Another fun session in downtown LA!

I feel like everytime I step into downtown there’s a new little nook to explore and a little more buzz and vibrancy to the city – it’s constantly changing and I love it! I have a friend who recently purchased a shiny new loft in the heart of downtown, and on a recent visit, he explained of possible light rail installations, the restoration of Broadway & all the theaters that line it, all the new restaurants and bars that are popping up – it makes me super excited to think that one day our little downtown may join the ranks of other bustling city centers (SF? Chicago? NYC?) and be the cool place to hang :)

On that note, downtown was such a perfect spot for Jackie & Glen’s session! :) I love their nod towards pretty vintage style and how they subtly brought that into the session. As we strolled through Angel’s Knoll Park {insert squeals about 500 Days of Summer & JGL! JGL! here}, they described their love of all things vintage and how they go antique store-hopping on the weekends. So sweet!

This is an engagement session in the most literal sense – as in, they got engaged DURING THE SESSION. I love how the universe pulled everything together for this one.. a quick timeline of how everything transpired –

- Linda, soon-to-be engaged and ridiculously sweet, emails me regarding photographing her wedding this year.
- I find I’m unfortunately already booked in the month she was looking at.
- Super bummed-ness all around.
- A few weeks pass, I get an email from Reggie, saying he’ll be proposing to Linda soon, he knows we were in contact, and would I photograph the proposal?
- HECK YEAH.
- We plan it all out ninja-style (complete with code texts – I believe Reggie had me inputted in his phone as “Aunt Amy.”)
- The proposal happens at the lovely Santa Monica beach, we do portraits afterwards around the pier, and I get to work with this amazing couple after all!

I love shooting in Palos Verdes! It feels like an extension of my backyard. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Torrance, and you’re met with cliffs, breathtaking views, and quiet solitude. My sister and I drove up once (pre-SLR days), and took pictures in one of the random fields with a point-and-shoot. And now, years later, I get to make pictures of amazing couples in the same area? Life is awesome, yes? :)

Hanaya and Darren are the types of people who bring the happy with them wherever they go. They both share a super sweet and mellow vibe, and complement each other so so perfectly. We’ll all be heading back up to PV for their wedding in July!

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