Serene Image Photography Photogblog

March 25th Wedding Happy Hour!

2009-03-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

I'll be a part of the exciting new event Wedding Happy Hour, March 25th at POP Champagne and Dessert. The wedding happy hour is a monthly event for brides and grooms, corporate clients, and anyone who is in need of vendors for a special event. Come meet us and have some hosted appetizers and drinks and get to know a great team of vendors.

To RSVP use discount code V3 for $2 off and SIP/PH. We are donating our proceeds to the Susan B. Komen breast cancer foundation.

For more info:
http://www.weddinghappyhour.blogspot.com/

Rock band + Beastlies + Dinosaurs + Wai-Ching = Love

2009-03-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

Leslie and Emory's wedding: one of my favorites! People that do their own thing, in their own element, should be role models for everyone. I was fortunate, along with my second Jennifer and our assistant Josh to be a part of this unique day. Leslie and I connected on Offbeat Bride, an excellent website for couples who have their own ideas and are more non-traditional than most. Their networking site is full of people who are extremely supportive, with real-life, DIY, affordable ideas.

Everything took place at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. The museum is a uniquely Los Angeles venue. Aside from the museum, the Rose Garden can be found next door, as well as USC across the street. Jennifer and I both grew up in LA, visiting the musuem on field trips throughout the years. We loved being back!

Leslie got in her eucalyptus Wai-Ching silk charmuese dip dye dress. Emory looked great in his all black, pinstriped vest, and fedora with a jaunty feather in the brim. We did a photo tour in and around the museum including the bird area and some animal dioramas. Leslie and Emory were not camera shy and had a good time posing (and being natural) for the camera. Despite what many people think, most "photojournalisitic" shots do take some posing and coaxing. It's best if you know, and feel comfortable with your photographer. An engagement session is quite helpful.

The ceremony took place in the main hall with Mr. Triceratops and Senor Tyrannysaurus Rex looking on. Programs were printed on old-school fortune tellers. A wonderful duet serenaded the guests during the ring warming ceremony.Guests coming into the reception in the Hall of African Mammals were greeted by Leslie's handmade b eastlies on the three cakes. Guests signed wishes on a chalkboard. In lieu of a first dance Leslie and Emory started the fun off with a first song on Rockband!

Message to take away from this wedding: please be encouraged to do things your own way. This day is about celebrating the uniqueness of you!

Bel Air bay club transformed into a speakeasy...

2008-12-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

Do you know what a "blind pig" is? It is a 1920's code word for a speakeasy. Lauren and Martin transformed the Bel Air Bay Club into a blind pig for their amazing wedding. From the start they were going to do things their own way. The traditional Jewish ceremony took place after sunset, allowing us time to finish all portraits beforehand. Lauren has great taste and picked out eye catching details. The girls chose their own black dresses and carried flowers in these great purses.

The speakeasy theme started at the door where guests used the code word "blind pig" to get in the door. During the reception they were serenaded by a trio of singers while they had their photos taken in a vintage black and white photo booth. Drinks were served in mason jars. Martin is a beer lover in the club Pacific Gravity, so there was no shortage of amazing beers. Many food choices included sushi, lamb chops, two pastas, fresh cappuccino, and an ice cream station. I saw a lot of happy people that night aside from the couple and the beer connoisseurs.

Timing is so important especially when there are many events going on. The impeccable coordination was provided by Ryan Larson and her team at Savoir Flair Wedding Coordination. My team remarked many times that this was the most flawless event we have photographed thus far.

Vibrant allure on the lake

2008-11-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

11/08 I had the pleasure of photographing Amanda and Justin at the Malibou Lake Club. It is a man made lake hidden away in the canyon off Kanan Dume Road. Amanda got ready across the lake at Justin parents house with all her bridesmaids. I was so excited by all the details once I arrived- bridesmaids in various brightly hued dresses and the most awesome blue Christian Louboutin shoes! I fell in love with those shoes. After all the girls' eyelashes were applied and Amanda dressed in her beautiful, goddessy Waters Bride dress (with those great shoes) we all got on the pontoon boat to head across the lake. It is definitely a party wherever this group goes and the boat was no exception.

Amanda was obviously thrilled during the ceremony as proven by her happy giggling. After the kiss the party started with amazing drinks and dinner Monrose Catering. Everyone was up dancing including Amanda's 87 year old grandma. I was intrigued by the guest wearing the cape and carrying the didgeridoo. Suddenly there was a wonderful smell as freshly baked chocolate chip cookies were brought out to compliment the chocolate covered strawberries and cupcakes.

Amanda and Justin are off to Cozumel for their honeymoon.

