It’s hard to grasp the grand scale, yet intimate beauty that this wedding reflects! Shirah and Andrew’s wedding festivities were set at the ultra-posh Beverly Wilshire Hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA. This special day, coming on the heels of their beachside Henna Celebration, was, as you are about to see, truly breathtaking.  I personally love shooting at a continuous variety of venues, but there is clearly something special about the Beverly Wilshire. It could be the fact that mere steps from the front entrance is the iconic Rodeo Drive or it could be the stately, provincial feel uniquely mixed with a Southern California twist.  In the end, it was the perfect setting for such a spectacular wedding.  From the smallest details to the Rodeo Terrace ceremony with stunning views and ending in the gorgeous ballroom, this definitely was a wedding to remember!  Once again Veronique Assouline with Veronique Events outdid herself with this lavish affair.

Congratulations, once again to this beautiful couple. Enjoy!

Danny Baker | Epic Imagery

I love arriving early to any wedding I photograph. Whether I’ve worked countless times at the venue, or just a couple, walking a location and taking in the surroundings is essential. Often I scout out the ideal setting for a first look, those quiet post-ceremony moments with the couple, or the place where I know the light will be particularly stunning at a certain point of the day. It’s not just the lay of the land that I seek, but a sense of inspiration for the day ahead, as random paths, interesting textures, and unique architectural and landscape details catch my eye.

In the rolling hills of Simi Valley lies Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a sprawling rustic setting dotted with fountains, olive trees and stunning Spanish architecture. There was no shortage of inspiration here. In any direction I could envision a shot or a dramatic scene unfolding as I took in the pure beauty of this place. It was here in this serene location that I had the privilege of photographing Sarah & Micha’s lovely wedding day.

The day began with the bridal preparation at a small cottage on the venue’s grounds. I truly enjoy capturing all of the meaningful details brides take weeks and months carefully selecting; the gown, veil, shoes and of course, the bridal jewelry. Sarah was ever the timeless bride in her gorgeous blush Monique L’Huillier gown with it’s lace bodice and intricate applique. Very elegant in their own right were Sarah’s bridesmaids, turning heads in their multi-hued BHDLN dresses in varying earth tones which complimented the landscape.

From there we embarked on what is arguably my favorite part of every wedding I shoot; the first look.  So much anticipation, excitement and emotion culminates in this one breathtaking moment. For Sarah & Micha, their first moments together on their wedding day, did not disappoint. Their incredible love for one other was real, evident, and an honor to witness in such an intimate way. As a photographer who LOVES capturing real moments and emotions, this was an incredible moment to be a part of.

Sarah & Micha’s ceremony was rich in the traditions and history of their faith. The Jewish wedding customs of the Ketubah, Bedeken and Tish are some of my favorites to photograph. The significance of these portions of the day are hard to understate, with many going back thousands of years. What I really appreciate the most, is the sense of community and family that is woven so thoroughly through these cultural events. The Chuppah ceremony was equally impactful and quietly intimate.  Set amongst a grove of trees, with the backgrounds of greenery and the simplicity of nature made it nearly effortless to document such beauty.

Of course, no wedding is complete without a good party!  And party they did!  Veronique Assouline with Veronique Events fulfilled a stunning vision of warmth and romance with her event design. The reception was set in and amongst a large canopy strewn with bistro lights that bathed the hillside with an amber glow. The enclosed setting was a perfect atmosphere for the celebration, trimmed with white and blush florals and gold accents, all adding to the simple elegance of this gorgeous evening.

This truly was a memorable wedding to document, and the subjects and surroundings made my job that much easier! From the family, friends, and fellow vendors, everything came together so perfectly.  Congratulations once again to this stunning couple!

Please enjoy a few of my favorite moments throughout this magnificent day….

Danny Baker | Epic Imagery

A few days ago, I had the distinct pleasure of documenting an event unlike any other that I normally photograph, but was truly beyond rewarding.

The Chrysalis Women’s Empowerment program is a Los Angeles based resource that helps women coming from various hardships learn vital skills, build self-esteem, gain employment, and ultimately become self-sufficient.

I was introduced to this organization through a past wedding client and immediately jumped at the chance to contribute my services to the “Makeover Event,” which is held a couple of weeks prior to the program’s graduation for these incredible women. Owner/stylist Ginger Boyle of Planet Salon on the forever famous Melrose Avenue in Hollywood hosted this powerful evening, with many of the salon’s stylists and staff generously contributing their time and talents to the transformation process.

For a few hours, these women were lavished upon like never before with various treatments including massage, hair and makeup, jewelry and wardrobe, all culminating with a professional portrait at the evening’s end. Many of these women revealed that they had never experienced anything like this, so for me as the photographer it was so moving to see this process taking place and to be a part of something so impactful to their lives. I could tangibly see the confidence and glow exuding from these ladies!

Once it was their turn to be photographed, helping to set each of them at ease and witnessing their emergence was both enjoyable and an emotional experience! Seeing their expressions of joy and hope made made me so grateful for this opportunity and definitely helped bring things into perspective.

I am looking forward to working with this phenomenal organization again in the future, and I hope as you glance at these images, you will get a sense of the immense power and emotion that filled this special time.

If you’re personally interested in learning more about Chrysalis or potentially contributing to this amazing program, click here to watch a compelling video.