There are a lot of things that I like doing, but could not do for 10 hours straight. I could not eat In-N-Out cheeseburgers for 10 hours straight. I could not sit through 10 straight episodes of America’s Next Top Model. I could not play 10 hours worth of Starcraft (although Scott and I shamelessly played 2 hours worth the other day and it was great. Not that I’m um, into real-time science fiction video games or anything.)

But I can honestly say that I can photograph a wedding for 10 hours straight and still come out loving it in the end. Dorothy & Eric’s gorgeous LA wedding was the longest wedding I’ve shot to date and I kid you not when I say the time flew by. It could have been their beautiful wedding ceremony in LA’s Chinatown or the intimate tea ceremony held afterwards. It could have been the large banquet hall at the Universal Hilton filled with laughter, hugs, and tall white orchids. It definitely might have had something to do with her spectacular red shoes. Or maybe, just maybe, it was getting to spend the whole day witnessing their perfect love – watching Eric help hold up her dress when they walked, seeing them share a smile, being in the presence of their joy and affection.

Here are a few images from the wedding that I shot with the fabulous Serena Grace a couple months back. Thanks for having me along!

The lively reception was made even more fun with a series of games. In one, a couple’s name was chosen out of a hat and Dorothy & Eric had to kiss following the example the couple set. It changed up the whole clinking-of-glasses tradition! :)

One of the things I love most about what I do is meeting new people and going through the process of getting to know one another. But it’s an equally wonderful thing working with people I’ve worked with before. It’s like having coffee with an old friend – you pick up right where you left off, with old laughs, new stories, and a warm sense of comfort. So when Gabi contacted me to do another photoshoot, I was super excited to work with her again. This time she had a wonderful vision of creating shots with movement, images that really showcased her killer dance moves. We brainstormed locations and ended up shooting at UCLA, our joint alma mater, since it provided lots of opportunities for jumping, spinning, climbing (you know, all the normal things we Bruins used to do in between classes). I loved seeing locations on campus in a new light; little corners that I never gave a second thought to as I walked to finals with my head buried in my notes (I was one of those “cram-everything-in-30-seconds-before-the-test” type of “studiers.” Not necessarily always “effective.”)

Thanks Gabi for a wonderful session! I’m continuously amazed by your talents and wish you success in everything you do! :)

I love weddings more than I love chocolate, cute shoes, and ridiculous comedies (Harold & Kumar anyone?) combined, but engagement sessions definitely come in as a close second. There’s something about the process of growing comfortable in front of the camera that is so endearing. I love seeing couples open up as the session unfolds and seeing the unique pieces of their relationship emerge. He makes her laugh with a silly comment, she playfully touches his arm, they crinkle their noses and share a kiss – it’s always a little different and it’s always beautiful.

Elizabeth and Minho were no exception. They were fun, spontaneous, and so in love. We started at the amazing Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro and drove along the coast in search of the perfect backdrops for their relationship. I was so excited by all the fun places we found to shoot that this post ended up being little lengthy. Okay, a lot lengthy. If you make it to the end, you should definitely get some kind of shiny Blog-Olympics type medal.

A huge thank you to Elizabeth and Minho for such a fun engagement shoot. I absolutely cannot wait until your wedding later this month!

Starting off at the Friendship Bell… could her bouquet be anymore exquisite?

The view was spectacular! I am definitely making a trip back soon with a picnic basket in tow!

We drove up the coast a couple miles and they introduced me to this perfect little location!

A bit more north to Hermosa Beach and the Hermosa pier, where they etched their names in the sand: