Los Angeles Wedding Photographer | Garrett Davis Photography

My blog has moved!

2009-07-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I've got a brand new blog! So if you have reached this page, please visit my new blog at:

http://garrettdavisphotographyblog.com/

Also, update any bookmarks, subscriptions, or links with the new web address. Thanks!!

-Garrett

Jennifer and Mario - Newport Coast Wedding Photography

2009-07-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

My job is rough. Hanging out with a cool couple, a beautiful ceremony at a hilltop park in Newport Coast, and cruising around in a stretched out Escalade. I mean, really, how much suffering can a guy go through?

I knew photographing this wedding was gonna be fun. If you remember Jennifer and Mario, they were the couple that decided to make a last second location change for their engagement photos…and we ended up in Vegas. So needless to say I was pretty excited to photograph their wedding in Newport Coast, just south of Newport Beach. Although I did spend a better part of the day before checking my phone, just in case they decided to fly to Mexico or something for their ceremony. No call! So I woke up the next morning, put my passport back in my dresser, and headed to Jennifer and Mario’s house in La Verne to meet the girls as they got ready for the big day.

Meet Bella, the biggest dog I have ever seen! But she's also the biggest sweetheart...

The ring bearers are always the coolest dudes...

Uh, guys? The party's not over yet...WAKE UP!!

Jennifer and Mario Preview

2009-07-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

Lots more to come from Jennifer and Mario's wedding in Newport Coast, but for now...

Val and Jesse - Idaho Wedding Photography

2009-06-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Beautiful bride…check.
GQ’d out groom…check.
Family ranch somewhere in Idaho for a venue…check.
Killer band…check.
400+ guests…check.
14 kegs…check.
Garter belt with flask (full, of course)…check.
Rainbow for backdrop…check.
Cowboy boots…check.
Yellow drunk bus for wedding party…check.
Photographer with no clue where he is, but brought his camera just in case he found the wedding…check.

Okay, I think that’s everything. Val and I go way back, well, back to our crazy college days at Washington State University (Go Cougs!!). Some of the best times in college were hangin’ with her and her girls (you know who you are). So there was no hesitation when she asked me to photograph her wedding. Unfortunately, she decided to get hitched to an Idaho Vandal (our state-line rival). Of course I’m kidding, Jesse….she couldn’t have picked a more down to earth individual who knows how to throw one hell of a country wedding!

They decided to have their wedding on the Uhlorn family ranch (Jesse’s family) in Cottonwood, Idaho, where Jesse grew up (I’ll give you a minute to look that up on Google Maps)…Find it? Great, let’s move on. Although the nerves hit when the forecast called for thunderstorms and rain for the better part of the weekend, somehow we all knew things would clear up in time for the wedding. Obviously this is a happy story, and the weather did clear up. Plus, my assistant, the man upstairs, helped out and gave us a nice rainbow to use as a backdrop.

I could keep writing about how much this wedding meant to me, but I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking…

This was the most intense makeup session I've ever witnessed...

A garter belt made special for Wazzu grads...

Uh, somebody help the man with his tie...

The flower girl getting her hair curled...

This was taken from inside the car on the ride over to meet up with the groom. See that little spec at the top of the train tressel? That's Jesse, waiting for his bride. They wanted to meet for the first time a few stories above the ground on a tressel that hasn't been used in decades. How cool is that?!

Classic...

Look at this next photo and guess what my favorite movie is...yup, Field of Dreams...

Here's the Val I know...

They look as lost as I was...

**Please note, this rainbow is copyright Garrett Davis Photography and may only be used in awesome photographs produced by Garrett Davis. Violation of this copyright will result in nasty emails and phone calls from Garrett Davis Photography. Also note that the rainbow is REAL, and not produced by my amazing Photoshop skills...enjoy :)

This is cool, Val was driven to the aisle by her father in this beautiful old truck...

Love the boots...

Time for the wedding party to hop on the school bus and take a drinking tour of Cottonwood...

Signing the certificate on the beer cooler in the drunk bus...love country weddings :)

Cottonwood restrooms. Hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go...

Harry, you are awesome...

Hey, is that...? No, couldn't be, not out here in the middle of nowhere. Oh man, it is! It's the paparazzi again! There's just no privacy when you're as famous as I am...

Everyone wants to dance with the bride. Easy buddy, she's taken...

It's the Kingpins!

Hula hoops!

Hey, look what Jesse found! There's only one thing to do...

Ready? One...two...three...

CHUG!!

Passion is in the air...

More Hula!

Hey, who's that good-lookin' young man? And where's his camera?

I had an amazing time you guys!!

