{shari is engaged!}

I am so excited for Shari! Her boyfriend just proposed in Paris, here is the romantic story she told about the event!

On Sunday evening, Shari's fiance Mike took her to an area across from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, sat her down on a bench to take a picture, got down on one knee and proposed. She said yes of course! After the proposal they boarded a dinner cruise on the Seine River and had a wonderful dinner with dancing late into the night.

Shari Mager is an amazing and talented wedding coordinator who coordinated my wedding and did a wonderful job! Her website is Charmed Events and I would highly recommend her to any bride. It gave me such piece of mind to not have to worry about every last detail, especially on the big day!

Congratulations Shari, I am so happy you are joining the married club!

{welcome to vallentyne photography}

Today my new Vallentyne Photography website launches. I am so excited about it and everything that being in business for myself entails. I think 2008 is going to be an amazing year and I am really looking forward to all the photos I will take and people I will work with and meet.

For the last 3 years I have worked under the umbrella of True Photography. It has been an amazing experience for many reasons. I have not only learned a lot about the wedding industry but also about how to run a good and honest business, what works and what doesn't. The goal of Vallentyne Photography is simple. I want to give my clients amazing images that they will treasure for a lifetime.

Going independent in business is just the natural next step for me and my work. I also feel lucky enough that True Photography is still wanting to refer me when clients are looking for my work. I truly respect and treasure the relationship of mutual respect we have developed over the years.

So here we go! Happy 2008 everyone, I am really looking forward to working with you, exchanging ideas, and just enjoying the kind of work that is also so much fun.

Luck to all, Heather Moreau of Vallentyne Photography

{erica murphy...bridal fashion shoot}

As you will see in my most recent post, I photographed Erica's wedding on June 16, 2007 and we decided to have a photo shoot of Erica after the wedding. After all, it is so much fun to wear the wedding gown, why not put it on again?!?

I love the time I get in a wedding to shoot with the bride and groom. Especially when they have fun getting their pictures taken and we have a beautiful location. I think the only thing I always want more of is time!

Weddings, by nature, are always on a schedule and it is important for me to keep that schedule moving. So it seemed only natural to me that if we could do a shoot on another day with no time constraints, and use a location we would never get to go to on a wedding, we would get some beautiful shots. And of course, what bride doesn't want to wear the dress again!

So here is Erica's, bridal fashion shoot. These are available to any of my brides who want to put on that dress one more time!

This was taken in a forest where a controlled burn had taken place a few months previously. The ground and trees were still scorched but new green growth was beginning to peak through.
This presents a beautiful contrast while wearing a white wedding dress. We had so much fun and we're so happy with the photos! Here are a few of my favorites. . .

{erica and patrick}

On June 16th 2007 I shot the wedding of Erica and Patrick.
Ceremony: Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church
Celebration: Georges at the Cove in La Jolla
Cupcakes by: kissmecakes

Erica and Patrick had already done an engagement shoot with me that turned out amazing so I was really excited to shoot their wedding. For they engagement shoot, they arrived, and it immediately started to rain! They were totally ok with it and we did the shoot anyways with me shooting from under an umbrella! It actually worked out better that we could have imagined because the streets were shiny and reflected all the lights from the down town area where we were shooting. Erica said it was "Murphy's Law' since her no name was to be Murphy but everything turned out great in the end.

For the wedding, there was no "Murphy's Law" in site. Erica was as calm and collected as any bride I have ever seen. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

{danielle and tim}

On April 29th 2007 I shot Danielle and Tim's wedding at the Coronado Community Center and the Hotel Del Coronado.

It was really beautiful and very cool because they did everything themselves. They are pretty young but you can really see the love and commitment in their relationship. I got so many beautiful pictures that I just couldn't narrow it down so I am going to post a lot!

{allison and ryan}

On May 27th 2007 I photographed the wedding of Allison and Ryan which took place The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe .
This wedding was extrodinary!! To see some of the finest wedding professionals please visit each of the sites below.
Event Planner Mary Noble's Classic Weddings.
Floral design by LaVonne Zamora of Adorations.
Videography by Taylor Films.
Makeup + Hair by Diane Serns of You By Design.
Rentals by Classic Party Rentals - Event Specialists.
Desserts by Michele Coulon Dessertier.
Entertainment by de Bois Productions.
Photo booth by Red Cheese.
Martini Glass Luge by SoCal Ice Productions.
VERY COOL touch by - Painter Rich Flynn "The Painter of the Moment".

Needless to say the wedding was pretty incredible. Alli in Ryan our two of the sweetest people I have met in a long time. Even though the wedding was a huge production, Alli kept her cool the whole time and looked radiant!

{heather and adam}

On March 31st 2007, Heather and Adam got married at the Ranch0 Valencia Resort.
I love the architecture at the Rancho Valencia. growing at the Southern California, I have always loved the Spanish hacienda style. since incorporation of architectural elements is something I love to do in my photography, the resort is full of endless possibilities for me....this was also the wedding of the best cake in the face smashing I have ever seen....not pictured here...for obvious reasons.

{cory and erin}

On March 17th 2007 I photographed the wedding of Erin and Cory which took place Strawberry Farms in Irvine, California.
Heather Howery was the on site coordinator.
Floral design by Lavender Hill.
Photo booth: Red Cheese Photo Booth.

The first wedding of 2007 definitely started off the right way. Cory and Erin are friends of friends, my friend Rachel referred me over to them and they all work together at Roxy. Both Cory an Erin are successful clothing designers who work together. Their wedding was truly a reflection of very unique style and it turned out beautiful.

{bethann and brian}

On October 22nd I photographed the wedding of BethAnn and Brian. They exchanged rings and vows at Seagrove Park in Del Mar and they celebrated with friends and family at L'Auberge Resort.

BethAnn and Brian were such a quirky and cute couple, they are both very artistic and had a distinctive style that I loved. Here are some of my favorite shots of them on the big day!

{ashley and todd}

On October 7th I photographed the wedding of Ashley and Todd which took place Quail Botantical Gardens in Encinitas, California.
Wedding Planning & Design, Shari Mager of Charmed Events She offers guidance, support and peace of mind.
Florist - Pocketful of Posies - 760.519.5710 or 760.431.1825 email: Ma4d@adelphia.net
Catering [fabulous!] - Festivities
DJ, Andy Hagenah of Disc Go Round

When Ashley came in to meet with me we both sat down and stared at each other not knowing where we knew each other from. It turned out we had classes together in college...small world! The wedding at Quail gardens was absolutely beautiful. Not many people know what a beautiful venue this is, and it's right in Encinitas!