I thought I was showing up to photograph an engagement session. Last I heard, they were supposed to be married in September back in Chicago. But when I arrived, I was surprised to find out that Eric and Tricia had recently eloped- so the engagement session had turned into a casual newlywed session. Of course, weddings are great, but I also find something really beautiful in two people deciding to make vows in a simple, private way, and I was happy to be able to celebrate that with them in this casual photo session in Griffith Park.

Being from the Midwest, Tricia especially wanted a photo session with trees- nothing too reminiscent of Los Angeles. I knew Griffith Park would be the perfect place for this- every time I go there, I feel like I’m instantly transported out of LA and into a lovely, peaceful, lush forest destination. It’s one of my favorite places to escape the craziness of the city… and, to top it off, has some really incredible light at certain times of day.

Here are some of my favorite images from their session.

A favorite.

I couldn’t stop telling Tricia how amazing her eyes were…

My #1 favorite.

While Eric and I were contemplating trying to get a shot on this fallen tree trunk, Tricia had started climbing it and was half way across it before we realized she was doing it. No hesitation- love that.

Eric and Tricia- Thank you for a fun afternoon! I wish you all the best in your future together.

Yesterday’s Part 1 post featured the casual look of Lindsey & Eli’s editorial-style engagement session. Part 2 is the opposite of casual in every way. (See Part 1 here.)

Once we decided on doing the shoot at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, my mind started going crazy with ideas. With editorial-style shoots, I like to have a visual concept going in. Playing off the old Hollywood look they are shooting for with their wedding and the 1960s architecture of the hotel, I envisioned 1960s Hollywood elite on a Summery vacation in the desert. I started pulling together some inspirational photos to help us to develop a concept and theme for our session. (If you’re interested, here’s the inspiration board I came up with.)

Thanks to Lindsey & Eli’s amazing enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate with me in pulling wardrobe together and posing for the camera, my vision became reality and I am so happy with the final concept. Not only does it match my initial vision, but it totally reflects a part of Lindsey and Eli’s personalities: they are stylish, fun, slightly theatrical, gorgeous, creative, and oh-so-willing to have fun in front of the camera.

Lindsey’s dress: Alice & Olivia

Lindsey’s shoes: Givenchy

Hair: Sekena Ball •  Makeup: Jasmine Alise – both of Tek Salon, Costa Mesa

Eli totally rocked this suit and I loved the additon of his shades!

They rocked it out together.

I just about died when I saw Lindsey’s dress. Then, I saw these shoes. HELLO, FABULOUS!

Love these two! They definitely know how to have fun together.

Hot.

This shot is thanks to Eli’s vision. This is what I meant by “slightly theatrical” and I absolutely love it.

I love these two as a series- this is totally Lindsey and Eli.

<3

Lindsey & Eli – You guys are so incredible. Thank you, thank you for being yourselves, being willing to go along with my crazy ideas, and for just having a fun time with me! I cannot wait for your wedding in October! xoxo

If you’re interested in information on my editorial-style sessions, please email me.

Not only are Lindsey and Eli sweet and fun, they are also so stylish and creative. They own The Fortunate Sun, a fabulous t-shirt line that celebrates living the dream and has a bright, sunny vibe. We knew three main things going into this shoot: we wanted it to have a fun, editorial style, we wanted to celebrate their t-shirt line, and we wanted to have a lot of fun with a dressier look. They will be getting married in Palm Springs in October, so I thought the Ace Hotel Palm Springs was the perfect setting to pull all of our shoot ideas together.

We had SO much fun together. Seriously… the whole day I had to keep reminding myself that this is my job. I’m so thankful for clients like Lindsey & Eli for making what I do so fun, easy and also meaningful.

I had way too many favorites from the shoot to condense into one post, so first I’ll post my favorites from the casual portion of the shoot where they rocked their Fortunate Sun wear.

A special thank you to Jasmine Alise and Sekina Ball of Tek Salon in Costa Mesa for your lovely makeup and hair styling skills!

A favorite!

Lindsey is hot, hot.

Eli- you’re a handsome devil, too.

Love this one.

They are so cute together!

I love the vibe of their company… Live the Dream…. that makes me happy.

The very hot photos from the other half of their shoot will be posted tomorrow!

Kate and Chris met in Los Angeles while teaching Music and Theatre to high school students. They both were from New England originally and will be moving back there together very soon. They are kind, creative, fun, talented… and it was their idea to plan this very stylized couples session. They are getting married in New England in July and wanted to have some photos like this for a very special music project they are working on for the wedding. Kate first told me of their vision via email- I read the message, saw “classic vintage wardrobe” and “piano” and was immediately sold on the idea. I love working with creative people… love.

It was so much fun to incorporate their instruments and play off of their love story throughout the shoot. Here are my favorite images from our afternoon together in Manhattan Beach.

Love this one!

How cute did they look?? Kate had some help from a friend pulling the dress, shoes and accessories together, and completed her look by getting her hair and makeup professionally done. If you’re going for a certain look, or you just want to feel extra fabulous for your shoot, I always recommend getting your hair and makeup done- so fun.

I loved the way Chris could make Kate laugh.

Her accessories were fantastic.

One of my favorite shots of the day. Kate is so va-va-voom in this shot. That’s no camera trick… her eyes are actually this beautiful in real life.

Kate’s main instruments are the piano and the violin. She is seriously talented and has been playing the violin since she was 2! Two? Jealous. It was her vision to incorporate these bright balloons into a scene with her instruments and I love how it came together. Plus, her shoes… I loved.

From the Sneak Peek and a definite favorite… this is my interpretation of the moment they met…

One of the coolest things about photographing musicians: getting treated to a private concert. One of my goals in life is to learn how to play the piano… one of these days I’ll make the time to learn.

Another favorite.

The violin is a sexy instrument.

Chris thinks so, too.

Kate and Chris- You guys are so great! I had such a fun time working with you and am bummed that we met only weeks before you are set to move far, far away. I look forward to one day visiting New England and getting to see you again. Perhaps we can find that red barn and take just one more photo…

I loved this shoot- everything about it! Can’t wait to share the rest.

Have a great weekend!