Val and Jesse Preview

2009-06-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Soooo much more to come from this amazing wedding....but for now feel lucky I was able to get enough of a connection out here in the middle of Idaho to post a little preview!

Lifehouse rocks Phoenix

2009-06-17T18:18:00.000-07:00

So most of you probably wonder what I do on a weekend I don’t have a wedding to photograph. Okay, maybe not, but I’m gonna tell you anyway! As a wedding photojournalist who documents special moments in people’s lives, it’s important to keep my skills at a level higher than my own expectations. So even when I’m not following a bride and groom around all day you better believe I’ll be using my camera to document something interesting.

So this past weekend when the awesome group of guys from Lifehouse asked me to come with them to Phoenix and document their concert, I jumped at the opportunity. They played a great set after the Diamondbacks vs. Astros baseball game at Chase Field and I was there from the moment they stepped out of their hotel to the last autograph leaving the stadium. It was quite an experience, and change of pace, documenting a day in the life of rock stars.

Here are the fellas, from left to right: Ben Carey, Rick Woolstenhulme, Jason Wade, and Bryce Soderberg....

On the way to the stadium....

Sound check in the tunnel....

Diamondbacks catcher Ivan Rodriguez checks out the action when he arrives for the game....

They even got their own uniforms!

I'm betting they're more talented with guitars in their hands, not bats....

Hanging out in the dressing room just before heading to the field....

One of my favorites, Jason warms up for the show....

Of course, being a huge baseball fan, I couldn't be at the game and not photograph a bit of the action!

Heading to the field....

Another favorite....

Yvonne and Ron - Venice Beach Engagement Photography

2009-06-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

I really can't say this enough, I have the COOLEST couples in the world!! Yvonne and Ron were definitely no exception. I headed to Venice Beach to photograph the couple and had some of my favorite images within minutes of our session. They were pros! Of course, it's very easy to photograph a couple that is so in love with each other like Yvonne and Ron are.

We started out at the beach for some fun photos and I was so into it that I was almost run over by a beach cop! I just couldn't take my camera off these guys, can you blame me?

After the beach we walked over to the canals of Venice....who knew, right? Having once lived in Italy and visited the real Venice, I just had to check out how the California version stacked up. Well, it was very beautiful and pretty close to the original, just without the gondolas and foul smell! We ended up with some great photos while wondering around there....

There's even a little wildlife out there! You would never know you're just west of downtown Los Angeles....

After the canals it was off to beautiful Chace Park in Marina Del Rey....

I wouldn't touch the hair if I were you!

Looking forward to your Manhattan Beach wedding in August guys!!

Reese is Born!!

2009-06-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Theresa and Brent! Reese was born on Saturday in Pomona and I couldn't wait to photograph her, so a few friends and I made a trip out to the hospital to see the new addition to their family. For those of you who don't know Brent, he has been my right hand man in helping me with the remodel on my studio. If it wasn't for all his hard work and expertise, that place would still be in shambles. So, being the nice guy that I am, I gave him a few days off from the studio to be there for his new daughter :)

Welcome to the world Reese!

Taylor holds her new baby sister....

Proud grandparents....

Josi and Ryan - Santa Monica Engagement Photography

2009-05-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I spent the day with my bestess (is that even a word?) friends in the world to photograph their engagement session in Santa Monica. Loyal blog readers will remember Josi and Ryan from my post on Ryan's awesome proposal. It was a very laid back session that ended with some awesome funnel cake on the pier.

We hit the 3rd Street Promenade to start out the session....

Then it was down to the beach and the famous Santa Monica Pier....

It's only a suggestion, right?

Time to hit the sand....

Game time!

There's the Ryan I know....

Jessica and Scott - San Diego Engagement Photography

2009-05-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful day with Jessica and Scott in San Diego for their engagement session. They're actually from the midwest, but Scott is earning his PhD from UCSD (University of California, San Diego) so they are enjoying the southern California lifestyle until he is finished. Well, they wanted to show off their new city to all their friends and family back home in Wisconsin and Minnesota, so we hit a bunch of fun spots around the city for photos, including Balboa Park, UCSD campus, downtown San Diego, and of course, the beach!

It was a fun day of sightseeing and we got some great engagement photographs to boot! I'm looking forward to their wedding in Madison, Wisconsin this October!

We started out on UCSD's campus and found some fun spots for pictures....

Whoever says they never snuck a kiss in a library is LYING!

After the campus tour, we headed to beautiful Balboa Park for more photos.

I knew a kiss on the cheek would get him to smile....

We could have spent the entire day at Balboa Park, there are so many beautiful spots for photos!

