You know what’s pretty great about my job? I get to stop time. And its always time that’s worth being stopped. There is no time in a person’s life quite like a college graduation. The sense of accomplishment, excitement, and a little bit of trepidation about what is to come next in their life. All of those emotions make for really fun moments in time for me to stop! Cat was no exception.

She probably has one of the most infectious smiles I’ve ever seen, and has the jovial personality to go right along with it. She recently graduated but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we couldn’t shoot her pictures for almost 3 months after her actual graduation. I don’t need to tell you that, judging by her pictures, you’d never know! You would think she had just walked across the stage to get her diploma 10 minutes before we started shooting by how happy and excited she was. This is such a fun and important time in someone’s life; and I was so honored to be able to share in a little part of Cat’s graduation.

Congratulations, Cat! Cheers to the future!

When people talk about something coming full circle, this photo shoot might just be what they’re talking about. Let me give you a little back-story. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona and attended school through college there. There are maybe 5 or 7 people that I would call my best friends and almost all of them, naturally, are from Tucson and from different stages of my life. So when my best friend from middle school sent me a message asking if I would shoot his engagement pictures, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. This is Paul and Brittany’s engagement shoot.

Since moving to Los Angeles 7 years ago, I hadn’t seen Paul. He moved out this way a few years ago as well, but he lived on the West Side and then Downtown. I live in the Valley and as anyone who lives in LA knows, those two locations aren’t conducive for frequent hangouts. Thank you very much, 405.

BUT the second we met up for the shoot, it’s like we were right back in middle school with the laughs and stories we were sharing. I got to meet Brittany for the first time on the day of the shoot and you would have thought I knew her from middle school too! So much fun to be around and we were quickly making inside jokes of our own! I couldn’t be more excited for each of them have found each other; I felt like I was shooting TWO of my childhood friends instead of just one.

With Paul and Brittany, we were on the same page throughout their entire engagement session. It was a truly collaborative shoot and so much fun to share the day with them. We shot in Carpinteria and in Santa Barbara; both of which have significance to them and their relationship. I love to shoot in at least one location that is meaningful to the couple. They can reminisce about their good memories and then the smiles and great photos come naturally!

I don’t know how many photographers get the chance to photograph such an important event in one of their oldest friend’s life, but I’m so incredibly thankful I can now say that. And, maybe more importantly, in addition to seeing and catching up with an old friend, I made a new one on this shoot. I wish these two all the best in their marriage and life together. If their love comes this easy now, it’s only looking up for them in their future!

Cat's Graduation

Brittany & Paul's Engagement Session