When it comes to a Memorial Day weekend, most people can think of a few common things.  It may include the daily BBQ cookouts, an extra day off and spending time with family and friends.  With good weather it can be a reinvigorating holiday.  On top of all that, there should be a thick atmosphere of remembrance and humility.  As a son, grandson, nephew and brother of military veterans I can’t help but be reminded of the importance of Memorial Day.  In the good words of James Garfield, “For love of country they accepted death.”  Thank you for those who have served and fought for our freedom.

Memorial Day is also my unofficial start to the wedding season.  Just in the 3-day weekend, R&R Photography was booked for an engagement photo session, a college graduation portrait session and a full day's wedding.  Also with SIX weddings lined up one after the other, I’m excited to jump start the season with a beautifully planned engagement shoot with Acela and Beto.  I came highly referred as they knew a couple of past brides and grooms that I had the honor to work with.  Acela had a lot of good questions when inquiring about my professional photography skills so what better way to show off my skills than to bring a couple of wedding albums and two 11x14 matted and framed wedding photos.  I did strategically use a nicely dressed military groom as Beto is also in the military.  Maybe that would give me an advantage over my competition.  Wonderfully enough, my team and I will be excited to see them with their California mission-style wedding in San Juan Baustista later this Fall.

Now when it comes to planning an engagement photo session, I love to listen to the bride and groom’s idea and vision.  With knowing exactly what they expect, I know where to focus on with my creativity and including my own brand to the engagement photographs.  Like most modern brides, Acela created a specific board on her Pinterest just for me.  This was great because as a professional photographer, I have visual learning tendencies so sharing engagement photos are absolutely perfect.

Acela and Beto make a great couple.  Often through their photo session, they laughed so naturally and created a good energy as I had the opportunity to take their photos.  Their intimacy shows how much they are in love with each other and how exciting their wedding will be for not only themselves but attending family and friends.  As I was taking their engagement photographs, it was relatively quite at times as you can hear water from a small river nearby or the gentle winds blowing through the historic redwoods of Big Sur.  These are my silent moments of euphoria as I enjoy being in a natural setting and taking photographs of beautiful people.

Thank you Acela and Beto!  We’ll see you in September on your special day. =)