When you know, you know. Vincci + Jim knew they were meant to be. We knew we were meant to work together the second we sat down at our client meeting. And I knew they would rock their engagement session the second I saw them walk up. Can’t wait for their wedding in May! Cuz you know. It’s gone be bomb.

Happy Tuesday!

The ever so funny and laid-back Kim family at the Fullerton Arboretum. I really do heart them. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much at a family session. I love it when parents roll with the punches and have fun when their kids are crying.

And the last shot? We really really tried. But I love the picture more because it’s so real.

Happy Friday everyone.

A few images that will forever bring back unforgettable memories during our trip to Europe: London, Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome. Europe is so breathtakingly beautiful. So much charm and history.

My memories in a nutshell: Homeless our first night in Paris because our host from Airbnb cancelled on us last minute. Eating crepes and street food at 2AM. Street food vendors asking us for a kiss. Drinking wine at random cafes. The spinach, tomato, cheese and bacon crepe from la creperie de josselin – it was pure heaven. Salted caramel macaroons from laduree – the BEST I have EVER had. I still dream about it. Our AMAZING hotel in London - St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel. Going to the wrong airport (it wasn’t me!) and almost missing our flight from Paris to Venice. My turbulent  relationship with EASYJET. Waiting at the train station in Venice at 4AM with homeless men everywhere; that was pretty scary. Feeding the pigeons at St. Mark Square, Venice. NUTELLA! omg NUTELLA. Street food, paninis and GELATO! The banana and nutella gelato my friend got was freaking amazing. I still dream about that too. The sandwich from Nerbone in Florence. It was so good I ate it 3 times. Get the beef. The men. Oh how the men in Europe are beautiful. Forcing my friend to walk to the Eiffel Tower at 12AM and walking for over 1.5 hours. The cobble stone streets. Splashing around in puddles like a little kid. Or at least just me. Visiting the Vatican and having mass with the POPE! Making friends at EVERY restaurant we went to. The people in Europe were so nice and helpful. Getting lost on our way to our studio in Rome. The Colosseum. Our 45 minute guided tour being cancelled due to the heavy snow. Sticking my tongue out in the middle of the Colosseum to catch snow. A snowflake hitting my eye. It felt like someone punched me because the snowflakes were HUGE. You could hear it hit the cobblestone. Trains/trams/taxis and buses all stopped working the morning of our flight home. HITCHHIKING to the train station and making friends with everyone waiting for the train to the airport. The pasta in italy. I couldn’t get enough. Trying carbonara pasta for the first time. My toes almost getting frostbite because it was FREEZING. Walking the streets of Florence with my face to the sky, watching it snow. Getting yelled at for taking a picture inside ZARA. Talking about the mafia in Sicily with a man from Sardinia- that was pretty awesome. Meeting the NICEST couple from London while waiting for the snow to let up in Rome. Walking in the rain and getting DRENCHED. I refused to use an umbrella. Falling down the stairs on the way to the subway. My friend answering back in a British accent when she asked for directions in London. That was hilarious. And she wasn’t even trying to be funny. Making friends with every hotel receptionist. Sitting elbow to elbow in restaurants. My friend getting in trouble for taking a picture inside the Sistine Chapel.

It was an amazing trip.

Sara + Ken are another one of my amazing past clients. I really do love these two and was lucky enough to be a part of their engagement, their wedding in hawaii and now their first bundle of joy. The thing I love most about my job is getting to meet new people all the time and developing real, lasting friendships with my clients. It seriously boggles my mind when I get to see and capture life moving forward.

Congrats you guys and I can’t wait to see baby Leo!

Oh. This goes without saying, but Sara looks UNBELIEVABLE pregnant. It’s just not fair.

Just wanted to let you know that I will be out of office from 1/24 – 2/4. My friend and I will be traveling in Europe! I seriously can’t wait to see Paris again. It will be my first time in Italy so I am pretty excited about that as well! This trip couldn’t come at a more perfect time since we’ll be in Europe during my birthday! My birthday’s on the 26th of February, so we’re a little off but it’s all good cuz I’ll be celebrating my faux bday in Cinque Terre. Yeah-uh. I don’t know how much access I will have to the internet, but I will definitely be returning all emails/calls once I get back! Thank you so much for your patience and understanding! Safe travels to all and if I see you in Europe… let’s make history.

View from Arc de Triomphe. Paris, January 2010.

Ann and I have known each other since we were tiny little embryos. Even our dad’s go way back. Every time I see Ann’s dad, I make him tell me stories from their youth. Ann and I were having lunch one day and it somehow turned into a client meeting/instant booking. LOVE when that happens! You might recognize Ann from Julia’s wedding I shot last year. They are actually twin sisters!

Ann + Josh met at UCI so we decided to go back to their old stomping ground! I get so happy when couples infuse their story to our sessions.

P.s. Ann is a pro when it comes to yoga. She forced took me to a hot yoga class and while I was trying to balance standing on my own two feet, Ann was balancing on her big toe. OHMYGOODNESS. NO JOKE. That was pretty amazing. So the last 2 photos are of her showing us her yoga skills. Actually, the 2nd to last photo is of Josh attempting downward dog. It was pretty funny because he kept saying his pants were going to rip. I guess it’s one of those ‘you had to be there’ moments. LOL. I love you two to pieces! You guys are SO perfect for each other and can’t wait for your wedding in February! We’re going to have lots of fun!

Happy new year everyone! I hope you rang in 2012 with a bang! Man. I had such a hard time narrowing down images for this post. I started with 100+ images but somehow managed to narrow it down to around 60. Rachel + Cesar hit it out of the park with their wedding. It was fun, full of color and lots of happy emotions. I know I say this all the time, but I really had so much fun shooting their wedding. And how adorable is the last shot? I think it totally represents how much fun and chill Rachel + Cesar are. Not a lot of brides will let some stranger’s dog lick her face. LOL. It was awesome. Rachel + Cesar! Thank you SO much for sharing your special day with me! It was definitely memorable and I wish you guys all the best!

Vendor round-up:

Photography – Connie M. Chung

2nd shooter – UP Imagery

Venue – Shorebreak Hotel, Huntington Beach

Wedding Coordinator – Jennifer of OC Weddings and Events

Florist – Amanda Heer of Fantasy Floral Designs

Hair & Makeup – Studio 37 Salon