It was a gorgeous spring day when I flew out San Diego to meet up with Tina and Bryan for a fun engagement session in Monterey. Perhaps I should back tell the story a little bit.

Earlier in the planning, we had opted for a fun engagement session later in the Spring time to mitigate the risk of a rain; being that it’s an El Niño year after all. It was probably a good idea as we saw more storms hit California this year than I could remember in years past. But that was Winter, surely we are safe with a late Spring session right?

Of course, as chance would have it…the day of the original shoot approaches and we saw more rain forecasted. So a quick reschedule of hair/makeup and airlines and here we are, a couple of weeks later…enjoying beautiful weather.

Now back to the original story, I left San Diego on a gorgeous spring day and landed in San Jose to overcast skies and a very remote possibility of showers on the day of the shoot. As fate would have it, the showers did come in spurts. But we know that won’t dampen the love Tina and Bryan has for one another. Who has had the pleasure of seeing that love grow over their friendship, long dating and eventual engagement. We took advantage of the unpredictable weather for a varied and fun session at a destination the two love to visit, Monterey Bay, CA.

We started off the session with a nice walk around the park and neighborhood so Tina and Bryan can share the day with their beloved Emily.

The advantage of rain is that it provides for a lush, green landscape in the arid California environment.

And the stormy clouds makes for a dramatic backdrop to help frame Tina and Bryan.

Too cute.

Then we jump into the car and drove off to Monterey together. The drive together is always fun as it allows us ample time to get to know our couple more. We arrive to picturesque Point Lobos in advance of the storm to catch the view and gorgeous light. The coast between Monterey to  Santa Barbara is so varied and beautiful.

The reserve reminds me a lot of the Torrey hills down here in San Diego. Perhaps that’s why the surrounding areas of San Diego are appropriately named Carmel Highlands, Carmel valley and Del Mar to mirror this region of the state.

We even spot wildlife in the area. What a treat!

Seeing the love Tina and Bryan had for one another from behind the camera was just as magical.

On our way out of the reserve to a new location, I spot the sun light up this field in between the branches of the pine trees and knew we just had to make a stop. Look at the beautiful lighting and backdrop. That’s the Carmel Highlands to the south.

Amazing, enveloping light and an awesome couple to boot.

Sitting down amist the golden field that attracted me to this spot.

Sometimes, it’s not the surrounding but just a look between our couples that makes a photograph interesting to me.

Such is life, with risk there are can be rewards. We didn’t know what the nearly two hour drive to Monterey would yield us, but the conditions and surroundings makes for a myriad of photo opportunities. Case in point…

The mountains just to the east with the low laying clouds.

But compose the photo just a little differently yields baby blue skies and an alternate look to the photograph.

And when you point the camera to the west, you get a spectacular vantage point and an entirely new photo.

Wasn’t that all worth it? I say, heck yes!

A quick outfit change and to Carmel River State Beach for little bit of paradise without the packing and long security lines of an airport. A little tranquility as the storm system finally catches up with us. The rays of light that peeked through the clouds lit up the water to a tropical sea green hue.

Simply calming….

And when you point the camera the opposite way, you get an entire different backdrop. I love this place!

A fun little sequence.

Sometimes the moments before a kiss is just perfect.

But the kiss itself can be just as spectacular.

The rain finally caught up with us as you can see by the drops on my lens. But even that server to diffract the light in a way that makes for a wonderfully soft and warm moment to end the day.

Tina and Bryan – we hope you enjoyed our recount of the day and capture of your favorite destination. Ham already knows full well the magic of Monterey and I certainly got to experience it first hand with the two of you. It was certainly worth it to miss my return flight to San Diego. :) Click on the image below to view your slideshow and we are counting the days until we are there to celebrate your union among your friends and family. Rain or shine, it will no doubt be just beautiful.

I love my job. And I have to admit, sometimes when on a shoot…I forget that I am working. Especially when I am offered something as delectable as a cupcake from Kara’s Cupcakes. In my defense though, how could I possibly hit the shutter button while my fingers are still in my mouth, licking off the chocolatty frosting from my fingers?

We met Pham and Albert in the shopping and dining district near Crissy Fields in San Francisco. After enjoying some of the best cup cakes I have ever had in my life, we head over to Golden Gate park so I can start actually do my job. Golden Gate park is such an eclectic oasis on the metropolitian pennisula that is San Francisco. There are stadiums and baseball fields to lakes and museums. With flower gardens and Japanese tea garden to mini forest and passes. And that’s only describing a quarter of the park’s offering. On any given weekend, you can find artist and musical talents in the music concourse where we officially began our session.

