This session makes my heart so so happy. Brightly-patterned skirts, a pretty bouquet, tall buildings, open fields, a fantastic couple – all shot in this city I love so much. I’ve been going on some photo adventures recently shooting personal work (on film!), and I feel like it’s given me a newfound adoration for LA. Because it has a bad rap sometimes doesn’t it? Urban sprawl, crowded, superficial, trafficky…. But if you care to really explore and see – it’s full of the most amazing little locations.

We started in downtown, rode Angel’s Flight, strolled through Angel’s Knoll Park {500 Days of Summer!}, frolicked by fountains, then finished in a sunlit field in Griffith Park, where the most awesome vintage motorcycle was awaiting us (thanks to Tri’s brother!)

Sara & Tri are fun-loving, laidback, adventurous, and I loved exploring with them! And if for any reason LA has not yet won over your heart, I hope these photos help change your mind…

This is an engagement session in the most literal sense – as in, they got engaged DURING THE SESSION. I love how the universe pulled everything together for this one.. a quick timeline of how everything transpired –

– Linda, soon-to-be engaged and ridiculously sweet, emails me regarding photographing her wedding this year.
– I find I’m unfortunately already booked in the month she was looking at.
– Super bummed-ness all around.
– A few weeks pass, I get an email from Reggie, saying he’ll be proposing to Linda soon, he knows we were in contact, and would I photograph the proposal?
– HECK YEAH.
– We plan it all out ninja-style (complete with code texts – I believe Reggie had me inputted in his phone as “Aunt Amy.”)
– The proposal happens at the lovely Santa Monica beach, we do portraits afterwards around the pier, and I get to work with this amazing couple after all!

I love shooting in Palos Verdes! It feels like an extension of my backyard. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Torrance, and you’re met with cliffs, breathtaking views, and quiet solitude. My sister and I drove up once (pre-SLR days), and took pictures in one of the random fields with a point-and-shoot. And now, years later, I get to make pictures of amazing couples in the same area? Life is awesome, yes? :)

Hanaya and Darren are the types of people who bring the happy with them wherever they go. They both share a super sweet and mellow vibe, and complement each other so so perfectly. We’ll all be heading back up to PV for their wedding in July!

* please contact us prior to reposting these images elsewhere on the web :) *