It is going to be an incredible day.  Because Allie & Matt are genuine, and kind, and head over heels in love with each other.   They’re so great that you might hate them if you didn’t spend half a second getting to know them.  I’d like to think we’re like old friends at this point

For their engagement session, Allie wanted to shoot in their neighborhood, just a few blocks from the water in Hermosa Beach.  It was cloudy and a generally dreary day.  Not ideal really.  But I couldn’t be happier with these images.  There’s such a warmth between Allie & Matt, that as cold and gross as it was, you can’t really see it.

Allie & Matt – I absolutely adore the two of you!  Thank you for choosing me, for welcoming me in, and for being perfectly fabulous.  I couldn’t be more excited for your wedding!

Do you have a life list?  You know, all the things that you’d love to do in your lifetime.  A bucket list if you will.  I have one.  Some of the stuff is big, some of the stuff is small, but all of it is exciting.  All the things that I’d love to be able to look back on my life and know that I’d experienced.  Surfing has always been on that list.  I don’t really know why, as I don’t really love the beach.  Too much sand.  But there’s something about the ocean…

So, when I was in Hawaii last month I finally did it.  And it turns out, I didn’t suck at it   I’d expected to spend most of my time on the board.  Or underneath the board.  But, on those bunny slopes of waves, I actually did not so bad.  And it was so much fun!

Life list stuff here people!

Sooooo, I met with Jodi & Lenny and fell in love with their absolute happiness.  They are two of the happiest, down-to-earth, chill people I’ve ever had the pleasure of shooting.  We had so much fun at the Griffith Observatory on a surprisingly slow afternoon.  We hiked, Lenny taught he about parts of the Observatory I’d never even known about and we got to know each other.   That’s my favorite part about engagement sessions really, the getting to know you part.  I get to meet some really fascinating people!

Jodi & Lenny – I had the best afternoon with the two of you!  Thank you for being the most wonderful of models, for swatting away all the bugs and for the tour of the park… you two are the best!  See you in September!

I’m not really a beach person.  I don’t like it all that much really.  It’s sandy.  It’s cold.  It’s wet.  I get bored.  It’s never really been my thing.  But shooting on the beach, well, that’s a different story.  Scratch that, shooting at THIS beach, that’s totally different.  This beach is incredible.  The rocks and the water and the breeze.  It’s all the perfect setting for a romantic engagement session.  So I was so happy when Laura & Brian told me they wanted to shoot there!  It’s one of their favorite places and was a fabulous location for their shoot!

I knew from the start that Laura & I would get along perfectly.  She’s detail-oriented.  She knows exactly what she wants and she makes it happen.  She’s funny and gorgeous and buys the most beautiful shoes.  And Brian, he’s the perfect balance.  Funny and kind and generous.  They make a wonderful couple, the kind of couple that makes me so happy that I am able to do what I do!

Laura & Brian – you two are perfect!  It was such a fabulous afternoon and I’m so happy to spend it with you at your favorite place!  See you soon!

For months my entire family has been in on a secret.  A big secret.  My sisters’ lovely and adorable boyfriend Chris was planning on proposing.  Yah!  My parents had already planned a trip to LA, and Chris’ family planned to come out at the same time.  Chris rented a gorgeous house in Malibu, I was in charge of getting her there and then the big question would be popped!

Somehow, over the course of these past few months, Moira didn’t suspect a thing.  The quiet phone calls, the clandestine meetings… nothing.  And while actually getting her in the car to go to Malibu just before rush hour wasn’t quite the easiest maneuver, it all worked out perfectly.

So, while my family walked casually along the beach, Chris walked out of this beautiful house, dropped down on one knee and asked Moira to spend the rest of her life with him.  And she said yes!

It couldn’t have gone smoother. And it couldn’t have been more beautiful.  And I couldn’t be more excited!

