When a client selects me as their wedding photographer, the process typically starts with the bride finding me through a search engine, a wedding directory, or through a referral. For this couple, it was the other way around! Back in November 2008 I was approached by CBS. They wanted to film an episode of CSI: Miami in my studio. And that filming eventually lead me to Lindsay. You see, Lindsay has a blog called iamnotastalker.com. On that blog she shares adventure stories about film and TV locations in and around Los Angeles (including Pasadena). Anyway, after my CSI episode aired, my studio was featured on one of her blog posts. A few months later, I was surfing the Internet and came across her blog again. This time I noticed she was looking at wedding venues. After reading about her search, I sent her an e-mail offering my services as a wedding photographer–and the rest is history!

For this engagement session Lindsay and Bret met me in Old Town Pasadena. We were hoping to take advantage of the billboard in front of the old movie theater (we were going to Photoshop in some save the date message) but that didn’t work out because of holiday decorations in the square. So we moved on to other locations around Old Town Pasadena. Finally, near the end of our time together, we took a quick drive over to Pasadena City Hall to finish off the morning. Here are a few of my favorite engagement photos from our session.

 

This is the second time I’ve used animation
sequences on my blog. I think I’m kind of liking it!

Lindsay and Bret were super fun. They REALLY got into their jumping at Pasadena City Hall.

The traditional (obligatory) portrait.

They were benched.

 

Smoochy smoochy!

Alleyways in Pasadena are fun!

Look at Bret! He’s so big and strong!

I’d make another bench joke here, but the first one was so lame …

Hey! Watch those hands!

Vicky and Mike’s wedding day was kind of hot (as in temperature) for a fall wedding, but that didn’t stop anyone from having a great time. They both got ready at the Westin Pasadena; Vicky had a huge suite for the girls (the Rose Suite) while Mike got ready with the groomsmen down the hall. After everyone was ready, they met at Pasadena City Hall for their creative session. And that was just super as it’s one of my favorite photo locations in all of Los Angeles. After we finished making a few cool photos, we went across the street to the Pacific Asia Museum for Vicky and Mike’s wedding ceremony and reception. If you’d like to see all of the photos from this wedding (and you know Vicky’s maiden name), please click here to view the full gallery!

Catering: Eco Caters
DJ: Brian Adriano (aka Dj BSTANG)
Flowers: The Enchanted Florist (Burbank)
Rentals: Town and Country
Hair: Glendale Salon Spa
Dress: Mary Linn’s Bridal
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

From Mary Linn’s Fall 2008 Lux Line

Manolo Blahnik — there is no substitute.

You’ve gotta love sparklies like these!

The girls help Vicky don her dress.

For some reason, none of the groomsmen could tie a tie. So Mike became the man of the hour — in more ways than one!

Vicky’s groom’s gift was a Leica digital camera! She wrapped it in a Rob Greer Photography proof box that was
a leftover from their engagement session printed photos. I thought that the wrapping choice was kind of funny!

 

Vicky and Mike wanted to see each other before the ceremony. Here’s what happened.

I loved that Vicky’s flowers mirrored the decoration on her wedding dress.

Here are the girls walking near the courtyard at Pasadena City Hall — dishing gossip no doubt!

And the boys weren’t to be left out; they were probably telling dirty jokes.

Mike’s "must have" shot was my stylized tribute American Gothic.

And that led me to this short animation. I’ve never posted this kind of animation on my blog. What do you think?

If you’re more of a "still photography" kind of person, here are the four photos that made up the animation.

Mike sure does walk fast!

I can’t say why, but I love, love, love this photo.

I wanted to post a cool quote here — but I seem to have forgotten it.

madhotsexy™

The Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, California

These flowers were used as wedding ceremony decorations and were later transitioned to table centerpieces at the reception!

Pretty wedding altar flowers.

These paper lanterns were everywhere!

These seating place cards were arranged in a bed of brown rice! Very clever!

Flower petals and natural rice for the recessional throws!

Instead of a guestbook, guests were presented with these postcards. One of
their friends planned on mailing Vicky and Mike the cards periodically.

Smack, smack, kissy, kissy.

Life imitates art …

Dad at the top of the stairs waiting for Vicky to emerge from the bridal room.
He mentioned me during his reception speech. That totally freaked me out.

The Ceremony

Vibrant colors rock!

Paper lanterns at twilight at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena.

Vicky and Mike served pie instead of cake. It was super yummy!

These guys were dancing like crazy. You wouldn’t know that she had just dealt with two flat tires! But that’s another story.

I’ll give a cool prize to the person who posts the best caption for this photo in
the Comments section of this blog post. The photos in this photo are part of the "Fashioning
Domesticity, Weaving Desire: Visions of the Filipina" exhibit at the Pacific Asia Museum.

Graffiti Art at the Pacific Asia Museum. Part of the "Calligraffiti: Writing in Contemporary Chinese and Latino Art" exhibit.

After Pam and Larry’s fabulous engagement session in Santa Monica, I was certain that their wedding day would be amazing. And I was right! We started the day at Pam’s childhood home Glendale (only minutes from Pasadena). Vanessa Stump, my second photographer for the day, met Larry and the groomsmen at the Courtyard by Marriott in Pasadena.

Pam’s dress was crazy amazing! It was designed by a student at the Fashion Institute! When Pam was dressed and the guys dressed, we all drove over to the Tournament House and Wrigley Gardens in Pasadena. It was there that we set up a first look and Larry saw Pam in her wedding dress for the first time. The Tournament House was a great backdrop for a few creative photos before the ceremony. The wedding ceremony at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, California. During that ceremony, the Officiant told a touching story of how Pam and Larry first met and fell in love. Everyone in the building was smiling or crying by the end of his tale. After the ceremony we took a few family portraits and left for Altadena Country Club for the reception. Larry played his guitar (he’s a real rock star) and we were treated to a piano solo by his mother. A great time was had by all!

I intentionally positioned Pam’s dress to showcase her grandfather’s paintings in the background.

Three of the bridesmaids help Pam get ready.

 

This is my favorite photo from the wedding day!

 

I liked this one a bunch too!

 

Many brides and grooms see each other before the ceremony. Here are bridesmaids and groomsmen
counting down to zero. Larry then turned around and saw Pam in her wedding dress for the first time.

Pam and the bridesmaids as they walked down the driveway to the waiting limousine.

 

Pam and Larry brought along their favorite reading materials. For folks who know them, 
Vogue and the business section of the LA Times typify Pam and Larry’s personality.

 

Dad walks Pam down the aisle. Pam cries.

 

First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, California

 

After the ceremony at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena

 

The Wedding Party

 

The Cake

 

Pam and Larry at Altadena Country Club in Altadena, California

 

The First Dance

 

When you have bubbles at your wedding, the fun never stops!