What can I say about this couple that isn’t already described in the pictures? Sachee and Abhishek are just hands down great people that are not only fun to hang around but also a joy to photograph. We had a little thirty minute break during their engagement party so we decided to take a few photos.

In the end I had so much fun shooting their party that I even stayed afterwards for a couple hours! Here are a few frames that I would love to share.

Vivian and Calvin are two special people who we can literally shoot forever and have tons of fun doing it. We took them to one of our favorite spots in Costa Mesa and ended our night at Southcoast Plaza, somewhere I always wanted to shoot at. Along the journey we avoided mall cops, snaked through prickly bushes, and even got kicked out of our first location. Our efforts created some of my favorite images thus far.

It’s been awhile since San Diego residents Elaine and Paulo have been up to Orange County so we gave them a tour around the city while taking some pictures on the side. Our first stop was Old Towne Orange where we found plenty of vintage shops. Katrina actually got a little carried away and we almost came home with four pieces of matching luggage! We ended the day at Milk and Honey where they serve the best frozen yogurt and shaved ice combo in town. Elaine and Paulo are one of those couples that are just so much fun to shoot. They were in their own little world for every shot and we had the best time capturing that.

Ann Chi and Chris were married on the hills of Hollywood in the “haunted” Houdini Mansion, or so they say. When Katrina and I arrived we couldn’t help but notice how the beautiful waterfalls, architecture, and vegetation blended so well together. Nothing was scary about it at all. In fact the venue had an almost magical feel to it.

When it started pouring after the ceremony the couple kept their cool. The party moved inside the mansion until the rain subsided an hour later. The water didn’t put a damper on anyone’s day and the wedding went all the way to the after party. Ann Chi and Chris are a great couple and I could tell they really care and loved their guests. Thanks for sharing your day with us.

To watch the slideshow, please press the play button below or click here

The final day of their wedding is known as the Rukhsati held at the iconic Roostertail right next to the river. The ceremony involves the family members and close guests walking out with Ambereen. This signifies her offically leaving her parents and moving on to the next step of life with Sameem.

Epic Motion did a fantastic job as videographers and you can check out their trailer for the wedding here. I honestly can’t wait to see the rest of it.

I told this to Ambereen and Sameem in my last e-mail but we never thought that we would be sad leaving Michigan. Their families were so accommodating and and we really felt at home.

To watch the slideshow, please press the play button below or click here

After I shot Ambereen and Sameem’s engagement in Chicago I knew their wedding in Detroit was going to be a lot more fun than actual work. Well, don’t get me wrong shooting three days in a row is never an easy task but Katrina and I honestly enjoyed every minute of it. This blog post includes the Nikah and the Mendhi. The Nikah is the more serious ceremony where the marriage contract is signed and is usually held at the bride’s house which was decorated beautifully.

The Mendhi (henna ceremony) was more of a celebration filled with great food along with amazing and sometimes hilarious dance performances. Ambereen used to be part of a dance team so the choreography was something really out of this world. Afterwards a dance party ensued that topped everything I had ever seen before. These guys really knew how to get down!

Stay tuned for the second blog post which will include some portraits and a massive slideshow. For now here’s a little preview of what’s to come.

We had a quick engagement session with Christina and Andy’s at the Viceroy hotel before their rehearsal dinner at Shutter’s. We had a great time and even had one of the best meals in our lives. It definitely helped when Christina’s mom kept on telling us to grab more Lobster. We couldn’t help but oblige! My stomach never felt so great after a shoot.

Gianna also did a wonderful job coordinating the event.

Elizabeth Lloyd flew me down to her hometown in Puerto Vallarta to second shoot this beautiful cliffside wedding in Sayulita with her. After the wedding we went to some local spots to listen to live music and really absorb the small surfer city. On top of that, Carol and Dan’s intimate wedding really made the trip worth it. I had a great time and I can’t wait to go back.

Please let me introduce Alissa and Ari who are the winners of the engagement session contest I held last December. Their story moved me so much that I had to meet them in person to learn all about their adventures, and it just so turned out they were also engaged. Here is what Alissa’s e-mail read:

“HELLO!!!
My name is Alissa Chapman and my fiance is Ari Olgun!
We met in 2003 at UC, Santa Cruz when we moved into the same house for our senior year of college.
We became fast friends and always kept in touch, even after Ari moved to San Jose and I moved to Spain.
In the Autum of 2005, I moved back to the Bay Area and our close friendship eventually evolved into Ari saying “Is it weird that I like you?” and me responding “Only if it’s weird that I like you back.” Ever since then we have been inseperable. Well, theoretically. For the first two years of our relationship, Ari contiued to live in San Jose and I lived in San Francisco.
In 2008, we embarked on a journey to escape from reality as we traveled and lived in the stunning country of New Zealand. We purchased a van, turned it into a bed in the back and we traveled the country living in our van. We worked in hostels, kiwifruit factories, ski fields, and anywhere else we could find a job. We simply just worked enough to live and lived a lot.
During our last month abroad we ventured out to Australia, just after our 4 year dating anniversary, we went scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef on a 3-day dive trip. On our last dive of the trip, as we were underwater taking in the beauty around us, Ari handed Alissa his writing slate that said “Will You Marry Me?” with a tick box for “Yes” and “No.” I, overcome with excitement, checked the box “Yes” as Ari flashed an “o” Ring for me to wear until we found a real ring”

Their wedding was just as insane! I felt like my finger was glued to the camera since there was so much going on. If Katrina and I bet money on who had better shots this wedding she probably would have won. I was jealous of more than a few of her shots to say the least. The Victorian was an absolutely intimate and gorgeous venue as well and I loved the warm tones that it gave. Alissa and Ari are now diving in the Bermuda Triangle for their honeymoon living life to its fullest. Keep an eye out on the blog for their engagement session coming up soon.

I was very honored to receive an award from the Wedding Photojournalist Association’s first contest this year. Hundreds of amazing photographers from all around the world apply every quarter and I am humbled to be on the list of winners.