Happy Birthday Drewbie! | {Sweet 16} | Lifestyle Photography

Last night my hubby, daughter and I went to Drew's Sweet 16! Drew is my niece and the 2nd in her family to turn 16!  I met her when she was 3 1/2!  It's crazy to think she is now 16 and on her way to be an adult!
I have to say this girl along with her sister Deison (who will graduate this year) are amazing girls!  They impress me with their drive, their ambition and their confidence!  They have an amazing mommy and family who support them and keep them directed in life!  The vision the girls have on their own is truly amazing and I have NO doubt that they shall be amazing leaders in the future!

As for the celebration itself...well I can say "thanks mom n dad"; you created an amazing night for an amazing girl!
We love you Drew!

My gift to her was just some fun shots we took a couple months ago and then some fun Movie Poster designs to suit the style of the party!

{Appearing}

DREW!!!!!

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Kristen & Mike | {Rock the Dress} | Featured on Engaged and Inspired

This may be the longest photo post I have featured!  Back in May Kristen emailed me asking if they could book their Rock the Dress Session that they had bid and won the year prior from a charity event I donated my services. They were quite lucky couple not only did they win a Rock the Dress from me they also won full wedding coverage via another photographer.
So their wedding day had come and pass.  The one thing she said that it was a bit hectic and the rain had put a spin on the day itself.  She was able toe get coverage and all the shots need for a wedding with the exception of ones of just them.  She said there were a few photos but not as many as she hoped and all this was due to craziness a wedding can bring and the weather of course really cut into photo time.
Couples this does happen and that's why it is so great to have the chance at a 1st Look prior to the Ceremony or if you can't budget the time in then a Rock the Dress session can make up for those lost moments.
Since I didn't shoot their wedding I thought for this Rock the Dress we would create a sudo wedding theme as if the eloped and then celebrate on their own and take a mini honeymoon.  Without further ado, here is their story captured from a day of Rock'n the Dress!

Their shoot was also featured last month on the fabulous wedding blog Engaged and Inspired  , so make sure to check out their feature and leave some love!
(hence why it took me so long to post...I had to wait for the feature to be published)

So here we start with them having private ceremony and then celebrating right after as they are announce husband and wife!

Reception time- cocktails and tapas- Cheers!





Now off to the honeymoon!... and away!

I luv this shot!  this random kid just came and asked to get his picture with Kristen... so cute!


So this is them returning home from all the fun back to the LBC!  Yes Kristen & Mike live here locally in Long Beach as do I.  People who live in LB, LOVE the LBC!!!  We are a proud group of people loving and living the culture here!
The lady below was just too fun.... she walks across totally aware we are shooting but without a care!  Love moments like this!

So here is to you Kristen & Mike!
Cheers!

Credits:
Floral Bouquet by Megan Gray of Honey & Poppies
MUA by Yve Hart Beauty
2nd shooter Shanda Hudson

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Intimate Moments | Long Beach Boudoir Session | Groom Gift

So I shot this a while ago, but I was waiting to have it featured and then of course I just became crazy busy (or was it just crazy?).. who cares, right?  

So I hope you all enjoy this fabulous gal; she rocks hotness!

{MISS S}

Sneak Peek... 

Click here to see MORE!
To see her feature on Inspire a Bride...click here!

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Traveling eSession | Featured on inspire a Bride | Destination Wedding Photographer

So I blogged a bit back about a journey I took with an amazing couple Larry & Denise!
We drove from Long Beach to Vegas and along the way we shot their eSession!  It was nothing less than eventful & memorable.
Out 1st stop was in Calico where they styled themselves in country attire.  It was HOT... we all were a bit dehydrated from the sweltering heat but once we got rolling with the shoot the heat became bearable. Larry and Denise use to be photographers so they had all sorts of ideas and Larry is on creative mode at all times.  Denise was more trusting in my vision but I really do love great ideas so it was quite collaborative.
Our 2nd stop was in Las Vegas where shot our Rat Pack style (which happened to be my personal favorite). There was a moment when we were trying to get a shot of them kissing with the rest of the people on the promenade walking in motion but everyone kept stopping and staring at them directly in front of me.  The passer-byers were just clueless as to what was going on.  I think they thought they were celebrities or were going to break out in a flash mob. Once I got their attention they realized what we were doing.  It continued to be a challenge though because the people would then walk through the shot and then stop and stare right into the camera, again all to hilarious.

Our  final stop for shooting was the morning after on our way back where we set up for a 50's styled shoot at Peggy Sue's!
Denise is so photogenic; she made my job easy!
So here are some of my fave shots of this shoot and you can also see it featured on Inspire a Bride!






Really I have to say the experience was one I will never forget! Denise thank you for finding me!  I loved shooting your engagement &wedding!
Congrats on your marriage!


PS. Denise is also an event planner and floral designer.  So check her out at Dee's Petals!
I'll see you soon Denise at Carmen & Fernando's wedding in November.




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The Challenges of Blogging | Long Beach Blogger & Photographer

I have been MIA from my blog, I know.  It's been an eventful year and it's not over, not nearly thankfully!
I love to blog and I love to share what's going on professionally and personally and of course my main goal is to share my clients' images & stories so they can have a preview of their special moment.  This year I made a promise to myself and my family to balance my work and my family life better.  It's still a struggle but the one thing I know that helps juggle a bit better is to forego my blog when things get busy.  So uber-busy and starting my daughter back on a school schedule really kept me from blogging.  The funny thing is I had a couple of days where I could have blogged but then it was hacked, then after that I really struggled to get back here.  Blogging is like working out... you get on a roll and you can't stop but if you take a break and that break becomes longer than you expect it's hard to get it all started again.
So here I am getting back on the horse!  The best part of getting back on the horse is that I have so many fabulous moments to share!  So head back soon and see what's been happening!

I want to take a moment today of pause and silence to honor the families and loved ones who were affected by the horrific murders 2 days ago in Seal Beach.  Seal Beach is basically my back yard and a town where you could NEVER imagine anything to this magnitude happening.  It's a quaint, quiet adorable town on the beach full of families, friends and love.
Many prayers to all!

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