Nick & Robyn spent a lot of time in Malibu when they first started dating, so we decided to shoot their engagement session there. I was really happy when Brutus, their cute dog, joined us for the second half of the session. I'm looking forward to your wedding this September, guys!
Labels: engagement portraits
I have been running around all day today - Tea for Two in Long Beach and then to Malibu for an engagement shoot. I'm going to spend the next few days editing to get more here on the blog, but for now... here is a favorite from today!
Labels: engagement portraits
Julie & Yas' engagement shoot was a departure for me because we split the shoot into two parts. We met at 5pm to shoot in the pretty afternoon light at City Hall in Pasadena, then we took a dinner break and resumed shooting again on Colorado Bouvelard after the sun went down. Julie & Yas have infectious smiles, and I can't wait to shoot their wedding this July.
Many favorites:
Labels: engagement portraits
After answering the questions in my engagement session questionnaire, Lauren & Adam chose the Hollywood Bowl to have their shoot. They felt it captured their love of theatre and the fact that they are both super comfortable onstage. And since it's such an LA landmark, Lauren felt that it signified how Adam has made a life here in Los Angeles to be with her. I love it!!
Labels: engagement portraits
Today I met Natalie & Kyle up at The Getty Center for their engagement session. I love shooting engagement sessions because it gives me a chance to get to know my couples a little bit more before their wedding day. I'm really looking forward to theirs this May because Natalie & Kyle were super easy going and fun to be around. Thanks for a fun afternoon, guys!!
Labels: engagement portraits
Young & Tim are getting married in San Francisco this September, and Tim proposed to Young at the Coit Tower. We thought it most appropriate to do their engagement shoot in and around North Beach today. It was fine weather and a really fun time!
Labels: engagement portraits
Yesterday I spent a few hours with my lovely clients, Michelle & Chris, and their adorable dogs, Annie & Charlie. Michelle & Chris hang out on Abbott Kinney in Venice at least once a week, so we thought it would be fun to do their engagement shoot there. I REALLY had a hard time cutting down my favorites... Chris and Michelle were so great, and the whole place is so full of life and color...I just love everything we shot!
We met up at a café first. Annie and Charlie just hung out while Michelle & Chris finished up their coffee. 
Michelle. (I LOVED your cute hair!)
Chris.
The family goes for a walk.
There were SO many vibrant walls to choose from... Of course, I like this one since it reminds me of the JBP colors!
Michelle likes graffitti...
I love this little family portrait.
The bench and phone booth are in front of Michelle's favorite store. 
Labels: engagement portraits
Later in the afternoon on Saturday, I met Teresa and Jeff, also at the Ferry Building. I am really looking forward to their wedding in the Bay Area this coming August. I love all the Bay Area clients because it gives me a great excuse to come up here and spend time with my family. (In fact, my sister, Joy, came along to both engagement shoots to hang out with me and to hold bags and equipment. Thanks, Joy!!)
We started the shoot at a flowershop in the Ferry Building.
More funky San Francisco art!!
Teresa wore the cutest shoes!
This is one of my favorites of the day.
Teresa really wanted a tram or trolley in their shot. I LOVE this one of the tram whizzing by as they make out in the middle of the street! hahaaa!!
Labels: engagement portraits
Shannon and Patrick are getting married in the Bay Area this May. Early this past Saturday, we met near the Ferry Building to shoot their engagement portraits. Shannon and Patrick are very smiley and easy to work with, and I know we are going to get great shots on their wedding day!
Shannon liked this funky piece of San Francisco art. 
We ended the shoot at the Ferry Building by fooling around in one of the hat stores.... Patrick, you're such a good sport!! Check my blog tomorrow for couple number two that I also shot at the Ferry Building later that same day.
Labels: engagement portraits
This weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time with Maya & Kevin up at the Getty Center for their engagement session. I love the fact that they are so smiley and fun to be around. I can't wait to shoot their wedding in a huge rustic barn in Santa Barbara this April!
Labels: engagement portraits
After photographing the lovely Kelly Family on Sunday, I headed over to the super cute Allied Arts in Menlo Park. I've been wanting to shoot there for a while, so I was excited when Rebecca and Mark suggested it for their engagement portrait! 
