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June 27, 2018

Hotel Maya Long Beach Wedding Photography – Ana & Mike

Hotel Maya Long Beach Wedding Photography

Ana and Mike got married a couple weeks ago at the awesome Hotel Maya, which is a modern and trendy hotel in Long Beach. It was a beautiful day and the sun even made an appearance!

Getting ready

Ana got ready in her hotel room with her bridesmaids and mom, and the atmosphere was full of excitement. After she got her gown on, we went downstairs to a small bridge right in front of the beach for their first look.

The ceremony

The ceremony was a beautiful service overlooking the beach. A gorgeous chandelier hung from above, the waves crashed in the distance, and the tiki torch flames flickered in the wind. Their flower girl was a hula dancer and she performed a traditional Hawaiian dance before the bride walked down the aisle. During the ceremony they read their own vows which were so personal and sweet to hear. It was touching, but funny and overall, such a personal service. Rose bushes have a special meaning to them both, so they had a watering ceremony to show their coming together as husband and wife.

The reception

The reception was in an upstairs room at the venue, right above their ceremony site. It was a tropical themed wedding, which fit their personalities perfectly. I love shooting weddings at the Hotel Maya because there are always so many unique areas for photos. Right when you walk into the hotel lobby, you see so many cool details. And the entire property doesn’t disappoint!

They had a cocktail drinks reception in the afternoon, and a photobooth in the evening. They decorated the venue with orchids and succulents.

For dinner they served steak and chicken, which was absolutely delicious. The first dance involved the wedding party getting on the dance floor to get the dancing going, and they finished off the evening with the cake cutting, followed by a bouquet and garter toss.

The couple

Ana wore an Oleg Cassini gown from David’s Bridal and Mike wore a suit from the Men’s Warehouse and they both looked so incredible. Ana’s shoes were Badgley Mischka and their jewellery was from J&L Jewelry.

Ana and Mike’s wedding had such a chilled vibe and had a really fun atmosphere. Here’s my favorites from their wedding at the Hotel Maya Long Beach!

Hotel Maya Long Beach Wedding Photography Friendors

Venue/Caterer | Hotel Maya

Coordinator | Boutique Event Planning

Florist | Shell’s Petals

Bakery | Great Dane Baking Company

DJ | DJ Scotty Events

MC/Photo Booth | In the Mix Events

Videography | Hot Kofe, Daniel Timtim

Gown Boutique | David’s Bridal

Gown Designer | Oleg Cassini

Bride’s Shoes | Badgley Mischka

Groom’s Attire | Men’s Wearhouse

Jewelry | J&L Jewelry

Officiant | Seaside Ceremonies

If you’re having a wedding at the Hotel Maya Long Beach, I’d love to help with your wedding photography! Please get in touch!

June 27, 2018

What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer

Here’s some tips on What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer. One thing I always tell my clients is make sure you actually like your photographer’s personality. Can you picture being friends outside of the wedding experience? If you can, just think how much more happy and comfortable you’ll feel if your photographer seems more like a friend than the paparazzi.

There’s a ton of great photographers out there, but unfortunately you shouldn’t only choose a photographer based on their skill alone. A lot of wedding photographers out there do it more as a hobby or side business, and because it’s not their primary job, some don’t think having insurance or a license is necessary, or even required. Check out the list below so you have a better understanding of what to look for, and what to expect when hiring a photographer for you wedding.

Important Questions to Ask

1. Do they have liability insurance? Hopefully this won’t be needed, but it’s definitely something a professional photographer should have.

2. What equipment are they using and do they bring backups in case something fails? The camera doesn’t make the photographer, but better equipment will help make the photos that much better! Also bringing more than one camera with is a must in case something goes wrong with one of them!

3. How do they backup the images and make sure nothing is lost? I personally use two cards recording twice in my cameras, and when I get home, I upload the images to my computer, and they’re automatically backed up to an external hard drive.

3. What happens if they can’t make it on your wedding? You likely won’t have to worry about this but it’s a good idea to ask. I know multiple other pro photographers that I can call in at the last minute in case of an emergency.

4. How long have they been in business? Are they really inexpensive? Seems too good to be true? Usually an increased price comes with increased experience. For one of the most important days of your lives, you may want to use someone who isn’t just starting out. Inexperience can lead to bad images, missed shots, failed equipment, and all other things you don’t want to think about!

5. What do they require to reserve your wedding date? Do they require a 50% retainer? Full payment? 25%? Is it nonrefundable? Just a signed contract?

6. What is included with your wedding photography? Does it include an album? High res or low res files? Will you get a USB drive or DVD as well? Do you get an online gallery? Any prints or print credits?

7. When can you expect to receive your images? Make sure you know this ahead of time so you won’t be upset when it seems to be taking longer than you want. I guarantee images within 4-5 weeks, some photographers will say 2-3 months. Just make sure you know what to expect.

