Hefzi-ba & Daniel were married at The Grove in Sanger, and the rustic beauty of the venue was just perfect! The bride & groom are two of the sweetest people you'll ever meet and together they make a super sweet couple! They're also a super fun, lighthearted bunch, and I don't think I've ever laughed as much while shooting a wedding! Here are a few of my favorites:

   Last week I headed out to Stepping Stones Nursery in Atwater with Becca and Cody for their engagement session, then we stopped at a nearby field, where we braved the bees and thorns so that we could shoot in the wild flowers. I had a blast shooting with these two. Not only are they totally adorable (as you can see for yourself below), they also had me laughing non-stop with their sarcastic humor. I swear I forgot I was shooting a few times!

    Honestly though, Becca and Cody are a really sweet couple, and you can just tell by the way they interact that they belong together. They're passing on the traditional wedding ceremony, and eloping and going on a honeymoon. Then they're having a fall wedding reception at the McHenry Mansion in Modesto (which I'll be shooting- of course!). If their reception is half as fun as they are, then I can't wait!

California engagement sessionColumbia California engagement photography session

So, the thing about engagement sessions is that they're a great opportunity for the client to get comfortable in front of my camera. But what I don't usually tell people is that I love, love, love shooting engagement sessions. Normally, prior to the engagement session, I've really only met the couple at the consultation/contract signing, so I know very little about their personalities and who they are as a couple. So when we meet for the e-session we take our time for the shoot, we chat as we walk between shooting spots, and I really get to know the couple. And that's when I start to get excited about shooting their wedding.

When the couple is sweet, fun & totally in love, I get extra excited for their wedding! And sweet, fun & totally in love exactly describes Araceli & Julio! (So in case you didn't make the connection, I'm extra excited for their wedding!)

We recently met in Historic Downtown Columbia for their engagement session. They warned me in our little pre-shoot chat that they're not photogenic (as couples often do), but seriously, look at these two, do they look un-photogenic to you? (I'm assuming your answer is no!) Another thing that I learned about them is that although they describe themselves as a fun couple, they're also totally sweet and romantic (as evidenced by their portraits)! When I told them to cuddle up for their shots, the way Julio looked at Araceli was just magic! They're exactly the kind of couple that I love to shoot, and I'm definitely looking forward to their wedding day!

Want to see an extended preview of their pics? Check out the slideshow below. Want some info about an engagement session of your own? Email me at [email protected]

Anyone who's shot a wedding knows that they can be stressful. Sometimes you get brides who are on a warpath on their big day, or the couple seems to barely be able to tolerate one another, or we get families who badger, nag and harass you the whole day. And because we're professionals we smile and do our jobs, we still do our best and capture kick-ass images, but at the end of the day we're tired, sore, and wondering why we started shooting weddings to begin with.

Then some days you shoot a wedding, and the whole day is just right. The bride & groom are completely in love with one another, the family treats you like you're one of them, and the day feels like one big joyous celebration. On those days I leave the wedding feeling energized, with a smile on my face, and I remember just why I fell in love with shooting weddings.

Jessica & Roman's wedding was one of these days for me. The bride was stunning (actually stunning is an understatement), and the groom was exactly what every bride wants- the way he looked at her was magic! The families were amazing- though many people from the two sides were meeting each other for the first time and they came from different cultural backgrounds, they celebrated together like one big family. And they treated me and Em like we were just one of the family. It was beautiful too! Their wedding was at the Doubletree in Modesto, and the groom's employer went all out decorating the venue (he works for Bloomsters, a San Jose floral and event company- check them out: http://www.bloomsters.com/), it was gorgeous!

Anyway, enough of my rambling, you're here to see some images, so here they are:

I went out to Knight's Ferry with Hefzi-ba & Daniel a couple of weeks ago for their engagement session. And I have to say, they were just a delight to photograph! They just fit together so well! One of the best parts of my job is getting to witness other people's love stories first hand, and these two are so in love you can see the affection they have for one another in everything they do! Here's a little highlight slideshow for you to check out:

I went out this weekend with Shineka & Lamour to The Vista Ranch & Cellars in Merced, for their engagement session. They're such a fun-loving couple, and it really shows in their images! I can't wait to shoot their wedding! Here's a sneak peek of their session:

Nalayah visited me when she was just 7 days old for her newborn session. I'm in love with her name! It's just as beautiful as she is (seriously, she is an exceptionally beautiful baby)! She took a while to cooperate with us, she had a definite mind of her own! Gotta love a strong willed girl! But eventually, she gave in and allowed me to do my job. Take a look:

 When a past bride of mine, Gabriela, told be she was pregnant, I was super excited to get the chance to photograph her baby! Gabriela & Javi are two of the sweetest people you'll ever meet, and wouldn't you know their little man already has the sweetest disposition as well! He just cooperated the whole time with barely a peep from him! These are just a few pics from his session, take a look: