Heidi Ryder Photography: The Blog » Southern California and Destination Wedding Photography

When Robin and I were discussing ideas for her and Alejandro’s engagement session, Southern California was in the midst of a week-long rain storm. I can’t even remember the last time it rained so much in So Cal. Robin and I both love rainy, gloomy weather and thought it would be awesome if it rained a little bit on the day of their shoot. Umbrellas! Galoshes! Hats! Coats! We were excited at the thought.

But, alas, there was no rain to speak of on the day of the shoot. But it wasn’t exactly a sunny day either. Don’t tell Mother Nature, but I ended up being thankful for the lack of rain because we wouldn’t have been able to utilize at least two of our great locations, and since it wasn’t very bright out we still got to pull off the cold weather look in the end. Best of both worlds!

Robin and Alejandro made my job easy. They are so warm and kind to each other that there’s just this sort of peacefulness that happens when you’re in their presence. I didn’t have to direct them much, they were just happy to hug and stare into each other’s eyes for–well, forever, I’m guessing. And that’s why I love my job. You try being unhappy when you’re in the presence of love. I was actually super tired before this shoot and by the end of it, I was completely rejuvenated. As a gentleman by the name of Huey Lewis would say, that’s the Power of Love.

Robin and Alejandro, thanks so much for the fun time! You guys make me happy.

We started off underneath this beautiful flowering tree.Robin is a writer and an avid reader and Alejandro is a musician so we incorporated some props. Robin brought several gorgeous books and Alejandro brought some of his drums.

She read to him and he played a drum, called a djembe, for her. Alejandro joked that these photos would be missing sound so people wouldn’t get the full experience. So, please imagine the gorgeous sound of the djembe while viewing these.

The next one makes me laugh. Alejandro placed an orange on Robin’s head, and then he preceded to chomp at it. CHOMP!

Contact Heidi Ryder | Heidi Ryder Photography Portfolio | Heidi Ryder Photography Blog | Los Angeles Wedding Photography

When Emily and Free first contacted me about photography for their wedding, they already had the location for their engagement photos picked out – The Griffith Observatory. Usually couples who contact me need a little help picking out the location for their engagement session, but Free proposed to Emily at the observatory, so it was a no-brainer! I was very excited because even though I’d been there before, this was my first time shooting a couple at the famous Los Angeles landmark, and I’ve wanted to for a very long time.

These two have only been engaged for maybe about a month or so and they are getting married in January. For those trying to do the math, that’s a very short engagement! I’ve decided this is the way to go – they only have to deal the stress of planning a wedding for a few months and then they’re done! They get to live in wedded bliss and never have to plan another wedding again. I think many of us can definitely see the appeal in that.

It was a beautiful day for an engagement session when we met last week. I was just coming down with what I would find out later was the flu, but I was having so much fun with these two that I really forgot how crappy I was feeling. That’s how you know you’ve had a successful shoot. Free is a graphic designer and is using several of the photos from this session for their wedding invitation – he even sent me the mock up already and it looks fantastic! I love, love, LOVE when couples use their engagement photos in creative ways and I can’t wait to see the printed version of the invite suite.

Here are a few of my favorites from our time spent at the observatory.

In this next one, they are standing in the same exact spot where Free proposed. Cute!

After a while Emily and Free changed into something a little more casual, after which I promptly made them roll around in the grass.

Thank you Emily and Free for a fun couple of hours! I am so looking forward to your wedding day!

Contact Heidi Ryder | Heidi Ryder Photography Portfolio | Heidi Ryder Photography Blog | Southern California Wedding Photography