January 22nd, 2013:
Southern California generally has a very awesome climate, and only for a few short months every year does it get really cold or really hot. Clare & RJ were absolute troopers, when, on this particularly chilly overcast day, they brought their megawatt smiles and fun personalities and made it seem like it was a balmy beautiful day.
We started at Malibu Creek State Park, and made it to El Matador State Beach, where it progressively got colder and windier, but Clare & RJ just enjoyed each other’s company and allowed us to snap away.
Thanks Clare & RJ for a wonderful shoot!
June 4, 2012:
About a month ago, I received an email from Pradeep, who is based in Seattle. He would be heading down to Southern California soon for a weekend trip, and wanted pictures with his girlfriend, Gayatri. They haven’t had nice photos taken together (I’m sure all of you are familiar with the outstretched-arm self-portraits), so it would be fun to just dress up for a photoshoot, especially since it would be Gayatri’s birthday that day.
Well, that’s the story he told her. In reality, Pradeep was ready to propose, and wanted us to be there to capture this special moment. So Felicia and I, prepared with 4 cameras and our assortment of lenses, met up with the happy couple in Malibu, and attempted to find a quiet spot on the beach on this particularly beautiful Saturday. Gayatri wasn’t aware of the ploy, of course, as we coaxed them into posing for the camera. For being purportedly nervous with the ring in his pocket and so much on his mind, Pradeep did really good right off the bat!
About 15 minutes into the session, I walked ahead with Pradeep to scope out a good spot while Felicia chatted with Gayatri to distract her. It was time!
Clearly, Gayatri said yes, and everyone was thrilled.
Pradeep picked out the ring because the band reminded him of an infinity symbol. Cool!
Congratulations Pradeep & Gayatri! Have a beautiful life together!
May 1st, 2012:
It’s almost the season for college graduation, and yesterday Felicia and I spent a lovely spring day morning at Malibu Creek State Park with Jill, a graduating film school student. We had a great time photographing and getting to know this vivacious, confident young woman, as we talked about the movie/TV industry (Felicia and I have done a few independent movies on the side). We are quite impressed by her great attitude, wit and charm, so if anyone out there in LA who knows of an entry-level film/TV role to fill, let us know and we’ll send Jill your way!
Congrats, Jill, and all the best!
April 24th, 2012:
Britany contacted me a few months back from Japan about photographing her and Roberto’s wedding day. Amazingly, Britany was planning the whole thing from overseas and they just arrived in town a couple days ago, and about 2 weeks before their big day. Still jet lagged from the transpacific flight, Roberto and Britany met us for an overcast afternoon of engagement pictures at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. They are a completely awesome couple and totally game for scampering up on the rocks and hiking down to the beach in 4 inch heels. See you both soon!
Congrats again Britany + Roberto! We’ll see you in a couple weeks for your wedding!
February 9th, 2011:
Early last week Jerald gave me a call and laid out a scheme he was planning for Saturday night – this involved Teniel, a ring, a sunset and Malibu. Jerald had the whole night planned out, oceanside proposal, dinner at Geoffreys, and an night at the Loews in Sanata Monica. He had asked her father and rented a Mercedes, all the details were in place. I agreed to meet up with him the day before, to finalize all the details of successfully pulling off this endeavor.
Jerald told me about how he was telling Teniel that he was winning an award from his company and was going to have some pictures taken on the beach for the company newsletter before the evening got started. So that’s where I came in. Saturday evening we met up at the beach in Malibu (faking that this was our first meeting), I walked them out to the perfect spot (where Jerald and I had agreed on beforehand), spent about 3 minutes getting the “newsletter photo” then asked if Teniel wanted one with Jerald. She accepted, and I grabbed a quick portrait of the two of them together (the last photo of this post), then said “That’s all I need, you guys have a great night.” and walked away as planned.
Jerald had asked that I stay a bit back, giving them some privacy for this giant moment and hoping that I wouldn’t be noticed by Teniel. After I left them, I started walking away until their attention was on the sunset, then I turned around with my 50mm and 135mm mounted on 2 different cameras, and shot away. All the while trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible, although I think by the point that Jerald dropped to one knee, a circus elephant could have walked right next to them and Teniel wouldn’t have noticed.
She said yes as the sun began to dip below the water, they kissed and headed away from the beach towards a new life together. Congratulations to them both!
