I’ve met this Russian-American family several months ago, when I was photographing the event in Santa Barbara. We were chatting for a few minutes, and forgot to exchange the phone numbers. A few weeks later I had an assignment to photograph one of the newly remodeled houses for the architect. James (the handsome guy on the photo above) opened the door, and we just stared at each other for the moment… “What are you doing here?” – “No, what are YOU doing here?” – in a good way, of course.

Not sure, if that’s a destiny, or just a small world, but definitely a very nice experience.

We did this family portrait session at Alice Keck Park in Santa Barbara, and I have to admit: that is one of the most energetic families that I’ve ever photographed!

Also the happiest father

Samantha and Kyle had a simple and intimate wedding with close family and friends in the canyons of Orange County. The countryside was so beautiful that it didn’t take much to give it an elegant feel with some rustic details, that really represent the bride and the groom.

Most of the decorations were made by Samantha, such as place cards for seating which were actually mason jars with name tags, guest favors were little soap dyed pink and grey to match the wedding colors. The bridesmaids wore cowboy boots to complete the scene.

Orange County Catering provided home barbeque favorites like prime ribs, baked beans and grilled corn with peach cobbler and ice cream along with the wedding cake for desert.

Kyle’s father Eric Lint made the rings for the newlyweds.

Amazing flowers by Summer Roberts from The Beach Flower.

The ambiance was enhanced by the older era country western music by DJ Craig.

It couldn’t have been more perfect.

That was a beautiful intimate wedding ceremony on top of the Mount Soledad in San Diego, overlooking the ocean, mountains and the valley. This couple was engaged for only 3 weeks, and that was enough for them. Couldn’t wait any longer to get married on top of the hill in San Diego, where they had their first date several years ago.

The groom proposed just a few weeks ago, check out his proposal at Paradise Point San Diego. After he went down on his knee, she didn’t have another words, except “Yes!”

Some of my red carpet photography has been published in the March issue of 805 Living Magazine.

These are the two of my favorite photographs of Katy Perry (that didn’t make it in the magazine ).

Check out the march issue for more celebrity photographs!

Intimate wedding ceremony during the sunset at El Matador Beach in Malibu.

Paparazzi shoots are something I LOVE to do! Raw emotions, true happiness and pure love in the eyes – that was my first day of spring this year.

Matt proposed to his girlfriend Lisa by the duck pond in the beautiful Paradise Point Resort in San Diego. I met with the groom-to-be an hour before they were supposed to come back together to do a little rehearsal, and she had no idea whatsoever. She thought they are going to the bar, and then the night club. Anyway, Matt forgot all the words he was rehearsing. The good news: she said Yes.

Dear men, who are going to propose soon, can I have your attention, please?

Before you do that, call me first!

Channel Islands National Park is such a unique and beautiful place with its diverse wildlife and amazing sunset views. I enjoy photographing here a lot!

I was lucky to photograph this beautiful couple from Russia past summer. We accidentally met in Los Angeles up on the hill at Griffith Observatory – waiting in line to see the Mars in the telescope. How romantic is that?
Veronika and Alexander just came to California this morning, and still didn’t find a photographer for their wedding. That was the destiny to be there at the same place, same time. And we became very close friends since the moment we’ve met.
They dreamed of having their wedding photographs taken at Grand Canyon, my wife and I were happy to make the newlyweds’ dream come true. It was such a beautiful day full of love, happiness and joy! Couldn’t ask for a better one.
We agreed to do the next shoot in Miami for their anniversary this summer!

When I met this couple, they asked me if we can do an engagement session “anywhere, but not at the beach!” because everybody who comes to California has photographs walking along the coast with sunset and palm trees. We made a decision right after I asked “Where was your first date?” – and the answer was “Hiking in Mount San Jacinto State Park in Palm Springs”.

We took the aerial tramway up to the hill and had a wonderful day full of laughter, joy and snow fights in the mountains. We all felt  like we knew each other for a long time, and that was our vacation trip. People where passing by, thinking we are just a bunch of friends taking photos of each other, and offered to take our group photograph.

We couldn’t ask for a better day!

Happy family portrait at the Santa Barbara Zoo and Chase Palm Park.