Its a true FACT….written in a leather bound book or a notarized legal document somewhere…..that I have the BEST friends in the world. Really, truly, cross my heart. I could write a lengthy novel about each and every one of you..you know who you are! I could just cry thinking of Emily. Em and I’s friendship began freshman year of high school. We did lip sync, powder puff, sleepovers, dress up, laughing, crying..and even the occasional Back Street Boys music video. Yes…you heard me right. Somewhere out there is a sophomore year Backstreet Boys music video that a few of us made in Emily’s living room. There was dancing. Eyeliner goatee’s.. and lots of pant grabbing. I’m pretty sure it is pure blackmail material for all parties involved. Around that time, Em and I liked to make fun of Boy Bands and how they tried to sweet talk the ladies with cheesy phrases. We started calling eachother “Girl So True” as we did this white-boy ghetto rap hand motion. Ever since then- we say that….in every conversation possible..it pretty much sums up our feelings for eachother:)
ANYWAYS! Em and I dont get to see eachother nearly as much as we would like to…yet we never skip a beat. She is like my soul sister…and we have so much grace for eachother with our CRAZY lives:) It seems like the only way we can see eachother, is if we plan to do some type of photoshoot…because then-for some reason we end up making it happen. This day in particular..we piled Em-and the whole family into our little car..(Since I had lost my car keys and can’t remember how to drive a stick shift…my hubby had to drive to an hour to take me to my photo shoots! ) I thought I would get there a little early before my other session..to take some fun pics of Em wearing a few dresses from our store….We packed a zillion outfits and accessories..and hiked down to the perfect spot at a new wildlife park Jason had just recently found…it was glorious. Within minutes of the ten minute “warm up” shots I always like to take.. we were bombarded by a rather strict Park Ranger and were asked to vacate the premises immediately. I have never been kicked out of a state park before for taking pictures…its considered commercial photography I guess…and there was NO way I could convince him I was there to photograph the birds:) Im usually pretty stealth if I’m not sure about the photo restrictions somewhere…but apparently the oversized garment bags, cloud of hair spray…and GORGEOUS brunette prancing in a mini dress..gave it away:) It was a total bummer…but luckily I got a few pics I LOVED of my sweet EM in our 10 minute session…
Lessons to be learned for next time.
-When planning a shoot at a wildlife preserve..call first..or wear camo.
-Beware of the creepy park ranger who said he could see you change with his binoculars, from hundreds of yards away.
-Bring peanuts for the chipmunks that attack your car. Unless you only have pizza flavored goldfish. They like those too.
Em…Emelia…Crispy Emmers..Girl So True- Your friendship blesses me more than you know. Thank you for loving me even though I am so hard to get a hold of..and I always make you drive over the hill to come see me:) Coffee date..and makeup photo shoot…soon….pencil me in:)
I love and savor every minute we get to spend together; even when we are being chased away by park rangers…can’t wait til our next adventure…love!
People always ask us where our favorite place is to shoot…and we always do this awkward, fiddling around in our head response, like…”uh…well…hmmm…I dunno??” Its so hard in an instance to recollect 9 years of wedding venues…and find a suitable answer that I can honestly say I LOVE without seeming as though I drew its name out of a hat…Well… go ahead and ask me again what my favorite place is to shoot, because I have found my venue soul mate..and its name is Santa Margarita Ranch. We can find places to shoot pretty much anywhere..but this place was practically made for us Maxwells…and I mean that for Jason and I..but also the newlywed Jonny and Britney Maxwell as well. There was an overabundance of vintage details, country charm..and Britney truly looked like bridal barbie. I actually told her that and I dont know if at first she took is as a compliment..but I assured her it was! When I saw her dress hanging in the window, I seriously felt like I was 5 years old again as I gently touched the ruffles and imagined myself in it:) She was stunning…and Jonny took every spare second in the day to remind her so:) Brit and Jonny…thank you for being a total dream to work with…us Maxwells were just meant to be:)
If there was ever a classic love story that you could picture being played in a downtown theater.. in gritty black and white, it would be Matt and Jennas. There is a timeless beauty about Jenna that I have always thought to be so magical..she is very Audrey Hepburn to me…and Matt..well he is just as charming and dashing as they come. Their wedding was held at Matts uncles house in Arcadia, Ca. and I couldnt have picked a better place to match their home grown roots and the elegant nature about them. I have had the pleasure of knowing quite a few of Jennas dear friends..so I was completely spoiled all day with girl time..and feeling like part of their families. Jenna & Matt…truly, truly, thank you for choosing us to be amongst your nearest and dearest that day…We love you guys…BIG TIME:)
When dealing with 2 brilliant architects as these two…you are pretty much destined for a well crafted wedding. There is no such thing as too much “attention to detail” in my book..and I seriously was in love with everything Lisa and Mike did to make this wedding “THEIRS”. Everything was sculpted, painted, and bedazzled by Lisa….and I couldnt help but have the urge to want to eat skittles or something all day…Sunny D anyone????These two have impeccable style and you know I am a sucker for anything J.Crew..so the suits and shoes alone were enough to signify a great day. We are ALWAYS soooooo grateful when couples trust us when it comes to taking their pictures..it makes such a difference when we know that they trust our vision and can see past the thorns and thicket we may be stomping through:) Lisa and Mike were such troopers and we are so in love with what they allowed us to capture that day.
2 comments