Looks like we weren't the only ones with this idea, I think we saw about seven wedding parties having photos taken around the park....

After a quick stop downtown we headed to La Jolla Beach to finish off the day....

Jenna and Nicholas - South Carolina Wedding Photography

2009-05-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have so much to say about this wedding! Jenna and Nicholas (I'm gonna go with Nick for this post, easier to type) are good friends with a very close friend of mine, Brittney, in Denver and I was so happy when they asked me if I would photograph their southern wedding at Brays Island Plantation in South Carolina. I absolutely LOVE destination weddings! The sheer excitement of seeing new places and photographing new venues is why I am in this business! So I flew into Savannah, Georgia and it was off to Brays Island....

I love this story. Nick and Jenna actually met on a blind date. A very good friend of Nick's was at another wedding and met Jenna, right away he sent Nick a message saying, "I just met your wife." Well, they went on a date and it was love at first sight. What a great friend!

I can't thank the Prey and Marquis family enough for their hospitality over the weekend. I have so many new friends because of the sheer awesomeness of your family and friends....that's right, I said "awesomeness." I can't wait to visit everyone when I'm around the Denver area!

Alright, enough conversation, you wanna see the photos! There is a ton of them, so you might have to be a bit patient with the loading. It's definitely worth the wait!

The day started out with Nick and his groomsmen and friends at the gun club on the plantation for a little skeet shooting. A bit different than the bridesmaids luncheon that the girls went to!

And no, it wasn't a "shotgun" wedding :)

Look out, groomsmen with guns....

The beautiful venue for the ceremony....

Things were pretty hectic on the brides side of the Inn....

While on the groom's side, well, they were pretty relaxed....

Time to get ready!

Absolutely beautiful....

Lookin' good fellas....

It's okay mom, you can come in and see your daughter!

First time seeing each other before the ceremony....

What a couple!

Showtime....

Elle and Walker, you guys were awesome!

Walker walking the bride, say that five times fast....

There's that paparazzi again, they followed me all the way to South Carolina! It's rough being as famous as I am....

Don't run away! I'm not done with photos yet!

Oh, it's raining....

Doesn't Nick's dad look like he belongs in Esquire magazine or something? Looking suave for sure....

Hey! Jenna's friend Betsy wants to give the photographer a hug....well, okay :)

Nevermind, she was just waiting for some bug spray. Wow, that could have been really embarrassing....

Work it girls!

Jenna and Nicholas Preview

2009-05-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

Perfect couple + perfect location + perfect light = one very happy photographer! I photographed Jenna and Nicholas as they were married this past weekend at Brays Island Plantation in beautiful South Carolina. More about this amazing wedding will come in the next post, but for now I hope everyone enjoys these photos as much as I do....

Here's a few favorites from the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding....

I have tons more that I will post soon!

Jennifer and Mario - Las Vegas Engagement Photography

2009-04-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

How cool is this couple! I was scheduled to photograph Jennifer and Mario for their engagement session in Chino Hills, just outside Los Angeles, this past Monday....until I received a phone call from the couple the day before shooting. "There's been a change of plans, we were thinking Las Vegas for photos!" Well, twist my arm.

So we were off to Vegas and had an amazing time finding photos along the strip. I can't wait for the wedding in June! It's still in Newport Beach, right guys? :)

This was a dangerous shot....

....because I was nearly upended by this guy. At least he thought it was funny :)

Totally worth the danger involved, don't you think? I would sacrifice my body anytime to get a photo like this out of it....

I think they're running to the wedding chapel....NOT YET!!

This photo makes me smile :)

What's a photo session in Vegas without losing a little money at the slots?

Nothing beats the Bellagio fountains in the evening....

Thanks for the adventure guys, can't wait for the wedding!

Rhea's First Birthday....Beverly Hills Style

2009-04-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had the great pleasure to photograph a very special first birthday bash for Rhea. Although, this was not your typical first birthday celebration, it was a PARTY!! Rhea will most likely not remember any part of that night, but at least she'll have the photos to look back on when she's older and will realize how lucky she was to have amazing parents that really know how to celebrate the one year anniversary of their first child.

The celebration was held at Chakra in Beverly Hills, and they couldn't have picked a better venue. Very cool atmosphere....

Here's the star of the day, Rhea....

My favorite....

She was far more interested in the balloons on the ceiling than the dancing. Hey, it's her party, she can do what she wants!

Uh oh, it's the paparazzi....it's not every day you get the famous Garrett Davis to photograph your event. I'm getting used to this Hollywood lifestyle :)

Mom and dad share a quiet moment on the dance floor....

I can't believe she's still awake! This girl knows how to party....

