SoCal Vendor Spotlight – Anika London Photography

San Diego is known for its laid-back attitude, amazing beaches, wine country (yes, wine country), and the best weather this side of ANYWHERE. Now with all that going for us and being a top destination-wedding locale in the USA you can bet your bottom dollar that we have some of the most talented wedding vendors from caterers to photographers and everything in between. I have decided that it is high time that these vendors be recognized and featured. My first vendor is Anika London.

So who is Anika London? Josh and Ariel makeup the team called Anika London. This gorgeous husband and wife team (seriously, they are smokin’!) are based in San Diego. Their work is amazing and their approach to shooting an engagement or wedding is like no other. These two are so cool that they were nice enough to answer a few of my questions so that I can share them with you…so without further ado I bring you, Anika London!

Q. What makes Anika London so unique?

Our two distinct styles; both of us have been shooting weddings for many years but the two of us have two distinctly different styles. I would consider myself more of a photojournalist. I love movement, energy, and the craziness of the wedding day and what it represents. I’m definitely more into capturing the laughter, the tears, the crazy uncle, the brawl between ladies vying for the bouquet, and all the fearless drunken dancers on the dance floor.

Ariel loves beauty, she wants you to look at the photos afterwards and think to yourself, “holy good graciousness! I look amazing!” She’s the master of angles and knows how to make anyone look their best. She also has a very sweet sincere personality that really helps you feel at ease so that you look natural and truly beautiful. Combining our two styles really capture what the wedding day is and give the couple the best of both worlds. Great candid shots mixed hand-in-hand with images that take your breath away.

Q. What are some of your favorite locations to shoot in SD?

Oh boy, we absolutely love shooting in odd unconventional places. We have shot in school buses, parking garages, bars, roller coasters, hotel basements, and even a political rally. Our absolute favorite place to shoot is in any given parking garage. You give us a parking garage of any type and we are in heaven.

Q. Why are you such huge fans of the first look photo. 

Here’s why; you’re makeup and hair are fresh, generally you haven’t been crying yet so your eyes still look pretty, you can actually speak to one another when you see each other for the first time, there’s no stress because no one is waiting on you and there’s no reception we have to run off to, you’re generally not starving so you tend to not be as cranky (this one’s more for the guys), and ultimately you’ve spent a large amount of cash on your photographer(s) so why not have a scheduled time to shoot the most worthwhile photos of the day?

Q. What can a bride do to ensure that her photos will be great?

·The most important thing a bride can do (and a groom, we tend to leave them out of the mix but they are people too) is hire a coordinator. I am not just saying this because I want Naomi to like me I am saying it because it is absolutely true and necessary.

On your wedding day, you and your spouse need to enjoy every single second of it and having a good coordinator (not a friend that has been married before) run the show helps tremendously. They allow you and your spouse to focus on each other, your friends, and like I mentioned in the second question, the craziness of the day! There is no question about it, weddings are stressful, but no one needs to be stressed. Let the small things go, if by chance something goes wrong blow it off, let it be just another memory of the day. It is not what goes wrong that will ruin your day it is how you react to it.

A good coordinator will make sure things run smoothly so you will be stress free and HAPPY. Happiness is easy to photograph; anger and stress are not. I am just being honest here. Honestly, we can shoot anywhere it does not matter where it is, but if you are not happy and in love on your wedding day, your photos will most definitely show it. So the lesson is, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Or it could be “get drunk early,” whichever motto best suits your life.

 I knew you would love them! Please visit  the website of Anika London here  and  be the first to see their latest shoots on their on Anika London’s blog  here.

Stay tuned for more vendors in the series Vendor Spotlight!

Cowboy Boots & Pearls – Austin, Texas Engagement Shoot

In the past, I have featured a photo shoot from the ladies of Simply Bloom. If you remember how gorgeous that shoot was (in case you don’t click here), you will not be surprised that I am doing it again. When I saw this shoot of Monica and John, it was love at first sight. Obviously, the couple is beautiful. However, there was something else about the shoot that drew me in…it is the sincerity captured in these images that I felt instantly.

Besides a great locale, I love the mix of feminine yet cowgirl-chic worn by the bride. Pearls and cowboy boots? Who would of thought? It was perfect for this Austin, Texas engagement shoot. I hope you enjoy this shoot and feel the love as much as I did. To the ladies of Simply Bloom, you have a fan for life.

{ I love this photo. It makes me want to sing “Stand By Your Man”! }

Real Weddings – Varanasi, India

At EDWA we celebrate all that brings beauty into our lives. Our world has always celebrated the joining of two people whether it be a small ceremony at the Justice of the Peace or an extravagant affair with hundreds of people. A wedding, no matter where or how celebrated, brings out the beauty in all of us. Sharing photos of weddings in other lands, allows us to see and understand how weddings are celebrated all over this vast and diverse world we share.

