Alexa // Orange County Fashion and Portrait Photoshoot

I love taking portraits. To be blunt, they’re my shit. Don’t get me wrong, I love fashion and pretty clothes, but I’m much more interested in capturing the people in them. As cheesy as it sounds, we all have something unique about us (major eye roll, I know) and I love capturing it. Whether its the way you smile when you laugh, or the way your eyes light up when I prompt you to think of Rihanna baking you cookies, we all got something. I highly recommend doing a solo portrait session at least once in your young adult life. When you look back on them 5, 10, 15, 30 years from now, you’ll never be upset you did them. You’ll smile at how amazing you looked and get to enjoy how much you’ve grown since.

Alexa and I had our first shoot together in June of 2018. Since then we’ve shot countless times, but these photos blow every other of ours out of the water. We shot at OC’s only natural light studio, Sparks Studio, and let me just say, I could have shot there ALL DAY. Thank you, Jennifer, for having us! Check out the perfect mix of portraiture and fashion here!

Katie + Matt // Anaheim Hills, Ca Wedding

Katie and Matt’s wedding was a long time coming. Unfortunately, one of the tragic California fires burnt down Katie’s old home, prolonging the wedding process. But, once they get the ball rolling they didn’t stop! This wedding was planned in just a few short months, with the help of some amazing family and friends. We began their day at a friend’s home in Anaheim Hills - can you believe those first look photos are in someone’s backyard?! Me either - and ended it at their reception in Whittier. It was a tad gloomy and the church was EXTREMELY strict on where myself and my second photographer could stand, but that didn’t stop us from capturing the magic that was their big day! Scroll down and check it out.

Pelin + Jake // Hilton Bay Front Hotel // San Diego, Ca Wedding

This is a long one folks. Pelin, Jake and I met on their first engagement shoot with me. Instantly we hit it off, as if we had known each other as friends for years. Their love is radiating, which makes my job easier and much more fun. After their second engagement shoot, I become more excited for their wedding as a friend, than just a photographer.

I cried along with Jake as she walked down the aisle…and during the rest of their ceremony. However, the sappy emotions aside, I was actually highly anxious because it was cloudy and the sun was going down fast. When the ceremony was over I still had to do family shots, group photos and their bridals, all with about 30 minutes of light left. If you scroll down far enough you’ll see I accomplished all that and then some.

Once the reception came the stress was pretty much over. In fact, I finally got to let loose. I’ve been to a lot of weddings - most which have been genuinely fun. But until Pelin and Jake’s, I had never been to one where 98% of the people were dancing and having fun the entire time. I stayed two hours after my day was over just to party with them and their friends (even though I had a wedding the next day). Take a look at their day here!

Pelin + Jake // Newport Beach, Ca Engagement Session

On July 4, 2016 Pelin laid eyes on the man of her dreams at Stag Bar in Newport Beach. Thanks to a friend for forcing her to "bump" into him, they began talking and the rest is history - a history I selfishly get to celebrate being apart of. This was my second engagement shoot with Pelin and Jake. While we loved the first round of photos, they both recently got super fit and wanted to show off their hard work. AND I MEAN, LOOK AT THEM!! They are as beautiful outside as they are in. Their love truly radiates on and off the camera and I feel so grateful to be trusted with this big chapter in their lives. October 6th can't come soon enough! Take a look at the fun we had here! 

Amanda + Ricky // San Juan Capistrano Couples Session

I love LOVE. And I love my couples for allowing me to capture theirs. Amanda found me via instagram, shout out social media, and asked me to take pictures for her and Ricky's FIVE year anniversary! Naturally I said yes. We met at the Northwest Open Space in San Juan Capistrano and shot till the park closed. In about an hour I already had over 700 pictures to choose from. These two are so clearly in love and are naturals in front of my camera. They made my job SO easy. Take a little look at their session here! 