Last photos from Honolulu

2009-04-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

I promise....well, maybe. I might find a few more gems from the thousands of photographs I took while in Hawaii, but for now, this is my last post from my shoot in Honolulu. These were taken at The Willows Restaurant in Honolulu, hope you enjoy them....

More from Hawaii

2009-04-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

I've been getting a bunch of emails wanting to see more scenic photos from Hawaii. Well, my fans always get what they want, so here ya go!

Here's Makapu'u, on the southeastern coast of Oahu....

North Shore at sunset....

Kualoa Park on the Windward side of Oahu....

More from Kualoa Park....

Cool birds....

The loneliest palm tree in Hawaii....

Sailboats in Waikiki....

Waikiki at sunset....

Always have a designated driver when photographing amazing scenery....

Is it just me, or does it look like there's a dead body in the back of this truck. Don't worry, I checked, no need to call the cops....

Yup, that's me holding a surfboard for the very first time. Thanks to Mike Torres for snapping a few pics....

Someone should have told me you need to wait for a wave in order to stay on the surfboard....

And I'm spent....

Taea Family - North Shore, Hawaii

2009-04-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

While most of my trip to Oahu was spent in Honolulu, I did manage to break away from the crowded city for a day to photograph the Mae family up on the North Shore. After a beautiful drive up the coast on the Windward side of the island (with a few stops for photos, of course) we made it to Turtle Bay Resort with just enough light left for a fun family photo session. Although it was cloudy and a bit windy, we had a great time and came out with some fun photos.

A big thanks goes out to my buddy (and aspiring photographer) Mike from Hawaii Kai for helping out with the shoot....and for the ride up the coast....and for being a tour guide....I owe you man!

The girls are ready for their closeup....

Of course we had to get some shots with just mom and dad....

Published in National Geographic

2009-04-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

Now for something a little unrelated to wedding photography, but very cool nonetheless. Last year I worked on a story for The New York Times about the rehabilitation of Micheal Vick's fighting pit bulls at an animal sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. You can view a multimedia piece with all the photos here.

Well, to my surprise, one of the photos used for that story was picked up by National Geographic and has been published in the April edition of the magazine, on newsstands right now.

Here it is:

And here's the original photo. Lucas was one of Vick's champion fighters, the scars were a real telling factor of how brutal the dog fighting can be. I remember hesitating a bit when they invited me into the cage to photograph him, only to find out Lucas was one of the nicest dogs I had ever met....

Another Tease....

2009-04-07T23:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm a bit addicted to blogging. Here's a few more shots from paradise....

Hawaii Preview....

2009-04-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

Just a little taste from Honolulu....

And of course, the lovely couple, which you'll see more of in my next post....

Madi's Modeling Debut

2009-03-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Remember this face, you may see her in magazines very soon! Lucky for me, I got to be the first one to photograph this beautiful young girl before she gets too famous. This past weekend I was in Seattle and was asked by a very good friend of mine, Trevor, if I would photograph Madi so she could have some "fashion" photos for her portfolio. She'll actually be working the runway this weekend at Nordstrom, a bit of a tryout for their catalogs, etc. Although she had no professional modeling experience, I decided to give it a shot :)

We had a great time in the cold and rainy weather and she worked the camera like a pro. Hopefully she remembers me when she's famous....

Here's her runway pose....

It's not very often mom and dad give you the okay to jump on the bed....

We wanted to get a few of my patented family photos, but dad recently took a bit of a tumble and broke his ankle....that's what he gets for trying to show up Madi on the runway :)

We did manage to get one fun family photo....

Then she wanted to jump on daddy, I may have provoked it a bit....

Now there was no way I was going to leave the newest edition to the family out of the photos. You loyal blog readers may remember Hayden when she was born....

Family Circle Magazine

2009-03-25T15:01:00.000-07:00

A few months back I photographed the Foley family in Cedar City, Utah for Family Circle Magazine, and since they finally ran the article and photos, I can share them with you! Be sure to check it out on newsstands now!

Here's the spread on page 38....

She said yes!!

2009-03-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

Congrats to my best friends on their engagement! Only one word comes to mind....FINALLY! And I know they're sick of hearing that from friends and family, but if any of you had been around them the past four years you would have also seen how in love they are with each other. So....it's about time!

What can I say about these two, they are amazing. Ryan has been my best friend since we were born, literally. We grew up together in Seattle along with the third leg of our tripod, Nate. His family moved to the LA area early in our childhood, but that didn't stop us from staying in touch, and here we are nearly 28 years later. He has also been the main motivator in moving my business to Los Angeles, and I couldn't be happier.

