Sarah & Fredrik - Beautiful wedding in Malibu hills

Sarah & Fredrik - Beautiful wedding in Malibu hills

Tucked away just off the PCH, lies this modern and beautiful Malibu estate, where Sarah and Fredrik said their "I do's" among their closest friends and family. 

The guests, that are both California locals, as well as those that came from the lands of Norway, enjoyed beautiful ocean views of this Malibu estate throughout the day, while sipping on 'his' and 'her' cocktails and delicious beer they could get from the cutest self-serving beer station you've ever seen. Sarah wore a gorgeous Allure Bridals dress in a light creme color, which Fred was sure to match with the color of his tie. He was dressed in Moods of Norway, and I don't think anyone else would be able to pull it off as good as a true Norwegian.  

Sarah and Fredrik picked an amazing team of wedding professionals, who made the day a breeze (no pun intended). Alissa Hussey made sure the day ran flawlessly and Butterfly Floral added the perfect touch of romance with gorgeous white flowers everywhere. This was a true fairy tale wedding. A Norwegian king with his Malibu princess - may they live happily ever after! 

(Wedding photography in Malibu, CA; Los Angeles based fine art wedding and engagement photographer)

Angie & Eugene - Beach Engagement Session in Palos Verdes, CA

Angie & Eugene - Beach Engagement Session in Palos Verdes, CA

Eugene and Angie knew right away that they wanted to go to the beach for their engagement session, and we settled on a little trail in Malaga Cove. The beautiful views of Palos Verdes cliffs sure didn't disappoint!

We had to reschedule their session once before since Eugene had sprained his ankle playing basketball and was in a cast for about a month. He had just taken off his cast a week prior to the shoot, and was still totally up for doing (and climbing) wherever it takes to get the shot! They also brought along Pepper and Peanut, their adorable puppies, to the shoot who were on their best behavior. 

Needless to say, these two looked absolutely gorgeous during this dreamy beach session and made my job a total breeze. I had the best time photographing their engagement shoot and cannot wait for their wedding this fall! Here are a few of my favorites!

(Palos Verdes beach engagement session; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Amanda & Arash - Engagement Session in Malibu Creek State Park

Amanda & Arash - Engagement Session in Malibu Creek State Park

I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Amanda and Arash for their engagement shoot at Malibu Creek State park. Pint-size Amanda has a huge and vibrant personality; she's the perfect fit for Arash, who is her more calm, pragmatic counterpart. 

These two are very ambitious professionals and both of their lives run a million miles a minute, but in the midst of their careers, they have built something truly special in their relationship. Throughout their engagement session, they were never shy about showing their affection, playfulness, and adoration with each other. They sure don't take themselves too seriously and are just so fun to be around!

Malibu Creek State Park was as an ethereal setting as always; currently, there are fields of yellow flowers in bloom, some were as tall as us! As a photographer, it's so fun to see how this location evolves and changes seasonally.

Amanda and Arash's wedding is this November at the Turnip Rose Promenade and Gardens in Costa Mesa, and if their engagement shoot is any indication, it's going to be a whimsical, wonderful affair. Congratulations to the lovely couple! November, here we come! 

(Engagement session in Malibu Creek State Park; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Lorraine & Carlos - Organic Spring Garden Wedding at The 1909

Lorraine & Carlos - Organic Spring Garden Wedding at The 1909

This spring wedding was just the dreamiest from beginning to end!  

Hidden in the hills of Malibu, The 1909 was the perfect intimate setting for Carlos and Lorraine's day. They made sure to only include the wedding traditions that were important to them, and opted out of having a bridal party. We had more time for the romantics and they were able to join their family and friends for cocktail hour.   The details were simple and organic with gorgeous florals by Violette's Flowers and calligraphy by Brenda Rodriguez Calligraphy, which added just the right amount of whimsy. It was also amazing working with the talented Susan of Weddings by Susan Dunne - the day couldn't have gone more smoothly!  

This wedding day was filled with so many beautiful moments and I was beyond honored to be there to document it. Warmest wishes on their one month anniversary!

(Garden spring wedding at the 1909 in Malibu; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Matt, Inese & Bacon - Goldendoodle Portrait Shoot!

