bridal session

Reagan & Ken’s Wedding: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu

Reagan and Ken celebrated their marriage this past weekend with a double wedding.  On Friday, they had an intimate  family ceremony at Our Lady of Malibu.  Before their family dinner on the Malibu Pier, we had some time for a quick photoshoot at the beach.

Malibu wedding Photographer

It kinda reminds me of their engagement session from back in September.  Reagan wore her mother’s altered wedding dress; her favorite part of the new design was the deep V back.

Malibu wedding Photographer

On Saturday, they continued the celebration at Sherwood Country Club in Malibu for a more formal ceremony followed by reception.

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

As the ladies were getting ready, I took some detail shots.  The girls giggled at the “Doll-sized” corset.

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

Los Angles Wedding Photography

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_0370copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

Family formal shots were taken right at the ceremony site.  Some advice I give all my couples, is to write a list of family members they’d like in the family formal pictures, and then give that list to someone in the bridal party.  Reagan did and appointed her most organized bridesmaid.  I couldn’t believe it when we were done with ALL of the family formal pictures in about 10 minutes!!  Actually, I can believe it.  It really pays to be prepared.

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

With family formals done quickly, we had extra time to photograph the bridal party in different locations, including the front of the site.

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

Taking a romantic golf cart ride to our photo spot!

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

The pathway leading to the picturesque waterfall is lined with thick rose trees on both sides.

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

I love Reagan’s veil.  I think it was taller than me with my arm lifted high!

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

A special part of dinner, was a coffee station with the most AMAZING drinks!  Pictured on the right is Jenna Armstrong, superstar assistant and 2nd shooter!  =)

IMG_9795copy2.jpg

Location: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu
Photography: Sherri J Photography
Day-Of Coordinator: Peggy Shevlin Event Specialist
Ceremony and Reception Music: The Ho-Dads, Bob Schuster
Cake Baker and Decorator: LaStarr Cakes & Co., Starr
Florist: Britica Designs, Bianca Landworth
Calligraphy: First Impressions Designs (bride’s personal company!)
Hair and Make-Up: T.E.A.M. Hair and Make-Up, Mar

Update: This wedding has been published on Hind Sight Bride! Feb 20, 2012

Destination Wedding: Lower Yosemite Falls

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Kelly and David’s destination wedding.  When Kelly described her wedding to me, I was super excited.  She planned on a very intimate ceremony with about 25 guests, lots of personal details, and the location…. Yosemite!  I’ve actually been wanting to go to Yosemite for a while now, so this was a dream.  Included below are mostly pictures of the guest experience and Kelly.  First, a picture of the “Tunnel View.”

yosemite wedding destination

yosemite wedding photography

A welcome gift bag awaiting at the hotel for us.  Included in the bag was snacks, water, mini flashlight, map, paper soap, band-aids, sun block, compass, hand sanitizer, carabiner, off repellent, matches, and tissue.  I love all the details Kelly thought about!

yosemite wedding photography

I started with some pictures of David at 9am.  Location: The Lower Yosemite Falls Lodge.

yosemite wedding photography

Kelly got ready in a cozy cabin at the historic Awahnee Hotel, right under the falls.

yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel

Kelly’s dress was customized with a beautiful red flower and sheer gold fabric on the backing.  She also made her necklace, earrings, and the hangars!

Awahnee Hotel yosemite

Ever since I got my Canon 100mm macro lens, the “ring shot” is one of my favorite things to do.   I like to incorporate one object that represents the wedding.   It’s usually something simple like a pine cone (as shown below), a leaf, a bird’s nest from the table decorations, or flowers.

yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

Intimate ceremony at the falls.

yosemite wedding photography

Guest added leafs with their finger prints on a tree Kelly made.

yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

Since the wedding took place in the morning, everyone had a great lunch at the historic Awahnee hotel.  I was done shooting by 3:30pm, which is the record earliest finish time for me!  After their busy morning, Kelly and David were able to start their relaxing weekend hanging out with friends and family, hiking, and rock climbing.

Awahnee Hotel yosemite

*Pleast note: for personal reasons, some of the images from the wedding will remain private.

Bridal + Fashion Shootout with Gavin Wade Photographers WPPI

This was my 2nd year attending WPPI in Vegas, aka the week-long spring break for wedding and portrait photographers… but instead of partying (the whole time) most of us were in lectures and seminars for most of the day from the crack of dawn into the evening.  For me, it was all about business, networking, gathering inspiration, and finding great vendors for my 2011 clients.  Looking back at the experience, I’m so glad I went and can’t believe I even debated going!  Summary: I won an awesome high quality Barbour Backdrop while in an 8am seminar with Blair Phillips Photography, purchased some new Radio Poppers to get control of my off camera flashes, and did a pretty cool bridal/fashion desert photoshoot with Gavin and Erin Wade!  Pictures attached below.

las vegas wedding photographer

desert wedding photoshoot

Los Angles Wedding Photographer

destination Wedding Photographer

las vegas fashion shoot desert

Styled by Erin and Gavin of  Gavin Wade Photographers
Models: Brittanie and Tomas Cruz (Bride and Groom) Kate Colosi (High Fashion)
Hair/Makeup: Lindsey of Linsey Shea Photography