Rachel's Glendale Bat Mitzvah was at the lovely Temple Sinai. Rachel had her party right after with a wonderful lunch catered by The Spot Gourmet. One of the great things about this Bat MItzvah was that the lunch was low key and all about family, friends and Rachel's Mitzvah project, helping animals. The table center pieces were items that she had collected for shelters and the kids all helped to make blankets for the animals. The family did such a great job keeping the focus on the spirit of the day. Mazel Tov Rachel!
Besides a fun photo booth, they had THE most awesome ballon artist, Ben Gordon at the lunch, creating mostly animals to go along with the theme but this guy could make anything! Unreal!
http://karenard.com/blog/2012/09/glendale-bat-mitzvah.html
Well, this is actually part 2 of my engagement session with the fabulous Miss Gigi and Evan. Part 1 is coming soon... just a tad more involved and I'm busting at the seems to keep my mouth shut until it's ready. Sooooo, I'm not going to talk about it's awesomeness... at all...nope... don't even ask me about it... lips.are.sealed!
Okay, back to part 1 which is part 2 (are you keeping up?)... Evan and Gigi, Gigi and Evan... I love these guys! I don't even remember how they found me but boy am I grateful to meet couples that are beyond amazing, share a love of creativity, and a vision and desire for awesome wedding and engagement photos (oh, and Cuban food too!). After we rocked part 1, we did a few more relaxed, casual portraits of these two. And I realized as I was editing this batch of images, that as much as I love everything I said above about these guys, what I love most of all is the way Evan is always stealing loving glances at Gigi and they way he makes her smile and laugh. Ladies, can I get an "Ahhhh....!"?
Ok, so I had to add the corny, almost pratfall, because 'goofball' is how I prefer to roll...
http://karenard.com/blog/2012/08/giselle-and-evan-part-1.html
When parents send their children away to college I don't think they always except them to come home with a fiancee. But that seems to happen a lot around here. Shane couldn't stop looking at Melissa during a study group in the library and once they started spending more time together, they became inseperable. Can you blame them? Look how gorgeous they are! And with Shane being in an awesome reggae band, Dominic Balli, that can only be a bonus, right?
I had some of the most fun ever at this wedding. I had never shot at The Vineyards before and it is really a hidden gem. So romantic! Melissa and Shane's families are so close (coming all the way from Hawaii and Ecuador in some instances) and the best man speech by Shane's brother had everyone in laughter and tears. Simply priceless. Thank you for including me in this special day, you guys.
All the ladies wore Toms, even Melissa! I personally think that is awesome! That's seven pairs donated to Toms One For One campaign. Nice!
In keeping with tradition for Shane's family, the bride and groom exchanged leis as a sign of respect, honor and love, then also placed them on both sets of parents.
Additional vendors:
Flowers and video by family friends
Amazing cupcakes by Leslie of The Cupcake Garden
DJ: DJ Kamayo
Makeup and Hair: Kirstie of Kiss this Face
Wedding dress: Kay's Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Modcloth
Officiant: Henry Kalani Wong
Too see more of Shane and Melissa's wedding check out the slideshow below:
http://karenard.com/blog/2012/08/the-vineyards-wedding.html
Oh my goodness, I love photographing kids this age. Each age, is really so precious, and the fun thing about these are the missing teeth, the cute little baby teeth still, and the goofy, fun energy!!! Love, love, love it!
http://karenard.com/blog/2012/08/family-portraits-agoura.html
I finally got to photograph my niece Alison recently. She's a senior this year and so off we went for her senior portraits. I knew we'd have fun because she is so full of life and energy. I can't believe she only has one more year before she, also, is off to college! Crazy.
(I have one more niece to photograph... Amanda, you're next!!!)
Alison Says:
OH MY GOD I LOVE THEM :DDDDDDD Thank youuuu!!!!
(08.19.12 - 08:17 PM)
http://karenard.com/blog/2012/08/senior-portraits-valencia.html