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engagment photographer Malibu

Aaron + Cristina’s Thousand Oaks / Malibu Engagement Session

August 2, 2013 Brides, Wedding Photography vinny

We are so excited to be a part of Aaron & Cristina’s wedding day! What an amazing couple filled with love and excitement for one another! Their engagement session took place in two places. We Started the engagement session at Gardens of the World in Thousands Oaks , Ca . This was truly an amazing place. It was a slight representation of their wedding say in Chicago, which is also taking place in a garden. The second location was in beautiful Malibu , Ca . They wanted an editorial vibe with a setting sun and a beautiful California beach as their setting.We loved the images we captured here! Feel free to share with friends or pin or your favorite social network!

engagment photographer Malibu

engagment photographer Malibu

engagment photographer Malibu

engagment photographer Malibu

engagment photographer Malibu

engagment photographer Thousand Oaks

engagment photographer Thousand Oaks

engagment photographer Thousand Oaks

engagment photographer Thousand Oaks

wedding photographer Ojai

Best Wedding Venues in Ojai , Ca

February 23, 2013 Brides, Wedding Photography vinny

wedding photographer Ojai

For many brides choosing a venue for their ceremony and reception is one of the greatest decisions she will make for her long-imagined wedding day.  The venue chosen will have to be beautiful, unique, located in a mild weather location and accommodate all of her wedding guests.  Some of the most sought after locations for weddings are located in beautiful and private Ojai, CA.

One of the most unique venues is The Ranch House.  For accommodations of up to 140 guests, you could book this stunning venue offering colorful gardens, cozy settings and a delicious menu to serve to reception guests.  A weekend wedding at The Ranch House would be a memorable natural setting for all to enjoy.

Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a location that will offer the bride, groom, wedding party and any guests the chance to unwind, relax and escape before the “big day.” All will feel pampered and treated as a priority while at the beautiful Inn.

When choosing Ojai, CA as the city for your destination wedding, keeping in mind your guests and overnight accommodations will be a priority.  Lavender Inn Bed and Breakfast is a classic setting to host your wedding.  The beautiful Inn will meet all of your needs and expectations while the scenery and surrounding views will create feelings of tranquility.

Among its stunning elevated location, surrounded by blue skies and green mountains, Ojai is an escape worthy of any bride’s wedding fantasy.  The city offers old world charm and countless spas and inns.  It is located 60 miles from Los Angeles, CA and minutes from the beautiful beaches of Ventura and Santa Barbara.  If you are looking to book a venue for your upcoming wedding Ojai has much to offer.

Open Iris Photography is located in Downtown Camarillo, Ca with a beautiful and spacious studio.

Ojai Wedding Photographer , Ojai Celebrity Photographer , Celebrity Weddings

Why you must get married in Santa Barbara ! Santa Barbara Weddings!

August 7, 2012 Brides, Clients vinny

wedding photographer santa barbara

One of the most beautiful settings considered to be a mecca for all things luxurious and historical is the spectacular Santa Barbara Coast.  Amazing promenades, boutiques, renowned restaurants, scenic views and Spanish tiles are trademarks in the historical city.  Famous people looking for an escape, local residents, surf extraordinaire and weekend vacationers soak in the beauty and fresh coastal air of Santa Barbara.  Among all of the amazing amenities that the city has to offer it is also among one of the most highly desired places to wed.

Santa Barbara Weddings are popular because they can vary greatly from couple to couple.  While one bride may have in mind an ocean view from an opulent hotel as her venue, another may dream of a relaxed beach wedding with a sunset backdrop.  There are many park and garden settings that are available to book for weddings, as well.  With the cool coastal air and the clear skies Santa Barbara provides the ideal wedding atmosphere.

The best wedding photographer can find beauty in almost any scene.  However, your wedding will be inundated with endless photographic beauty if you chose to host your wedding near the stunning beaches of this California coast.  Guests will enjoy the hillside views, local eateries, extensive shopping venues as well as taking bike rides along the beach paths as you plan every detail for your impending wedding.

Once you find your venue and have arranged your wedding date, seek out your Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer.  Research photographers, explore their websites, online portfolios and arrange a meeting to discuss your particular event.  A professional wedding photographer will be able to answer all of your questions and to ease any of your wedding photography concerns.

Regardless of if your wedding will be witnessed by a few close relatives or a few hundred honored guests, Santa Barbara will be the city to consider hosting your event in.  Seek out your venue, and a professional photographer to ensure that your wedding will be gorgeous and beautifully documented.  Then you can enjoy all the city has to offer as you enjoy pre-wedding schedules with guests…who knows, you may be captivated by the city’s charm and choose to stay for your Honeymoon?

