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Adam+ Amanda: Annenberg Guest House Santa Monica Wedding Photography

Adam and Amanda tied the knot this past Saturday in Santa Monica, California.  The ceremony was beach themed and included sprinkles of personal touches everywhere.

Annenberg Guest House Santa Monica Wedding Photographer

The Annenberg Guest House was recently renovated last summer and is a historic landmark.  When I scouted the location a couple days before the wedding, I fell in love with the bathrooms! Now typically, this would not be the most ideal spot for wedding pictures… but I’m all about non-traditional and fun images.  =)   Amanda’s bridal bouquet included bright pink and maroon flowers, including Cellosia that looks just like coral!  Her strapless dress has beautiful heart shaped beading and a long train.

Annenberg Guest House Santa Monica

Some bling for the bride, a vintage styled necklace from Jcrew and beach themed necklace for the lovely ladies.  Each bridesmaid was given one that was unique.

Wedding Photographer

Getting dressed…  Amanda’s mother helps her put on a necklace and the ladies lace her up.

Adam + Amanda 07.17.10

At the same time, our handsome groom Adam gets ready down the hall.

Adam + Amanda 07.17.10 Wedding

These next bridal shots of Amanda are absolutely stunning!  Perfect expression, lighting, pose.  Love it.

Sherri Johnson Wedding Photography

The bridal suite overlooked the Pacific ocean, and down off the balcony guests were being seated for the ceremony.  Adam, you are one handsome man.

Santa Monica Portrait Photography

Adam wore patent leather converse shoes with his tailed suit jacket, and the guys rocked the classic black converse high tops.

san diego wedding photographer

The sun began to set, and it was time for the ceremony.  The photo below is quite possibly one of my top picks for the whole day.  It’s deeply packed with so much emotion and love.  Friends and family in the bridal party placed a hand on the new couple and were asked to pray.  I’m so grateful Sabrina and I were in perfect position to capture both of these perspectives at the same time.

Sherri Johnson Photography

Over the wedding planning process, Amanda has not only been a client, but we have grown as friends.  I can admit and I wanted every image to be perfect… it was a little hard to see though my camera when I cried during the ceremony, but I managed and got more emotion filled shots.  Happy tears for everyone!

Los Angles Wedding Photography

Adam and Amanda chose to wait and see each other until the ceremony.  Typically, this is not something I recommend, but since the ceremony and reception were in the same place, we had a moment to sneak away for these awesome shots.

Wedding Photographer

Group shot.

Annenberg Guest house Wedding

Annenberg Guest house Wedding

Southern California Wedding

Last but not least, the bathroom obsession revealed.  I had an idea my head all night long, that Adam and Amanda would trust in me to put them into the vintage tub.  Dress, tux and all.  They were game, and this last shot is awesome.  I love love love it.  I love love my beautiful couple.  And I love love.  Congratulations again to Adam and Amanda.  I wish them many years of happiness and photos that will help you relive this day forever.

Sherri Johnson Wedding Photography

Location: Annenberg Guest house
Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop
Photography: Sherri Johnson, 2nd photographer Sabina Hill
Flower Design: Sherri Calosso of Serving your Soul

Amanda + Adam Engaged! Santa Monica Pier

Amanda and Adam both love the outdoors and met a couple years ago while working part time at REI.  Now an Army-man, Adam is stationed in Texas and Amanda works as a nurse in the ICU.  After spending a few months apart, Adam knew he could not be happy without Amanda by his side, so he recently popped the question!   Tonight was the first chance I got to see these two together and start documenting the beginning of the rest of their lives together.

Los Angeles Engagement Photographer

I recently met with Amanda about her plans of a July wedding.  With the big day just a couple months away it seemed planning mode was in full effect!  Adam got back in town right before the Holiday weekend and tonight all 3 of us went to hang out… I bet you can guess where.  =)

Lifestyle Photography Amanda loves cotton candy…

Sherri Johnson Photography

Lifestyle Photography

We started shooting right before sunset and got some beautiful shots of the warm sun.  Even though I shoot at the pier  ALOT, it’s never really the same.  My experience with my couples is different every time and together we find new nooks and crannies.

