Daija & Stravon.......

I love exploring the connection between two people. The way they interact, the way they look at each other, all speaks volumes of love and devotion. When I first met Daija and Stravon, I could feel that deep connection. They found their love in High School, so they have this comfort between them that is so apparent. What you also sense though is the deep love for each other. The way she holds his head while kissing him, the way he asks her to tilt her head so he could kiss her softly on the forehead, all amazing moments between two people in love. As a photographer, I feel it is so important not just to make an amazing image, but also to explore those connections.

Daija and Stravon braved the warm weather on Sunday to show off their love in beautiful Claremont. Daija’s sister Donni, who helped to set up my own connection with the couple, also came along with her two beautiful daughters (and really cute dog!). After so many emails, it was great to finally meet her!

Thank you Daija and Stravon for a wonderful afternoon and for keeping it cool!

Friends for life........

Saturday's wedding was so special for me. Not only was one of my best friends getting married to his wonderful soulmate, but I also got to see some of my closest fraternity brothers. We don't see each other that often but we have a bond that connects everyone of us. Fraternities get so much bad press, (mainly due to Hollywood stereotypes and a few real life stupid incidents) but for me it was one of the best decisions I made in college. Good friends are hard to come by and when you get them you have to hold on to them, because life is about keeping those you love close. I know I have been negligent in my friendship duties (something about all my weekends being taken up!) but I hope to change that this year.

Participation was as expected, "coffee" in the parking lot before the wedding, random outbursts of loudness, and the unprecedented move of hiring the Mariachi band from the Quinceañera down the hall to serenade the bride and groom. Only at one of "our weddings"

Joel and Kim were awesome because before they hired us, they made us promise to put down our cameras and participate in the festivities. We gladly obliged! So even though we are getting older, couldn't finish the keg of Newcastle, and Gil ended up on the floor by the end of the night, as Marlene pointed out even though we are separated by distance, every time we get together it's like we've never been apart.

Moving on up........

Even though she had her goggles on upside down, Zoe finished her first swim class with flying colors! She was promoted to a Sailor II and Ray was promoted to a Navigtor III!

Kim & Joel.....

Beautiful craziness is the only way I can describe Joel and Kim's wedding! Of course the bride looked stunning in her gown and the groom was pretty fly also, but after the beautiful ceremony, the reception was nothing but fun! From pre-wedding horse racing, to certain guests hiring a Mariachi band from the Quinceañera down the hall to serenade the newleyweds, to a sweet dance number, their wedding day is not one to be forgotten anytime soon.

Truth be told, their wedding was extra special because Joel is one of my fraternity brothers and best friends. We've been roommates, traveled together, golfed together and got into all types of craziness, but I can honestly say Kim is the best thing to ever touch Joel's life. She is an amazing woman and they make the cutest couple!

Hope you guys are having fun in Maui, have a Mai Tai for Marlene and I and we all have a date at Warehouse Pizza when you get back!!!

Music and extreme funness provided by Tom of California Sounds.

p.s. To all my fraternity brothers, check back later for the "other" pictures!