Labels: engagement portraits
Today I shot engagement portraits for Heryati & Michael. They said they were very stiff in front of the camera, but I beg to differ!! They are adorable.
BTW, I know I still owe you more images from my 9/22, 9/29 and 10/6 weddings, so check back soon!
Labels: engagement portraits
Although their wedding will be in San Diego this November, Robyn & Jeff live super close to me here in LA. We decided to do the engagement shoot in and around their home which is a block from Melrose Avenue. I love shoots like this because I know that years from now, after they've moved, these photos will be that much more significant to them. Today was really fun and now I'm even more excited to shoot their wedding!
I absolutely fell in LOVE with this amazing wall.
COLOR seems to be the theme this month...
Cute Robyn...
Jeff had a GREAT laugh...
Also included in today's shoot: Shelby, the pup and Senator, the cat.
I love this moment...
Hello pretty rock!!
Labels: engagement portraits
I was so excited today to finally get to check out The Getty Villa in Malibu with Grace and Scott. SOOO pretty! Check out all the color!
\
Labels: engagement portraits
Stephanie and Jeremiah not only met at UCLA, they were engaged here! They decided that the campus would make the perfect place to shoot their engagement photos. I like being around Stephanie & Jeremiah because they both laugh so easily. Stephanie originally discovered me through my blog and hired me over the phone for the much coveted wedding date of 07-07-07! She is a self-proclaimed Jules Bianchi Photography blog stalker, (Hi Stephanie!) so its kind of fun to have shots of her and Jeremiah finally up on the site!
Some of my favorites from today:
Labels: engagement portraits
Yesterday was a double header day! After shooting in Berkeley, I went back to San Francisco for an engagement session with Rachel & Dan. We started at their place before heading off into the Embarcadero. 
I love this shot of Rachel & Dan under the Bay Bridge. They live a few blocks from here and often go running past this very spot.
Fun things to do with birds!
Rachel & Dan were so playful and fun - first running through the birds, then rolling down the hill... I rolled right along with them, shooting the whole way. Half my shots were upside down! 
We stopped at a local cafe for a drink...
Stopping traffic!
Labels: engagement portraits
The weather was perfect today in Berkeley when I photographed Debi & Garret at the Rose Garden. This was actually the first time I met them in person, and I was so happy to discover that they are fun as well as super cute. They are getting married this July at Viansa Winery, I know we are going to have a GREAT time on their wedding day!
Some favs:
Labels: engagement portraits
Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the Ferry Building in San Francisco with Joy & Tom. It was a gorgeous day, and they are really easy-going and fun to be around. Their Sausalito wedding this September is going to be great. I love coming up to the East Bay.
Labels: engagement portraits
I love my engagement shoot questionnaire. It really helps me figure out WHO my couples are, and we always come up with places to shoot that are significant for that specific couple.
Teri & Chris decided they wanted their pictures taken at their home (so we could incorporate Groucho,, their cute dog) and at their two favorite restaurants - just walking distance away. They were really fun to be around, and I can't wait to shoot their wedding on Catalina Island this September!
Teri is sooo pretty!
Mr. Smirk...
They both liked the wall in front of North End - one of their favorite spots.
I love that Teri's engagement ring is a sapphire - so unusual!
Restaurant #2 - Sloopy's (funny name, cool place)
The fabulous Mr. Groucho...
Its fun to get shots at home!
Labels: engagement portraits
Sam & Lisa met at UCLA and thought it would be fun to have their engagement portraits shot there. In my "get to know you" questionnaire they mentioned that they love to picnic together, so I asked them to bring one along! I adored the dress Lisa wore, and I can't wait to see her wedding gown this July!
Labels: engagement portraits
I really love shooting Engagement Portraits. I give my clients a questionnaire to get them thinking about who they are as a couple and what they like to do together that really defines them. From their answers we work together on finding a place to go and shoot that will be unique to them. I've done Engagement Portraits at Disneyland, Alma Maters, 3rd Street Promenade, a local pub, their house/apartment, downtown... we can do them just about anywhere! Its a really fun way to get great relaxed shots of my couples together just having fun.
SO! Its been a long time coming, but I finally finished the Engagement Portrait Gallery on my website! I have SO many pics that I love love love, that I will more than likely be adding a second Engagement Gallery and another wedding or two soon. But for now... click here (or on the image below) to check it out!!