Santa Monica Engagement

I’m so happy for you both and cannot wait to shoot your wedding in less than 2 weeks!

Sherri Johnson Photography

Ben + Amber: Vintage Engagement Photography

I recently met Ben and Amber at a cafe.  We spent most of the night talking about their love for pinatas, puppies, and Polaroids.   Ben is also a photographer and like to collect vintage cameras;  Amber loves Etsy and pampering their two Boston Terriers.   They shared with me the creative details of their backyard-Fiesta themed wedding, and I instantly started day-dreaming of their photos.  I was super excited (and flattered) when they booked me for their September wedding!   We soon began collaborating on their engagement session.  They chose to shoot outdoors during the best light and wanted to included some of their favorite things.

First up some family shots with their adorable pups: Burger and Bacon.  Ben and Amber rescued these dogs when they were itty bitty.  Now they’re 9 months old and almost full grown!  I love their pointy ears.

Malibu Engagement Photographer

san diego wedding photographer

Ben and I scouted some locations and found this awesome woodsy area on the trail with beautiful back lighting.

Sherri Johnson Photography

Tilt Shift Sherri Johnson Photography TS

Amber and Ben  found some icecream/ Popsicle bubble blowers to accent their wedding colors of red and aqua.  We had lots of fun getting these shots in “Bubble Forest.”

Bubbles Los Angeles

I wish I could take credit for the bubble idea, but I’m very glad to say it was all Amber!  I love when my couples make their session personal with props and toys.

Bubbles Los Angeles

I had to get a great closeup of the ring Ben found for Amber.  It’s honestly, the most amazing ring in the world… I’ve never seen something so beautiful!  It has intricate details all along the side, with a center stone surrounded with a ring of more bling.  I’m inspired to get a new macro lens just to take more beautiful pictures of it!  If you’re curious to know, Ben got the ring from his family’s jewelry store in Iowa.  I just might have to take a visit back home and drive over there to see what else they have!Vintage Engagement Ring

Ben loves to take pictures of candy, life, and Amber.  During out photoshoot he was watching a few online bids he had going for some vintage cameras on Ebay.

Los Angeles Engagement Photographer

Pet Photography Los Angeles

Wendy and James: Santa Monica Engagement

I met Wendy and James at a coffee shop in February, what now seems like such a long time ago.  Wendy has a great bubbly personality with a smile for miles and James (a little more reserved) loves 4wheeling out in the desert.   Together, they are currently planning on buying their first home and honeymooning in Mexico after their wedding!  For their engagement session, they wanted to incorporate their vintage Schwinn tandem bike!  They love bringing it to the beach and riding along the boardwalk from Santa Monica to Venice.IMG_7441x.jpg picture by twinkle63718


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Chris and Kris: Santa Monica Pier Portraits

Chris contacted me about a week and a half ago telling me about his plans to surprise his girlfriend of 4 years, with a fun-filled weekend boating, dining, and shopping.  This afternoon, the two came up from San Diego to hang out at Santa Monica pier, Venice beach, 3rd street Promenade.

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Kristina wore a huge sparkly Hello Kitty Ring…  She shared the extent of her collection includes a Hello Kitty Beach cruiser.  I wish she brought it!

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Ah yes, the popular photo spot of the month: the great blue wall!  I’m not sure what she whispered in Chris’ ear, but it sure made him smile!

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You two are gorgeous!

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There’s many many hidden photo spots near the pier, like this grassy square area…  the sky was overcast again, which gave beautiful lighting around 5pm.  Nice and soft.  Is it just me or does Kristina look like Kourtney Kardashian?

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Thanks for sharing your special weekend with me!

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