I refer to Natalie as my “ice skating friend.” From something like ages 6-13, we spent almost every Saturday morning driving up to the rink in Palos Verdes and taking lessons together. We practiced for performances and little competitions, and forged a friendship based not just on salchows and loop jumps, but on playing ridiculous amounts of video games, making our own stationery & then trying to sell it, coming up with dance routines, taking pictures of our cats & creating calendars out of them – you know, the usual childhood shennanigans :)

We lost touch a bit over the years, but I was so so overjoyed when she contacted me recently with the news that she was engaged! Equally exciting was that we both happen to now be living in Long Beach and are practically neighbors. I was so happy when she chose her amazing little Long Beach neighborhood for the photos, these kind of relaxed cozy lifestyle-y sessions are always some of my favorites. Natalie has always been one of the most kind-hearted & beautiful people I know, and I’m so so excited for her and Jeff, they are such the perfect match! I hope you get a sense of their sweet relationship through these photos :)

How was your weekend? Mine involved some good food (thanks to dineLA at FIG) and a triple-header, OC/LA/Long Beach, whirlwind engagement session extravaganza.

But! It turned out to be a breeze, because (as you can see below) these amazing couples make my job TOO EASY.

More to come soon!

Zena + Dennis + fishies + neon lights + parks + sandy shores = fun! I was excited to shoot at the Long Beach Aquarium for the first time, but found I was almost even more excited about the highly underrated beach we found after. A lovely long expanse of sand with the calmest smoothest waves at the horizon.. between shots I kept telling them how “IT LOOKS LIKE THAILAND!”

Zena and Dennis are so laidback, so down to earth, and just the kinds of wonderful people you’d want to surround yourself with.. I’m so excited for their perfect 10/10/10 wedding!