Posts tagged la wedding photographer
Eli and Cory’s Los Angeles Backyard Wedding | Documentary Wedding Photography Magic
 

Eli and Cory got married in the most heartfelt way - a cozy backyard wedding at Cory’s childhood home in Los Angeles.

They met in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic. Eli messaged Cory on OkCupid, and their first “date” was in Minecraft (yes, really!). For their second date, they walked and talked so much that Cory actually injured his foot and ended up in a boot for months. I mean… if that’s not a meet-cute for the ages, I don’t know what is.

Cory is a video game designer, and Eli is a comic artist and illustrator - and together, they’re endlessly creative. One of my favorite details? Cory proposed in their Minecraft world, building a scavenger hunt, musical number, and even a replica of the first home they built together in the game. I’m still swooning.

Their Los Angeles backyard wedding was filled with all the good stuff: family, friends, laughter, and a whole lot of color and personality. And from a photojournalistic perspective, this day was magic - no stiff posing, just real, unscripted love. Cory’s sister Monique catered the whole thing (she owns three restaurants!), and Eli’s family flew in from Miami to celebrate.

We’re beyond honored to have captured such a joyful, meaningful celebration - right where Cory grew up, surrounded by all the people who shaped their story.

 
 
DYI Backyard Intimate Wedding, Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles - Sehwa and Spencer

Sehwa and I have known each other… probably… almost 12 years now. It was almost right after she came here from Korea to start her life and pursue her career, and I was just one of her clients, but we had so many similar things in common that our friendship kept growing. We shared our deepest secrets and beyond, and she has become one of my closest friends in LA. Sehwa and I basically enjoyed each other’s personal and business growth and have been the biggest cheerleaders. When she told me about her groom Spencer, first of all, there was nothing wrong with this guy! You know how it is - as a girlfriend, you sometimes want to look out for your friend, so you try to read any red flags, but there was none! He was just so perfect. Little did I know, after such a smooth relationship ride with Spencer, they’re getting married and I couldn’t be more thrilled to photograph their intimate, backyard wedding in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, California.

Sehwa’s immediate family flew from Korea for the wedding, and Spencer’s mom - who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease - almost couldn’t make it to her only son’s wedding; there were so much of happy tears.

Sehwa was also 9-week pregnant, and I cried out of joy when she told me privately on her wedding day. Then, they surprised everyone with a little Thank-You cards of the baby’s ultrasound picture.

It was just about 30 people including me and Brett at the wedding, and it was everything Sehwa and Spencer wanted.

INTIMATE BACKYARD WEDDING IN LOS ANGELES - CAT + SEAN
 

When I first met Cat, a vice president of A&E Network/Lifetime, and Sean, an amazing musician and writer in Los Angeles, we laughed a lot - OUT LOUD - almost too much because my face hurt. She burst into laughters like I would (which is actually insanely hard to find for some reasons! lol) and the way Sean adores Cat was simply incredible.

Their original wedding was in Los Olivos of Santa Barbara County, but basically everything was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19 pandemic. So what did we do? We had everyone tested for COVID and got together at their home backyard in LA, just with 12 people and their dog Tito. Sean’s best friend Glen officiated the ceremony.

I personally was very touched by the love Holland and Maddy (Sean’s daughters) have for Cat. I get choked up just thinking about their (including Cat’s) acceptance of life and all other amazing emotions.

The day was simply beautiful, welcoming and cozy; filled with love and euphoria.