Let me start off by saying that this was one of my most challenging shoots yet and I'll tell you why. Jeannette and Matt specifically wanted campy 1970's styled photos so they can send them out as cheesy Christmas cards. They're just fun like that. Jeannette made Matt's "special" reindeer sweater herself, with the intent of making it as old-fashioned as possible. My job was to not make it look as good and artistic as possible, but instead to give it an outdated look.


I think this one works really well. I purposely used direct-flash so it would look the part, and the acting by the trio was perfect. I also gave it a little yellow-tint treatment.


Here are a couple more with better lighting technique and still with a yellowish tint.


I love their expressions here, and the fact that they came up with the idea and put so much effort into it. I can't wait to see how the Christmas cards come out!

One good thing about shooting weddings is that people who attended may eventually see your work and invite you to photograph them. After seeing her son Kevin's wedding photos, Robin liked them so much she invited me to do a family portrait session at her beautiful home in Floral Park.

I thought that this time, in addition to the regular shots, it would be a good idea to show some outtakes you wouldn't normally see .


We'll start off with the cute babies.


One happy and one not-so-happy baby.


Here's one of the outtakes with Sam giving Cash a finger in the mouth.


Sometimes, babies are just not going to smile for the camera. Cash just wasn't having it that day, yet these are my two favorites from the shoot. He has such expressive eyes!


Look at the emotion on his face. I'd give him an Academy award for this performance.


A little upside-down action with Sam.


The boys.


Here's another one of those outtakes that don't normally show up. One of the girls just couldn't stop laughing. I love cute moments like these when they're just goofing around.


Dana and Kevin, the couple whose wedding we shot in Carmel.


Thanks to Robin for inviting us to do this shoot.


Family.

We met Michelle and Hai through Michelle's twin sister, Marlene. It turned out that I knew Hai from high school, and a couple of his groomsmen are also my friends from Fountain Valley High. They also went to UCLA (as you'll see below) like I did. It's such a small world!

Michelle and Hai had their ceremony in Pasadena and then the reception at the San Gabriel Hilton. I liked the style and design of both the church and the hotel. The weather was perfect considering it was a November wedding here in Southern California.


The stained glass at the church was a beautiful backdrop for this ring shot.



The available natural light worked so well I had to get this shot from a few different angles.



Notice the UCLA Bruin colors on the bouquet.



The upstairs of the church was also a Sunday school for little children, so they had these cute little chairs sitting around. We grouped a few blue and yellow ones to get this UCLA-themed bouquet shot.



The father of the bride walking his daughter down the aisle.



The bride and groom standing in this beautiful church.






This will take a while for Hai to live down, and I'm sure Michelle will always remember this. Hai dropped the ring as the pastor was handing it to him and drew a huge laugh from Michelle.



The girls in beautiful UCLA colors.









The guys had a great time throughout the whole thing. Between shots they were goofing around like old college buddies.


















The Pasadena City Hall was empty so we got a chance to capture them sharing a little alone time.



It was getting late and there was just enough light to squeeze in a couple of shots that I love.






The building was tall and beautifully designed.



The groomsmen had a special treat for all the Bruins in attendance. They ran through the ballroom waving UCLA flags while the song "Sons of Westwood" played through the loudspeakers. They then dropped the flags and did the "eight-clap." To hear what this sounds like, click here.



There were a lot more great moments from the wedding but I can't fit it all in here, so I'll leave you with the bride and groom in their first dance.


Florist
Pure Elegance
Carlos/Brittni

Coordinator
Eliza Tsui of San Gabriel Hilton

Coordinator
Jan Clark of Pasadena Trinity Lutheran Church

Click here to view Michelle and Hai's engagement session