Drew B Photograhy

Alison was a bridesmaid in a wedding I shot last April and I was so excited when she contacted me about shooting her own wedding! Alison and Wayde met at Cal State Chico. Because Alison fell so in love with Wayde she stayed up at Chico while it took him a freakishly (her words, not mine!) long time to graduate.  She even took a not so great job and postponed the rest of her schooling to be with him. That’s love

These two were so comfortable in front of the camera. They just laughed at each other the whole time. I don’t even think they knew I was there! You can just tell how in love they are, which always makes my job a lot easier. They are just too cute!

Alison and Wayde are getting married this October at the Fullerton Arboretum. I’m excited because it’s a gorgeous venue, but also because it’s really close to my house I think it’s the closest wedding I’ve ever shot.

Thanks Alison and Wayde for hanging out in a parking structure, sitting in bushes, and laying in an alley with me. It was fun! I can’t wait for your wedding! Below are some of my favorites and here is your slide show!

I already knew I loved Natalie and Scott. They have been a joy to work with from day 1. It is usually the bride that I get to know the best because they are my contact and, let’s face it, it’s the bride’s day. Most grooms don’t love getting their pictures taken. I know that. And that’s why I try to make it easy and a little fun for them. So, when it was 100 degrees this past weekend, I figured Scott wasn’t going to be too happy about having to get back in his suit to take their day after pictures. However, I was totally wrong. The guy didn’t complain once! He was fun and came up with great ideas and poses. He was even giving Natalie a little direction (not like she needs it. The girl is a natural in front of the camera!). At the end of the shoot I told Scott how impressed I was and he said, “You know Drew, marriage is all about compromise”. He’s so right! Scott knew that shooting this day after session meant a lot to Natalie and he just wanted to be with is bride. I love these two! I’m sad my shoots with them are done, but hopefully we will be doing maternity and baby pictures in the future (but, not too soon because Natalie has to finish her masters first!).

Oh, and if this little story didn’t convince you of their awesomeness then this picture will. Don’t kill me for posting this, Natalie!

This picture just cracks me up! I told you. The girl has mad modeling skills

Here are my favorites from the session!

PS Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad! I love you!

Well, he was 3 months old this past Monday, but it’s hard to find time to fit in a little photo shoot now that I’m back working. I was really excited because I found this old garage in an alley on a walk last week. The house is going up for auction and will probably be torn down so I wanted to get a shoot in before that happens. I envisioned Brayden in jeans and a tie with no shirt. But, apparently ties are a chocking hazard for babies. Whatever! It would have been cute. I suppose we’ll have to wait until he’s 1 for that.

Okay, onto Brayden. He’s a talking machine! He can say, “Mama, I love you!”, “Daddy, you’re cool!”, and “Hi”. I’m not kidding. He can really say all that. I know. He’s the smartest 3 month old, ever! He’s been squeaking and talking away more and more everyday. He’s graduated to sitting up like a big boy in his stroller and he loves the wind in his hair. Well, not really because his hair has pretty much all fallen out. And I think it’s growing back in brown. He is a really strong boy and he loves to dance, dance, dance! But, his most impressive new talent is that he can fly! I know, impressive, right? He LOVES to fly! He especially loves to fly over to the mirror and see his friend Layden Little who lives in the mirror. That Layden Little sure is cute! Looks a lot like my Brayden!  He’s been a really happy boy for the most part this month and his little personality is really starting to come out.

Here are the many faces of Brayden Bittel at 3 months old!

Okay, there’s no baby yet. But, there will be very soon!

Some of my very loyal blog readers may remember Jill and Brandon from almost two years ago when I took their engagement pictures. Well, now they are having a baby girl and I had the privilege of shooting their maternity pictures! Jill is due at the end of June and she looks amazing! Jill was born to be a mom. She is the best auntie to her nephew and she is great with babies (even my own!). And Brandon is going to make a great daddy! We tried to get him to practice changing Brayden’s diaper, but he just observed. I’m sure he’ll get the hang of changing diapers very soon!

Check back in early July for baby Cameron’s blog debut! I can’t wait! For now, here’s the slide show and some of my favorite pictures!

I had so much fun shooting with Krista and Erik last Friday! Vespas, boats, and ferris wheels! You can’t really get much more fun then that! Krista and Erik met on the Newport Peninsula. They did (and still do for a few more weeks) live across the street from each other. Erik didn’t have cable so he would come watch TV with Krista and her roommate They are getting married in September and it’s sure to be a gorgeous wedding! Even though Krista is a Trojan and a Delta Gamma (what is with all the DG’s? I have 3 DG brides this year!) she is a cool girl and is going to be a stunning bride! Can’t wait! Here’s the slide show!

Erik collects Vespas. Perfect for getting around Newport in the summer!Check out that bling! I LOVE Krista’s ring!Neighbors!

So there’s a cool story about this dock. Erik and Krista wanted to shoot at this cool location that I’d never been to before. Look at how picturesque this dock is!

