guys.

How often in life have you ever said, “Lord, this is exactly what I want”. And then He gives it to you? This almost never happens. There have been many situations lately that have proved to me just how much the Lord hears me, cares for me, and loves me. This is just one of the many, but a true love gift. For some it wouldn’t matter- a home is just a place to live, but for me, my home is my place of rest and peace; a place where I bring my friends and love on them, feed them, and live life with them.. a place to enjoy the company of my clients and feel a sense of warmth and care. I love that my clients love my place and ooo and aahhh when they come to see me. My girlfriends tell me I live in a romantic comedy (hmm.. interesting..). I’m still in awe of how the Lord allowed all of that to work out. I mean, its pretty ridiculous, right? So very evident that the Lord gave me this place, and I’m so very grateful. I love it. Truly. It’s perfect.

The Amerige house is really a treasure. It is a registered historic home in Fullerton, built in 1895. I seriously have a skeleton key for my interior front door (I also have a target I’m planning to hang in the hallway, if you know what I mean.. a new hobby). My friend Kevin painted the entire place for me while I was in South Africa this summer, and then I came in and did some stenciling on my living room wall (check out Royal Design Studio). I also painted stripes in the bathroom, replaced all of the lighting in the place, and the ceiling fans and kitchen cabinet knobs and every single window covering. I spent most of the year waiting to move in, and planning, so Criags List was a major resource, along with Overstock, Home Goods, Anthropologie, West Elm, and of course the decorating blogs Young House Love, and Apartment Therapy (I’ve submitted pix to both, so we will see). If you’re curious about some of my décor, check out my pintrest from decorating. There are all sorts of links to stuff you will see in my home. I’ve seriously given up Facebook for Pintrest- its bad. I’m a little obsessed. But it was a great distraction, and a great source of fun for me.

Anyway, enjoy friends. Can’t wait to have you over for some wine!

Living Room: The wicker stools were free on Craigslist! You’ll also see a vessel with my BB logo on it. That was a handmade Christmas gift from my friend Kevin. Love. The glass vessel with corks is a collection I’ve had for a long time. If you’ve ever had a bottle with me, I assure you you are in there somewhere! I have a ton of books, so they have all been somewhat hidden in the white bookcase. And if you’ve ever wondered why my place smells so incredibly good, that gorgeous mercury glass candle next to the “I like you” book is my anthro Capri Blue, my absolute favorite. In the white  bowl, I’ve got all sorts of striped eggs from my South Africa trip. You’ll also see other Africa stuff around…. and of course Mable and I had to make a few cameos.

Kitchen.. my landlord is absolutely wonderful. In fact, she’s planning to upgrade the kitchen counters.. AND.. she’s letting me choose! The chairs were a Craigs List win- they were a hideous cherry colored wood with ugly fake leather seats, but I painted them white and recovered the seats in this awesome burnt orange fabric. Love the result. Eventually I’ll be replacing the clock with this one… perhaps for my upcoming 30th birthday??? Eeekkkk!

Bathroom, and bedroom detail…. check out that TUB!!! Ahhhhh!!!! Shower curtain is anthropologie. People always ask me where I got that awesome distressed wood shelf- Home Goods baby! And that cute little white Instax Camera was a win from WPPI last year around my birthday. That camera is awesome! More books.. they are hidden everywhere!

Bedroom…. That rad orange blown glass vessel was a gift from my Grandfather (Pop, as I call him), and I’ve also been collecting vintage cameras for a little while now. The Audrey canvas is from Ikea, and that awesome rug is West Elm (on sale!). My desk chair (which you actually can’t see all that well) was from the Salvation Army. I painted it white, and covered the seat with cool black and white fabric… same as what I did at the kitchen counter with the white and orange chairs. That cool distressed wood slatted thingy behind my leather chair was a shelf I found in an alley on a photoshoot (not kidding!, lol) and my “headboard” is handmade, just foamcore, padded and wrapped with fabric. The vintage chest, Craigs list..

And the balcony (I made those pillows, and stitched together the rug)… and I’m obsessed with succulents. I know its  a trend, don’t judge, I still love ‘em. The lights are “magical”… best place in the house, I’m out here pretty much everyday. And bonus, you can see the Disneyland fireworks out here every night! The grey wicker chair, rocking chair and table were Craigs list (the whole set was only $40!), I resurfaced them and painted them a dark grey. That was actually the very first thing I bought for my new place!

So thanks friends! Love and hugs…. Come over!!!!

