After setting up everything, Maile and I were able to chat and we discussed getting together for a morning where I could come into her bakery and take some photos of more goodies, but also the works of a pastry chef.  As a Cordon Bleu pastry chef, you can see the love and attention to detail that Maile puts into her creations.  It was a day filled with cake pops, macarons, cookies, and cakes!  Not only was I able to capture Maile in her element, but also the final products and smell the wonderful scents coming out of the kitchen.

Maile caters for all events – big or small – and loves putting together colorful spreads of pastry delights.  It was so much fun photographing an element of food – I love food! – and I cannot wait to stop by again to photograph more delectable pastries!

Maile’s Fine Pastries

25o1 Colorado Blvd.

Eagle Rock, CA 90041

Dessert Table Photos from Adriana + Jeff’s Wedding:

I met Adriana and Jeff last year for their engagement session and even now, I remember how creative and fun their photos were.  With their wedding, though, they took it up at least ten notches!  There was inspiration and careful detail everywhere, although the two made it look completely effortless!  It was a photographer’s dream – from their centerpieces with birdcages, incorporation of music in their favors, specially crafted bouquets made from corn husks, to the hand-drawn design on the umbrella and wedding tree.  The vintage inspired elements to their wedding suited Adriana and Jeff well and the day was about capturing their artistry and creativity, but also their love for each other.

From the moment we started, it was definitely a celebration of their love.  Adriana and Jeff had such a sweet first look – smiles and an intimate hug – and the day progressed with capturing just the two of them.  There were plenty of laughs as we started off at Exposition Park and roamed the Natural History Museum at some of their favorite exhibits before having their family and friends witness the blessing of the rings and insertion of cards/letters into a wine box that Adriana and Jeff will read each year during their anniversary.  These additions to their wedding truly made it one of a kind.

From start to finish, Adriana and Jeff had an amazing wedding.  And you could not end the night on a better note than with a dessert bar – yummy pastries, pies, and cookies and milk on display! – and dancing.  Congratulations, Adriana and Jeff; it was a lovely wedding and a joy to be a part of it!

Love, love, love all the details at Adriana and Jeff’s wedding!

The finished wedding tree guest book.  Can you believe Jeff made this himself?  Amazing!

Amanda took into consideration every little detail – the hanger which held her wedding gown (which was absolutely adorable!), the flowers and minute rhinestone detail around her bouquet, a picture of Mickey and Minnie with well wishes (She loves Disneyland!), a candy buffet with treats galore (including individual cupcakes that looked divine!), and sparklers for the big send off.  It was a joy photographing these elements, but also every other moment as Amanda and Michael started their new life together.

Congratulations again, Amanda and Michael!  It was wonderful being a part of the entire day and then taking more photos on the Vegas strip with the two you, despite the cold and wee late hours.  It was especially fun afterwards grabbing a pizza at the secret location in Cosmopolitan!  To see the two of you happy at the end of the night definitely shows why you are meant to be.

Check out Amanda and Michael’s fun photo booth pictures.

I loved this moment – Amanda’s anticipation as she rode in the limo, headed to the venue, and anxiously awaiting walking down the aisle to her future husband.

Amanda and Michael were definitely troopers after an early morning and enjoying the night with their guests.  We roamed around Aria, Cosmopolitan, and the strip to get some shots of the lovely couple.

I’m a romantic at heart and when I heard the story of Lena + Barry, there was just this sigh of content.  They met 10 years ago, when Barry was stationed in North Carolina.  A chance encounter at church started the path of their relationship, but after Barry got out of the Army and moved back to Los Angeles, the long distance relationship was difficult.  Lena and Barry broke up, but then, in May 2010, Lena visited Los Angeles while on vacation with her friends and called Barry to see if he would like to have dinner.  And that is when it all picked up again.  This time, though, it wasn’t going to be a long distance relationship; Lena moved to L.A.

Can you not see how this is the sweetest gesture and ultimate commitment to love? So on their 10 year anniversary of their first date, October 8th, Barry proposed.  He wasn’t going to let her slip away again and happily, Lena said yes.

This story feels simply like a fairytale.  I loved hearing it, especially from Barry’s point of view, and cannot wait to capture the big day in April!

I love to be inspired.  And that is what happened during the engagement session with Adriana and Jeff.  They are an artsy, cool funk couple who brought along a handmade, crafty, garden inspired sign (showcasing their wedding date), a guitar, and an umbrella.  I was ecstatic that there were props (just because I haven’t worked with such a variation before) and was quite giddy that Jeff made the sign – he intently placed the flowers and he made and cut all the numbers himself!  That is where my inspiration came from.

