Posts Tagged ‘wedding’

“you give me something”

debbie and drew wedding

Check back for more! Trust me – you don’t want to miss the rest of this post!!! =)

 

“lets get it started”

I was so excited when Claudia & Chris hired me to take getting ready photos for them on their wedding day. Getting ready photos are my favorite set of wedding day photos and I recommend it to every couple! I just love how intimate these sessions are and capturing all of the anticipation and excitement leading up to the “big moment”.

Special thanks to Kerrie of Platinum Weddings by Kerrie who showed up during the getting ready time to not only helped the bride with anything she needed but also helped set up details for me to get some fabulous shots. A great wedding coordinator like Kerrie is a must for the wedding day!

I spent some time with both the bride & groom, who had very different styles of how to get ready for grand event. We started off with some real male bonding at V’s Barbershop where the guys were “pampered” with a clean shave and all the trimmings. Apparently “it’s a guy thing”.

claudia and chris wedding

Here’s the groom…looking a lil’ nervous…must be nervous for the shave or the camera =P

claudia and chris wedding

I just love how V’s Barbershop brings back the nostalgic feeling of a traditional barbershop. Check out the checkered floors!

claudia and chris wedding

The essentials, including some morning coffee for the big day!

claudia and chris wedding

And now the good stuff!

claudia and chris wedding

claudia and chris wedding

The finale! And who said women do all the work getting ready for weddings??? =P

claudia and chris wedding

Ok enough of the guys – time for the ladies! I went over to Claudia’s house where it was definitely more dainty =). Here’s a peek at Claudia’s gorgeous gown:

claudia and chris wedding

Her glam shoes:

claudia and chris wedding

And her lovely earrings:

claudia and chris wedding

Isn’t it much prettier over here??? =)

claudia and chris wedding

I just love this candid shot of Claudia. It was mid hair-styling and we were laughing at how we use to wear our hair like this in junior high!

claudia and chris wedding

The essentials here:

claudia and chris wedding

Soooo pretty…and with a more accurate representation of what Claudia’s hair will look like. =)

claudia and chris wedding

Time to get this show on the road!

claudia and chris wedding

The garter Claudia’s ladies helped put on – unfortunately it was USC themed =P

claudia and chris wedding

The finishing touches on the beautiful bride:

claudia and chris wedding

claudia and chris wedding

“hot in herre”

In the midst of the scorching heat in Southern California a few weeks ago, Caroline, Stephen and I found plenty of shade at the local park and managed to have a great time shooting their engagement session. Sure we needed towels to wipe our sweat, but what’s an e-session without some extra heat?? =)

I can’t wait for Caroline & Stephen’s wedding in July – hopefully there will be a beach breeze! =)

Introducing the couple of the moment:

caroline and stephen engagement

Ok now a lil’ closer…

caroline and stephen engagement

That’s better! =)

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

I just loved Caroline’s shoes!!! Too cute!

caroline and stephen engagement

Aren’t they great together??? And these two claim to not be photogenic!

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

You can’t go to a park and not have some fun at the playground:

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

One of my faves for the day. Check out Caroline’s incredible lashes:

caroline and stephen engagement

caroline and stephen engagement

Oh yeah, oh yeah – click HERE for Caroline & Stephen’s SLIDESHOW from our HOT, HOT e-session! =)!

“more than words”

You won’t find a dull moment with these two and it was especially true on their wedding day. Vanessa & Tony have been waiting their whole lives for this day and with tears of happiness, sweet surprises and inventive dance routines, their wedding on April 26, 2008 was anything short of spectacular. I knew it wouldn’t be any other way.

** Vanessa & Tony – I feel so fortunate to have met you. You make my job easier and my life fuller. Your love is a great inspiration to us all. I know your journey is only beginning and I hope to continue to be a part of it. xoxo, Kim Le

On with the montage! I think I’ll keep my captions to a minimum this post. There were so many beautiful emotions – leaving little left to be said.

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

It was such a beautifully emotional day.

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

Tony surprised his beautiful bride with a beautiful song he wrote especially for her. It was such a touching moment.

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

Ok one of my fave parts of the night was when Vanessa & Tony tricked us all! They started off in a sweet slow dance which quickly turned into doing a fun and unforgettable choregraphed dance. I loved it when Tony started doing the robot to “Ice, Ice Baby”! =)

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

vanessa and tony wedding

Click HERE for to see Vanessa & Tony’s SLIDESHOW to see more unforgettable moments!

Special thanks to Patrick for shooting with me!!!

“just a lil’ bit”

vanessa & tony wedding

jvanessa & tony wedding

More to follow!!!  Have a good weekend!!! =)

wedding rehearsals

December 20, 2007

“making memories of us”

We all know how important the day of the wedding is, but we cannot forget about all those fun and crazy events leading up to the momentous occasion. It has become increasingly common for couples to have photography coverage at wedding rehearsals, rehearsal dinners and bridal showers to document the wedding frenzy you endure with family, friends & loved ones. After all, we know the “big day” isn’t really just about that day. If you are married, I think you will agree that you spend way more time planning a wedding than actually participating in it! With family in town and excitement built up, I believe there are some amazing moments waiting to be captured at these events. So for all you couples, this might be something you want to keep in mind when doing your wedding planning. Who knows – you might get that shot of Mom crying because she finally saw Aunt Sue after 5 years. Or you might get that shot of Uncle Ted getting a lil’ too tipsy thanks to the open bar. Whatever the case, these are moments worth looking back on and worth the extra planning for.

