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

Here are some more of my favorite details to give you some inspiration for your wedding!  I love anything that is unique and thoughtful.  I love those personal touches!

{ view part I }

It’s wedding season and brides all over are planning their weddings. I thought I’d blog some of my favorite wedding details shots of 2009.  I love all the details!!! The dress, the shoes, the flowers, centerpieces, rings and more… luv it!!!!  I really appreciate all the thought and time that goes into picking out the details and what a representation their personal style.  As you can see they are all so beautiful and all so different. Pick something that makes you love and makes you feel fabulous!

Tune in tomorrow for part II!

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

2009 had passed and 2010 is here. I’d like to thank all my wonder 2009 brides & groom’s. Here are some of my favorite portraits from each wedding I photographed this year. These were some amazing weddings!

2010 is going to be a great year!

Janine + Kekona | Fess Parker Winery, Los Olivos | Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country

Hanna + Tyler | Montanaro Farms, Los Olivos Groccery Store | Santa Ynez Valley

Ziva + Shad | Fess Parker Doubletree Hotel & Greek Orthodox Church | Santa Barbara

Carrie + Brad | Fess Parker Doubletree Hotel, Santa Barbara Court House, Elings Park, Godric Grove | Santa Barbara

Tricia + Scott | Ventura Beach Marriott | Ventura

Michelle + Steve | First Methodist Church, Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club | Ventura

Alyssa + Jeff | Eucalyptus Lane | Ventura

Desirae + Graelon | Spanish HIlls Country Club | Camarillo

Lauren + Matt | Ranchos De Las Flores, Somis | Camarillo

Amanda + Andrew | Hartley Botanica | Somis, Camarillo

Cristie + Andrew | Westlake Village Inn & St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church | Westlake Village

Zoe + Joel | St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church & Westlake Village Inn | Westlake Village

Christine + Chris | Westlake Village Inn & St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church & Malibou Lake Mountain Club | Agoura

Andrea + Manuel | St. Bernadine’s of Siena and Westlake Village Inn | Westlake Village

Asha + Stanley | Westlake Village Inn & St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church | Westlake Village

Michelle + Tracy | Calamigos Ranch, The Oak Grove | Malibu

Becky + Bill | The Adamson House | Malibu

Nahoko + Yoshiya | La Venta Inn | Palos Verdes Estates

Kaoru + Patrick | La Venta Inn, Palos Verdes Estates | Los Angeles

Stephanie + Kyle | Rosewood Church. Centre At Sycamore Plaza | Lakewood, Long Beach

Prima + Jack | The Grand Newport Plaza, Turnip Rose, Newport Beach | Costa Mesa, Orange County

Maggie + Alex | Old Ranch Country Club | Seal Beach, Long Beach, Orange County

Barbara + Jason | The Ritz Carlton | San Juan, Puerto Rico

As I was pulling together all my favorites from 2008 to update my website, I was amazed by how many portraits I did last year.  Did 2008 just fly by or what?   I have to say that I have amazing clients!!!!  I love doing these lifestyle portrait sessions.  They are all so unique to each client.  They keep me so inspired and driven in my love for photography.  As you can see there is such a variety of sessions from family, baby, headshots, day after, boudoir and senior portraits.  I love shooting on location, I get so inspired from natural light!  Here are some of my favorites from 2008!

Krystal | Day after sessions | Tampa, Florida

Rosemary | Trash the Dress | Tampa, Florida

Roz | Trash the Dress Session | Tampa, Florida

Shelly | Maternity Portrait | Simi Valley, California

Tina’s Family | Baby Portrait | Moorpark, California

Melodie’s Family | Family and Baby Portrait | Simi Valley, California

Kirsten’s Family | Family Portrait | Simi Valley, California

Carisa | Model Headshots | Las Vegas, Nevada

Kayla and Shayna | Senior Portraits | Santa Monica, California

Jessica’s Family | Family Portrait | Lake Sherwood, California

Ivy | 6 month baby portrait | Simi Valley, California

Zachary | Baby Portrait | Thousand Oaks, California

Roanna’s Family | Baby Album | Baby 6 month portrait | Simi Valley, California

Sarah’s family | Family Portrait | Malibu, California

Nathan | Senior Portrait | Ventura, California

The Rosen’s | Family Portrait | Agoura, California

Alisa | Boudoir Portrait | Santa Barbara, California

The LaSala’s | Family Portrait | Simi Valley, California

The Westfall’s | Family Portrait | Ventura, California

The Wisk’s | Family Portrait | Ventura, California

The Fransen’s | Family Portrait | Agoura, California

The Mattivi’s | Family Portrait | Agoura, California

Kim and Stetson | Day After Session | Agoura, California

Gayle Paul | Realtor Headshots | Agoura, California

The McElrath’s | Family Portrait | Santa Monica, California

The Brokke’s | Family Portrait | Thousand Oaks, California

Kelli and Jimi’s Family | Family Portrait | Agoura, California

The McDougald’s | Family Portrait | Oxnard, California

The Lowen’s | Family Portrait | Ojai, California

The Redden’s | Family Portrait | Ojai, California

The DeLeo’s | Family Portrait | Camarillo, California

Jolanta | Just Because | Agoura, California

Before the wedding is the engagement session.  I love these sessions!  After looking back on 2008 and reflecting on the weddings that did have engagement sessions and those that I didn’t, I do have to say that I think they make such a huge difference and have such value.  Engagement sessions are a great way to capture who you are as a couple everyday.  You get to wear street clothes and pick a location that really fits who you two are together.  It’s just the three of us and no one is waiting for you… we have all the time in the world to play around. It’s these fun relaxed shots that your grandchildren will love to see 40 years from now.  I can just see them saying “Grandma & Grandpa.. you were so hip!” or whatever the cool word of the generation is ;)  There are just some poses you can’t do in your fancy clothes.  We can jump, sit, and run.. roll in the sand or jump in the waves!  I love getting the chance to bond with couples before the wedding. We get to know each other and I feel like a certain wall is taken down before the wedding that really allows me to get those close intimate shots on the wedding day.  You already know the drill so couple shots on the day of are a breeze and just a good time.

View the Best of 2008 Engagement Slideshow

Wow! 2008 was such a great year! Looking back I had some amazing couples who had some fabulous weddings. Thanks to all my Chelsea Elizabeth Photography clients for inspiring these art pieces. I selected some of my favorite images from my 2008 weddings to provide a year end review. You’ll see some variety from getting ready, details, portraits and photojournalistic moments. I’d like to say I’m a photojournailst, but I’m really such a blend. I love it all! Each part of your day is so important, from every detail to every guest. I believe the role of the wedding photographer is to capture these memories not only for the bride and groom, but for future generations. It’s not just about the vows, commitments and details… it’s also about getting together and celebrating with family and friends. I love witnessing the moments between guests that can’t be scripted or planned, and when captured create a priceless piece of art that will be handed down from generation to generation. This is why I do what I do and feel so honored to make a living at it.

View the Best of 2008 Wedding Slideshow