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Emily Photo Wedding Photography Blog bio picture

A little about me...

When it comes to my art, emotions are my inspiration. And when I capture a wedding in pictures, I’m inspired by every single moment. The drama and power of photography has captivated me all my life. From the first moment I explored Portland’s monthly gallery exhibits to the first time I developed prints myself, I knew my future was carving its space: I would be a professional photographer.


In 2007, I began shooting weddings. The excitement and energy of each event is intoxicating—and when I know I’ve captured the emotion of the moment, there’s no better feeling in the world. To get to that point, I start my journey with the bride and groom before I even pick up the camera. I’m inquisitive by nature, and understanding the details, design and style of a couple’s wedding can transform the tone of my images from beautiful to breathtaking. 


I shoot a full range of photos, but “portraits” hold a special place in my heart. Portraits are intensely personal and can be incredibly rewarding for a photographer. When a mother looks at a portrait of her daughter and says “oh, that’s so her” with the slightest smile on her face, I know I’ve given them something special. When I shoot portraits of family and guests, I hope that they’ll feel amazing when they see themselves in print. To deliver such emotion is a gift for me, and if I’m doing my job right, it’s a gift to my clients, as well. 


What I want for my clients is to bring every moment to life, to shape the story of their special day through my lens. I hope I can do exactly that for you.

Engagement Photography Los Angeles, SoCal Locations

Monday, November 30, 2009 Posted in Engagement Photography, Sweet Photography Locations in LA/SoCal

I’ve always loved engagement sessions with my couples, but lately they’ve become something more.  Something I look forward to almost as much as the wedding day.  I love it because I get to explore Los Angeles and surrounding areas, I am able to get super creative, and get to know my clients a bit more.  Really though, Emily Photo engagement sessions aren’t about me, I swear.  They are about the bride and groom-to-be of course!

I think every couple, whether you have to pay for one or not, should have an engagement session.  I think it’s so important that I include it in all of my wedding packages.  Think about it, I spend hours and hours (ok not THAT many) editing and blogging engagement sessions, but don’t charge extra because they make the photos better on the wedding day.  Here’s why…

My engagement sessions usually last anywhere from 2-4 hours.  Usually the couple is ready to be done before me because I could probably have it last all day.  During this time, there is so much that helps me photograph the couple better.

First thing, they get used to having hundreds of shots taken of them.  For most people, that is a really  hard thing.  I need my clients to be camera aware, yet natural and happy. By the end of an engagement shoot, I guarantee this will happen.

Another thing that happens is they get used to me, the way I shoot, the way I direct, and learn more about me in general.  This is key because clients instill a lot of trust in me to shoot their wedding day.  The better they know me and my work the more they trust.

Lastly, I get to see what photos the bride and groom like and which angles or poses they might not love.  I like to meet with the clients after the shoot to go over our favorites.  This way I can learn more about their style and they get more familiar with mine.

I am so excited for some of my 2010 engagement sessions! I am setting up some styled, funky shoots as we speak.

I am often asked about places I recommend for engagement shoots in the Los Angeles area, so here are some of my favorites and some I have yet to try…

Cerritos Library, The Getty, Downtown LA, alley ways in Santa Monica, Venice Beach near the strand, the graffiti wall at Venice Beach, coffee shops, Ikea, Dockweiler Beach, any park for a picnic setting, Bodega Wine Bar in Santa Monica, H&M, Dodger or Angels Stadium, and I will be adding lots more to my list.

