Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez + San Juan Capistrano Basilica Mission Wedding Photographer

You know the saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." How true are these words that breathe's life into this couple. Their story begins when they fell in love at a young age, with the timing not being right,  they broke apart. They ended up starting new beginnings apart from each other for over 18 years. Then came a place in their lives for them to reconnect. With the power of computer and networking forums they found each other. It wasn't long before these two rekindled what they left behind. This is when the newest and most beautiful love story begins. For many months they traveled between California and Arizona to see each other. Karla being such a funny girl seems to always get the surprises out of Ray.  Ray knew he didn't want to live the rest of his life without Karla so he planned  a  surprise getaway. When the planning didn't work, he blurted over the phone," I want to marry you Karla! I want to propose to you! I've been waiting for the right time that financially I will be able to support you, and give you the wedding you've always dreamed of." Not but a few weeks later he started a new job in Iraq, training the new police force for the country. This job required a lot of time apart, but his promise to Karla was true, as her wedding of her dreams came to life.  

 

Ray and Karla, you both make my heart smile to see how in love you two are. All the phone calls with Karla whether it was to look at jewelry, shoes, or visit you at your home. I was more than happy to help you on this special day. Bill and I are so honored to be their to capture this beautiful time of your lives.

To see more of their love story please click on the link, I promise this is a slideshow you don't want to miss! http://cliftonphotography.myshowit.com/rayandkarla-1/index.html

A quick note for my brides and future brides. Karla and Ray made special arrangements for us to have 2 hours of shooting time for their portrait session. I know not everyone has this flexability, but the positive is having more portraits and more creativity for your albums. 

This picture I just adore! If you can see in the mirror a young girl who is Karla's daughter watching her mother getting ready.

Ray looking a little GQ!

The mission is such a photographer's dream, I could of been there all day! The venue only allows you a total of 20 minutes to shoot, but we worked our charm and had 40 minutes! 

Karla you are gorgeous!

My husband Bill was the second photographer at the wedding so while I was capturing the left photo he captured the photo on the right. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lara + North Island Navy Lodge Coronado Island Wedding Photographer

This wedding... if I can describe in one big word was just plain out F-U-N! With all the planning for the wedding and Jon being in the US Army serving our country in Iraq, there was no budget left for a wedding photographer. Warm-Heartedly, Jon's family pulled together, and started searching for a wedding photographer as their gift. It was a month before their wedding date that I received a phone call from this sweet lady Francy, Jon's mother. In the end I was hired and in for a great treat! John and Aubree are so amazing. At first I was a little concerned because I always get to know my clients months in advance. I met them just two days before their wedding.  What an honor for me to capture not only a beautiful couple, but their love for their friends and family. I want to do a big shout out to their bridal party, who hands down worked the camera, and kept me laughing throughout the night! A special thank you to Richelle of Cote Wedding and Events for her amazing job coordinating this amazing wedding! Another special thank you to Kelli with Kelli B photography for coming out to shoot with me. To Jon and Aubree I wish you many years of happiness together and hope to keep in touch with you and your family for many years to come! Here are just a few of my favorites from their wedding day, but to see many more of their amazing day please click on the link here  

http://cliftonphotography.myshowit.com/johnandaubree/index.html

Aubree was sweet to give her flower girl Barbie Bride as a gift she could treasure from this day.

This is why I so heart her, she is full of  laughter and sweetness!

This bridal party was full of surprises.... "work it!"

I love this photo for its sentiment, the front topper was John's parents wedding topper from their wedding cake.

Fun, Fun, Fun, all night long!

Dave and Ana Engaged + San Juan Capistrano Photographer + Orange County

What a great couple Ana and Dave are, and how you can see how much they treasure eachother! Love has brought two people from two ends of the world together. Dave is from England and Ana is from California. Ana and I talked a few times on the phone before we had our first consult and just really hit it off. Dave was flying in for Christmas and to help work on wedding details so we scheduled our meeting so I can meet them both. It was great to sit down and hear about the details of their wedding. They both really wanted to have an engagement session, but they were worried I couldn't squeeze them in before he had to leave back home. I was so happy to be able to fit them in just fine, and since Ana loved the beach we began our day. Instantly you can feel the love. That just made me and my camera smile! I think if I didn't have another location to go to I would of easily had them fully in the water, maybe next time! Here are some of my favorites from our day, I look forward to capturing your wedding in April!

Tell me you can't feel how crazy they are about eachother! 

Ana's eyes just sparkle with happiness.

You are gorgeous Ana!

Mi Tesoro, when Ana saw this on the house she was in aw! I asked her what does that mean and she says it means....MY TREASURE!!! Okay we can all say AWWW! Love it! 

We were trying to be sneaky and use somebody's car. I thought to myself I want this shot. Ana and Dave were so cool to sneak in the gated parking lot for this. I learned from my friend Alicia from Alicia Salcedo Portraiture that you have to be daring. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jubera + Hemet Wedding Photographer + Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Words can't describe how amazingly sweet and kind Ryan and Luanna are.  One thing I love to hear from my couples is how they met, and how they fell in love.  "We were best friends!" Luanna said. Yes,  indeed best friends who are head over heels for eachother from high-school to now husband and wife. What an honor to be able to capture their special day. Ryan and Luanna I want to wish you a life long of happiness and I am so happy to have you as new found friends.

To see more of their wedding click here on their name to view more of  Ryan and Luanna's Wedding!

Special Thanks to Kacee Geoffroy for her amazing talent with hair and make-up!

Loved their rings! On the upper-right hand corner was a hankie made of her grandmother's wedding dress, such a sentimental piece to add to her day.

Yes I love shoe shots! 

Luanna you are beautiful!

It was so nice to have my great friend Kelli with Kelli B Photography to come out and second shoot. During Catholic ceremonies they are very technical with were photographers can be so having Kelli taking charge of behind the church while I was up front made for a great combination. 

The reception was held at a library upstairs, so they were kind to leave the reception for a few minutes while we played quietly. It was only fitting that we went to the Romance section and found a favorite of mine...The Notebook! 

To see more of their wedding click here on their name to view more of  Ryan and Luanna's Wedding!