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Our two friends Michelle & Bendick recently got married and we couldn’t be happier for them!  They exchanged vows at the beautiful St. Mark’s Presbyterian in Newport Beach, and then the two rode into their reception in style…..as in a Bentley literally drove them into the banquet hall at the Marconi Automotive Museum!

As I was looking through the websites for the two venues, I discovered some interesting facts about them.  St. Mark’s Presbyterian was designed to be an eco-friendly church, incorporating elements like large windows to let in more natural light and planting native plants in an effort to help lower their impact on the environment.  The Marconi Automotive Museum started out as Dick Marconi’s private car collection.  He has a passion for helping children, so he eventually donated his car collection to the Marconi Foundation for Kids and created a non-profit car museum with his collection.  The Marconi Automotive Museum donates a large portion of their proceeds to local children’s charities, so if you have an event there, you’re actually supporting a great cause!

A great big thanks to Kenny Phan for shooting with me that day!

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Kenny got this cute shot of Michelle with her adorable dog!
Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle & Bendick rolled in in a Bentley!

Michelle + Bendick

Check out all the cool cars!
Michelle + Bendick

Yummy yummy desserts!
Michelle + Bendick

Our friend Ben was really into the mask!
Michelle + Bendick

A blinged out hood ornament.
Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

Michelle + Bendick

And of course I had to get a picture with the pink race car!

Lindsay and Ben had a lovely wedding down in San Diego and I had the wonderful privilege of being there to capture their day!  They exchanged vows at Solana Beach Presbyterian, then headed to Rancho Bernardo with the entire bridal party for pictures, and then partied the night away at Pearl Chinese Cuisine.  Here are a few captures from their day.  Enjoy!

Also, a great big thanks to Evan Robinson for shooting with me that day.

Ceremony: Solana Beach Presbyterian Church
Reception: Pearl Chinese Cuisine
Coordinator: Christine of Etcetera Events
Video: Aqua Vivus Productions

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Love this shot Evan got of one of the bridesmaids buttoning up Lindsay’s dress!

Lindsay + Ben

One of my favorite shots from that day!
Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

And a great detail of the ring by Evan.

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Lindsay + Ben

Just a quick note to say that I will be out of the office from August 13-20. While I’m out, I’ll have limited phone & email access, but if you have something urgent you need to get in touch with me about, I’ll do my best to respond. Otherwise, I’ll be replying to emails when I get back.

In the meantime, here are a couple of sneak peeks of what’s to come!

Michelle + Bendick

Lindsay + Ben

Stacey + Gladwin

Patricia + Kyle

Beata + Dennis

Ben + Eunice

Jeremy & I recently finished up a fun little home decorating project we had been working on.  A while back I had found these awesome green pillows by Dwell Studio on super sale at Target and just could not pass up getting them.  The only thing was they didn’t really go with anything in our living room.  We had also purchased some really cool Threadless wall decals from WhatisBlik.com but hadn’t gotten around to putting them up yet.  We originally planned to put the decal directly onto the wall, but then I came up with the idea of putting the decal on a wood panel that we could hang up on the wall.  I figured this way we could paint the panel to add a touch of color to the room, it would stand out from the wall to add a little more dimension, and it would be easier to change out later if we got tired of it.

So we headed to Home Depot for some supplies and set to work.  Here are some pictures of the process & the fruit of our labor (ok, mostly Jeremy’s labor….but I did pick the color!).

S+J

S+J

S+J

S+J

We ordered the Stone Jungle design from Blik.
S+J

S+J

TAGS: DIY

Little bottles of Martinelli’s apple juice – that’s how it all started.  WonChae first noticed Kat while grabbing lunch at the cafe in his office building.  Kat worked at the cafe and WonChae thought she was pretty, so during his breaks he would often go down to the cafe to buy a Martinelli apple juice just so he could see her.  Kat noticed WonChae as well, but she was a bit shy.  It took a little encouraging from one of Kat’s coworkers, but eventually they had their first lunch together at the cafe…and the rest is history!

I must say that Kat & WonChae are sooo sweet together!  And you can tell by the way WonChae looks at Kat that he absolutely adores her!  I also have to mention how impressed I am at WonChae’s DIY skills.  While most grooms are happy to leave all the planning & details to the bride, WonChae designed the boutonnieres, handmade Kat’s veil, and threaded together several hundred orchids to create a curtain of flowers that made for a beautiful backdrop at both the ceremony & reception!  Talk about a DIY groom…LOVE it!

Also, a great big thanks to Jean Tsai for shooting with me that day!

Venue: UCI University Club
Site Coordinator: Cindy Lee
Hair & Make-up: KellyZhang.com
Florist: Petals by Xavi
DJ: Devin of Nightlife Entertainment Mobile DJ’s & Lighting

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

The very unique boutonniere Wonchae designed & made himself.
Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Look at how lovingly he gazes at Kat!
Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Some silly photos taken by Jean at the photobooth they set up for their guests.
Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

Love this shot Jean captured of Wonchae & Kat dancing together!

And a cute ring shot by Jean with the apple juice favors.

Kat + Wonchae

Kat + Wonchae

They are such a gorgeous couple!

