I am uber excited to share this engagement session for a few reasons: (1) it was for Scott’s beautiful sister Lauren & her sweet fiance Josh, (2) it was personalized to fit them & their relationship to a tee, and (3) it involved amazing, delicious, get-in-mah-tummy FOOD!

From the first time they met, Lauren & Josh bonded over their love of good food and wine, and cooking together immediately became a pastime that they shared. When they suggested a “cooking” theme for their session, I was SO on board – by choosing something that was special to their relationship, the session was innately and wonderfully unique. Lauren & Josh put such thought into all the details, crafting up a colorful menu, busting out their cute aprons, and cracking open one of their favorite wines. The result – a wonderful themed engagement session that just shone with their personalities!

Lauren & Josh save the corks (in these perfect apothecary jars!) from all the wine bottles they have enjoyed together & with friends over the years:

I loved this “Lady & the Tramp” inspired shot, but Scott later suggested it would have been even better if Josh had rolled a tomato towards Lauren with his nose. Ha!

After the cooking was done, we headed to the park right across the street to finish up the session. I have lived by and visited this park since I was a wee little child, but I never imagined it’d be so awesome for an engagement session! Train tracks + pretty light? YES PLEASE!

Stay tuned for their beautiful vineyard wedding coming up next! They were married at the amazing Firestone Vineyards in Los Olivos, which is pretty much my new favorite town! (A large contributing factor to this is the fact that it houses the most amazing cupcakes known to man.)

We loved spending the afternoon with Tina & Sam! Tina is full of energy – vivacious, lively and all smiles. Sam is her warm and easygoing counterpart. And together they fit just perfectly – like puzzle pieces, like peanut butter and jelly, like frosties and fries – and it was a joy watching them interact in their element and getting to know them better before their wedding day. I love when couples trust us to do our thang and run with our style during sessions, but I also love when they throw in some fun ideas of their own. Tina was full of great ideas that really personified their session – and there was one particular one at the end that was definitely a first for us! :)

We started off in downtown LA and then headed west to Santa Monica to finish up the session at the pier. Tina & Sam – we had so much fun and can’t wait for your wedding next month!

Loved her flowy, ethereal dress – it was perfect for the session!

And a surprise at the end… just as we were finishing up the shoot, Tina pulled a switcheroo and asked if she could snap a few of us! It marked the first time Scott and I have had a client take our photo and as you can see, we definitely have some practicing to do and awkwardness to dissipate before we can work it like all our couples do on the other side of the lens! *sheepish grin*

When we first meet up with our couples for their engagement session, we always start by catching up a bit, chatting about the wedding, and then going over a quick description of how engagement sessions usually flow – that I’ll be giving some direction, but the ultimate goal is to capture you, the two of you, in your natural element being your totally awesome natural selves. And at the end of this recap, almost every time, the super sweet and beyond adorable couple claims that they’re horribly bad with photos. And every time, they go on to totally rock and make my camera fall madly in love with them :)

Jaenee & A were no exception. I met with Jaenee last year over gelato-filled mochi and she was one of the first clients to book me for 2009. Jaenee was so warm and so excited about her wedding, and had such trust in my photography, which meant the world to me, especially at that time when I was still somewhat of a newbie. On a sunny Sunday afternoon last month, I drove down to Seaport Village in San Diego to meet up with Jaenee & A for their engagement session. And as I mentioned before, their inspirational love and fun personalities made them so easy to work with. They’re getting married in just 2 (yes 2!) days in San Diego and we are beyond giddy with excitement to see them again soon!

Jaenee & A have this phenomenal coordinated walk that they do. Love it!

Scott captured the next one – love that juicy light!

After a change of clothes (check out that fabulous dress.. and the shoes, the shoes!), we headed to the San Diego Convention Center for a few more photos:

Loved this aqua wall. And don’t pockets on dresses make them that much more perfect?

I would have loved to take credit for this cute shot, but it was all their idea! :)

We finished up with some shots in the garage & fun with off-camera lighting…