I am so happy to share with you this wedding photographed by Christophe Viseux, a talented photographer from France. Anyone who visits Christophe’s blog understand that Christophe loves people and his enjoys his work. That love transcends from his lens to paper to share with us how he sees the world. Lucky for us, he sees the world beautifully. Here is what Christophe had to say about shooting this spectacular Hindu wedding in Varanasi, India…

 “For photographers, the major difficulty is that the Hindu wedding takes place at night. We must shoot all evening between different ambient sources (city lights, the hotel, the video team. …) And flash (used sparingly). Working in high sensitivity, slower speed and a higher aperture means more ‘waste’ but the result is sometimes very surprising. It exudes an atmosphere more intimate. A very rewarding experience …”

Naomi

Fun Wedding Photo Idea

Sometimes I visit a blog for one thing and it leads me to another blog that has something so great that is worthy of sharing with you!

I love this idea! Rent a trampoline to take some really fun wedding photos with your wedding part! The photos, taken by photographers Nate and Jaclyn of This Image Found, are amazing! I am sure these photos will incite smiles and laughter every time this couple shares their wedding album with friends. Take a look…

source {The Image Is Found}

Vintage Glam Axioo Photography

I love it when I am looking for something on the net and find something that just screams GORGEOUS. I was visiting San Diego Bridal Insider, when I saw this post originally posted on Ever Ours. Axioo Photography shot the couple’s photos and they are beautifully done.

The style of this photo shoot along with the clothes and props, give this photo shoot a burlesque, film noir, pin-up, vintage-glam feel. I love the colors, the light, the expressions on the couples face, and the uniqueness of it all.  Oh and check out the brides mustache necklace! Worth a Saturday post for sure! For more of this stunning shoot, click here.

{source: axioo photography}

Amy Punky Photography – Bonjour!

I have said it before and I will say it again…blogging is the best way to meet people from all over the world that share the same interest. Allow me to introduce you to my newest friend who also happens to be a most amazing photographer, Emilie Gerard of Amy Punky Photography. Emilie is a lawyer by trade but her heart belongs to photography and shows…oh and I think she has a love of shoes just as bad as I do!

Based in France, Emilie has one of the most romantic countries as her backdrop for the gorgeous photos she takes of engaged and newlywed couples. However, her talent is not limited to portraits; Emilie also takes breathtaking photos of children and nature capturing them in the most beautiful light.

If you find yourself in France and wish to have memorable photos taken of your trip by a photographer who not only knows where to take the best photos but also can create lasting memories for you, contact Emilie Gerard here. What better way to capture and celebrate love in one of the most romantic places in the world than thru the lens of a photographer like Emilie!

Here are a few of my favorite shots by Emilie.

Blog Roll – Kiss The Groom

A non-blogging friend recently asked me, “How do bloggers pick who they add to their blog roll?” I thought “What a great question!” I told her how I decided and then it dawned on me, why not share that info with you? At least once a month I will write about one of the blogs on my blog roll. In doing so I get to tell you why I think they are so wonderful.

I choose who I place on my blog roll based on what I think my readers might be interested in, and of course, my likes as well. Unlike other blogs, my blog roll is quite concise. I have only been blogging since last year and I truly want to list blogs that resonate with my life philosophy, what I think you might like as the reader, and the things that make me smile. So what makes me smile and stirs her to create? Life, art, sex, love, fashion, photography, shoes, museums, New York City, Paris, food, vintage dresses, decor, travel, history, writing, spirituality,reading, and of course weddings…to name a few. Did I mention shoes?

As some of you might know, Elizabeth Messina is a well-known, amazing photographer, and the writer of the beautiful blog Kiss the Groom. If I could, I would read her blog all day long. The photos are not the only beauty you will find on this blog; the words that accompany the images are just as beautiful.

In my opinion, Elizabeth must have a beautiful soul to create such beauty everyday through her photography, imagery, and words. There are many reasons why I like this blog but one stands out more than the rest; it is that she sees no color, and has no prejudice. Like me, and I am sure many others, Elizabeth believes that multi-cultural and multi-racial families make the most beautiful little people in the world. That resonates deeply within me because I do not think she is just talking about outer beauty.

I wanted to share a few images with your from Kiss the Groom. Pay them a visit. I know you will not be disappointed. It will be a great way to add some smiles, besides the one’s I give you, to your Friday!

“L’histoire” by kiss the groom

 The Wish Box by kiss the groom

“Morning Lavender” by kiss the groom

source: kiss the groom/Elizabeth Messina

Naomi’s Sunday Best – In the Spirit of Valentine’s Day

On my Sunday travels, I found the most amazing and perfect Valentine Tale as told by Simply Bloom. I have not posted all of the photos but please visit Simply Bloom to swoon and read more about this beautifully photographed tale.

And yes, it appears that they indeed lived happily ever after…

Another Perfect Wedding Shoot by Jasmine Star Photography

 I absolutely love this wedding shoot. Not only is the couple gorgeous, the photographer, Jasmine Star is phenomenal. She has an amazing eye for detail and what she wrote about the couple on her site is absolutely heartfelt and genuine. I am a huge fan.      Take a look why…

Photo credits: Jasmine Star Photography

Naomi’s Sunday Best – Images From the Web

Click image for source