{Maria + Brian} A Long Beach Wedding at The Maya & Reef

Last Saturday I had the privilege of shooting with John Loyola again. Only this time it was his family getting married (his sister-in-law), so he gave me full reign to shoot & direct. Which is a total compliment and also totally stressful to deliver to another photographer! I know, I know...I need to get over my insecurities already. But isn't that what motivates us to continue to improve? I think so. I feel like I have a healthy fear that inspires me to strive for more, for better, and greater. I love where I am. But I can't wait to see where I'll be in a year. Or two. Or ten. Watch out!

Maria got ready at the newly renovated Hotel Maya. And what a super cool hotel it is! So much awesome design, texture, & decor. I was in photog heaven. The girls were so fun to shoot and I always enjoy capturing their interactions as they prepare for the day.

Maria & Brian, I loved getting to know you on the most important day of your life. Thank you so much for including me and best wishes for a life of adventure & love!

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{Iodely + Mike} Luna Wedding at The Grand, Long Beach

A few weeks ago, I second shot for my photog friend John Loyola. I think he secretly asked me to shoot with him since I speak Spanish and he doesn't. Haha! That's okay, JL! No, seriously, we've worked together quite a bit...and I love it! I really like having a male/female team because you know our perspectives are going to be different. That is why I'm always talking about it to Dan, trying to influence him to pick up the cam, so he can start learning the ropes. It would be a dream of mine to work with my husband. He is such a people person. I would love for him to be the charm and I'll deal with the technical aspects. Some day, some day! Until then, JL is my go-to-male-photog. Now on to the photos...

I mentioned it before, but I always love second shooting a wedding. I truly get to capture the candid photojournalistic moments. They are always my faves. Here's their wedding from my lens...

I'm sure there is nothing more awesome than seeing your bride for the first time, unless you are her father. Priceless!

{Luna Wedding} Long Beach, CA Wedding Photographer

Friday I had the pleasure of second shooting for a good photographer friend of mine, John Loyola. We've shot several weddings together in the past, after meeting at the first Fast Track workshop last year. I love his laid backness, so I'm always game to shoot with him! I really enjoy second shooting because you get to shoot a fabulous wedding without the stress. Don't get me wrong, it can still be stressful because you want to deliver for the primary shooter but not like when you're the main shooter. The other advantage to second shooting is that you get to do cool things like ride in the get away car. Here are the images to prove it!

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{Long Beach Wedding Collective} Exceptional Wedding Vendors

Eeeeeek! I'm so excited for this announcement! Every once in a while I have to pinch myself that I am living the dream job (one I never even knew I had). I'm a wedding photographer. And now I have been invited to join an exclusive group of wedding vendors here in my awesome city of Long Beach. The Long Beach Wedding Collective has officially launched and I'm proud to be a member.

 

Check out our new site HERE! This is going to be such an awesome resource for engaged couples here in Long Beach, CA. It can be so overwhelming planning a wedding in Southern California and especially in the midst of the LA/OC area.

 

Here's a little snipit, explaining what we're all about (borrowed from the LBWC site).

Introducing the Long Beach Wedding Collective: a community of fresh, talented, creative, wedding professionals based in Long Beach, California. We differ in services and styles but are each exceptional at what we do both in quality and in service.

We are here to present a united group of the best that Long Beach has to offer in wedding services. Most of us serve all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, but we are actually based in the greater Long Beach area, and as such we know the ins and outs of everything our city has to offer – whether it’s intimate familiarity with the best Long Beach wedding venues or secret spots to get killer engagement photos, we have the inside scoop!

We in the Collective like to think of ourselves as an open community rather than an exclusive club – we want to make your wedding planning easier, not intimidate you into using all of our services! In fact, you’ll find that we count among our members multiple vendors in many categories (such as photographers, planners, and florists). This is because we like to represent an array of styles to compliment the huge variety of personalities you as engaged couples have! Please feel free to take a few moments exploring the links to our members in our sidebar. You’ll find loads of talent and inspiration. You are welcome to contact any one of us for more information about our individual services. And although our businesses are independent of each other, many of us offer concessions to couples booking services with three or more members of the Collective – helping to save you money while making your planning easier!

We would love for you to think of us as a resource – please check back for content often and drop us a comment or question if you need help with your Long Beach Wedding! For couples looking for the perfect wedding location, we have links and impartial information about all of the major Long Beach wedding venues collected in one place – just click the “venues” link in our navbar.

Thanks for stopping by and happy planning!