I just adore this little girl. Despite shooting under the pier, going to the beach for the first time, the crowds, the noise...she was amazing-I had the best time yesterday. We did a combination family and engagement sitting in Santa Monica-ending up at Shutters because when I heard that they got engaged at One Pico we had to do something with Shutters (I'm emailing them that one). :-) Despite the awful weather (I think we had 15 minutes of sunshine before the fog came, and stayed) we got some great photos...I LOVE the way you guys interact with each other; it's so natural (and lucky for me, looks great on camera).

Brian and I are really looking forward to your wedding in a couple of weeks-see you soon.

Karen Leah on 08.23.09 @ 04:54 PM PST [link]

EEEEEE! I dont know where to start. The wedding was at one of my favorite venues: the Odyssey, had a beautiful purple color scheme (I tried talking Brian into that...it didn't go over that well), one of my favorite officiants Rabbi Barry, and and one of my favorite families-ever. Steve was the third brother who's wedding I was lucky enough (no matter how hard of time you all give me I *really* mean that) to get to photograph. I met Steve and Lisa through Chris and Michelle (who also introduced me to Russ and Justine).

I'm kind of sad he's the last of the brothers...like, I know we all give each other a hard time the more we see each other-but you guys really make me laugh and I just got comfortable enough to be myself around all of you-snorting laughs and all... I'm going to miss you guys. :-(

(Also, this family has some of the cutest, sweetest kids ever...seriously; like, the kind that really make you want to have kids).

Steve and Lisa; thank you for everything. For making us feel comfortable, for making us placecards with lollypops, for making us laugh, for making sure we had dinner, and for just making us feel genuinely welcome-I can't tell you how much we truly, truly appreciate that.

Karen Leah on 08.20.09 @ 07:45 PM PST [link]

As I was blogging Steve and Lisa's wedding, I realized that I didn't put up some beautiful photos from their second engagement sitting. The first one we did was fantastic-it was fun and incorporated the family; but, at the end of the sitting I said that if they wanted to do something with *just* them, I'd love to do another sitting...and thankfully they took me up on it.

Parents: Make sure you get photos of just the two of you at some point. Too many time I do family sessions and hear something like "these are the first photos of us in AGES..." We had a great time wandering around the UCLA Sculpture Garden and it made for some beautiful additions to their wedding guest book.













Just scroll up to see the wedding!

Karen Leah on 08.20.09 @ 07:27 PM PST [link]

I love it when couple's see each other before the wedding...but, there's something to be said for being very traditional; there's something beautiful in it. Marian and Jose didn't only wait to see each other at the ceremony; they made sure that nobody even saw Marian until she entered the church. I can't believe how cool and completely calm she was before the ceremony; she was ready early and just let us have complete free reign over the place (thank you)!

And up until a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea this place even existed. They had their wedding at St. Anthony's which is a stunning Croatian Church right in the middle of Chinatown. And the reception hall...you would never know it was there! From the church hall entry way; there is a beautiful set of doors that leads to this massive, and gorgeous, reception hall-it was really a joy to not only get to photograph here-but to spend the day with these two!

BTW: I can't take credit for those amazing shots of Marian and her dad...those are Brian. And sweet photo of Jose and his mom? Yeah...him too. (sigh)

Karen Leah on 08.13.09 @ 08:04 PM PST [link]

I just got this in my inbox and couldn't stop smiling.

Karen Leah on 08.10.09 @ 04:32 PM PST [link]

OK, so, not only did these two not mind falling into the sand (my fault), getting completely soaked (uh, my fault again) and were up for anything (hey, guys, look at this storm drain!), but they drove, what was probably well over an hour (and probably double that on the way home) to Leo Carrillo State Beach for the sunset...and I'm so glad they did because this is probably one of my favorite sittings. I promise-on the wedding day: no dirt, no getting wet and no storm drains...but for now, thank you so much!!!

Karen Leah on 08.05.09 @ 10:56 PM PST [link]