I met Hayley and Kyle right before we were about to photograph their first look pictures in Dana Point. They are so awesome. Little did I know that this was definitely going to be a wedding to remember. This was the first time I really got to know them. I wanted to make sure I took time to get the photos I wanted, and the photos that Hayley & Kyle had envisioned. I love breaking the ice with my photography clients. It really gives me a chance to help them relax and I believe that it’s vital to capturing photos with personality.
First Look Pictures with A Twist
To set up their first look photo shoot we made sure to call the City of Dana Point to see if there were any weddings or events going on. After confirming with the City there weren’t any events, we scheduled the shoot at Heritage Park on Old Golden Lantern in downtown Dana Point.
Impromptu Location Change, No Problem
The day of the photo shoot, I arrived early like I almost always do and to my surprise there was a wedding! I almost freaked out, but I held it together and immediately thought about a spot not far from the park that was sure to not be hosting a wedding. It seemed like I was off to a bumpy start trying to capture amazing first look pictures in Dana Point.
Upon my arrival I scouted the area really quick. I knew I needed to contact Hayley and Kyle. As I was checking things out, I gave them a call. I told them there was a wedding at Heritage Park and that they needed to meet me at the new location. As soon as I could send the coordinates via my iPhone, they arrived.
Evening Light
As the sun was slowly going down the light was very bright, more than I typically like for an evening photo session in Dana Point. Both Hayley and Kyle were incredible and they handled the change with grace.
Did I mention Hayley’s sister Courtney, she was there the entire time helping her sister with the dress, with hair, and being an incredible help for me while we were taking photos! Having family around really helps!
After giving the initial time to the videographer I started noticing the light getting better. That’s when we moved to the stairs and got these incredible back lit shots.
The first look pictures were a success. After the shoot I rushed home to upload them to turn them around just in time for the wedding in a week or two.
Overall, the first look pictures were exciting, a little stressful, but in the end, everything worked out, just like it always does.
Newport Beach Temple Wedding Day
Hayley and Kyle were in the temple when I arrived. After they were sealed, they came out to greet their families with hugs and kisses. By the time we got around to photographing them on the temple grounds it was about 12:30. The Newport Beach Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is gorgeous. The grounds are always pristine and ripe for opportunities to capture incredible photographs. Â At the temple there are beautiful grass areas, stairs, fountains, and palm trees. Pretty much a perfect location for any Latter-Day Saint wedding. After taking some quick photos of the couple it was time for them to go to their luncheon. I had a break in between shooting at the temple and when the reception began. So I rushed home, refueled and headed to the reception.
The Wedding Reception
The venue was in Ladera Ranch and it couldn’t have been more perfect. While waiting for family to arrive I was busy taking detail shots of the tables, flowers, and the wedding cake.
The reception was filled with laughter, smiles, and tons of family and friends. Did I mention that there were tons of little ones around? That made my job super fun and definitely a wedding to remember. I was able to get some cute pics of the bride and groom with nieces and nephews.
They Kidnapped the Bride!
As things were progressing and winding down, apparently, it’s a tradition in Kyle’s family to kidnap the bride and take her to fast food. I managed to get the bride being hauled off by her brother in law. When the bride came back, she has a soda from McDonalds. I have to admit I was a little jealous of the soda.
This wedding, began with first look pictures in Dana Point, then went on to the Newport Beach temple for the wedding, and finished off with a wonderful wedding reception in Ladera Ranch. It was definitely a wedding to remember! Orange County weddings like this don’t come along all that often. We were quite pleased with the results and the memories we were able to capture. It’s the small things that really make a wedding day special. As for the happy couple, Hayley and Kyle, they just got back from their Honeymoon and they love their photos.
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