when another photographer, especially one as big-deal and talented as jessica peterson asks you to take her engagement photos, you freak a little. and then you remember how annoying it is when photographers talk about what an honor it is to shoot other photographers, and doesn’t that make them so special and it’s all so sneaky look at me, so you remember that these two are human beings in love on the edge of starting a life together–one that’s full of all kinds of possibility, beauty, gutwrench, whoa-didn’t-see-that-comin and joyful adventure. that being on the edge is the greatest thing. grin inducing and heart filling.
 
so that’s what you (try to) keep your eyes glued to, even though you still gotta be honest and say that your ego wants to have a little pat on the back too. connection wins.
 
jessica and taylor, so much pure f-u-n rolling in the grassy leaves, kissing on faces in your home and skipping in yummy runny light. thank you for letting me witness this freaking great love of yours, i couldn’t be happier for the two of you.

holler. if you’re engaged and planning a wedding that has everything to do with how much you love each other and less to do with tradition i’d love to document it. let’s chat about an engagement session. 

it’s monday and i’ve got my resolve out.
 
for some reason, i have this thing where i want to hide work i’m proud of. as if to protect it, maybe, so no one can say it’s not good and i’ll just privately think it is and never have to be vulnerable to anyone finger-shaking otherwise.
 
but i’m on a brene brown kick lately–if you haven’t had the uh, pleassssure of talking to me in the past week you don’t know this–but MAN that woman has figured some things OUT. or as she says is, puts words to things we all experience but don’t have language for. she says, without vulnerability there is no creativity. and: without vulnerability we completely lose our ability to connect.
 
i wish i could tell you all the ways i’ve found that to be true inside and outside in me in the people i love in strangers in life.
 
it happens with engagement sessions too, when it’s my first time meeting a couple. we’re both a little nervous at first but act cool. and then, as we start shooting, and i ask them to do the first crazy things (sit on a tree covered in ants, please?) and they don’t say no and then we snowball into this groove of making things that really represent the core of their relationship, because they let me see and they let me show it however i see it. that sounds kind of snotty–like ohhh, i’m an arrrtist, i do whatever i want and the best clients are the ones who just step aside–it’s not like that. it’s this beautiful dance of give and take. i give them something to do, and then they whisper to each other or touch each other’s faces so gently it makes the romantic in me want to break down and cry–and then, i just photograph it.
 
people tell me they’re terribly awkward in front of the camera. and i used to be, too–until i realized that it wasn’t about my body or looking perfect so much as it was about a willingness to be vulnerable and to GO THERE with a photographer. to give something to inspire them, to show myself and let myself be seen, for those agonizing moments before they click the shutter, second guess everything i’ve ever done and then know that nah, this is right, you are right where you need to be.
 
and now, meet these two gorgeous magnetic hearts who know all about what it is to love. i didn’t want to be all, “i can’t wait for their wedding!” because every photographer says that about every couple, but man–it’s for real right here. thank you, johnny and toni, for letting me be part of telling your love story.

Well hey, if you’re in Southern California (namely Orange County) and you’re about to get married to your favorite person and you want a chance to shout about it from the rooftops, an engagement session is your purrrfect chance. And I absolutely endorse love-shouting at all my engagement sessions, so if you want more details, drop me a line and let’s chat.

Faith and Jordan. Gosh, when someone you love and have loved for a long time finds someone she loves and wants to spend forever with…you make them do a lot of hugging and take pictures of it. They’ve known each other since high school (they went to prom together! At Sundance!) but it wasn’t until recently that the fates aligned–but when they did, oh-oh, it’s maaagic! (do you know that song? if not, that was probably strange to read…)

Faith and Jordan, thank you for bringing me to your love and soaking yourselves in the snow. Can’t waiiit for the big day!

Emily and Daniel trudged through the snow in the name of love and I loved them for it. They have contagious laughs and the sweetest caring for each other–Daniel treats Emily like gold, and Emily feels the same toward him. What a bundle of happy beauty.

If you’re in love and overflowing about it, let’s make photographs.

Flower crown: Soil and Stem

and i think that’s just super great.

Let’s talk about your very own engagement session, yes?

Meisha and Sam have the best vibes about them. The kind of pair whose love radiates out and just invites you in. Meisha actually found me (like physically. like chased me down and made me feel like a celebrity.) while I was shooting another wedding–it was fate, because I adore these two and all that they are.

Can’t wait for the big day!

A little word about these photos–Meisha and Sam completely trusted me. They were willing to do absolutely anything I said–and these photos could not, positively could not have been made if they were any less adventurous or open. Just know: I, like every other photographer and artist, make the best possible photos when I feel your trust. It’s not something you can fake, so follow your heart when choosing a photographer, k? K. Photo time.

Your engagement photos. Let’s make them.