Best of 2008...engagements

Engagement session are some of my favorite photos. It's the perfect time to get to know my new clients, have a fun and relaxed photo shoot, around amazing places....good clean fun.

Here's a tip for brides to be out there....if you can't afford your favorite photographer for your wedding, schedule an engagement session with them. You get photos you love and aren't paying the full wedding price. Just a thought.

enjoy!

All about the dogs...Jody and Andrew | Margarita

So Jody, Andrew and I hit it of instantly on the topic of dogs, and how much we love ours!!! Wilbur and Templeton were the co-stars of their engagement session we shot here on the Central Coast. They simply loved having their photo taken, riding in the back of the pickup - not so high on their list. Jody and Andrew will be tying the knot with a Paso Robles wedding next May at Meridian Winery. Congratulations you guys!













Andrew being a goof ball...Jody looking timeless and beautiful.



San Luis Obispo weddings

Central Coast wedding photography

Nicole + Jamie | San Francisco

Nicole and Jamie and quite possibly the sweetest couple around. We met up on Sunday after our wedding in the Bay Area....and had a fabulous and fun time! Here are a few of my favorites - including the "grassy knoll!"

Natalie + Carson + Ella :: SLO town | Central Coast

Natalie had this awesome idea to have their e-session be totally "central coast" themed based. So we made a list and hit up several common places they might like to go. Like a lot of my clients, Natalie and Carson met in San Luis Obispo, so when they got engaged, it was natural they wanted their wedding somewhere on the Central Coast, they are getting married in October at one my of favorite venues, Santa Margarita Ranch. We hit up downtown, a pub, bubble gum alley (of course), Mission Plaza, a winery, and to top off our hard work, we ended up with desert (and orange juice - you've gotta have their OJ) at the Madonna Inn.

So, we had SO much fun, I think this is something I'm going to offer for future couples. If you'd like to book your adventure photo safari, let me know... I will guaranteed good times and awesome images!

Thanks Natalie, Carson & Ella, can't wait for October!

Ella was named after "ella" street here in SLO.

Nyssa + Danny | Canyon Lake, CA

Nyssa and Danny are engaged to be married this coming September, down in Temecula at South Coast Winery. I am SO excited for them and their wedding, not only because of how natural they are in front of the camera, but because their families know how to throw a party! This means great snaps for them and us. Plus Nyssa's dad is an added bonus, he comes as a photo assistant! Well, not really.... I shot Nyssa's sister's wedding (Kyla + Chad) a few years back, and I've never had a dad assistant in the family photos at all, much less in baseball style. He was all over it and cracking me up! It was the most fun family portraits of all time.....all in a world record time.

Last week I was down in S CA for several photo session, theirs being one. It was during that hot spell.....HOT it was, 103 degrees at 7pm, I'd say that qualifies for hot!

Congratulations you guys!

Danielle + Bryan | Margarita

If you know me at all, you know Dan and I spend time at the lake nearly every Sunday after weddings. Well, I've been admiring the light out at our favorite lake for several weeks now
....and I had the perfect candidates who gave me carte blanche on location, so here we are.

Bryan + Danielle are getting married in September, they have been in love for 7 years! High School sweethearts ... like we couldn't tell from the photos. Gesh, it's about time!!! (like I can talk - my story is exactly the same) Can't wait for their wedding, especially since Bryan and I convinced Danielle, she MUST go for a boat ride in the pond in front of which they are getting married....can't wait!

Graham + Julie, SLO town USA

Graham and Julie are my first ever "my space" couple! I don't know a whole lot about my space, other than it seems like another place to suck me into the computer vortex of entries and reading, so I've neglected to start one, even though I know I should.

I joked with them that Graham was "wife shopping" because ever since they met, he doesn't use my space anymore!! Haha.... We had a great time shooting engagement photos around downtown, they are native San Luis Obipsoians (new word!) and are getting married in June at the Dallidet Adobe - super stoked for me - I love that place! Congratulations Julie & Graham!

Nancy & Chris, Cayucos

It's the time of year we start cranking out engagement portraits. Nancy and Chris were a joy to get to know as we shot these beautiful photos....

Jen + Chad | Healdsburg, CA

After Jill & I made it home from Las Vegas to catch up for a day, Dan and I headed up to the Healdsburg area to shoot some engagement photos of Jennifer & Chad.

They choose the beautiful venue of Ferrai Carano Winery for their session. After doing a bit of wine tasting, we moved on to another couple of locations to finish off the session in some friendlier surroundings. Here are some of the results....











Congratulations Jenn & Chad I look forward to your wedding!

Shandi + Jason | Carmel

Being a California wedding photographer, I get to travel, and I truly enjoy, seeing and shooting at all different places around the state. Last weekend Sumer (my friend) and I headed up to Carmel to hang out, and take photos of Shandi + Jason. This weekend I'm heading to S California to shoot Nyssa + Danny and visit my family. Fun stuff!

Shandi + Jason are a very fun couple. They are getting married in Carmel Valley
and I'm so excited to shoot their wedding in May.
we thought this one was appropriate since they are both pediatric doctors....
Love this one with the umbrella....

