Creating an Album from 1975...

Our good friend and bride named Jen came to me recently with a request I have never had before. She wanted me to design an album... for her Mother's wedding. Her Mom's album was deteriorating, the pages wilting and warping and the photos falling out of place.

She had this idea to create an album that would face the test of time, something that her Mom could show off proudly. For me, this was an amazing opportunity! I loved looking over these old photographs, feeling the history and seeing the way wedding photography has evolved, yet has remained the same. It was fun to scan the photos and tell a story from long ago. I also decided to scan the old album's cover and use it in the design. Although I am creating a more durable and long lasting album, I couldn't let myself part with the beauty and nostalgia I felt when I held the old one. <3

What really gets me about this project is the importance of photography. Everyday I create images and I create memories for other people. It was fun to go back to a time before me. It is fun to think that someday our children will look back on our photos and wonder what it felt like to be here.

~Leanne

Natalie + Tommy : Balboa Engagement

We had a great time with these two exploring the Balboa Peninsula. Natalie and Tommy have such a playful energy between them, they made our job easy by showing the love (and competitiveness ;) throughout the whole session. Even their dog Ziggy got to take a break from the car to come keep them company.

Congrats both of you ... can't wait to travel to the Palm Desert with you guys to document your wedding this summer!

May Day is the Time to Play....

As a "Cinco de Mayo" baby, I love my share of tacos and margaritas come birthday time... but this year I wanted to do things a little differently. I got to talking with my good friend Andy who is from England. He began telling me about May Day and all of it's unique traditions.

May day is a celebration of springtime fertility and longer days. It marks the end of Winter and is best known for its tradition of dancing the May pole. Some other cool customs are making flower crowns and garlands. My favorite tradition which my neighbor Jill taught me is to roll paper into a cone, fill it with fresh flowers, hang it on a neighbors door, ring the bell and run! Ha, this was too fun!

Since we were celebrating the birth of spring and many of my friends were born in April and May I decided it would be fun to have one big birthday celebration! On May Day we honored Kerstin, Heather, Andy, Joe, Jaden and Me!

The most memorable moment was when we danced the May Pole. It was so beautiful to see the colorful ribbons glistening in the sunlight. To hear the laughter and song. It was one of best experiences I have ever had.

Happy May!

xoxo ~Leanne

Paperless Post...

Hi friends! Here is a really cool way to be green while saving some green. I just found this site that allows you to send out invitation and save the dates called Paperless Post!







The designs are really contemporary and stylish. My favorite part is that it sends you an addressed envelope via email, and then by clicking on it allows you to feel as though you are actually opening up a letter.

If you are on a budget and looking for a more eco-friendly way to send out your invites this is the way to go!

~Leanne

Christine + Larry : La Jolla Engagement

If this engagement session was any indicator of whats to come at the wedding ... then I am wicked-excited. These two take fun to a whole 'nother level! Christine brought along ginormous lolly pops for a special wedding image (to be revealed later). We thought we would keep them in the frame for a little longer and capture pure awesomeness. The best part was when Christine stole Larry's candy and smacked it into her own by accident, breaking hers in half.

Both Orange County natives, Christine and Larry looked to us to step outside the homeland and find a unique setting for them. We packed the car with snacks, headed south, and discovered (much to my enjoyment) the Salk Institute near UCSD. Amazing place to say the least. Then we drove up the road to catch sunset at nearby Torrey Pines.

If fun fit into a scale from 1 to 10 ... these two go to 11! Can't wait for the wedding.

-Paul

Love Larry's tatoos ... they look even more rad tightly wrapped around Christine