Last week I had the pleasure of shooting Kristen and Chad’s engagement session in the Gaslamp District in San Diego.   I’m so excited about their wedding.  Chad is also a photographer and I just love it when other photographers hire me because I know they will have a special appreciation for what I do.  Check out Chad’s work here. 

I know most of you won’t believe this, but I think Kristen may be the most camera shy person I photographed yet!  I find this ironic because she is so beautiful and I tell you what, if I looked like Kristen I’d make someone take my picture everyday :)  I promise Kristen, the wedding day will be easier than the ES!  Congrats again guys! I’m really looking forward to the wedding in August. 

I am doing some major blog catching up this week and no better way to keep moving than to post some pics and a slideshow from Ann and Paul’s fabulous wedding in Puerto Vallarta. (You may remember Ann and Paul from an engagement session in Chicago. Here’s their blog post and slideshow.)

Now before this trip the only thing I knew about Puerto Vallarta is that that’s where the Love Boat used to dock all the time. So it has to be a great place right? Well it is. So full of life and color. And Ann and Paul didn’t have their wedding at any old place. They had it in Las Caletas, the former hideaway for director John Huston. You can read more about that here. So the day of the wedding we headed over early in the morning, a 45 minute boat ride from the mainland, to our own little island wedding paradise :)

As you would imagine, the wedding was great! I’ve gotten to know Ann pretty well by now and it was a pleasure spending an entire weekend with her and Paul and their family and friends. Just a great bunch of people. Fun and sometimes a little wild! Just like I like them :) Congrats again Ann and Paul. Hang on to that dress. Looking forward to the trash the dress shoot.

Here are a few photos from the day and of course Ann and Paul’s Las Caletas slideshow. It’s a long one but fun. Firedancers towards the end!

Ann’s lovely Lazaro dress.

The flowers.

Look at Ann workin it!

Tying the knot.

Afterwards.

Ok, maybe not everyone was so happy!

Yes, that’s right! My oldest son graduated on the 16th and I couldn’t be prouder :) After 12 long years of slaving away in school, Curtis is finally free!!! Well that’s what he thinks. Now it’s time to join the real world (and not that show on MTV!). The real world of getting a job, paying your own bills, buying your own groceries, etc… We will miss you Curtis. Please come by and visit us sometime :)

Seriously though. I can’t believe he’s that big! That they both are really. I’m so proud of you Curtis and you too Chris. I’m not sure how I ended up with such sweet, wonderful young men but I’m thankful everyday for them. And I’m a little teary just writing this. I love you guys!

Woo-hoo!!!

The proof.

The boys.

Curtis and my parents.

And just to give a little perspective.  From the first day of school this year.  My how they’ve grown in just one year!

ok, I will admit it. I’ve been putting off this post for some time now. And you might ask…why? Why in the world would you put off posting your best friend’s wedding? Well because there is so much I want to say and I’ve been swamped and thinking of what to post. What do you say about someone you’ve known for 20+ years? So here goes!

Some background. I basically grew up with Stephanie and her sister Stacey. Stacey and I became good friends a few years after I moved to KS as a teenager. (you may remember my trip to Chicago and Stacey, Eric, Nora and Spencer back in Feb) Stephanie and I of course always knew each other but became really close over the past 7 years or so. WOW has it been that long since we made that first trip out to CA? Stephanie was the only person I knew when the boys and I moved to CA in 2001 and helped me in every way you can imagine. She even helped me get a job and we worked in the same clinic together until she moved with Steve to VA a few years ago.

There were years of hanging around Stacey and Steph’s house growing up! Lots of parties – sorry Chuck and Cindy! Fun memories from college and it just goes on and on. Stephanie’s dad was even our family doctor when we lived in KS and treated my kids, set their broken bones, and saw them for all their illnesses and boo-boos!

So a great BIG congrats to Stephanie and Steve. I am so happy for you two and your families. Thank you for letting us all be a part of your wedding day and for trusting me with your wedding memories. We can’t wait for little Cash to get here. (disclaimer! Steph was my first barefoot and pregnant bride ;) but she and Steve actually had their legal ceremony over a year ago before Steve deployed for Iraq. This was their “wedding” but they’ve been married for sometime. Had to set that straight!)

Here are some pics. And of course Stephanie and Steve’s Slideshow. Love you guys!!!

Steph gets a little teary while getting ready.

Barkley’s all excited about the big day! Can’t you tell?

This will be quick. Today my oldest graduates from high school!!! Yippee. We have a house full of family and a great day planned. I’m so excited and so proud of him. More about that later.

So before everything starts today i just want to post a link to Leah and Jason’s slideshow. It was such a fun wedding and they are such a fun couple. I know they will have a long happy life together. And, guess what??? I’m not done with them yet. We have a fabulous trash the dress session planned later in the year. In Palm Springs. Could i be anymore excited? Such a great couple in one of my favorite places in the world :)

Congrats again guys. I will be in touch soon when your entire wedding is ready.

Yes here I am in Mexico again for Ann and Paul’s fabulous wedding in Puerto Vallarta. But I have a confession to make. I’ve been a bad blogger :( So I’m taking a few minutes to catch up because I know Leah and Jason will be checking the blog to see if any pics are up.

Leah and Jason got married at the beautiful Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullerton. Leah told me they were wanting to have a hometown wedding with a backyard feel – but they needed a bigger backyard and when they found the mansion they know it was THE place for their wedding. Leah and Jason are so much fun!!! Not only was the wedding a blast but afterwards we headed to their favorite local martini bar for a few pics. So here’s a small preview to hold you guys over. When I return from Ann and Paul’s wedding I will be posting a slideshow with lots and lots of GREAT pics. And I will be posting some pics from my best friend, Stephanie’s wedding in VA. Whew!!! Ok, off to the Spa. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it.

I love this moment. Leah and Jason wanted to say hello to each other before the wedding but not see each other. There will be more pics from this in the slideshow but I love this moment where Leah walks away and you can see just how excited they both are.

I love kids!

Suzanne M. Smith Designs did an amazing job with all the decor. And of course I love green :)

This is one of my favorite photos from the day.

Leah chose green and brown as main colors in her decorating. She had a very unique fusion of asian and mexican. More about that later.

The band, The Lubricators, gave Leah and Jason an autographed guitar as a thank you for being such loyal supporters of their music.

The first dance was a blast. Wait ’til you catch the slideshow.

Gotta love this guy.

Just outside the martini bar.

Cheers!!! Congrats guys. More and a slideshow coming when I get back from Mexico. Hope you’re having a great trip :)