Matt, Inese & Bacon - Goldendoodle Portrait Shoot!

Meet Bacon, the  most adorable four month old goldendoodle. His parents, Latvia-born beauty Inese and California native Matt, met on the east coast and have been married for seven years.

Matt and Inese reached out to me to do a photo shoot with the newest addition to the family. They are both wedding photographers, and getting booked by fellow photographers was such a treat and the ultimate compliment! We did Bacon's portrait session at San Juan Capistrano. The park that the guys picked was the idyllic setting for this family shoot - so much greenery and a vast flower field in bloom that was nearby. Bacon behaved splendidly and the following day he was treated to a well-deserved grooming session, although if I were him I would have requested his namesake treat instead! (But that's just me :)

If you need another Bacon fix follow him on Instagram @bacon.the.doodle where he has over 2000 followers. Congratulations to the picture-perfect family on their new furry addition!

(San Juan Capistrano goldendoodle photography portrait session; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Brittany & Nick - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

Brittany & Nick - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of taking some engagement photos for the most dreamy couple. California natives, Nick and Brittany met in December 2015 through their work, and fell in love soon after. They both love traveling, exploring the great outdoors, and helping people in need; Brittany is a nurse at UCLA and her beau, Nick, is a firefighter and paramedic. 

They plan on tying the knot this October, with an outdoor wedding at the stunning Triunfo Creek Vineyards. Brittany tells me her mother has been a great help with the wedding planning and ironing out the details for her special day. The engagement shoot took place at my favorite Malibu Creek State Park and their outfits were totally on point with these neutral pastels; Brittany did confess to raiding her sisters closet pre-shoot. :) 

In July these lovebirds will be taking a pre-nuptial trip to Iceland, where surfer-loving Nick plans to practice his new hobby, photography. Welcome to the light-chasers club Nick! 

(Engagement session in Malibu Creek State Park; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement fine art photographer)

Erin & Mario - 'Day After' Session in Malibu Creek State Park, CA

Erin & Mario - 'Day After' Session in Malibu Creek State Park, CA

I recently had the pleasure of doing a "day after" session with lovely newlyweds, Erin and Mario. This charming couple said their vows at their local courthouse and met me at Malibu Creek State Park dressed in their finest, to capture some of that post-wedding glow.

Personally, I love day after sessions; the deed is done, the stress is over with, and there is plenty of honeymoon bliss for me to capture. Like many couples in the digital age, Erin and Mario met online. On their first date Mario wooed Erin with a romantic steakhouse dinner. Both newlyweds were born and raised in L.A, they are both self-proclaimed foodies, and they share a deep love for dogs. They even brought their three furry friends to the shoot, which I thought was a sweet and sentimental touch.

Malibu Creek State Park was a perfect backdrop as usual. Erin and Mario matched each other perfectly, they were both elegant, and a joy to capture. I would like to send the happy couple my warmest wishes on their new journey. Congratulations Mario and Erin!

(Day After session in Malibu Creek State Park; wedding and engagement photographer in Los Angeles, CA)

Jia-Wen & John - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

Jia-Wen & John - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is being able capture hidden from the rest of the world interactions between two people in love. 

I had the pleasure of doing an engagement shoot with Jia-Wen and John this past weekend; a handsome power couple from the finance world, who are getting married in Calamigos Ranch in Malibu later this year. Jia-Wen and John had warned me that they are slightly uncomfortable in front of the camera, as most couples do. But, as it often happens, mid-way through their engagement session they loosened up and the raw emotion seeped through the lens, resulting in gorgeous photos of the two lovebirds!

Although couple chemistry is a surefire way to beautiful engagement photos, wardrobe plays a huge role too. John and Jia-Wen coordinated their outfits for their session perfectly; outfitted in faded blues and pale maroon, the couple looked amazing against the backdrop of a sunset in Malibu Creek State Park. Wardrobe is a very important factor in making photographs shine, and I am always available to advise my clients on flattering tones and complimenting fabrics.

Can't wait to document their wedding - October, here we come!

(Engagement shoot at Malibu Creek State Park, CA; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

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