Make sure that they are trustworthy, responsible, and professional.

8. Do you like their style? Clients always ask me what’s my style. Take a look at their photos. Do the images resonate with you? Do you think they’re pretty? Can you picture yourself in them? If you like the way their photos look, that’s all that matters!

9. Do they have good (or any) reviews on reputable sites, like The Knot, Wedding Wire, Google, or Yelp? Check them out online, do you see any reviews for them? Read the reviews. It’ll help you get a better idea of their personality as well as their quality.

10. Can they recommend other vendors? Have they worked with other vendors that they think would be a good fit? Experienced photographers will be able to refer you to many that would be a perfect fit for your wedding.

Consider Hiring a Wedding Coordinator

Now that you know what to Look for in a Wedding Photographer, I’d really suggest hiring a wedding coordinator as they have the most experience working directly with other wedding professionals. Wedding planning can be so stressful you’ll want one to help alleviate some of the pressure. Here are some coordinators who are extra awesome, and I love working with them!

Ann Johnson Events

All Occasions Event Planning

Stop and Stare Events

Now that you know what to look for in a wedding photographer, contact me to reserve your wedding date and get the planning started!

June 27, 2018

Wedding at The Pierpont Inn Ventura – Melanie & Randy

Melanie and Randy’s wedding was so much fun, I can’t believe how quickly they put it all together!

Wedding at The Pierpont Inn Ventura

Melanie and Randy got married in May at the lovely Pierpont Inn, which is a nice hotel in Ventura. They had their ceremony in the back garden, which overlooked the ocean. They chose Pierpont Inn, because it has so many options and they just fell in love with it. It was an all white wedding, which looked so unique. I love shooting weddings at The Pierpont Inn, because the surroundings are relaxed and the grounds are so gorgeous. There are so many areas for photos, you can have such different looks and the beach right across the street.

Getting ready

Melanie got ready in one of the cottages with her mom, and the atmosphere was perfect. The bride and groom then met for their first look and some couples portraits before going to the ceremony. Randy got ready in his own cottage.

The ceremony

The wedding itself was intimate setting on the venue grounds, with ivy vines framing their ceremony. During the ceremony they read their own vows. It was such a personal service. Looking around at all their closest friends and family all wearing white or beige was so unique!

After the ceremony

The reception was at the same venue and they had their group photos and some more of the two of them taken before their grand entrance. They decorated the venue with all white flowers with candles and hints of gold, because Melanie loved the clean and simple look of an all white wedding. I’ve never seen this style done before and absolutely loved how it all came out. The first dance was immediately following their grand entrance, and it was a romantic slow dance. Melanie and her father had their father daughter dance right afterwards, and it was such an emotional moment. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

The nicest part of the day was being able to capture them together as husband and wife. I always love that part of the day, seeing the little moments no one else gets to see.

The couple

Melanie wore this gorgeous gown with an incredibly long and intricate train, and Randy wore a stylish tan suit and they both looked so incredible. Melanie’s dress was from Wang’s Bridal and Randy’s suit was from Jos A Banks.

Melanie and Randy met online and have been together for about 4 years. They got in touch with me barely a month before their wedding date! They said they wanted a photographer that could capture them and their personalities, and I thought it was awesome that they knew what they wanted, and loved my style.

Melanie and Randy’s wedding had such a fun atmosphere and was everything I love about weddings. I loved photographing their wedding at the Pierpont Inn Ventura! Here’s their awesome wedding day!

Wedding at The Pierpont Inn Ventura

Photography | Elizabeth Victoria Photography

Venue/Caterer | Pierpont Inn

DJ/Photobooth | Islandroots Entertainment

Wedding Gown Boutique | Wang’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire | Jos A. Bank

Rings | Macy’s

Videographer | Adrian Verdult

June 27, 2018

Charming Backyard Wedding – Laila & Dee

Charming Backyard Wedding

Charming Backyard Wedding. Laila and Dee are friends of mine. When they asked me to be the one to capture their day I was happy to do it! Sometimes when it’s a friends wedding I prefer to not photograph it but instead sit back and enjoy the festivities, and sometimes I prefer to do both! Their wedding I did both. I was able to photograph all the main events but I was much more relaxed and was able to mingle with the guests during the reception.

Laila and Dee had a really fun wedding and they did an amazing job pulling it all together. We got some great photos in the Santa Monica mountain range which was just a short 5 minute drive from their fun backyard wedding! They had a tight budget but managed to have such a cute and charming day! A lot of the details were being painstakingly put together within hours of their ceremony. Laila and a couple of her bridesmaids assembled all of the flowers themselves. Dee spent many days prepping the backyard for the event. Enjoy the photos, there’s a lot of great ideas for you DIYers out there!

