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  • A little about me

    My father has taught me many things; his most profound lesson has always been that no story is ever complete without love. As a movie fanatic of the highest degree, a trait he successfully passed down to his only son, he has maintained that every great film includes a great love story. His teaching me to understand and appreciate love is something that I’ve carried over into my art. My goal when shooting new couples or family portraits is always to capture and display that love. I strive to deliver more than just memories; I aim to provide an image that’s true. Successfully delivering that image always puts a smile on my face.

Nicole + Matt :: San Juan Capristano and El Adobe Wedding Photography

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Man, talk about a fun wedding!  I recently second shot this wedding with my buddy Brian Fletcher, fun crowd, beautiful day and good-good music!  Nicole and Matt now how to throw a party, I’ll tell ya what!  So most of my favorites from the day were all the laughs and inside jokes, enjoy kids!  Ok, stopping with all the exclamation points now…

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My best wishes go out to Nicole and Matt, and huge thanks to Brian for having me out to shoot.  Thanks buddy!  Oh, make sure to check out Brian’s blog for all his amazing work too!

Erin + Kevin :: San Fernando Valley Wedding Photography

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First time I met Erin a month ago, her wedding was still a simple idea with much planning ahead of her.   She wanted a simple intimate wedding at home with her close friends and family.  It was just that with some sweet touches.  Erin and Kevin were quite reserved but I noticed them holding hands under the table while we talked over coffee, their love-locked eyes and the way he made her smile.  The tell signs that they shared a beautiful kind of love.  They met through mutual friends, and some how she ended up with his watch as he vowed to get it back another day.  She still has his watch, and now his heart.

I know things were going just right when Erin told me, “this is fun!” while on our portrait shoot.  Thank you both for being patient with me and trusting in me,  I’m honored to have been apart of your special day!  Oh, and big thanks to Henry Chen for referring Erin and Kevin to me, it was meant to be!icon smile

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Christina Dely - Love the shots in the field! Not to mention the beautifully lit image in the car! Gorgeous!

admin - Thanks kiddo! Much appreciated! :)

Kevin & Erin - Thank you for taking such beautiful photos of our wedding, Joel. We are truly honored and fortunate that you were part of our big day. We wish you all the best in your photography career and everything else in life!

Allison + Jason :: Ebelle of Los Angeles and Hotel Wilshire Wedding Photography

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It’s a great feeling when the wedding season starts up!  The weather is beautiful, (what am I saying? I’m Southern California! It’s always beautiful!) and love is in the air.  In the water.  You know, everywhere.  I would have to say that one of the best part about shooting weddings is when you get to do it with friends!  Never a dull moment when second shooting with my good friend Henry Chen!  Beautiful venues, awesome couple and a pretty chill wedding party.

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I had an awesome time shooting this wedding, and I’m sending my very best wishes to Allison and Jason!  You guys had no problem showing your love for one another!  And of course, a big thanks to Henry.  It always a pleasure shooting with you dude!  Please take a moment to check out Henry’s blog for all his recent amazing work!

Family Disneyland Trip

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Once a year the my family and I spend a day walking, eating, buying expensively cheap toys, walking some more, and eating til we can’t look at another Mickey Mouse-shaped confection until next year.  I think if you live in Southern California you can’t help but make it a yearly trip, unless you have yearly passes and show up once a month for the corn-dogs(they’re so bad for you) on Main street, because I totally would.   Every year we go I get the feeling that I don’t have the stomach for Disneyland rides anymore, sad times indeed.  I was totally stoked to get on the new Star Tours, aaaaand right after the ride I concluded that the convincing 3D, motion-simulated space ride in combination with too much coffee in the morning was no bueno.  To clarify, ride = good, too much coffee = no good.

 

It’s funny how I started to realize that every year we go, we spend most of our time in long lines engaged in conversations with my wife that consists of stares, head nods and speaking through our teeth about the weird guy with the Yoda backpack behind us.  Never the less, we do it all for our kid(s).  Ethan is now 5 and Elena is a babbling, slobbering 6-month-old that makes us presents in her diaper.  Life is good.

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Ethan likes to press my shutter button when I’m not looking…

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Ethan was picked to train in the ways of the Jedi, this was serious business as you can see in his face.
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The highlight of his day(and ours) when he put his Jedi training to the test against Darth Vader.

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His excited face after becoming a Padawan learner and certificate in hand!icon biggrin

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So I get laughed at when I whip out my old Polaroid camera to take a group picture, but you’ve never seen a group get together for a picture so quickly!  I tell ya what!  My 12-year-old nephew was baffled by the antiquity and instant gratification of the experience.   It was like magic to him!  And yes I sat on the picture when we got on Thunder Mountain, go figure.  Good times!

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