So what about the girl? I remember Ryan talking about this girl, Josi, about four years ago....and he still hasn't shut up about her. I could see why after hanging out with them together for the first time....I just knew this was special. So when Ryan told me he was shopping for a ring I couldn't have been more excited.

Then he proposed to me, "Will you photograph my proposal?"....I said yes!!

Meet Maverick (Ryan, Nate, and I were huge Top Gun fans growing up), the Beagle that has been their "child" ever since they were together....

Here's Ryan tying on the ring....

Here was the plan, go to the school that Josi teaches at and have Maverick run into her classroom with a note attached to his collar reading, "Will you marry my daddy?" You ready Maverick?

Think she's surprised?

Her friends were excited! (You loyal blog readers may recognize Michelle on the right from the Hollywood engagement session from November)....

Here's the note....

Maverick deserves a high-five for his efforts....

They couldn't be happier....

WPPI Recap

2009-02-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

What a week! My mind is exploding with inspiration and insight from all the workshops and seminars given by the top wedding and portrait photographers in the world. Seeing amazing work and how it was produced by photographers such as Jerry Ghionis, Yervant, Jessica Claire, Greg Gibson, Dane Sanders, and others will be something I will remember forever. And what can I say about the two amazing photographers that put up with hanging out with me for the week, Beth Dreyer and Kate Brewer....you girls are awesome!!

The big trade show drew a TON of photographers from all over the world, and I was lucky enough to have some of my work on display during the show. Simply Canvas held a national wedding photo competition for 2008 and I was chosen as the grand prize winner, with the prize being a $2,500 extreme studio makeover! Here's a quick snapshot of me next to my winning image (Thanks to my buddy, and great photographer, Chris Onstott for snapping this shot):

Here's the winning photo....

At a wedding photography convention, you're bound to see a few brides here and there....

....and here's what the bride was looking at, is that the paparazzi?

There was a lot of teaching going on as well....

By far my favorite booth, what you can't see in this photo is the drool running down my chin....

Demonstrations going on everywhere....

Model extraordinaire, Chris Onstott....

Here's my tag team partners for the week, Beth and Kate, hanging out after a long day of workshops and seminars. Check out their sites, they're awesome! I hope you guys don't hate me for posting this....

Here's a few other random shots from the week. Lots of dancing going on in Vegas....

Checking out the lions at the MGM Grand....

Like I said, brides everywhere!

Dancing in the streets....

Vegas Baby, Vegas....for WPPI

2009-02-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

Viva Las Vegas! Just a quick update today....I spent this past weekend at the WPPI convention (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) in Vegas, one of the biggest photography conventions in the world. I learned so much from the top photographers in the world in the short two days I was there, that I have decided to go back Tuesday and Wednesday. Rough, I know. There's also another reason I'm heading back that I'll unveil in my next post. Until then, enjoy this quick snapshot from in between workshop sessions at the MGM Grand....

Kyhl Family - Cedar City, Utah

2009-01-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

I'm back in Utah!...Well, for a few days at least. I'm here in Cedar City for a photo shoot with Family Circle Magazine (I'll post those pics when they are published in April), and decided to squeeze in a family session while I was in town with my FAVORITE clients, the Kyhl's (they're sitting right next to me).

They must really like me, after all, this is my third session with the family in the past three years! And why not? Their little boy, Jackson, is growing so fast! Gotta keep those family photos updated....

For this session they decided they wanted something a bit different, a bit edgy. Well, you asked for it, so you got it! This ain't your grandma's family portraits....

CAUTION: Edgy family portraits ahead....

Jackson is a rock star....

Okay mom and dad, time to break it up....

Look at those big blue eyes!

Annick and Steve - Encino, California

2009-01-29T00:04:00.000-08:00

After a few weeks visiting family in Seattle, I'm finally back in sunny Southern California! Chilly, but sunny. So it's time to get back to work!

I had the pleasure of photographing a rare, but welcome, January wedding this past weekend. Annick and Steve were married at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino in front of a small group of family and friends and I couldn't be happier to be the one to photograph their special day.

Here comes the amazing couple now!

I love the classic feel to this photo....

Showtime....

The couple couldn't be happier!

Mmmmm....

Girls just wanna have fun!!

Seattle Wedding Fashion

2009-01-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

Beautiful model, beautiful wedding dress, beautiful city. Do I ever mention how cool my job is? Yea, I guess I do…but with every shoot that feeling gets stronger and stronger.

I have to thank a few people for the success of this photo shoot…

The amazing wedding dress was provided by Jessica Dalke, owner of Wedding Belles Bridal Boutique located in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Our gorgeous model is my very good friend Stephanie Klein, who should really think of a career change. Honestly, just look at her!

