Oksana & Sergey's Wedding Portrait Session {Coronado San Diego Wedding Photographer}

Sergey, currently serving in the US Navy, and Oksana had a low key wedding a few months ago, but they knew they wanted some "official" wedding portraits. And preferable at the beach. So we hit the very popular, but right so, Coronado Beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado. They are self-professed clumpsy oafs, but I hardly saw any of that during our session ! I think they rocked it out and we've got a couple of models on our hands !

 

 

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Styled Bridal Session at Willow Creek Events & Ranch {Valley Center San Diego Wedding Photographer}

I have been planning this Styled Bridal Session since October of last year and it just kept being pushed back. I didn't realize how much work goes into organizing one of these until I decided to undertake one myself. I'm glad we pushed it back though, because it turned out so great ! All the vendors who signed on to add to the session rocked it out and it really was a fabulous day ! Thanks to everyone involved ! 

Venue and Decor: Willow Creek Events & Ranch

Cake: SelfExpression

Hair: Stephanie Barry - First Look Bridal Hair Design

Makeup: Stephanie Picazo

Flowers: Floral Designs by Bethany

Invitations: Custom Couture Creations

Model: Janie R.

  

 

Kristen & Steven's Presidio Park Wedding {San Diego Wedding Photographer}

This Oregon couple decided on a destination wedding in San Diego, as the bride grew up here and most of her family still live here. The day started off a big rainy and overcast, but the sun came out just in time to see this sweet couple exchange their vows. Good ol' Sunny San Diego !

Ayala Cruz Family at Balboa Park {San Diego Family Photographer}

  

It's Fusion, Baby ! {Camp Pendleton Wedding Photographer}

So, I've been hearing about "Fusion" for a while (it's a mix of video and photography), but didn't really know how to approach it ! Then, at United 2014, the awesome Karen & Isaac Stott spoke on Fusion. I didn't get to hear their talk, but read the cliffs notes from other photographers and was super keen to give it a try. So here is my first attempt. At last week's wedding, I had my assistant photographer, Stacy, shoot short video clips and I interspersed them with my photographs for this slideshow. I'm a huge fan of this new, fun medium and can't wait to continue growing in it so I can start offering it to future clients !

Ashley & Brian's Wedding {Del Mar Beach Resort Camp Pendleton Wedding Photographer}

This adorable, pocket-sized couple met in their home state of Colorado, but not even Brian's living in California could keep them apart ! The dated long distance for a while before Ashley moved to California to join Brian, who was serving in the Marine Corps. These newlyweds are now off to start their new life across the country in North Carolina ! Best wishes to you and your two pups !

And here are just a few of their photos:

BellaDiva Baking - Trials and Errors {San Diego Wedding Photographer}

At the Shoot & Share United 2014 conference in February, Kaitlin Hebert talked about gifting your clients. I've been doing this for a while but just recently though about more branded ways to do it. Edible logo cookies sounded good ! And who doesn't like cookies ?!

The problem is that I don't really cook or bake that much. Cue the BellaDiva Mom ! She is always willing to let me destroy her house with a sewing, cooking or baking project ! My dad walked in half way through the project though and wondered why we weren't messing up the kitchen at MY house ! LOL
I ordered the logo frosting sheets from Edible Printing and got everything else at Michaels, except the ingredients of course ! 
By the end of the night, I was covered in sticky frosting and baking flour but he cookies looked cute. However, the border didn't dry and got all smushed and I ran out of pink sugar crystals ! So it's back to square one and Batch #2. 

Here's a short little video/slideshow of our evening !

The "First Look" from a BellaDiva Bride's perspective {San Diego Wedding Photographer}

Kris & Eric were married a couple of weeks ago and they chose to have a "First Look". Kris was kind enough to take some time and tell us why they chose the First Look route and why you should do the same. 

Reasons for having a "First Look" on your wedding day:

• It helps with the logistics of your wedding day
• It gives you the chance for a special bonding moment. 
• Relieves your nerves
• More time for photos
• You can spend more time with your guests after the ceremony.