engagement

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey - Intimate and Simple Lifestyle Session | Victoria & James

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey - Intimate and Simple Lifestyle Session | Victoria & James

Holidays proposals are everywhere this time of year. Winter and early spring is also the time that couples start planning their wedding day, which is often when the question about doing an engagement session pops up. A lot of couples who are drawn to simplicity and intimacy in photos find themselves wanting to do an at home lifestyle session, which have been getting more popular in the last year. For Victoria and James' session, we wanted to show what a morning during their staycation might look like. 

We chose the beautiful Ritz in Marina Del Rey for its bright and large rooms that would bounce the light off beautifully. It was intimate look into the beginning of their day - a bright morning drinking coffee and enjoying the SoCal sunshine on the balcony. No frills of fancy wardrobe or "picturesque" location - just the comfort and joy of being next to your loved one. 

(At Home / Lifestyle couple session shot on film in Marina Del Rey; Los Angeles based film wedding and engagement photographer)

Santa Barbara Courthouse Engagement Session | Kelley & Ryan

Santa Barbara Courthouse Engagement Session | Kelley & Ryan

I'll start out by saying Kelley and Ryan might possibly be two of the sweetest human beings! They are so incredibly loving and caring for each other, and spending this afternoon roaming around the Santa Barbara Courthouse grounds was an absolute pleasure. 

This was the first time we actually met in person, so we got to catch up on all things life and wedding planning. They will be tying the knot at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn next year, which will be planned and coordinated by the talented Alissa Hussey. To say that I can hardly wait would be an understatement! 

Here are a few of my favorites from their session. Special shout out to Peonies and Petals for making this beautiful bouquet! 

(Santa Barbara Courthouse engagement shoot; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement film photographer)

LA Arboretum Engagement Session | Maura & Cole

LA Arboretum Engagement Session | Maura & Cole

I had a blast wandering the grounds of the beautiful LA Arboretum with Maura and Cole for their engagement session. They are one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever met, so full of playful energy, happiness and love! With both of them wearing pastels, they looked like an absolute dream among the gorgeous floral gardens of the LA Arboretum. Cannot wait for these two to tie the knot next summer!

(Engagement session in LA Arboretum; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement film photographer)

Malibu Creek State Park Engagement Session, Malibu | Viktoriya and Aleks

Malibu Creek State Park Engagement Session, Malibu | Viktoriya and Aleks

I don't have favorite couples with this one exception. :) Being a wedding photographer, I spend a lot of time with different engaged couples and can safely say that my sister, Viktoriya, and her beau, Aleks, cannot be any more perfect for each other. 

We took these photos in Malibu Creek State Park right before I left for Europe and it was so nice to spend some extra time with these two. It made me one happy girl to work with Mulberry and Moss, who created this beautiful organic bouquet full of tulips, sweet peas, ranunculus and garden roses. Veronica at Kelly Zhang Studio kept the hair and makeup so natural and flawless. 

It was a different kind of challenge photographing someone who is so close to me, and I absolutely love the way these turned out. I cannot be any happier that these two amazing humans found each other - they are so playful, loving, joyful and absolutely head over hills for each other.

(Malibu Creek State Park engagement session on film; Wedding, engagement, and boudoir film photographer in Los Angeles, CA)

Christine & Joel - Romantic Engagement Session at Thomas Riley Park, CA

Christine & Joel - Romantic Engagement Session at Thomas Riley Park, CA

Get ready for loads of heart fluttering romance and beautiful golden fields coming your way! 

Christine and Joel, who are originally from California and have been living in Chicago for the past 4 years, have recently moved back to the west coast and have just settled in San Diego this summer. As soon as they were back, we scheduled their engagement session at Thomas Riley Park in Orange County. I was so excited for this shoot because we'd finally meet for the first time.

These two are an absolute pleasure to be around. Christine and Joel are so down to earth and full of joy - getting gorgeous photos of these two was a breeze! Having trust from them also made a huge difference in creating beautiful and honest portraits, which is one of the many reasons I love engagement sessions. Below are some of my favorites from their shoot - I can hardly wait to photograph their wedding this fall! 

(Engagement session at Thomas Riley Park; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Angie & Eugene - Beach Engagement Session in Palos Verdes, CA

Angie & Eugene - Beach Engagement Session in Palos Verdes, CA

Eugene and Angie knew right away that they wanted to go to the beach for their engagement session, and we settled on a little trail in Malaga Cove. The beautiful views of Palos Verdes cliffs sure didn't disappoint!

We had to reschedule their session once before since Eugene had sprained his ankle playing basketball and was in a cast for about a month. He had just taken off his cast a week prior to the shoot, and was still totally up for doing (and climbing) wherever it takes to get the shot! They also brought along Pepper and Peanut, their adorable puppies, to the shoot who were on their best behavior. 

Needless to say, these two looked absolutely gorgeous during this dreamy beach session and made my job a total breeze. I had the best time photographing their engagement shoot and cannot wait for their wedding this fall! Here are a few of my favorites!

(Palos Verdes beach engagement session; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Amanda & Arash - Engagement Session in Malibu Creek State Park

Amanda & Arash - Engagement Session in Malibu Creek State Park

I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Amanda and Arash for their engagement shoot at Malibu Creek State park. Pint-size Amanda has a huge and vibrant personality; she's the perfect fit for Arash, who is her more calm, pragmatic counterpart. 

These two are very ambitious professionals and both of their lives run a million miles a minute, but in the midst of their careers, they have built something truly special in their relationship. Throughout their engagement session, they were never shy about showing their affection, playfulness, and adoration with each other. They sure don't take themselves too seriously and are just so fun to be around!

Malibu Creek State Park was as an ethereal setting as always; currently, there are fields of yellow flowers in bloom, some were as tall as us! As a photographer, it's so fun to see how this location evolves and changes seasonally.

Amanda and Arash's wedding is this November at the Turnip Rose Promenade and Gardens in Costa Mesa, and if their engagement shoot is any indication, it's going to be a whimsical, wonderful affair. Congratulations to the lovely couple! November, here we come! 

(Engagement session in Malibu Creek State Park; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

Brittany & Nick - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

Brittany & Nick - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of taking some engagement photos for the most dreamy couple. California natives, Nick and Brittany met in December 2015 through their work, and fell in love soon after. They both love traveling, exploring the great outdoors, and helping people in need; Brittany is a nurse at UCLA and her beau, Nick, is a firefighter and paramedic. 

They plan on tying the knot this October, with an outdoor wedding at the stunning Triunfo Creek Vineyards. Brittany tells me her mother has been a great help with the wedding planning and ironing out the details for her special day. The engagement shoot took place at my favorite Malibu Creek State Park and their outfits were totally on point with these neutral pastels; Brittany did confess to raiding her sisters closet pre-shoot. :) 

In July these lovebirds will be taking a pre-nuptial trip to Iceland, where surfer-loving Nick plans to practice his new hobby, photography. Welcome to the light-chasers club Nick! 

(Engagement session in Malibu Creek State Park; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement fine art photographer)

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