Tuscany Engagement Shoot | Lily + Steven

Tuscany Pre-Wedding Portraits

The day before Lily and Steven’s wedding in Italy we headed out to the Siena countryside for their Tuscany engagement shoot. While I researched different locations I wanted to find something that looked unequivocally Italian. Located not far from their wedding venue is the Abbey of San Galgano. I knew as soon as I saw it that this would be the perfect spot for Lily and Steven’s photos. Dating back to the 13th century, this gothic-styled monastery set the perfect backdrop for us to capture their portraits.

Upon stepping foot onto the grounds, we felt like we were transported back in time. There’s just something about classic architecture that brings joy and inspiration. Luckily for us, it was quite empty that day so we took our time exploring the property. We walked through the ancient halls and under the stone archways supported by the massive pillars. We imagined what it was like for the monks who lived and worked here so many hundreds of years ago. It was truly a humbling experience for us all.

Lily stunned in a green strapless dress and Steven donned a navy suit minus the tie for a truly relaxed European look. After exploring all of the areas inside of the abbey we headed to the backside where the sun was doing some truly magical things. In a field just beyond the abbey was a spotlight in the grass where the sun passed through an old broken window. Lily and Steven took a step into the beam and were enveloped in the most beautiful warm light.

After the sun dipped behind the abbey we headed back to our cars and were on our way to greet family and friends back at Conti Di San Bonifacio for their welcome dinner.

Greystone Mansion Engagement | Joyce + Adam

Greystone Mansion Engagement

Joyce and Adam flew out from New York to capture their session at the historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. Their Greystone Mansion engagement session has everything that makes my heart happy- a stylish couple madly in love, a stunning location, and beautiful light.

Joyce stunned in a gorgeous multicolored Gucci chiffon dress and Adam donned a classic navy suit. The pair complemented one another perfectly. We met down in the courtyard of the grounds and began our session photographing around the fountain. We slowly made our way around the property, making sure to stop by the koi pond and lastly arriving at the back terrace. From there, we enjoyed gorgeous views of downtown Los Angeles and these two had a chance to practice their first dance for the wedding.

After capturing our photos around the mansion, we headed upstairs to the top of the property to visit the iconic cypress walk. Normally, this location is covered with tourists but we had the entire place to ourselves. We walked among the fountains and in between the cypress trees. Joyce and Adam shared lots of laughs and kisses as they walked together hand in hand.

Our last stop on the property was the upper terrace that overlooked the entire grounds. It was there that we visited the stone staircase that ascended to the main lawn.

Look Two

We made time for a quick outfit change before we moved to our next location and then headed out. Joyce’s second look was a gorgeous patterned white dress and tan Louboutin heels. Adam decided to forgo the sports coat and instead wore a checkered button-up and jeans.

Downtown

After leaving the estate, we drove down the hill to chase the remaining minutes of daylight and capture our remaining photos around downtown Beverly Hills. These two were the absolute sweetest and I can’t wait to see them next year when they tie the knot in upstate New York.

Dress | Gucci
Heels | Louboutin
Venue | Greystone Mansion
Film Lab | Richard Photo Lab with Fuji 400H

Sutro Bath Engagement | Mina + Joe

I’ve wanted to capture a Sutro Bath engagement for quite some time now. When Mina + Joe told me they wanted to have their photos taken in San Francisco I knew exactly where we were going and was beyond excited. Upon flying into SFO, I received an immediate greeting from that brisk Bay Area breeze that I had been missing. I hopped in the car with Mina + Joe and we were off for our day in the city together. On our drive into SF, we talked about the coolest international school trips these two had taken during college, their love of skateboarding, and Joe’s secret rapping skills. We stopped off at a little Mexican restaurant before the shoot to fuel up and I enjoyed one of the best chorizo breakfast burritos I’ve ever had.

We arrived at the Sutro Baths early to walk around and do some scouting. Besides the cold weather, we had the good fortune of enjoying clear skies and little to no wind. Mina + Joe brought with them some great-looking outfits that were perfectly suited for San Fran and the Sutro Baths set the perfect backdrop for the two. Mina’s first outfit was a gorgeous blush dress with beautiful crocheted detail complimented by Joe who kept it clean and casual.