Why Engagement Photography Matters! A Bride’s Perspective…

August 1, 2012 Brides, Wedding Photography vinny

Engagement photo

Photography has progressed remarkably in the recent decade.  Cookie cutter poses, matching sweaters and faux backgrounds are all a thing of the past.  The perfectly angled chins, crossed knees and modeled hands appear, just as they are, to be staged and plagued with a lack of natural sentiment.  Today, photographs taken at the hands of professionals can truly depict a story.  Photography transports portrait observers to the setting, we imagine the climate, feelings, and love shared between the subjects in the framed photos.

Engagement photography is one of the most extraordinary photographic occasions in a couple’s life.  Candid Polaroid pics, cell phone snap shots, and photo booth images are common place when it comes to recording a pair in love’s relationship.  For engaged couples about to embark on a married existence, professional engagement photographers offer sessions that are a highly desired commodity.

Imagine professional pictures of you and your fiancé hanging on your wall or mantle.  They tell a story of romance, affection and the comfort of a love shared.  These are often the last portraits of a twosome before their wedding; before the well-rehearsed vows, pressure of a perfect kiss, perfect dance, uniting of incomes, furniture and family.

Wedding photographers are an essential part of a bride and groom’s big day.  They provide the married couple, their family and friends with the opportunity to remember this highly celebrated and honored day for years to come.  An expert photographer with an impressive portfolio will likely be a sizable expense when it comes to a wedding budget; however they are providing an essential service and skill.  If you are concerned that engagement photography may not play into your wedding budget, don’t lose hope.  Often times quality photographers will offer clients packaged deals when they book multiple options: engagement photos and wedding coverage or wedding and videography.

Top 5 Summer Wedding Trends

May 30, 2012 Brides vinny
This summer wedding trends are fun, romantic and leaving lasting impressions on guests. Wedding fashions change over the years, this season, is all about composure. Whether you are mixing old and new, white with color, or classy with fun, be sure to keep everything balanced.
Here are 5 Details Your Summer Wedding Shouldn’t Be Without:
Sweet Carts- Most people love wedding cake. It is big, beautifully decorated, and it tastes delicious…but this year, opt for a down-sized classic cake complimented by sweet carts. Hired waiters can serve guests delectable individual servings of classic desserts: mousse, crème Brule, tiramisu, petite cakes, tarts, and cake pops. Guests can socialize while they enjoy various samples from the passing carts. Once the wedding cake is served, portions can be dramatically lessened, saving on both cake cost and wasted left-overs.
Savory Favors- Even when the ceremony is over guests can still enjoy your wedding favors. Instead of offering guests a handful of Jordan almonds or a tea-light candle with your monogram, leave them savory treats to satisfy their sweet tooth. Caramel apples, chocolate truffles, dipped strawberries or delicate cookies make for memorable favors. Guests may enjoy them as they travel from your ceremony, one final detail that they will make a wedding memorable.
Vintage- Anything old is reemerging as popular, this wedding season. Vintage props decorating guest books, antique vases, and antique lace are popular ways to accent a reception area. It is best to keep the “old” paired with the “new.” A rustic setting with fresh flowers, fun colors and a balance of rural and chic creates a romantic atmosphere.
Fun Photography- This summer stray from the obvious when it comes to wedding photography. Poses have all been done before and stiff portraits are not memorable. Seek out a creative photographer that is professional and wants to get the best representation of your style and personality.
Hand Drawn Thank You Notes- As guests step out of a rented photo booth, they may hand their pictures off to a hired artist to sketch a simple copy of the couple along with their names. Each card drawing will take less than a minute. Guests get their photo booth picture back, and within a month or two they will receive a personalized thank you card with a sketch of them enjoying the wedding on the front.