Labels: engagement portraits
Yesterday I drove down to the Montage in Laguna Beach to shoot Emily & Howard's engagement portraits. It was a gorgeous day, and they are a gorgeous couple... I can't ask for much more than that! I'm really looking forward to shooting their wedding in September!
A few of my favs:
Labels: engagement portraits
Jinly & Kazuya got engaged on Friday and contacted me Saturday to come shoot their engagement portraits today! They seem very excited to be getting married and despite the fact that they warned me they were not very affectionate, they are obviously very into each other. I drove down to Rolling Hills this afternoon to photograph them at both Jinly's home and her father's home.
I was overwhelmed by the amazing art in their houses and so happy that I'd just purchased the two new wide angle lenses!! Check out some of my favorites:
Labels: engagement portraits
I was really excited to meet Bear. Bear is John & Stephanie's dog, and he is going to be in their wedding next July. I drove to Santa Monica to start the shoot at Bear's house. And because John & Stephanie like to hang out at the local pub and play games, afterwards, that's where we headed!
At the house.
Stephanie has a great smile...
...but John is a pretty close runner-up!
John & Stephanie enjoyed the pretty afternoon light by the tree in the front yard...
...while Bear made sure that no one came in to bother us.
Taking a break to play.
Family portrait.
I love Bear's face in this shot. I think he sees a LOT of kissing in this house!
Like I said....
At the pub.
Shuffle board - one of Stephanie's favorite games.
John is a big Bronco's fan, but Stephanie loves the Eagles... I guess every couple has their differences...
I think they just look so cool hanging out here.
We sneaked into the alley to finish up the photo shoot for the day. I am really looking forward to shooting John & Stephanie's wedding next July because they are really fun to hang out with. I hope Olive gets to meet Bear very soon.
Labels: engagement portraits
Today I drove down to Newport Beach to photograph Jennifer & DJ. I am excited to photograph their wedding next year because after checking out their big photo album, I can tell that their friends are just as fun as they are!
We started at their cute apartment and then headed on down to the beach.
Labels: engagement portraits
monica & martin.
After shooting at the Embarcadero last Sunday, I headed down to Pier 39 for my third shoot of the day! Monica & Martin got engaged at Pier 39, so we thought it would be fun to take pictures there.
They are an adorable couple, so I am excited to photograph their wedding next February at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco!
Labels: engagement portraits
sheetal & nithin.
I met Sheetal & Nithin at Chhaya & Sameer's awesome wedding last month.
Although they are already married, Sheetal & Nithin wanted to do some fun portraits together. Last Sunday, I drove from Orinda to the Embarcadero in San Francisco to start the shoot at their home. Then we walked around the Embarcadero to get more urban stuff!
Note to self: Don't agree to go into the city during Fleet Week again. Traffic was UNBELIEVABLE not to mention that there were more people there than I have ever seen.
Labels: engagement portraits
Heather & Daron have yearly passes to Disneyland, so they thought that would be a cool place to get their engagement portraits done. I couldn't agree more! I had so many favorites...how to choose?? Here are a few:
Labels: engagement portraits
Downtown Los Angeles provided a lot of variety for Lindsay and Spencer's engagement shoot this afternoon, and I LOVED their little puppy, Dylan! They are a really fun couple who were high school sweethearts. They were so enthusiastic and just willing to have fun and let me play.
I love my job.
Labels: engagement portraits
This Sunday I drove down to Hermosa Beach to shoot Farrah and Brett's engagement portrait. I wasn't sure what to expect since I'd never met them before - they won me in a raffle at A Soolip Wedding - and was pleasantly surprised to find them not only a gorgeous couple who are obviously crazy about each other, but really fun to hang out with, too! We spent most of our time just cracking up!
SO so many favorites, but here are a few:
We started out at their apartment and then just mosied around Hermosa Beach until we ended up at the water.
Labels: engagement portraits
Shooting at The Huntington Gardens is so great because of the amazing variety of textures and backgrounds that are there. It is also where Al proposed to Becky, so they felt it would be the perfect place to have their engagement photos taken! They are such an adorable couple, and I can't wait to shoot their wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills this October.
