Wedding At The Ritz-Carlton

I love it when my clients have their wedding at a Ritz-Carlton hotel. Whether the budget is big or small you know it is always going to an elegant affair with impeccable service and attention to detail.
Jennifer and Sonny's wedding in Laguna-Niguel was perfect.....even late-afternoon cloudy skies simply added dramatic effect!
I loved the nod to Sonny's heritage with the tiny hindu statues at the ceremony, and Jennifer's bejewelled shoes.
Their lovely day can be seen here in it's entirety.

All the fun of the fair

Santa Monica Pier can be a magical setting, where the old and the new sit happily side by side while the ocean roars underneath.
Julie and Michael's engagement shoot was fun and whimsical, with a retro edge....taking a ride on the antique carousel, lying in a field of daisies, standing on the old creaking boards eating cotton candy....as gulls glided by on the salty air.
Even wind-blown and sandy, I do believe they enjoyed taking a little step back in time with their day at the seaside.

Four seasons....in one day

I love the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara. Quintessentially Californian, it still manages to evoke a certain charming, effortless glamour. Old Spanish tile, fragrant exotic plants and ancient twisting trees give a sense of solid permanence....quite a fitting location to celebrate a wedding.
Karen and David's wedding ceremony was held in a beautiful, intimate, garden setting at the hotel....with yellow and white the vibrant, hope-filled theme.
The intimate, cosy feeling continued through the reception. Behind old, carved-oak doors, one long, candle-lit banquet table sat all of the guests as festivities continued into the night.

Latisse

The lengths ( pun intended ) that us girls will got for for beautiful long lashes was demonstrated at a recent launch party for Latisse, the newly-approved, eyelash-growth product.
Those invited to the event were pampered at a beauty bar as they sipped cocktails and nibbled on hors d'oeuvres, then they might rub shoulders with the spokesmodel Brooke Shields ( or perhaps Debra Messing, Angie Harmon and Mandy Moore ) as they wandered around an exhibition showing the fascination with extra dark, long eyelashes since the time of the Egyptians.
Even with all-white furniture and flowers the theme was predominantly pink, while cute, make-up wearing male bartenders and goody bags added to the fun.
Now I wish I'd snagged myself one.....a goody bag, not a bartender ; )

A Vibiana Wedding

The unique Vibiana was the setting recently for the wedding of Ashley and Evan.
Built in 1876, this beautiful event space was once a functioning Catholic cathedral. Saved from demolition in 1996, desanctified and given an $8million facelift it is the perfect place for a wedding......you get to briefly feel as though you're in Europe when you're downton LA!
The bride wore a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown and very-customised, shocking pink Christian Louboutin shoes! The groom's tie was made from a piece of his bride's dress which was a lovely romantic gesture.
Ashley and Evan's special day was visually stunning thanks to BrownHot Events. The black and white theme was very glamorous....the cocktail reception in the lush garden featured a white leather bar, a black grand piano, crystal chandeliers hanging from the trees and huge black and white paper roses.
Inside, the ostrich-feather chuppah assumed it's evening duty as the dj " box". Chairs were feathered, ruffled and even draped with rhinestone "necklaces".....some table linens were even sequined!
A martini ice-luge, a leather and velvet lounge area and doughnuts while waiting for the valet were extra special touches.
For those who would like to see the complete day here is Ashley and Evan's slideshow:

Ryan Demont

Singer/songwriter Ryan Demont plays another show at Room 5 this Saturday 18th April.
I had the pleasure of shooting the images for his next cd......hopefully I managed to get the "image" of his latest music just right....a blend of smooth/sensitive pop and a hint of country.
You can hear some of his music right here.....Ryan's MySpace

Icing on the Cake....

Isn't this little guy just beautiful!?
As I was making the slideshow I was almost crying myself! And he's not even mine! This is what his mom had this to say ( I feel so humbled )...

"So it's like all your clients say....thank you thank you thank you, i love it, i love it, i love it!!!!!! Olivier and I are speechless. You even made my big guy husband misty in the eyes. I honestly think he was holding back a few tears. This is even more amazing than I could have hoped for. You are so incredibly talented Claire. I want the whole world to know it!! The whole show is perfect, even the song. Perfect! Who sings it? How did you find it? It is so my taste!
I can't wait to sing your praises even more! Thanks again for all your hard work and your incredible talent! "

Sarah R

To see the tear-jerker ; ) click here...The Rousselle Family

Engagement Shoots....and why they make sense!

