When I received the contact submission form, I could immediately sense the urgency in her typed words. She and her fiance were to be married in a month, and she just found out via email that the photographer they hired was going out of business. She was directed to our website and the next day, both Heather and Steve were in our studio to discuss their wedding photography needs. There wasn’t a moment to waste….but we did manage to find a couple of hours to sit and chat and share interests and get excited about their wedding day again! And the place to begin was with a new engagement session. Heather and Steve were so playful and cuddly, making them an absolute blast to photograph, and Sam and I look forward to spending their special day with them.

Also, Sam and I would like to thank Casey, owner of Wilson’s Classic Barber Shop in Redlands for his gracious hospitality, and also to Marcus, owner of Hobos Vintage, the coolest used clothing store around. And let’s not forget the historic Fox Theater, the inspiration behind the style of the engagement shoot. This particular block on Cajon Street in Redlands has some hip, fresh new businesses, nestled in the historic Fox building and made the perfect backdrop for this engagement session!

The morning of Saina and Shane’s wedding consultation, Sam and I ran around our studio space, sprucing up, dusting, setting up, etc.. all the things we do any time a client comes over.  We want our clients to feel comfortable and welcome and even though our studio is in our home, we try to look as professional as possible.

Saina and Shane were joined by Pam, Shane’s mother, for our consultation.  I’ve known Pam since Tannis was in Kindergarten and I was so thankful for the referral.  Pam and I can talk like a couple of school girls, cutting up and laughting for hours, but this consultation was a very big deal to me.  I wanted Saina and Shane to hire us as their wedding photographers because they were impressed by our work, our style and because we were a fit and not just because I was a friend of the groom’s mom!

During our consultation, Sam and I were thrilled by what we heard as this lovely couple opened up to us with their plans and ideas for their special day.  They both had a great sense of style, were devoted to God and each other, and had a strong sense of giving and helping others, all the while, remembering that humor and laughter is like chicken soup for the soul.  Sam and I were touched by them and it came as no surprise when Pam started crying tears of joy while listening to her son talk so excitedly about his future with Saina. Being the doting husband that he is, Sam jumped up to offer Pam some Kleenix, and wouldn’t you know it, we had none! So he quietly slipped out of the studio, ran to our bathroom and returned with a, dare I say it…a roll of Charmin toilet paper.  *gasp*

Yep, we’re sooo professional.  I just about died!  Saina and Shane and Pam all looked at each other, and then laughed!  They laughed even harder as Sam tried to arrange little toilet paper squares into pleasing arrangement on the table for taking.  Not only are we professional, but we classy, too!

A couple days later, I received an email from Saina saying they were ready to move forward with their wedding plans, which now included us as their photographers!!

We are so thrilled and excited to be working with such a beautiful couple, inside and out.  One of the details of their wedding that really touched our hearts,  was the fact that the wedding party, including the bride and groom, will all be wearing TOMS Shoes. TOMS Shoes donates one pair of shoes to a needy child with every pair purchased.  That’s one for one!  They recently donated their one millionth pair of TOMS!! I love this company, and they make a cute wedge, too, which I’ll be sporting during Saina and Shane’s special day.  Sam hasn’t narrowed his selection down just yet, but we were so inspired by this couple, we decided to join in the fun!

Alright, enough already….let’s get to the fabulous couple, shall we?

Saina, remember when I said Give me fierce?! You nailed it, girl! Seriously…

Shane, you’re not so bad yourself with those killer eyes!

This silhouette shot is probably my favorite shot of the day…..

Although this shot of Sam’s is pretty dreamy, too…

A couple of days before the engagement shoot, I had the idea to take some video and put together a Save the Date slideshow that Saina and Shane could use if they wanted.  We can make cards if couples wish, but it is also nice to have a digital option, as well.

I’m so excited to share these that I don’t even know what to say here. Tony and Kristina, if this engagement session is any indication of what’s to come on your wedding day, well….let’s just say I know it’s going to be amazing!! I can’t wait!

Let’s just get straight to the slideshow, shall we?  Click HERE!