...{Capturing Life's Emotions} KrashingMotions: September 2010

{Engaged} SueAnn & Phuong | Petersen Automotive Museum eSession | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

I have been a blogging fiend this month (I think I amy be addicted)! Today is the last day of September and my 13th post- the most posts in one month for me this year! What a shocker especially since I had computer issues for a week!

What a way to end summer and begin fall... a good note and note with a couple in love!....

My couple #3 was SueAnn & Phuong, though I must be getting old because I thought he said Von and I must have said 5 times. Thankfully, Phuong corrected me and I finally got it straight.

They are an adorable couple who were very patient with me, because by the time I started to shoot them the sun had set and we were losing light quickly. We headed inside to shoot. I had already shot car after car and couple after couple and I really wanted each couple to have something different. I made great efforts to make each session unique from one another it was a great exercise and challenge.

As we shot and talked, I came to find out their wedding will be in Maui and that they really wanted a beach wedding but apparently you can't have a full size wedding on the sand. Hhhmm, I didn't know that. But from what it sounds like their wedding is going to be amazing regardless if it's directly on the sand or not. Who wants sand in their shoes and have you ever walked with heels in the sand?

No worries, they can at least get some amazing portraits of the two of them on the beach; I'm envisioning it right now- wow!

They are just so cute. I had them lay down and they felt a bit awkward, but it's those awkward moments that bring out the real smiles, the laughter (my intention completely)!

This was too funny. I had them go up and down the escalator, hoping to get it just right. During one of the runs, Phuong was supposed to look at SueAnn but instead he completely dissed her (on accident that is) as she reached out to him. Apparently he didn't here my cue to look and reach.

This was my favorite moment, because I think Phuong caught SueAnn by surprise!

Congrats to you!

Aloha!

Contact KrisD Mauga | View KrashingMotions Gallery | Book Me

Washington Family Gathering | Honoring Grammy | Washington Photography

If you are a regular to my blog you know that it's not just about my photography or weddings it's about my life as well. Of course I write and post blogs for my clients and to expuse my work but I have embraced blogging also as my online journal. So I post my life here for you and even more so for myself so it will forever be out there. I have always journaled and over the years, well if you know me I'm one of those people who misplaces things such as journals and then finds them in a box years later. So if it's online it can't get lost!

The last 3 months went by SO extremely fast!
August was an insane month for me with huge ups and huge downs!

After I found out my Grammy was on her last days, my amazing friend Maggie took me to Santa Barbara to get away. The following weekend I had to fly up north to Washington for my Grammy's memorial. Then the following week my husband, daughter and I took a very spontaneous trip to Hawaii (that one still blows my mind that we purchased a room via Priceline before we even had flights and almost could get a flight up there because we purchased them only 2 days before). Then the day after I arrived back here in Long Beach I drove to Malibu to shoot a wedding!

So you are all going to get a heap posts to here for a while... so enjoy or beware.

I really wanted to post my Washington trip because despite the saddening circumstances it was truly wonderful to visit and reconnect with my family.

My sister Kendee and I flew out on a Thursday arriving in Seattle sometime after midnight. I had a little buzz from some wine, anxiety and lack of sleep when walked off. Track back, Kendee and I get on our flight only to realize that we are on shuttle plane with only 2 seats on each side and maybe 20 rows and it was a 3 hour flight. This may not sound horrible to anyone else but both Kendee and I are bit claustrophobic and we felt like we were in a can of sardines. It didn't help that when one passenger in particular bent over his plummer's butt ended up being only 2 inches away from Kendee's face- gross and made me chuckle- thankfully it wasn't me (sorry Kendee you wanted the aisle seat).

Anyhow we make it to Seattle and meet our brother at the condo in the middle of the night allowing us apps 2-3 hours left to sleep before we have to wake and drive 4 hours to Okanogan to lay my Grammy to rest.

I'm going to say this probably many times... even though we were sad it was a memorable trip.
Our drive in the morning starts by picking up our cousin Ally who apparently has know idea where she lives. While on the phone with her she can't remember any of the streets nearby her ouse. I'm not sure if she knew her address.... too funny (one of those moments where you had to be there). I love you Ally- you crack me up!

