When Natalie said she wanted to have her engagement photoshoot done at Westchester Bowling Alley, she thought I would think she was crazy.  Well I didn’t.  I thought to myself, ‘Self, how fun would it be to shoot a bowling alley engagement with this adorable couple?’  And that’s exactly what we did.  Natalie and Zach met at this same bowling alley after a misunderstanding –  Zach thought Natalie was trying to leave the coffee shop without paying.   Obviously, the misunderstanding was short-lived but their love was (and will be) long-lived as you can see through these pictures.  They have definite chemistry on and off camera and I’m very excited to be shooting their wedding next May!  We shot their engagements, in part, at the Westchester Bowl and, in part, at the beautiful El Cortez Hotel in San Diego where I live.  The El Cortez was built in 1927 in downtown San Diego and has recently been restored to condominiums.  …The place is pretty cool with views over downtown San Diego and  the bay.  I’m glad they made the trip down…it was definitely worth it.  The two finished up the morning after the El Cortez shoot with breakfast in Old Town San Diego –  the fresh homemade tortillas are worth the trip alone.

The Roof top at the El Cortez….

…Love is All You Need….Chelsea wore her red shoes and Pedro wore his black chucks…..and two people, completely and utterly meant for each other exchanged wedding vows and began their happily ever after.  I met Chelsea and Pedro last year and instantly connected with this unique, creative and talented couple.  And after a very fun engagement session at the Santa Monica Pier, I knew that Chelsea and Pedro couldn’t have been more perfectly paired.  Not only do they look beautiful together (see below), but they share creative interests and are some of the most gracious and good-hearted people that I’ve come across. They are also very big Beatles fans (as I am) and had a gorgeous Beatles-esque reception.  We even recreated Abbey Road – Bakersfield style of course.  They wrote and recorded their first dance song which also was sent out on CD with a slideshow for their Save-the-Dates.   Everything about the day was unique…Chelsea’s sister , brother and Pedro’s brother played a touching Beatles tribute in lieu of a toast for Chelsea and Pedro. Chelsea and Pedro wrote and recorded their first dance song which also was sent out on CD with a slideshow for their Save-the-Dates.  Chelsea’s dad waltzed Chelsea effortlessly to a song that he wrote for her when she was a toddler.  They engaged their guests to a  fun lip synced Beatles version of “I want to Hold Your Hand” where the groomsmen served as mock Beatles  with blow-up instruments and the guests were encouraged (but needed no encouragement) to cheer and frenzy over them.  They treated the guests to a dessert bar with a real cotton candy machine and snickerdoodles.  If you ask me, I say the day was perfect.  If you ask them, I’m sure they’d say it was beyond perfect…because it was… Special thanks to Curtis Nemetz, another talented and creative mind, and videographer extraordinaire who was an absolute pleasure to work alongside…And to Jenny Barker, of Little White Dress for use of the gorgeous loft that houses some of the most gorgeous dresses around. Check their slideshow out by clicking HERE.

Jason married his sweetheart, Morgan on the ranch outside of Bakersfield where Morgan spent many days as a child, riding horses and dreaming of her wedding day (as many little girls do)….it only seemed  appropriate that this would be the perfect setting for her dream wedding.  It was beautiful and sunny day and the ranch couldn’t have been more gorgeous.   Jason and Morgan couldn’t have been more happy.   The afternoon wedding turned into the perfect evening with dancing underneath the California stars until the wee hours of the morning.  There was laughter mixed with happy and sweet tears (that we all held back) as Morgan’s sister, her maid of honor,  wrote an absolutely beautiful poem for her sister and Jason…..With fun, happiness and more love than they could possibly ever use, these two set forth into the future with all they would ever need – each other.

Hello world!  Welcome to the Revolution – Revolution 9 that is….A new idea, a new way of thinking, a whole new outlook on photography.  My old blog can still be accessed by CLICKING HERE>> HOLLY CARLYLE PHOTOGRAPHY OLD BLOG.

This is the first of many new posts and fun things coming your way….Viva La Revolution!

XOXO

Holly