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Jenilee and Matt had their ceremony at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ and their reception at the super awesome Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ. I first met Jenilee and Matthew when they invited me to dine with them at a delicious Asian bistro in Scottsdale.  It was the first time ever that clients took me to dinner before they hired me and it was a blast. I get a bit emotional sometimes and this was one of those times; they are so insanely sweet. I felt so good with them, as if I had known them for years. I couldn’t stop thinking about my time with them; it truly touched my heart.  OK, so you all heard it, to all my future clients: take me out to dinner and you will melt my heart and make me fall in love with you! :-)

Thank you Jenilee and Matthew for believing in my eye and for treating us so kindly.

These are some of my favorite photos of the day taken by me and Kelly Rashka.

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Jenilee getting ready.

Limo driver by Kelly.

Jenilee’s dad was a riot!

Matthew and his dad (photo by Kelly).

A little nervous waiting (photo by Kelly).

I love this shot of the limo driver taking some family portraits outside the church.

They see each other for the first time.

(photo by Kelly).

So pretty!!!! (photo by Kelly).

Matthew doing his thing!

Before the ceremony (photo by Kelly).

Awwwwwww!!! (photo by Kelly).

(photo by Kelly).

(photo by Kelly).

This priest was very passionate (photo by Kelly).

(photo by Kelly).

A few portraits at the Hotel Valley Ho.

(photo by Kelly).

(photo by Kelly).

(photo by Kelly).

The best man’s toast was one of the most amazing I have ever heard in my whole career.

(photo by Kelly).

(photo by Kelly).

Jenilee dancing with her dad.

Matthew and his mom (photo by Kelly).

 We shot most of the reception with the light from the video. Thank you Les.

(photo by Kelly).

Matthew wasn’t messin’ around when it came to garter time.

I love this sequence.

(photo by Kelly).

The hazards of a hug. :-)

They danced and…

…danced.

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Ashley and Brandon’s wedding was so much fun and they both looked amazing. Ashley’s blusher and  necklace  were spectacular! Their engagement session(earlier in the year) is one of my favorites, I knew that I was going to love their wedding too. Their venue, The Inspirador in Chandler, was stunning. It was my first time working there and I was so impressed with the excellent service and installation. Flowers and decor by the geniuses at Avant Garde Studio. Their DJ was sooo good, Adrian Diaz. Makeup provided by Makeup by Amanda.

The reception rocked hard and Ashley danced like I have never seen a bride dance before. I am so happy that we had a chance to photograph this wedding. Kelly Rashka was my phenomenal guest photographer.

Here are some of my favorite photos of the day:

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Tom Cruise checking out Ashley getting ready at Chandler’s San Marcos Resort. (Photo by Kelly)

Ashley’s mom was fantastic!  (Photo by Kelly)

(Photo by Kelly)

I love this photo so much. (Photo by Kelly)

Ashley reading a note from Brandon. (Photo by Kelly)

Ashley’s  brother Adam was amazingly helpful and always there.

Ashley gave Brandon a rosary that day. (Photo by Kelly)

Brandon waiting for the first look.

Ashley on the way there…(Photo by Kelly)

Goosebumps!!

Stunning! (Photo by Kelly)

One of my fave portraits!

The Inspirador has this awesome fireplace that is great for portraits.  :) (Photo by Kelly)

I don’t know who was more nervous; Ashley or her brother, Adam.  :)

(Photo by Kelly)

More goosebumps!

The kiss!!

(Photo by Kelly)

Adam’s toast.

Best man’s toast :-)

So cute!

Sexy leg contest.

Dj Adrian Diaz keepin’ the party jumpin’.

A jump rope made completely out of glow sticks!!!

Dropping it low, low, low!

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Dana and Tom melted my heart the first time we met, it was one of my best meetings ever. Their wedding was amazing and they love each other so much. It was hard not to start crying my eyes out when they had their first look; Tom was blown away by Dana’s beauty. I enjoyed this wedding so much that at times I wanted to put my camera down and just be there :-). Thank you so much for having me.

Jeri Fitzgerald was the wedding planner and she was awesome; she put together a fantastic team of professionals:
Make-Up: Margarita GoDiva
Ceremony :   San Pedro Chapel
Ceremony & Cocktail Music:  Zenith String Quartet
Flowers:  Villa Feliz Flowers
Cake: Marcos Bakery
Band: The Spin
Rentals:  Arizona Party Rental
Reception Host & Caterer:  Anthony’s in the Catalina’s
Transportation:
Mountain View Tours  (Coaches & Buses)
Paradise Limousines

And my amazing guest photographer was Kelly Rashka.

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These are a few of my favorites pictures of the day.

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 Getting ready at her parents’ house.

Tom at their apartment (by Kelly).

Dana.

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

Almost ready (by Kelly).

Stunner!!!

(by Kelly).

First look!! (by Kelly).

I almost lost it here.

(by Kelly).

Tom’s grandparents came to say hi, this was a very tender moment (by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

At the ceremony (by Kelly).

Dana’s mom.

