Here is Joe in step with the servers (middle back).  Next to that was the dish he captured.  Pretty cool!

Here I am working with the “motivator”.  We like to share what we’re getting with our subjects during a session.  When they see what we’re going after, and how they look, they get exited and motivated to help us make great images and have fun at the same time!  Thank you Rachel and Albert!  You both look terrific and are great to work with!

I loved going to Pasadena for their wedding.  We started at beautiful Pasadena City Hall.  What a gorgeous building!  The day was perfect and we even had a perfect breeze in the hallway to add that little extra something.  The ceremony was in Arcadia at Holy Angels and the reception was in Old Town at Cafe Santorini in the Rococo Room.  The wedding was coordinated by Tatiana’s good friend Nikola of Platinum Touch Events who did a wonderful job making the Rococo Room look beautiful  Here are some of my favorite images from the super fun day…

Here is the beautiful Pasadena City Hall building…

That gentle Pasadena breeze was right on que!

We love when the Bride and Groom meet before the wedding.  That’s the best way to capture the anticipation!

A beautiful moment..

Who says you can’t make a traditional pose look amazing…

These two boys were beyond precious.  They both had hypnotic blue eyes.

I could not resist shooting this little angel during the ceremony.  So adorable!

These next two images are just as they happened….100% happiness and love

Timing IS everything…

The DJ played great salsa music all night.  Everyone had a blast.

Here I am dancing Sevillanas

This is the other Mirta, but she spells her name Mirtha.  I’ve known her for years and she is a beautiful dancer.

Here is the star of the show and our teacher, mentor and inspiration…Angelita.  I love how Joe caught her eye peeking through her hand in the image on the left.  Check out the attitude on the right image…puro Flamenco!

Harut and Maribel dancing Bulerias.

Assieh La Mora dancing her dramatic Tango, Flamenco style, of course.

The whole company doing Jaleos.  Tons of energy!

This is my favorite image of the whole night.  Angelita looks breathtaking as she danced her Guajira.  One day I hope to learn this beautiful dance (the song is about a Cuban girl, you know…)

At the end of the evening we came out dancing the Rumba to “Verde”.  We danced in our street clothes and had a great time.

We live for these impromptu expressions of affection.

Everyone was so excited for the big day.  All the girls looked gorgeous in their bold springtime colors.

There were so many beautiful images of Candace it was hard to pick just one…but her with that beautiful blue tile is one of our favorites!

The orange and pinks worked really well in the room and was an elegant touch to the rustic charm of the architecture.

Looks like you can make a cake look like anything!  This Live Turns Five Orange Controller was in honor of the groom.  He loved it!

Our favorite dancing image of the night.  Don’t you just want to give them a big hug?

A perfect ending to an unforgettable day.  We wish Candace and Jonathan all the best life has to offer!!

We started the night before with the rehearsal dinner at the Bride’s home.  They had a catered event for their closest friends and family.  Everyone had a wonderfully relaxed time and we enjoyed the funny and heartfelt speeches of the Best Man, Maid and Matron of honor.

The next day we started bright and early while Erin and her 10 Bridesmaids got ready.  Erin looked absolutely gorgeous.  We had lots of fun photographing them at the house before taking off to San Joachim’s Church.  The ceremony was conducted by the priest who married Erin’s parents and baptized Erin.  His words were very touching and the ceremony was beautiful.

After the ceremony it was off to the Island Hotel for the celebration.  Wayne Foster greeted the guests with their non stop music and entertainment complete with plethora of party favors.  The guests danced all night and everyone had a great time.

We wish Erin and Jack all the happiness in the world as they start their new life together.

Alex of Square Root and his team worked with a palette of sultry burgundy and warm dark chocolate to transform the ballroom into an exclusive night club, complete with couches, disco ball and impressive centerpieces.  Even their sweetheart tablewas a sofa and low table.  Since the ceremony was going to be after sundown, they decided to see each other before so we could take advantage of the gorgeous day.  A big rainstorm was predicted and we lucky it never came.  A limo took us and Sheri from Ashley Video to the Newport Coast arches for some dramatic images.  We had a blast and the time flew!

When we got back, it was time for their beautiful Persian ceremony.  The candlelit Sofreh shimmered and gleamed with traditional wedding symbolism.  After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a sumptuous feast.  Everything from the abundant fruit display and the Tea platform with servers in traditional attire, to the delicious dinner was provided by House of Kabob.   They not only do a fanatastic job, they are super nice people.  Joe and I can’t wait to try their restaurant in Laguna Hills!

The grand entrance was like no other.  It started with entertainment from Layla and the Lotus Dancers.  Then the bride and groom magically appeared on the dance floor and brought the celebration to a whole new level.   Everyone had a great time as they danced the night away to music by the 4th Dimension.  We wish Mariam and Afshin a great life together.  They are truly a great couple and we’re honored to have been a small part of their special day.

I took this photo as we were driving back to the hotel for the ceremony.  I was all the way in the front of the limo and noticed their reflection in the mirrored ceiling.  It was a beautiful moment.

We started early on a cold, cloudy, windy morning at the “Neon Sign Bone Yard” What a great place! Mariam was a real trooper with those 30+ mph winds.  This was the only time available to us and we were told that right after our session the Bone Yard was closing for renovations.  It’s going to be made into a “visitor friendly place” and the old signs will be made safer to be around.  Landscape and irrigation will be installed, etc. I’m sure it will look great and more people will be able to admire the huge old signs Vegas was known for… Still, I’m glad we were able to take with us images of the old place as it has been for years.

This next image and the very last one with Mirta were done in the exclusive Foundation Room of the House of Blues a top of the  Mandalay Bay Hotel.  What a view!

We were waiting for the elevator at Mix Restaurant on the top floor of  ”The Hotel”  headed back to the lobby after trying to no avail to go out on the terrace for some “Vegas at night views” it was too windy and not “safe” so the area was closed… We still got a great shot  thanks to the spot light on the ceiling. It doesn’t take much to get these two to get into it…

The next four images are in the lobby of “The Hotel” we love the walls and the light there, very dark and dramatic.  This was after 1:00 am and the end of a very long fun day…

After doing two long engagement sessions and just recently their wedding, I’m sure we’re going to have Mariam and Afshin withdrawal.  They were a joy to work with, full of life, always exited about the images we were creating and all around a great couple.  We hope to get the opportunity to go out to Vegas for some “Family Portraits” soon