Cori & Pauls Wedding {Mission Santa Clara, Testarossa}

Cori and Paul are perfect examples of perseverance, commitment and hope. They have had quite a journey getting them to this point today..andĀ  this wedding was truly a celebration of the family that had already started several years ago. Cori and Paul have a darling daughter Isabelle who truly lights up the room. While I know Cori and Paul share many things Isabelle, or “Belly” is truly the greatest of all of these things. I felt so emotional this day because the relationship between Cori and Belly is just priceless. Jason and I always laugh when we talk to our 5 year old Kyla about our wedding, because she MAJORLY gets her feelings hurt every time we bring it up..because she says we “didnt invite her” to our wedding. No matter how much we reason with her about how she wasnt even born, she still gets a bit sassy. We are looking forward to renewing our vows in 3 years so we can have another mini wedding for her to be part of:)

Isabelle was so proud to be part of this day..and for all of you who were there, could testify that Isabelle had the “model walk” down PERFECT as she strutted down the aisle. Cori just makes me feel like a million bucks when I am around her. She was always ahead of me in school back in the day, so you imagine how much I looked up to her..and now to be part of her life and to feel so respected and welcomed….it just makes me melt . We loved every minute of this wedding..and are so grateful for her sweetness and Pauls sense of humor…we wish you guys all.the.love.in.the.world. XOXO.

Elizabeth - June 22, 2010 - 8:30 pm

I know all about the Kyla comment. She brings it up almost everytime I watch her when your shooting a wedding. Shes so cute These pics like the people in them are amazing.Any bride is lucky to have you shooting their pics.

Debbie Williams - June 24, 2010 - 10:39 pm

Beautiful Bride, Amazing photo’s. What a wonderful celebration.

Kristen - June 28, 2010 - 11:56 am

Do you know where the bride got her wedding dress? It’s beautiful!

Ashley - June 28, 2010 - 10:35 pm

I believe it was Priscilla of Boston:)

Aimee - June 29, 2010 - 3:16 pm

I LOVE this wedding! Everything was so gorgeous! And I have to know who did the bride’s hair! She mastered the “swoopy bang” perfectly! :)

Alicia - July 6, 2010 - 10:53 am

While you’re at it Ash, can you puhleezzz find out whrer she got her headband?! I am dying to know!

Ashley - July 7, 2010 - 1:33 am

I believe it was Priscilla of Boston as well!!

Mesh Salon {Featuring Lauren}..

There are alot of great things about moving..but perhaps one of the best of these is……new neighbors. Us Maxwells have moved homes about 11 times in the last 7 years..but this was our first time moving into a retail location for our business. Downtown Willow Glen is perhaps one of the greatest places on earth..lets just call it Pleasantville. The people are incredible, the buildings are historical…the type of place where it almost seems like there is music playing in the bushes like at Disneyland. Its that awesome. Our studio/store Betroth is located inside an old movie theater building downtown..and we happened to be moving in the same time as a Sassy little Salon called “Mesh” . We are neighbors:) And we love it. It has been so great getting to know the owner Erin throughout the process..and to see their business do so well from the minute their doors opened. The girls over there have been so wonderful to us..coming over daily to buy our accessories…sending over last minute girls going to prom..prospective brides..you name it..We are so grateful for them and for being cheerleaders for us:) While I have so many amazing hair dresser friends..I needed to experience this salon!! It was so great to sit and get my hair done by the oh-so-fab Wendy Tai over there..Im convinced that there is nothing better sitting in a cute salon..having someone play with your hair..getting to catch up on magazines..and listen to “salon chatter”. If anyone is in the Willow Glen area and looking for a little spruce..check it out..you will be in LOVE!

Anyways…we teamed up with Mesh last month for a little photo shoot to promote both of our new businesses…they provided the incredible hair and makeup..and we supplied the tops and accessories from our store. Lauren works at Mesh and was our over-the-top-amazing model..there were moments where I would go to pose her and before I would even utter the words she would just roll into this amazing pose..and I would be like. Uh-yeah-do-that! She is a natural and I am so grateful she came out to play dress up..my all time favorite passtime:)

You can see our store names on the Garden Theater sign…Eeeeh! So exciting!!

Lindsay Woods - June 22, 2010 - 6:12 pm

That’s the shirt I bought and now I’m going to wear it like that :-) how cool

Julia :) - June 25, 2010 - 8:40 pm

OMG THOSE MIRRORS ARE FAB!!! oh the things id do to get my hands on one of those :) hehe :)

Erin Michelle - July 3, 2010 - 12:35 pm

That girl is so gorgeous, I can’t even get over it. She needs to model professionally!

Jessica Downey - July 6, 2010 - 2:01 am

Looks like so much fun! I absolutely love your photos… and your hair accessories!

Asal is..{Pregolicious}..

I met Asal at our ladies night out a few weeks ago..I couldnt tell what I noticed first..her radiant prego glow, her bright blue sequined hat, or her enormously awesome belly. I instantly found myself in a happy place rubbing my hands on her belly and swaying back and forth as we exchanged hello’s…..(its a mama thing). We began to chat about her makeup business, our mutual friend Shadi and the joys of being in your last trimester..ready to pop:) I knew that I just HAD to photograph her in the last weeks before her due date, because she never did it with her first child, and that is just wrong! There is something so captivating about an “expectant” mama..& I am in LOVE with this season of life. Asal was proof that motherhood can be ultra sassy:) Please keep her in your prayers as she is scheduled to have a C-section tomorrow!

