San Francisco California Engagement Portraits – Mario and Melinda

We couldn’t have asked for a better engagement photo session.  Gorgeous couple, diverse scenery and great weather.  As L’Amour owners and photographers, Wendy and Eric, were born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, when planning out this engagement photo session, we had many ideas of landmark places to stop at.  However, as is typical on any of our shoots, when passing by an inspiring alley, flower shop, or  stream of light we just  had to make a quick detour to take advantage of unexpected and exceptional situations.  We spent a few hours going around San Francisco with this newly engaged couple to capture their engagement photos in various settings that reflect their personal style. Classic, modern, edgy and romantic.   We had such a fun time traveling around the city by the bay with this perfectly paired couple.

Oahu Engagament Portraits – North Shore – By L’Amour Photography

This couple traveled all the way from Canada to Hawaii for a little getaway and decided what better place is there than Hawaii to have an Engagement Session! We traveled up to the North Shore of Oahu during sunset to do this session. The day was pretty cloudy which made for some beautiful colors! But, don’t take my word for it, check them out below.

We hope you enjoyed these North Shore Oahu engagement portraits as much as we enjoyed working with this wonderful couple!

Wedding day fitness

Your special day is fast approaching, and you’re worried about looking your best in that perfect dress. There’s no need to panic – making a few tweaks in your diet and adding some physical activity will go a long way. All it takes is a little motivation and discipline!

If you have some room in your wedding budget, you could factor in some sessions with a personal trainer. Research independent trainers in your area for the best prices. If you belong to a gym, there should be several trainers to choose from to fit your needs. Some places even offer group discounts, so drag along the MOH or some of the bridesmaids who are probably also watching their waistlines before the big day! Adding group exercise classes to your schedule can help motivate you, and they are much more fun than spending an hour on the treadmill or StairMaster! One of my personal favorites, Spinning, burns hundreds of calories and reduces fat in just one hour a class. The lively music and energetic teachers pump you up, and you will feel great afterward. Pick up a class schedule and give them a try!

If you don’t belong to a gym, no need to worry! Walking or running outside for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, should be your goal. Fitness DVDs can be rented out at the video store, or you could buy them at fairly reasonable prices at Target. Yoga and Pilates can do wonders for your figure. Try adding Yoga or Pilates DVDs to your fitness plan to elongate and strengthen muscles and appear leaner. They can also help with relieving stress! An hour session will enhance your breathing and calm your mood. There are several other DVD options to help tone your “problem areas” or to improve overall fitness.

Whatever you decide to do to get your heart pumping, start now! Exercising releases endorphins, so you will feel and look great.

Smart eating is essential to your wedding day prep. Trade in white flour for whole wheat or whole grain choices. Drink as little, if any, alcohol as possible leading up to the wedding. If you do attend a few happy hours, opt for lower-cal choices such as white wine spritzers or a glass of red wine. Cutting out soda can make also make a big difference in a short amount of time. Water is your best bet – increase water intake and stay hydrated. Lots of water will be especially important because now you will be more active. Eating at home saves you money and calories, so try to limit dining out. When you do go out to eat, skip the bread basket and dessert. Eat every couple of hours to keep you from bingeing later. Choose smart snacks, such as 100-Calorie packs, low-calorie popcorn, low-fat string cheese, vegetables with hummus, or single servings of nuts. Cutting out some of your favorite things and replacing them with healthier alternatives will reap great benefits when it comes time for your last dress fitting!

Working out and eating healthily will have you looking and feeling your best on the day you’ve been waiting for. Your commitment and hard work will all pay off when you are enjoying that beautiful wedding cake that you so deserve with your new husband!

Oahu Portrait Photographers – Min and Juan’s Hawaii potraits – Waikiki Beach

Min and Juan had a long list of things they wanted to do when they went on vacation to Oahu Hawaii. Snorkeling, parasailing, laying out, shopping, and portraits. Min actually scheduled a portrait session for her and her husband of five years a surprise for him! What a cool surprise! We photographed around the newly reopened Royal Hawaiian Hotel , Sheraton Waikiki, and the beach near Hale Koa.

We had such a great time photographing this cute couples portraits we even hung out a bit after the session and talked about their hometown of Sacramento (near my alma mater, UC Davis) and, of course, the recent “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ drama! It’s true I have been sucked in!

Thanks Min and Juan for the fun afternoon in Waikiki! Have a great snorkeling trip tomorrow!

Oahu Engagement Photographer – Michelle and Wayne’s photos by L’amour

Michelle and Wayne came all the way from Sin City Las Vegas, Nevada for their wedding at Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Crystal Chapel.  Unfortunately we weren’t available to shoot their wedding, but we did get the opportunity to shoot their “post-wedding portraits”/”engagment photos.” Michelle and Wayne were so great to work with.  We hiked around the Blowhole Lookout and Sandy Beach and got some really awesome shots. This may be one of our favorite ring photos we have ever done.

We wish you of happy years together! Best wishes from Eric and Wendy at L’amour Photography.

