Steffan + Suzette {Wedding, Cancun~Mexico}

I LOVE shooting destination weddings! I just have to say that upfront. Steffan and Suzette
flew my wife and I to warm and sunny Cancun, Mexico a week ago to shoot their wonderful wedding. It is awesome that I started out 2007 shooting a Mexico wedding in Cabo San Lucas and I ended it shooting theirs in Cancun. I think I should start a tradition. ;) The winter is really the best time to visit Mexico because it isnt crazy hot; its just perfect!

Why Mexico? Steffan and Suzette have enjoyed a few vacations in Cancun so it holds a lot of special memories for them, including Steffans proposal. I was amazed that they had about 80 people join them for a week of celebrating and relaxing. But then again, Im not surprised because they are an amazing couple and threw a fantastic party!


Anna got this shot of a sun-bathing iguana on the Hilton lawn. She crept up close and let out a shriek when it scurried into the bushes.DJ Mel ~The Five Footed Pilipino flew out for the wedding as well. I have never seen a DJ get people dancing like I have Mel. He knows how to spin and mix and scratch and have a blast while working the party.One of Suzettes bridesmaids was Cheryl from a wedding I shot back in August. I actually met Steffan and Suzette at Brian and Cheryls wedding and thats how I got to go to Mexico for their amazing wedding. Its so much fun seeing couples I have photographed because they are like old friends. It was great seeing you guys again!
They had an authentic cigar-ista who rolled a Cuban cigar for every guest! The guys loved it but then again so did the ladies. I dont know what it is about destination weddings, but the guests are so much more free to celebrate. Maybe its the warm weather in winter. Maybe its the complimentary cigars. Maybe its the awesome club style music. Maybe its the open bar and just maybe its all of the above. Thanks so much for having us. We truly enjoyed you and your peeps. Have and amazing life together!

Tim + Mindy {Engagement, San Luis Obispo}

I love engagement sessions because they are like double dates. My wife and I tag team the conversation and creative picture taking ideas. The engagement session is always the best way for me to really get to know a couple before their wedding day.

It turns out that Tim and Mindy are stinkin awesome! On the surface they appear quite and reserved, but as we got to know them we discovered that they are really a lot of fun!

From the first time we met Tim and Mindy they expressed a deep appreciation for my photography, which in turn, translated into a great engagement shoot. It really makes my job a heck of a lot easier when people believe in me and my skills. Anytime I suggested something random they were more than willing to try it out. I have been eye-balling an old laundry mat for awhile and I knew this was a great opportunity to turn it into a backdrop for some awesome pictures. Tim and Mindy just played along.

From Cancun With Love

Lets just say its been a hard week at the office and that is why I have been unable to blog much. We are in Cancun, Mexico for Steffan + Suzettes destination wedding. They got married on Tuesday but Anna and I decided to stay all week to make it an end of the year bonus honeymoon trip. We have totally enjoyed our alone time this week together! Aside from the wedding having the fun-nest dance party reception of my lifetime we have been having a blast swimming in underground rivers and zip-linning over the Mayan forests. I will blog pictures from the gorgeous wedding next week and a little bit from our adventures. We fly home today and tomorrow are going to Disneyland with my wifes side of the family. It will be chaotic Im sure but fun none the less watching my niece and nephews run around enjoying D-land at its best for Christmas.

Sam + Grace {Wedding, Pasadena}

Sam and Grace are the sweetest couple on earth! Sam is a soft-spoken gentleman and Grace is so full of compassion; she kept checking on us to make sure we were fed and watered. We had to remind her that we were the hired-help and that she needed to focus on having fun and being the center of attention.

They needed to have all of the portraits taken before the wedding because of a double reception planned for afterwards. It was a fantastic idea considering by the time we got to Reception #2 the sun was dropping fast and we wouldnt have had enough light. I know there are a ridiculous amount of pictures here but I dont care; I love them all!

















I just love this shot! The ceremony was so intimate and profound. Im not a very traditional guy, but moments like these were dripping heavy with honor and love. I wonder how I will do when I pass off my daughter-to-be someday. I will probably be weeping my face off. I love this sweet smile from the brides father as he proudly passes on his little girl.



The reception was gorgeous! It was at the Villa Del Sol D'oro in Sierra Madre. Its a high school that doubles as a venue as well as location for the occasional movie set. When I saw the candles lighting up the tables I felt like I was whisked through time and across the world.





I adore this quiet moment that my wife shot. So perfect. So sacred.

The reception was full of surprises including Grace busting out a beautiful song! I had no idea how amazing of a voice she has. She didnt tell us that she was so talented when we shot their engagement pictures last month. I guess if she did, we would have asked her to sing.

Dale + Tiffany {Engagement, Montana De Oro}

Dale and Tiffany wanted to go for the beach/mountainous regionous style so we headed over to Montana De Oro. I trip out sometimes when I realize I live just 10 minutes from profound unique beauty in any direction. We had a lot of fun hiking and walking the beach. We skipped rocks and Dale definitely won. I think all I got was a three skipper.

They are getting married next summer at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Its a real popular location for couples that want to get the SLO feel mixed with the beach backdrop. I cant wait! You guys are awesome.

Can Fashion Fight Poverty? {Rise Up International}

Looking for meaningful Christmas gifts for your family and friends?
Help children out of poverty by purchasing clothing from Rise Up International.

Rise Up is an innovative group of artists, idealists, and social entrepreneurs, who are using the fashion industry to help children out of poverty. By purchasing clothing from Rise Up International you are in effect giving two gifts. Your friends and family receive a quality, stylish shirt or sweater, and a child in a country you may never visit will receive sanctuary, education and a home.

Jesse and Seth Roberts are brothers who are the designers for Rise Up. Jesse is the founder of Rise Up International along with his wife Maria. Seth is the co-owner of a design company called the 805 Collective (my web designer). Together they form the creative design team for Rise Up Clothing.

Rise Up uses the proceeds from their clothing to help provide free education for over three hundred children in India, China, and Nicaragua with the goal of ending the exploitation of those children. With your purchase you provide safe homes, education, counseling, and empowerment projects.

To get involved all you have to do is purchase Christmas gifts for your friends & family. Buying a couple of t-shirts and a sweater will give children the chance to escape a life of poverty and they will experience a life of hope.

Visit the Rise Up website and online clothing store to purchase clothes today.

Thanks for joining an Uprising of Compassion!

Here are some shots of a few of my favorite shirts. Joshua Caine came over to model and co-photograph these.

Marcus + Laura (Engagement, San Luis Obispo)

We had a blast hanging out with Marcus and Laura! We started out at Black Sheep for drinks and appetizers beforehand to get things loosened up. Then we cruised the streets of San Luis Obispo looking for the light and colors that fall so generously offers. We ended up trespassing through an apple orchard by the time we finished. Im always a bit nervous trespassing because Ive had a rancher yell at me {Get off my PROPERTY!!!} while waving a shotgun one time when I was photographing a band in a cow pasture. Well, we didnt get threatened this time and we got some amazingly beautiful pictures of Marcus and Laura. Enjoy!