Heaven in a cup.

Albert seems to agree with me.

Love tree covered paths like these. Without even closing your eyes, you can imagine you are not in the city anymore.

Pham, you look fabulous! The picture speaks for itself.

Striking a “Hero” pose in front of the portapotty? Why not? Actually a funny story…as we walked back to the car, we saw this series of portapotty. Pham said it would befitting for Albert to get a shot in front of them as he is constantly making trips to the restroom. Looking back at this photo, Albert almost looks like he has his Clark Kent disguise on. I wonder what type of super hero power Albert is gifted with?

An outfit change, clear skies and golden sunlight makes for a great photo with the famous Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop.

Add the ocean breeze for a dynamic photo.

A curious stranger drops by for a visit.

While I was capturing these great moments…

Ham was able to capture this awesome vantage and moment from his view.

I love it when my couples have fun during their session. This is always our goal and the photos really make themselves.

A photo op in front of the car. Love the light rays filtering through the structure.

One more outfit change and taking a chance. You guys look fantastic!

Pham’s sweet talks paid off and we were grant access for some quick photos in the Apple Store. I would dare to say Apple products may be Albert’s first love…well, second now that Pham’s in the picture. Let’s just say, you bring those two loves together and there were a whole lotta kissing going around.

Pham and Albert – We love talking and hanging out with you guys simply from the moment we first met you guys over coffee. Your personalities complements each other like butterscotch frosting on top of a deliciously moist cupcake. Thanks so much for introducing me to my new obsession and angst. No Kara’s cupcakes in San Diego. We can’t wait to kick off the new year with your wedding. Until then, enjoy the slideshow and we’ll talk soon.

We continue to be bless in working with wonderful clients during one of the happiest times in their life. But once in a while, a couple comes along who are after our own heart. Those who knows me know that I was gifted with a high metabolism and insatiable tastebuds that desire to sample all the good eats in the world. A perfect duo of traits that complements each other really well.

When Pam first outlined her idea for an engagement day theme centered around old “haunts.” I didn’t know what to make of it. I knew there were a few places around San Francisco that was said to be haunted. Ok, I suppose being out of our comfort zone is a good thing. We like to capture our couple’s fun, interaction and love in and around greenery, urban-scape and golden light so yummy, one can almost taste it. Throw a couple of ghost in there, we can handle that. However, when we met at Pam and Bill’s west coast residence in San Francisco and learn that their definition of old hunts are all their favorite places to dine and hang out at, I knew these are my kind of clients.

We emerged out of the typical bay marine layer to glorious sunshine in the Mission District. I would take that as a good foreshadow of what’s to come as we arrive at Tartine before the usual rush and then later head over to the waterfront to enjoy some of Hog Island Co’s amazing oyster. Between the eating and the chatting, we got to watched two people who grew up on different coast enjoy the best thing of all, being together.

Pam and Bill – You say the best things happen in two and your story of how your relationship buds with the help of two mutual friends, two day dates and across two different coast is just amazing to hear. To keep the good time rolling, we can’t wait till these two photographers are able to meet up with you guys for your wedding and our second visit to Cornerstone later this month.

Sample of the colors of the Mission District.

We saw this bamboo grove earlier and glad we were able to find it again. Made for a fun session and nice contrast with the reds of their clothing.

San Francisco city is different than NYC…but I wanted to get a little of the vibe of east coast meets west coast in this series of shot in the alley way we found.

Chasing the setting sun, we head over to the sand dunes of Ocean Beach. Coincidently, we have a Ocean Beach here in San Diego too, but they look nothing alike.

Some of my favorites series of shots of the day. This is what I mean by yummy light so gorgeous you can taste it. Colors just pop and photos looks great out of the camera. How lucky they are to live only blocks away from this.

Definitely a different coast huh Bill. West coast’s soft golden light and the sun sets into the water for great view and perfect way to relax and cozy up with one another.

One of the first things Bill mention to me is during their research of photographers and coming across our work, a song I had used in one of my slideshow seem to have followed them around. I say it subliminal marketing and intentional. So I figure it befitting to use an alternate version in their engagement slideshow. Click below and enjoy!