Jess and Chris worked extra hard to make their engagement session special. They picked great locations, brought tons of cool props, and dressed to impress! It was almost too easy to take some great photos of these guys! We started the day at the Santa Monica pier in Santa Monica, California. Then we moved on to the strand in Venice and then finally back to the Santa Monica pier to pick up their bikes. You’ll see more of these guys later this year as I’ll be their wedding photographer at the Stone Manor in Malibu in September.

The engagement session begins at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.

Jess and Chris rode their bikes down to meet me at the Santa Monica pier.

Holding hands while riding a bike is much harder than it looks!

Chris had a cameras so Jess brought them
to help illustrate their love of photography.

I couldn’t decide which camera photo was my favorite so I included both!

Jess and Chris brought their favorite magazines. Jess picked that particular edition because of the George
Clooney cover. Personally, I like the photo of Chuck doing a ninja move on the back cover.

Who is the prize in this relationship?

The make such a perfect couple!

That box Chris was standing on was kind of rickety.
I should have had offered him a stunt double.

Silver Wall. Check!

Jess’ shoes were madhotsexy™!

I might be wrong, but I think Jess wanted to give the message that Chris was sometimes full of hot air!

Green Wall. Check!

Shops open kind of late on the Venice boardwalk.

These guys are rock stars!

We found this cute cartoon on the side of an apartment building in Venice, California.

They went crazy with their tiger claw karate moves. They
must have just watched The Last Kingdom on DVD.

They’re standing against a wall looking unhappy. This is a must have shot for any
modern wedding photographer. And yes, there’s a hidden meaning to this caption.

I’m pointing out Jess’ madhotsexy™ shoes again–but I’m disguising it with this nice photo of Chris!

No engagement session is complete without an alcohol advertisement.

Yellow Wall. Check!

And now we have a "we’re walking on the beach" photo. Hrrrrm. Now wait a second …

 

So are these porpoises or dolphins? Who can tell?

The porthole under the Santa Monica Pier.

Who would win this race?

We know who’s in the driver’s seat of this relationship!

Cute shoes, cute clothes, cute bikes.

I met Katy and Tony for their engagement session last weekend in downtown Los Angeles at Pershing Square. I’ve worked as a wedding photographer a few times in that area, but I’ve not done an engagement session down there before. It was a bit chilly, but Katy and Tony were game for anything! After working in the heart of downtown, we moved to the Walt Disney Concert Hall (also in downtown Los Angeles).

See! I’m a photojournalist … well kinda.

 

This yellow wall makes me want to eat a lemon.

Pretty in Pink!

Tony and Katy are in front of nice Spanish language "Drug Free Zone" signs.

Ah yes. The obligatory "we’re standing in front of a roll up door" photograph. Very urban you know!

Tony and Katy bought their wedding rings at the
Western Jewelry Mart in downtown Los Angeles!

Tony and Katy are engaged! Read all about it!

Tony tells me that convincing Katy to marry him was a walk in the park!

Look ma! No hands!

When I felt we were done downtown, I suggested we visit Walt Disney Concert Hall!

Weeee!

Why take the stairs when you can ride the elevator!

 

I love you Tony!

Tony is a dipper! No lessons required!

We’re tired! Let’s sit on these stairs!

Katy had a special photo request. She wanted a photo with her, Tony,
and the Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel.

Michelle and Ben met in the Staples Center at a Los Angeles Kings game on March 18, 2004. But that’s not the beginning of their story together; Michelle and Ben had seen each other for many years. Michelle’s dad and Ben’s parents have been season ticket holders to Los Angeles Kings games–with seats right next to each other! And although their families had been neighbors for many years, Ben and Michelle had never spoken to each other. Anyway, in case you haven’t already guessed, Ben experienced success when he finally made his move. And the rest is history.

So how do I enter this story? Several years ago I was the wedding photographer for Julie and Jim at their wedding at the Santa Anita Racetrack. And as I photographed that wedding I met Michelle–who happened to be Jim’s daughter. So when it was time for Michelle to get married, she remembered my work; I suppose you can guess the rest of our story. During our initial wedding meeting, as we were discussing engagement session locations, Michelle and Ben mentioned that they’d like to have their engagement session done at a Kings game. Jim (Michelle’s father) mentioned that he’d contact his season ticket representative and see what he could make happen. I’ll be honest and admit that I wasn’t very confident in their ability to get the appropriate permissions. But Jim’s apparently a miracle worker and imagine my happy surprise when the Los Angeles Kings graciously allowed us access! Without further ado, here’s Michelle and Ben’s Staples Center photo story …

I arrived early to take a few exterior photos of the Staples Center. I was on site for no more than
three minutes before security arrived and asked for my press pass. I’m glad I permission to be there!

A detail from Wayne Gretzky’s statue in front of the Staples Center.

Yippee! We’re here!

 

Michelle and Ben own dozens of different jerseys. They started their session with the newest variant, logo on front, blank on back.

 

As we walked back to the VIP entrance, Ben asked to change into one of his oldest jerseys — one featuring his last name.

