{press | grey likes weddings | modern glam}

Hot off the press! Happy to share that we have been published on greylikesweddings today! What an unexpected treat to see this beautiful styled shoot featured this morning. I haven't even had the chance to blog about it myself, lol. Such a wonderful group of amazing talent involved in this gorgeous black and white glam shoot. See the wonderful list of vendors below who did a stunning job in creating this shoot. Such a pleasure to work with all of you and looking forward to many more. Be sure to check back for our blog post from this shoot.




Photographer: Krista Mason Photography, Event Planner: Kristeen LaBrot Events, Floral Designer: Enchanted Garden Floral Design, Dress Designer: Winnie Couture, Cake Designer: Superfine Bakery, Linens and Coverings: Wildflower Linens, Calligrapher: Calligraphy Katrina and Maison du Papier, Makeup Artist: Susie Chhuor Professional Hair & Makeup, Jewelry: Margaret Rowe Vintage Couture

{thursday treats}

Top Left:These onesie sugar cookies are just too adorable via ontobaby.com Top Right: Love the simple elegance from these vintage wedding dresses from designer Jenny Packham via weddingchicks Bottom Left: This simple white look with the negative frames and colorful flowers is beautiful. Great idea for wedding décor via 100 layer cake Center Bottom: Combining my two favorite things, love and vintage keys. Now if I could just figure out where to order me a set, via Green Wedding Shoes Bottom Right: Love Palomo's Nest items. This wonderful photo came from a beautiful feature shoot via style me pretty

{love this | jose villa | book release | photographer | mentor}

I was so ecstatic when I received Jose Villa’s book in the mail yesterday! I was jumping with glee and joy. The days leading up, I couldn’t wait to get it and peer into the mind of one of my all time favorite wedding photographers. The minute I heard he was releasing a book on how to capture images with style, I immediately pre-ordered the book. Come to find out, I was so excited I actually ended up ordering it twice, lol. I haven’t had a chance to sit down and read the book cover to cover, but I can’t wait. I plan on taking the day to sit down with a cup of coffee and read the whole book end to end and let it all soak in. From what I have already flipped through and briefly read I am in awe. Not only do I get to peer into Jose Villa’s mind, but I will have the chance to meet him at his book signing tonight. I am so overjoyed and ecstatic, I just can’t wait! What an honor it will be to meet and chat with someone I truly admire and respect. A big thank you to Jose Villa for being such a huge mentor to me (even if you don’t know it) and taking the time to put together this wonderful book with loads of insight and inspiration! I truly can’t thank you enough for being so open and sharing your skills and business. I am looking forward to your book and meeting you this evening! Here are a few images from the book as well as from his blog. Such beautiful and amazing talent!

{loves me | loves me not}

loves me...starbucks sugar-free soy caramel machiatto! With these busy crazy days lately, I have been taking comfort in my starbucks treat (maybe a little too often) to give me a bit of energy and relaxation. yum yum good!


loves me not...people in the wedding industry giving misleading advise or tips. Some of these tips and suggestions I hear are just outrageous and obscured. Brides, be careful about the tips and advice you receive from people who call themselves pros. Do lots of research and compare notes!

{press | on to baby}

So overjoyed to be featured on Wedding Chicks sister site, On To Baby! I am a huge fan of Wedding Chicks and when they launched their sister site ontobaby.com in February, I knew it would be love at first site. And, that it was. Ontobaby.com is a superb site for baby and family inspiration. On To Baby has it all, from maternity to showers to parties to portraits. I was so thrilled to be part of their launch as a vendor and now thrilled to be featured. Thanks for the wonderful feature on Baby Valdez!

{monday moments}

A little modern vintage...

{friday photo tip | weddings}

Why do I need to hire a wedding coordinator? A wedding coordinator will take away the stress and hassle of planning your wedding so you can enjoy the planning process and your big day, but that is the obvious reason. Coordinators have the in and know of the do’s and don’ts to help you save money and grace. What is the proper etiquette for blank, your coordinator will have the answer. They will help you find the right vendors to execute your wedding vision and they will help you find your vision and bring it to life. And if that isn’t enough reason, the money that your coordinator will save on your vendors will pay for your coordinator itself.

Need more? Let Intertwined Events explain their top 10 reasons. Don’t forget to read our spotlight on Chic Celebrations who also explains the benefits of a coordinator.

{thursday treats}

Left: Adore the frills on this stunning dress from Marchesa via Wedding Chicks Top Right: How cute and fun is this clutch from bagatelles and co etsy store via Wedding Chicks. Adorable ideas for bride, bridesmaids, or yourself. So many to choice, but I think this is my fav. Center: My obsession with vintage glass. How beautiful are these vintage blue glasses in various shapes and sizes via Elizabeth Anne Designs. Great ideas for wedding and home decor. Now if only I could find a spot in my home to rock them. Bottom Right: This school days wedding is so cute via snippet and ink. Loving the idea and details the couple incorporated. Favorite is the apple garland on the chairs, so unique.

