Family Portraits at the UCLA Botanical Garden

Growing up just a few miles from UCLA, I somehow never visited the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens while I was a kid. I was excited to go there with a friend and her family over a year ago (hey, I’m still catching up with blog posts over here!) for a family session in the California sunshine.

From bamboo forests to native desert plants, this garden has a variety of landscapes to explore and enjoy, and two-year-old C. loved romping through it all in her party dress. Enjoy this smiling family!

Though I’m based in Seattle, I’m in L.A. to visit family all the time, so think of me for photo things down here, too!

Sneak Peek: Samantha and Patrick

I just spent a wonderful weekend with my family at my cousin’s wedding in Glen Ellen, CA up near Sonoma. Wine country! And I was proud to be there not just as a cousin, but also as the photographer! Here are a few photos to tide everyone over while I work on the rest … and they are worth waiting for!

Love you Sam and Patrick!

A 90th Birthday Party – The St. Regis Monarch Beach

A 90th birthday brunch, what a privilege! The very elegant Mrs. Kramer celebrated the milestone with a lovely brunch at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. Surrounded by her family, including six great-grandchildren, she is an inspiration. Congratulations, Mrs. Kramer!

The oldest and youngest Kramer women: Emily – 15 months, Lorraine – 1,080 months.

Wedding: Glenda and Raphi at the Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, CA

It was a beautiful, quintessential southern California day for Glenda and Raphi’s wedding at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda; skies were blue, temps were balmy, the sun shone, and everything was picture perfect! Even the government shutdown couldn’t put a damper on this event (and thank goodness functions at the Library are run separately from the governmental aspects of the place, or else this would be a different story entirely!)! The wedding was pure elegance, from the lavish cocktail spread of exotic fruits to the towering centerpieces. After a romantic first look, Glenda and Raphi had tisch and bedeken ceremonies, the traditional groom’s reception and veiling of the bride in Jewish weddings. I have never had such an exuberant crowd; Raphi was literally danced down the hall to veil his lovely bride. After a stunning sunset ceremony in front of the reflecting pool, I encountered the most energetic hora I’ve ever been witness to. The fun continued all night on a raucous dance floor. Every detail was amazing and I was thrilled to be there to capture it for this wonderful couple! Take a peek for yourself:

Venue: Nixon Presidential Library

Catering: Blueberry Hill

Florist: Punch Kuny

Band: Spotlight Music

 

 

 

 

Sneak Peek: Glenda and Raphi

What a beautiful wedding! Glenda and Raphi had an amazing day at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda and it was my pleasure to be there to capture it all. Here are just a few of this gorgeous couple – so many more to come!

Wedding: Jennifer and Richard at The Victorian in Santa Monica, CA

Jennifer and Richard had a fairy tale day at the gorgeous Victorian in Santa Monica, my hometown! It was wonderful to capture all the elegance for them at this amazing venue. They both had many lovely details that made this day extra special. It was a fun day and night! Thanks, you two, for having me be a part of it! Without further ado, take a look at all the amazingness:

Venue: The Victorian

Catering: Duck Duck Mousse

Florist: Accent on Design

Wedding Coordinator: Catherine Conkle

Cake Artist: Pasadena Baking Company

Celebrant: Julie Laudicina

Hair and Makeup: Trim Salon

Sneak Peek: Jennifer and Richard in Santa Monica

Congratulations to Jen and Rich who got married at the gorgeous Victorian in my hometown of Santa Monica, California! It was so much fun to meet up with you two in Boston for your engagement shoot and then in sunny SoCal for the big day! Many more photos to come …