film photography

Leo Carrillo Beach Engagement Session in Malibu

Leo Carrillo Beach Engagement Session in Malibu

Cindy and Anson’s engagement session at Leo Carrillo State Beach was all about soft pastels with a dose of bright colored tulips and breathtaking ocean views. This was a day with beautiful weather, blue skies and very strong winds, which offered us a fun little challenge. :)

These two lovebirds actually already got married, and are planning their wedding reception for next year. They have such great chemistry and are the loveliest people! I loved spending an evening together with them in Malibu and being a third wheel while they took romantic strolls along the beach ;)

(Engagement Session at Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu; Fine Art Film Wedding Photographer based in Los Angeles, Southern California)

Mission San Juan Capistrano Engagement Session | Beatrice & Albert

Mission San Juan Capistrano Engagement Session | Beatrice & Albert

Engagements season is still in full swing and I’m editing up a storm over here!

Beatrice and Albert’s engagement session started at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Every single corner of the grounds is like a postcard with so many cute little nooks for gorgeous photos! Afterwards we stopped at a nearby park for some golden hour photos in the field. It was my first time meeting Beatrice and Albert in person, so I absolutely loved this time that we got to spend together. Not only are they impossibly beautiful together but also two of the sweetest people!

(Engagement shoot at the Mission San Juan Capistrano; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement film photographer)

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey - Intimate and Simple Lifestyle Session | Victoria & James

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey - Intimate and Simple Lifestyle Session | Victoria & James

Holidays proposals are everywhere this time of year. Winter and early spring is also the time that couples start planning their wedding day, which is often when the question about doing an engagement session pops up. A lot of couples who are drawn to simplicity and intimacy in photos find themselves wanting to do an at home lifestyle session, which have been getting more popular in the last year. For Victoria and James' session, we wanted to show what a morning during their staycation might look like. 

We chose the beautiful Ritz in Marina Del Rey for its bright and large rooms that would bounce the light off beautifully. It was intimate look into the beginning of their day - a bright morning drinking coffee and enjoying the SoCal sunshine on the balcony. No frills of fancy wardrobe or "picturesque" location - just the comfort and joy of being next to your loved one. 

(At Home / Lifestyle couple session shot on film in Marina Del Rey; Los Angeles based film wedding and engagement photographer)

Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, Lake Garda Wedding in Sirmione, Italy | Nicole and Mitchell

Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, Lake Garda Wedding in Sirmione, Italy | Nicole and Mitchell

There are very few places that are as magical as Italy, and I have been so lucky to have documented Nicole and Mitchell's wedding there this fall. And let me tell you - it was nothing short of spectacular. The most beautiful and sweetest couple, incredible views, gorgeous gowns, delicious food, amazing music and surprise fireworks during the cake cutting - talk about a wedding fairytale! 

It's easy to understand why Nicole and Mitchell decided to settle on this location for their Italian destination wedding. Villa Cortine Palace Hotel is tucked away in the beautiful town of Sirmione, in Lake Garda in Northern Italy. Dating from the 19th century, the grounds of this neoclassical luxury hotel are truly breathtaking and the hospitality here is one of a kind.

I am so excited to share a few of my personal favorite highlights from this beautiful wedding - it was what wedding dreams are made of!

(Wedding day at the Villa Cortine Palace Hotel, Sirmione, Italy; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement film photographer)

Paris Honeymoon Shoot | Monica and Tim

Paris Honeymoon Shoot | Monica and Tim

Tim and Monica tied the knot in California, and Paris was always on their list of places to visit together ever since they first started dating. They began their honeymoon trip in Rome and Positano, and Paris to be their last stop before heading back home. 

I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to work with these two! We started the shoot with the view of the Eiffel Tower, then made our way to a cute Parisian cafe, and ended at the Tuileries Garden. Tim and Monica could not have been any cuter - I loved everything about this honeymoon session, but most of all, the chemistry that these two lovebirds have together. So excited to share a few of my favorites! 

(Honeymoon session shot on film in Paris, France; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement fine art photographer)

Villa del Sol D'Oro Wedding Editorial in an Italian Villa

Villa del Sol D'Oro Wedding Editorial in an Italian Villa

Claire of Mad Love Events:

 "When I first met Anya, of Anya Kernes Photography, I felt an immediate connection to her shared love for romance, softness, movement, and natural lighting. We found inspiration after a quick season of rain - much needed in Southern California. Suddenly, there was so much life that came so quickly, nurtured by the rain and the season. We found a beautiful venue (Villa del Sol d'Oro), now completely lush with greenery, blooming buds, and a spattering of delicate wildflowers. It was a breath-taking setting for us to put together our vision - we had a flawless combination of luscious greenery in the garden, beautiful post rain lighting, stone walls and walkways, and gorgeous olive trees.  We were intentional in embracing natural softness and movement using raw linens, mostly foraged greenery used in the bouquet & centerpieces, flowing silk ribbons to put together a shoot that celebrated romance and the the beauty that comes with spring rain in California."

(Fine art romantic editorial at Villa Del Sol D’Oro shot on film; wedding and engagement photographer based in Los Angeles)

Malibu Creek State Park Engagement Session, Malibu | Viktoriya and Aleks

Malibu Creek State Park Engagement Session, Malibu | Viktoriya and Aleks

I don't have favorite couples with this one exception. :) Being a wedding photographer, I spend a lot of time with different engaged couples and can safely say that my sister, Viktoriya, and her beau, Aleks, cannot be any more perfect for each other. 

We took these photos in Malibu Creek State Park right before I left for Europe and it was so nice to spend some extra time with these two. It made me one happy girl to work with Mulberry and Moss, who created this beautiful organic bouquet full of tulips, sweet peas, ranunculus and garden roses. Veronica at Kelly Zhang Studio kept the hair and makeup so natural and flawless. 

It was a different kind of challenge photographing someone who is so close to me, and I absolutely love the way these turned out. I cannot be any happier that these two amazing humans found each other - they are so playful, loving, joyful and absolutely head over hills for each other.

(Malibu Creek State Park engagement session on film; Wedding, engagement, and boudoir film photographer in Los Angeles, CA)

Desert Bridal Editorial, Valley of Fire

Desert Bridal Editorial, Valley of Fire

This desert shoot in the Valley of Fire that Allen and Ashley dreamed up couldn't have been more chic, elegant and beautiful. They put together a dream team, like Layers of Lovely who created the most organic and gorgeous bouquet overflowing with all kinds of blush and peach beauties. And of course, it couldn't have been possible without that magical desert light that my film just soaked up and the wind that made everything come alive. I loved being a part of this little project! 

(Editorial styled shoot in the Valley of Fire; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

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