Creative Photographer

Best Places to Get Married in Ventura County – Weddings Ventura

May 15, 2012 Brides vinny
Ventura County has some of the most beautiful wedding locations and venues available.
Setting is one of the most important aspects of any wedding. Choosing the wedding site will be a major factor in the outcome of the beauty, guest comfort, and photography results of a wedding. Whether you are a resident of Ventura or are interested in a destination wedding, consider Ventura, CA as the city for your ceremony.
Ventura, CA is one of the most strikingly diverse cities to be married in. When most people think of a Ventura wedding, they picture a typical beach setting…which would be beautiful, festive and relaxed. However, Ventura offers so much more. Do you seek an upscale country club setting? How about a rustic venue outlined by eucalyptus trees? If so, Ventura offers wedding accommodations from the Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center to McGrath Ranch. These locations and the gambit of sites in between will be sure to provide a beautiful canvas for your wedding photographs.
If stunning your guests and creating an exquisite ceremony and reception is a consideration for choosing your venue, the Scarlett Belle Riverboat can provide a memorable experience. The ocean view from every angle will ensure beautiful event photos to enjoy for years to come.
Not only are the options for weddings vast, the city that is home to these lovely locales, offers a history and splendor that makes it destination city of choice by many vacationers. Ventura’s climate is pleasant most months of the year. Accommodations for out of town guests may be found at sensible rates in many Ventura hotels.
Some of the most prevalent and sought after locations for California weddings are in Ventura County. The Pierpont Inn, Serra Cross at Grant Park, Crowne Plaza, Four Points Sheraton, and the San Buenaventura Mission are all popular venues. And, if you do seek an actual “beach” wedding, check out The Yellow Umbrellas. Their company offers accommodations for on-the-beach weddings to suit every bride and grooms requests.

 

Photography Remains- A Brides Perspective

May 3, 2012 Brides vinny

Weddings are one of the most notable events in a man and a woman’s life. As women, we dream about our wedding day for years; we plan everything from our color palette to bouquet arrangement, cake and food menu, to our dress and guest list. There are so many particulars that go into large event planning that it is very challenging for most brides to achieve her true “dream” wedding.
So much of what goes into preparing and delivering an event on such a grand scale as a wedding is handled by professionals. Florists, bakers, catering services, photography, and even wedding planners are often required to support the bride and groom on their “big day.” Due to the fact that many couples require their wedding to fit within a budget many of these services are considered “luxuries” that they simply cannot afford.
I was married quite young, a few days shy of 21. It was a beautiful May day and I was excited to marry the man of my dreams. Our wedding was held in the beautiful backyard of a generous friend, with the Kern River creating a beautiful ambiance and soundscape to our ceremony. We saved money on a costly venue, however, we then had to individually bring items to “build” a wedding. Tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces, catering, and music all had to be rented or hired.
We were on a strict budget $2500 or less from beginning to end…so we did what most couples must, we figured out ways that we could incorporate niceties for less. My dress was on sale ($220 out the door), we didn’t serve alcohol, the whimsical mad-hatter cake which I absolutely loved was fairly small and would only have served half of our 200 guests so we had a sheet cake to ensure every invitee enjoyed a slice. Our food was simple and buffet style, instead of having a photo booth we placed disposable cameras on the guest tables. Both our photographer and D.J. were our friends, they did wonderfully, but were generous enough to cut us a deal on prices.
Ultimately, our wedding was beautiful. I married my best friend with most of our family and friends as witnesses. The trees that surrounded our ceremony began to shed blossoms as if they had been queued as I took my long stroll with my father down the grassy aisle. And we stayed within our budget!
At every wedding I have attended in the 8 years since my wedding, I have found many things that I would have loved to do differently if I could do it all over again. Marrying the same man would be one of the few things that would remain the same. I would have loved to have felt that money was of no significance. A beach wedding venue, perhaps Ventura or Malibu would have been ideal. It would have been amazing to have had a professional hairstylist and makeup artist as well as a magnificent cake that guests would never forget. I would have loved to hire a florist to create memorable arrangements, instead of the simple and forgetful bouquets that we assembled with bulk ordered roses.
Photography, however, is one of the only daily reminders of our wedding that I encounter. In various rooms in our home wedding photographs are displayed for all to gaze upon. Choosing the best photographer for a wedding or important life event is imperative. The cake gets eaten, makeup gets washed away and the memories fade. Pictures remain. With a glance at my favorite wedding picture, I am reminded how I felt on the rustic rope bridge with my handsome new husband holding my waist as we share a lingering embrace on our wedding day almost at an end. I understand that as though I wish that I could have changed many elements of my wedding, the most important artifact of my wedding were the photographs that decorate my home.
Realistically, most brides would admit to having a wedding day budget. I would advise any bride to cut corners where she can if they must be economical, but save up for the best wedding photographer that they could afford. Research and interview wedding photographers, find one that shares your interests and understands your style. They will be following you around throughout your day and will be one of the only hired professionals that a bride and groom will be in contact with after the wedding. Hire a professional! After all, photographs remain.