“Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, and men below, and the saints above, for love is heaven, and heaven is love. ”  - Walter Scott

After spending an afternoon with Emily and Richard, I have to admit, Heaven felt a bit closer.  These two love each other and love life.  And these two know, without a doubt in their hearts, that they are part of Jesus’ plan for each other.  The way these two seem to bring complete peace to each other by just looking into each other’s eyes is remarkable.   I could say that it’s something truly special, but even that would be an underestimation.

I am looking forward to shooting their wedding this October and seeing a bit of Heaven on Earth realized.

Here’s a few pictures from our afternoon together at Wayfarer’s Chapel near Long Beach and the Disney Amphitheater in downtown L.A…..

“Do I love you? My God, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.” – William Goldman – The Princess Bride

I met up with Kaydee and Steve at a  Malibu beach on one typical, spring, california beach afternoon….overcast with the sun popping in and out  as if it were winking at us with overwhelming approval.

I love these two – so mellow and easy-going and it really showed through in their pictures.  So did the love they obviously have for each other.  Effortless is the only way to describe it – they make no effort to forcefully adore each other  and yet it is was so exquisite to see what naturally occurred between these two.  Absolute adoration – the type of stuff that might make any man or woman feel a little jealous over. In a good way, of course….

These two will be beginning their life together in August in Long Beach and I am honored that they chose me to be a part of their day.

Here are a few pictures from our afternoon in Malibu…

“No human relation gives one possession in another—every two souls are absolutely different. In friendship or in love, the two side by side raise hands together to find what one cannot reach alone.”  - Kahlil Gibran

Melissa and Cole have been friends for a very very long time.  And they still are.  Probably best friends if you ask me .   And after spending time with them, I realized that they epitomize what people hope for in their life when it comes to their relationship – friendship and love.   I was in awe watching these two interact. Different but connected by their love  for one another…Cole is a sweet soul who you can tell treasures Melissa.  And it’s obvious that there’s no other human being on earth that Melissa probably loves more.  They laughed, kissed and cuddled  (JUST the stuff I love to shoot).  I watched them thinking to myself, ‘this is exactly what it’s supposed to be like.”  I am really looking forward to shooting their wedding this fall…and being there for the beginning of their life together.  Here’s a few from the day…

“You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free”
-Tom Petty

When Stephanie said she’d like to do a wildflower engagement session with Joshua, I knew the perfect place.  Stephanie and Joshua met in grade school.  I love their story….Joshua was somewhat of a bad boy and Stephanie was a good girl.  Opposites attract, right?  Well, in this case, opposites are perfect.  I’m looking forward to shooting their wedding this June.  It will be beautiful.  Just like they are…here is a sneak peek from the day…

Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever….Like Stephanie’s decision to take that particular Genetics class in college.   Or Kyle’s decision to be a T.A. in that same class…Kyle and Stephanie met in their college Genetics class…he was her T.A….little did they know that they’d soon be on their way to sharing genetics one day (literally).

I met up with Stephanie and Kyle one beautiful afternoon in sunny Las Vegas at the Boneyard – the Neon Museum – where the iconic neon signs of the past are placed to refurbished and preserved.  This place has special meaning to me because it was at this very place that my life changed one day in December a few years ago with one small decision…and I began to see the world and my life differently.  And this day was very similar to that day….

These two are so perfectly matched for each other….A teensy bit shy but not when it came to showing affection for each other.  And you could tell by the way they look at each other that neither regrets that one small decision that will change their life forever next July…  Here are a few from that day…