The gulls singing down from overhead, the soothing waves crashing along the shore and the cool ocean breeze that flows through the palm, waving them side to side — beautiful Los Angeles, welcomes you.
“I just got engaged on Thursday and my fiancé and I are beginning the planning and we HAVE to have you at our wedding. Your art amazes us! I originally saw your photography because you photographed a wedding at my family’s restaurant, Gamba Ristorante, and basically have known since then that I’d be writing you this email one day. :)”
This is the first thing I read in Angela’s initial email about their wedding photography. I can’t even begin to describe how warm and fuzzy those kind of comments make me feel! Its such an honor to be invited to share such a wonderful time in someone’s life with them, as especially with such excitement! After a few email exchanges back and forth, Angela and I began discussing potential dates for their big day, checking with each other’s schedules to find the perfect fit. If her original email wasn’t flattering enough, Angela was even open to working around our schedule to find a date that we weren’t already booked! I can’t thank them enough for that amazing honor.
Come to find out during our exchange of emails, Angela and Kyle were not only planning a wedding, but were actually planning a big move as well! She mentioned that they would be packing their things and making their way to the west coast, and would be doing so very soon. That being said, planning their initial consultation with us became first priority! Luckily, we were able to squeeze in a chance to meet the very night before they hit the road and made their way to sunny Los Angeles.
Finally having a chance to meet these two was an absolute pleasure. We shared some laughs, checked out some print samples and wedding albums, and talked about the details of their big day. When it finally came time to discuss their wedding package, there was only one last big question they had to propose:
“Well…since we’re going to be moving, what are the chances you’d be open to coming out to LA to shoot our engagement session?”
If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, you’re well aware of not only how much I love to travel, but also how much I advocate engagement sessions. (In fact, if you happened to miss the blog post, here are my thoughts on why to plan an engagement session: mbigelowphotographer.com/category/why-plan-an-engagement-session/) I absolutely love having the opportunity to get to know all of my couples before the wedding day, and what a better place to do that than beautiful Los Angeles, California! I think it goes without saying, but of course I was up for it!
Plans were made, flights were booked and excitement started to climb! Before we knew it, we were on our way to meet Angela and Kyle from Midway to LAX! Once we arrived, we had a chance to grab some delicious sushi at one of Angela and Kyle’s new favorite spots, check out the local scene and settle in for some rest for our big day coming up in the morning.
The first spot along our journey was to head up to Malibu to a GORGEOUS location called El Matador Beach. The rock formations on this beach were simply breathtaking. Truly a beach-goers paradise. Not only was this a beautiful location, but this was also a perfect location to start out our session. In large, open locations such as a beach, it isn’t always necessary for you to be up close and personal for every shot you take. This allows me as the photographer to take a step back and allow the couple to interact between themselves a bit more, as opposed to worrying what they should be doing for the camera. Not only does this offer a romantic moment for the couple (and the photos), but it also allows them a chance to warm up to the camera a bit as well.
Once we wrapped up the session on the beach, we all took a moment to soak it all in before we made our way to our next spot. A change of outfits and a short trip back up the coast and we were ready to shoot again! This time, we stopped at an awesome little spot along the coast in Santa Monica. We knew we wanted a few shots along the Santa Monica bike path with the setting sun, but we still had a few moments to spare before our sun was low enough to really give us the colors we wanted. Turns out, since just about EVERYTHING is gorgeous out that way, we were able to run across the parking lot and up a small flight of stairs to a super nice set of palms on the side of the road. Perfect spot for a few shots while we waited for our sun to set!
On our way back down through the parking lot, I noticed how warm and beautiful the sun was painting its way across the parking lot. In any other parking lot, I very well might have passed this right up, but as I mentioned before, EVERYTHING looks good in Los Angeles, even the parking lots! I decided we just HAD to stop and give it a go. I’m sure glad we did!
And down to the beach we go! What a great spot to hit for sunset…the palms, Venice Beach boardwalk in the background…and of course these two lovies doing their thing! 🙂
While we absolutely adored every location we had a chance to shoot, we were all on the edge of our seats for our final stop of the night — Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Of course, no trip to Los Angeles would be complete without stopping to see the warm, inviting glow of the LACMA light installation. Once we arrived, we felt like moths in a trance, floating towards the grid of 202 solar powered, restored vintage street lights on displace at the museum. If you haven’t had a chance to see them, do yourself a favor and check them out. If nothing else, do a little Google search of “LACMA Lights” to see what all the hype is about. Or better yet….scroll down! 🙂
Angela and Kyle were even thoughtful enough to get a few of Haley and I enjoying the lights as well! 🙂 Thanks you two!!
Angela and Kyle, we can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. We had an amazing time with you both and are happy to call you two our friends. We can’t wait for your big day!!!