Moira & Chris – I am so happy for the two of you.  Heart gushing and giant amounts of happiness thrilled for the two of you! So many congratulations!  Love you kids.

You know how I know Lauren & Adam are my kind of people?  For months we’ve been emailing back and forth to make final decisions for their engagement session.  There were so many ideas, and so many different plans, but one thing always remained the same.  Food.  There should be a lot of food.   It’s like we were a match made in heaven!  So, on Saturday, they introduced me to Philippes, and it was amazing.  How have I never witnessed this little piece of Los Angeles history!?

Lauren & Adam were the perfect subjects for me.  They were so relaxed, so easy with each other… always a wonderful sign of a successful couple I think!  They just seem to meld into one another.  Two parts of one whole.  Their wedding at Shutters on the Beach is shaping up to be one of my favorites of this year!  So, on a wonderful afternoon, we hung out at Philippes, then headed over to Union Station to finish up our lovely day together.

Lauren & Adam – Thank you for making me laugh, for being such wonderful people and for planning my dream wedding   I’m so looking forward to doing this all over again!  See you soon!

There’s something renewing about blue skies and good food.  There’s something important in taking the time to sit.  To relax.  To remember what’s actually real in your life.  And Miami was perfect.  We sat.  We relaxed.  We worked out.  We ate.  A lot.

We went to Canyon Ranch.  Have you ever been to an absolute heaven?!  Canyon Ranch may in fact be my new happy place.  You know, that place that immediately makes you feel warm & cozy.  It was amazing and the most perfect way to celebrate our birthdays.  The food is incredible, super healthy and delicious.  The exercise classes are challenging and exciting.  And the spa, well, lets just say that the spa is super special.

These are just a few snaps from my iPhone, edited with Instagram.  After putting them all together, I realized that most of them are clouds.  I didn’t realize how much I missed clouds in LA… something so wonderful about them!

I’ll be back to business on April 2!  Have a beautiful day!

It was the cloudiest day.  Gloomy even.  We don’t get many of those days in Los Angeles, the days when you just want to curl up in front of the fire place with a good book and a hot cup of tea.  Those days are incredible, if you never have to leave your house.  And unfortunately, it was supposed to stay that way all weekend.  Rain & gloom.  But Alison & Sean had flown in from Chicago, and this was the only day that we had.  So, while we were hoping for one of those bright and sunny beach days, we made do with gloomy and overcast.

Sean proposed to Alison on this very bit of beach in November, so it was the perfect place to reconvene for their engagement session!  I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting them before we were scheduled to shoot, which can always be a little bit nerve wracking for me.  But these two people are some of the most amazing people I’ve gotten to know.  They are fun, they are smart, they are interesting, they are incredibly driven and they are absolutely in love with one another.  They are the kinds of people that make you want to be more, well, more everything.   They made the most gloomy afternoon feel bright.  And I am better for knowing them!

Alison & Sean – It was an absolute pleasure.  An incredible afternoon and I had such a great time with the two of you!   I couldn’t possibly be happier for you both!  Congratulations!

I attended an event at the Richard Nixon Library years ago.  And since that day, this amazing place has been hovering at the top of my list of dream venues.  Places that inspire me and excite me.  Places that I am dying to shoot.  So, when Katie from Intertwined Events first contacted me about shooting a wedding there, I was thrilled.  And then I met Jana & Jeff.  And it was only the beginning of an incredible day!

We had the most perfect weather.  February can be a tricky month, totally unpredictable.  But this past Saturday was warm, and sunny and absolutely perfect.  The Nixon Library was everything that I dreamed it would be.  Jana was absolutely glowing.  Mostly from excitement I think.  And maybe a little bit because Kacee Geoffroy is amazing.  Katie & Emily from Intertwined made my job so easy.  And Steve from Honored Occassions made sure the reception was an amazing party!

Jana & Jeff – It was such an amazing day.  I couldn’t be happier for the two of you and I wish you only the best in your marriage!  Congratulations!