Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300

Amy and Nick invited me to take their engagement photos at the Getty Center in Los Angeles and it was as good a time as any for me to make my first visit there! Yes, I feel a little foolish that I have never been to the Getty Center before. Probably because it is in Los Angeles, and you know how hard it is for Orange County folk to get to Los Angeles! hahahaha. Could you imagine that it also turned out to be a pretty cool place to take engagement pictures? Amy and Nick were perfect models – they giggled, smiled, kissed, held hands, even brought a serious face and a change of clothes. Way to go Amy and Nick, good job!

For a couple who started out more nervous than the average, they sure were tearing up the museum by the time we left . . .

The One and Only Palmilla
Km 7.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San Jose Del Cabo
BCS, CP 23400 Mexico

Sunset da Mona Lisa Restaurant
Transpeninsular 6KM
Missiones Del Cabo
Cabo San Lucas
BCS, 23410 Mexico

I want to shout it at the top of my lungs, “I LOVE MEXICO!” Yes! I have photographed at least 10 weddings throughout Mexico and have had several vacations there myself. I find places like Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Cozumel to be so beautiful and fun. Smaller resort areas like San Jose and Zijuajtanejo are so peaceful and relaxing. White sand, dark blue water, stucco, fish tacos, oooooh I want to leave right now!

The wedding of Brycie and Ian was photographed in the wonderful los Cabos area. Anyone who has been to Cabo will really appreciate this first collage as it is made of little pieces that make up the whole. . .

Brycie and Ian invited me to join their entire weekend – poolside lunches, guys fishing (Ian caught a FAT dorado, way to go man), rehearsal dinner and wedding day. The rehearsal dinner took place at the beautiful Sunset da Mona Lisa (formerly called Da Giorgio) which sits on a cliff overlooking the entire Cabo area and sea. We had a great time there with a few casual portraits, Brycie and Ian are lots of fun and very playful . . .

This is what I am talking about when I say the Sunset da Mona Lisa is beautiful! . . . WOW . . .

At the beginning of the wedding day I met Brycie over at the spa where she was in a private room getting her pedi for the day . . .

Getting ready . . . shoes from Manolo Blanik, awesome designer wedding gown by Melissa Sweet . . .



It is pretty classy when the guys have to tie their own bow ties. It took Ian the boys a little bit of time to do this, and you can see they worked up a good thirst . . .


The chapel on the resort grounds of the One and Only Palmilla . . .

Is that Ian, or is it JFK Jr.?? Stud . . .


We spent a few minutes playing on the beach, too much fun. You just can’t beat it . . .

I decided to make another collage to represent the reception. We went WAY beyond cheese and crackers for this one . . .fresh clams, mangos, oysters, JUMBO prawns, wine and tequila galore. All of this cliffside at the One and Only Palmilla Resort . . .

I love it when a wedding comes together! Thank you Brycie and Ian for inviting me to your spectacular and fun weekend. You both were so generous and perfect. Hope to see you again sometime!

Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega Hwy
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-1300

I always let me clients choose the location for their engagement pictures. It keeps my photography fresh and creative, and also helps relax the couple. Greg and Olga were a little nervous about the pictures, but Olga’s constant giggles made for a lot of fun. We ended up with a great set of pictures on an absolutely beautiful day. The foliage and flowers at Mission San Juan Capistrano were blooming like I had never seen before . . .

St. Regis Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 234-3200

Once again, back at the mesmerising St. Regis Resort and Spa in Monarch Beach, Dana Point. Dayna Lewis from A Very Special Day coordinated this event with Stephanie and Mike, a very solid Orange County couple . . .

Stephanie had a beautiful Pronovias gown which she customized with white ostrich feathers . . .



The florist also used the white ostrich feathers for the luscious bouquet . . .


There must be at least five ceremony locations at the St. Regis. Stephanie and Mike chose the more private Pacific Lawn (on the south end of the resort) . . .





The very recognizable grand staircase . . .

The rest of the evening was filled with shot glasses made out of ice, TONS of crazy dancing, and a delicious cake!

A party to remember, thanks Stephanie and Mike.