* * * Click here to see Michelle and Wayne’s Oahu Engagement Portrait Slideshow * * *

Hawaii Wedding Photographer – Janeen and Wesley’s Wedding

Congratulations to newlyweds Janeen and Wesley who were married in a beautiful ceremony at Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe on Oahu.

Oahu Wedding Association (OWA) – March Meeting at Masako Formals

Wendy and I spend a lot of time hiding behind cameras at weddings. It sorta goes with the job. This last Oahu Wedding Association meeting we got a chance to walk a mile (or a few runway lengths… I tend to over exaggerate) in the shoes of our Brides & Grooms. We got to play bride and groom, again, and get all made up to model some of Masako Formal’s wedding attire.

Not only did we get to rock a wicked tux and wedding dress, we had a chance to work with some of our fellow OWA members in a much more up close and personal role than we normally get. Wendy and I were both sized and dressed by the lovely staff at Masako Formals. This turned out to be a repeat for Wendy, since she actually bought her wedding dress from them a couple months back.

I was fitted for a silver Italian tux. It turns out that it is a very popular look for many of the Japanese weddings here. It further turns out – I don’t fit the normal Japanese sizes. No snag there though – they brought the tux to the back and was quickly back out with the tux adjusted to my size. Go go gadget tuxedo!

Not only did Wendy get to wear another beautiful wedding dress, she was pampered with makeup by Wendy Robin of Studio W of Honolulu. Now this part gets confusing – I have to describe Wendy Robin’s (the make up artist) work on Wendy Leslie (the wife). Wendy R. is an INCREDIBLY talented makeup artist and a wonderful person. She was trained in Hollywood, worked in paris for print photographers, and then came back to LA to do makeup for the stars. The list of people that she has worked with reads like the who’s who list of Hollywood – Matt Damon, Carmen Electra, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, James Earl Jones, Bernie Mac, Jack Black, and Jaime Pressly the just name a few. She has skills. Numbchuck skills, bowstaff skills… She has plenty of skills. Wendy R. did an airbrushing job for Wendy’s makeup. I lucked out and only got a quick powder. Ahhh the joys of being a man.

After all the prep, we had a BLAST walking down the runway in front of all of our peers in the industry. It was so much fun and I felt like the luckiest guy in the world to get to escort the most beautiful woman in the world down the catwalk. We were both lucky to have some of our wonderful photographer friends there to capture the whole shabang.

All in all it was a GREAT evening. It is always such a treat to hang out with so many amazing people. We are really blessed to work in this industry with these people. Millions of thank yous go out to OWA for the opportunity to dress up and party like its 1999… I mean 2009.

-E

Check out Geralyn’s cutting (it slices, it dices) hair-do, and Mona’s convertible Kimono -

Special thanks to Grant Gomes for snapping the below collage pics for us!

And to Eugene Kam for the below (yes ladies and gentlemen – that is my wifey! I’m a lucky guy!) -

Hawaii Destination Wedding Photographer – Tanja and Stephan’s Big Day!

Tanja and Stephan were so much fun to work with on their big day.  With roots in Germany, this couple gathered at Haiku Gardens with many family and friends who flew half way around the world for their special day.  Both Eric and I have German heritage and got some coaching from our German relatives on how to pronounce the German word for “Congratulations.”  They really make it sound effortless, but Eric and I just could not get it right. But, hey, we tried!

Congrats to this cute couple and thanks for the fun time!

Oahu Military Wedding Photographer – Caprice and Manny’s Wedding

We always have awesome brides and grooms as our clients. They are always so cheery and nice to work with, it really is always a pleasure.  Caprice and Manny absolutely fall into that category.  It was so much fun chatting about girly wedding stuff with Caprice before heading down to the chapel at Haiku Gardens.  I LOVED her dress and was kicking myself for not choosing a dress like hers for our own wedding (coming up now in less than 3 weeks!!!).  I love light and flowy wedding dresses like Caprice’s sheath dress.  They are really the best of both worlds: beautiful and comfortable.  However, since we are having a church ceremony back in California I chose to go with a more formal satin gown with a huge train (I love it, but I cannot say that it is going to be nearly as comfortable as a sheath dress. *sigh*)

Manny looked very sharp in his Marine dress blues. We did feel bad though because it was pretty warm that day.  Oh, the things we do to look good.  Side note: I think wedding days are quite possibly the only day that men will understand what we women go through and the uncomfortableness that comes hand in hand with looking good.  We suffer with heavy corseted dresses and uncomfortable but really cute shoes while the grooms totally suffer through a sauna in their suits/tuxs.  Sounds fair to me! But, I digress…once again…

We had a great time playing with some fun lighting amongst the bamboo and on the path around the pond.  Manny and Caprice were whisked away to their reception in the Haiku Gardens Eco-cart complete with “Just Married sign!

Mucho Mahalo to Caprice, Manny and Family for a great wedding!

