When I first sat down with Helen and Tas just over a month ago and we chatted and got to know each other over tea, they said that they haven’t been together very long and what struck me was that I just couldn’t tell. There’s just something about fate I so strongly believe in and that time doesn’t really play a factor in how much two people truly love each other. It’s always so apparent in the way they look at each other or the slightest gesture or hand touch. And with Helen and Tas, it was all of the above. I’m sharing with you their engagement photos which we photographed a little over two week ago, but they have since been married this past weekend. I’ll definitely be sharing their wedding photos soon. We started their session at a park in Orange County where Tas grew up. It was not only a great place to take photos with amazing lighting, but it was a chance for Tas to share with Helen some childhood memories from the park. We finished their session down at the beach in Dana Point and just enjoyed the cool breeze and amazing sunset.
A special thanks to Angelina from All Made Up, who did an amazing job on Helen’s hair and makeup!







Home | Wedding Portfolio | Portrait Portfolio | About Brian | Contact Brian
_
Monthly Archives: February 2010
HELEN AND TAS : DANA POINT BEACH ORANGE COUNTY PARK ENGAGEMENT SESSION
OC PHOTOG SHOOTOUT : LEADER
Last week, The Photog Shootout, OC edition, had one of their largest and greatest workshops for photographers. It was a day for photographers beginners or experienced, to learn from other photographers and photograph a full wedding from start to finish. When I was asked to lead the group for detail photos, I was more than excited to do so. Photographing details at a wedding is such an important part of the day and it’s something that I always enjoying doing. Details whether big or small, really says so much about how the couple wants to personalize their own wedding.
I of course didn’t get a chance to really shoot as much as I wanted to that day, because I was helping out other photographers, but I did manage to get just a few photos of the amazing details, all stylized by the amazingly talented Amanda Auer from In The Now Weddings. Below are just some of the people that made this day happen! A special thanks to Matthew Saville and Hanssie Trainor for putting this event and group together and inviting me to lead!
Coordinator: Amanda Auer of In the Now Weddings
Venue: Ron at the Romanesque Room
Florist: Honey and Poppies
DJ: Marcel Gonzalez First Choice Entertainment
Rentals: Town & Country Event Rentals
Catering: Jay’s Catering
Venue Concierge: Mary Lallande
Bakery: Colette at Fancy That! Cupcakes 909.524.1864
Linens: Wildflower
Styling: Michelle Cunningham
Hair/Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy & Becca
Hair/Makeup: Alisha Baijournas
Specialty: Classic Party Rentals
Although I was photographing details, I couldn’t help to shoot at least one of the models. Here is model Ashley Matthews.


FEATURED : UTTERLY ENGAGED ISSUE 7 : TEAR JERKER
Happy Monday All! I hope “Y’All” had a great weekend! I’m saying “Y’All”, because I’m still here in Houston. But this Wednesday I’ll be back in OC after being here for 3 weeks! I can’t wait to get back home! It’s been a great trip here in Houston. I met some awesome friends and photographers and I’ll be sharing some photos soon!
While I was away in Houston, Utterly Engaged launched their 7th Issue, appropriately titled, “Tear Jerker”. I can list so many reasons why I love my job, but one of them that has to be on top of my list, is photographing emotional photos! Although many people say that “All weddings are the same”, I beg to differ. The day might all be structured similar, but when it comes down to making the day unique and different, it’s the random and unexpected moments that really differentiate one wedding from another.
I take so much pride in being emotionally connected to the day and to my couples. It really helps me anticipate when something significant is going to happen. And being significant can just be something small, like a hug from a friend, a look from a family member during the ceremony or when the bride and groom just want to act silly.
And that’s why I am so excited and honored that Utterly Engaged featured several of my photos, from my couples in 2009. Make sure you checkout the complete issue by CLICKING HERE. You don’t want to miss other great moments from other great photographers in this issue! Below is what they featured from the weddings I photographed in 2009 and I’ll tell a little story about the photo below. Thank you again Utterly Engaged for creating such an amazing issue!
As Rachee was getting ready, both of her parents were in the room, helping her put on the finishing touches, like her earrings, veil, etc. Her parents were so proud of her and you can definitely see that on their faces that day. As we were preparing to leave the hotel to the ceremony, Rachee’s father picked up the bouquet from the vase on the table, handed them to Rachee and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. It’s moments like these that you never get back and I was so overjoyed that I was able to capture it on a photo.
On the same evening of Andrew and Rachee’s wedding, during their first dance, I captured this first dance moment that is still up to this day, one of my favorites. As you all might know, I’ve been shooting with film from time to time at most of my weddings. There’s just something indescribable about it. After shooting a few digital images during their first dance, I reached for my film body which had Fuji Neopan 1600 film loaded. I was shooting the film at 1200 ISO with NO flash, because I wanted to capture a bit of movement. You can definitely see how in love these two are and how they really enjoyed just being there with each other, during their first dance.
Chendal and Geoffrey had such an amazing multicultural wedding day, which included a morning Cambodian ceremony. There’s always something so amazing about photographing other wedding traditions and cultures. At the end of their Cambodian ceremony, I anticipated one of the most important parts of the ceremony, which is throwing of the rice. But what I couldn’t anticipate, was the joy on all of their faces during this moment. This photo to me, highlights family and friends celebrating!
On the same evening of Chendal and Geoffrey’s wedding at The Turnip Rose in Newport Beach, it was the end of the evening. And they had yet to use their photobooth. As I was standing around with their friends watching them pose for the photobooth, I knew that these two are just so fun and silly together and I was just waiting for them to do something crazy. And what happens next? She bites his ear! Now I’m not sure if this face is genuine, but judging by his ear lobe, I think it was a real bite! But either way, it’s moments like this when I look back on, that brings a smile to my face!
