Los Angeles Wedding Photographer | Chelsea Elizabeth Photography | Westlake Village, Santa Barbara

Last year I added engagement sessions to all of my wedding packages just because I think they are that important.  I am so glad that I did!  I love these sessions! It gives the couple an opportunity to just be themselves. There are no guests waiting for them… no timelines or expectations.. no clothes they are afraid to get dirty… These sessions are just couples having fun getting awesome pictures to celebrate being engaged!  I love how each couple picks a location that reflects a little bit of who they are.  Have fun with it! Bring props! Pick out a fabulous outfit! It’s such good practice for the big day!  It’s not every day you dress up and play supermodel ;)  The engagement session gives us a change to get to know each other better.  Through this session I get to know what poses work and which don’t.  After all … some couples rock the serious looks and others just need to laugh.  After all, each couple is different.  I love showing up to a wedding after all the guests have seen the engagement pictures.  And on the wedding day you don’t have to feel akward in these poses.. you’ve been through it already ;)  Here are some of my favorite images from each engagement session I photographed this year. I hope you enjoy them!

Flash back to old times with the Best of 2008 Engagements

Ziva + Shad | Santa Barbara, CA

Lauren + Matt | Santa Barbara, CA

Christine + Chris | Santa Barbara, CA

Rikki + Christian | Ventura, CA

Rena + Geoff | Ventura, CA

Janine + Kekona | Malibu, CA

Stephanie + Kyle | Agoura, CA

Zoe + Joel | Malibu, CA

Autumn + Rick | Malibu, CA

Asha + Stanley | Brentwood, CA

Heidi + Edward | Brentwood, CA

Andrea + Manuel | Hollywood, CA

Lindsay + Andrew | Los Angeles, CA

Prima + Jack | Pasadena, CA

Maggie + Alex | Anaheim, CA

Barbara + Jason | San Juan, Puerto Rico

On the way to the rehearsal dinner we had time to squeeze ina really quick portrait session during sunset. Big thanks to the NPS who let us into San Cristobal for the last 10 minutes.  I was so excited to get to the Fort just in time to get a few portraits!  We found a few cute stores on the way to the rehearsal dinner as well. I love all the nook’s & cranny in old San Juan!

Lindsay and Andrew had a very fun urban engagement session at Union Station and Pershing square. I love the old feel of the downtown Los Angeles Train station and the yellow & purple walls at Pershing square. Two fabulous backdrops for an engagement session!

I had the best time photographing my brother Christian and his girlfriend Rikki!!!  We’ve been talking about doing a shoot with his Harley for years. I’m so glad we finally met up in Ventura and took some pics. I love that Rikki got all dressed up as a 50’s pinup girl.  She looked hot!

Heidi and Edward had a super fun engagement session at UCLA. We started in the botanical garden and then headed over to Royce Hall.  I love the bruin spirit that Heidi & Edward brought to the session. They have some moves!!!!  I can’t wait to see them on the dance floor at their wedding ;)

{ click here to view slideshow }

I just love Maggie & Alex’s sign in book from the wedding!  They had an awesome vintage engagement session at Disneyland so we designed  a vintage distressed cover to match.  The spreads were designed with enough white space for all of their friends and family to sign!

{ view all of Maggie & Alex’s posts }

Here’s the cover!  I love the distress brown texture they chose the album back. It goes so great with the vintage cover.

{ Album spreads }

Prima and Jack had one of my favorite engagement sessions.  I just love the pink wall and downtown Pasadena setting they chose for their portrait session.  For their wedding they ordered a sign in album and canvas gallery wrap. I just had to show you how fabulous they turned out!

{ view engagement collage }

{ view sign in album }

{ View Engagement Session }

I’m getting ready for Jack & Prima’s wedding and I just love what they ordered for their reception.  It’s going to be fabulous! I just had to share!

16 x 20 Collage

{ View Engagement Session }

Have I mentioned how much I love Santa Barbara !?!?!  Every time I’m there it just feels like home. It’s so beautiful. Shooting there is such a breeze.  Lauren and Matt got the grand tour of scenic Santa Barbara locations. We started at the court house, headed to the beach, went to Elings park and finished up at the Arlington!  I love all the locations Lauren picked out. I’m so excited about the Arlington at sunset. I love the last image of Lauren and Matt!!!!

{ view slideshow }