>> June 5, 2012

Michael & Danielle

Isn’t it sweet when your nearest and dearest friend finds love? Danielle and I have been friends since freshman year of high school. After a hilarious incident in health class brought us together, we’ve been inseparable ever since. Even though she now lives in Liverpool, England, every time we talk its like we haven’t skipped a beat. I cherish our friendship and I honestly thank God so much for bringing such a constant, sweet, loyal and supportive friend like Danielle in my life. When she came home for Christmas two years ago, she told me about Michael and it was then that I knew…I could see it in her eyes that he was a keeper. He was it. She was so excited about him and their then budding relationship so you can imagine, I was SO happy to meet Michael a year later and see them both so in love. Arash and I went to visit Danielle and Michael in Liverpool back in April, where Michael had proposed 1 week before we arrived! Love was in the air, to say the least, and it was only fitting (and a total honor) for me to shoot their engagement session. It was so fun to travel all around Liverpool, stopping in some of their favorite cafes, shops and revisiting stops they made on their very first date. Exploring a brand new city and photographing love? Sign me up! I’m so so thrilled to be Danielle’s Matron of Honor next June, to stand by her side and watch her marry the man of her dreams. This is where Michael proposed, you must see this video from their proposal. Their good friend captured this epic engagement. Michael hired a choir to sing The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” as he walked her through the proposal. Melt. My. Heart.

>> June 4, 2012

EYE CANDY // 22

Most of my days have been consumed with shooting..weddings, engagements, travel…I can hardly give my cameras a break but I can’t complain, I’m loving every second of it. Once in a while, though, I feel a little like this on the inside…

>> June 1, 2012

MASH-UP // 03

In honor of the first day of June, I thought I’d pull together some Pinterest picks that speak to how I feel right about now. I’m so inspired by all the gorgeous sun outside, I can’t wait for this summer to unfold! Any fun plans this summer?

1 Loving all the warm hues // 2 Bright orange citrus! Been eating tons of fruits lately… // 3 A perfect accessory to any outfit. // 4 Sea foam green clutch, must have! // 5 Take this summer and run with it! // 6 “Got my ray bans on and I’m feelin’ hell cool tonight” — Rihanna // 7 So boho, so summer chic. Can’t wait to spend the warm summer nights out with friends. // 8 The perfect graphic throw for any beach day.

>> May 29, 2012

Featured! 100 Layer Cake // French Foodie Bridal Shower

I am so so happy to finally share this Bridal Shower with you and even more excited to see it on 100 Layer Cake today! A big thank you to the ladies over at 100 Layer Cake for featuring this bridal shower, styled by the ever so creative and talented Rebekah of A & B Creative, who is also a bridesmaid in the shoot. This group of ladies are super talented, most of the bridesmaids contributed to the shoot, from hair to invites, this is one talented bridal party! Not to mention, the bride herself is the owner of an adorable vintage furniture boutique, Mignonne. The shower was located at her place, with all its amazing decor (her place was also featured on Apartment Therapy a while back). I always love collaborating on creative shoots and this was definitely a fun day…we had such a fun time celebrating Johnelle over some delicious cocktails, an olive tasting bar and ridiculously tasting food. Isn’t this a fun spin on the traditional bridal shower? Check out the feature at 100 Layer Cake for even more from our shoot!Design and Styling: Rebekah Carey McNall, A & B Creative / Bride’s dress: Vintage / Bride’s earrings: Nadri Tiered Chandelier Earrings from Nordstrom / Bridesmaids earrings: Hook & Matter / Paper Products: Alice Qualls / Hair: Yesenia Guinea Make-Up: Nikol Elaine Make-up Artistry / Flowers: Pilar Zuniga of Gorgeous & Green / Absinthe: St. George’s Spirits / Torte:Market Hall Bakery / Vintage rentals: Mignonne Decor

>> May 28, 2012

Featured! Pen and Paper Weddings

A big thank you to Pen and Paper Weddings for featuring Rachel & Dave’s San Francisco Wedding today! A brand new wedding blog, like Pen and Paper Weddings, can only mean one thing…even more gorgeous wedding eye candy. Be sure to check them out! To see more of my personal favorites from Rachel & Dave’s wedding, check out the blog post here.

>> May 28, 2012

Eye Candy // 21

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday, today. Its nice to get a break once in a while, right? Photo above was taken in Liverpool, England. Can’t wait to share some more Liverpool goodness this week…cheers!

>> May 25, 2012

MASH-UP // 02

Arash and I are spending the weekend in San Francisco, shooting a weekend on Sunday and enjoying the city over the long weekend. So in honor of the weekend, here are a few of my favorite things…

1 A sophisticated palette // 2 Love the typography in this San Francisco print! // 3 A little fringe never hurt no body. // 4 Black Chanel Nail Color// 5 Such a gorgeous bag, perfect for a day out. // 6 Hasselblad, yes please! // 7 Absolutely in love with this Mark Rothko painting…maybe we’ll visit the SF MOMA for some inspiration.

>> May 24, 2012

In The Light // Daniel Ilabaca

Do you remember when I posted this video that completely left me inspired? The Target color ad, was hands down one of my favorite commercials — the compositions, colors, the life, the Parkour. Amazing. WELL…while Arash and I were in Liverpool last month, we met Daniel the choreographer of that very same commercial and it was only fitting that he be the next feature in my new IN THE LIGHT series. Daniel is one of the founders of World Freerunning Parkour Federation, the official meeting place for the worldwide Parkour movement. Hope his story inspires you! *all photos taken with an iPhone*

How would you explain what it is you do?

Its easy to explain to someone what I do from the a physical perspective, I move through the urban landscape jumping and leaping from point A to point B connecting movement in the most efficient way possible.

Where do you hope to go with Parkour?

Well I feel I already live what I dream and soon I plan to use the power of film making to create stories that liberate people. Doing things that make people question the reasons for such movements. I believe that people are afraid of the things they don’t understand…but the truth is that in our innocence of not understanding that is where beauty lies. Accepting we don’t have control and being happy with each day, for me is beautiful.

How did you get started doing it – what inspired you?

I have always been inspired by movement from a very early age, I have two older brothers and I always enjoyed adventures with them as I grew up. I was soon in secondary school and found it frustrating sitting in a class room writing down information that I was told was important to know. None of that really interested me, and I always had my eyes towards the window thinking about being outdoors. It was during one weekend off school, I was out playing and saw a man do a flip off a wall. I was amazed and immediately ran over to him, he gave me his contact card and welcomed me to join him in practice of an art form known as Capoeira, which is a brazilian martial art. One thing lead to the next and it was back to what I had always been doing as a boy, back to climbing trees and using the surrounding landscape to express my emotions. That was the beginning for me.

To follow up with Daniel and watch some of his work…check out: web // youtube // Facebook

Thanks Daniel for being IN THE LIGHT!

>> May 21, 2012

Eye Candy // 20

Been super inspired by neons even more lately. With summer just around the corner, these colors couldn’t be more perfect. I bought a couple swimsuits one in bright neon yellow and the other in a fab coral color — now I just have to work on my tan — Hawaii can’t get here soon enough. Can’t wait for summer! Hope you enjoy today’s eye candy…Happy Monday!

>> May 16, 2012

Mike & Vivian Part Two // Mountain View Engagement

I posted Mike & Vivian’s SF engagement session a while back but never posted these! I was looking through my images last night and I thought, these were SO fun, why not post them now?! Hope you enjoy a few more frames of Mike, Vivian and some pretty sweet items they brought along for the ride.