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)

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)

Engagement Session in Paris - Yoyo and Chun Chen

Engagement Session in Paris - Yoyo and Chun Chen

Ah Paris... This magical place gets more dreamy every time I visit. And then we did an engagement session with these two... I could hardly handle this much romance! 

This shoot took place during my last visit to Paris of the year in October. I met Yoyo and Chun Chen that day for the first time but felt like I've known them for a while because of our communication in preparation for their session. We wondered around Le Palais Royal, Musee du Louvre, Champs-Élysées and finished their engagement shoot in the historic Trocadero that has a pretty nice view of the Eiffel Tower. ;) Thank you, Yoyo and Chun Chen, for letting me tag along and capture all the heart fluttering beauty during your sweetest Parisian date!

(Engagement session in Paris, France; Wedding, engagement and boudoir fine art photographer based in Los Angeles, Southern California)

Maple & Neal - Romantic Engagement Session in Pasadena City Hall

Maple & Neal - Romantic Engagement Session in Pasadena City Hall

I always love doing engagement sessions at the Pasadena City Hall but these two took it to a whole another level.

Maple and Neal were an absolute dream to photograph and I was so excited to photograph their engagement. They are completely head over heels in love, have the sweetest chemistry together and killer style. What more can you ask for? Their joy and smiles throughout their engagement session was absolutely contagious! Whimsical, soft and romantic - this session has stolen my heart. Get ready for some serious romance - I can hardly wait for their wedding at the Greystone Mansion next fall! 

(Engagement session at the Pasadena City Hall; Los Angeles based wedding, engagement and boudoir fine art photographer)

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