OH MY GOSH! Ok, Chanelle is absolutely stunning! I seriously took over a thousand images on this shoot, and MAN, it was so difficult to narrow it down! Our day was absolutely brilliant. We started out at Bree’s salon the Grand, where Bree gave Chanelle the supermodel treatment- complete with gorgeous purpley eye makeup and fantastic spiral wrapped locks. Incredible. Chanelle looked like a dream! In our consult, she and I had discussed wanting to do something a bit more understated and with a sort of urban feel, and she had also mentioned wanting to use some of her Vietnamese culture by way of an authentic dress that her grandmother had had made for her. In fact, we ended up using two authentic Vietnamese gowns on the shoot, along with her more normal day to day wardrobe options, which, with this girl, were equally fantastic.

Chanelle is truly one of those all-around wonderful girls. She’s kind and smart and gorgeous, and involved. In fact, she started the UNICEF club at VHS, and has raised several thousand dollars for Africa in that role in only the last six months or so. Pretty amazing. Anyone who knows Chanelle knows she is incredible. I’m so excited to see what she chooses to do after high school- no doubt, she will have several fantastic options!

For our shoot, I planned a day trip to Claremont, one of my favorite little college towns. It was a perfect location for Chanelle’s look and the feel we were going for, and gave us exactly the types of backgrounds we had discussed before the shoot. Truly, perfection; with its details, and nineteen forties feel, and then a few modern areas splashed in, we had such a perfect time discovering areas for our backgrounds and playing together. We ended out shoot in the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens, which were absolutely perfect for Chanelle’s white traditional garb and bright pink umbrella {which some of you have seen- as I posted a photo from the back of my camera onto facebook, and it has made a bit of a viral circle, I’m told…}. The garden was incredible.. a perfect end to a perfect day.. well, that and the Starbucks we got right after our shoot!

Huge thanks to Angelica, and Bree!!! And Chanelle, my brilliant, smart, gorgeous girl, America’s Next Top Model?? I’m pretty sure tryouts are coming to LA in the next few months!! Do you think you could juggle that along with your post high school amazing college plans!?! I bet you could…

Last Saturday was the finale. A SoCal reception post marriage. A Celebration for everyone not in Napa attendance… a party. Lindsay got to wear her gorgeous Monique Lhuillier dress and Vera Wang flats again (smart girl), Chris wore his tailored suite, and again I donned my bridesmaid dress. Before the party was to begin, Lindsay had requested that I take some photos. In Napa, I took very few at her actual ceremony and reception at the Caneros Inn – too difficult to juggle MOH duties and do the gorgeousness of that day justice. Since I have been photographing Lindsay and Chris since they met, it seemed natural that I would take a few photos on this day.

It was cold. Much colder then earlier in the day, when we made our way to the Kellogg House for photos. We were all a bit chilled, me bouncing around to get a little warm. Lindsay and I had both gone to see Bree at the Grand earlier in the day and had commented on the beauty of the weather- you never know how things will be in December. Cold or not, it was really beautiful out. As we started trekking around the Kellogg House  we saw gorgeous patches of light breaking through in some overgrown paths. I loved the columns and arches and charm of the structure, and all the architectural details around the mansion. Taking photos, and dragging my date along (bless him for his patience with me), we took our time, got some great shots, and then had a blast at the party shortly thereafter. What a lovely way to celebrate a marriage!

Blessings friends! Love you much.. enjoy!

Christmas is right around the corner and tis the season for family portraits and designing gorgeous Christmas cards. I don’t know about you, but I still have photo cards up on my fridge from last year!! So these things need to look good!

When Yvonne contacted me about photographing her family and doing something really lovely in nature, I was really excited. Right now, eveyrthing looks so very Fall. Even though here in Socal, we don’t have that much color, I knew we could still use the saturated greens, and yellows we do get. I love Fall..

Shaun is currently a student of mine and Shania, only a freshman, will probably make it into Photo at some point in the next few years.. so it was sort of like a teaching photoshoot. I got to show Shaun my rad equipment and lenses and he even got to experiment with posing the group. So fun! It really was great to photograph this family, let them play together, and really just be themselves behind the camera. It seems many family’s settle for the traditional, studio setup photoshoot and choose their photographs for their cards from that type of photography. Not to knock this, but how often does that really look like the family as they truly are? I’m thrilled with the results of this photoshoot and can’t wait to show the family. It’s wonderful, and so very them.. Such fun!!! And their cards are going to rock those refrigerators all year long! More to come….

Meandering through the lovely streets of art museums, and random passerby, we would stop every once in a while and take some fun photographs of Monique working the camera!

