When we were planning their engagement session, Clair & Paul sent me an amazing list of locations that had both the photographer and the LA-lover in me just bubbly with excitement. We had all the spots set, but a few days before the session I had a random Family-Guy-type flashback that took me to a beautiful field of wildflowers, with LA’s skyscrapers on the horizon, silhouetting the sky. I was first introduced to the lovely location by Serena Grace – we had shot together there earlier in the month along the park’s rolling hills and on the drive out, I had caught a glimpse of some bright yellow and purple blooms.

I mentally shuffled it away in my “I want to shoot THERE!!” list and when it popped back into my head, I knew the time had come :) I immediately emailed Clair & Paul and was so elated to hear that they were totally on board with throwing the location in the mix! I’m so happy we were able to spend some time there – they worked those wildflowers like no other!

Afterwards we headed back to their fantastic apartment to finish up the day…

Isn’t there just something terribly romantic about rooftops? Add a so-in-love couple and a fabulous cityscape in the background and you have the dreamiest of scenarios!

This last shot was 100% their idea and I can’t stress how much I LOVE it! They dubbed it the “Dolce & Gabbana” shot and it’s definitely ones of my favs from the session!

I first met with Clair and Paul in a cozy cafe below Clair’s loft apartment, nestled in a tall brick building in the heart of Downtown LA’s Arts District. We brainstormed engagement ideas, and they explained to me how they would love to do the session in the neighborhood right around the apartment, where they shared so many days and countless memories together. As we continued to plan the session through email they added in a few additional locations in downtown LA that were sentimental to them, including the very building itself. Worn wooden floors, an antique elevator, a rooftop that showcased LA’s brilliant skyline – the building was straight out of a classic movie and provided the perfect backdrop for Clair & Paul’s session (and had me nothing short of giddy with excitement!)

Clair and Paul – thank you for running around downtown with us and sharing your favorite spots in the city. There are so many moments to share, so please enjoy Part I for now!

I could have shot by these bougainvillea blossoms all day! And isn’t Clair’s headband just perfect?

After shooting some around their apartment, we headed to the 4th Street Bridge:

Scott grabbed this shot on the walk down:

We returned to their apartment to change outfits and hit up a couple more locations! Part II to come soon, including a fabulous wildflower field smack-dab in the middle of the city and a visit to the rooftop!

I love weddings more than I love chocolate, cute shoes, and ridiculous comedies (Harold & Kumar anyone?) combined, but engagement sessions definitely come in as a close second. There’s something about the process of growing comfortable in front of the camera that is so endearing. I love seeing couples open up as the session unfolds and seeing the unique pieces of their relationship emerge. He makes her laugh with a silly comment, she playfully touches his arm, they crinkle their noses and share a kiss – it’s always a little different and it’s always beautiful.

Elizabeth and Minho were no exception. They were fun, spontaneous, and so in love. We started at the amazing Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro and drove along the coast in search of the perfect backdrops for their relationship. I was so excited by all the fun places we found to shoot that this post ended up being little lengthy. Okay, a lot lengthy. If you make it to the end, you should definitely get some kind of shiny Blog-Olympics type medal.

A huge thank you to Elizabeth and Minho for such a fun engagement shoot. I absolutely cannot wait until your wedding later this month!

Starting off at the Friendship Bell… could her bouquet be anymore exquisite?

The view was spectacular! I am definitely making a trip back soon with a picnic basket in tow!

We drove up the coast a couple miles and they introduced me to this perfect little location!

A bit more north to Hermosa Beach and the Hermosa pier, where they etched their names in the sand: