Jaime + Mike : Wedding Portraits

We recently were privileged enough to photograph Jaime and Mike for a portrait session after their wedding. They wanted us for their actual wedding, but we were already booked for their day. Needless to say they went with someone else who lacked the attention to subtle detail and essence they were looking for. Fortunately, we got back in touch with Jaime and Mike and took them back to their church for a few portraits, followed by a brief wander through the over-grown grasses by the toll road nearby. The light illuminated them brilliantly that afternoon.

I love how Mike helped Jaime get dressed. They played their wedding playlist in the background while they were getting ready. Romantic. The connection between them is almost stronger in this photo session than anything else ... most grooms don't get the opportunity to help their brides put on the wedding dress (!).

absolutely love this photo!

Monterey : Anniversary Road Trip

February 14th has again come and gone. For most people, the 14th represents valentine's day, chocolates, flowers, and a night off for lovers everywhere. For us, its a bit more. We never really celebrated valentine's day because it was trumped by our anniversary -- our first date was on valentines day 2001, a wednesday, we went out with each other by default because we were insanely attracted to each other and coincidentally both dateless for the evening -- well, our anniversary is actually a few weeks later but neither of us can remember it so we rounded down to our first date. So we usually let valentines day pass by in favor of a calmer weekend to steal away for our anniversary, but braved it this year.

9 Years. We've been married over a year now, but we look back over the past decade for many brilliant memories together. 9 years! The time has really flown by. This year marks the first time we actually celebrated on the 14th ... I took Leanne to Monterey for the weekend. Monterey was the first place Leanne and I ever visited ... and it was substantially better now that we're old enough to drink (!). That and the drive coming home down PCH through Big Sur in the late afternoon is viscerally beautiful.

In a few photos we're showing off our vintage shop scores ... Paul: Agfa Clack 6X9 camera. 1950's German born plastic camera with a glass lens and a 6x9 cm negative (images coming soon). It could put a holga in headlock and indian-burn it until it cried uncle! Leanne: Wood typesetter's drawer. Full of little nooks that originally held lettered dies, but is now destined for our wall ... Leanne is going to paint the inside and (two birds with one stone) organize and display her jewelry.

I love the pic of Leanne looking amazing, but interestingly inappropriately dress for the coastal hike I forced her to follow me on. And the fog rolling over the shoreline of the pacific.

Don't know where I'd be without you, love you babe.

-Paul

Melahat + Kwame : Engagement Session Long Beach

We had a stellar time with these guys (right in our backyard, beautiful Belmont Shore!). We started out our day with a quick drink at Melahat's favorite spot Bonos on 2nd st. We wandered around and capitalized on all the unique nooks the shore has to offer. Then darted over to the Hotel Maya next to the Queen Mary (during the summer, you can take a boat across the bay from downtown to the Maya for $1. Thats what I'm talking about). The Maya is wildly decorated in a combination of south american antique and american modern. Not to mention their white sangria is delightfully tasty.

Towards the end of our session, Melahat pulled a bright orange scarf out of her purse and asked if we could incorporate it into the photos. Its lettered with a farsi love poem ... which is apparently outlawed in Iran, so a close family friend snuck one to her as a gift. Amazing.

Congrats you two! Can't wait for the wedding in May!