I never pick locations for my shoots.  I’m more than willing to bounce ideas and brainstorm, but I never want to choose.  I feel that it is so incredibly important for the location to be representative of the couple, to be comfortable for them, to be a part of them.  So, when Hilary & Brian mentioned shooting in the snow, I was insanely excited.  They spent their college days snowboarding at Big Bear and Brian proposed at the top of the mountain last year.   The snow and the mountains are absolutely representative of who they are and I was so happy to capture them in that environment. 

There was SO.MUCH.SNOW.  Since we live in Los Angeles, the desert, I assumed that heading only an hour away would give us about 6 inches of snow, maybe a foot if we were lucky.  Clearly, I did not do my research.  There was so much that, if I didn’t step in the right place, I’d have snow up to my knees.  It was crisp & clean & crazy cold.  And it was perfect.

Hilary & Brian were absolutely perfect models in the crazy hard shooting conditions.  Moving was, um, less than easy.  But they laughed & played.  Brian was most definitely in his element, not so much loving the photography part of the trip, but the rest of it   The fire, the sledding and the snowballs… I’m pretty sure he loved that.  Hilary had sparkly eyes and was so happy to be there with him.  So happy.  It was incredibly perfect.

Hilary & Brian – Thank you so much for introducing me to LA snow!  And to hot chocolate on the back of a pickup.  And propane tank heaters.  It was a fabulous trip and I had so much fun with the two of you!  I couldn’t be more excited for your wedding!

When we arrived there was a heavy fog and we were starving.  So Brian set up camp on the truck bed; lawn chairs, hot chocolate, sandwiches & the most amazing heater EVER.  By the time we’d finished eating the fog was gone and we were left with an amazing location.