Hair and makeup was done by Steph’s good friend, Heidi Hanson.

The bouquet was provided by my wonderful mother, Dottie Davis of A Floral Design.

And last, but certainly not least, my lovely assistant and younger brother, Grant. That’s right, it’s a family affair!

Okay, on to the photos! Being born and raised in Seattle, ever since I started getting serious about photography, I've always wanted to take a hot model to Pike Place Market and get some fun, fashion oriented shots in and around the market. It was a very fun and relaxed session, and Steph was not shy at all when it came to some of the locations, even with the hundreds of tourists gazing every time we were set up to get a shot. Their reaction alone was worth it!

We started out at Alki Beach in West Seattle. It's known for its great views of downtown, but what caught my eye was an old Ford parked out in front of Alki Auto Repair near the beach. I think it's the first time I've taken my camera to Alki Beach and not taken any photos at the beach.

I was more than happy with what we got....

After Alki we headed straight for the Pike Place Market. I put Steph right out on the brick road in front of the famous neon signs and had Grant hold a single strobe w/softbox to my left. Steph had no problem striking a pose....

Here's a different angle, same setup....

For this shot we used a brick building on the corner of First and Pine and made it quick since the rain was beginning to fall. Once again, a single strobe w/softbox was used at camera left....

Then we headed below the market to Post Alley for these shots....

Here's Steph and Grant getting ready for the next shot, which needed to be timed right since we would be stopping traffic....

Worth it though, huh?

What a goofball....but look at that smile!

We made a quick stop at the original Starbucks for some coffee. Okay, so Seattlites are addicted, but the last thing I needed during the shoot was a bridezilla (kidding, Steph). The reactions to seeing a bride in line for coffee was pretty funny, everyone thought she just ditched her new hubby for some caffeine!

And she still strikes a pose....

After exiting Starbucks, Steph decided to get her groove on with the street band....awesome....

Then the rain came down!

But that didn't stop us....

That's right, yours truly is talented at keeping dry and shooting at the same time, although not quite the model. I'll just stick to what I know....

Can you spot the assistant? Here's Grant capturing the previous shot....

Overall it was a fun day and we got some great shots, can't beat a rainy day shoot in Seattle. Thanks again to everyone who helped make this happen.

Michelle and Stephen - Hollywood Engagement Photography

2008-11-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

I recently spent a weekend in sunny, and smoky, southern California for Michelle and Stephen's engagement session. We had a great time acting like tourists in Hollywood, although I think everyone thought they were movie stars with me and my assistant following them around Hollywood Boulevard like the paparazzi!

We started out at the beautiful Griffith Observatory high up in the hills above Hollywood. We were hoping for great views of the city, but the recent fires filled the skies with white smoke. Combine that with the smog and you've got yourself a natural yellow backdrop! No worries though, I always find a way to come away with great shots....

Think they're happy to get married?

We tried to get some shots with the Hollywood sign in the background, but there was just too much smoke in the sky. Oh well, still a fun shot....

Proof that even in between locations there's always a shot to be had....

Is that Kanye West cruisin' the boulevard? Not quite....

Like I said, because of the smoky sky, we were unable to grab some shots up at the observatory with the Hollywood sign in the background, so we had to improvise. With a little help from my assistant, we were able to get the shot. Just like the Hollywood films, you have to take advantage of props. When in Rome....

Ummm, it's just not the same....

This is just funny....

I just love these street scenes....

Once again, my lovely assistant takes one for the team to test out a shot....

Can't wait for the wedding!!

Bethanne and Darren - Smith Lake, Alabama

2008-11-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

The first thing I want to say is THANK YOU to both families I had the pleasure of spending time with while photographing Bethanne and Darren's special day. They took the term "southern hospitality" to a whole new level. I had so much fun spending time out at the lake, that's right Janie, I even had fun helping set up for the wedding! My lighting skills and tasty caramel apples will go down in history....

Now to the photos! Bethanne looked amazing in her simple, yet very elegant wedding dress. I started out photographing the bride and her bridesmaids getting ready in the master bedroom at one of the cabins. The cabin had a very "rustic" feel to it, which tied in well with every little detail throughout the weekend.

Congrats you guys!!

Here's big sis Brittney helping out....

Once again, meet my "artsy" side....

Kaylee was definitely my superstar model for the weekend!

One final touch before photos....

And she's ready! Beautiful....

The ladies....

The fellas....

You gotta love the suspenders!

My personal favorite, the first time they see each other before the wedding. True love can never be faked for a camera....

A proud father....

Time to giver her away Jim....