Where are you going to have yours???

by Emily

23 comments

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Rachael and Craig - love that photo of us! your the best!December 1, 2009 - 11:10 am

Rachael and Craig - Taking photos with Emily is a really great experience... my recommendation is to put some thought into your shoot... what you are as a couple and what represents you guys... what do you want to get out of the shoot. Emily is so fun to work with and I thank her for giving us memories that will last a lifetime. I will always remember my time in LA and I have her great work to help me remember! You would be lucky to have her as your photographer!December 1, 2009 - 11:27 am

admin - Rach! You are too sweet. I miss you! You totally made my day :)December 1, 2009 - 12:03 pm

Paulina Saris - We would love to have our engagement pictures taken at either Dana Point or somewhere in Malibu.December 1, 2009 - 2:24 pm

Karla Shirvanian - These are amazing! I love how natural the couples look, amazing photgraphsDecember 1, 2009 - 2:33 pm

tricia wolff - Aww i love the pictures of this couple! They're all very natural looking and seem to show the character of each of them. My fiance and I met in Maui, Hawaii and lived there for four years together so a photo session by the beach is exactly what were looking for. I like your idea of shooting in Venice, very LA but still with a beachy feel.December 1, 2009 - 2:37 pm

Laura May - Downtown Los Angeles at night. :)December 1, 2009 - 3:08 pm

Marisa and Anthony - Pasadena City Hall at dusk =)December 1, 2009 - 3:19 pm

Sara Sicotte - My fiance and I would be beyond blessed for our engagement pictures to be taken by you. The emotion that is expressed in your photography is remarkable. We would want our pictures to be taken at Balboa Island or Disneyland, where we both met! It is so sweet for you to do this. And it would make our wedding to have this done :)December 1, 2009 - 4:13 pm

Mary Arabyan - Love your pictures, I would like to do my engagement session at the LACMA =)December 1, 2009 - 4:33 pm

Kanieka Purvis - I would LOVE to have an engagement session at The Getty Center. The place is GORGEOUS!!!December 1, 2009 - 5:06 pm

Amy - I am thinking the Santa Monica pier would be a great background for ours since that is our 'hood and because of the crazy lights on the ferris wheel!!December 1, 2009 - 6:17 pm

Christine Waljeski - I love the artistic quality of your shots. Very cool! I would love to do an engagement session up near some of the fun rock formations of the Santa Monica Mountains or around the Venice canals.December 1, 2009 - 6:44 pm

Kaylen Hewko - Engagment Photo Give Away! =)December 1, 2009 - 9:42 pm

Allison - I love shooting under the 6th street Bridge and around traction avenue! Great spots!December 1, 2009 - 10:10 pm

Candie & Andy - I would love to have my engagement pictures at Disneyland!December 1, 2009 - 10:29 pm

Brianna - We think we'd like to do an engagement shoot on a Saturday morning in Santa Monica when all the running & cycling teams are out practicing... My fiancee and I met on one of those teams when we trained for our first triathlon...December 1, 2009 - 11:10 pm

S. Johnson - WOW... speechless... great work and great style that is so you. love them... when I finally decide to marry my lady, you will be on my mindDecember 2, 2009 - 10:44 am

Joy - Love your reasons for the shoots...my fiance's not great with the camera, so it would make sense for him to NEED an engagement shoot to get him ready for the wedding photos. I don't know where we'd do our engagement shoot...but maybe a bowling alley 'cuz that's where we met! :o)December 2, 2009 - 2:52 pm

Rose - Beautiful work. They all look so in love!December 2, 2009 - 8:06 pm

Mary & Danny - wow! love your style! I'm not sure where I'd like to do our engagement session. Can't really afford both engagement session and wedding photo's, but if i had to pick i would choose malibu beach area.December 2, 2009 - 8:24 pm

Rochelle - I would love to have our engagement pictures at Union Station and the famous Olvera Street.December 3, 2009 - 9:03 am

Debbie - I've always loved seeing engagement photos of couples at the beach and wanted the same growing up. But now that I think of myself with my fiancee, I feel it has to reflect us and what is meaningful to us... We both loved visiting the Huntington Library near Pasadena... a botanical garden is beautiful and appreciated. Another interesting thought was finding a huge, plush tree(s) and taking pictures with the tree in the backdrop and at different angles. I think a big oak/redwood/etc tree is symbolic of strength, especially during any harsh condition... it represents life and growth over time. Haha, I think I got carried away with what I'd like for my engagement photo session, but those are my thoughts! Thanks! Your pictures are great.December 4, 2009 - 12:35 am

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