Back when I first started my business in 2008, I worked part time at a local coffee shop called It’s a Grind. It was one of those bucket list jobs that seemed to be available at the perfect time in my life… and I met so many wonderful people. While I am no morning person… the shift I enjoyed most was the opening shift which started at 5:30am. I would roll out of bed at the sound of my alarm, make an angry face at the darkness outside my window, and stumble out the door to start brewing coffee and get the store ready for the day. That part of those mornings, the waking up and getting out the door part, was the hardest…. but the fun part began at about 6am when the daily customers started rolling in. This was where I first met Bill. He’d come into the store more chipper than any other human being alive at that time of morning. He’d ask me how my morning’s going, poke fun at my sloth-ish mannerisms, sip his black coffee from his travel mug, and tell me about the new things in his life. His buddy would come in right after him and join the conversation…. then they’d sit down to read and answer emails on their Blackberrys for the next 30 minutes. Those early risers MADE my morning.

Well, fast forward to 2011… I got a phone call from Bill excitedly telling me he met someone and that they had just gotten engaged. He asked if I was still doing wedding photography and asked to meet up and talk about possibly being his wedding photographer. Long story short, I am his and Leslie’s wedding photographer and I couldn’t be more excited for their wedding day! These two are SO GREAT together and the life that shines out of their relationship is refreshing and inspiring. And Leslie…. Leslie, Leslie, Leslie. Leslie is a complete joy and her laugh is so contagious I could feel myself laughing with her every time she tipped her head back and giggled. She brings the “lovey dovey” out in her strong and shrewd business man of a fiance… and I absolutely love them together! Here are some of my favorites from their engagement shoot at the Orange Circle in Orange….

Bill and Leslie, thanks for choosing me to tell your love story. I’m stoked for your wedding day later this month…. and I’m so glad you’ve found each other!

Today, I got to spend the afternoon with Jeff Clinard and Jamie Struthers at Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano. I had so much fun, I wanted to share a few to whet your taste for all the sweet blog posts I have planned this week! Enjoy!

Someone once told me that the only thing one needs to have a happy marriage, is someone to make you laugh. It makes sense… after the honeymoon is over and real life sets in….. laughter seems to play a huge part in a couple’s ability to enjoy life. Well Brad and Czarina gave me a good dose of laughter during their engagement shoot…. and it was so… nice. They had me in stitches and I’m so glad we got to spend the evening together documenting their engagement.

Brad and Czarina have an enviable friendship and their story dates back to high school band. Apparently Czarina called Brad a mean name at band practice one day… he said,” I think I dig that chick”… then a friendship developed… and blossomed their love. Years later they’re getting married… and they love every second of being with each other.

Here’s my favorites from their “UP” themed engagement shoot… Enjoy!

Brad and Czarina… you seriously rocked my world that evening and I’m SO EXCITED to shoot your wedding next year. Your laughter is contagious, your sense of humor is hilarious… Can’t wait!

She’s a fashionista from Orange County who’s the epitome of cuteness. He’s a musician through and through who’s got the tall dark and handsome thing going on. She went to a wedding with a friend one time. He was there. He ruled the dance floor. She noticed. He noticed too. He danced with some grandmas and then he got her number and asked her out on their first date to Japanese food. The rest is history… because now… they’re two peas in a pod… and engaged. Thank God for weddings!

John, Liz, and I had a BLAST hanging out and shooting their engagement pictures! Seriously…. Liz and I could chat for days and not get tired of each other… and John is SO FUNNY. Here’s some shots from the “urban-y” part of the shoot at Orange Circle….

Liz… you are just TOO CUTE…

Okay… and I have to tell you all. I have found a NEW favorite place to shoot at Orange Circle… this little back area was so PERFECT! The light bounced off of 3 different white walls… I’m pretty sure I jumped up and down with excitement like a little school girl.

John is a a reader of this blog…. and was quite inspired by Billy Jack’s model escapades…

After a quick wardrobe change, we made a beeline for Irvine Regional Park to take some shots as the sun was going down. John and Liz changed outfits while I scoped out the park… and I was surprised to find no one around. No joke… it was completely silent besides the sounds of nature…. soo peaceful! John brought out his baby…. his Martin Acoustic Guitar and strummed softly as the sun’s rays softened into yellow velvet across their faces….

After some shots in the park, we went exploring into the creek bed… and the light was GOOOOD.

Fact: John’s a quiet and reserved person… until he gets a guitar in his hands. I’m pretty sure at least a third of the shots I got of John rocking out on the guitar are blurry because I was laughing so hard…

I couldn’t help myself…

We ended the evening with some good old fashioned fun… and Jonas Brothers Jumps…

John and Liz. You rock my socks off. You’re so fun to be around, you’re both gorgeous people inside and out, and you like sushi. I’m glad we got to spend the evening together and I’m super excited to shoot your wedding next April.