Here's something you don't see at every wedding. All the guests sat on stacks of hay! No detail was missed for the theme of this wedding....

Do you think she's excited?

Details, details....there were a ton of them!

Yes, those are real leaves with a pad of butter on them!

The bluegrass band came all the way up from Auburn to play at the wedding. We were all glad they did, they were awesome!

Yea, it was good, trust me....

Alabama Outtakes

2008-11-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to post some of the outtakes from Bethanne and Darren's wedding Saturday. Think of it as sort of a gag reel, just a few photos to hold everyone over until I can post their wedding story in a few days.

Check out the look on Darren's face when he sees Bethanne for the first time in her wedding dress....he's shocked.

This was pretty hilarious. Just before the ceremony began, a couple stray dogs showed up and this one walked straight down the aisle to where I was setting up, sat down, and just stared at me. So I took his picture and as soon as I did that, he got up and walked right back down the aisle. It was pretty funny....

Looks like his buddy found the appetizers....

They also wanted to hang around for the formals....

The father of the bride, Jim, needed a bit of rest before the wedding after spending a few months building the reception pavilion....well deserved.

The ring bearer did not want to stand still for photos. Here he is doing somersaults....

Nope, not going to stand still....

Grandma didn't want her picture taken, little does she know that I got several great shots of her throughout the day....I'm pretty sneaky with the camera.

We ran into a few sticky bushes while taking photos down by the lake. No worries mom, the dress is fine....

Awww, everyone is staring intently at the beautiful bride and groom....

Oh, wait....that's the Alabama vs. LSU football game on. Rule #1 on planning a southern wedding, check the Alabama and Auburn football schedules before booking your date, especially when one of the teams is ranked first in the nation....

At least they pulled it off in overtime!

Almost Ready!

2008-11-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

Bethanne is just about ready for her big day! While she's throwing on the dress I thought I'd post a few shots.

Rehearsal Time in 'Bama

2008-11-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

It was time for the rehearsal at the cabins in Alabama, and was it cold. Everyone bundled up and headed outside with their green lanterns, which would be my only light source during the rehearsal since we are out in the middle of nowhere. But I think it added a nice touch to the two or three photos I actually managed to get in focus.

We enjoyed a nice meal prepared by the groom, Darren, and his groomsmen. I mean, how good do these chicken skewers look? Awesome....

Brittney got some pretty awesome gifts for the bride and groom, now Darren knows his place....

The night was still young and there was still plenty of work to be done before the wedding day. The reception area still needed its lighting, so after these shots it was time to put the camera down and climb a ladder. Mom always told me I was multi-talented, who knew my other talent was electrician?

Here's Brittney hanging a few of the "globes" that will be used as the main light source during the reception....

Live from Alabama

2008-11-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

I've decided I'd try something a bit different for this wedding. I'm going to post several different blogs throughout the weekend from the different shoots I have scheduled for Bethanne and Darren's wedding. Mostly just some fun shots of preparation and hanging out in this amazing location.

A little background on this wedding first. I met Bethanne's sister, Brittney, while I was studying in Florence, Italy several years ago and we became instant best friends. Most of you who know me remember that when I graduated, I was a photographer at the newspaper in Montgomery, Alabama and while I was here I became very close to Brittney's family. So when Bethanne was engaged, they asked me to be the wedding photographer, which I instantly accepted. So at the same time, this feels like a bit of a homecoming.

So where exactly am I right now? The rehearsal and wedding will be held at the Wilson family's (Bethanne's family) cabins on Smith Lake, just outside Jasper, Alabama. I'm actually posting this blog from the cabins, which is shocking because no one can even get a cell signal here. It's a beautiful location, like last weekend in Fort Collins, the colors are amazing.

Here's a shot of the flower girl, Kaylee, having a good time at the Bridesmaids luncheon in Jasper....

So we got a bit of rain today (Friday) which put a scare into everyone, since it's an outside wedding. We couldn't find an umbrella, so Brittney improvised a bit. She's gonna hate me for this one....

How do you like them apples? Check out these party gifts, caramel and chocolate apples, handmade, I know because I helped!

Oh yea, you probably want to meet the bride! Here she is with Kaylee....

And here she is with mom....

Don't fall asleep yet, it's going to be a long weekend....

Sheena and Brian - Fort Collins, Colorado

2008-11-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful wedding! Sheena and Brian were married this past weekend in Fort Collins, Colorado. What a perfect place to have a fall wedding, the colors were amazing. I wish I could have spent more time in the area, but I'm off to Alabama for my next fall wedding!

The flower girl was a bit shy....

She even needed a little help tossing the flower petals!

Mom just couldn't hold back anymore....