Adriana and Jeff wanted to incorporate aspects of their lives into the engagement session – Adriana is a teacher while Jeff is a musician – so I was able to capture him strumming his guitar and trying to teach Adriana how to play.  The lesson might not have gone too far, but there were some nice laughs in between.  I loved that they brought ideas of their own – having the American Gothic look – while also being open to exploring Cal Tech’s campus, which has beautiful architecture and design.

It was a wonderful afternoon getting to know Adriana and Jeff more and capturing their relationship.  We had a good “scare” when a praying mantis wanted to join them in their photos, especially when it went into a defensive position when Jeff tried to gently move the little fellow to the grass.  There were many laughs and the light-hearted mood and atmosphere made it easy to see why Adriana and Jeff found each other.

Congratulations again, Adriana and Jeff!  It was wonderful to meet the two of you.  Good luck this school year, Adriana, and maybe I will catch you on the road, Jeff!

I love to meet couples who exude an air of sweetness.  Amanda and Michael are that couple – kind, easy going, and laidback.  Even after driving six hours – they live in Las Vegas – and getting ready in the wee hours of the morning – hair and make-up done prior to the engagement session – Amanda and Michael were excited and cheerful despite the lack of sleep.  On top of that, that particular Saturday morning was excruiatingly hot and still, they were all smiles!  Together we beared through the change of plans and the (at times unbearable) heat.  I was able to learn more about the two of them – the proposal at Disneyland, both of them finishing up their schooling, their wedding plans – while capturing their love behind the camera.

Congratulations again, Amanda and Michael!  It was good to finally meet the two of you after corresponding through email and hopefully, the next time you two are down in Southern California, you will be able to visit Disneyland in some nice, normal California weather!

The relationship started out as a friendship, Daana and Cory meeting through a mutual friend.  He would ride his motorcycle up (and slightly across) from Arizona to California and at the time, you have to wonder if Cory knew there was something more, that the friendship would progress into a companionship where the two would share an enjoyment of freediving and a puppy that would symbolize their future together.

I love hearing proposal stories and Daana and Cory’s involves that said puppy.  Daana was looking to get a dog and one day, she arrived home to a brand new puppy.  The catch was there was a note attached: “Marry me.”  So in front of her family, Cory proposed to Daana.  The part of the story that both Daana and Cory laugh at is when Daana tried to take the note off in order to keep it, but the puppy was too busy trying to eat the note.  Since then it has been Daana, Cory, and their new addition to the family.

Even though it was breezy and a bit on the chilly side, it was a fun session at Santa Monica beach with Daana and Cory.  We were able to talk more about their wedding – they are having a reception in Utah first and then one here in California – and I was able to witness more of the duo – Daana is the more bubbly one while Cory is a bit more shy.  They bring out the best in each other and you can see it when Daana looks fondly at Cory and Cory has a serene smile as he looks at his bride-to-be.

Congratulations again, Daana and Cory!  You two are a lovely couple and it was wonderful sharing an evening out on the beach and pier!

The sunset was absolutely stunning…and super romantic!

After our journey on the beach, we headed up the stairs to have some fun on the pier.  There was no luck on the rings game, but Daana and Cory had a good laugh trying to win a gigantic stuffed animal.

Back in February when we saw Joe Romero perform his Anti-Valentine’s Day stand-up routine, he mentioned that I could come along to any of his weddings to second shoot for him.  I thought it was a generous offer, especially since it would help in learning hands on the time it takes to get all the necessary shots – ceremony, family shots – while balancing out the photojournalistic style.  So this past Saturday, I was able to accompany Joe to Leticia and Daniel’s wedding.  Even though I was a stranger, Leticia welcomed me as she was getting ready for her big day.  Her hair and make-up were getting the final touches before she stepped into her fluttering, layered wedding dress.  It was a breathtaking moment before the hustle of jumping into the limosine to head to Our Lady of Soledad where Daniel, standing at the back of the church, awaited his bride.

Despite not understanding the ceremony (conducted all in Spanish), you could still feel the beauty of the music, singing, and feel the words that were addressed to Leticia and Daniel.  The idea of commitment, love, and mutual understanding was clear and the joy and happiness were evident in each set of parents’ eyes.  When the ceremony ended, there were plenty of hugs, kisses, and congratulations.  Shortly after, the wedding party headed over to Pasadena for photos and portraits before the celebration continued at the Rococo Room.

Joe, thank you so much again for letting me second shoot at Leticia and Daniel’s wedding.  It was a wonderful learning experience and I hope to work with you again very soon!  Leticia and Danny, congratulations again and I wish the two of you a lifetime of happiness!

I loved the vibrant colors of the wedding along with the recurring image of the bride and groom pictured below.

Loved, loved, loved the bright yellows and blues!

Thanks for entertaining my photo ideas, Brother and Vivian, and thanks again for participating in the madness!

I love them both very much and am grateful that they let me practice some shots with them.  Thanks for the support and I hope you two have fun celebrating your anniversary!