Dana and her dad (by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

I looove San Pedro Chapel!!

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

(by Kelly).

One of my top favorite photos of the day!

A few detail shots by Kelly and I.

Reception at Anthony’s in the Catalinas.

Chimping.

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http://www.mysticseminars.com/

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Elizabeth and Eirik are two of the sweetest couples I have ever met. From the first second we met, it was just smiles all the time. It was a great honor photographing their wedding; it made me very happy to see them enjoying themselves so much. I wish them the absolute best of the best. Even though they live in Chicago, I feel very strongly that I will meet them again.

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Ceremony/Reception:  Desert Mountain Chiricahua Clubhouse (Kristina Gelb)
Florist:  Flora Bella
Officiant:  Rev. Dr. Louis Michalski
DJ/Photobooth:  Got You Covered! (Eric Cheroske)
Musician/Guitarist:  Jacob Tyler Lucas
Hair/Makeup: Studio C Salon (Rhonda Braun/Jayme Friermood)
My guest photographer was my talented friend Kym Ventola. Shawna McCaghren as lighting assistant.

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Following are a handful of my personal favorite photos of the day:

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Last minute details.

I love curlers!

This is a happy bride :-)

Photo by Kym

Eirik waiting patiently for Elizabeth

First look! By Kym.

I almost cried too.

Elizabeth is so beautiful. I could photograph her all day.

Photo by Kym.

Photo by Kym.

A few of the decorations and details. Photos by Kym, Shawna and myself.

It’s go time!

Almost. :-)

What a beautiful location. Photo by Kym.

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I photographed Alison’s brother’s wedding a few years ago and it was awesome. That is why I was ecstatic when she hired me for her own wedding. Ali and Mitch were amazing to work with. From the start I knew that this would be a great day. Every time I shoot a wedding in the midwest, I get an urge to move there :-).

Ali and Mitch, thank you so much for the honor.

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Some great getting ready coverage by Kelly:

I followed Ali and her sister to the park where she would meet Mitch for the first time.

Ali showed me a picture of her brand new niece.   I photographed the parents of this amazing baby a few years ago; congratulations Kevin and Emily!

Photo by Kelly.

I love this!

After their first look, we did a few portraits.

Apparently this kid had lost something. Photo by Kelly.

Back at the church, before the ceremony (Photo by Kelly).

Mitch with this boys (Photo by Kelly).

Photo by Kelly.

Photo by Kelly.

Photo by Kelly.

Photo by Kelly.

Photo by Kelly.

Photo by Kelly.

We made a stop at 7-11.

Photo by Kelly.

This is my favorite photo of the day.

Arriving at the reception site.

Toasts.

The Votruba V!

Cold Stone and the ceremonial ice cream mixing.

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Para mas informacion: http://forodefotografos.net/madrid/

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A few minutes into my initial meeting with Ngoc, I knew that she was my client. As we were going through my albums she told me the ones where she could feel the real me and the ones where my true artistry was less present. She was amazing at identifying the work that is me (the things that I’ve loved doing the most) and she did all this in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner that blew me away. Ngoc and Chris’s wedding was about them, their number one goal was to have  a fun time and not to follow any preconceived traditions. It was a total delight to shoot their wedding. They made a fantastic choice in Regina Osgood as their planner; she was perfect for them. Nobody can improvise and adapt as fast and elegantly as she can. She blows me away every time.

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The vendors for this wedding were

Meant2Be Events- Regina Osgood - Planning, designing, trees, stationary, overall awesomeness!

FireSky Resort - This hotel blew me away, great service and I loove the ambiance.

Sarah Sanmarco – Super fabulous make up artist!!!

Matt Nathanson – Officiant – Matt always does an amazing job.

Lux Florist- reception floral – Rocking flowers!!

Fiori Floral- personals – Flowers outstanding!!

Got You Covered DJ- Oscar rocked it!

Let Them Eat Cake – Delicious!!!

BBJ Linen – Awesome linens!!!!!! :-)

Kelly Rashka was my guest photographer and she kicked ass like usual!

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Chris

Ngoc. (Image by Kelly)

(Image by Kelly)

Ngoc, getting her dress ready.

Chris helped his woman get ready, why not!! (Image by Kelly)

(Image by Kelly)

Their first encounter.  ;)

Chris was awesome during the getting ready. 

Chris making sure everything is where is supposed to be.

(Image by Kelly)

Video by a friend of Ngoc and Chris. (Image by Kelly)

Chris and his mom. (Image by Kelly)

(Image by Kelly)

(Image by Kelly)

(Image by Kelly)

(Image by Kelly)

These two were so fun to work with.

Chris is feeling the badass here!

(Image by Kelly)

Somebody dropped in with free samples of 5 Hour Energy drinks, I always carry a few in my bag. Ngoc decided to try them for herself.

Chris and the best man.

Chillin’.

Before the ceremony.

Ngoc’s parents. I love them!

Before the ceremony.

Matt is a fantastic officiant.