Shannon + Quinn | San Miguel

One of my favorite spots in north county is San Miguel. There is Mission San Miguel - I'm pretty fond of Missions - so much history and old crumbly looking structures - and then there is the old Adobe - still not sure what it was used for after being there several times, but it's old and neat looking and fun to shoot at. Here are Shannon & Quinn, getting married in July at Shannon's family's ranch.....one of my favorite types of weddings - ranch wedding - music to my ears - so much FUN!

Trisha + V | Los Osos

Recently I've found myself shooting a lot of engagement sessions - so, here are some of my 2008 couples!





Trisha & V are getting married up north in July. I had a great time shooting their engagement session at a Los Osos park and Montana de Oro - it was cold and a bit yucky weather wise, but we managed to get some great shots anyway! Congratulations you two!

Molly + Laurence | Paso Robles

Molly + Laurence are getting married today!

Jaime + Jason | Ft Hunter Liggett

Jaime & Jason are ready to get married - in just one short week at Point 16 Big Sur! We hung out in 100+ degree weather and shot these engagement photos. They were real sports - especially Jason when it came to wearing a sport coat! San Antonio Mission is an awesome spot for photos located between Paso & Monterey.
The first wedding ceremony in California took place at San Antonio Mission in 1773!

Hsiaolei + Scott | Santa Cruz

Hsiaolei & Scott are getting married next month in beautiful Carmel. They live in the Bay Area and choose Santa Cruz for their engagement session, where they were engaged. Scott proposed under the Cypress tree you'll see in the background of a few of these photos. These two were a perfect 10 when it comes to expression, they were glowing with excitement and joy for their upcoming wedding. We'll be documenting their special day in just a few weeks from now and are very much looking forward to sharing in their celebration and meeting their families! Congratulations you two!

Jordan & Ryan | SJC Mission

Jordan and Ryan are a fun and beautiful couple getting married in Santa Ynez this summer. I can hardly wait for their wedding, which I know for a fact is going to be absolutely awesome not to mention totally fun!

Heather + Sean | Morro Bay

Heather & Sean, live in the Los Angeles area, but love the Central Coast. Like many of my clients, they've decided to tie the knot in this special area. The wedding will take place in June at Heather's Grandparents ranch - certain to be a beautiful backdrop - and if you've been following this blog for a while, you know ranch weddings are my favorite!

While we were on our shoot, I learned that Sean does photography as one of his hobbies and is doing an ambitious project based on Piers in California...I'm not certain of the region. The twist is, he shoots them with a pinhole camera! For those of you familiar with this type of photography, you can imagine how difficult it must be to get just the right exposure with the water reflecting all that light!

Heather and Sean also have one of the most unique wedding stories - I have to share...
When I asked them how they met, they said "through mutual friends." Then they told me that wasn't exactly the complete story...they met once, and didn't see each other again for some time. Their mutual friend was in a production and they both were invited. The production had several shows and Sean went like 5 times until Heather was there - which was the last show! He just knew that Heather was the one, is that so cool?!

Here are a few from the session we shot in the Morro Bay area...I'm like nice cars, so when we have the opportunity, we use them!

Lissa & Kent

Tis the season of engagements! When Kent and Lissa gave me the opportunity come down and shoot their e-session in the Canals at Venice Beach - where they live, I couldn't say no! I thought it sounded like fun, so in conjunction with a trip to visit my family in OC, I stopped by and we took lots of photos. We had a great time, going to the beach, going on the boat in the canals, renting bikes, meeting the infamous Harry Perry Band, who is a sly salesman I might add. Kent and Lissa are actually getting married this weekend up in Cambria - it's going to be fun & special!

By the way, if you think the color balance is off in some of these photos, you're right. Lissa and Kent are having kind of a 70's themed wedding and wanted some of their photos to have that feel, like too magenta or yellow and faded....you know, like our parent's wedding pictures!

Enjoy!
~allyson

Kandie & Jason Engaged!

Kandie and Jason have a long history together, and I think many of their friends and family would say "it's about time!" Their wedding will be held at Kandie's parents ranch in Paso Robles in May. In fact, we took these photos at the location of the wedding, where Jason is clearing an area for the ceremony and is hand-making the platform they will be standing on. He's got a special process for the wood he's going to do, I'm excited to see it!

Kandie and Jason met in high school, like Dan and myself. From personal experience I can say that there is just something extra magical about high-school sweethearts and the years they've spent growing up together.

Congratulations Kandie & Jason!
~allyson

Kimberley & Ryan

Finally! I've been experiencing major problems with my blog, and am so relieved it's back up and running!

Kimberley & Ryan are my 7.7.7 couple....for those of you who don't know, July 7th, 2007 is a crazy popular wedding day for all! I think it might be one of the most popular dates in the history of mankind. They are a very fun couple and I am quite excited to be their photographer. Kimberley's dad is actually the pastor of our church: www.abcchurch.org

It only seemed appropriate to take their engagement photos in front of a church - don't ya think!?
Until the next day!
~allyson