Photography | Elizabeth Victoria Photography

Venue | Private Residence

Catering | Wood Ranch

Photobooth | In the Pix

DJ/MC | In the Mix Events

June 27, 2018

Backpacking Havasupai

Last month I took a break from wedding photography for a week and went backpacking to Havasupai. It’s a tiny little village on the edge of the Grand Canyon, tucked about 10 miles down. I went with a large group of friends. We got to the site the night before and set up camp at the trail head, then the next morning, dark and early at 4am, we got up, packed our gear, and began the hike. The weather said it was going to be in the high 90s which is why we left so early. We really wanted to get ahead of the heat since the first several miles have almost no shade. There’s also no water on the hike until you reach Supai, which is 8 miles down so we had to carry about 3 liters of water with us in addition to our gear.

The hike itself was easy, nothing technical or too extraneous. It was just long and hot which were the only challenges. Once we got down to the camping area, you are greeted with an amazingly tropical and gorgeous oasis.

This was such a cool experience, being able to swim in the crystal clear water after a long hike was the perfect reward. I kept seeing all these beautiful spots that would be perfect for someones wedding or engagement photos. That’s what happens when I go on vacation now. I think of how cool the area would look as a backdrop for wedding photography. I brought my camera with even though I really didn’t want to add the extra weight, but I got some pretty photos from the trip. No brides or grooms in them, but waterfalls, happy faces, and beautiful scenery instead.

Here are some of my favorites from backpacking Havasupai…

A few of my good friends and fellow wedding professionals were also able to join me on this trip. Here’s me with Tim and Monica from In The Mix Events, and Scott from Good Times Entertainment, and our friend Vivienne!

Now I’m not a landscape photographer, and I’m newer when it comes to taking night photography shots like this… but one of the guys that came on the trip showed me a photo he had taken and I tried to get my own since I thought it looked so cool! Here’s my attempt at a night waterfall shot.

If you want to have your engagement photos or wedding photography taken at some amazing location that requires a bit of hiking and sweat to get there, contact me! I’d love to go on some crazy adventure with you and get some epic photos together!

June 27, 2018

Styled Cigar and Wine Bar Same-Sex Wedding Photography

Styled Cigar and Wine Bar Same-Sex Wedding Photography. Here’s a styled shoot I did earlier this year. I wanted to create a wedding for an awesome same-sex couple! Allen and Benedict had recently been married so this was perfect timing for all of us. I worked with some amazing wedding vendors to help pull the entire look of the wedding together. Melissa at Engaged to Be Wed helped with the vision, organization, and planning. The finished shoot turned out even better than expected and it has already been featured on three different wedding blogs! Here are some of my favorites from the wedding shoot.

It was a pleasure working on this styled shoot with all the amazing vendors. Being able to bring our ideas together is always a lot of fun. Doing these styled shoots also is a great way for couples to get ideas on how to put their wedding day together. Benedict and Allen were so sweet and really helped bring the entire shoot together. The location itself is perfect for a large or small wedding. And if you love wine but don’t want to drive all the way up to wine country, then this location is perfect! The wine barrel backdrop makes for a unique, rustic feel to your wedding. This location is near large open fields to add to the look of your wedding day.

Check out some of the photos from the styled wedding shoot.

Photography | Elizabeth Victoria Photography

Coordinator | Engaged to Be Wed

Venue | Cantara Cellars

Florist | Passion Flowers

Rental Company | Ventura Rental

Stationary | Umama Online

Signage | Splendid Expressions

Styled Cigar and Wine Bar Same-Sex Wedding Photography is featured on Gay Weddings, Gay Wedding Magazine, and Equal and Forever.

June 27, 2018

Santa Barbara Garden Street Academy Wedding – Amanda & Jason

Santa Barbara Garden Street Academy Wedding

A couple weeks ago I photographed my friend’s, Amanda and Jason’s wedding in Santa Barbara at Garden Street Academy. This is such a gorgeous and unique hidden gem! Near the Santa Barbara Mission and the Museum of Natural History, this school also offers the space for private events but limits the amount they allow per year. Reach out to them right away to make sure you can reserve a day to have your wedding at this unique venue. It has the traditional Spanish architecture often found throughout Santa Barbara, with several small gardens, a large lawn area that’s perfect for the cocktail hour, and it even has a private chapel that can be decorated and personalized. Amanda has an amazing eye for detail and she made the space look even more beautiful!

Amanda and Jason both got ready at a cute little Air BnB about 5 minutes from the venue. We got their first look photos on the property before heading over to Garden Street Academy for the ceremony and reception. The ceremony was held at the venue’s chapel and was officiated by our friend, Tim from In the Mix Events. The reception was so much fun, since Amanda and Jason are good friends of mine, I was also one of the guests and could enjoy the party with all of our friends. I still kept my camera nearby and made sure to capture the most important moments for them.