There was a threat of rain so they decided to do the ceremony inside. That is the DJ backstage and the broom is for jumping later.

Ngoc took her shoes off mid ceremony.  You gotta do what you gotta do. ;)

Jumping the broom.

A pen incident during the signing of the marriage license. Matt rocks.

Family portraits.

The newlyweds came in ready to party!

And party!!

First dance.

Toasts.

Ngoc’s brother’s and sister’s toasts were very sweet.  They all love Ngoc very much.

Ngoc dancing with her dad.

Time for more partying!

And cake.

What an amazing wedding!!  I loved it! ;)

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Last week I had the great honor of teaching my Badass Class to a group of 20 professional photographers in Queretaro, Mexico. I was invited by Diana Chavez and Irving Guzman, a talented and amazingly nice couple.  They made me feel right at home and treated me as we had known each other for years.

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My workshop consists of different sections: a presentation about what I do, why I do it, when I do it and how I do it. I also comment on the portfolio of every student, which I believe is one of the most valuable aspects of the workshop (thank you Huy). For this workshop I incorporated a wedding simulation using a real bride and groom (reprising their roles) with the students playing typical wedding day roles (Mother of the bride, make up artist, wedding planner, etc.). I asked the students to create situations to challenge me.   I wanted them to see how I work as a photojournalist(without directing people) during different parts of the wedding day.  The students were great!   They worked very hard to make my job hard :-). I took the following photos during these exercises.   For the next workshop, I am going to ask the students to get tougher.  ;)

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I am very happy looking forward to my upcoming workshops, I am really loving doing this very much!

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Toby (right) as over protective father of the bride (Dafne).

Diana Chavez acting as the wedding planner, demanding that I stop shooting.

Father of the bride pleading with his daughter to not wear Converse shoes.

Dafne and Yaravi see each other for the first time.

And we do a short portrait session.

Right before the “ceremony” is about to start.

Alfonso performing the role of priest.

The students acted as guests but Alfonso did such a great job as officiant that they all became enthralled with the ceremony and forgot that I was shooting it.

Toby takes the Oscar.

First dance.

A few more portraits.

I also gave the students a reception lighting demo that they can all use at their weddings.

Two great friends, Arturo and Toby.

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I was looking back through some images recently and I realized that I love photographing my couples; before during and after their weddings.  I wanted to share some of my favorite images from my favorite non-wedding sessions.  I love to have fun with my couples, always.  Before the wedding, engagement sessions are a great opportunity to create incredible images while getting to know my clients a little more before the wedding.  After the wedding sessions are a great way to stay in contact and create some very edgy and interesting work.  All sessions are a good time to make my couple look amazing and have fun. Another very important thing to me is to make every photo session as unique as possible, I prefer not to do the same things over again. I don’t event want to copy myself :-).

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The following images are from a session I did for my clients Jessica and Casey after their wedding.  The session was at their house in Tucson.  It was a day in the life session with a Sergio twist.

Casey loves to cook so we did some work in the kitchen.

What’s for dinner, honey? I put a flash inside the fridge :-)

Casey and Jessica’s wedding was some years ago but we are good friends. Jessica looks amazing here!

Jessica and Casey have 2 dogs that they love a lot.  This is Milo.

This next e-session of my clients, Lauren and Mark, was also at their house.  I love to incorporate real life.  Mark and Lauren had an awesome in-ground trampoline in their backyard.  And two hilarious dogs,  Espy and Rbi.

Dogs love attention :-).

I work closely with my brides and grooms to find a location that is not just pretty, but that means something.  It doesn’t always have to be their house.  Alexis and Ace picked this drive-in because they go there often and it is one of their favorite spots.  Not to mention the cool factor.

Alexis and Ace in her green VW bug waiting for the first feature of the night.. I bought them popcorn. 

For Lindsay and Andrew, Lindsay’s mom’s house provided the perfect setting for their engagement session.  Here in the living room Andrew is  jumping with joy.

In Lindsay’s mom’s backyard.

I love what this photo says about their love.

Molly and Carl are very cool.  We chose 4th ave for their pre-wedding session for the color and funk.

I asked Carl to casually walk in front of this mural and we nailed it!

Drew and Andy’s engagement session was my first womanless engagement session. It was amazing.  This photo is taken in a stairwell.

And these are in the parking garage.  You just never know where I am going to find inspiration.  :) This is one of my favorite engagement photos ever. We only used the illumination of the garage.

Jenny and James are super playful.  I wanted to capture that during the e-session and they made it easy for me.  James moustache played an important role in this shoot.

No tricks or  special effects here.

Jacquie and Andy’s session was in downtown Phoenix.

I work with what I see.  This photo makes me laugh out loud.

I am always so excited to hear of my clients having children.  Nothing makes me happier than reuniting for a family session.

How cute is this little dude!

My most recent session with Ashley and Brandon was great because Ashley was a little nervous about being photographed.  She is just stunning and I loved photographing her.  Their wedding is in November and I know that Ashley is not nervous anymore!  We are going to rock!!

We shot this downtown Phoenix also.