Fierce.
That’s one word to describe Rebeka. Totally, awesomely, awe-inspiringly fierce (all that, and she’s also as sweet as can be).
Fierce+sweet+total fashionista+urban decay=it doesn’t get much better than this.
Just a preview for now, my sweets. Much more fabulous-ness in store later.
{scroll down, or click here for Part 1}
I got the sweetest email from Andrea after the last post, saying the first post of photos from her engagement photography session made her cry at work. I told her not to worry; there was a dang good chance I’d make it up to her by crying at her wedding.
Honestly, I probably will. Yes, I’m the worse kind of cliche – the wedding photographer who will cry at your wedding.
Sometimes I get misty during the first look, other times I’m overcome by the emotion behind the vows. If you, your mother or your cousin Eileen happen to cry – at any point and for any reason – I’m almost certainly a goner. There is almost no chance I’ll make it through the father-daughter dance dry eyed (I admit it; I have a soft spot for Butterfly Kisses). Seriously, I’m a huge sap and I’m not afraid to admit it. However, I have persevered and I can now shoot straight through a veil of tears (patting myself on the back for this one – it’s not easy).
Andrea and Andrew – I hereby promise not to turn into a blubbering mess on your big day. I’ll keep it together. But when a couple loves each other with emotion this sweet and true – it’s awfully hard not to feel it too.
~~~
We headed to my favorite phoenix junkyard to find some urban texture. There’s nothing like rusted metal to get my muse inspired.
I love these next ones so much because they clearly show just how much fun these two are!
And then these ones give you a hint of their romantic side….
Eegads, isn’t this building amazing? Every time I go to this place I find something new.
This one has a total silver screen, movie star look to me…the next Bogie and Bacall… My favorite engagement photo ever!
Andrew went back to the car to change, so I took the opportunity to snap these pics of the lovely Andrea. Honestly folks, next to no editing on these – her skin really is that perfect!
We even found some bales of hay – and Andrea had the perfect shirt to get a little country!
The way every good fairy tale photoshoot ends – they walk off into the sunset together….
Okay, you see now why these two deserved two whole blog posts?!
Somedays (like this one!) I swear that engagement photography sessions are my absolute favorite….I mean, with a urban backdrop like this and a couple as beautiful as Andrea and Andrew…how could I not be inspired?!
FYI: A2 are getting married at the amazing North Scottsdale wedding venue Sassi. I got to check it out with the couple a few weeks back when they went for their tasting appointment, and it is going to be truly stunning. So many possibilities for amazing photographs – I get giddy just thinking about it! If you are looking for a great Phoenix wedding venue, you should definitely add Sassi to your list.
Dirtbags. It doesn’t sound like the name of a place where you’re likely to meet the love of your life, does it? Yet sometimes unexpected things happen in unexpected places.
It was Andrew’s senior year of college. After a few years of single fun and living abroad, he decided it was time for a serious girlfriend. Still, when he headed out to the bar that night he wasn’t planning on finding his future wife. He was going out for a drink, not planning a wedding.
But then he saw Andrea and somehow, in that first moment, he just knew.
With her long blonde hair and beautiful smile, she was undeniably gorgeous – but there was something more that really captured Andrew’s attention. Despite her petite stature, she exuded an easy confidence that intimidated his friends. Andrew was captivated.
Before meeting Andrew, Andrea had her eyes set on a semester of stress free single living. After a busy term as president of her sorority, Andrea was ready to take it easy. But sometimes fate steps in – in the form of a round of drinks and a gentlemanly kiss on the cheek in a bar with an unlikely name – and plans change.
When Andrew was ready to propose, he knew it had to be special. He took Andrea for an early birthday treat – dinner at The Royal Palms. He left nothing to chance; even her outfit was taken care of. Just after he popped the question, her two best friends (flown in from out-of-town and waiting in the wings) ran in with champagne. Amazing enough, but Andrew didn’t stop there. He followed the proposal with an engagement party for 30 of their closest friends and family, including Andrea’s sister Kate, who had traveled from St. Louis to Phoenix just to be a part of the night. The evening was overwhelming, an emotional blur, a high of family and friendship and amazing, once in a lifetime love.
He loves her sarcasm and wit. She loves his inherent goodness and knows that he makes her a better person. Andrea says Andrew pushes her to pursue her dreams, supports her choices and is her biggest fan. Andrew knows that Andrea’s patience and understanding have been the glue that has held their relationship together (and he’s quick to add that her sexy face and butt don’t hurt either). As a couple they are the best bad dancers on the dance floor, and have built a partnership that continues to get stronger with time.
From Dirtbags to Soul Mates. Works for me.
