She said yes!!

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

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

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....