Some of you might know that my signature Engagement sessions are like Fashion/Lifestyle shoots, tailor-made for my clients.
When Theresa and Wyeth told me that they would be getting married on a yacht, images of Nautica and J.Crew ads came to mind when I envisioned their engagement shoot.
I am very lucky that I get to live right by the ocean.....luckier still that a very good friend of mine has a beautiful sailboat docked in the marina......what a prop!
Theresa and Wyeth were such good sports when I explained the nautical theme.....Theresa joined me for a wardrobe/styling consultation ( she even put on a bikini! )......and even Wyeth got into it after the couple of tequila shots I gave him before we started shooting.
This is why engagement sessions are so important. You see, Wyeth hated the thought of having his photograph taken. But after the engagement shoot ( and the tequila...) he really loosened up, realised that it wasn't so bad after all and even started to have fun.
They are a great way of helping to put the bride and groom at ease before their big day....to build a rapport with my clients so that they have complete and utter trust in my vision and ability.
I think Wyeth might have even started to ham it up for the camera on his wedding day!
Here is their Engagement Slideshow and their Wedding at Fantasea Yachts.

Calamigos Ranch

One of the things I love about Los Angeles is that in a matter of minutes you can be a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Driving up to Calamigos Ranch in Malibu is wonderful.....with nature all around and the feeling of stepping back ever so slightly in time, when life was a little more simple.
I've shot a few weddings at this ranch but they have all been in different locations....so I feel newly inspired each time I am there.
Mark and Tricia's wedding had that old rustic charm to it......a log cabin, hay bales, old chandeliers and picket fences....great photo backdrops!
This time I even took my own damask backdrop....and did we have some fun with that! Take a look at the slideshow if you want to see how creative people became.....

Mojave Desert

Mark Maier and his fiancee Tricia McNulty are getting married tomorrow at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu.
Knowing Mark's love of all things cowboy ( I've seen the Stetson, the lariats and the obsession with that Dallas football team... ) I thought I'd let Ralph Lauren be my inspiration when designing their engagement shoot.
Mark and Tricia have known me ( and my work ) for years and this is probably why they let me drag them on a two and a half hour drive to the Mojave Desert where the temperature was 105 degrees!
You see, I'd found this perfect little "old west" town the week before while location scouting. It even had a saloon dating from 1857, a barbershop, a little old clapboard church and a general store. Wow....it looked as though the set designers had constructed it just for us!
With beautiful blue mountains in the distance and a railway track running through.....all we needed was to hear the howl of a passing train to make the day perfect.....luckily for us ( as you can see in their slideshow below ) one did just that!

Wine Country Wedding

The beautiful process of wine-making has long been synonymous with the cycle of life...and so it is that I feel transported to some ancient Tuscan hilltop to celebrate a Bacchan festival each time I have a wedding at a vineyard here in California.
The spicy scent of the earth, and the beautiful backlit vines create a stunning environment for timeless wedding photographs.
Emily and Owen's wedding took place at a private vineyard in Paso Robles.
Emily's gorgeous dress was very Grecian in style and, with her simple Roman sandals, further added to the feeling of being in some timeless, classic setting.
Lots of family members flew in from other parts of the country and stayed for a few days...with wine-tasting tours on the wedding itinerary, such a great idea for out of town guests.

Trash The Dress

I ususally call these after-the -wedding sessions my " Vogue Bride" shoots....but Kristen's photoshoot certainly does deserve the Trash the Dress moniker ( even though the bride does look like a fashion model ).....did you see that first image?? The dress isn't exactly ruined but it's certainly one adventurous lady who is going to be up for this Bond-girl pose in the ocean!!!
If you would like to see the slideshow of her complete shoot it's right here : Kristen's Slideshow

Vintage Chic

Old-Hollywood Glamour.......that was the theme throughout Angela and Mike's beautiful, sophisticated wedding in downtown Los Angeles.
The day began with getting ready at the historic 1920's Checker's hotel.......the bride wearing a stunning Jenny Packham gown and glossy red lipstick....shots of the boys at the Art Deco library....and the ceremony and reception at one of my favorite locations....Marvimon,which was once the home of a 1930's Italian race-car driver.
Taking shots of the newlyweds on an historic bridge with downtown in the background simply added to the feeling of being in a movie from the Hollywood Studio days......and two-generations of family wedding dresses on display was a very unique nod to nostalgia.
Their stunning wedding can be seen in this slideshow....

Icing on the Cake....

"The Happiest Day Of My Life " is an expression most of us have heard people use when talking of their wedding day.....the day that lays down the roots for a new tree of life for many couples. I imagine that lots of people didn't think they could ever feel happier....until their children come along : )
With this in mind I've decided to call my articles featuring these little blessings as " Icing on the Cake".
This is beautiful Grace Capri, and you can see more of her with mom and dad, Lori and Mike in this slideshow.....

Just another day in the neighborhood....

