Cam and Anne were married on November 26 at Ponte Winery in Temecula.  It was a gorgeous and unseasonably warm day.  Cameron is the third (and final) sibling in the Murray family whose wedding I have photographed.  It’s so fun feeling like part of the family at a wedding.  And the Murray family always makes me feel like family!

Cameron and Annabelle’s wedding was inspired by Annabelle’s fascination of old treasures and trinkets.  In particular, it was old books that caught Annabelle’s eye as she perused her local flea market.  She knew she had to incorporate them into her wedding.

Once she saw this tutorial on 100 Layer Cake she knew that’s how the books would be incorporated into her wedding.  Annabelle, Cameron, and a few of her bridesmaids spent countless hours making over 400 paper flowers.  They were used in the bouquets, boutonnieres, and center pieces.  They were amazing.  Because at first glance you didn’t even notice they were paper.  Murrieta Flower Girl did a great job incorporating the paper flowers with real flowers.

I love how Annabelle said, “Inspiration is everywhere for me. With that, my countless arts & craft nights combined with great bonding time and just plain ol’ everyday adventures gave me the clarity that ultimately became … our wedding”.

The whole wedding was just spectacular and magical.  I’m so happy I could be a part of it!  Here’s the slideshow!

Yummy cupcakes by Hey There Cupcake!

The Bittels

Sarah and I went to junior high and high school together.  She was a swimmer, very tall, drove a rad maroon car (was it a Mustang?) and wore the coolest red glasses while working at Rubys.  Unlike most girls in high school, I don’t ever remember there being any drama with Sarah.  She was always a good friend.  Even letting me borrow her ID so I could get into the 18 and over clubs since I was so young

When I started my photography business she was one of my first supporters.  She hired me to shoot her engagement pictures at Disneyland (a.  I can’t believe I just posted my old blog for the whole world to see and b. Don’t laugh at the selected color.  It was 2006, people!).   She’s one of the people who believed in me before I’m sure I even believed in myself. And for that I will forever be grateful.

Now we have girls that are practically the same age, which I think is so fun.  I hope they will also be friends.

Sarah and Mark are SO in love with Lilly.  I will admit it.  I totally teared up while taking some of the pictures of the three of them together.  I had to hide behind my camera so they didn’t see.  The ones where Mark is hugging Sarah from behind got me.  The way Mark was hugging Sarah so tight.  And they way they were both so proud of their baby girl.  I was so happy for them.  You could just feel their love.

Congratulations, Mark and Sarah!  Thank you for allowing me to shoot Lilly’s first pictures!  Can’t wait to capture your family grow over the next year!

When shooting newborn sessions I’m in very close proximity with my clients for a long period of time.  I’m so fortunate to have such amazing clients to get to know.  Jennifer and DJ are no exception.  DJ had me cracking up the entire time.  Jennifer and DJ balance each other perfectly and are already amazing parents.  I’m so excited to be able to document their first year as a family!

I can’t get over how much Leighton looks like my baby girl.  Good thing Kennedy has a birth mark on her head.  Otherwise, I might not be able to tell the difference!

Here are some of my favorites from Leighton’s first shoot!

Ryan and Nichole, thank you so much for allowing me to document your love for one another.  Not only was it great to work with you, but it was fun getting to know you two and your families.  You and your family and friends made me feel like a guest at your wedding rather than a vendor.  It was such an amazing day!  I hope you are having an amazing time on your honeymoon!  Here’s your slideshow!

Nichole’s Monique Lhuillier gown was perfect for her!

The flowers and wedding coordination were done by the awesome girls at The Hidden Garden Flowers

Nichole’s nieces are the cutest!  I took way too many pictures of them

In her toast, Nichole’s sister Korri said that Nichole is the best aunt.  I would have to agree.  She has a very special relationship with her nieces and nephew.

I love Calamigos Ranch!

I love the carnival decorations they had at their wedding!  It was all Nichole’s vision and they were made with help from her brother in law.

I’ve never seen the Ferris wheel actually used at Calamigos before.  It was very cool!

I really wish I would have thought of this for my wedding!  I might just have to do it for Kennedy’s first birthday!  Such a fun piece of art to hang in your home!

The chandeliers were brought in for the wedding!  Love them!

Another great DJ at this wedding.  11H Entertainment really kept the party going!