Here’s the highlights from their wedding day…

Venue | Garden Street Academy

Event Rentals | Ventura Rental

Florist | Knot Just Flowers

DJ & MC | In the Mix Events

Catering, Cake/Dessert Bar | Lorraine Lim Catering

Make-up Artist | KINShoppe Salon

Gown Boutique | Camarillo Bridal Boutique

Bride’s Gown | David Tutera

Groom’s Suit | Friar Tux

Wedding Rings | Fox Fine Jewelry

Santa Barbara Garden Street Academy Wedding was also featured on Modern Weddings, Santa Barbara Wedding Style, and Glittery Bride. Planning your wedding there? Contact me ans we’ll plan it out!

June 27, 2018

Wedding Elopement in Oxnard Shores – Jacquie & Melanie

Wedding Elopement in Oxnard Shores, Channel Islands.

A couple months ago I photographed a last minute wedding elopement in Oxnard Shores, Channel Islands area. Jacquie & Melanie are from Canada and they had planned a long vacation exploring California. When they got to the airport, they decided this trip would be the trip where they’d finally get married. They decided to tie the knot in Ventura at the Courthouse, and then have their wedding photos taken back at their hotel in Oxnard Shores. They stayed at the Mandalay Beach Resort, and we took photos there and on the beach right in front of the property.

Melanie and Jacquie got to experience some of California’s breathtaking sunsets during their session. They’re a beautiful couple and their love for each other really showed in the photos! I had a great time working with them!

Elopements are a great idea for those that don’t have the time or money to plan a full wedding. I love photographing wedding elopements. I usually get more one on one time with the couple since theirs usually a lot less people involved. Also, elopements tend to have more focus on just the couples photos, which is my favorite part of all weddings. Contact me for special rates on elopement or destination weddings.

June 27, 2018

Pittsburgh Destination Styled Wedding Shoot

Pittsburgh Destination Styled Wedding Shoot I photographed late last year while I was still living in the city. I wanted to visit as many areas as possible that capture the essence of this unique and vibrant, steel city. Pittsburgh, PA has a great, edgy charm, yet there’s so much elegance and class. There are so many cool backdrops for wedding photography.

The beautiful bride wore a gorgeous gown from Blanc de Blanc Bridal. It had an old world, vintage feel. We paired it with bright, royal blue platform heels, that popped against the pewter gown. The bouquet from Sapphire & Lace added to the look with an earthy, vibrant feel. The bride wore a handmade headband and later replaced it with an equally chic handmade hair clip from Eva Elderkin Creative. The groom’s final touches were compliments of Jack’s Tuxedo.

I loved how this styled shoot turned out and really think it gives a good idea of the amazing architecture and scenery you can get having your destination wedding in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! I have so many ideas and recommendations on the best areas for wedding and engagements in the area. Planning a destination in Pittsburgh can be a great location for your wedding elopement. Check out the photos to see some of the cool and unique places we went to complete the scene.

Venue | The Pennsylvanian, Primanti Bros

Bridal Boutique | Blanc de Blanc Bridal

Florist | Sapphire & Lace

Make-up Artist | Face By Grace

Bride’s Hair Accessories | Eva Elderkin Creative

Groom’s Accessories | Jack’s Tuxedo

Invitation Design | Exhale Events

2nd Photographer | Low-Key Love LLC

Bride | Brooke Brakeman

Groom | Gage Martin

June 27, 2018

Santa Barbara Buddhist & Greek Orthodox Church Wedding Photography

Santa Barbara Buddhist & Greek Orthodox Church Wedding Photography. Satomi and Joshua’s wedding ceremony was at the Santa Barbara Buddhist Church and their reception at the Greek Orthodox Church. I met with them for the first time over Skype only a couple weeks before their wedding day. Their first photographer cancelled on them unexpectedly and they were running out of time to find another photographer. Fortunately one of my brides from a wedding earlier this year works with Joshua and gave him my number. I’m happy I was still available that day so I could be apart of their uniquely amazing wedding!

The day started with Satomi getting ready at a private estate in the hills of Santa Barbara. She first got dressed with the help of her mother into her vibrantly colored, traditional Japanese Kimono. All of her bridesmaids wore a traditional obi for the ceremony and changed into a simple gold sash for the reception. She also had a gorgeous wedding gown to wear after the ceremony for the reception and some more portraits. It was such an interesting wedding, mixing Satomi and Joshua’s two different family traditions seemed effortless.

One of my absolute favorite parts of the day was immediately following the ceremony. All of the guests gathered around the couple and showered them in rose petals! It looked so beautiful! We were greeted with an amazing sunset after we finished taking all of the group and family portraits and right before we went inside! Everything at the reception was perfectly complete with speeches, dancing, and cake. Want to see some of their wedding photos?