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2009 was an amazing year!! Like everyone’s year (and life in general), I had my ups & downs, but the constant bright spot was all of the TRULY incredible people, from all over the world, I had the privilege to meet & work with. While there are literally hundreds of images I wish I could post, I just finally finished my most difficult task so far this year- narrowing down my list of favorite wedding images from 2009. I can’t begin to tell you how hard it was to choose! I am just so grateful for all of my amazing clients! Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of telling your beautiful stories.  Here’s a sneak peek (in no particular order) of some of my 2009 faves! May your 2010 be filled with life, love & lots of laughter!!

We received word this week that we made it into the Junebug Weddings Best from the Best 2009 Fashion Report! Here is what the wonderful ladies at Junebug (Blair, Kim & Christy) had to say about the report:

“Happy New Year everyone! We are very, very excited to say that today we are welcoming in 2010 with the launch of our annual Best from the Best Fashion Report! A look back at the best wedding images of 2009 from the world’s leading wedding photographers! With thousands of images submitted to us by hundreds of photographers across the globe, Blair, Kim and I were in heaven editing them down to what we considered the best of the best- the images that blew our minds, made us gasp and tear up and grin from ear to ear at the same time, and quite simply, made us love photography even more than we already do. We salute every one of the hard working photographers out there who sent in their images for consideration. It has been an honor to see such stellar creative work, and we sincerely hope that all of you, our readers, are as moved by 2009’s Best from the Best as we have been.”

Julie & Aaron’s Santa Monica wedding at The Victorian was sooo beautiful! It was a day full of love, laughter and incredible family & friends. These two are such sweet, caring and super intelligent people…just check out their cake, which was an abstract mathematical formula design!  Every last detail was such a beautiful reflection who they are; from the recycled yarmulkes to Julie’s vintage dress to her grandmother’s GORGEOUS jewelry. Thanks, Julie & Aaron, for allowing me to be  part of such a special day! I hope you have an amazing time on your honeymoon!

[caption id="attachment_1784" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Julie had this beautiful radiant smile all day."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1785" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I thought her grandfather was just showing me this, but he was actually cashing it in...aaaand I loved it!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1792" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="can anyone figure out this formula??"][/caption]

My first conversations with Karnis & Alex involved their concepts for an “un-engagement shoot” with ideas about re-creating scenes from movies and famous paintings.  I knew after this first meeting that I LOVED these two, and after our Los Angeles engagement shoot, I loved them even more!!  So it was really no surprise when I arrived the morning of their wedding and Alex had blow-up toys to incorporate as props.  Karnis & Alex are incredibly creative, super fun, so sweet and absolutely perfect for each other.  Their beautiful wedding at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks was an amazing day and so much fun to be a part of. It all made for a really fun Slideshow too!! Thanks, Karnis & Alex!

[caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="630" caption="cuttin' it up on their first dance routine!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1751" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="their "first-sight" at Kyoto Grand Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1760" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="the beautiful, Karnis!!"][/caption]

And a huge thanks to Deborah James of Bella Vita Events in Westlake Village who did an amazing job planning & coordinating this spectacular day!

Mitzi & Darwin are SO ADORABLE; just really kind people! It was really nice to spend a little time with these two and get to know them a little better. Not having done this before, Mitzi & Darwin, like most of my clients, were a little nervous at first, but by the end of the day, they were pros! Here’s a little sneak peek from their recent Los Angeles engagement shoot. I’m so excited for their LA wedding next year at St. Charles of Borromeo!

I’m glancing through Kate & Gil’s images now, and I promise you the W Hotel in Westwood and the Skirball Cultural Center have never seen anything like this! This girl knows how to work it out in front of the camera! Gil can hold his own too! Seriously though, Kate & Gil are great people, and I had to share this quick peek from their recent Skirball wedding! Lots more later…

So, I just LOVE it when my clients come up with crazy, creative concepts for their engagement shoot. Karnis & Alex completely came up with concepts & sketched out everything from the locations down to the minutest details of their outfits for this rockin’ Los Angeles session! We covered themes from the iconic American Gothic portrait by Grant Wood to some of Norman Rockwell’s famous works to comic book lovebirds, Clark Kent & Lois Lane. This had to be one of the funnest engagement shoots EVER!! It’s hard to express how excited I am for Karnis & Alex’s upcoming wedding at the gorgeous Sherwood Country Club. These two must be planning to honeymoon on the planet Krypton! Thanks guys, for an INCREDIBLE experience!!

I know Karnis & Alex want to know what you think about this session, and you KNOW I do too! Holla back!

Courtney & Andrew are incredible, creative, free spirits with a very sweet, uninhibited kind of love!  I knew after our Venice engagement session that I was in for quite a treat on their wedding day!!  This day was so rich with culture, tradition and joyful celebration.  Andrew is an AMAZING African drummer, and HE played for his bride as she walked down the aisle. Love that!!  The ceremony was a beautiful fusion of African and Jewish customs that included phenomenal African drumming & dancing, the INCREDIBLE, Yehuda Solomon, his band Moshav, and so many beautiful friends & family from, literally, all over the world. Congratulations, Courtney & Andrew! I loved being part of such a wonderfully eclectic day!

[caption id="attachment_1221" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="grandma and the rabbi"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1224" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Yehuda Solomon, leader of Moshav, in the middle of a heart-felt song during the ceremony. AMAZING!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1225" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="the beautiful Courtney!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1228" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I just love how Andrew looks at Courtney!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1239" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Courtney's gorgeous vintage dress!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1240" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Some of the Jewish traditions..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1242" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="...and some of the African traditions"][/caption]

This Malibu wedding was held at the gorgeous Adamson House Estate overlooking the Pacific; one of my favorite wedding venues! And a big thanks to Adee Pelleg who did an amazing job coordinating the day!