St. Regis Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 234-3200

I regularly hear from couples that one of the hardest parts about planning the wedding is cutting down the guest list. Do you think you can get it down to less than 40??? Bob and Keli got married at the intimate botanical garden of the St. Regis Monarch Beach, with a guest list of less than 35 (including children)! Here is a sample from their wonderful day with a small group of friends and family . . .

A beautiful wedding gazebo sits in the midst of Greek statues and beautifully manicured gardens, all overlooking palm trees, the Monarch Beach golf course, and then the Pacific Ocean. . . . can you handle it?




Bob and Keli had their reception in the Wine Cellar of the St. Regis. “The ultimate private dining venue with 100-year-old French paved flooring and stone walls creating a cellar-like ambience; mahogany and custom iron furnishings; wine inventory of 10,000 bottles from around the world and tasting table.” This room holds 50 guests max.

No kidding . . . sunset overlooking Monarch Beach! This shot was taken from the grounds of the awesome St. Regis . . .

Mariners Church
5001 Newport Coast Drive
Irvine, CA 92603
(949) 854-7600

Strawberry Farms Golf Club
11 Strawberry Farms Road
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 551-1811

Amber and Nathanael are a wonderfully chill, young couple. They met at Biola University, learning about GOD and sharing their love of music together. Amber did a great job setting up her wedding day – getting ready at Mom and Dad’s house, ceremony at the new chapel at Mariners Church in Irvine, and then a perfect reception at Strawberry Farms Golf Club right down the street. Flowers by This Old Garden Gallery in Tustin . . .


This first picture of the new Mariners wedding chapel looks almost like a painting. I used a technique called High Dynamic Range photography (HDR) to bring out more colors and more details . . .

I’ve mentioned this before, but Strawberry Farms doesn’t feel like it belongs in Orange County. In a county that is known more for it’s beaches, here is a real working farm that you can get married at!




Some reception details . . .

First dance . . .

A paparazzi series . . .

What a sweet wedding day in the heart of Orange County! See you around, Amber and Nathanael!

Hoffmann is a preferred vendor at Strawberry Farms Golf Club and has photographed several events there

Laguna Cliffs Marriott
25135 Park Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 661-5000

Melissa and Samid’s big day at the Cliffside Marriott in Dana Point! Not only was it ANOTHER perfect day in southern California, but this event was VERY well put together. DeNeitra Vincent with Savvy Events did a great job as “elements of Hamid’s Persian culture were infused into the event” with a Persian wedding spread at the altar (called the Sofreh Aghd) and also a belly dancer at the reception! Shazam! Let’s start with a few details I found in Melissa’s getting ready room . . .


Videographer for the day was Elysium Productions. They put together an incredible “same day edit,” which they presented at the reception! Wowzers!

A ‘finished’ Melissa looking magnificent and splendid . . .

Hamid and his crew . . .

Check out the exceptional ceremony set-up!! Flowers by Victoria’s Garden. Custom aisle runner by I Do Originals . . .

Some of the details of the Persian wedding spread at the altar . . .


All that warm sun makes a bride want to go for a little stroll in the park outside the Laguna Cliffs Marriott! Custom parasol with the wedding logo by I Do Originals . . .

Cake by It’s All About the Cake . . .

Some details from the immaculate reception set-up . . .

One more picture of Melissa and Samid before they leave for their honeymoon in Egypt!! So cool.

Surf and Sand Resort and Spa
1555 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(888) 869-7569

Occasions at Laguna Village
577 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 376-4536

This is what could happen if you date someone from work!! hahah . . . just joking . . .sort of . . . Well, Chris and Diane met at work and a couple years later made the move to marriage! Congratulations! They got ready at the beautiful Surf and Sand Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach and then had the ceremony and reception at the perfect Laguna Village just a short ride down the Pacifica Coast Highway. Both locations have stunning views overlooking the Pacific Ocean and are great for weddings. Here are the girls in the courtyard at the Surf and Sand . . .

The guys over at Laguna Village . . .

Ceremony!!

A walk on the beach . . .



By now you should be able to tell what Diane’s favorite color is! . . .

Hoffmann is a preferred vendor at the Laguna Village and has worked over 20 weddings there! Come in and check out his portfolio!