Almost 2 years ago, Austin and Merilly had me shoot photos of Adeline when she was about 4 months old. Now that their second daughter, Ella, is about the same age, they asked me to come do it again.

I know a lot of photographers have great success getting little kids to smile using things that squeek. So I brought a little squeeky rubber chicken, thinking I was totally prepared. It completely backfired. Adeline wanted to hold it, but once she got her hands on it, she didn't want anything to do with it. Basically, she just didn't want me to squeek it. I obviously have a lot to learn about the art of squeeker toys.

Nevertheless, we had a great time, and (I think) got some great photos. Enjoy them for yourself below, and as always, leave a comment with your thoughts!

To the whole Duncan family: you guys are always fun to hang out with. I hope we don't have to wait until the next photoshoot to have an opportunity to hang out!

Cassidy and Julie are both really creative, and so they wanted to do their engagement photos somewhere with architecture. It's hard to find anything of the sort in Santa Clarita or the Valley, so we went to some of my favorite Downtonwn L.A. locations: the Disney Concert Hall, Union Station, and afterwards, Philippe's (which, by the way, is celebrating it's 100 year anniversary on Monday!)

But back to Cassidy and Julie... they met in the Guild, and are absolutely thrilled to be marrying each other! And after just spending a few minutes with them both, I was thrilled for them too. They're unmistakeably marked by hope and the joy of entering a marriage where they both live for God, and put the other person first.

Thanks so much for going along with my ideas on this shoot! Your wedding was equally fun... I'll have those photos online once we get back from Africa!

It had been a while since Josh and I had done some night shooting, so while we were in Tehachapi for Austin & Heather's wedding, we stopped to take some night photos of the windmills.  Seeing them up close in the moonlight, whirring and creaking all around us, was a mysterious, alien feeling.

Interestingly, all of the long exposures with the moving blades in the foreground had this nebulous cloud in the stars around it that wasn't visible to the naked eye. I'm guessing that the moving air actually bent the light coming into my camera from the stars beyond.  Maybe someone smarter than me can tell me why that would happen!

Only a couple of them were motionless, which provides a good context for the movement of the rest.

As a photographer, I'm always trying to pay attention to when I do my best work, so that I can try to do it more often.  Austin & Heather's wedding reminded me of what some of those essential things are.  Basically, I love to photograph things that make me happy.  This wedding was full of them.  I shot all of these photos in someone's back yard, in a pretty ordinary church in Tehachapi, and at Heather's parent's house (which was really cool). But what makes them so cool is that everyone was overflowing with genuine joy, and it made for a beautiful wedding.  I couldn't help to get good photos... in fact, I had a really hard time narrowing down my favorites for this blog.

Enjoy!

Heather's dad passing off the bride...I didn't see this one coming!

He's a groomsman, not a ring bearer.  Don't get them confused. 

Their grandma made the cakes herself!

Rachel was Heather's inspiration for wearing red shoes on her wedding day. She was really excited to show them to her afterwards!

Austin & Heather, thanks so much for letting me be a part of your wedding.  It was so fun to spend the day with you and your friends and family as you commited your futures to each other.  Thanks for organizing a wedding that was delightful to be at, as well as to photograph. Blessings!

View all of Austin & Heather's photos here.

It's quite natural to get these weddings mixed up.

The week after Roger and Jennie's wedding, Jon and Miranda got married.  One reason for the potential confusion is that many people think Roger and Jon look alike.  And then there's the fact that Jon was a groomsmen in Roger's wedding, and Roger was in Jon's.  After all, they have both been very involved in each other's Bible studies, lives, and ministries over the years.  Plus they're both awesome couples!  So just to keep it straight, let me tell you a few unique things about Jon and Miranda's wedding.

1. Heat.  It was really hot... Southern California's August special.
2. Laughter.  Jon & Miranda's wedding was filled with it... as you'll see below.
3. Chinese Food.  While both had Chinese elements, Jon & Miranda wanted their reception to have the feeling of a huge family gathering, so we took over an entire Chinese restaurant.  Yum!

Check it out!

Jon & Miranda played a great game at their reception. They would have the MC read the name of one of the couples on their guest list, who would proceed to stand and kiss...

...Jon and Miranda would carefully watch their technique...

...and try to mimic it the best they could. It was quite a show!

And, in traditional Chinese fashion, they toasted everyone, too... including me! 

Jon & Miranda, it's been awesome watching your relationship grow. I'm so encouraged by your love for God, and one another. Thanks for letting me be a part of your wedding, and everything that it involved! It was a blast!

View all of Jon & Miranda's photos here.