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Choosing the perfect location for an engagement session with Jeni & Brennon.

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We are often asked how we go about choosing a location for our engagement sittings. The first thing we ask a couple once they’ve booked their session is what type of environment speaks to them? If they are outdoorsy, we will suggest a wooded park or hiking trail. If they’re into art, we will take them to a museum or an urban setting with interesting architecture. Sometimes our couples want the theme of their engagement shoot to reflect the wedding. For instance, if they are getting married at the Biltmore in Santa Barbara, we’ll suggest the session take place at an iconic setting like the Santa Barbara Mission. In Jeni and Brennon’s case, we took the opposite route. They are getting married in Palm Springs where they live, so our suggestion to get away from the desert heat and do our shoot on the beach sounded great to them. We all loved the idea that these images would be so different from the ones we would make at the wedding.

So once we’ve settled on a theme and place, how do we narrow down the location? It has to meet 3 basic criteria:
1. It is easy for our clients to get to without much difficulty. No matter how gorgeous the setting, if it is not safe to get there, we are going to pass.
2. It’s relatively private. This is important because we want our subjects to be at ease which can be difficult when there are hoards of tourists or lookie-loos all around. Also, we encourage our couples to bring a change of clothing, so having a place to slip into another outfit is key.
3. Finally, the location has to offer good variety. Most folks don’t have the luxury of devoting an entire day for this shoot, therefore we have to maximize the time we have. In this case, we were able to
photograph Jeni and Brennon in a meadow, the beach and amidst beautiful rock sculptures – all within close proximity.

Even though the subject of this blog post is an engagement session, the criteria I mention will also work in lots of other applications so keep them in mind the next time you are taking photos of your sweetie, kids or pets.

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Little Beauties…

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These three little beauties served as junior bridesmaids in a wedding we recently photographed. Between their gorgeous floral headpieces, the lush garden setting and that glorious late afternoon sun, I knew I had a lovely image in the making.

Venue: Ojai Valley Inn
Event Coordination: XOXO Bride Events
Headpieces: Luna Gardens

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month

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With October being Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, it’s the perfect time to add a sweet, cuddly new member to your family. There are so many adorable dogs and puppies waiting to be rescued at this very moment. This little cutie came from C.A.R.E. 4 PAWS, a no kill shelter in Santa Barbara.

If you’re ready to adopt a shelter dog, Petfinder has lots of great information to help with the transition, like a check list of of things you should have in place before you bring your new buddy home. Even if adopting is not in the cards for you right now, Petfinder has lots of suggestions for ways you can help.

In celebration of this month, Buried Bone Photo, our pet division is offering 50% off our sitting fee for any dogs adopted in the month of October. Please contact the studio for more details.

If you’d like to see more adorable pups, you might like this post.

True friends are like diamonds…

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“True friends are like diamonds—bright, beautiful, valuable and always in style.”
~Nicole Ritchie

Kimberly + Jesse

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What could be sweeter than a stroll through the woods with the one you love? Having a camera there to capture all that sweetness.

Larry and I had such a great time photographing Kimberly and Jesse. As you can see, their love for each other is written all over their faces.

Daisy & Matt’s anniversary session in Maui

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If you think being a photographer is all about traveling to exotic locations and shooting amazing people – well, in this case, you’d be exactly right!

For the past 8 years, Daisy and Matt have commemorated their anniversary with an Isabel Lawrence photo session. It seems like every year, our shoots have gotten more elaborate. Last year, they rented out Greystone Manor. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to have that gorgeous place all to ourselves. The year before that, we began the day in wine country and ended it galloping across the beach on horseback in Summerland. Up until now, one of my favorite sessions had taken place in Santa Barbara where vintage clothing suited the old car Daisy had procured for the shoot.

This year however, is going to be hard to beat! Our location was the incredibly gorgeous Hana in Maui. Despite there being some rain, we were in a tropical rain forest after all, spirits were high and the shutter was clicking. When not kicking back on the beach, we were touring places like the Garden of Eden Arboretum and The Seven Sacred Pools. Some of my favorite images came from our shoot at sunrise on Hana Bay.

Daisy and Matt, words can’t express how grateful we are for this experience. Hanging out and making these images with you was so much fun! The only problem is, how are we ever going to top this?

Maui with Daisy & Matt

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Yes, we had a blast photographing Daisy and Matt in Maui and yes, there is lots more to come…so check back here tomorrow for lots of images of their anniversary session in Hana.

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