Jen and Minh selected Santa Monica for their engagement session and boy did they rock it! They were super fun to photograph which made my job crazy easy. And I’ve got to give them props for their cool wardrobe choices. Even though it was pretty chilly, you wouldn’t know it from Jen’s super hot sun dress. And Minh’s shirt was pretty damn cool; and I wasn’t afraid to tell him as much!

I still don’t know how they fit in this taxi!

I can be funny sometimes.

Looking awfully cute …

Push me higher!

Seeing this photo kinda makes me wish I lived in the Sea Castle.

Jen & Minh in a wilderness field! Or maybe I just had them stand in a planter next to a building. You be the judge.

When Minh met Jen, he told her he really liked strolling on the beach holding hands.

Minh also told Jen he liked making out under the pier.

Minh gets the prize for being the best jumper I’ve ever photographed. He performed six attempts and every one was perfect.

After I blew up these balloons, I was super tired!

Special thanks to Sea Mist Skate and Bike Rentals for loaning us this tandem bike!

Although Katie and Tom booked me as their Los Angeles wedding photographer, they both live in Washington D.C. Therefore, it seemed only natural that we have their engagement session in the city they now call home. If you’re wondering about the weather, I think I should mention it was "butt ass cold" when did this session–as in the low 20s. Katie had goose bumps the size of small grapes but she was one hell of an awesome trooper! Tom just took it like Superman. Speaking of which, do you think Tom looks a bit like Christopher Reeve as seen in the early Superman films? Anyway, here are a few photos from their session on and around the National Mall in Washington D.C.

There are many steps leading up to the Lincoln
memorial. And don’t they look cute walking them?

I was waiting the security guards to tell us to move along as our permits
didn’t extend to the inside of the Lincoln Memorial–but we were spared!

Katie really liked her hot pink shoes–and I did too!

Perhaps a bit cheesy — but I like it anyway!

My favorite photo from the engagement session. When I looked at the back of my camera, I got all tingly inside!

Washington D.C. in winter; the trees are bare and it’s super crazy cold!

At the base of the Washington Monument. The wind was WHIPPING me around when
I took this photo. It must have been a wind chill factor of minus 22 degrees!

I particularly enjoy the movement in this photo.

Tom is really, really, really, really tall.

♪♪ I’m just a bill. / Yes, I’m only a bill. / And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill. ♪♪

Katie and Tom are both attorneys. It seemed only natural
to have them sit on the steps of the Supreme Court.

Our permits didn’t extend to inside the Library of Congress so I asked Katie
and Tom to simply walk around and frequently sit or stand in some cool while I
photographed them surreptitiously from across the room.

Bench Warmers

Art is Long and Time is Fleeting

I met Tricia and Tarik at Union Station for their engagement session. Tricia had arranged for special permits so we were allowed in to an area that’s normally off limits to the public. After we spent some time in Union Station, we drove over to the heart of downtown to visit the roof of Tricia’s brother’s residence. I must admit, he had a pretty amazing view!

The light can be really amazing in Union Station!

Wheeee!

Somebody did a great job waxing the floors!

We’re cool and we know it!

10 more seconds I the security guards would have had us!

All Aboard!

These chairs are all big any comfy!

Pretty Cool Huh?

Work it girl! Show me fierce!

I met Gen and Jose this weekend at Griffith Park in Los Angeles for their engagement session. I was super surprised to see how busy it is up there even at 7:30 in the morning. We took a few photos around the observatory (which wasn’t going to open until 10:00 a.m.) and then went down to a few of the park’s trails.

Yep … that’s where we started the day!

It didn’t take long for Jose to warm up to Jen.

Hollywood baby!

I won’t share what Jose whispered in her ear!

Ah yes, the great outdoors!

Wow!

They’re thinking about Brad Pitt naked!

Here I could make some silly comment about gates and hearts … but I won’t.

It looks like they’re having a great time!

There are many valid approaches to photographing a wedding ceremony. Personally, I prefer to photograph ceremony traditions without being noticed. In other words, during the ceremony, I’m terribly discreet—allowing participants and guests to view and react to the ceremony without outside distraction.

During the processional, I stand at the end of the aisle in front of the first pew on the bride’s side. From this position, I photograph family members and the wedding party as they walk down the aisle. This position also allows me to photograph the groom’s reaction at the bride’s grand entrance. When I’m working with a second photographer, he or she remains with the bride and documents the final moments leading up to the bride’s grand entrance.

After the grand entrance, when the bride reaches the end of the aisle, I step to the outside edge of the pews as the bride is presented to the groom. When that tradition is complete, I then move to the back of the church. The second photographer then moves to the front of the church, maintaining a position on the outside edge of the first rows of pews. For the rest of the ceremony, I typically remain in the center aisle, behind the last row of seated guests. If I’m working without a second photographer, I use one of the side aisles and move to the front of the church several times during the ceremony.

After the ceremony and during the recessional, I photograph the bride and groom’s return, following their retreat, photographing first congratulations from friends and family members. When those greetings are completed, I typically begin family portraits.

Although this post shares how I photograph most ceremonies, some venues may dictate an alternative approach. For example, some churches have balconies which offer different vantage points. Other churches have rules that strictly prohibit photographers at the front of the church. Outside ceremonies are often seen as being more casual and thus I feel free move more frequently. However, regardless of the venue’s allowances or restrictions, discretion remains my watchword. As one of the most special moments in your life, I’m there as your wedding photographer to capture the moment—not become part of it.

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!