Justin wanted to do something special to propose to his beautiful girlfriend of six years, Georji. The stunning sparkling ring just wanted quite enough. So he hailed in the troops and got a group of her closest friends to gather at Gladstones in Pacific Palisades to cheer him on. Then he got a photographer to document the proposal.

When Justin got down on one knee, Georji was beyond surprised and overwhelmed. She hugged and kissed her groom to be as she held tight to the moment. Tears gleamed in her eyes when her friends began to cheer from Gladstones’ balcony and Justin threw up his hands in triumph. Happily ever after is soon to be theirs…

 

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When Laney and John booked me for their Vietnamese engagement ceremony last month, I got super excited. I love different cultures and customs and symbolism and the intimate events around which they are wrapped.

In Vietnamese culture, it is tradition for the man’s family to arrange a tea ceremony for him to propose to his bride to be. The families get together at the bride’s family home where the groom and his family arrive bearing gifts that include jewelry, cakes, betel leaves, areca nuts, wine, fruit, cake, and tea. All of the gifts are presented on trays adorned in red which symbolizes good luck and fortune.

The bride’s family has the ancestor’s altar set up with fruits, tea and incense sticks so the young couple can pray for benediction. The families introduce themselves and share tea and wine, symbolizing their approval. Next, the bride is escorted in and the groom proposes.

When Laney was brought downstairs, the room buzzed in excitement. John delicately placed the ring on her finger and the engagement was complete. It was a beautiful event to celebrate ancestral ties and blessings and a rich history, thick with support and love. Congratulations, Laney and John! Excited for you!

 

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It is New Year’s Day. A new year. A new chapter. A new chance to do something we’ve so longed to do.

As an American people, we are constantly reminded of progress. Moving forward. Somehow inching closer to that intrinsic American dream. With New Year’s Resolutions. Goals. New phases. Turning of pages. We implement these phrases into this season, because that is what we are supposed to do.

But what do you want to do? Do you really want to change that? Do you really want to accomplish that? Or do you say so because you think you should? I know I’m guilty of doing a lot not because I want to, but because I feel like I should.

I say, do what you want this year. If you’re not quite sure what that is, take some time to figure it out. There’s no need to make resolutions if they’re not backed 100% by all you are.

Identify your greatest desires this year. Seek your treasure. Expand your horizons. Find more kindness in your heart. Give, and give it with all you’ve got. Then figure out that something that you really want to do, and do it.

 

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downtown Los Angeles on the horizon, Dec. 14, 2012

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The weather yesterday was foreboding as I headed to shoot a Santa Monica engagement proposal. Thick clouds crowded the sky. But facing west, I saw hope and chance and a glimpse into a glimmering future.

Minutes before their arrival, the sky shifted and sunshine poured around. Then in front of the sand and the sea, Justin got down on one knee and proposed to his beautiful bride to be . “I’m not sure about too much, Baby,” he said to a tearful Georji, “but the one thing I’m sure about is you.”

They hugged and laughed and held one another as emotion flooded the beach. A small group of Georji’s friends cheered from a nearby balcony and I left the gathering buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm for the new life Justin and Georji will soon begin.

Congratulations, you two. So glad I could be there to document this moment.

 

Santa Monica engagement photographyPINME

 
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Aimee and Adam come from opposite sides of the country, and currently reside in Seattle. Naturally a destination wedding was perfect for their two traveling families so Aimee and Adam chose the cove where this all wedding business started, Terranea, where Adam proposed to the woman of his dreams.

And what a woman she is! Aimee’s energy hit me like a burst of sunshine on a bright spring day the moment she walked in the door that morning. Her smile lit up the room and the love in her heart poured out all over the day. She was like a dream come true, and that’s just the wedding photographer speaking!

This gorgeous couple really did live the dream that sunny SoCal day. With only their closest family present, Aimee and Adam tied the knot on a gorgeous December afternoon, in an intimate and engaging ceremony on the sand by the sea. It’s personal and private weddings like these that make me stop and really appreciate what I do. Documenting the marriage of a young couple in love with their closest loves wrapped around them on a private beach by the Pacific is kinda the job of my dreams. I love being a part of where it all started.

 

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