We then meet my other cousin and his new bride who just married the week before the memorial. They also have the cutest baby Kiley who was an absolute trooper during our roadtrip. Our meeting spot funny enough was at drive-thru coffee hut which were served by a gal in a bikini (really?). This trip was definitely a "trip".
We drove through some truly beautiful sights of Washington, starting in Kirkland through windy roads lined with lush green 80 foot pines, then vast lands with eclectic farms, into the northeast where Washington began to look more like Sonoma Valley of Northern California. I have visited many parts of Washington all my life and NEVER had thought it resembled California until now. This was unchartered territory for me and it was a piece of my Grammy I never knew.

She was raised in Okanogan and she wanted to be laid to rest there. As we drove through the small town, I could envision her as a cute little girl walking down this quaint old town that still resembled the 30's.

After her memorial (which I think she would have been very pleased with) we headed to the cutest, most eclectic restaurant called The Breadline. We enjoyed food, beverages, memories and family. My grandpa whom I call Uncle Wes was in such pain due to his loss of his love and a botched hip surgery (which I'm happy to say he just had replaced last week successfully) yet mustered up smiles and strength for all of us.

Someone enjoyed her yum-yums!

This place was amazing- a true gem. I wish they had one here in Long Beach.

My dad was reunited with his cousins; it had been 30 years since we visited them last at my Aunt Pat's ranch.

My Uncle Dave above was the minister for the memorial. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job; I know it was difficult to keep your emotions from getting the best fo you.

Below are two couples of newlyweds. My cousin just below who had married one week before the memorial.

And then my Aunt Paula and her husband Mike who had just married 2 weeks before the memorial. It was like the movie 3 Weddings and a Funeral for our Washington families who attended all the events those 3 weeks. Thank you Aunt Paula & Mike for hospitality later that day and the next- we had such a great time catching up!

Here my Uncle Wes was able to enjoy some great memories with old friends.
I was so proud of him. Near the end of our gathering I had placed my fedora on him and thought man he is so dapper! He looked so handsome in it, I had to give it to him.

The trip was sleepless after only 2 hours of sleep, travel, a memorial, a celebration of life, 4 hours of sleep, some more family bonding the next day Kendee & I headed back to Kirkland for a late night dinner and yet again 2 more hours of sleep because we had to be at the airport at 3:30 am.

We take off on our flight back to LA. I rest my eyes for about an hour or so then I see the sun is rising. The sky was blanketed with glowing clouds and I felt I was in heaven. I felt my Grammy.
I'm not a morning person at all but since my Grammy's passing I have now seen 5 sunrises andI truly think it's her telling us we will be fine and it's going to be a beautiful life!

Contact KrisD Mauga | View KrashingMotions Gallery | Book Me

Engaged {Jessica & Pete} | Petersen Automotive Museum | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Here we have couple number 2 from the Charity Shoot Out @ the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The great thing about the shoot out is they can test out multiple photographers and see who they are comfortable working with.

It's not often any couple gets an opportunity to work with a photographer before they book, so a word of advice is to always meet your photographer to see if you can even spend a day with them.

In this world of go, go, go it can be hard to meet, so if that is the case then call ans speak with them or even better skype.

(I know I've said this before but it's true you want to work with a photographer you like).

Meet Pete & Jessica. They are fun-loving couple who kept me laughing during our shoot.

Most guys in almost every shoot need to be drawn out in order to capture the real them. Pete was one of the few that was already in shooting mode making our 15 minute time limit much easier to shoot.

Our shoot was light & fun, like most of my shoots.

I hope you two had as much fun with our shoot as I did with you!

Congrats!

I love the flare shot. I'm not sure if they knew what I was trying to capture but they were patient with me and kissed probably ten times (torture for a madly in love couple, right) for me to get just how I wanted.

Contact KrisD Mauga | View KrashingMotions Gallery | Book Me

Real Wedding {Kate & David} | Malibu West Club | Malibu Wedding Photographer

Ok so here it is the Malibu Wedding featuring David & Kate!

So of course I am over-posting because I loved this wedding! There were so many memorable moments that I really could not decide what to leave out. It's a wedding and it's one of the most important days of Kate & David's lives!

I arrive to the Renaissance Inn in Agoura Hills to 99+ degree weather. Ouch! Luckily the wedding was actually on the beach in Malibu so the weather was perfect for the ceremony and reception.

I meet with Ian get the play of the day then meet our beautiful bride Kate. She is just stunning and so sweet! Her mother was an absolute doll as well. She would tear up looking Kate and could see how honored she felt to be her mother.

The ladies take off into the limo only about 15 minutes late which is pretty good given most weddings.

