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There is nothing like getting outside and breathing some fresh air. Breaking away from the computer monitor, iPhone, iPad, TV, microwave, DVD player, and (insert any modern technological gadgetry you feel tethered to here) and soaking up some good old fashioned nature is good for the soul. Though we love shooting in cities all over the world, Megan and I are an outdoorsy duo, and we are always excited when one of our couples wants to get outside. Lisa and John met us for a session in Eaton Canyon, one of Pasadena’s great treasures. The light bounced around beautifully in a way that just begs to be photographed. We spent time chatting with these two about the big plans they have for the coming year and were particularly lured in by all of the crazy home renovations they’ve been working on. We are design junkies and can’t help but get excited about all that goes into making a house a home, especially at the beginning of a new marriage. So without further ado, I give you Lisa and John.

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We met Hayley and Daniel for a pre-wedding session at the Adamson House in Malibu. They had discovered the spot when searching for a wedding venue, and though it didn’t quite fit the bill for the big day, they loved it enough to go back and have us photograph them there for their engagements. We arrived early and scoped out the joint to find a warm sun tamed by cool coastal breeze, and better yet, we had the place all to ourselves. Hayley and Daniel were playful, fun and easy going. They trusted us in our vision and were at ease in front of the camera within seconds. We can’t wait for their big day at the Bel Air Bay Club later this year.

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We were anticipating this wedding for such a long time. When we met Karly and Teal over Skype last fall, we instantly fell in love with their story. It is the kind of story that only takes place in Hollywood. These two met right before Teal left for the Peace Corps for 2 years. Instantly they knew there was something special between them, but Karly didn’t want to get hurt, knowing he was going to be in Africa for the next two years. So, naturally they spent a great deal of time together before he left, falling madly in love. Teal even admitted to proposing before he left, but Karly turned him down, saying I’ll marry you when you get back. Through heartache and tears, Teal left for Africa. While away, Teal was told that his heart was not there, he had left his heart in Texas. Five weeks later he arrived back in Austin to surprise Karly and stay for good.

There were so many things about their wedding day that made the day so personal to them. That Saturday in April was choses specifically to coincide with Karly’s parents’ wedding anniversary. The minister who married them also married Karly’s parents. Their vows took place under a gorgeous tree on Karly’s parent’s farm and they danced the night away under the stars.

These two have the kind of love that is so right, so beautiful and contagious. During the first moments of seeing each other on their wedding day there was not a dry eye…on either side of our cameras. Karly and Teal, it was amazing documenting your wedding day. Thank you for inspiring us! You two are incredible and it was an honor to tell the story of your relationship through our lenses. Thank you for sharing it with us!

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Hanna and Alex have such a pure spirit about them. Their wedding, which has become known around our office as Dance Party 2012 was filled with people with the same pure spirit. We were welcomed and trusted by their incredible friends and family and let in on their beautiful beginning. The day was filled with laughter, tears, prayer, and a to-the-death game of rock paper scissors. Who could ask for anything more.

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Because of where we are located, one great perk of our job is the opportunity to work with like minded artists. Being close to the Mecca of filmmaking, we often get to connect with actors, directors, or filmmakers who relate to our passion for documentary style wedding photography. We love the chance to tell a truly authentic story, and honestly what better story to tell than the first day of a marriage? Connecting with Michele and Jeremy was a dream come true. Both are passionate about being involved in the film industry and when it came to their wedding they wanted to see their day told from a creative point of view. We feel so honored that they chose us to capture the intimate moments of their wedding day.

Their wedding is next fall at Union Station, and we could not be more excited for it! In the meantime, here are some of our favorite moments from their engagement shoot! As we knew they would be, they were so natural and so much fun in front of the camera. We could have documented their relationship in a cardboard box and it would have been just as exciting. Michele and Jeremy, thank you for your trust! We can’t wait for your wedding!

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We are coming to you live from the airport en route to Austin to tell another love story this fine early Wednesday morning. Even with sleep in our eyes and our hands glued to our coffee cups, we are excited for the adventure ahead. In the meantime, we thought it only right to leave you with these images of  Amanda and John who so openly invited us into their home for the first portion of their engagement session.  After good days or bad, home is where all the walls are let down and we can truly be ourselves.  There was an incredible intimacy created and we were able to capture just a glimpse of their lives. We loved every minute of hanging out with these two.

