Debra Says…… (About an Engagement Session)

We met Fabiola and Rich near their Orange County home for their engagement photo session.  What a cool, fun couple!  Confession time. I love these engagement photo shoots.  It is an interesting phase in a couples lives.  They are no longer dating, but not married. Let’s face it, weddings may start out to be about the couple, but they end up being about everyone else. Usually there are social and religious customs that dictate a wedding.(which is special and sacred) As much fun as wedding planning can be, it is a bit stressful too. The engagement photo session is just about the couple. Capturing them in this in-between time is beautiful to me. It is a chance to see them, as few people get to see them, and to record those moments forever. Fabi and Rich chose a couple of different spots for their session, including the Montage in Laguna Beach. They were relaxed in spite of the chilly wind. They were laughing and smiling and just, adorable. Chris likes to get to know the couple more during these sessions, and they get to know him. That is important, since at your wedding, your photographer will stick to you all day, it should be someone you feel comfortable with. I am lucky to get to witness these moments. Thank you Fabi and Rich, see you at your wedding!  xo Debra

Laguna Beach Engagement Photo Session

Debra and I met up with Robert and Lindsey yesterday for a photo shoot. On our way down to the beach, Robert asked if I had checked the surf report, which of course I hadn’t. The extent of my preparations included making sure I put the camera in the car. If I had checked, I would have seen that there were big waves this day. The good news is, unlike their photographer, they stayed relatively dry. It was still a great day spent with a fun couple, and we even started out with a couple pictures near their home with Otto, a 14 month old Shepherd mix. (Thank you Debra)

Adrienne and Jon – An Engagement Session

Adrienne found me and we talked on the phone about her wedding. She didn’t have a firm date yet but she knew she was getting married next August. Jon, a Florida Coast Guard, was out here visiting the Laguna Beach venue they wanted to have their wedding, and getting Adrienne packed for her move to Florida. Well I guess they had a productive week. They booked their venue, booked a photographer, had their engagement session on Monday, celebrated Adrienne’s Birthday on Tuesday, and departed for Florida on Wednesday.

David and Sarah

Yesterday I shot some photos for David and Sarah. He is a fireman and she is a nurse. Gives me a great idea for a theme shoot! Here are a few of their images.

Laguna Beach Engagement Session

Up till this photo shoot, I had not spoke with Josh and Brooke and the shoot was coordinated thru Brookes mom. There is always a little anxiety meeting a couple the day of the shoot. Am I going to capture their personality? Are they going to get my sense of humor? Those questions were answered in about 5 minutes. They were a cute couple and had Debra and I laughing and having a great time talking about this and that. Here is a little collection.

San Pedro Engagement Session

On Monday, Mitch and I shot Lael and Jasons engagement photos at the Korean Bell and Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. Here are a few of my favorites. Laels favorite I think is the one with the birds flying in the background. There were hundreds of birds just sitting there. Jason and Lael crept up the the spot where I thought it was a good composition, and when I was ready, I gave Mitch the signal and he threw a rock into the center of the birds and they scattered. No animals were harmed in the making of said photo.

Capistrano Mission Engagement Shoot

My first engagement session of 2011 finds Candice and Ryan meeting me at my favorite location, the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. It was a beautiful 80 degree January 8th. Really, there is no better place to live than California if you love outdoor photography. If you would like to see more engagement photos, visit chrisdiset.com.