This past week, I had the opportunity to photograph the Orange County Chapter of Association of Bridal Consultant’s January meet-up where a handful of wedding industry professionals came together to showcase their talents and services. While the first portion of the evening was a meet and greet with delectable appetizers and beverages, the rest of the evening included a lovely dinner catered by the beautiful venue, Aliso Viejo Conference Center, and then a few rounds of “speed networking.” While all of this was going on, I had the lovely privilege of sitting back and photographing the event and all the BEAUTIFUL details…. thanks to the ever-so-talented Cori Sponagle of Events by Cori. What was cool about this event was that it was designed to create community within the wedding industry and to provide opportunities to make connections with other vendors who share your similar vision. I got to meet many talented videographers, coordinators, DJ’s, caterers, florists, designers, and many others…. and I have to say, I had a good time!

Here’s a taste of the evening….

I have to add this quick note… look how AMAZING the room looks with professional lighting!! If you’re ever curious about how to transform an ordinary room into a much fancier area…. I’d HIGHLY consider hiring a pro lighting company.

Special thanks & shout-outs go to the many vendors who came together to put this event on:

Venue: Aliso Viejo Conference Center

Entertainment & Lighting: DJ Tasos of LSM Entertainment

Florist: Pixies Petals

Specialty Linens & Seating: Signature Party Rentals

Sweets: Donna B’s Gourmet Cookies & Cakes

Printing & Design: Kamka Designs

This summer, when I visited my photographer friend Betsy Lackey, I got to spend one warm summer evening shooting the Bridal Portraits of a lovely young lady named Dana. If you’re not from the south, you may be wondering, “What are Bridal Portraits? Are they different than Engagement Photos? Are they different from Wedding Portraits?” WELL…

Bridal Portraits are designed to provide you with AH-mazing photos of just you… the bride. You get all dolled up just like you’ll be on your wedding day, you get your gorgeous dress on, and we spend a few hours just capturing the beauty and essence of you. The photos taken during the bridal shoot won’t be revealed until your wedding day, when you can choose to give prints or albums or framed canvases as gifts to your groom or your parents… or you can have your photos on display for all your guests to marvel at. Any way you choose to use them, you have extraordinary photos of you on the most important day of your life, when you feel like the most beautiful bride in the entire world!

My experience shooting this gorgeous southern girl’s Bridal Portraits with Betsy was such a fun experience and I’ll never forget showing Dana what some of her photos looked like in the back of my camera… she cried at the sight of how beautiful she looked. It was a really a special time when Dana could allow herself to feel like a million dollars as she posed and smiled and laughed, really soaking in what it felt like to be a bride. There was no stress of a schedule, and there was no time crunch. And she got BEAUTIFUL images to share! Here’s some shots from the evening…

This next year, I’m excited to be offering Bridal Portraits as one of my offerings and all my Wedding Collections in 2011 will include a choice between engagement photos and bridal photos! Happy Last Monday in 2010!

It finally felt like the weather had finally gotten the “flip the summer weather switch” memo and, even at the beach, it was HOT. I met up with Justin in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, and immediately I noticed that his face was stuck in a smile almost as bright as it was outside. He gave me a huge hug and almost jumped up and down with anticipation when I asked if he was ready to start shooting. He was genuinely GIDDY with excitement because that day, he would be marrying his best friend.

The thing about Justin and Bryna’s love is it’s so tangibly real. And when they read their vows to each other (which they wrote themselves), I couldn’t help but smile inside at how truthful and genuine they were towards each other. I suppose when you date as long as they have, you come to realize the things that matter most in the other person…. and just the fact that they’re even more in love than they were when they first started, says a lot. I loved spending the evening with them and I felt so honored to be a part of their day. Here’s my favorite shots from the evening….

To the New Mr. and Mrs. Crandell,

Thank you so much for inviting me into your day and allowing me a glimpse of true love. Your friendship is inspiring, your dedication to each other makes me want to be a better person, and your love is beautiful. It was so fun and I wish you the best of the best as husband and wife!