Asal-here are just a few faves.. there are a katrillion more:) xoxo..

Natalie - June 17, 2010 - 11:02 am

Absolutely stunning. What a beautiful mother-to-be.

Erin Michelle - June 17, 2010 - 11:07 am

LOVE the clothesline and the leopard tops with the wild hair! She looks so glam and beautiful (my kind of pregnancy!)

Ellie - June 17, 2010 - 12:37 pm

Great photos of a beautiful woman. Love this lady and her family.

Julia :) - June 17, 2010 - 1:18 pm

omg you probably alreadty know how much i love this shoot!!!!!!!! she is stunning! and i was in LOVE witht all the clothes and hair accessories! amazing!!!!!!!!

Cindy Johnson-Schmidt - June 17, 2010 - 11:18 pm

Ashley,

You were so right! This is a beautiful pregnant woman and you captured her beauty inside and out! Thanks for telling me about this photo shoot….hugs, Cindy

Michelle Guzman - June 19, 2010 - 2:19 pm

What a gorgeous maternity session!!!

Priscilla & James Engagement Session…

Ohhhhh, Priscilla & James…where to begin:) Priscilla is a stunning little makeup artist that has been making my brides feel beautiful for years..I am so grateful for her creative personality and attention to detail. Not only is she exceptional at makeup..but has impeccable character..and that last far longer than any concealer I know:) James is quite the stud I must say:) He is a cop for San Jose..and is undoubtedly one of the nicest guys I have ever met. This day was the quite the adventure for us..its not every day that I have a couple tell me that the night before the shoot they were googling “junk yards” in San Jose. They know that any place can be romantic given the right person to stand beside. Luckily, we found a bicycle museum part way through our session that fulfilled both of our junk yard dreams:) Seriously guys..this was a blast..thankĀ  you for being imaginative with me…xoxo..

Amber - June 16, 2010 - 11:38 am

Love Love Love how these turned out!!! :) They look soooo god together! Amazing work as always Ash! Cant wait for you to do their wedding!

Julia :) - June 16, 2010 - 11:59 am

I woke up ran to the computer and just knew there would be a new post! it was christmas all over again :) you seem to give christmas a lot :) i adore your work (obviously!) haha :) But this was soo different then what i would have ever though for an egagement session it was urban and fun and i was just in love with it :) maybe because I have a brother who loves to ride bikes and he is an artist so maybe it reminded me of him :) thnak you again for giving me something to do on a boring summer day :) Love, Your little cheerleader, Julia :)

ariel - June 16, 2010 - 2:44 pm

I am in love with your work. Everything about it is always perfect… love, love, love the way you edit!

Erin Michelle - June 17, 2010 - 12:53 am

WOW, Priscilla is so stunningly and exotically beautiful! Love the bike museum backdrop too =)

Jasmine - June 17, 2010 - 2:19 am

Wow Ash this has to be my favorite engagement session you have ever done !! This couple is gorgeous and I love all the different outfits and places you guys found !!

Jesse Tarnoff - June 17, 2010 - 2:44 am

This engagement shoot is stunning. Absolutely beautiful couple. Love all the mural stuff, cool ideas Ashley!

walter - June 22, 2010 - 6:56 pm

1891!

Taylor - June 23, 2010 - 5:05 pm

YAY Priscilla! I can’t wait to be in this wedding! You both look so so fantastic. I am so happy for you! These came out amazing! I love you guys! Tay

eunice - July 20, 2010 - 12:08 pm

Hi I love this photoshoot..great job like always. I was also trying to comment on Aimmees engagement shots but would not let me and I would love to know where she got her blue floral dress…thanks

Kristen & Mikes Wedding {Kohl Mansion}..

I always remember random interviews and personality tests when the question was asked ” What 3 words best describe you”. Its such an awkward thing to answer yourself because you end up saying very general things like “outgoing” or “sporty”..because saying anything deeper for some reason sounds self indulgent. But it is always nice having someone else answer that for you..for curiosity, but also because the people close to you have no problem saying it like it is..no watering down or risk of sounding arrogant. When I am sitting down for the countless hours editing couples photos..I can remember exactly how each moment felt in the pictures….and I can remember how each couple made me feel being in their presence. Kristen and Mike just make me melt. They have such a sweetness to their love…and something about being at this old mansion made me feel like we were in the pages of an old dusty novel…Being part of this wedding allowed me to hear words of praise and encouragement about these two from family and friends..people that have known them since diapers..the ones who could answer the “3 words” question perhaps better than anyone else..but the great thing about it is..you dont need a lifetime with Kristen and Mike to know the depths of who they are..you meet them one time, and you just know…So, if you are asking me…Kristen in Mike-in “3 short words” ..

Warmhearted.Considerate.Authentic.

Short in sentence..but oceans deep.

Love you guys!

Lindsay Woods - June 16, 2010 - 2:20 am

Ashley the photos are amazing :-)

Julia :) - June 16, 2010 - 6:50 pm

I love her dress :)

Kristen - June 17, 2010 - 8:50 pm

Im honored that we made the blog! We love the pics and we loved working with you both!

Em - June 26, 2010 - 2:07 am

kris is amazing. ash you did such a great job @ capturing her beauty & heart.