Engagement: Danny and Emily

They met in high school, so yes, they are high school sweethearts. But these two are far from typical. Their story is a special one actually. After dating on and off in high school, Danny made things official by asking Emily to be his girlfriend. She said yes, they committed to each other, and then Danny flew across the nation to attend college. The end of the story? Of course not. Three years ago, when he drove from North Carolina to California, she probably felt like this time would never come. But indeed, it has. After three years of an across country relationship, Danny flew home just a few months ago to ask Emily to marry him.

She says she almost passed out from the surprise of seeing him for the first time in months only moments before he got down on one knee and produced a gorgeous ring. He says she never looked so pretty. They fit perfectly together like that. Her loving his presence. Him thinking she never looked prettier. This week, Danny graduated from college and the first of next year, she will join him here in California while he takes on the next three years of his education.

I am entirely blessed to call these two my dear friends. Christian and I have the honor of standing up with them at their New Year's Eve wedding and we can't wait to be a part of their special day. I was so thrilled to have to opportunity to capture this time in their lives and I hope that you will enjoy. Happy Sunday!

Family: Graciano Family

The Graciano Family is one I have known for longer than I can even remember. While we didn't exactly grown up with them because of distance, we saw them as a family a few times a year since we were very young. They are a fun family that just welcomed their first grandchild just recently. As you will be able to see, she is an absolute doll. We had a great time reminiscing and taking taking pictures all day. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did and Happy Monday!

Wedding: Randy and Kati

Goodness it has been FAR too long since this wedding took place. These pictures should have been posted the day after, I did stay up all night editing them after all! But with planning my own wedding and work and my fiance, Christian, coming home after four months!! life has been a little on the hectic side. Any how, enough with excuses...

I had the wonderful opportunity on April 10th, to second shoot with the amazing Desiree Shuey at the beautiful backyard wedding of a dear friend of hers. Randy and Kati are an incredible couple that not only combined their lives but combined the lives of their four adorable children. I have never seen such an intimate, family centered ceremony and I feel as though every ceremony, big or small, should have the same level of seriousness and deep love to it. Desiree, thank you so much for the opportunity and for allowing me the first chance to try my hand at this whole wedding photography thing. I loved every minute of it.

Keep an eye out the next couple of months because I have a few more weddings coming your way by the end of the summer, until then enjoy Randy and Kati!

Portrait: Nikki and Lindsey

These two girls were way too much fun! It has been a few weeks since we did their senior/best friend pictures but because life has been a little crazy I am just now able to get them up here. The girls wanted to shoot in a meadow and the field of flowers we found was amazing! We had a ton of fun laughing and goofing off, not only because they are way funny but because one of my best friends and amazing stylists, Celeste, is Nikki's older sister and came along to do hair and makeup for both the girls and to provide plenty of entertainment for all of us. You may remember her from here and here. Any how, these three ladies provided an extra fun day for me and I had a great time capturing the fun. Good luck to both you girls and have a wonderful time rooming together at BIOLA!