malibu

Malibu Farm Cafe and El Matador Beach Engagement Session with Alex & Bryan

Malibu Farm Cafe and El Matador Beach Engagement Session with Alex & Bryan

We started Alex and Bryan’s engagement shoot at the Malibu Farm Pier Cafe. It was a perfect day with lots of sunshine and stunning Pacific views. For the second part of their engagement shoot, we went to El Matador in Malibu. Sigh… I love this Southern California beach! Even the crowds can’t spoil that gorgeous place, especially when there is champagne involved.

(Engagement session in Malibu at the Malibu Farm Pier Cafe; Anya Kernes Photography is a Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

El Matador Beach Engagement Session, Malibu | Lauren and Aaron

El Matador Beach Engagement Session, Malibu | Lauren and Aaron

Today I’m sharing a few of my favorites from Lauren and Aaron beautiful engagement session we photographed this past weekend. The film scans from Goodman Film Lab started rolling in today, and I just couldn’t wait!

Aaron grew up surfing in Malibu, so going to the beach is something that is really meaningful and special. El Matador is always a top choice because other beaches can hardly compare to the beautiful sea caves and massive rocks sprinkled along the coast.

Lauren and Aaron met through a mutual friend and the rest is history. They will be tying the knot this spring at Calamigos Ranch, and I cannot wait to document their celebration and work along my favorites - Weddings by Susan Dunne and Mulberry & Moss.

(Engagement session in El Matador beach, Malibu, CA; Los Angeles based film wedding 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)

Sarah & Fredrik - Beautiful wedding in Malibu hills

Sarah & Fredrik - Beautiful wedding in Malibu hills

Tucked away just off the PCH, lies this modern and beautiful Malibu estate, where Sarah and Fredrik said their "I do's" among their closest friends and family. 

The guests, that are both California locals, as well as those that came from the lands of Norway, enjoyed beautiful ocean views of this Malibu estate throughout the day, while sipping on 'his' and 'her' cocktails and delicious beer they could get from the cutest self-serving beer station you've ever seen. Sarah wore a gorgeous Allure Bridals dress in a light creme color, which Fred was sure to match with the color of his tie. He was dressed in Moods of Norway, and I don't think anyone else would be able to pull it off as good as a true Norwegian.  

Sarah and Fredrik picked an amazing team of wedding professionals, who made the day a breeze (no pun intended). Alissa Hussey made sure the day ran flawlessly and Butterfly Floral added the perfect touch of romance with gorgeous white flowers everywhere. This was a true fairy tale wedding. A Norwegian king with his Malibu princess - may they live happily ever after! 

(Wedding photography in Malibu, CA; Los Angeles based fine art 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)

Erin & Mario - 'Day After' Session in Malibu Creek State Park, CA

Erin & Mario - 'Day After' Session in Malibu Creek State Park, CA

I recently had the pleasure of doing a "day after" session with lovely newlyweds, Erin and Mario. This charming couple said their vows at their local courthouse and met me at Malibu Creek State Park dressed in their finest, to capture some of that post-wedding glow.

Personally, I love day after sessions; the deed is done, the stress is over with, and there is plenty of honeymoon bliss for me to capture. Like many couples in the digital age, Erin and Mario met online. On their first date Mario wooed Erin with a romantic steakhouse dinner. Both newlyweds were born and raised in L.A, they are both self-proclaimed foodies, and they share a deep love for dogs. They even brought their three furry friends to the shoot, which I thought was a sweet and sentimental touch.

Malibu Creek State Park was a perfect backdrop as usual. Erin and Mario matched each other perfectly, they were both elegant, and a joy to capture. I would like to send the happy couple my warmest wishes on their new journey. Congratulations Mario and Erin!

(Day After session in Malibu Creek State Park; wedding and engagement photographer in Los Angeles, CA)

Jia-Wen & John - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

Jia-Wen & John - Engagement session at Malibu Creek State Park

One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is being able capture hidden from the rest of the world interactions between two people in love. 

I had the pleasure of doing an engagement shoot with Jia-Wen and John this past weekend; a handsome power couple from the finance world, who are getting married in Calamigos Ranch in Malibu later this year. Jia-Wen and John had warned me that they are slightly uncomfortable in front of the camera, as most couples do. But, as it often happens, mid-way through their engagement session they loosened up and the raw emotion seeped through the lens, resulting in gorgeous photos of the two lovebirds!

Although couple chemistry is a surefire way to beautiful engagement photos, wardrobe plays a huge role too. John and Jia-Wen coordinated their outfits for their session perfectly; outfitted in faded blues and pale maroon, the couple looked amazing against the backdrop of a sunset in Malibu Creek State Park. Wardrobe is a very important factor in making photographs shine, and I am always available to advise my clients on flattering tones and complimenting fabrics.

Can't wait to document their wedding - October, here we come!

(Engagement shoot at Malibu Creek State Park, CA; Los Angeles based wedding and engagement photographer)

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