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Remember these two? While we were in Australia we also had the opportunity of doing a more casual session away from the craziness of the wedding events. We stole Linda and Chris away from their family and friends who had travelled in, for just a few hours of strolling around downtown Sydney. As you can tell from the images, it rained…a lot. But these two were amazing! They were both so laid back, and loved each other so much, that I don’t think they even noticed a single rain drop!

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Linda and Chris’s wedding was a much anticipated event for us this year. Having never been to Australia, we truly did not know what to expect. We had heard that Sydney was actually a lot like Southern California in the feel of the area and style of the people, so we figured we would be right at home. When we arrived at the airport and saw the beaming faces of Chris and Linda it was as if we were coming home and meeting old friends. Linda and Chris had asked us if we would stay with them in their home, so over many nights of dinner and wine we got to know the incredible hearts of these two. Through the extended time we were able to spend with them we felt honored to be able to see the intimacy and subtlety of their love. There is an open, heart-on-their-sleeves, honesty between these two that immediately captures your heart the instant you come in contact with them. They are a team and take such good care of each other. They have the cutest orange kitten named Cookie. They love photography and have recently started their own studio.

Flying all the way to the other side of the world also allowed us to be involved in their story the entire week of their wedding. Through their rehearsal and time spent at each of the parents’ houses, we were able to get to know their sweet families who welcomed us with open arms. And we couldn’t have been more grateful! Spending time with them reminded us that marriage is not just the union of two people, but the union families and cultures. In what at first sounded like and ode to Linda’s Armenian heritage, during his speech Chris spoke a few words in Armenian. As Linda and her entire family broke out in hysterics we soon heard the translation of  the few Armenian words he’d learned for the occasion: “…the only thing between you and your grandchildren is that wedding dress!!”

Linda and Chris, thank you for inviting us into your home, your families and your hearts! You are both incredible and we feel so blessed to have been a part of day number one of your marriage! We wish you both all the best with your marriage, your photography business, and can’t wait to see where life takes you both.

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Like so many things, it all began with a meal. When we met Kristen and Josh in our neck of the woods for a meal nearly a year ago, we fell for their story and the graceful way they care for one another. Their wedding day at the Bel Air Bay Club in the Pacific Palisades was no different. Kristen’s composure and sweet spirit was contagious and we couldn’t help but feel a part of the family while capturing she and Josh’s first moments of marriage. We often find ourselves retracing our steps, following the trail of breadcrumbs that led us into this profession. And though the crumbs are all but scattered, the path is clear. The way is marked by the powerful relationships we’ve formed along the way and led by the incredible stories we’ve yet to tell.

Kristen and Josh, thank you for letting us in on your life, and for the joy of getting to tell your story.

As I write this post from an airplane thousands of feet above the Pacific Ocean during our flight from Australia to Fiji, I am reminded how much we love to travel and how we enjoy going anywhere to tell a great story. The unique story could be in California, our own backyard, or it could be on the other side of the world. When we do travel to the other side of the world we have an incredible opportunity to emerse ourselves in other families, cultures and lives, on one of the greatest days of a new couple’s life.
Our Australia wedding will arrive on the blog soon, but in the meantime we have one of the most unique stories we have ever had the opportunity to share. Adelle and Eduardo met and fell in love at film shcool in Vancouver. One is Canadian, the other Brazillian. Adelle got a job in the US and the only way they could be together was to get married. They went to city hall and made it official, but they always wanted to do something special to commit their hearts to one another. On their one year anniversary we meet Adelle and Eduardo in the open space of Joshua Tree National Park. Just the two of us, the two of them, and an amazing officaiant, Sallie Albertina, found an arcing Joshua Tree as the backdrop for their vow renewal ceremony.
Adelle and Eduardo are video game designers. These two are playful, easy going and funloving. When they told us they were going to dress in Steam Punk attire for their day it seemed only fitting and we knew it would add to their unique story. They did not want to do anything traditional. They just wanted to laugh and play, and enjoy every moment of their day. We are completely in awe of these two. They were able to overcome so much to get to this day. They share such a unique story we are honored that they chose us to tell their story.