I promise I’m way better at this blogging thing.  First off, congrats to Amanda and Herb!  They got married earlier this May off the Amalfi coast in Italy.  It was just the two of them.  I wish I was able to sneak myself into their luggage, I wish.  After their honeymoon/wedding they returned to the States to celebrate with family and close friends.  We’re incredibly lucky for the chance to document the occasion (one of two receptions that weekend).  The lunch reception was held at Tra Vigne in St. Helena, CA.  What a beautiful outdoor venue for an intimate wedding.  I just love the tree canopy over the court yard.  It helped shield the rain that moved in on the reception later.  It was unfortunate we had to cancel wedding portraits due to the sudden downpour.  Since the weekend was already a busy one with a second dinner reception to follow the very next day we were unable to reschedule the shoot.  I wanted to sob because we were in such a scenic area.  Amanda and Herb now lives in Belgium.  I’ve never thought of traveling to Belgium, but it’s now on my list if I ever find my way to Europe and maybe one day soon we can reschedule the shoot.  Sounds like a terrific idea, huh?

I just want to share a few images from a bridal/fashion photoshoot I took part in last month in the Nevada desert.  There will be more to come as well as a post on my first experience at WPPI this year in Las Vegas!  It’s been a month and I think I’m finally recovered =).

And a  shout out to these guys for making this photoshoot possible!

Event Organizer – emma and josh smith www.emmajanephotos.com
Bridal Gowns – La Belle Elaines- Seattle www.labelleelaines.com
Fashion Wear – Jeauneroe Designs
Accessories – Renee Pawele www.reneepawelebride.com
Hair/Makeup – Liz www.hairbylizz.com
Special Thanks to Pixel2Canvas www.pixel2canvas.com and Adorama www.adorama.com

This past October we had the opportunity to assist Sina Ngov of Vaylia Photography with a wedding in sunny southern California.  The fact that Vaylia Photography got voted #1 in 2010 for Best Photographer on San Diego’s A-List made it quite a privilege.  We also couldn’t ask for a better couple to work with.  Monica and Steve are incredibly sweet and their wedding turned out to be one of the most fun we’ve had on the job.  Our day started out with the groom and his groomsmen on the naval base grounds on Coronado Island.  It was a calm and relaxing morning before the wedding ceremony which took place at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown San Diego.  After the ceremony the whole wedding party stopped at a taco stand to snack.  Monica claims she can’t go without San Diego tacos.  It doesn’t matter where she’s at in the world, she misses her San Diego tacos and I have to say those tacos were good!  Then it was off to take group photos back on Coronado Island at the famous Hotel del Coronado.  This place is beeeeautiful and I can’t wait to go back to spend more time there if I’m in the area again.  I heard that summer came late for San Diego-ians, but I was glad it wasn’t too hot that weekend.  It was a beautiful day.  After the photos it was party time back at the Island Club on the naval base.  The reception was so much fun!  I think I laughed and smiled all night long.  I laughed because there was never a dull moment in the night.  I smiled because there was just so much love in the room I honestly felt like a close friend to the couple despite never meeting them until the wedding.  Even when Sina had dismissed us from our shifts we still hung around.  I even ate two (okay, maybe three) slices of cake =).  We want to thank  Monica and Steve for taking such great care of us (all the wedding vendors actually).  Of course again we can’t thank Sina enough for giving us this opportunity.  We hope to cross paths and collaborate again in the future!  Now here are some images from this sweet and beautiful day.

You know, sometimes you just know.  I’ve known Jeff since high school through his sister who was one of my close high school friends.  Over the years, girls came and went.  Some stayed around longer than others and I’ve even had the chance to call some of them friends.  When Christine entered his life though I knew she could be the one.   This bond felt different from the others.  Sometimes you just know.  When the time was right I couldn’t be happier for the both of them.  It was with greatest pleasure to have witnessed and be a part of their amazing wedding.  There were so many great memories from Cancun and the wedding just topped it off.  It was the fireworks show that went off at the end of the most memorable group trip ever.  Sometimes people think that because we’re taking pictures that we’re not really allowing ourselves to enjoy the wedding (especially a close friend’s wedding).  That’s not true because I felt I had the best seat in the whole house (or in this case on the beach) to be able to capture their union surrounded by their friends and loved ones.  It definitely helps that the bride and groom were so chill and relaxed throughout the trip and on the big day.  Christine and Jeff got married at the Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort on Miramar beach.

To view more pictures from the wedding click here for their slideshow! Christine and Jeff, I’ve always dreamed of having a beach wedding… THANK YOU for giving me the experience even it was second-hand.  They’ve really set the bar high now for any of our future friends getting married.  I vouch for destination weddings for all of them!

I think this is like the longest I’ve gone without blogging (on any of my blogs).  I sort of have an excuse though.  I was out of the country for half of the month and now I have lots of blogging to do on that.  Well, I’m happy to be back and away from Cambodia’s scorching weather.  I was so relieved to breathe in cooler and fresher air.  Speaking of the weather I think the seasons here are having an identity crisis.  I loved that we skipped winter and  spring came super early this year, but right now it feels more like winter!  We had two engagement shoots this past weekend (luckily no rain) and I always feel so bad for our couples when it’s cold, windy, or wet.  I mean we have the easy job since we’re not the ones trying to look good and comfortable.  The feeling quickly disappears though when our clients tell us later how much fun they had.  I’m always happy and glad to hear that despite the rain, wind or cold.  It means we accomplished part of our job :).

The return of cold air is totally reminding me of Christine &  Jeff’s engagement session.  It was freezing that day!  It’ll be a totally different atmosphere exactly two weeks from today when we arrive in Cancun for their destination wedding.  I’m so excited, but I’m not yet ready to get onto a plane again.