Andrew and Andrea – I am so glad you chose me to capture your love and to be present as you speak the vows that join your life together. You are both beautiful people, inside and out, but it’s your infectious (and sometimes goofy) energy and love of life and of each other that make you shine. I hope you enjoy the images we captured at your engagement photography session and I cannot wait for your wedding day!
(Oh, I got a little carried away choosing images for this post, so I’m gonna have to do this in two parts!)
~~~
Andrea and Andrew are wine connoisseurs, so we began their engagement photography session by heading to Bomberos. Bomberos is an awesome Phoenix wine bar (you have to try their bruschettas and paninis) with an fantastic outdoor patio. Because it was early Sunday afternoon – right before close – we had the place to ourselves.
(Andrea is wearing the outfit she wore the night she got engaged – love it! Such a fabulous, fashionable couple! And the yellow heels? I die! If it were not considered poor form to steal clothing from your clients, I totally would have made off with the shoes!)
When the restaurant closed we headed downtown, in search of texture and color. Nothing says love to me like urban decay!
Stay tuned later this week for even more images from this fabulous engagement photo session…next up – my favorite junkyard!
I was in the bookstore at the mall, crouching down to get a book off the bottom shelf. When I stood up I saw another mama next to me, wearing her toddler son in a brown hotsling pouch. I just happened to be rocking my own pink and green Pucci print hotsling at the time, six month old Julie along for the ride. In the manner of mothers recognizing common ground (it doesn’t take much when you are a stay at home mama eager for connection) we began to talk.
We chatted for a bit and exchanged names. She paused for a second, smiled and said “Oh, I think I read your blog”.
I tell you, people, it was my first (and only) glimpse into of the rush of celebrity. Someone recognized my name, knew who I was. Holy-freaking-cow, I was actually cool enough to have readers! Went straight to my head, it did.
Then I came crashing back down to earth and remembered all the things I had written about recently. All the personal things. All the goofy things. All the not-so-pretty things.
I had been chronicling my life online for so long (since before there were even blogs, let alone facebook or twitter. true story.) that I tended to forget that real people could be reading. Not just my mother, or nameless, faceless, far away people, but actual, local, run into them in the bookstore kind of people.
Totally freaked me out.
Luckily, I got over it, and a true friendship was born. And even though I never seem to have time to write anymore, I’m pretty sure she still reads my blog.
And that still makes me feel pretty dang cool.
I normally head to downtown Phoenix for my urban photography sessions, but Tamara lives on the west side of town, so we went with downtown Glendale this time – and I was not disapointed!
We happened upon this spot toward the end of the session and I was in LOVE! The perfect backdrop for the perfect mama to be.
I love my job!
Yesterday morning – while I imagine most sensible, responsible employed adults were stuck in their offices wearing sensible, responsible business casual clothing and doing sensible, responsible, employed adult things – I got to go play and get dirty in my favorite junkyard. My lovely photog friend Maggie and her family are leaving Phoenix (moving to Dallas! so far away!) and she wanted some pictures of her uber-cute children before she left.
We stacked colorful old soda crates, we climbed between dumpsters, we examined discarded collections of nuts and bolts and beads and wires. We talked about bugs, and school and we laughed ourselves silly. And I get to call this work!
Jake and Kate are sweet, silly, charming, bubbly, loving and articulate children (much like their mama, come to think of it). Kate is an impish little pixie with an irrepressible sparkle in her eye, while Jack is a utterly darling, serious, soft spoken boy with a great imagination. Although we had only met once before yesterday’s session, we were immediate buddies, and had a grand time during our junkyard adventure.
Afterward – to make a fun morning even better - we headed to my favorite gelato spot (chocolate hazelnut gelato + blackberry sorbet = yum). I’m starting to think that all Phoenix photo sessions should end with some sort of icy treat 
Maggie – I’m going to miss you, and I wish you and your family all the best in Dallas. I’m so totally coming to visit (now that Dallas has both you AND Brenda – nothing could keep me away)!
(note to my other wonderful clients: based on Maggie’s departure in less than 24 hours – I made an executive decision to bump her to the head of the sneak peek line Don’t worry, I’m still working away on all your sessions and should have several to post over the week, so keep checking back!)
Gotta love a little lens distortion – kids can’t resist it when say I can show them a picture of themselves with a giant head!
Maggie was behind me for this one, creating some sort of crazy ‘movie’ for her kiddos. That lady has energy and enthusiasm enough for ten people! As for me, I just wanted to take that theater seat home with me.
And last but not least, this one is my favorite from the entire session. I couldn’t decide if I should post color or black and white, because I love them both for different reasons, so don’t be surprised if I add the color one some time soon!