What I saw:
This is the very bench where Al proposed...
Labels: engagement portraits
Once again, Jules ends up soaking wet and covered with sand at another engagement portrait on the beach. Just so long as I get the shot... and my camera doesn't get ruined, I can handle a little muck.
I am SO excited to shoot Jennifer and Michael's wedding this July! They are a fun, good-looking couple - what photographer could ask for more?
What I saw:
Labels: engagement portraits
Today I drove down to Orange to shoot Christy and Matt at their alma mater, Chapman University.
I'm a big fan of shooting my images RAW, but today I decided to use the various parameters in my camera, shoot jpegs and select different parameters depending on the shot. I designed three custom setting as well, and it was really fun! Now, I have a lot less post-production work to do!!
Also, I tried something new on the shoot itself. Rather than just taking portraits, I set up "scenes" and gave Christy and Matt a little direction. They were amazing! It made the whole shoot so much more fun, and I cannot wait to shoot their wedding at the Richard Nixon Library in October. We are making a guest book from these images... I'm so glad because there were SO many good ones, they deserve to be in a book!!
What I saw:
Labels: engagement portraits
Today I did engagement portraits for Frances and Jonathan at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. We could have shot there all day, there are just so many great spots!
They are such a lovely couple and so obviously in love, I am really excited for their wedding this July!!
What I saw:
Labels: engagement portraits
I am so excited to be shooting Meichih and David's wedding at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point this May! Today's engagement shoot was nearly canceled because of the rain, but I'm so glad it wasn't. Meichih and David both graduated from UCLA, so they chose their alma mater as the location for the day.
too many favorites to choose from, but here are a few:
Meichih, looking stunning:
In the sculpture garden:
Around Royce Hall:
In the rain - I just love this one!
Labels: engagement portraits
I can't wait to shoot Ashley and Jason's wedding at La Costa Resort & Spa this August! This Saturday I drove down to San Diego to do their engagement portraits, and was so pleased to find that they are not only a gorgeous couple who are really into each other, but really easy-going and fun to be around. Here are some favorites from the day:
Jason is a full-time fire fighter, so first we grabbed a few shots at the Firehouse:
All the firefighters soon to be groomsmen:
Labels: engagement portraits
Laura & Andrew, part one.
Today's engagement shoot took place on the Santa Monica Pier. Laura really wanted a beach shoot since she and Andrew live in Santa Monica, so we chose the pier for its combination of beach, color and fun. First we shot a little bit on the pier, then we went on down to the water. Usually its the clients who get a wet while I stay safely on land, but today I got a little too zealous and decided to brave the water myself. I was up to my knees before I was hit by a wave and had to run to the nearest restroom to dry off my camera. I say, what is insurance is for if not replacing cameras ruined by salt water? We will be finishing up the shoot later this week on the Warner Brothers lot - I think that is going to be a very cool location, too! Laura and Andrew are a really fun couple, and I can't wait to shoot their wedding at Estancia in San Diego later this year.
Some favorites from the day:
Labels: engagement portraits
mandy & tim.
Mandy and Tim are getting married at the St. Regis in Dana Point next year, but today we shot their engagement portraits at the Huntington Library. There are several different themed gardens, (Japanese, Jungle, & Shakespeare to name a few) and you can take high tea there if you are so inclined.
Mandy and Tim met me when Tim served as a groomsmen at the wedding of Stefanie and Josh which I shot in July of this year. (Scroll to the bottom of the July archives to see a few favorites from Stefanie and Josh's wedding!)
Tim liked how I worked with the wedding party, and Mandy came up to me during my reception slideshow to say kind words about how she loved my work. I'm so excited to be shooting their wedding because the engagement portrait was really fun and I know they are going to be willing to take my lead to get great shots on their wedding day!
Some favorites from today:
Labels: engagement portraits
For today’s engagement shoot, Trisha and Travis wanted a real urban feel, so we decided to hang out at the 3rd Street Promenade for a few hours. They were so willing to just go with all my ideas...even kissing by the parking meters (which ended up being one of my favorites, btw!) The highlight for me was when they sat in my vintage BMW for the last few shots. What a cool couple. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding later this Fall!
Labels: engagement portraits
