Okay WOW! I really can’t wait to share this beach photo session with you. A couple weekends ago, I had the chance to catch up and spend a day in the sun with my longtime friend Julianne. I had been wanting to make it down to the beach for a while so we put together a look that made her gorgeous red hair pop. I just love how dreamy the colors are. Sigh.

Julianne is one of the most stunning girls I know. Inside and out. She’s given me permission to share her story which is just another reason to love her. Julianne was born with a very rare bilateral cleft lip. She underwent 4 surgeries by the time she was 11 years old. Every time I spend time with Julianne, I am reminded that some things that the world views as burdens are actually marks of character that make us stronger. It all depends on how you look at it. Julianne has always owned it confidently as a part of who she is. And that makes her even more beautiful.

By the way, Julianne has the funniest blog, Oh Edie Darling. It has me laughing out loud every time, I just love her sarcasm. Go check it out and subscribe, it’s a guaranteed win!

Here are a few favorites from last weekend’s beach session. I can’t WAIT to post the full session. I absolutely love how these came out.

You are not going to believe this wedding. The details were STUNNING, and I have to say it’s probably the best backyard wedding I’ve been to. Sandy is my friend Julianne’s mother [one of my amazing friends from high school] and she finally married her sweetheart Jim after meeting him at the age of 16! Their story is so beautiful!

The wedding was held at a friend’s beautiful home in La Cresta, California. We drove through winding roads into the middle of horse dotted rolling hills. It was so stunning.

The bride’s father, an admiral, came decorated with well deserved medals and a grin from ear to ear. He was so blessed to share this day of celebration with his daughter.

Sandy was glowing in her beautiful gown. She looked so stunning.

Her best friend and Matron of Honor, Melissa Gilbert, was equally as gorgeous and spent the day making everything perfect. Melissa Gilbert is on Dancing with the Stars right now! Woohoo!! Vote for Melissa!!

This is my friend Julianne. Go read her insanely funny blog, Oh Edie Darling. I die every time I read it.

These are some of my favorite detail shots… ever. I LOVE the soft pretty light.

I love this moment here. A father and his daughter.

Yes. There were swans in the backyard. Told you it was the best backyard wedding ever.

The table setups were so gorgeous and elaborate.

The day truly was a celebration and we were so honored to be able to capture it. Jim and Sandy, we wish you the brightest future filled with all the love in the world!

This engagement session is one we shot last summer but with Spring coming on full force it felt like the perfect time to share it. I just love how bright and clean the colors are in this session. And the citrus trees are so lovely!

Nate and Jocelyne are great friends of ours from church and we were thrilled when Nate asked us to come over for dinner and shoot some photos of the proposal after dinner. The problem was, their roommates showed up with a large group of friends right before it was meant to happen. So the plan changed and Nate proposed in a more intimate setting later that week. However, we were still so excited for their wedding! The couple is so artistic and I knew they would have a great eye for style when it came to planning their wedding. Sure enough, the ceremony and dessert reception were held in Chapman University’s Fish Interfaith Center, the most gorgeous modern chapel. I would have never known this place existed and I’m so happy I found out about it. It was so sleek and modern and it fit perfectly with their bright orange decor [Jocelyne's favorite color].

We were very impressed. They designed and made all the floral pieces themselves and I love how it all tied together.

I couldn’t believe all the gorgeous natural light that filled the chapel.

After the wedding ceremony, the guests gathered for an intimate dessert reception [50 wedding guests].

Nate restores old cars for a living and they drove off in the most beautiful classic Mercedes. Look familiar? You may remember it from The Hangover.

John and Kim are the sweetest couple you ever did meet. They are just so giddy around one another and I love that we were able to catch that on camera! Kim mentioned wanting to do their engagement session in downtown Pasadena around City Hall. When I arrived there it was such an amazing building with incredible hallways and beautiful architecture. And the best part yet, it provided unbelievable open shade in the courtyard where we were able to move around freely during the session [nobody loves harsh sunlight!]. Then we stopped by a few other Pasadena spots to catch a few more looks. I just loved the red building behind the train tracks. It was such a great pop of color! This was such a fun session and we can’t WAIT for their wedding in December!

I’ve known Jessica since she moved down the street from me in fourth grade. She was one of six kids and I had a lot of great memories spending afternoons over at her house. It completely reminded me how “grown up” we’ve both become when she contacted me to shoot her dreamy Catalina Island get away. I was so honored and couldn’t wait to meet her Irish man candy. Yep. One conversation [with his accent] and I thought, “Jess, you’ve scored.” It was the most beautiful clear day with warm sunshine and incredible views. The beautiful couple got married on the beach with just a few close friends and family members standing around. It was such a beautifully intimate ceremony. Paul + Jessica we are SO thrilled for you two and wish you a lifetime of happiness and love.

We have a ton of new material and fun posts to share to keep checking back with us. In the meanwhile, check out our new Portfolio page.

Welcome to the Lovisa Photo experience.

**Our entire rebranding was done by the AMAZING Ravyn Stadick of Three Fifteen Designs. If you are in the market for a graphic designer, she is your go-to girl!

**Photos taken by Troy and Aimee at Troy Grover Photographers. Such wonderful people!