This session was like a little tour of the south bay (aka my home! Torrance FTW! I got a shirt for Xmas that validates all of this!) We visited some of PV’s prettiest spots and finished up along the Redondo shoreline. I love the movement, the wind, the light in the last few at the beach – these types of organicky (oh yes, I totally did that, I just made up a word) photos always speak to me the most :) I’m so excited to work with Wendy and Jon again next year!

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!

For the second part of Joann + Donald’s session {see part I here!}, we headed down to the beach to chase the last of the afternoon’s golden light. They brought along a bunch of the prettiest pastel balloons – I’ve done quite a few fun balloon sessions & I know we’ve all seen lots of lovely versions on the interwebs, but I loved Joann & Donald’s idea to place them around in the sand for a different look. Pops of color galore!

A big thank you to Love and Lavender for featuring their session!