Rose Bowl Engagement Session

17 Monday Jun 2013

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Pasadena Engagement, Romantic Engagement, Rose Bowl Engagement

I was so excited to work with Steve and Sheila for their engagement session because they were brimming with ideas. Steve, a diehard Bruins football fan, decided to have the session at the Rose Bowl! It was surreal to be on the field and to have the entire stadium all to ourselves. I was so impressed with Sheila’s football throwing skills! As the sun dropped lower into the sky, we headed over to the Colorado Bridge to add a little romance to their day. Bless Steve’s heart for mustering up the courage to lead the way when I begged them for a shot on the outside of the bridge.

I had a blast working with the two of you and can’t wait for your upcoming wedding!

Allyson and Rob, A Sweet Lakeside Wedding

11 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by genkiviv in Weddings

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International Wedding, Intimate Wedding, Kilt Wedding, Lake Wedding, Malibou Lake Mountain Club

Allyson, a gentle soul from the San Fernando Valley, met Rob, a tall, handsome Brit through close family friends years ago. On one of Allyson’s recent visits to England, Rob spontaneously decided to propose. In the spirit of impulse, he popped the question with a candy ring. To me, this is utter romance!

Within a few short months and with the help of extraordinary friends, Allyson managed to plan a lovely lakeside wedding in the mountains of Malibu. Rob actually had to fly in for his own wedding, and to Allyson’s surprised delight, wore a kilt on their wedding day.

Though married, Allyson is still over here and Rob is still over there as they are undergoing the process of immigration. I hope these pictures make their wait a little more bearable.

Congratulations to you both and I wish you the best in getting Rob over here soon!

florist: Van Nuys Flowers http://www.vannuysflowers.com

cake and sweets: Susie Cakes http://www.susiecakes.com

Shinko and Arnold, An Intimate Malibu Wedding

30 Thursday May 2013

Posted by genkiviv in Weddings

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Beach Wedding, DIY Wedding, Intimate Wedding, Malibu, Point Dume Wedding

Arnold and Shinko knew exactly what they wanted–a no frills wedding set against a stunning natural background with only the most important people in their lives. Arnold and Shinko also knew exactly how they wanted their wedding to be photographed, and I was honored they chose me. I thrive when my clients are eager to collaborate, and I couldn’t have been more excited when they requested a combination of a fine art/photojournalistic approach to capturing their day.

Every detail that unfolded on that day tugged at my heart. Nine people gathered together on a Saturday morning, and two of them got married. Both sets of parents, dressed for the occasion, climbed over jagged rocks with a sense of adventure and determination to get to the secluded cove. Shinko’s mom brought a plastic bag of rose petals to scatter on the sand, to demarcate the site of where they were getting married. And Shinko’s oldest and dearest friend flew from across the country and officiated an emotional and heartfelt ceremony. With landscape this beautiful and friends and family this sincere, you really don’t need much more at all.

Thank you, Arnold and Shinko, for trusting me to fulfill your vision.

Special thanks to Marisa Sciabarrasi, for helping me.

Marisa’s work can be found at http://www.marisasciabarrasi.com

Cathy & Kory, A Breezy Beach Wedding

06 Monday May 2013

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Beach Wedding, DIY Wedding, Portofino, Redondo Beach Wedding

The theme of the day turned out to be blue. The sky, the surf, and Cathy’s amazing eyes. Blue.

What a treat it was for Cathy and Kory’s out-of-state families to come together and experience a classic Southern Californian beach wedding. Cathy reminded me of a mermaid, with her tiered wedding gown that would flutter with the littlest breezes, complimented perfectly by her loose ringlets and her modernist bouquet. The sand, surf and sky was the perfect backdrop for their heartfelt vows.

The Bluewater Grill received its guests for the reception gracefully, the sea-worn wood feel settling in comfortably like an old pair of jeans. Framed pictures of their beloved golden retriever, Dudley, greeted family and friends. The windows provided panoramic views of the marina. As the sun set over the Pacific, Cathy and Kory were presented as husband and wife to the singing of Blaine Long. Turns out the biggest surprise of the happy day was Cathy had invited Blaine, Kory’s long time favorite singer, to make a special appearance at their wedding. Blaine had driven all the way from Arizona, and had even written a song just for the their special occasion!

Cathy and Kory were incredibly fun to work with, a very easy-going and down to earth couple. It was an honor to photograph their day, capturing the exuberance and energy of such an endearing bride and groom!

