Tiffany and Allen, everywhere

I always tell my clients that engagement sessions should be like an adventure. They should choose something to do that they love, wear clothes that they LOVE, and that way I can document them in their real element, having real fun, enjoying the world and enjoying each other.

Tiffany and Allen took me up on the adventure part more than anyone I've photographed------- they took us to about 7 different places, all little secrets of LA, which of course won my heart and put this session super high in my books.

We started at this cool alley---- we had it all to ourselves!

next was a cafeteria: Cliftons
yup, thats right

next, fountains

and NEXT!! they brought props! cut-out cardboard props.

union station was next

and there was even more to our day, but i'll keep this post to blog length instead of book length.

tiffany and allen win the most creative award!!
love to you!
shannon

Jane and Alex::::::::::: engagement photos at tropicana

starting with the best of the best is how i like to do things.
therefore, this beauty::::::::::::::
secret: its the middle of a polaroid! its edgeless.jane and alex won my heart when they agreed to do their engagement photos at my apartment.

the familiarity i have with the light and the space created this really unique feel to the photos i think. i've been thinking about these shots for a year it seems. every time i walk into our living room that pink chair just shines! and the lines with our plants and the stick outside.... ahh! i was freaking out for the entire session. it was so fun.

the POOL! you dont know how much i love these ones!

!!!

so, sweet,

speechless

YES!

jane. alex.
THANK YOU!!!!!
i love you guys.
i can't wait for the wedding!
shannon

Clarivel and Tuan at-----DISNEYLAND!

Let's just say, Disneyland was a perfect place for Clarivel and Tuan to have their engagement session. Mag-ic! Oh man!!

number one, i'm obsessed with this polaroid. i sometimes wish i didn't promise clients that i'd give them their polaroids, because i WANT THIS ONE! i love it!!

and here they are in front of small world, still happy and shining----

when i took this one i was freaking out. pretty pretty pretty!

and here's where our day got even better.
i was apparently breaking the rules by standing in the planter to get these next shots. a disney castmember told me to get out, and when she found out we were doing their engagement photos, she proceeded to treat them like ROYALTY! they got the special bride&groom mouse ears, they got their own boat on the storybook ride, and the woman, our new best friend: PAM, rang a bell and made sure all of disneyland knew that CLARIVEL AND TUAN ARE ENGAGED!

"HERE YE, HERE YE. CLARIVEL AND TUANNNN ARE....ENGAGED! .....I SAIDDDD: CLARIVEL AND TUANNNNNNNN ARE ENGAGED!!!" eruptions of cheering, people ooooo-ing and ahh-ing, love all around, magic in the air, our own parade, clarivel crying out of sheer happines.... it was seriously awesome.

here we are on the private boat ride! dream date!
(how cute is she!)!

Courtney & Woody's engagement session!

Courtney and Woody spent lots of time at It's A Grind while they were dating, so that's where we started thier session. Their engagement photos were really exciting for me to create because they told me they hardly have any photos of their journey as a couple.... so they're looking forward to having these images.

That being said, they also began our time declaring their nervousness about being photographed, which happens essentially every time.... so to new clients: DONT WORRY! look at how natural and free Courtney and Woody look in these, and be inspired. :)

I approach the delicate task of photographing people with a realization that having your photo taken is not normal. It's not NORMAL to have someone follow you around for an hour or two, telling you where to go and which light is the best to play in, and to "GET CLOSER!" (my trademark.) and to "LAUGH!" (also a favorite of mine!).

So, I'm aware that photographs can be awkward, but I love the challenge of making it as un-awkward as possible, as FUN as possible... and usually by the end of the session people say "that was it?" "that wasn't as hard as i thought!"

and this was literally our first image.
they're insta-pros.

after It's A Grind we went to a secret place in Fullerton----

i love these two!

be encouraged.
it doesnt have to be awkward.
:)
shan

Jen & Jon::::::::::::: the Farmer's Market in LA

Jen and Jon chose to do their engagement session at the Farmer's Market because they LOVE FOOD!!! which totally warmed my heart because I do too, and I love that they love to do things together like cook and eat and go wine tasting. :) thats the best.

we started things off on a good note with FUNNEL CAKE!

i'm breathless over the next three

and here's the polaroid!
haa! i'm laughing by myself right now as i type this. jon totally cracked me up when he pulled out the RV Trader and tried to convince Jen that they should live in an RV when they get married,
and here they are, just spinnin....
thank you anthro for the best window displays, ever:

we ate dinner across the street at Tart. Both Jen and I wanted to go there when we saw it------- because it's so fun looking! It looks like one of those fun organic LA places, right? wrong! southern food. fried southern food. with a fancy wine menu. who knew.

ahh! one of my favorites!
here we are in TART! :)
(hey, at least they have the best outside wall ever)

:)))))))))))))
i loved that engagement session.
shannon.