Amy & Mike Engaged! | San Diego Wedding Photographer

Allow me to introduce, Amy & Mike! Aren't they really really ridiculously good looking?


Amy's sister, Jillian, and I went to graduate school together at SDSU. I was so excited when Amy (who lives in LA) wrote to tell me that was getting married in San Diego and that she and her fiancé were looking for a photographer. Thank you Jillian for the recommendation! Anyways, I knew that it was going to be a fun wedding within seconds of meeting them and I wanted in! Amy & Mike are a very relaxed and fun-loving couple, so I'm predicting happy tears and a packed dance floor at their celebration in August!






At first Amy & Mike just wanted to do photos at the wedding, but I told them that I really thought they would enjoy an engagement shoot as well. Engagement shoots are a great way for me to get to know a couple in front of the camera -- what kind of angles/lighting/framing they like, which goofy smile they like/don't like, how they interact with each other -- and this makes the wedding pictures even better!

Sometimes grooms are apprehensive about booking an engagement shoot because they have never been in front of a camera for a long time, or they think they'll feel awkward posing with a cheesy smile for hours, but my grooms always walk away really glad they did it. And I think it is because I don't make them pose -- I just tell the couple to have fun together and I take pictures while they play!

Mike was one of those grooms that took a little convincing, but I heard him say "That was really fun," as he walked to his car. ;) Amy & Mike's photoshoot was very spontaneous and we spent the whole time laughing, so I'm not surprised he had a good time!








Thanks Amy & Mike! I can't wait for the wedding!!!

Michelle & Vikram Part 3 | San Diego Engagement Photographer

Remember these two -- Michelle and Vikram? My cousin and soon-to-be cousin? I knew you couldn't get enough of their goodness, so I thought I'd give you one more post from their engagement shoot. For this session, I invited the rest of the family -- their puppies -- to join in the fun :)






I know little kids love dogs, but let me tell you, Abbey LOVES these dogs. She keeps asking me when "Shell" is going to come back and bring the puppies. I love it. Ha!

Michelle also brought some beautiful yellow flowers with her, which complimented her unique engagement ring nicely.





I am so excited to photograph Michelle and Vikram's wedding in September in Santa Margarita. I love to shoot destination weddings because I get to experience and represent new settings simultaneously! Creative bliss!



See you in September, Michelle & Vikram! Abbey will miss the pups, but she'll still dance the night away!

Michelle & Vikram Part 2 | San Diego Engagement Photographer

And I'm back! Abbey turned 4 last week, so I was busy putting together a "Pixie and Lost Boys" themed party for her. The party was a success and now I'm back to editing photos!

Here are pictures from my second photo shoot with my cousin Michelle and her fíance, Vikram. We decided to play around with back-lighting in a dark alleyway (...always one of the best places to shoot at night...) to see if we could capture some sultry silhouettes. Mission accomplished.





Love it. Thanks for bringing the sexy, Michelle and Vikram ;)

Michelle & Vikram | San Diego Engagement Photographer

Today's post features two very special people: my dear cousin Michelle and her fiancé, Vikram. Michelle and I grew up like sisters, as we both have younger brothers. We went to camp every summer and winter together. She came to my homecoming dances and proms. We spent every family holiday together, playing with Barbies, braiding hair, or dressing up. Now that Michelle is getting married, we decided to play dress-up one last time for Michelle and Vikram's engagement session!

Michelle and Vikram came down from their home in Long Beach to stay with us for a weekend and we dreamed up three beautiful shoots. This post features pictures from our first session. I'll reveal the others in future posts :)




Michelle and Vikram will be getting married in September in Santa Margarita. They are planning to have two wedding ceremonies -- one as a traditional Indian ceremony and the other as a more casual American ceremony -- to reflect their multicultural heritage.



Michelle and Vikram have two adorable dogs, so we brought them along for the shoot. You'll see more of them later...


Look how natural they look together in this picture. So easy and in love.




Michelle and Vikram, I could not be happier for you two! You are radiant in these pictures and I cannot wait to reveal the rest of your engagement photos... :)

Greg & Jen - Engaged! | San Diego Wedding Photographer

You know how the story goes...Friends, of a friend, of a husband's friend, etc...came to meet with me...and their names were Greg and Jen.

They were fantastic! They are super fun and easy going, so you can imagine my excitement when they decided to have me photograph their wedding! I couldn't wait to get my camera on them because I just KNEW their personalities were going to be so fun to capture. Well, lots of time has passed since then...we had a slight difficult time finding a moment to photograph their engagement images.

So, I'm sooooo excited to say that we FINALLY were able to make it happen!

And of course, God had a plan all along. You see, their friend was able to 'experiment' on them, as she is interested in photography. So it totally got them relaxed in front of the camera! They came to me and were ready to go! I loved it. We dove right in, had tons of fun, and captured so many awesome images!

Greg and Jen, you have waited long and patiently for these images...I hope you love them!


See what I mean about them being comfy?? This is one of the first images I captured! :) So fun!







I had a ridiculously fun time with color during their session...







Holy moly hotness! I love this next shot of Jen.



They laughed so much...I love that. It means their having fun! :) That's my goal!







Greg and Jen, I'm so excited to photograph your wedding next month! Hooray! You two are awesome!

Aaron & Tammy Engaged! | San Diego Wedding Photographer

I can't believe it. My baby brother is getting married!!! It's so strange really...I still remember when he used to steal my puzzle pieces and run behind the couch to hide...like we didn't know where he was! Little stinker! ha ha!

Well, I have to say...I can't imagine a more perfect woman for him to spend the rest of his life with! Tamara is the sister that I've never had...knew I wanted...and now know that I can't live without! She's fantastic in every way...but most of all, she loves the Lord with all her heart and takes such great care of my brother. I love that. :) He needs a lot of 'taking care of'!

So, here are some of my favorites from their engagement session. They are both super duper active, so I thought it would be fun to explore the outdoors a bit. We found some awesome new places. Aren't they so cute?!





They are always so cuddly with one another...so they were perfect in front of the camera. :)







We found this RAD tree! I loved it...



Aaron (hubby...yes, it gets confusing at times!) snagged this amazing shot! He's such a great photographer...I wish he'd come with me more often! It's going to be the cover of their engagement album...so excited about that! :)









So, one of the coolest things about Aaron and Tammy's story, is that they actually knew each other in high school. They sang in choir together and were friends...and my dad always tried to get my brother to ask her to the dances...which he never did.



Years later, they were at a high school reunion and Tammy announced that she needed a housemate. Aaron needed a house. So, it worked out perfectly for a year or so.



Then, I got a call from my brother one day..."Amber, I think I am starting to really like her."
So, I told him to move out...like any good sister would do. :)



Weeks later, they were dating...and just months later, they were engaged.

Second set of amazing trees...



She has such an amazing heart. I know that my brother is so blessed to have her...but I feel the same way too! It's always been hard to think of my brother getting married to a girl...wondering if she'd be good enough for him by my standards. Well, Tammy has surpassed those standards! :)





They are so ridiculously cute together. :)





I'm so happy for you two!



I just love you guys so much! :) Can't wait for the wedding!