{love this | fav spots | engagement + wedding + portrait}

I love colorful, vibrant, fun walls to use as backgrounds for anything ranging from weddings to portraits. The fun color and graphics can lead to a funny, cute or dramatic image to add to your home art. Check out these wonderful images below. I envision these as large wall portraits or gallery wraps as a display of art in each of the clients home. And since that is what all of these were ordered as I know each and everyone is being beautiful displayed as art in these wonderful homes.

{loves me | loves me not}

Loves me…the rain we are having. Reminds me of the year I lived in Seattle, where, when the sun did come out in the winter, everyone literally went outside to enjoy it. I found that so funny being from sunny Southern California where the sun always shinned. I was happy to enjoy the rain for a change of pace, lol.

Loves me not…LA roads in the rain. We need a boat to get around when it rains more than 5 hours straight! And the drivers…oh the drivers. Hope everyone stayed safe and dry.

{monday moments}

To New Beginnings...

{girls night out | portrait | valerie}

I am so excited to share with you our first Girls Night Out portrait session. Our Girls Night Out features you and 4-9 of your girlfriends photographed in anything from lacy lingerie to the most fun and flirty little black dress. It's a fun event to bring all your girls together, get dolled up, have some fun, plus have your portrait taken. A great idea for a bachelorette party, bridal shower, birthday party, or even just for FUN!

Valerie and her girls decided to do a "pink champagne styled" shoot for Val’s 30th Birthday. All the girls got dressed up in pink, sipped on champagne and had a blast as we photographed them! Valerie, our hostess and birthday girl, decided to have her session at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. The Viceroy is such a beautiful modern hotel, over looking the Santa Monica beach. It worked perfectly for the mix of portraits and boudoir photographs. Valerie was styled by Jen of Nunn Better Design and Val’s girls all coordinated their outfits. We added a cute pink ruffled cake from My Sweet and Saucy and pink champagne to add a little bubbly birthday fun! The girls had a blast, took some stunning photographs and then went out on the town to continue girls night! For more extra's on the styled shoot click here for what Jen would have styled for the other ladies! Interested in hosting your own fun Girls Night Out session, give us a call or email us to get started.

{love this | shoes | prada}

From one of our recent photoshoots, our model had a pair of Prada shoes that I just adore! Sleek, sexy, smooth and stunning, not just to look at, but once they are on the feet too! Just makes you want to say oh la la! With my obsession for shoes I just couldn’t resist shooting some beauty shots of the gorgeous Prada’s. It is also a little sneak peek into our styled shoot we did with some amazing vendors! Keep checking back to get the full reveal soon!

{japan earthquake and pacific tsunami relief | portrait donation | red cross}

We would like to donate as much as possible to Japan to help the people recover from the earth shattering tragedy that took place on Friday, March 11. So, from now until April 15th when you book a portrait session, 100% of the session fee ($150), plus 15% of all proceeds from the session will be donated to Japan. Please help us help Japan. All donations will be given to Red Cross for Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief.

We would like to focus on the Japan Relief today, and therefore we will be forgoing our loves me, loves me not section for this week.

{monday moments}

get down tonight...

{friday photo tip | portrait | engagement}

Prior to scheduling a portrait or engagement session, map out the space where you want to display your wall portraits for your home. Measure the wall and determine, with your photographers help, the space and style you would like displayed. Your photographer can suggest wall collections that would fit the space, and you can get a feel for what the collection will look like. This will help you, so when you meet your photographer, you are not sitting in your viewing appointment with no clue on what to order from all the beautiful images captured. During the session, this will also give the photographer a more precious idea of what to shoot for and what frame sizes to angle for, giving you more options.

{thursday treats}

Top Left: How cool are these glass bottles from lunabazaar via green wedding shoes. I am a bit obsessed with vintage glass these days, so beautiful. Top Right: Twigs and Honey are fabulous and their accessories are so adorable. Loving this feather one. Bottom Left: A simple and modern diy craft that is great for any home, wedding or photohshoot via nunnbetterdesign. This would be adorable in a nursery. Bottom Center: Love the wood and outdoors feel of this wedding. Great way to use the glasses via green wedding shoes. Bottom Right: Milk and cookies, a classic. Look how fun these glasses and straws are from sweet lulu via hostess with the mostess.

{love this | location scouting | open field}

On my recent hunts for locations to shoot at, I have decided to bring along my camera and capture the beauty of the locations. So periodically I will share my favorite locations in their raw nature without subjects. I had a lot of fun photographing my scouting experience. I haven't photographed landscapes without people since I was in high school, and well that was a long time ago. It was fun going back to my roots. Hope you enjoy this new section of love this!