Eddie and Monique | Engagement Session | Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer

Monique and Eddie match. Not literally- but watching them interact with each other- there is an easiness and a sense of sameness between the two. They watch out for each other, help each other and love each other as they move through life. They are funny. They are genuine. They are loving and awesome.

We spent most of a Sunday afternoon loving the sunlight as our previous date had been cancelled due to the rain. By the time I finally got to meet them, I was almost giddy. They were everything that any photographer would have hoped that an engaged couple could be. Absolutely in love with each other. And pretty ridiculously photogenic. I loved them by the end of the session. I cannot wait to shoot their wedding in June!

We started our session off at Niscene Marks, which I'm embarressed to say I'd never been too before! It was gorgeous- the light and the greeness of it!

I love sun flare- don't hate! :)

This is their baby, Shasta who joined us for a couple shots.

The next series of four are my favorite from the session...

Man, they are so much fun! :-)

There's something about this shot that makes my heart skip a beat. Maybe its because I know that they will be standing like this and holding hands like this in a little over a month and a half... whatever the reason- it makes me smile inside.

Um... Monique is gorgeous.

Seriously...

And Eddie is pretty bad-ass himself!

Yummy light and beautiful Capitola buildings!

Eddie and Monique, you guys are unbelievably awesome. I can't wait to shoot your wedding!!

You can always view their slideshow here

Green Eyes by Coldplay is one of their favorite songs. :-)

Tasha's Family Shoot | Santa Cruz Family Photographer

I can't believe that I haven't posted this wonderful family session yet!

Do you ever see someone you haven't seen in ages and they are still the same? I used to play competitive roller hockey with Tasha on a women's travel team. We traveled throughout most of California and even a little further (Vegas, anyone?). Some of my fondest memories are wrapped up in chatting with my teammates as the fifteen passenger van we took rumbled through the state to the next rink. They were a wonderful group of women, and I had so much fun with them during that time in my life. I even knew Rey back then! Rey was my goalie coach for most of career as a goalie- and I have NOT so fond memories of him making me do butterflies (a goalie exercise) repeatedly in the crease until I wanted to whack him in the head with my big goalie stick. No hard feelings. LOL. But as time moved on, I lost track of them once I left for college. And somewhere after that time, Tasha and Rey got engaged, and got married. They had a beautiful baby girl. Tasha and I reconnected on facebook, and one day a few months ago as I scrolled through people's profiles, I noticed that she was looking for a photographer to capture some pictures of her daughter (who was now three!). I emailed her, and a few weeks later we set up a family shoot. As they pulled up and I saw Tasha and Rey I got that feeling. That feeling of de ja vu. That feeling that they hadn't changed. They were still the same awesome couple, full of laughter and love. But this time they had Paige with them. Sassy. Sweet. Funny. Adorable. They are such a wonderful family, a perfect unit of happiness and giggles.

A few traditional posed shot

Love this shot of Paige- she's ever so sassy! I also love how Rey is protecting her, even though she doesn't know it...

You can check out their slideshow here!