And my personal favorite… Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches.  Of course I had to try one.  They totally lived up to the hype!

It makes shooting weddings like this so much fun.  It’s great to see familiar faces and to know everyone’s stories.  It makes going to work not seem like work.  You feel like a guest because everything is so much more personal.  I got teary when Kendall walked down the aisle with her dad and saw how excited she was to see Matt.  I had to hide my ugly crying face behind my camera when Kendall danced with her dad.  Not just because I know how close their relationship is, but because it was the first wedding I shot after my baby girl Kennedy was born.  All I could do was picture Chuck dancing with Kennedy at her wedding.

It was so fun to see how excited Kendall and her mom, Kaylin, got seeing their vision of the wedding come to life.  Kaylin cried.  A lot.  She even cried when she saw the amazing dessert room   It was so cute!

It was an absolute honor to photograph Kendall and Matt’s wedding.  Thank you to the Murray family for asking me back and entrusting me with the memories of one of the most important days in all of your children’s lives.  It means so, so much to me and I can’t wait to see you all in November!  Here’s the slideshow!

Venue:  Pacific Palms Resort

Coordinator:  Platinum Weddings by Kerrie

Florist:  Flower Allie

DJ / Lighting:  LSM Entertainment

Cake: Sweet and Saucy Shop

I love Flower Allie.  Her flowers are always unique and beautiful!

This locket belonged to Kendall’s grandmother.

Kerrie Underhill from Platinum Weddings from Kerrie did an amazing job making Kendall’s vision a reality.  I love the touch of vintage details while keeping the wedding romantic and elegant.

The buffet was so tasty!  They had every type of food imaginable including a “Kiddie Station”.  Perfect for kids and picky eaters like myself  

Kendall and Matt didn’t just have a desert table.  They had an entire dessert room!  Hello?  Amazing!

If there is one piece of advice I can give to couples planning their wedding I would tell them to invest in good lighting for your reception.  Good lighting can transform a boring ball room into a beautiful and elegant reception.  Makes such a remarkable difference!  LSM Entertainment provided the lighting as well as the DJ services.  One of the best DJ’s I’ve worked with.  Kept the party going the entire time and played AWESOME music! 

Saturday, November 5

Fullerton, CA

2:00 – 2:20

2:30 – 2:50

3:00 – 3:20

3:30 – 3:50

4:00 – 4:20

Sunday, November 6

Fullerton, CA

2:00 – 2:20

2:30 – 2:50

3:00 – 3:20

3:30 – 3:50

4:00 – 4:20

Sessions styled by Julie from Joy’s Hope!!! (To see Julie’s work from our past sessions look here, here, and here!  Julie has been sending me sneak peeks and it’s going to be awesome!).

Full session fee is due at time of booking to hold your spot!

*** If there is enough interest I will also open up Saturday, November 5 (same times, same location).

Email drew@drewbphotography.com to reserve your spot!

*** Graphic above adapted from this Photo Card Boutique holiday card template!

Hello Friends!

If you didn’t already know, I am expecting a baby in August.  I will be taking maternity leave August and September and will be returning back to work October 1st.  I am currently booked for portrait sessions through the end of the year and am booking for January 2012.

Newborn Clients – I do have a few spots left for newborn sessions this Fall.  If you are thinking about booking a newborn session please do so ASAP as I am only taking a limited number of sessions in the Fall.

Portrait Clients – If you are interested in getting on the wait list for portrait sessions please email drew@drewbphotography.com and I will put you on the wait list.  I may open up a couple of “mini session” dates and I will announce them here on my blog as well as my Facebook page if I decide to do so.

Prospective Wedding Clients – I will do my best to answer your inquiries in a timely matter while I’m on leave.  I will not be holding any client meetings for the month of August, but will most likely begin to schedule meetings again in September.

Current Wedding and Portrait Clients – Please feel free to contact me at any point during my maternity leave.  I will get back to you, it might just take me a little longer than usual as I get adjusted to being a mom of 2  If you have print orders I would get those in ASAP!  I will still be processing print orders, but it will take me longer than normal to get them to you.

I still have a few sessions to blog and I’m waiting on 3 newborns to be born before I officially start my leave.  So, please check back for those sessions and of course for pictures of our new baby girl when she arrives!

Love,

DrewB

Here’s the slideshow!