Yaya & Randall's Anniversary Adventure

I met Yaya through the neighborhood gym I used to go to in California. She was my instructor for Barre and Pound - and it turns out she was also the owner, but you know the kind of cool owner who is super laid-back. And I believe the first time I met her husband, he was dressed up in a dinosaur costume :) that’s how cool these two human beings are.

They met super young, practically grew up together, going on family vacations, going to the same high school. But the timing was never quite right. Randall liked her, but she wasn't into him. Then, she liked him, but he wasn’t ready to be “tied down.”

It wasn't until years later, after college, that life or fate, brought them back together. It was Randall’s step brother's wedding. He was the best man, and Yaya was the photographer. She is a Jill of all trades - and if you don’t know what that means, like I didn’t, it’s the female version of the expression Jack of all trades.

They reconnected that evening, became friends again, and then, like “most people,” they took a trip to Japan to hike Mount Fuji. And when they got to the summit, that’s when Randall knew he had to marry his best friend.

Yaya and Randall eloped during a random lunch break - SPONTANEOUS, or what? And then we got to take pictures for their anniversary and it was a blast.

Sometimes you get married in jeans on a lunch break, and take fancy photos later on. There are no rules. Marriage is about finding your person and making that commitment, attire doesn't matter at all.

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Brendan & Larissa' Beach Adventure

Ever been said no to go on a date?

Brendan not only had to ask Laryssa twice to go on a date, he also had to propose twice, because the first time around she didn’t really grasp what he was asking, language barrier and all. Meant to be or what?

Originally from Brazil, English wasn’t Laryssa’s first language, so the first time Brendan asked her out, she said no, but not on purpose -:) Thankfully, he was persistent and asked again a few months later and this time she said yes.

They shared their first kiss on a windy nigh at the beach, so it only made sense that the day they chose for their adventure session in Laguna was windy and rainy. But it didn’t stop these two from having a ton of fun and embracing the elements like champions and basically, they were more worried about my camera than I was.

It was my first time shooting in so much rain and I will admit I was a little worried too, but not about my camera, just about how their pictures would turn out, but they loved them so Rain or Shine, we will shoot. And now i have a super cool umbrella for future clients and a rain cover for my camera -:)

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Mona & John's Sunrise Adventure

This particular maternity shoot meant a lot to me for many reasons.

First off, the parents-to-be are super good friends of mine. Mona and I meant a decade ago in Vegas, at approximately 6am … I will leave it at that :) and the minute I met John, I knew he was going to be good for her and you know, be able to party until 6 am with her.

Secondly, I was shooting in Tunisia, the country I was born and raised in, and my momma was assisting me and seeing me shoot live for the first time.

And thirdly, I LOOOOVE maternity sessions. There is just something so special and so sweet when two parents are getting ready to welcome a little miracle in their life, regardless if it’s baby number 1 or 2 or 3 or … you get the point. Or maybe I am just saying that because I was baby number 3.

Mona and John were troopers and also woke up for sunrise … Yes, I know, sunrise again, and she was pregnant, but it was the only way to beat the crowds in a popular destination like Sidi Bou Said without a bunch of strangers staring at you while I made them “make out.” Just kidding, I won’t make you, but you know, you might get all the feels from holding each other and hugging each other.

PS: they had a girl, baby Eva, and somehow these two still manage to party pretty late!

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