Hawaii Wedding Photographer – Bernice Puahi Memorial Chapel at Kamehameha School and The Willows Restaurant

Eric and I started this wedding day with heading over to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to capture the bride and bridesmaids getting for the big day! I’m always excited to shoot somewhere new and was particularly excited to finally get to see the newly remodeled  Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki.  When Eric and I moved to Oahu back in October of 2008 the Royal Hawaiian Hotel was closed for renovation and just recently reopened.  So, needless to say, I couldn’t wait to finally getting to shoot at  “the Pink Palace of the Pacific.”

Lauwa’e enjoyed some good girl time with her bridesmaids while getting her hair and makeup done by Jaque Rojas.  I hung out with the ladies as they got ready while Eric headed over to the wedding ceremony venue to capture the groom, Jay, and his brothers getting ready at The Bernice Puahi Bishop Memorial Chapel at Kamehameha School. This was our first time shooting at this venue and we were instantly struck by its culture and beauty.

The lively group of family and friends headed over to the The Willows Restaurant for a delicious dinner. Not much of a public speaker myself, I always am in awe of people who can give funny and touching speeches at weddings.  Jay’s brothers and sons definitely have that gift. I will have to get them to mentor me in case Im called upon to make a speech.  (I mean, I have gone to great lengths to get out of speeches. I even spent weeks scanning photos and putting together a slide show to take the place of a speech for my good friend Brittany.  Somehow I managed to shut the power off to the DJ while doing my slideshow and ended up rambling “im sorry” into the microphone while we all waited for the DJ to re-boot all his equipment!… but I digress)

Eric and I broke from our “pre-wedding” diet (30 days to go!) to try some of Lauwa’e and Jay’s wedding cake and oh my gosh it was definitely worth it. This cake was done by one of our favorite cake artists Sunshine’s Cake Creations. We never cease to be amazed each time we see and taste Vikki’s work.

Best wishes to Lauwa’e and Jay. Thanks so much for allowing us to be part of your beautiful big day!

Hawaii Wedding Photographer – Hale Koa Hotel – Amelia and Aaron

Congrats to this cute newly wed couple, Amelia and Aaron! Eric and I were honored to be part of their wedding celebration at Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu. This was by far the most musically talented family we have been around in a while.  Amelia’s brother’s band provided the entertainment for the night with her other brother and sister joining in occasionally to help out on vocals or percussion.

This wedding reception incorporated many personal touches including a family heirloom lauhala mat which was placed under the wedding cake.  Of course, Eric will not let me blog about a wedding without mentioning the cake.  This cake was from Cake Works and had the most delicious Haupia filling.  For those of you who have not been fortunate enough to have heard of or tasted haupia, we suggest you change that soon. This creamy coconut cake filling was absolutely the stuff Hawaiian dreams are made of.

We always try to keep our ears open for any juicy secrets or embarrassing stories that people may sneak into their wedding reception speeches.  While we didn’t get to hear any blackmail material, but we were touched to  hear some heartfelt praises of Amelia and Aaron as individuals and as a couple.  So, if any of you have any funny/embarrassing stories you’d like to contribute… I’m just kidding! We wish Amelia and Aaron the very best in life and love! Congrats!

Hawaii Wedding Photographer – Oahu – Keiko and Clarence

There is a Japanese tradition that a wedding gift of one thousand folded paper cranes will grant the bride and groom a lifetime of good luck and prosperity.  Keiko and Clarence were fortunate enough to have a loving guest fold a thousand paper cranes for their big day.

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Tasty Hawaiian Treats and Favors by Island Treats Creations

With many of our brides coming from all over the country and the world, Eric and I often get questions for referrals for anything and everything wedding related. With our growing family in the Oahu Wedding Association, we are in abundance of wonderful Hawaii wedding connections.  One of our newest friends is from Island Treats Creations.

Eric and I had the pleasure of going behind the scenes to the workshop of Island Treats Creations where all of the magic happens. Merryl is the owner and is the sweetest person to work with! She showed us around and let us sample their delicious cookies and chips that she offers for her baskets. Let me just say, oh my gosh, they are so delicious.  Eric and I munched on some Taro Chips and Coconut Cookies  during our sunrise fashion photo shoot this week.

Island Treats Creations is located in Kailua on Oahu and is a must stop shop for Hawaiian cookies, candies, chips and gifts. Check out their website or stop by the store to see their many options for wedding favors, gift baskets, and treats!

Oahu Wedding Photographer – Haiku Gardens – Celeste and Joseph

Celeste and Joseph were married at an intimate ceremony on the most appropriate day of the year, Valentine’s Day! We had a great time with this lovely couple who actually also met each other in our hometown of San Jose, California! As much as we love it here in Hawaii, it is always nice to reminisce about our favorite spots in the Bay Area.

Celeste and Joseph were joined by their two beautiful daughters as well as close family and friends for a beautiful reception at Haiku Gardens & Haleiwa Joe’s.

Our thanks to Celeste and Joseph for involving us in their Valentine’s Day wedding!

Hawaii Wedding Photographer – Haiku Gardens – Jessica and Joshua

Jessica and Joshua were married in a beautiful ceremony at the chapel at Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe, Hawaii. These newlyweds were high school sweethearts and exchanged touching vows that chronicled their lives over the years.

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