Bayani and Raquel [engagement] San Diego

"Next please!"

Bayani stood in line at the bank anxiously waiting to talk to his teller, Raquel. Although he had financial business to take care of, he also needed to ask her if she would be interested on going out on a date.... with his best friend. She courteously declined, but Bayani wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

He continued to meet up for coffee to encourage her to date his friend but found himself falling for her instead. So after five months, Bayani finally shared his heart with her and asked her out on a date... with him.

Little did they know that four years later, he would be asking for her hand. But here they are, completely in love and binded together in Christ's love.

Raquel is a fellow photographer and Bayani is a talented artist, so I wasn't surprised when they shared their creative vision with me on what they wanted to do for their engagement session. Basically, they wanted to take a red couch all around San Diego County to different areas of significance to them. It was hard work, especially for the guys who had to carry around the couch, but it was well worth it and a very fun day!

Our first location was at the Starbucks in Liberty Station right by their church, The Rock. Their first date was at a Starbucks so they felt it fitting to start out the day here since this is where it all began! 

Warming up, the boys took the couch nearby to a courtyard in the middle of Liberty Station... it was so funny watching everyone's reaction as we traveled around with a large, red couch.

Next on our trek was Old Town. This is where the old Wells Fargo museum is and Bayani couldn't contain his excitement of taking a picture in front of it! These two used to work at Wells Fargo together!

This is one of my favs from the day. You two are stunning!!

Beautiful ring!

 These two made a commitment early in their relationship to wait until their wedding day to kiss... so throughout the day, we had a lot of "almost" kisses!! After years of waiting, I'm sure they're just dyyying to lock lips!

We made a stop at the fountain at Balboa Park and the couch was such a hit, everyone kept asking to take a picture on it! I love the playfulness of these two lovebirds!

Petco Park was one of my favorite locations of the day. The security guard was a little skeptical about us but we were still able to capture some cute shots!

Another fav of the day!

Put a couch in the middle of a busy street downtown? Sure! Why not!?

Our final stop was Coronado Island at the Ferry Landing. We styled the shoot with her bike, his guitar and a Bible. I loved peering into their intimate moments where it was just Raquel, Bayani and God!

After dinner, we finished the day with some amazing night skyline shots. I had a blast experimenting with off-camera flash and we all sighed with relief that we pulled their idea off and had a really great time doing it!!

Bayani and Raquel, thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and my work and having me do your engagement session. I'm so happy that God has sent you two to each other and I'm so excited for your wedding! Love you guys!

Preview: Diaz [Family] San Diego Portrait Photographer

Preview of the Diaz Family! Stay tuned for more! :)

Preview: Kory & Sarah [tie the knot!] Magee Park Wedding

Here is a preview of this weekend's wedding in Carlsbad, CA. Stay tuned for more from this beautiful day!

Morse Family [featuring Brielle] Newborn Session

I photographed Natalie and Kris's maternity session a few months ago and I was so eager to meet their daughter, Brielle! Just like a princess, Brielle was fashionably late...3 WEEKS late!! But like her parents chime, "It was SO worth the wait." Now they can't get enough of her and her million expressions! Brielle was the biggest "newborn" that I've ever photographed because she was basically the size of a 1-month-old, but that doesn't take away the fact that she is as adorable as a button!

Kris and Natalie, thank you for letting me photograph your gorgeous new family! I had so much fun on both sessions and I can't wait to watch her grow up!

Bill & Kerrianne [expecting!] Nautical Maternity Session

I met Kerrianne when I was four years old. We rode bikes around the neighborhood, built forts in our backyards, and played dress-up with our mother's makeup. I can't believe she is now pregnant and expecting a little baby girl now! I only hope that baby Leila will have a friendship like we did. A "lifetime friendship" as we like to call it!

We decided to do their maternity session at Oceanside Harbor since that is where she and her husband, Bill, often go for their dates. He enjoys fishing and they both love the beach so we thought it would be perfect to style the shoot with a nautical theme! Bless her heart, but Kerrianne got a little stripes crazy... nonetheless, they looked stunning and I was so blessed to capture the love they share and the new beautiful family they are building together!

Bill and Kerrianne, I can't wait to meet Leila and I'm so excited to be her aunty and watch her grow up!