Jean caught the couple from a slightly different angle….love the slight sun flare!

Kat + Wonchae

Johann and I had such a wonderful time shooting Joyce & Raymond’s wedding at The Langham in Pasadena!  Although it was a slightly longer day of shooting for us, we hardly noticed because everything was planned out so well.  Since Joyce & Raymond are both wedding photographers/videographers, they knew how important it was to allow enough time for each aspect of their day, and to leave enough breathing room in the schedule so that things wouldn’t get too rushed & they would have some time to relax and enjoy their wedding day.  They also enlisted the help of coordinator Peggy Langin to make sure everything was perfectly in place & went according to plan.  When a day is planned out well, even the dozens of family portraits ends with time to spare!

I also have to mention that they hired one of my favorite video teams to capture their day.  If you have never seen Still Motion’s work, you must check it out…their work is incredible!  They did a same-day edit at Joyce & Raymond’s wedding, and although I had seen their work before, my jaw was literally on the floor when they played what they had captured & cut together that day.  Check it out here: http://www.vimeo.com/5062980

Venue: The Langham, Pasadena
Video: Still Motion
DJ: Jack Hou of TMMPRO
Lighting: TMMPRO
Coordinator: Peggy Langin

Totally in LOVE with this custom ceramic ring bowl from Paloma’s Nest!
Joyce + Raymond

0125

Joyce + Raymond

Loving this shot by Johann of Raymond getting ready.
Joyce + Raymond

Joyce & Raymond exchanged gifts that morning.  Call me a nerd but I was especially excited about the gift Joyce gave Raymond…..
Joyce + Raymond

….a Canon 5D MKII!!
Joyce + Raymond

Love this moment from their first look…so sweet!
Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

The hors d’oeuvres at The Langham were to die for!  The servers barely had a chance to step foot into the courtyard before all the hors d’oeuvres were gone & they’d have to go back for more.
Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

TMMPRO did a stunning job with the lighting!
Btw, Ray wasn’t the only one to get a new toy.  This was shot on my new 5D MKII at ISO 3200, 1/40 sec. ISO on this camera is amazing!
Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Jack Hou of TMMPRO mixing it up!
Joyce + Raymond

Joyce + Raymond

Talk about an EPIC week for these two!  Back at the end of May, Dai and Jonathan got married here in LA.  As if that weren’t a big enough deal on its own, they then flew to Chicago to attend their graduation from med school.  After that, they headed to Texas to close escrow and move into their new home.  And finally, they jetted off to the Maldives to enjoy their honeymoon!  What a jam-packed week of excitement and major milestones!  I hope you two had a nice time resting & relaxing in the Maldives before starting your residency.  Congrats again!

Btw, Jon & Dai chose to see each other before the ceremony, which gave us lots of time to take pictures of them, their bridal party, and their families!  They also told me they wanted to take pictures in a more urban setting, so I suggested the Arts District in LA since it was pretty close to their ceremony site.  I’m loving all the cool backgrounds & texture we found there!

Ceremony: Immanuel Presbyterian
Reception: Sheraton Universal
Hair & Makeup: Susie Chhour

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Susie Chhour & her team did a fantastic job with hair & makeup!
Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Loving Dai’s hair flower!
Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai’s bouquet is so pretty….I adore peonies!  (Btw, the bouquet shot is straight-out-of-camera.)
Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Love this shot Johann got!
Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

Dai + Jonathan

The best part of the night was when everyone started dancing to N*Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye”!
Dai + Jonathan

Last week Jeremy and I had a free day to ourselves (so rare!) so we spent the afternoon at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  I can’t believe we’ve never visited until now.  I had a little too much fun snapping photos of all the sea life!  And Jeremy was especially patient with me while I obsessed over all the jellyfish.  They are so fascinating to watch!

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

This was the coolest thing!  They cut away part of the egg case so you can actually see the baby shark developing inside.
Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Jeremy is like a big kid sometimes.  Here he is watching the seals & sea lions swimming around.
Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

These giant crabs look ready to battle it out!
Aquarium of the Pacific

It’s hard to tell the size of this ray from the picture, but it was enormous!  I encountered a gigantic sting ray once while snorkeling in Cancun….kinda scary!
Aquarium of the Pacific

Check out those teeth!
Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

We found Nemo!
Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

This fish was trying to bother the turtle. Doesn’t the turtle look a little irritated? lol
Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Pacific

I recently spent a lovely morning at Irvine Park hanging out with The Enloe family.  They live spread out across the country now, so since everyone was in town for Robert’s graduation, Kiri wanted to set up a shoot with the whole family.  Kiri was a bridesmaid at Sonya & Richard’s wedding, so it was great seeing her & Robert again, as well as meeting the rest of the family!

The Enloe's

Mama & Papa Enloe
The Enloe's

The Enloe siblings
The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

Love all of little Max’s different expressions!
The Enloe's

The Enloe's

Love this shot of Morgan running to give grandpa a hug!
The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

The Enloe's

One last shot of the whole family.
The Enloe's

Looks like someone’s a little tired of smiling for the camera. =P
The Enloe's