Los Angeles and the San Diego Shooting Group!

Posted April 16, 2011 In Personal, San Diego Shooting Group

Hi friends!

First of all, I want to welcome you to my new blogsite! I am so excited about the new direction we’re taking here, and I hope you are too! There are a few things that are still under construction, so check back for updates! And big thanks to Krista Ann Jones and the Conflux Group for helping me create this baby!

Here are some shots from what I’ve been up to recently. Last month, one of my husband’s cousins, Lauren, came out to spend her spring break with her aunt and uncle (my in-laws) down in Coronado. We hopped on the Amtrak and took a trip up to Los Angeles one lovely Sunday. We first checked out the Disney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and designed by architect Frank Gehry. I love walking around the exterior of the concert hall, and we actually got in on a tour through the hall this time! It was fun!

For some reason, I always take the shot on the right when I’m at there. It comes out differently each time, and it’s become a fun little tradition! Below is Lauren in action inside the concert hall.

We spent the afternoon up in Hollywood, and took a tour of the homes in the area. I had never been up there before, but now I know why all the stars have their homes there. The area was absolutely gorgeous! Here’s the LA skyline from a vista in the Hollywood Hills. (I think that’s where we were!)

Last week, the San Diego Shooting Group got together for our fourth shoot! This time, we went “back to basics” and covered Photo 101 and Portrait 101 topics. We met up in Balboa Park, where Shari Barnes started it off by talking about general photography tips, then I discussed posing before we let everyone take turns with the two gorgeous models. I didn’t shoot any images of the girls because I wanted to allow the participants to have plenty of time to get some great shots, so here are some of the group in action!

Please check us out on Facebook (here) if you are interested in attending any of our future events! You can see some photos from our last event here.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

xoxo,

Lauren


La Jolla DOUBLE Wedding

Posted March 21, 2011 In Weddings

Yes, you read that correctly! Earlier this month, Stephanie Zyga invited me to photograph a very special wedding with her on the beach in La Jolla, CA. She had been contacted by a beautiful bride, Christina, who had met her fiance, Brooks, while they were both at the Naval Academy. As the conversation continued, Stephanie learned that Brooks’ sister, Shannon, was also going to be married to her fiance, Robert, at the same time!

The day started at a rental house near Sunset Cliffs, where all three families stayed and got ready together. It was a relaxing morning and you could just feel the love among everyone there!

Brooks and Robert made some mighty delicious mimosas to start the morning off right! Here’s Christina enjoying one while Shannon had her hair done.

While Christina was getting her hair and makeup done, Shannon relaxed in the kitchen with a good book.

I love that Brooks was able to watch on as Christina prepped for her wedding day. Check out the smile on his face!

Brooks and Shannon’s mom created programs for the guests.

That morning, a skywriter was above to deliver a message: “WE <3 U!” How appropriate!

 

Christina and Shannon carried gorgeous bouquets!

It’s not everyday that a photographer is able to capture TWO sets of wedding rings together!

 

Robert and Brooks’s moms watched as Christina’s mother zipped up her dress.

We headed to Scripps Park early in the afternoon to capture portraits of the couples and their guests.

Isn’t Shannon just glowing??

Christina was feeling adventurous and hopped up on this rock. Brooks followed suit, so we asked Shannon and Robert to step in too!

 

It was a small, peaceful ceremony on the beach at Scripps Park, followed by an intimate dinner at George’s at the Cove. As you can see in the following set of images, the wedding drew quite a crowd!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again to the lovely brides and grooms for allowing me to be a part of their very special day! Congratulations to them and their wonderful families!

Happy Spring, everyone!

xoxo,
Lauren


Oceanside Beach Just for Fun Session: Sonnia

Posted March 03, 2011 In Personal

Stephanie Zyga and I headed back out for a little sunset-time practice last night. I invited my awesome (and gorgeous!) friend Sonnia, who you saw with her amazing family here. This time, we headed to the water at Camp Pendleton’s Del Mar Beach.

We were a little strapped for time, so we were moving fairly quickly through the handful of techniques we wanted to practice. We started off shooting with just natural light. The marine layer was headed in already, so the sun wasn’t beating down on us. Here you can see that we faced Sonnia towards the sun as it was setting.

This one is still natural light only, but I blew out the sky because I was shooting towards the sun (and converted to black and white in Lightroom).

Then we added a nice, gold reflector to the mix. Yummy!

And finished up with some flash! :)

Now wasn’t that fun?!?

Thanks to Sonnia for putting up with us (again)! She’s the best! (No, really–she is–she brought me lunch today at work! How sweet is that?!) And it’s always awesome to get some Stephanie in my day. :) See y’all soon!

xoxo,
Lauren

p.s. If you love me here, please “like” my business on Facebook! Thanks!! :)


La Jolla Just for Fun Shoot – Kayla

Posted March 01, 2011 In Personal

Is there really any better way to spend the afternoon of a rather unfortunate day than grabbing a couple of friends, heading to the beach, and shooting away? I didn’t think so.

I was so happy when my good friend Stephanie Zyga invited me to practice some shots at the scene of a wedding we’re shooting together this Saturday! She brought along her friend Kayla, and, well, take a look at what I got! It was so much fun!

It’s hard to shoot when you’re hungry, so we started off with lunch at one of my favorite spots, Burger Lounge, before heading to Scripps Park to get to work. Here are Stephanie and Kayla in action!

And my take from the side:

Another one of Stephanie at work!

And what I got:

Practicing a ring shot… a.k.a. a reason to throw my engagement ring in the sand. Don’t tell the mister! ;)

 So gorgeous!

And simply stunning…

Thanks, you two, for an amazingly fun afternoon!
Happy March, everyone!

xoxo,
Lauren


Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!!

Posted February 14, 2011 In Personal
Hello everyone! I just wanted to take a minute to wish all of you a very happy Valentine’s Day! Even though my hubby is out in the field this week, he sent me this gorgeous bouquet! Isn’t that awesome?!

And here’s a shot of some cupcakes I made to take to a friend’s house on Friday. They were a new recipe that I don’t think I’ll be using again. ;)
Have a great week!

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