Debbie + Mike: Marriott Hotel Manhattan Beach

Alas, a wedding we had been waiting for since last summer (well, we look forward to all of them, but Debbie and Mike promised us a particularly amazing day :). They are both avid golfers and volleyball enthusiasts so where better to have their wedding but the classy Manhattan Beach Marriott and Golf Club. The weather was brilliant all day - clear skies and cool breezes made for the perfect outdoor ceremony - followed by an elegant ballroom reception. Debbie and Mike invited plenty of dancing fans, so clearly we didn't have a dull second through the night. Check out the second to last photo ... Debbie went outside the ballroom for a dancing break and wanted to try sitting in her gown (!).

Ashley + Nick: Preview

I couldn't resist sharing this photo early. So cute. Nick and Ashley had a beautiful (and intimate ... 25 people!) ceremony in Laguna Beach two weeks ago and gave us a huge portrait window in the late afternoon. More to come this week!

What not to do

Ladies, I know the bouquet toss is an important reception staple ... and I know its nice to to it differently than the other brides out there ... however I think I found a pretty clear example of what not to do:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8149910.stm

-Paul

Suzy + Co's Wedding Album

This is an album I am really excited to show off. Suzy and Co celebrated their day with both a morning Vietnamese Tea Ceremony and a Chinese Tea Ceremony later in the afternoon. There were so many beautiful shades of red, I new before the first shutter was clicked we would be going with Leather Craftsmen's Modern Red euro leather for the cover treatment. The finished product is gorgeous ... I'll hate to see it leave the studio! Leanne did an amazing job with the design (I am very lucky to have found her!), which was embellished with the simple ring shot as a cover photo and their names below it. Check out the custom studio imprint on the inside front cover. So cool.

Thanks Chris and the team at Leather Craftsmen in Santa Ana for making such a beautiful handmade keepsake.

-Paul

Portland Love

I just wanted to share a few stand out photos from our trip last week to Portland. My Contax was getting lonely so I left the digital at home, dusted off the light meter, packed up 10 rolls of 220 and had a blast. These negs are so sharp ... my ghetto scanner does not do them justice. I also used the opportunity to revisit a project I've been stringing along over the last couple of years that deals with my identity as a twin. I photographed Eric a bunch of times and now need to do the digital montage work ... maybe I'll post them here if they turn out well. (PS, for those of you who don't already know ... Eric is my identical twin brother. That isn't me below holding the box berries).

Peace, love, and carrots,

Paul

Therese + Billy: The Villa, Westminster

A truly local wedding. Therese and Billy both grew up in Long Beach and now live (literally) five blocks from us. The big day started out with the guys and girls getting dressed at their parents houses, then a limo ride to the El Dorado Nature Preserve for portraits. The light was amazing there, earthy greens and yellows glowed ... complimenting the girls dresses and flowers. Next was their ceremony at the beautiful Grace First Presbyterian Church, followed by dinner and dancing at The Villa in Westminster. Therese loves candles (who doesn't really) and decked out the reception with a warm candle-lit glow. Love it!

Alas, we are back

You can tell that wedding season is in full swing right now, otherwise we would probably be more attentive to our fledgling blog :)

Keep an eye out later today, I have a bunch of new and exciting things to share.

Paul

Prom Date 2000

Everyone say is a small world. I found myself in agreement about 9 months ago when I reconnected with my good friend Courtney from high school. She was getting married and I photograph weddings .... so naturally we had to be there for her. As the photo attests ... Courtney was my prom date my senior year of high school (!!). It is amazing to look at that photo of us as kids and to compare it to the photos we're making now for her now that we are grown up. Small world indeed.

Huge Congratulations to you both! (More photos to come soon :)