All smiles and cuddles, Nadine & Phill warmed up quickly during their session at the beautiful Balboa Park in San Diego. We found some great photo opportunities with all the architecture and gardens that Balboa has. I really like the image with the statues and the one of them cuddling in the garden. Back when I was in school I would go to Balboa Park all the time to visit the MOPA and photograph abstracts of the buildings, flowers and of course, the lilies on the pond (you gotta love that shot), so it was interesting to be there with a different mindset on the photography. At one point during the shoot, we came across another couple walking their Great Dane and we thought,  “wouldn’t it be great to get a shot of you guys walking the dog!” so we asked the couple, and they kindly agreed to let Nadine & Phill walk their dog for a few photos. The other couple just laughed and handed over the leash, and then stepped back to watch.  No sooner had the owner stepped away, that his dog bound after him nearly pulling Nadine over, and with heels dragging she was instantly sprung into a full sprint! Check out the one frame we captured as the dog started to pull away.

Pauline & Richard had a beautiful wedding at the Pacific Asian Museum in Pasadena. The courtyard set the stage for a lovely, intimate gathering of friends and family. With it’s minimalist Asian flair, bold red’s, and grand architecture the museum proved to be a great spot for photos, and I think it fit Pauline’s style perfectly. Pauline & Richard’s wedding was very special, and it touched a unique place in my heart because the circumstances were different than most . Pauline’s father had passed away a few months before the wedding and wasn’t able to directly share in their joy, however it was keenly understood that he was present in spirit. Pauline honored her brothers by having each of them walk her part-way down the isle. I love the emotion and the build up in the black and white image of her brother watching her approach as he waits for his turn to escort her to the end of the isle. When it came time for the usual father daughter dance, Pauline had each brother take turns dancing with her. It seemed to be a sort of tribute to the life given, the wisdom received from her father over the years. Tears on cheeks (including mine) we celebrated the wonderful union of Pauline and Richard. We had such a good time with this genuine couple, they both were laughing and hugging as we photographed throughout the day. Thank you Pauline and Richard for having us share in your joy!

We had dinner with Michael & Diana a few months ago and we talked about music, life, travel, and culture. It was amazing to sit and listen, and come to the realization that we are so much like so many other people, but rarely exert the energy or make to effort to connect. Emi & I both felt that we had been friends with Michael & Diana for many years, and this dinner was just another night we were able to hang out with old friends. We are truly looking forward to spending more time with them, and hopefully it will be in and through the process of new music, life, travel, and culture!

It’s actually hard for me to explain Diana on her wedding day. Look at this first photo of her. In my mind, this photo does more to explain her than maybe I can do with words. She had a calmness that was more than just the reassurance or peace that most might come to on their wedding day about the decisions of the next few hours. Hers was a calm that was mixed with a deep sense of yearning for this new connection, like Michael was the most beautiful part of this journey, and any part of life without him would just be sadness. This sense of purpose, and the understanding of the power inherent in their upcoming vows to each other seemed to translate into the most beautiful presence that she carried with such confidence.

Michael shared the exact same presence, like they had balanced out the tensions, and the excitements, and all of the weight that they carried separately, so that each had prepared and taken the perfect amount with them to share at the alter. Look at the black & white photo of Michael and his groomsmen watching as Diana comes towards them with her father. I don’t think I have ever seen so much expressed in one moment. His face shows so much of the same yearning, and so much about his heart for her.

This is a couple that affected those around them so much, and it was obvious that deep long lasting relationships had been formed with so many of their guest, that each person there could speak about them like a brother or a sister. Diana & Michael, we commend you, because your love for those around you is evident, and we are privileged to be recipients merely by proximity.