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Kristin & Mark are such a fun couple-- I wanted to share a few highlights of our recent engagement shoot. We shot at Mark's sister's house in Brentwood.
The house was such a great space, with plenty of opportunities for photos. Love this moment.
Although we had some private shots, Mark's niece and nephew's just had to be a part of the action...
Cute kids aside, this may be my favorite shot of the day...
Thanks Kristin & Mark for the fun shoot! I can't wait for the wedding...
LisaGay & Robin
Smog Shoppe, Los Angeles
LisaGay and Robin's wedding had all the necessary elements needed to make a wedding truly beautiful and a pleasure to watch (and photograph): passion, joy, tears and family.
I absolutely loved shooting their wedding-- every moment from start to finish. And, their wedding was featured in Real Simple Weddings Magazine seen here.
I want to focus on the elements of the ceremony that made their wedding personal and unique. There was really very little that was traditional about their ceremony. There was no aisle, no alter, no best man or maid of honor. They socialized with all the guests beforehand and we took all the family photos before as well. The Smog Shoppe is ideal for an intimate wedding-- theirs around sixty people.
The ceremony simply started with their son Azizi playing the drums while LisaGay and Robin stood (and danced) proud of his rhythm-- which was very impressive for his young age.
Michael Eric Dyson, a professor at Georgetown University, was the officiant of the wedding, and captivated everyone (including my assistant Katie, all the caterers, the planner and me) with his words. There was a moment I looked behind me, and all the vendors were stopped, watching the ceremony. He was simply a magnificent speaker. I've emailed him to possibly get a copy of what he said, as well as the quote from Anne Morrow Lindbergh he said that was so poignant to love and life. If I'm not mistaken, it may have been the following quote (either way, this quote seems relevant and captures the essence of their ceremony):
"The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what it was, nor forward to what it might be, but living in the present and accepting it as it is now"
LisaGay and Robin both wrote their own vows. Each was soulful, articulate and passionate.
Part of Robin's vows was a song he wrote for LisaGay, sung beautifully by part of the jazz trio that played throughout dinner.
They wanted to honor their family, their ancestors and each other with the ceremony. Both mothers spoke and the rings were passed through the audience, involving everyone in their marriage. They both tasted lemon, vinegar, cayenne pepper and honey to symbolize the different aspects of the marriage they were entering together.
Every person who witnessed this wedding was moved by this ceremony. I want to thank both Robin and LisaGay for letting me be a part of it.
The photos we took together before the ceremony were easy and fun. LisaGay and Robin are so in love with each each other and they both have a great sense of humor.
Their son Azizi was a delight. A great kid. His personality shines through in these photos... In the first photo, we were simply setting up a family portrait, and Azizi took his place in the front, with no direction by anyone.
LisaGay looked beautiful.
And we walked to nearby places surrounding the Smog Shoppe-- They even ran across La Cienega for me, but the pictures were worth it!
I was so honored to be a part of their wedding, and can't say enough wonderful things about both LisaGay and Robin, and their wedding. The entire event was one of the most thoughtful I have seen. The reception was fun and intimate, with a family-style dinner and dancing.
Once again, congratulations LisaGay & Robin, and thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding.
I really enjoy photographing my friends' weddings. Elizabeth is one of the sweetest ladies I know-- and I was lucky enough to capture her and Ryan's wedding. I studied at UCLA with Elizabeth-- so I've known her for quite some time now. She has found a wonderful partner in Ryan.
Elizabeth and Ryan's wedding was gorgeous-- and a bit more on the traditional side than my other clients. Her bouquet, filled with gardenias, made the entire house smell heavenly.
And her Manolo Blahnik shoes... need no description. They are simply AWESOME.
A sweet father-daughter moment.
Elizabeth has always had classic taste-- these invitations were nothing but elegant.
She looked amazing in her Liancarlo dress. Keeping with tradition, they saw each other for the first time down the aisle.
They were married at Our Lady of the Wayside in Portola Valley.
With a reception at Sharon Heights Country Club. All the decor was beautifully classic..
A big hit at the cocktail hour was the oyster-shooter bar-- they even used one of the engagment photos on the bar, which happens to be a photo of them eating oysters.
Everything about their wedding was elegant and romantic.
So naturally, I took them to a storm drain... which they still managed to look romantic in... this may be my favorite shot of the day.
They were so sweet at the reception.
I love this shot of Elizabeth and her sister and mom having a great time on the dance floor.
Thank you Elizabeth and Ryan for allowing me to capture your wedding day... Much love.