There was a couple down at their boat and I was scared they were going to yell at us and tell us to leave, but they invited us onto their boat to take a few pictures! How cool is that? Thank you so much Carole for allowing us to shoot on your boat and for sharing a little piece of your paradise with us. You’re so lucky to live there! BTW, Carole is also an amazing artist! Check out her website!

Then we headed down to the Fun Zone

Thanks Krista and Erik! See you in September!

Dear Brayden Bittel,

Thank you for making my first mother’s day amazing! And thank you for making me a mommy. Everyday you amaze me. I never imagined someone’s smile could melt my heart the way your smile does. I never imagined I could be so proud of someone for actually getting their thumb in their mouth. I never imagined that I would actually like changing dirty diapers and that I actually dread the day I stop because it will mean you are growing up and getting big. I never imagined that when I looked into your eyes I could see a future so bright and with endless possibilities.

I love you more than words can describe. Thank you for helping me to see the world in a different way. I am so lucky to have you. I can’t wait to spend a bizillion more mother’s days with you.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Mamaw,

Thank you for being the best Mamaw in the whole wide world! Thank you for watching me on Saturdays so my Mommy can get some rest or work or shower without me screaming. Thank you for not dressing me in cowboy outfits anymore. Thank you for being silly and making me laugh. Thank you for being pretty and not looking like your Mamaw (she was kind of scary looking). Thank you for teaching my Mommy how to be a good Mommy. Thank you for loving me so much.

Happy Mamaws day, Mamaw! I love you very, very much!

Love,

Brayden Bittel

Natalie likes the cake and Scott likes the frosting. How much more perfect can two people be for one another? I guess that’s why they decided to get married

Natalie and Scott were married at the Villa de Amore in Temecula on May 3rd. This was the second time I shot at the Villa and it’s just breathtaking out there. It helped to have the amazing Jenny B as their florist. She made an already gorgeous venue even more beautiful. I always love working with her and not just because she brings me presents every time

It was my first time working with Kendra from Prima Events and I would highly recommend checking her out if you’re looking for a coordinator. I don’t recommend very many coordinators, but she did a great job of keeping everything running smoothly and attending to all the little details. She even went and bought more beer when they ran out after the cocktail hour. Yeah, it was a good party

Natalie is one of the sweetest brides I’ve ever worked with. She sent a card when Brayden was born. She helps me find things I’m looking for on the internet. She’s just a very thoughtful girl and I’m so happy her day was perfect. I’m also very excited to shoot their day after session in a couple of weeks! I hope you two are enjoying Maui! You two are awesome and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you! Enjoy your slide show!

The gorgeous dress

I love it when brides think outside the box and wear different color shoes!

Doesn’t she look stunning?

Scott and the guys aren’t too bad either

The reception details

Natalie had different bouquets for each of her bridesmaids. What a great idea!

The cutest flower girl and ring bearer!

Natalie choose Villa de Amore because of the vines, so we took advantage of them and got some great shots in the vineyard

Love the reception details

I love grooms cakes!

The first dance

Natalie being serenaded by her Delta Gamma sisters

They were pretty cool for being DG’s. D to the E to the L. L to the T to the A. T to the R. R to the I. Delta Delta Delta Tri! Sorry I couldn’t help myself. I’ll always be a Tri Delt at heart

Everyone really wanted this girl to catch the bouquet

And, guess what? She caught it. Need a wedding photog?

Everyone is having a baby! Shooting newborns is so much fun now that I’m not super scared of them! And it’s especially fun when I’ve been looking forward to meeting the little guy for so long.

Baby Julian is the first baby I’ve shot where I’ve also shot the babies parents wedding (does that make sense?). What I’m trying to say is, I shot Gina and Joel’s wedding in October of 2006. So, this was a very special shoot for me! Gina and Joel are probably my all time favorite couple. They are fun, cute, and so in love! And they are two of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Julian is truly a very lucky little boy. Julian was just 11 days old at our shoot. He tried really, really hard to be a good boy, but modeling is a very hard job. He didn’t love the warm house, but actually loved being outside in the wind. If it weren’t considered child abuse I would say Gina and Joel should move his crib outside and then maybe they would all get some sleep

Gina and Joel, thank you for trusting me with such important moments in your lives. I can’t even tell you how much it means to me. You two are already such amazing parents. I can’t wait to shoot your next little one’s newborn pictures XOXO

Gotta love little, wrinkly newborns!

Julian started to get a little cranky so Daddy played him some tunes

Gina and Joel weren’t planning on being in any of the pictures, but I’m so glad they did.

These next two pictures are two of my most favorite pictures I’ve ever taken. Little boys and their Daddy’s…

Gina is such a natural beauty

And we can’t leave out big brother Harper!

Snoozing away on the front porch

And here’s a little slide show. The song is the same song that Joel was playing on his guitar and it’s also the song that Gina walked down the aisle to. Aren’t they the cutest???

Because I needed another distraction when I should be editing, I am now on Twitter.  If you want to follow me and all my very exciting adventures you can do so here.  It keeps speaking Japanese to me.  I don’t know how to speak Japanese.  I don’t even like Japanese food.  Hmmm.  I’m still trying to figure it all out…