When I meet with Nicole and Freddie over a year ago to discuss their wedding, we got excited right away talking about locations for the engagement session. I knew that we'd get some great images, what with them being so stinkin' cute and I just love Freddie's freckles. (I guess I have a thing for freckles because I always mention them, don't I?)
Anyhow, the date finally arrived and we headed up to the Griffith Observatory on a beautiful California day for some great, classic architecture. Here are a few of my favs. Make sure to vote for your favorite.
How cute is Freddie?
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/06/griffith-park-engagement-photography.html
I was meant to photograph Elisha and Gideon's wedding. And it's odd to think that there is, of course, the possibility that they could have used one of the millions of photographers out there today. Yea, I believe in all that destiny stuff. I do, sorry, deal with it! So it was destiny that brought us together but first it was a referral that got them my phone number. I booked Gideon's cousins wedding a year ago (happening this Friday!) and so it was his aunt that referred me for their's. I met with Gideon and Elisha and felt a connection immediately. I loved hearing their story and I tried to hold back the tears when Elisha told me her mother was no longer here and one of the things she treasured was her mom and dad's wedding album. I arrived at that meeting wanting to shoot their wedding because if their connection to Rachel and Brian and I left that meeting wanting to be there for them and to create a wedding album of their own to treasure.
And then Elisha's aunt emailed me. Michelle and I have known each other since we were four. We played ding-dong-ditch together, snuck into our first R rated movie together (Carrie) and sang Barbra Streisand songs into our hairbrushes into the wee hours of our sleepover nights. Michelle and I lost touch as we moved into our adulthood but through the beauty of Facebook there she was again. And now she was emailing me, telling me that her niece Elisha just told me she had already booked a photographer and that her name was Karen Ard! And just like that, the meeting I had just had with them all flashed through my head again, like a sped up movie. Her mom had passed (no... that was Michelle's older sister), her grandmother was no longer with us (Michelle's mom... the one whose car we would sit in to listen to the radio...)... I was hearing all the stories run through my head again, the stories that linked us together, and I started to cry. Michelle reminded me that I had held Elisha as a baby at Michelle's Sweet 16 and now I was taking her wedding pictures. Destiny.
Elisha and Gideon, I have had such a great time getting to know you both. You guys are hilarious together - so sweet and so supportive of each other. I simply can not wait for your August wedding. It will be an emotional day for many reasons and I am so grateful that I will be witness to your marriage and the one there to capture it for you. Elisha, I hope you can find a baby picture of yours with us together so I can post it on the blog!
This is Matai. He will be making the occasional guest appearance...
Ya gotta love when a client trusts you and does whatever you tell them to. Of course it helps that these two are goof-balls!
We also headed over to a local skating rink since Gideon is a huge fan...
We had so much fun together and they are so silly that I had to make a bloopers reel. Enjoy!
They meet on a Navy base in San Diego. Somehow, with different work schedules, times on the island and, well, life, they managed to met and fall in love. I'm sure it was Stephanie's freckles that charmed him and his adorable smile that did her in too. (remember the awesome engagement session we did?)
Although they no longer reside in San Diego, they decided to bring it full circle and have a destination wedding there, overlooking the marina at the Island Palms with just the closest of family and friends.
I was super excited to find out that Andrew would be honoring his Scottish heritage by wearing a kilt, along with his groomsmen! He even had family fly all the way in from Scotland for the occasion! And although the day was very cloudy, nothing could put a damper on this amazing day.
One of the most delicate bouquets I've seen, by Point Loma Village Florist.
I loved the whole DIY beachy theme, besides the fact that this is my favorite color!
I love that Stephanie and Andrew choose to see each other before the wedding. It gave us time to get some great photos and they really enjoyed hanging out with each other and their bridal party before the ceremony. Andrew got se teary seeing Stephanie... both times... so sweet... Stephanie took in the whole traditional clothing Andrew wore.
Dennis with Premier Entertainment rocked the house all night. This is what a good DJ can do...
Click here to see a slideshow and remember to leave a comment and vote for your favorite!
Stephanie Greeson Says:
Karen these pictures are amazing! Thank you soooo much!!! We had sucha great time :)
(06.04.10 - 08:41 AM)
Lynda Greeson Says:
Karen, what a fantastic job you have done. Looking at all these pictures, and the slide show, made me cry all over again. Happy, happy tears for my son and gorgeous daughter-in-law. Andrew & Stephanie's wedding was so much fun and you have captured that with your images. The happiness on EVERYONES faces, you caught it. You were awesome too!! Haning in there until almost the very end. Thanks again for everything :-)
(06.05.10 - 08:53 AM)
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/06/stephanie-andrew-married.html
He looked at her through teary eyes and turned to the crowd to say, "I really love her, I do, I love her...I love her..." After three years of dating Kevin and Sandra tied the knot in a beautiful, traditional church ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Kevin, I will never forget the emotions you shared with us all that night and your love for Sandra. Sandra, I will always remember the way each glance you give Kevin is filled with so much love and admiration. And.... I will never, ever forget how breathtaking you were on your wedding. Thank you for sharing this amazing day with me.
Sandra got ready in her family home (amazing makeup and hair done by Maria Flanagan of Culver City). Her mom had laid out all her clothes for her so lovingly. The dress is from Mariposa Boutique in Anaheim.
The ceremony was held at the beautiful Nativity Church in Torrance.
Sandra and Kevin choose not to see each other before the wedding but gave me two hours of photography time in between the ceremony and reception. I love when couples don't rush through their wedding day and make great portraits a priority. It allowed me to really create an experience for them and we got these wonderful shots, all at the beautiful Palos Verdes Golf Course. (Gorgeous handmade hair piece by Olas Dream World)
Wedding cake by Torrance Bakery.
Enrique of Sounds Unlimited, LA, spun some great music all night. There were just way too many beautiful photos of this wedding to blog about. To see more, click here for the slideshow and remember to vote for your favorites to move them up to the top of the blog!
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/05/sandra-kevin-married-1.html
Wedding session is in full swing and my poor blog is being neglected even though I have so much to post. I'm trying to catch up and I couldn't think of a better shoot then this one!
Rachel and Brian are...welll... friggin' hot! I was over the moon when they booked me last year to do their June wedding. I knew having these two in front of my camera would be great. They are both professional dancers and since they meet at a studio we thought it would be a fun place to start our engagement session.
Our goofy ode to Dirty Dancing...
We had to break our session into two days because of the rain but I'm sure glad we waited for a beautiful clear day at the beach...
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/05/malibu-engagement-photography.html