Paula + Jay: Beach Wedding

10/22/2014 10:55:00 AM Unknown 0 Comments

If you recall, earlier in the year when I was first getting my start in wedding photography, I pimped myself out on Craigslist, offering to shoot a wedding for free.  Then later in the week I got an email from Paula who explained that her soon-to-be-husband had a soft spot for beginning photographers seeing as he previously worked as a wedding photographer and knew the business.  My heart was overjoyed that I would get the chance to shoot my first wedding, but little did I know it would actually end up being my second wedding since I was contacted by another couple before Paula and Jay's big day came.

This past summer I worked in Massachusetts as the photographer for an elite girls soccer camp.  I got to be part of the camp and experience what it's like to live in the boonies of East Otis, but I also got the chance to shoot soccer celebrities like Mia Hamm and Heather O'Reilly.  After our first week of camp, however, I took a quick flight home to San Diego to squeeze in Paula and Jay's wedding before darting back to finish the rest of the summer on the east coast.

It was the 5th of July, about 85 degrees and sunny.  I showed up at the cottage where Paula was getting ready with her two sisters and I began to snap some photos.  I was surprised at how calm everyone was and how low-maintenance the bride was being (which is a good thing!  I was ready for a bridezilla but did not find one!).  From there we meandered to the resort where the ceremony was to be held and everything was set and ready to go.  Before I knew it, she was walking down the aisle.  Her fiance, Jay, was beaming throughout the entire day and for an older couple, it was just the cutest thing to see them so happy and lovey all day long, as if they were high school sweethearts.  The reception felt like a family dinner and the dancing capped off a great night of family, food, and love.  It was truly a great day, and a great way to spend my 4th of July weekend!  Paula and Jay thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to shoot your wedding, and for helping me so much in my aspirations.
























Carlsbad Seapointe Resort
Carlsbad, CA
Saturday, July 5, 2014

The Perez Family, P. I

10/10/2014 12:49:00 PM Unknown 0 Comments

Not even three years ago I began working at a cutting-edge restaurant in Cerritos where people ordered from an iPad and it was all the rage.  While working there I had many of my bigger life milestones (getting married, moving into a new home, having reconstructive hip surgery, my husband being laid off and unemployed, etc.) but I also met a lot of cool people.  One of those people was Claire, and I remember since the moment I met her I was fascinated by her life.  When we started working together I only knew that she was once an olympic level gymnast but after a few months I came to learn she was also married (a score, as I was starting to feel alone as a young married concierge!) and that she had a beautiful daughter too!  As time went on Claire eventually left the restaurant to pursue being a full time mom, but little did I know they would soon be expecting a second bundle of joy!

I started my photography business early in the year and over time I guess my social media skills reached in the right direction because Claire re-found me and asked me if I could take some maternity photos of her 36-week belly before her due date for her second baby came.  I was so excited, I had never done maternity photos apart from my sister and one other friend who was just barely showing, so this was quite the experience for me.  Claire is absolutely stunning and her family was as adorable as I imaged they would be.  We met up at Seal Beach and grabbed a few photos before sundown and it was a great time all around.  Her daughter--Ariana--played in the water and was soaked within seconds, which I thought might compromise our shoot, but Claire picked her up and held her for their photos as if she were as warm and dry as ever.... props to you, Perez Family, may your love keep flowing as abundantly as it was that day!! :)