Blake + Ashlee :: Engaged

This is one of my greatest and dearest friends, Blake and his ever so lovely fiancee, Ashlee. I recently had the privilege of photographing their engagement photos in San Francisco, CA were they both reside and we had such blast! I've been waiting for this day for a very long time. And if you ask Blake, he would probably say the same thing, lol (he might be mad at me for saying that. Sorry buddy.)

Back it up. I first met Blake 7 years ago in 2006 when we were both were working for AAA in Irvine, California. He, an Actuarial Analyst and I, an Underwriting Assistant. We quickly became really close friends and both discovered that we were workaholics that came into the office on the weekends, loved the same genre of music, performed Open Mic nights together at a local cafe and both attended the same church. His family embraced me as their own and I found Blake becoming my best friend and like an older brother...a much older brother (man, he is going to kill me). 

After a few years of friendship, in 2009, Blake moved to San Francisco, California for a work relocation. This news brought many tears to my eyes but I knew that this was an opportunity that God had placed before Blake and I admired his obedience to God's calling. Also it would sadly break up our two person band, The Bring-it-Homes. (seriously, I hope he doesn't disown me, lol).

One day I got an important phone call, "So I met this girl. Her name is Ashlee...." He then spent about the next 30 minutes on the phone describing her and talking about who she was and how they met. I chuckled under my breath as I could hear the excitement in his voice as he spoke of her. I knew exactly where this was going...

Enter Ashlee. I met Ashlee during her Christmas visit to Southern California. The three of us went out for some yummy Thai and her and I spent the night chatting and being girls. Blake, unfortunately, had to listen to all of this but we gave him a few beers and he was a happy camper. Over the course of the next few visits, I would pester Blake about his intentions with Ashlee....actually, I would just flat out ask him "Are you going to marry her? When are you going to marry her? You better marry her!" So you can imagine how excited I was to get a call from the both of them "We're engaged!" 

How can I describe Ashlee? Ashlee is gorgeous, funny, compassionate, witty, darling, sophisticated, caring and I'm still getting to know her! I watch the two of them together and it just fits so perfectly! She brings out this side of him that I've never seen before and it's so refreshing. This is the happiest I've ever seen him. 

Blake and Ashlee, God is so good! He always knows exactly what our souls and hearts need. His timing is ever so perfect! I pray for a lifetime of bliss. Patients and understanding. Love and compassion. And above all, that He would be at the core of everything you do. I can't wait to see this new part of your lives together and witness all the fruitfulness. 

Thank you for letting me be a part of your happiness. I love you both!

(Blake & Ashlee will tie the knot on September 7th 2013 in Reno, NV, Ashlee's home town. To read more about how Blake and Ashlee met, please visit their website at WWW.ashleelovesblake.com )

Mr. & Mrs. John Zechiel

They're married!!! 

July 7th 2012 marks a beautiful day of celebration! Two of my great friends stood before God, their family and friends and vowed to love each other for all eternity, till death do them part. 

I had the great honor of photographing their engagement photos and was even more excited to be able to attend the wedding as a guest and share this beautiful moment with them....so naturally I busted out my iPhone and sneaked some photos. The photographer in me can't help it. Oh, and I caught the Bouquet!! 

Mr. & Mrs. John Zechiel, I was delighted to witness your sweet love for one another these past three years that we have been friends. Board game (a.k.a wine nights!), gatherings, dinners, happy hours...

I am so blessed to have friends in my life that can show me an example of a relationship built on a firm foundation of Christ. That it is possible and that it can be done. Your time apart was for God. He turned your ashes in beauty. God made you each so individually strong, that together, you are a force to be reckoned with and now you know, without a doubt, that this is how God intended it to be. There is Glory to all that He does and we were all blessed to see the fruits of His good and faithful work. 

John and Eleanor, I love your faith, I love your love for one another, I love your sweet beautiful spirits and I love the way that you love on others. That's a whole lot of love! I pray for an abundant amount of  blessings, patients, encouragement, stregnth and lots of cute babies! 

Engagement // John & Eleanor

Love. 

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

1 Corinthians 13

I met John and Eleanor through a friend about 2 years ago. What I can say about this couple and their love for not only God but for one another?...Anything I say would be an understatement. This couple was meant to be for one another! Smart, funny and just a joy to be around. My heart skipped a dance of happiness the day I found out that these two had vowed to make an eternal commitment towards one another. I've watched as this couple took up their relationship with one another very serious, with respect, happiness and communication. I watched as they took time to work on themselves individually so that together, they would be a force to be reckoned with. I feel so blessed that God has placed so many strong, unbreakable couples in my life to show me the promise of His word and that He meant it when He said that Man was not created to be alone. They waited patiently, worked together and pursued one another.

John and Eleanor, I am beyond elated for the both of you! I am so eager to see where God is going to take the both of you. I am excited to see your family grow and multiply and I am honored to be a part of your special occasion. Thanks to you both, for being by my side when I needed you the most. I am forever thankful. I love you both.

Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress; Working together is success." 

Henry Ford

Justin // Laguna Beach, CA

Ladies, I have heard your requests and I am here to deliver...

At my last couple of art shows, I've gotten some critique and comments about not having enough males in my mix of artwork. So in an effort to keep up with supply and demand and to prepare for my upcoming art show...meet Justin, a friend of mine. Handsome, right?! Justin kindly volunteered to be my model for the day! After church last Sunday, we packed into my little bug convertible, took a beautiful ride down PCH from Huntington Beach to Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach and tracked along the sand. Earlier that morning it was pouring rain but luckily the weather cleared and it was a comfortable 70 degrees by the time we reached our destination. 

It was a fun day! Justin was such a great sport and brought a duffel bag of clothes and shoes and upon my request, his guitar (you're welcome ladies). Justin was positive, kept up a good spirit (even when he stubbed his toe on the rocks and we were crawling under a gated off abandoned life guard tower, lol) and he was a blast to hang out with. I'm looking forward to photographing Justin again in the future in some new and different elements. Thanks again, Justin :)