{Venus + Davey} Central Park | Huntington Beach Engagement Photographer

I had only met Venus & Davey one other time...at the preliminary consultation in my studio. But by the end of our time together for their engagement session, I felt like we were old friends. They are such an awesome couple, incredibly easy to be and talk with, and I just love their admiration for one another. But of course they are cool peeps...they came referred by this awesome gal!

We met up at Central Park in Huntington Beach for the perfect summer evening. (That is such a great park if you've never been). We chased the light and caught some of my most favorite images ever. They will be getting married this fall nearby at the Red Horse Barn.

They are pretty much gorgeous together, in my opinion. But see for yourself...

 I love the way this tree forms a heart around them (as my photographer friend Lyndsey pointed out)...

Davey actually proposed to Venus in a tree. I love that! Climbing trees reminds me of my childhood (but I honestly cannot remember the last time I might have done it?). I think it's so cool that the two of them will still take a walk and find themselves talking and sitting in a tree together. So we had to shoot in a tree, it was only fitting of their story...

This next image is a FAVE! It's the same pose as the first image in this blog (vertical and in B&W instead).  I often give direction to couples but the best images are the ones that happen naturally like this one. It's such an awesome moment...

Did I mention how magical the lighting was that evening? I really did not want to quit shooting. 

It was a beautiful end to a perfect evening....

{Central Park} New York City Photographer

My editing frenzy of travel pics continues! This time I visit a domestic favorite...New York City! I can't tell you how much I love this city. It is like no other. So much crazy awesome energy & talent comes from this electric place.

I have had the opportunity to visit New York City three times. The first time in July of 1999 when the Towers still stood. In fact, I even had a huge print of the the NY skyline with the Twin Towers above by bed, when they fell. It was kinda eerie to look at it, once they fell. It was such a reminder of so much tragedy and sadness. The second time was in 2002, only six months after 9/11. I saw Ground Zero and all it's devastation. I could not grasp the loss nor remember the reality that stood before. Most recently, I visited NYC in January of 2008. It was only the month before getting pregnant with Brooklyn and I went with my two girlfriends Danielle & Julia. This trip was, of course, the best because I had an awesome camera to capture it in all it's beauty. I visited Ground Zero again on that trip and even six years later, the wounds still seemed fresh. There is an amazing sense of patriotism and comradarie in the city as a result.

There are so many amazing and wonderful places to visit in NYC, but Central Park will continue to be a fave! Especially in the winter with it's twiggy trees, frozen lakes, and frosty blanket.