Tag Archives: Laguna Beach engagement photos

these two…

Another great evening photographing a couple whose wedding I’m shooting a little later this year. With the “May grey” weather we’ve been having along the coast, I was inspired to do a darker, moodier color treatment on their images. I couldn’t be happier with the way they turned out and word has it she cried when viewing them. Always a good sign 🙂

This was my “in and around Laguna” engagement session, which gives us lots of different backdrops and typically ends at the beach.

As brides-to-be often do, Hadhyja had her hair and make-up trial the day of our sesh.  And, let’s talk about her hair! Gorgeous, yes?

 

IMG_1014IMG_1058IMG_1107IMG_1121IMG_1244IMG_1363

another engagement session in and around laguna

I’m shooting Monique and Steven’s wedding in three weeks, but did their engagement session just last Sunday with one of my favorite concepts: “In & Around Laguna.” Strolling around, we stop where I see an opportunity for photography that expresses who they are as a couple. For example, the locations I chose have some harmony with the clothing my subjects are wearing. Some couples opt for shorts, sandals and t-shirts. That leads to a entirely different session than Monique and Steven, for example.

There are just so many nooks, crannies, and special spots that only locals know. And, after living in LB for so long, I’d like to think I’ve discovered them all!

Monique looked like a gorgeous porcelain doll, and her Chinese red and gold dress was stunning. Really looking forward to the wedding!

Looks like we traveled to Asia or Morocco, doesn't it?

Looks like we traveled to Asia or Morocco, doesn’t it?

Looks like we traveled to Asia, or Morocco, doesn't it?

 

Loving this luscious cocoa-colored treatment.

Loving this luscious cocoa-colored treatment. Much cooler than your typical sepia. More like a black and white… but brown.

Yeah!

Oh, yeah!

An engagement session in Laguna Beach…sort of…

laguna_beach_engagement_session_15

Hard to pick a favorite, but this MIGHT be it.

 

This was quite like a Laguna Beach engagement photo session.  BUT…this cute couple actually got married two years ago on the sand, right here in Laguna. They’re from Michigan and were so happy to have a chance to come back for a little va-cay. Sadly, they weren’t happy with their actual wedding photos, so they asked me to do a “do-over” session. What could I say but…”YES! I’d LOVE to!”. We did a Laguna Beach tour…from my favorite “urban alley”, to my favorite brick wall, the Main Beach lifeguard tower, and the beach at gorgeous Montage Hotel.

Meghan and Dave turned into supermodels right before my eyes :-). We had so much fun, and I’m thrilled with the results.

I LOVE shooting into the sun and creating a lens flare. To me, it just adds to the "story value" and creates a more romantic image.

I LOVE shooting into the sun and creating a lens flare. To me, it just adds to the “story value” and creates a more romantic image.

laguna_beach_engagement_session_2

Sweet sweet love.

laguna_beach_engagement_session_5

Favorite brick wall! The black iron window makes it!

laguna_beach_engagement_session_7

This is where Meghan and Dave turned into supermodels. The colors in the background play perfectly off their black/blue tops.

laguna_beach_engagement_session_16

Meghan is exactly a foot shorter than Dave. 6’1 to 5’1. Cute way to emphasize their height difference.

laguna_beach_engagement_session_3 laguna_beach_engagement_session_4 laguna_beach_engagement_session_6 laguna_beach_engagement_session_8 laguna_beach_engagement_session_9 laguna_beach_engagement_session_10 laguna_beach_engagement_session_11 laguna_beach_engagement_session_12 laguna_beach_engagement_session_13 laguna_beach_engagement_session_14 laguna_beach_engagement_session_17 laguna_beach_engagement_session_18 laguna_beach_engagement_session_19

Dean + Deanne are engaged

Now isn’t that the cutest? Dean and Deanne, D&D, D-Squared, Double D’s … whatever you call them, they are adorable! I’m so looking forward to their wedding day and the fun it will be. Lots of relatives traveling all the way from South Africa to attend. And, Deanne will be a spectacular bride!  We just wandered around Laguna Beach and visited some of my favorite spots. Do you recognize the locations?

IMG_0241 IMG_0148 IMG_0152 IMG_0169 IMG_0192 IMG_9997

Rock and Roll engagement shoot … how fun!

Okay, so rock drummer extraordinaire, Englishman Daniel Barnes, and his beloved — Faith Darling — the best and most adorable hair stylist in Laguna Beach! … wanted to do a photo shoot. His family in England haven’t met Faith yet, so I wanted to show their personalities and how darned cute they are together.

Think I did it!

Of course, I had to do a shot featuring Daniel's new tattoo. Faith's name ... but so much more.

Lisa + Chris’ Laguna Beach engagement shoot

These photos were taken just last evening. I was so happy, I wanted to share a few!

One of my very favorite places to do an engagement session is in my own ‘backyard’ of Laguna Beach. I like to park the car and just walk around town, stopping when we spot a great backdrop. I do have to admit I sometimes get a little ‘performance’ anxiety. I’d just met Lisa earlier in the week to book her wedding, and had never met Chris. But, as soon as we started shooting , I relaxed. And clearly, they did too. I could tell that we’d get some terrific images. The results tell the tale.

Chris and Lisa were up for anything! A terrific and fun couple to work with.  Can hardly wait for their wedding!

Here are a few more favorites. (And, we didn’t even set foot on the sand!)

How great is this? Chris looks like he's walking on air.

Such a sweet look.

The yellow wild mustard was the perfect contrast to Lisa's red shirt.

Carpe diem is always the order of the day. We happened upon this bike, and I couldn’t resist.