Jeff and June, a Proposal!

27 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by genkiviv in Engagements

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Annenberg Beach House, Marni Haber Events, Santa Monica Proposal

One of the deepest honors of photographing a wedding is bearing witness to such a wide range of human emotion. What a privilege it was to document the seed that will lead to that big day for June and Jeff! Jeff had a vision. On the premise that they were going to a work event at the Annenberg Beach House (he even faked the related email and ensured that June, by chance, saw it!), Jeff suggested they take a walk to “their bench” before heading to the party. Unbeknownst to June, Jeff had gone all out in having their bench decorated and personalized for the big moment. Beside the cozy pillows and blanket, there was a table set up with a photo of June on that very bench! Jeff clearly has a flair for romance, and I was “oohing” and “awwwing” for the two lovebirds in between clicks of my shutter.

I’ll let the photos do the talking from here on!

Cheers to June and Jeff on their engagement!

Special thanks to Marni Haber of Haber Event Group for doing such a fabulous job of coordinating and bringing a romantic touch to the afternoon! www.habereventgroup.com

Sahana at 7 months, Serena at 5 and a half

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

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What an amazing afternoon! Little Sahana and big sister, Serena, were an absolute delight!

Colorful Engagement Dinner

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by genkiviv in Events

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Engagement Dinner, Indian Engagement, Sari, Studio City

One of the best parts of being a photographer in LA is having the opportunity to witness the coming together of not only two families, but two cultures. The gorgeous and colorful details were the perfect compliment for the bonding of these two gracious families.

Congratulations to Heather and Armughan on the happy nuptials!!!

Venue: Private residence

Coordinator: Beverly Harris Weddings and Events, http://www.beverlyharrisweddings.com

Marcus and Sally, a Joyous Malibu Wedding

22 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by genkiviv in Weddings

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Bernhard Mairinger, Donald Wressell, Hotel Bel Air, Malibu Wedding, Marcus Mueller, Sally Camacho

Weddings reflect the personalities of the couple getting married, and Marcus and Sally’s big day resonated with charm, intimacy, and class. We loved capturing the sheer joy Marcus and Sally exuded whenever they were near each other, his eyes crinkling with glee and her eyes open and expressive with love.

When a hotelier and an executive chef get married, you know you’re in for a day where every detail lives up to the highest of standards. Marcus and Sally chose the enchanting Hotel Bel Air for their first look. Not only do the grounds remind me of a secret garden, but it’s all the more endearing since this is where they first met. They treated their guests to a stunning ocean view ceremony. Afterwards, dear friends and family enjoyed a lounge style reception and were offered a sumptuous feast that included hand made German sausages by the acclaimed Chef Bernhard Mairinger (in honor of Marcus’s native homeland), an avant-garde cake made by Sally’s award winning mentor, Donald Wressell, just to name a few of the culinary delights.

Congratulations to Sally and Marcus! Your love is inspiring!

Cuisine_VivianLinPHOTO

Special thanks to Eva Lagudi for keeping the day running smoothly and Devin Espinosa for guiding the evening of merriment!

First Look: Hotel Bel Air, http://www.hotelbelair.com

Venue: Bel Air Bay Club, http://www.belairbayclub.com

Gown: Manuel Mota

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Florist: Lilit Khatchaturian, http://www.skyeventsandproduction.com

Wedding Cake: Donald Wressell

German Food Station: Bernhard Mairinger

Pastry Station: Carlos Enriquez, http://www.chefcarlosenriquez.blogspot.com

DJ: Shawn Carter, http://www.beautyofthebeats.com

Stunning Beach Engagement Session

24 Sunday Feb 2013

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Dramatic Sunset, Malibu Engagement

If you look really closely, you can see the raindrops!

I wanted to surprise Sally and Marcus with how amazing their engagement photos came out, to get them even more excited about their upcoming wedding (my first of the year!). The photo gods were smiling down on me that day. When I arrived early at our Malibu beach location, it was rainy, windy, and cold. I prayed to the universe for the skies to clear, since Sally and Marcus have grown dear to my heart and I wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible. Minutes into the session, the sun broke through, and the remaining clouds added an epic quality that matches how crazy head-over-heels these two are for each other. I’d be changing my lens, look over my shoulder, and they’d be gazing into each others’ eyes without me having to say a word. Days like this, and lovebirds like them, make my job a dream come true.