After her wedding..... and before she dry-cleaned her dress.... Stephanie chose to have one of my Vogue Bride ( Trash the Dress ) photoshoots.
I live next to a beautiful lagoon and some lovely architecture, so we were within 2 minutes walking distance to all of the outside locations and fortunately Stephanie had two wedding dresses to work with. Lucky me!
Stephanie is fast becoming a pro in front of the camera.....climbing into an old abandoned boat, wading into the lagoon in her dress, lying on the ground.....nothing was too much to ask of my "model".
Here is her sexy slideshow....

Fiesta

I find destination weddings to be really inspiring, creatively. The senses are heightened when you are in an unknown environment, especially with a different culture. Colors, scents, sounds......all the senses are ignited and alive.
Rusty and Stephanie's 4-day, event-filled wedding in beautiful Puerto Vallarta was a joy to shoot. On the itinerary.....zip-gliding through the jungle; a spa day; an evening boat trip to a torch-lit island; rehearsal dinner; and an evening welcome party that featured a beachside massage therapist and a custom cigar-maker!
With a mariachi band playing at the ceremony, cocktail party on the sand, firedancers and a band playing into the night....Rusty and Stephanie's wedding really had that fiesta atmosphere. Take a look at their slideshow to see for yourself!!

Vogue Bride

With Trash the Dress sessions becoming very popular with today's modern bride, I thought it was time I stepped up to the plate, and indulged my "Passion for Fashion" Photography.
These post-wedding fashion shoots really are wonderful for the new bride. It's not often a girl gets to wear such a beautiful, couture dress......and now she can stop worrying about her guests, she let her hair down, put on some killer heels....be more sexy and playful. The dress certainly doesn't have to get damaged in any way.
The day after her wedding, Lisa even arrived late to a post-wedding brunch because she just had to have one of my Vogue Bride ( much nicer, don't you think?! ) shoots while I was still in Connecticut.
So I had an extra cup of coffee that morning, forgot all about my aching body and throbbing feet ( all you wedding photographers know what I'm talking about! ) and got ready to bring out Lisa's inner Diva, before catching my flight back to Los Angeles.
I give a lot of guidance and direction during these shoots to show my ladies at their most beautiful....every girl deserves to feel that she's fabulous enough to grace the cover of a magazine.
I think I might well be on Lisa's Christmas-card list forever when she sees her shoot. Ha!
She looks very sultry.....it almost feels as though we shot it in some balmy, Southern bayou rather than Connecticut : )
Take a look...

Rockstars!

I had a wonderful time recently at Lisa and Jared's wedding in Connecticut.I was practically doing cartwheels ( across the expansive lawn! ) when I saw the location, Saint Clement's Castle.
It looked like a beautiful English country manor house....complete with statues, ivy-covered walls, wildflowers growing in a secret garden and a vintage rolls royce in the driveway. Being British, I felt quite at home : )
Unfortuntely.........the weather was also typically English! On the morning of the wedding I couldn't even see two feet in front of me as I drove in the pouring rain to the salon where the girls were getting ready. The bride was still all smiles though....maybe this was why the rain stopped and the sun came out that afternoon!
Lisa and Jared are great fans of classic British music. Jared got an extra bonus when he discovered that I am from Liverpool since the Beatles featured heavily in the choice of music.
The ceremony overlooked the stunning Connecticut River and a violin played a beautiful, haunting version of "Across The Universe" as Lisa walked down the aisle ( in her Vera Wang dress and Christian Louboutain flats! ).
The same musicians played David Bowie's " Ziggy Stardust" as the new bride and groom left the ceremony site, and later Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" was their choice for their Grand Entrance! Excellent choices...so different from the norm.
As guests danced the night away, a huge vide screen featured corresponding music videos........ Lisa and jared looked as though they could star in their own when they changed into " something more comfortable"!
Here is the slideshow telling their story...

Knockout

Sometimes I shoot editorial pieces for the Beverly Hills Times Magazine. Usually, they feature businessmen or doctors so it became a lot more interesting when they told me that the subject of the shoot were the Knockout Girls.
These sexy girls are all boxers.....even though they could have a second career as models...and they raise a lot of money from their events for underpriveliged girls. One of the Knockout Girls is Pavarti Shallow, who some of you may know won Survivor: Micronesia.
Shooting at Crunch gym was a little challenging ( having only 20 minutes to work with and trying to make sure that none of the gym-goers tripped over the lighting cords! )
The girls were thrilled with the results and I love the fact that they have used one of the shots for their website and poster : )

2 Hot Tamales

Rusty and Stephanie's wedding was to take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and they intended to play their engagement shoot slideshow at the reception. With this in mind I wanted to keep their shoot very Spanish-looking, and so I took them to the San Gabriel Mission for it's beautiful architecture ( painted tiles, crumbling walls, twisted wrought iron ) and sense of history.
These two were naturals in front of the camera.......Stephanie was such a good sport, she even climbed into the fountain at one point! I love it when they trust me and go for it : )
Hope you enjoy the complete slideshow!