I always love when a couple chooses a meaningful spot for their engagement photos. Like perhaps, the pretty courtyard of a Thai restaurant where they had their very first date? These kinds of memory-filled locations just instantly seem to have a certain magic to them – you’re transported back to those moments where you had your first quiet conversations, shared your first laughs, where you felt that excited pitter-patter and that glow in your heart, and secretly hoped and wished with all your might that they felt it too. Because a pretty backdrop is pretty backdrop, but it becomes all that more beautiful when it’s a paramount piece in the story of your relationship :)

I had so much fun exploring Pasadena and visiting the gorgeous Saladang Song for this shoot! MaiKhanh and Jeff are so awesome – I remember at our first meeting it felt like we had a million things to talk about, and I loved getting to continue our conversations over delish Thai food at the end of the session. (And on that note, I realized the past couple sessions I’ve posted here have concluded with a delicious meal. I suppose it’s a cold hard fact – if you like food, we’re going to get along just swell :)

I always love photographing at the Pasadena City Hall and this time of year was especially perfect, with pretty flowers in bloom around every corner! Frances and Andrew are super laidback and happily went along with my every whim (“can you hold this flower?” “LET’S THROW PETALS!”) and I adore how soft and romantic this session came out. They also have the sweetest and most fun chemistry together, which just added to all the wonderful romanticky-ness of this session :)

Their wedding at the Walt Disney Concert Hall next month {coordinated by my dear dear friend Jenn Yamauchi} is sure to be amazing!

P.S. Frances’s beautiful make-up is by Kelly Zhang, whose studio is right down the street in Pasadena! :)

Engagement sessions at home will never cease to steal my heart. This coziness, this relaxation, this warmth – it’s something I strive to capture at every session, and with an intimate backdrop like a home, these qualities just seem to come out so easily & naturally.

Candice & James recently purchased their first home together, a little 1920s style house with the loveliest little backyard. Hardwood floors, vintage windows, a breakfast nook, lemon trees, ivy creeping against walls – it all comes together to form a canvas against which so many wonderful memories will be made! I fell in love with this amazing couple & their beautiful new space :)