The Los Angeles Kings! Enough said?

Michelle’s dad always sat between Ben and Michelle. One day, Ben took matters into his own hands
and plopped down on the stairs next to Michelle’s seat, bypassing her dad.

Michelle and Ben got to go onto center ice before the game. Unfortunately, no
matter how much we begged, the folks in charge wouldn’t remove the carpet.

Using mad Photoshop skills, I tried my hand at carpet removal.

I was on my belly when I took this photo. It was chilly! Brrrrrrrrrr!

 

I found some sweet backgrounds in the basement of the Staples Center!

Kissy, kissy!

They’re in the King’s penalty box!
(and that’s where Ben will be for the rest of his life)

The Staples Center is so huge that even blimps look tiny!

Michelle and Ben loved their escalator photos. Up, down, up down.

 

Wetzel’s Pretzels – a game day tradition.

Jim (Michelle’s dad) was the designated Sherpa. He was carrying extra jerseys
and one of my extra cameras. He did better work than many of my assistants!

 

This popcorn will be a favor at Michelle and Ben’s wedding!

As we were walking through a hallway of the Staples Center, Michelle and Ben grabbed a photo with Luc Robitaille. For those
of you who aren’t hockey fans, Robitaille is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is best known as the highest-scoring left
winger in NHL history. It also bears mentioning that Michelle wears his name on the back of her favorite jersey! This moment
was the high point of their day! I’m just glad that I was there to capture it for them!

Go! Go! Go!

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Booo! Bad Call!

Up close and personal! And that’s all due to Jeff (from the Kings organization). Security was
really tight and without his help, none of this would have been possible. Thanks Jeff!

Throw me something mister!

Julie, Jim, Michelle, and Ben (and the rest of the Staples Center) celebrating the Kings’ game tying goal!

Bailey – The Kings’ Mascot

Tie Score Means Overtime!

Michelle and her dad are featured on the Jumbotron!

When sudden death overtime doesn’t result in a goal, it’s time for a shootout!

Oooops!

Kings Win! Game Over!

Some couples ask to forego their engagement session because they’d like to save money or because they’ve already had their photos recently taken elsewhere. However, having me photograph you and your fiancé before the wedding is one of the most important things you can do to improve your wedding day experience and the quality of photos you’ll receive. Simply stated, I create better wedding day photographs when I’ve had a chance to photograph you before the wedding.

Although I’m sure you’ve been photographed by friends or family, it’s unlikely that you’ve ever worked with a professional wedding photographer. Therefore, it’s only natural that you might feel a little bit anxious about having your photograph taken over a long time period in public settings. And since your wedding day is probably not the best time to first experience that kind of pressure, one benefit to an engagement session is that you’ll become more comfortable in front of the camera. And although that factor is certainly important, this experience also gives us time to establish a relationship built on trust and familiarity.

During the engagement session, I’ll be working hard to gain a better understanding of your personalities, your best expressions, and your quirks. In terms of technique, I’ll work to show you how to appear casual in your photos so that your images will have the candid feel that you hired me to provide you on your wedding day. You’ll also learn about my "style" of working. This means that on your wedding day, you’ll be able to quickly adjust to situations which will help everyone stay on schedule and help me create some amazing photos than might not have been possible if you were "first timers" with me. This engagement session experience will also allow you to clearly articulate the style of photography you prefer so I can take that information in hand on your wedding day.

As a final obvious benefit, you’ll be able to view your engagement session photos long before your wedding day. That advance viewing will let you see how great I can make you look which will increase the confidence you have in yourselves as well as in my skills as your wedding photographer. In my experience, after our session, you’ll get really excited about the photos that I’ll take on your wedding day.

I’m hopeful that this short explanation helps you better understand why I feel an engagement session is super important to my clients. If you still aren’t convinced, please give me a call and I’d be happy to talk through your concerns.

If you’d like to use this information on your own web site, please place the following statement and link (URL) wherever you use this text: "This information was provided by Los Angeles wedding photographer Rob Greer (http://www.robgreerweddings.com)." Thanks a bunch!

Katie and Evan came into town from Chicago a few weeks ago just in time for our Monsoon-like weather. Rather than reschedule their one hour engagement session (because of the rain), I suggested that we hide from the weather under the beautiful covered arches around the courtyard of Pasadena City Hall in Pasadena, California. I’m really looking forward to being their wedding photographer later this year!

Katie and Evan deserve mad props for bringing props.

Katie’s informal flower bouquet was just awesome.

They brought flip flops from Chicago thinking  it would be warm and sunny. Woops!

Those of you who know me know that I’m not terribly fond of tilted photos. And
although that’s still true 99.9% of the time, I liked this image quite a bit.

He happened to tell her something naughty. Of course I didn’t ask for details.

Although I’ve photographed folks dozens of times at Pasadena
City Hall, this particular location at City Hall is a new one for me.

And as you can see here, I kinda liked it.

One jump. And she nailed it.

Evan braved the rain to grab some props and while she waited,
I took this super cute photo of Katie. I can’t wait work as their
wedding photographer in Malibu later this year!