This girl is absolutely beautiful; in that cute, all-American sort of way. Blond. Beautiful. AND fun. Such a cool girl. She is soft, a bit more traditional, and just a very lovely person. A lover of all things girlie, Monique is incredibly feminine, so I had to create a photo-shoot that felt soft, and lovely, and girlie. Laguna Beach suited quite well, and I was blessed to have incredible light and a gorgeous day. We started in the streets, played in some gardens, wandered down into El Moro Canyon, and finally ended down at the beach. I can’t wait for Monique to see the rest of her shoot- and for everyone else as well- it’s gorgeous!

Every blessing to this amazing, loving, and sweet Senior. I hope this year is absolutely wonderful for you!! Blessings!

As our conversation continued, and Lizzie spoke about her black boots and her slightly rough and tumble style, I knew I wanted to give her a bit of a gritty, rock-star, strong feeling environment for her shoot. This girl wouldn’t get lost if I put her in front of a crazy wild backdrop- she would stand out. So… in planning her shoot, an auto parts graveyard seemed the perfect fit; just the right amount of grit, and dirt, and metal.

After a trip to our amazing stylist Bree, at the Grand Salon in Brea, we began our journey and played with light, and style. We braved the auto parts yard- I’m pretty sure we were the only women to go in there in years (proved by the interesting looks we got the whole time we were there). It was AWESOME. Seriously, there are so many great shots from this scene. We had an incredibly great time in there. I umped up and down on several occasions- excited by the shots I was getting in this fantastic space. After the graveyard, we talked about music and boys and sports and had all sorts of fun together while driving to our next location; being girlie and checking out the gorgeous shots I was getting of this beautiful young woman from the back of my camera. Our shoot didn’t end in the auto yard, we played in some back alleys in downtown Fullerton and also had a chance to make it down into the Fullerton loop right at sunset for some softer, more traditional Senior portraits.

I’ve been feeling lately that my clients should be the first to see their photographs. It’s a change that is needed for me as a professional. I just love the excitement and joy and expressions I see when a gorgeous young woman sees how incredibly beautiful she is. It’s a priceless moment that I am continually missing by posting so many photographs from my shoots to the blog before my client has seen them. I’m sure you understand. So, I know its rough, and you might be grumbling, and since you’re probably incredibly curious about the rest of the shoot, and you may even be intensely disappointed that I’m not showing you more (or maybe that’s just my own wishful thinking…),allow me to be selfish for just a bit of time, and come back later to see more.. I promise you won’t be disappointed….

More to come… but.. LIZZIE first!

I met Abi a few weeks later. Celebrating the birthday of a fellow member of our lifegroup, several of us headed out to Matador in downtown Fullerton, and drank margaritas and chatted together as family. Abi joined the group late, and hung with Kevin most of the night, but eventually sat next to me to tell me how much she loved the wedding Kev and I had shot a few weeks earlier, and how excited she was to know me. Then, she gave me an “Abi” hug. I was hooked after the hug. I was like- that girl really likes me and I feel special! Kevin told me during our shoot that her hug was what sold him at first too. Picture: a truly socially unacceptably long hug where someone holds you in and puts their head on your shoulder. Abi is seriously like 5 inches taller then me, and she somehow can still do this. Our whole group loved her hugs… which is why I put quotes around “Abi” in “Abi” hug.. friends- you know what I’m talking about.

Over the course of the last year, it has been my pleasure and joy to get to know Abigail. We’ve had all sorts of fun together, dinner out, girls nights, painting friends houses and church services. Her finance is a dear dear friend, and now she is too. I was truly overjoyed when they asked me to be their wedding photographer.

Abi and Kevin have fun together. Abi lightens Kevin, and helps him be goofy and silly and fun. I love how Abi brings this out in my friend. He’s a better man with her. She’s a better woman with him too. He pushes her to know the Lord in a deep way, and cares for her beautifully. He’s affirming and supportive and is going to be a wonderful husband.

For our shoot, my friends asked for something more urban and stylish, so we headed to one of my favorite places to shoot- Lido Island. Then off to some grasses along PCH, and finally to Main street in Huntington Beach for some moody night light. Photographing Abi and Kevin was so much fun. They were silly and passionate- the perfect combo. And there’s simply no doubt about the chemistry between them, and the love. Abi looked absolutely stunning, and Kevin was complimenting and affirming her the entire time, looking dashing himself. We had such a great night together. I’m so very excited for their wedding in January. It’s going to be the best party ever! Can’t wait! Thank you friends for so many things… for painting my new apartment, for your friendship, for your support and love, and for just being real and amazing people! Love you big!! “Abi” hugs!

 _{And if I didn’t give you enough.. here’s the video:}