Wedding cake, Colorado style....

Someone better get her a piece, she's got that look in her eyes!

Check out the shoes her bridesmaids gave her....awesome!

Congrats you guys!!

Fort Collins Preview

2008-11-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, that's all I can really say about the wedding I photographed in Fort Collins, Colorado this weekend. What an amazing couple and picturesque venue. Can't wait to show you guys the rest, but for now....

Hayden Elizabeth Bodine

2008-10-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, enough with the suspense. Like I said in the previous post, I was not done using my camera after I left Kristen and Mike's reception in Seattle. I headed straight to the hospital to see Trevor's first child, only about an hour after birth. It was meant to be, the first kid in our close group of friends is born on a weekend I happened to be in Seattle.

Here she is....can you guess what college she'll most likely go to? Go Cougs!!

I bet the proud mama loved having a camera in her face just after having a baby....

Time for a bath....

Proud papa....

Maddie's a big sister now!

Kristen and Mike - Seattle, Washington

2008-10-22T20:32:00.001-07:00

Wow, what a weekend! Kristen and Mike were married at the Lake Washington Rowing Club located in the beautiful Freemont District of Seattle. They couldn't have picked a better day in Seattle, as the sun was shining the entire day....in October! This was my first wedding in Freemont and we had a blast wandering around the docks and under the Aurora Bridge looking for great photo opps. We also headed downtown for a few more fun angles before we headed to the reception at the China Harbor Restaurant.

It was important to me to get these photos up on my blog as soon as possible this week. Since Kristen's dad was unable to make the trip out from Minnesota for the wedding due to health issues, I can only hope I was able to visually tell the story of their wedding day enough to make him feel as if he was right there with them.

On another note, as I left the reception, I thought my day of shooting was over. That was until I got a frantic phone call from my good friend and former college roommate, Trevor. I'll post those photos later, as I love to keep people in suspense....

Okay, so I went a little crazy with the shoes, can you blame me?

I saw the candy dish and couldn't resist, so I did a fun shot with Kristen's very special ring.

A bit of my artsy side, I just love the red lips entering the side of the frame.

Here's mom seeing her daughter for the first time in her dress.

Kristen preparing for the ceremony by reading her vows....

Mike preparing for the ceremony by, ummmm....well he deserved to relax, he had his vows memorized, and they rhymed!

Think it's time to go home? Just ask this little guy!

Gianina and Brandon - San Diego, California

2008-10-07T16:35:00.001-07:00

A beautiful couple, a beautiful venue, a beautiful city....a photographer's dream. I had the pleasure of photographing Gianina and Brandon as they were married on top of the Park Manor Suites in San Diego, California on October 4th. I couldn't have asked for a more fun and down to earth couple. Both of them, along with the majority of their guests, made the trip out from New York City, so I had only met them briefly before the ceremony. They warmed up to the camera right away and I had a blast hanging out with them and their friends and family for the day.

I wish you guys the best!

Brandon needed just a little help with his tie, so Gianina's dad obliged:

What a beautiful bride!

Lots of hugs!

This is one of my personal favorites:

This was cool....here is the father of the groom and his band playing at the reception:

A little tease from San Diego....

2008-10-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot from the first dance as a couple for Brandon and Gianina in San Diego....more to come soon!

Sarah and Jeff - St. George, Utah

2008-09-25T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Jeff were married at the beautiful St. George Temple in southern Utah on a very hot day, I believe it was near 100 degrees around the time the ceremony started. Let's just say most of the guys in tuxedos were happy to get through the formals fairly quickly. The reception was up in Cedar City, much cooler and even overcast. Great day for a wedding! Congrats you guys!

Katie Gallis Headshots

2008-09-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

I recently did some headshots for Katie in Cedar City, Utah. We treated the session more like a model photoshoot, which is always fun. We spent most of the time on Main Street in this small southern Utah town, and got plenty of looks from the passers-by, as I'm sure they're not used to seeing a beautiful young model strike a pose up against a barbershop or old brick building!

McLay Family

2008-09-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

I had a blast hanging out with the McLay family up in Mammoth Creek, Utah. A beautiful area for a photo session. The challenge of corralling 13 kids and getting them to smile worked up quite the appetite, so after the photo session the McLay's invited me in for the birthday dinner they had planned for grandpa Larry. By far the best quesadillas I've ever had! Thanks guys!

New Wedding and Family Blog!

2008-09-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Here's my new blog for all my wedding and family clients out there. I'll keep this updated with recent weddings, family sessions, or any other photos I think everyone would like to see. I'll still keep my editorial blog running, so feel free to keep checking that one out as well.