Melissa + Chad // Mount Palomar Winery Wedding

I've known Chad since before Melissa, and let me just say, we definitely love him more with her. Melissa and Chad are definition of opposites attract. Melissa is quiet and shy, while Chad is typically the center of attention. However, they are both incredibly kind, funny and caring individuals. When Chad reached out to ask about doing their wedding photos I almost cried I was so excited. The two tied-the-knot on April 28, 2018 at the Mount Palomar Winery in Temecula. The day was overwhelmingly beautiful and couldn't have gone better. Take a short glance at their big day here. 

Alexa // Real House Wife of Orange County Themed Photoshoot

Story time. The setting of these photos was in the front room of a house I lived in for a month, before I had to move-out quickly because the landlord was off her rocker. She had been a family-friend of my parents and offered me a room for only $300, and let me just say, if it sounds too good to be true, it is! I moved in all my clothes and gave away my bedroom furniture to God Will (where I bought it in the first place) because the room was furnished. Within the month she told me she needed my room for a week for her family that was coming to visit and that she wouldn’t be refunding me the money for the week. This turned into a whole ordeal. I had to get out bc STRESSED.

BUT, before all that happened I got to take pictures in the front room. A room that definitely didn’t match the rest of the house. The idea behind this shoot that Alexa was a rich, bored housewife. I had to be careful to make sure this shoot was badass and playful and not borderline porno. Check out some of the photos here:

5 Tips to Follow Before Taking Your Grad Photos

Whether you're graduating from high school or college your accomplishment deserves the BEST documentation possible. Senior photos allow you to capture this milestone, while also showing family and friends how cute you are, and hoping they give you money. Here are my top 5 tips to all graduating seniors about to take their grad pics!

1. Outfit(s?)!

As a photographer, the main question I get when it comes to any session is, "WHAT DO I WEAR?"

White dresses have become the unofficial uniform of grad portraits; they are classic, cute and will match your different colored stolls.

However, don't be afraid of color or patterns - except for maybe intense florals / zebra prints. If you're unsure if the stolls will look silly, simply bring them shopping with you and try them on with your outfits! If you're still unsure when shopping, send me pics and I'll help you out!

ALSO

Make time to change outfits! Grad pics tend to a get a little repetitive. *Here I am looking cute by a bush with this sash, here I am cute by a different plant with this, etc* So bring an alum shirt, Greek Letters, Sports team apparel, or even another bomb outfit and get something a little different. This allows different "looks" as well as a way to show different activities/interests you may have. 

2. Props 

Props make photos fun, so do not hesitate to bring them! A sign, a meaningful photograph, glitter, confetti and the like are all great options.

I recommend glitter over confetti if you want a cute "blowing"(???? you know what I mean) photo, just because it's lighter. Since confetti is heavier you blow harder and your face...yeah...doesn't look too cute. But you can always throw it up in the air, then sit in it later! 

Before I move on - BALLOONS. Small ones are okay - but I wouldn't advise getting the big ones. You use them for a few pics, then they're just $30 paper weights that will deflate in a week. 

3. Champagne  - because that deserves its own number 

Popping champagne is fun...and messy! I try to keep popping the bubbly for the end of the shoot. It most definitely will get on you and your stolls, worry not - it will dry and will not stain, but it will be sticky, so bring something to wipe off your hands after! 

Get the cheap stuff, most of it is flying around anyways. However, try to buy a bottle with a cork, not a screw off! The cork gives it the extra POP! After the initial pop put your thumb over the top and shake it like crazy!!  

4. Bring someone (to hold your things) 

Even if it's just you and your stolls, I always encourage my clients to bring someone - a friend, significant other, parent, etc. Not only is it convenient for them to hold your stuff, but they will help keep you comfortable. Also, they may encourage you to do something that I couldn't. For example, Arrianna's sister was the one that got her in the cart and fountain! 

If you don't plan on bringing anyone, worry not! I am outgoing, loud and can talk enough for at least six people. I am part photographer part hype woman; after shooting with me you will feel extremely confident in both yourself and the work we created. 

5. HAVE FUN

Don't take these pictures too seriously. You're done. YOU DID IT!!! You accomplished every hurdle thus far. Celebrate that with fun, professional photos you can look back on years to come. 

CHEERS!