Frank & Patty at the Mission Inn, Riverside

 

Frank & Patty decided to have their special day celebrated at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA. From beginning to end they were full of laughs and truly savored every moment with friends and family. This venue is a wonderful location with it's grandeur estate of 4 wings. It's Spanish colonial inspired courtyards, corridors and fountains make exquisite backdrops for dramatic shots. My favorite being the one of them standing next to the St. Francis of Assissi chapel with the 20ft distressed wooden doors.

Melissa & Taylor at Gainey Winery

My good friend Carly Daniel asked me to assist her on a wedding up in Santa Barbara county. It's always exciting to shoot at new venues especially on the central coast. Held at Gainey Vineyard (located in the Santa Ynez valley) it turned out to be a cool 80 degrees with deep blue skies contrasting against fertile green vines and great Oak trees.

Is it me or is this just reminiscent of the Garden of Eden???

Taylor and the boys looking stellar

I love these 3 series of images taken while walking along the back roads of the vineyard

A special moment of Melissa's father praying over them before kicking off the festivities

Taylor & Melissa wanted to capture a few shots in the wine tasting room which had dim lighting perfect for these dramatic poses

Salsa Performance - Guaguanco con Rumberos

Last weekend I had my big salsa debut with Frank Restrepo's first salsa performance class. Believe me when I say there was lots of hard work, many hours and long nights practicing, but definitely lots of fun. It was everyone's first time performing and considering we only had about 2 months to piece this together everyone did a great job! Many thanks to the many friends & family who showed up to support us with your cheers, smiles, and applauds.


Congrats to Los Rumberos!




A beginner lesson before the evenings festivities

Our fearless leader Frank Restrepo

Geo & Julie: look for them on the next Dancing w/ the Stars ; )

Christian called this Blue Steel

Roberto & Yvette showing how it's done

I told Grace to give me some attitude. It came pretty natural

Justina getting beautified as if she needs it!

Platon and his accented frosty spikes

El Rumberos serios

El Rumberos no serios!

Jer & Danielle's Orange County Wedding

Wow! I had such a great time shooting Jer & Danielle's wedding for so many different reasons! Jer was one of the first closest friends I met upon first moving down here to Orange County. We've been in bible study together, men's group, and roommates so you can imagine my delight when he and Danielle asked me to photograph their wedding.  Both of them are so easy going it just set the pace for the day and allowed me to shoot them in their element of just laughing and and enjoying their special day. There were so many fun moments captured through out the day which hopefully you'll get a glimpse from the shots below. 

Just before their first meet

Loved these series of shots with Danielle's bridesmaids and the marble corridor 

Unfortunately Barney Fife and his side-kick limited our time here but not before getting some beautiful shots

Who says "White man can't jump"??? 

I think this was the 'lucky' shot of the day... caught garter mid-air!

Mr. Jared Ruth had several moments with his true colors which kept the evening very lively!