10/11/08 Fall wedding in Covina/Glendora

2008-10-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have to admit I do occasionally watch Huell Howser. I grew up in Los Angeles and love to discover new places to visit. I was so excited as I drove up to Megan's house in Glendora right across the street from Rubel Castle, "an eclectic mix of rock buildings, discarded items, and a renovated citrus packing house." The caretaker allowed us to shoot there since Megan had taken care of horses there when she was a teenager, and he was fond of her.

Megan was one of the most easygoing, cheerful brides. She was willing to do anything and understood that her dress would get dirty at the bottom edge before the wedding. Although it may seem like a big deal, when you walk down the aisle the last thing people will be looking at is the hem of your dress. Don't let that hinder your great pre-ceremony shots.

The traditional catholic ceremony took place at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic church. The reception was held at the South Hills Country Club. The bride and groom and I rode around in a golf cart, then did some fun group photos with their bridal party of 18!

Everything was timed just right by planner Ivonne Melendrez. If you are thinking of going with a planner please do- they make the day easier for everyone. She made sure the room was ready to go, decorated with rich fall colors. The floral arrangements were beautiful and contained protea, or pincushion flowers. I had not seen those used in wedding flowers as of yet but had been thinking of using them for my own wedding. The most unique touch was the caramel apple name cards. They stand up on their own, and everyone loves a caramel apple! Megan and Scott were a fun couple to work with- I hope they have a great time on their honeymoon at Sandals, Jamaica. Special thanks to Cindy, Megan's mom, for making me feel so welcome and appreciated (and giving me my own caramel apple!)

10/5 Vintage Glamour at Western Justice Center

2008-10-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

"The Western Justice Center at the Maxwell House is a 1929 jewel in the crown." What a perfect place for a perfect couple. Heather and William's wedding was filled with vintage glamour and so much emotion that even I cried. It happens from time to time when I'm shooting. I keep going of course! Perhaps it was how William lost it when Heather appeared at the aisle. Or maybe their tearful vows. It was wonderful.

Details included personalized napkins with their recurring owl motif, wind up owls at the tables, and a pair of owls nested at the top of their cake. They had a live band performing standards and accompanied Heather down the aisle with their beautiful music. Cajun food was provided by the excellent Larkin's in Eagle Rock. (Everyone should try Larkin's! home made mac and cheese- need I say more?)

This intimate wedding was exactly what Heather had been hoping for. Great friends, beautiful weather, good music and food, and her handsome new husband William by her side.

10/4 International Wedding at Mission San Fernando

2008-10-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

I love second shooting! This weekend I photographed Rina and Vaughn with an excellent colleague of mine. Rina is from Australia- they'd met while Vaughn was vacationing there and dated long distance.

The traditional Catholic ceremony took place at the Mission San Fernando. It is a beautiful place for a ceremony.
During the ceremony a huge downpour began. We worked around that by shooting the couple under the overhang just outside the church. The mission was holding 3 other ceremonies that day and the other photographers found our spot too. We worked around them and it was worth it- the light was wonderful during the rain!

The reception took place at the Oddesey Granada Hills. A wishing tree was set up for guests write personalized messages for the bride and groom. This is a good way to get guests involved and avoid lines waiting to fill in the guest book. After a wonderful first dance and special toast to the parents, the night went on with lots and lots of dancing.

Boudoir Photo Shoot

2008-09-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

I recently shot a boudoir session for a client. She was really excited but hesitant in the beginning. I worked with her and captured many images she was quite thrilled about. This was for a surprise birthday present for her fiance. Lucky guy!

Lauren and Martin's Engagement Shoot

2008-09-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday 9/28 I met Lauren and Martin downtown for an engagement shoot. We started off very early at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It was a little worrisome- the previous week there was filming there when we tried to shoot with their two dogs, this week they were setting up for a street fair. But it all worked out and the light was so perfect at that time of morning. We had fun fooling around there and getting everyone relaxed. I got to know them better and they got to know my silly shooting self. It's hard to be funny first thing in the morning, but once I got going everything fell into place.

Next we headed down to Union Station starting outside the Fred Harvey Room. During our initial meeting they had been considering having the wedding there so we went down to check it out at that time. While they didn't book it for the wedding, we decided it would be cool to do a shoot there. (I also considered it for my own wedding.) Lauren, Martin, and I all love historical buildings/architecture so we discussed that while roaming around. The photos from this location are my favorite of the day.

Lauren and Martin had wanted to include their 2 German shepherd mix dogs at Walt Disney Concert Hall, which we tried to do the previous week. Unfortunately that was impossible with the filming. It can be frustrating when planning ideas don't pan out, however the best thing to do in terms of your wedding/engagement photography is be flexible and accept the unexpected. Have fun with your partner and your photographer and that will yield the best results.

I'm looking forward to Lauren and Martin's wedding this November at the Bel Air Bay Club. It will be filled with lots of fun, style, love and beer!