I wait for the boys to arrive to the hotel room so I can capture their "getting ready" moment.

So now you are probably wondering why I am giving a play by play and not just the simple facts of the day and the emotions that ran threw.

Because there were so many mini stories of this day and all had me so entertained!

Moving on...

Here is David getting ready! The 1st thing he and his groomsmen said to me is "it's going to get weird".

ok....?... story continues...scroll down...

Here is the lovely Kate!

There are infamous boys warning me. As they got ready, I noticed they were putting on bright (I mean utterly bright) yellow vest on with popping blue ties. In my head I'm thinking well maybe they are UCLA fans or alumni. I can see the groomsmen are being supportive by not saying anything about the vest but you know they are thinking "really we have to wear this?"

David passes out gifts to the boys. First gift is a 3 tube cigar holder; it was pretty cool 2 tubes held cigars while the 3rd was actually a flask!

Now onto the second gift, a tie! It was navy with pink stripes. The guys look with confusion. David then with an enormous grin on his face announces that the yellow vests are joke! Still confused, the guys look around at each other and then it hits them! A roar of laughter and relief fills the room!

David was proud of himself; he had got all of us. I was laughing so hard along with everyone! By the way they are not UCLA alumni they are quite the opposite- USC! Fight On!

(I had to tell them, that just the day before the wedding I had returned from Hawaii. Which we went visited just to see the Trojans!~ my hubby is an alumni as well.)

The guys change for a 2nd time and we are about to leave. I start gathering my gear then turn to see all the guys with their drawers down!

Now they really got me!!!! It will be one of those wedding moments I shall never forget.

David was so proud of himself!

Kate was one of the most relaxed brides I had ever seen ~Really. I'm lucky I have not had a bridezilla experience (as I knock on wood); all of my brides have been so great.

The ceremony was beautiful. They looked into each others' eyes with such admiration and love.

Wedding Party portraits were amazing (I love shooting this part of a wedding).

I think my favorites are when they aren't being posed but the moments between when they weren't expecting me to shoot.

Just when we think we are about done, one of the groomsmen decided he really wanted to launch off the sand berm so I chased after them capturing their first launch and then asked them to do it again about 3 more times.

This groups was full of life!

Kate's dress was remarkable!

I love when a coule has a choreographed dance or a couple who knows how to dance well; it really makes for an amazing entrance!

Everyone was having such a blast that no one was willing to leave on the 1st shuttle at 10:pm. We ended upp waiting until about 10:45 and there were only 8 of us on board. I hope everyone made it home safely!

The reeling in of the fish was too funny!

I was thrilled to shoot along with Ian of Ian Andrew Photography and capture some amazing moments of Kate & David.

Congrats to Kate & David~ Cheers!

Vendor List:

Wedding Planner: Helen of "With Grace Productions"

Venue: Malibu West Beach Club

MUA & Hair: Vicki of Lipstik

DJ: George W Graham III of DJ Connection

This wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty

Contact KrisD Mauga | View KrashingMotions Gallery | Book Me

Malibu West Club Wedding | The Details | Malibu Wedding Photographer

So I have been anxiously waiting to post this wedding! Ian of Ian Andrew Photography was in need of a 2nd Sept 3rd.

... side track to a year ago when we met at a Smug Mug meeting. Jessica Claire was the speaker and she was graciously giving away a few ShootSac's. One happened to be left in the aisle; people seemed to hesitate then Ian (whom I did not know) and I realized it's up for grabs, so I jumped up in heals and sprinted for it. Needless to say, Ian snatched it first.

A couple months later, I attend an eSession shoot out we meet again. When I put 2 n 2 together I realize he is my Shoot Sac nemesis!

So when I see he needs a 2nd I offer my services especially knowing it's in Malibu- I love shooting Malibu weddings!

Actually our styles compliment each other very well so I was looking forward to the wedding even more.

A torturous heat in Agoura Hills to shoot the getting ready shots, then an over heated limo with little to know air for our ride to Malibu West. Despite the heat, the mood was fun and relaxed with the groom, bride, family and guests.

The setting was worth the earlier heat because the beach itself was the most perfect weather ever!

I'm not going to get into the whole day just yet (and yes there are many stories to tell). I'm posting a teaser with my shots of details alone because I really hate not posting EVERY detail and EVERY moment; every detail and every moment matters and means so much! So to give this wedding justice I will be posting twice.

Wedding Planner: Helen of "With Grace Productions"

Venue: Malibu West Club