Being that this was their first time to the baths, I wanted to ensure that Mina + Joe got to see everything and really take it in. To get the full experience, we walked over the rocks along the Pacific, explored an old cave, and even ventured into an off-limits zone that offered us a gorgeous, almost 100-year-old brick staircase. Mina’s flowing white dress contrasted beautifully with the warm rocks around her and Joe made sure to hug her tight and keep her warm from the cool evening breeze rolling in.

As the sun began to dip and the warm golden light of the evening approached we made our way back up to the overlook above the baths. During the last few moments of the day Mina + Joe showed off their skateboarding skills and watched the sunset together. Working with couples as sweet and in love as these two is what truly makes me love what I do the most and I can’t wait to see them tie the knot next year!

Scanning + Developing | The FIND Lab

Malibu Engagement | Crystal + Ross

Crystal and Ross flew all the way out from Houston to head up PCH with me for a Malibu Engagement session. From the moment that I met these two I knew that our session together was going to be nothing short of amazing. Their style is timeless and they have such fun personalities. Crystal started the session off in a gorgeous sky blue gown from Rent the Runway and Ross kept it semi-casual with loafers and a plaid jacket. Crystal and Ross’s impeccable style inspired me to capture the most beautiful photos from their session.

As we walked around the park we had a blast talking about their wedding plans and how the two of them met. While we chased light I took the two of them to my favorite oak tree nestled in the middle of the park. We arrived at the perfect time of day when the tree was enveloped in warm sunlight and the grass was golden yellow. We captured the most beautiful photos of them climbing around the tree and romping through the tall grass.

The love between these two was palpable. Throughout their gallery, the affection that these two have for one another can be felt. Crystal later changed into a loose-fitting white collared dress and absolutely killed it in her photos sitting across the tree branch. As the sun began to dip behind the Malibu hills and the evening chill enveloped us Crystal and Ross got cozy and shared some sweet kisses in the tall grass. When day turned into night we made our way out of the empty park and back to our cars.

It’s so exciting that I get to see these two later this year when I have the honor of capturing their wedding at the Iconic Pelican Hill Resort.

As seen in Magnolia Rouge.

Photography | Alex W Photography
Film Lab | Richard Photo Lab

Santa Barbara Engagement | Joanna + Ryan

Santa Barbara Engagement

This dreamy Santa Barbara engagement session has everything I could hope for from working with a couple. I had the pleasure of photographing an incredibly fun (and ridiculously good-looking) pair of human beings that are head-over-heels in love with one another. We had the pleasure of traveling to one of my favorite Central Coast locations- the Santa Barbara sand dunes. From my first meeting with Joanna and Ryan, we hit it off immediately. I loved bouncing ideas off of one another for the most epic place we could travel to for their engagement session. As soon as they saw another session I had done earlier at a separate set of dunes they were sold.

It was cool and overcast on the day we met. The sun was hidden behind the clouds but we had the softest, most beautiful light to play with. The sand dunes were a 25-minute walk from the parking lot where we rendezvoused so as we headed over to our first location of the day we chatted about their wedding plans, favorite recipes they cook for one another, and all of their upcoming travels.

Joanna & Ryan’s outfits were wonderfully classy and timeless. Joanna rocked a stunning white off-the-shoulder dress white beautiful gold adornments on the arm and Ryan looked like he walked straight out of a movie with his button-down white shirt and Hollywood quality hair. Upon arriving at the dunes we were greeted with a seemingly endless rolling landscape that we had entirely to ourselves. The wind was calm and you could hear the seagulls off in the distance. It was pure magic. As we ran around the dunes together I captured endless amounts of kisses, sweet embraces, and full-on belly laughs. They just made it too easy for me!

We ended the session with a brisk romp in the Pacific and then headed back to our cars before we lost the last bit of daylight. I had the absolute best time with these two at their Santa Barbara engagement at the sand dunes and I can’t wait for their wedding later this year.