Calvin and Angela are two very sweet and fun people. They found me through a mutual friend, but when we met we ended up chatting for a few hours about all sorts of random things.  So I wasn't too surprised that we had a really great time wandering around the LACMA.

They wanted to incorporate a few touches from one of their favorite movies, "Up."

Do you remember the scene in the "Up" montage where he wears different ties every day?  We put Calvin's brother's bowties to excellent use.

And of course, no trip to LACMA is ever complete without a visit to Urban Lights.

They had their reception at a beautiful seaside house in Palos Verdes, which was beautifully decked out with all the gorgeous details that Rina, Sean, and friends put together.  I love all the different shades of blue and the birds motif.  Everything was a subtle mix of their two cultures, from the BBQ to the little Japanese candies at the candy bar.

This was probably the most entertaining cake cutting I have ever seen.  :)

Sean surprised Rina with a song, and I honestly don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

From everything that I was privileged to witness that day, it's truly hard to imagine a couple more in love.  Congratulations Sean and Rina!

John and Rochelle had an amazing, intimate wedding in Italy, and came home to celebrate with family and friends.  We had a fun bridal portrait session around downtown Los Angeles, which fits their funky sense of style.

The Bradbury building is a little gem-of-a-building nestled in an otherwise nondescript Los Angeles street corner.  But when you walk in, it's light and airy, and so obviously full of history that it's difficult to stay in the public areas and not try to explore the building a little more.  Unfortunately Rochelle and John didn't get to fully experience any of that, as we had roughly six minutes to snap a few images in this breathtaking space before the building closed for the day.  But they were game to follow my hurried instructions, and knocked out a few great images before the security guard chivvied all the gawking visitors out. 

Their reception was at the Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park.  It was full of laughter, a few happy tears, and a LOT of dancing.

Ever since I was a kid, I have had an unhealthy relationship with books.  Give me a good book, and I forget about normal things like eating and sleeping.  It got to the point that my mom would actually hide my books from me and forbid me from reading for too long.  So I would take abnormally long "baths" and read in the bathroom.  Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous, but a good book has the tendency to do that to me.

So lo and behold, I was extremely excited when this bulky package arrived at my door yesterday, crammed to the brim with goodies handpicked by Gisela.  I know I've said this a few times, but it's great when clients feel like old friends, and Gisela is no exception.  Despite a distance of, oh, about ten states, we chatted freely about travel, BBQs, and all sorts of random things.  And, like me, she has an (un)healthy love for books.

There goes my free time!  I'm excited to read them all.  Thanks so much Gisela!  I'm so excited to see you and Jay soon!  It's going to be an awesome wedding!

I took this picture a few years ago.  Yosemite is probably one of the most easily recognized landscapes in the United States. I haven't been there recently, but this month has been rolling by far more quickly than I ever imagined it to.  And looming over it all in August is our Half Dome trip, which I am excitedly anticipating. 

A few years ago a few of us hiked for about six hours to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls (above).  It was supposedly the equivalent height of two Empire State Buildings, but of course, far more scenic.  There was also a lot of snow at the very top of Upper Yosemite Falls (picture below, right).

... but Half Dome is going to make Upper Yosemite Falls look like a cakewalk. 

So I'm faced with a dilemma: bring my SLR or bring more water?  I had initially glibly answered, "camera, of course!"   However, according to Tony, by the eighth hour on a hot August day I will probably be thinking differently.  And I also saw this recently, had a few second thoughts, and am now back to square one.  Perhaps more water isn't a bad idea after all.