Here are examples of a wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner I shot in August 2007. Thanks to Dustin & Wendi and their families for such a great time! As you can tell from the pics, they had a blast as well! Click here to see photographs from their beachfront August wedding!


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faisal & heela: wedding

November 15, 2007

“dancing the night away”

I had the pleasure of shooting Faisal & Heela’s wedding reception on November 9, 2007 at the Royal Palace in Glendale, CA. I was taken aback by the beautiful customs and grand festivities of an Afghan wedding. The wedding had such a colorful energy to it. It was all about getting together with family & friends and just having an infinite good time. There was non-stop food (which was soooo delicious) and non-stop dancing. Everyone and I mean everyone couldn’t stop dancing! The custom behind this is to have a grand celebration to launch the couple into their new life. Sounds to me like a good time in any culture! And you know it must be a good party when people don’t want to leave – even at 2 am! The music and dancing were so infectious that I couldn’t help but move a lil’ to the beat as I was snapping away. I’m just glad my assistant shooter Patrick didn’t sneak any pics of me in the act! It’s weddings like these that make me think in my head “wow, I get paid to do this?!” and “wow, I really need to learn some new dance moves.”

Thank you Faisal & Heela for letting me capture your special evening. You and your family & friends are amazing and vibrant. Your energy and dance moves are contagious and inspirational!

And special thanks to Patrick for shooting alongside me! He handled the Canon 70-200mm like a pro!

Here are some reminders of all the fun:

Faisal & Heela were so busy having a good time that they didn’t want to be bogged down taking posed portraits. I must admit I don’t blame them – it was some party! I managed to tie them down and get in a few shots. Introducing the newly-married-gorgeous-couple:

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Pre-celebration blessings:

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The amazing ambiance:

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The bride & groom’s decorative seats for the evening:

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One of the many traditional gifts given to the bride & groom from family members:

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Another wonderful tradition – henna is applied to the palm for good luck and happiness – on the bride:

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…and all guests:

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Congratulatory hug from the father-of-the bride:

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Some more lovely details:

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Now it’s time for the fun to really begin!

The first of many dances between Faisal & Heela:

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Heela looking radiant as always:

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The rest of the gorgeous guests join in on the fun. All the ladies wore such beautiful dresses:

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There goes Heela looking good again:

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Faisal looking just as good and showing he’s got some moves himself:

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The night winds down, but the love never ends!

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To see more of images a slideshow from the wedding click on the link here: Faisal & Heela SLIDESHOW!

jennifer & ruben: wedding

October 19, 2007

“a sorta fairytale”

The garden terrace of the Hilton Hotel in San Gabriel, CA had been transformed on October 14, 2007 into exactly how Jennifer always dreamed her wedding day would look. There was a beautiful white gazebo set as the centerpiece for this grand event, with 100 chairs of pink and white lined up and a quiet fountain brought a sweet serenity to the afternoon ceremony. Aside from all the charming details, it had the essence of what makes a traditional Chinese wedding so special: family, family and more family! Family was all present throughout the terrace, grinning ear-to-ear and ringing with sounds of happiness and laughter. Jennifer & Ruben were exactly the same way – they had not stopped smiling since the moment they woke up on this blessed day. (I’m also convinced Jennifer was born with a mega-watt smile on her face =)). It was the day they had both been waiting for – the day their fairytale was brought to life. Jennifer & Ruben – thank you for letting me be a part of such a special day!Here’s a recap of the magical afternoon:

The enchanting elements:
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The father walking his beautiful daughter down the aisle:
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The scene:
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Some more charming details:
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Jennifer and her endless glow:
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The tea-ceremony done a lil’ non-traditionally =):
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jason & tereza: wedding

October 9, 2007

“simple twist of fate”

I was more than thrilled when I received the opportunity to shoot with one of Denver’s finest, James Christianson for Jason & Tereza’s wedding in beautiful Manhattan Beach, CA on September 22, 2007. James is a pleasure to work with and displays the utmost in professionalism.In his heart-moving speech, Jason called his meeting of Tereza during Oktoberfest in Manhattan Beach a few years ago “an act of faith“. It would be years later that Jason & Tereza would became and husban-and-wife in front of 150 family and friends, all of which who could not be happier to witness this fateful union. The father-of-the-bride and the father-of-the-groom both spoke such tender words about their children that I nearly cried while working my Canon. Luckily I held it together and was able to capture some of these highlights of this memorable day:

Such as this moment of tenderness between the bride & groom: AJ4
The scene:
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And the stunning details:
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The ring bearer – he’s such a cutie!
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Jason & Tereza had a great idea of having a photobooth where guests could take pictures of themselves and use the pictures to write a special message to the couple:

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At the urge of Jason & Tereza, I took a quick break from shooting and joined in on the fun (yes that’s me!):
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And the finale:
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