Jen+Dave=TrueLove {sonoma county engagement photographer, sonoma county wedding photographer, photos at claremont colleges}

I've known Jennifer Belikoff, soon to be Jennifer Cook for probably 20 or more years. Jen and I went to school and played volleyball together. I have many many memories spanning all different phases of my childhood through teen years with Jen. I honestly don't think she's changed a bit! She still looks as gorgeous as she did when we were kids. Jen was always the pretty one, the one that wasn't just beautiful but she had an amazing personality. She was the one everyone wanted to be friends with. She reminds me so much of Jennifer Aniston!!
Now Dave I haven't know Dave for quite as long but I met Dave the summer of my Junior year going into my senior year ( I think LOL ). He was best friends with my "first love" not really sure it was actually love but I sure did think it was back then! Some of my fondest memories from High School are with Dave. We had so much fun. Anytime Dave is around you are sure to be laughing. He has an incredible presence about him.
Through the wonderful world of Facebook I was able to reconnect with Jen and Dave and I was pleasantly surprised to see they had been dating for many many years. Then when I saw they were engaged I was so happy for them! Two amazing people coming together is such an amazing thing!!! I couldn't have been more thrilled when Jen contacted me about a mini session during my trip home to LA (Glendora area really but LA for all of you that aren't familiar with Glendora) It was so good to see them! Jen like I said hasn't changed a bit. But Dave, wow it was so cool to see him. He was always the silly goofy one so to see him as the "adult Dave" was cool! You can tell he still has the same youthful, fun, vibrant spirit but in a more mature way and it is awesome to see!
I was waiting to post this because I wanted to find old photos but I wasn't successful at my first search and with the Holidays upon me I am out of time so I thought I'd post these for now but I will re visit the garage and I will come up victorious so watch out Jen and Dave.... a trip down memory lane is in store!!

A sneak peek at Charlene and Hala's 11-12-11 wedding!

Char and Hala are such a gorgeous couple! Char and Hala came over to my home office to meet with me and discuss details over a year ago. From the second I met them and watched how they interacted together I just knew they were a couple that was meant to be. They seem to be a great team together. I know I don't know them all that well but from what time I have spent with them they just seem to compliment each other perfectly. Sometimes you can just tell when a couple will last forever! I'm betting on this one!!









A special thanks to my lovely and talented photographer Maria for the goregous photos!!! and the the staff at Wedgewood in Rohnert Park, beautiful job ladies!!

Jessica + Mike {Sonoma County Engagement Photos, Engagement photos at Trentadue Winery}

I wanted to share a few of my favorites from tonight's shoot with Jessica and Mike. Mike started this shoot off like most guys do... by telling me he isn't good with pictures.......LIAR!!! Most men are big liars! Put them anywhere with their woman looking gorgeous, make him get super close to her (cuz there is no personal space in photography people ;) and make him kiss her... ok hold it, a little longer, ok now look at her... ok get closer like close close! ok now you stand here ok get in there on her neck and kiss her.... Ya pretty sure that makes for a good time! That's why all the giddy smiles from the men are towards the end!!! And the bonus from tonight was we ended it with a little wine and chocolate port tasting at Trentadue!

Here is a peek at the engagement photos of soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Conway!




this one is one of my personal favorites!

and this one too..... ;)

I couldn't choose between the black and white one or the one in color so you get to see both!









The photos were taken at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville and Jessica's make up was done by the lovely and talented Kristy Harris

Adam + Ashley = me in LOVE {sonoma engagement photos, wine country engagement photos, sonoma county wedding photographer}

Ashley wedding show stalked me....... ok well I stalked her at the wedding shows but lets not split hairs! I was so excited when Ashley e mailed me wanting to set up an engagement session. She is finishing up Dental School so they don't plan to get married until after she graduates but they are having an engagement party later this month and wanted some nice photos for the party. Lucky me! because I was given the honors of being the photographer they asked to take their photos! .....she might have just felt sorry for me, who knows! ;)

Although I knew I was going to like Ashley I didn't quite know how much until she started texting me about the weather and if we were going to have enough time and then told me not to think she was nuts! It was like reading a text from myself! LOL!
Sometimes in life people just stand out, sometimes it's their attitude, their appearance, or just something they've been through in their life. I am not quite sure what it is about Ashley and Adam, I haven't quite figured it out yet but I really enjoyed capturing their love for each other. It was a lot of fun just hanging out with Adam and Ashley, it was like I've known them all my life!

They started this shoot out by telling me that Adam wasn't photogenic.... ugghh all I have to say is YOU GUYS ARE BIG FAT LIARS!!! ok skinny liars!!!








I love the shot below, the bottom of the two photos. I was given the "hint hint" by Ashley that she is in love with her boots and that it was ok with her if I took lots of pictures of them. So while taking the hint (which meant I was lying face down on the pavement) I got back up (this task takes me longer than it did when I was 20) so when I finally got up I noticed Adam was still just looking at Ashley and in such a cute way. I raised my camera and took the shot hoping I had the right settings cuz the second after I took the shot they stood up. Luckily.... I did...OH YEEAAHH!!


Reason #642 that I love Ashley... she is a self proclaimed "fat kid" .... that's what I call myself!! We happened to park in front of Ben and Jerry's for the last part of the shoot. I think her and I both at the same time looked and said hmmm how can we find an excuse to go there and get ice cream with out looking like fat kids.... ahh haa !! a photo idea! so here is our "photo idea" aka excuse for yummy ice cream!

notice there is just one photo! ... didn't want our ice cream to melt! We did have a mission to accomplish ya know, one that didn't include pictures!!

The Freeman Family {Claremont College Family Photos, Sonoma County Family Photographer}

My good friend Stephanie and Brian referred their friends The Freeman Family to me for my Mini Session in So Cal a few weekends ago. She had told me before who they were but it didn't register until I met them. Angie is the sister of a guy I went to High School with. Let's just say I had a teeny tiny crush on him (like only the size of Texas) and it was too funny because she looks exactly like Kevin! I want to say I even have an old school newspaper somewhere in the garage that has a picture of Kevin and a bunch of other guys dressed up in a cheer outfit for powder puff (can't remember if he was in the photo or not but for some reason I think he was???-I might have to go digging in the garage later) I wonder if I find it if I'm going to feel like I'm looking at Angie! Either way you guys have gorgeous genes! I'd venture to guess there isn't a bad looking person in that family! and HELLLLOOOO look at these kids! I mean really? Here and I thought my kids had personality!




This is something I saw on pinterest but when I photograph I try to tie in my own ideas, traditional and candit poses, and the things I am inspired by from other photographers and make them relevent to the people I am photographing. With this shot I just can't help but think it represents the balance of a good family. Sometimes it's about the kids, sometimes it's about the parents, but it is ALWAYS about a good balance. It's hard sometimes times as parents we have to find time for us as a couple to keep the foundation of the family strong. Sometimes we get lost in always providing for the kids. So I thought this combination was fitting for a family shoot with a family who clearly has done an amazing job with this balance!




I love that they have the little ID bracelets! I always wanted one when I was little