Hey everyone!

Wow, so these last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind. Weddings, weddings, and more weddings! We’ve been having so much fun and these months have just flown by!

But, alas, there are always victims of a hectic and challenging work schedule, and we’d like to dedicate this post today to the little ones who have endured our long 8-12 hour days away from home and who never cease to bring a smile to our faces.

We decided in order to assuage the brooding jealousy, we needed to give some blog love to our girls. We’ll be back tomorrow with Brett and Adriana’s awesome wedding, but today we’re taking a little Chloe and Ella break to show our “office managers” some long overdue TLC.

Going into it years ago, there is so much more to photography than we ever thought. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but other than that we really didn’t know what it would be, haha.

There was one other thing though, come to think of it. And that was if we were going to learn, we needed to jump in head first and learn from the best photographers we could find. And from day one, we have so blessed to have friends and photographers who have taken the time to invest in us and help us continue to learn and grow.

One of the things Erin and I love just as much as photography is TEACHING about photography and paying forward what so many photographers have done with us. I think one of the best places to learn here in OC is the Socal Photog Shootouts that happen every month in Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego. A few months ago Erin and I were asked if we’d be interested in leading a group of photographers during one of these events – - – and we’ve been hooked ever since! Not only do we get to photograph wonderful models and gorgeous locations all around Southern California, but we have the opportunity to meet some great photographers and continue to pay it forward like our mentors have done with us. We really belive that a rising tide raises all ships, and we can do anything, no matter how small, to help another fellow photographer in the beginning stages of their business – we are there!

A few weeks ago we has such an opportunity at a gorgeous new venue in San Juan Capistrano called Serra Plaza. We’re honored to be one of the select preferred vendors there and it was so fun to spend an afternoon around such great company.

This event we talked about “Seeing Through Your Subject” and finding the best light to get the best images possible. We hope some of our new photography friends were able to take something away from our group (besides how goofy we are)! We can’t wait for next time.

Here are a few of our favorite images! Enjoy!

Thank you to all the vendors that make this shootout possible:

Mary Lallande for Jay’s Catering and Serra Plaza – www.serraplazaevents.com

Sussanna for French Buckets – www.frenchbuckets.com

Hope Stanley – Bridal Stylist www.marymebridal.com

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

Jeanette Pulecio  – www.jeanettepulecio.com

Lisa O’Conner – www.elementsofartistry.com

Diego Ortega – http://DiegoOrtega.net

It has been a whirlwind of a month here in the studio. All the while, we have been anxiously anticipating the arrival of WPPI and the photo shoot we’ve been organizing out in the desert! We were blown away by the response and had over 30 photographers come out and participate in the fashion shoot out on a dry lake bed just outside of Las Vegas.

Hands down it is one of our favorite places to shoot. With miles of desert in each direction and nothing but amazing mountains in the background, our models just popped and they really brought the heat! Brittanie and Tomas were our bride and groom (remember their wedding at the Chart House in Dana Point?) and our new friend Kate was our high fashion model. Despite the bitter cold and gusty wind, they all did so amazing and definitely made it a time to remember. Thank you all so much!

Erin and I also have to give a big shout out to Pixel2Canvas, the sponsors of our shoot! They gave away huge discounts and a free canvas to one of our attendees; thank you Roxanne and Corina for your generosity and support! Our walls would not be beautiful if it weren’t for your amazing canvases!

Finally, we have to give our thanks to Dara Cobb, the designer of the gorgeous hair accessories you see on our female models. She is days away from launching her online store where brides of all tastes and styles can get their heads around her amazing creations! Ladies, if you are getting married, make sure and check out her store and blog HERE!

This entire shoot was a first for Erin and I. It was definitely a learning experience and we’ve taken away so much! We can’t wait for the next time we can bring a group of amazing photographers together and have fun together doing what we love!

While everyone’s blogs are already filling up with fantastic images, here are a few that Erin and I caught during our time out in Vegas. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this possible and to those who gave so generously of their time and talent to bring this whole day together!

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