Los Angeles Wedding Photography

These Two win the prize for an easy breazy Wedding Website

2010-03-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

Got engaged? You will need a website for your family & friends to follow! Just a little bit of time put into a website and this will save you time and money for the big day. Take a look at my friends Meredith & Oliver. Besides being very fancy, they are smart too. They used Weebly.com to create this website and it was free. Now all of the vendors, family and friends can keep up with details of the wedding including the colors, the proposal, the ceremony, reception locations and the registry.

http://msmerymac.weebly.com/

Congratulations my friends, I am looking forward to photographing your wedding day.

www.AmbroseWeddings.com

Marry Me IN the Sea. Key word here is "IN"

2010-02-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

In Newport Beach, there is a tiny little cove that looks out onto The Wedge. It is very romantic, small, intimate and can hold over 100 people however I would not have over 50 guests because you cannot have a microphone. It is the perfect place for a ceremony if you do not mind getting your feet wet and maybe a little of your dress too. Don't bother to bring shoes because you will just have to take them off and sink your feet into the sand.

This is a sneaky location and the ceremony has to be done rather quickly because it is on the sly. I would say keep the actual ceremony under ten minutes without a grand entrance. Basically, show up with your closest family/friends and an officiant and say your vows.

You cannot get more romantic than sneaking into a beautiful beach to say your vows to the one you love. Makes for a great story for the kids.

AND it's free!

Much love and luck to Shawn and Shawna in their future.

Engagement Photos . Graffiti is King

2010-01-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

Rebecca, Thomas and I walked up to the beach on a Thursday afternoon and grabbed these shots. Since I live in Venice the beach is just a few blocks away and makes it super convenient for photos by the sea. It's always nice to use a lot of color in engagement photos and the graffiti walls are just one of the many very cool locations in Venice. Rebecca and Thomas were very happy with the result and so was I. It was freezing by the way and the lovely bride put on some tough skin in that little skimpy dress. She was so cute and her fiance just loved it. After the shoot we ran into my house and turned the heater up really high. Thomas played his guitar for his girl while I was making tea and it was a perfect ending to a very cold photo shoot.

http://www.kristineambrose.com/Albums/hitched/index.html

Make Out Session

2010-01-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

In this photo you see the groom, bride and groomsmen. What you don't see are the 100 guests standing behind me cracking up and cheering on the bride and groom. This is one way to have a fun bridal party photo session.

We pre-planned this photo session to take place immediately after the ceremony. What we didn't realize was that all the guests were going to stick around to watch. This created a lot of energy for the session and the bride and groom worked it.

As I said - 1-2-3 to prepare everyone for their photo, the bride and groom started making out. It was so hilarious that not only were the guests cracking up but the groomsmen were laughing as well. Quickly I snapped the picture and the make out session was memorialized.

Making out during your wedding photos is cool.

Someone Hand Me a Tissue

2010-01-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

When meeting with clients, one of the questions they ask me is "Do YOU REALLY enjoy shooting weddings?" A big Yes pops out of my mouth immediately and one reason for this is the emotional heights hit in the course of one day.

I cry every time right before the bride gets ready to walk down the aisle with her Dad or Mom & Dad. Privileged as I am with a backstage pass, I am usually standing in the back with them as they enter the aisle to the ceremony. As they turn the corner and the music begins for the bride, it is a highly emotional moment and I am overwhelmed with the energy from the family. This is also a beautiful photo opportunity. Think about it - it's symbolic. The parents supporting their daughter in starting her own family and welcoming another new family into their lives. It's a big deal.

I am left behind them as they continue down the aisle and take their energy with them to both families. Tissue in one hand and camera in the other I get along with my work and enjoy the remainder of the ceremony with pictures.

So - yes - I love to photograph weddings. It's not only fun but highly creative for a photographer - Oh and of course - there's the cake.

http://www.kristineambrose.com/Albums/hitched/index.html

Sisters . Yep, Family Pictures Can Be Fun

2010-01-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

Bride and Bridesmaid - these ladies made the most of their family photo shoot.
Not only do I enjoy the documentary side of wedding photography, I also like to have fun with the family and bridal party before the ceremony. It can range from highly creative photography all the way to Avedon/Kennedy Family formal photography. The more playtime the better.

Meet Sylvia's Shoes

2010-01-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

Sylvia brought two pairs of shoes to her wedding. These beautiful heels and a pair of flat converse sneakers. How graceful she moved in both. Her husband commented on the ease to run around in the grass because she not only brought two pairs of shoes, she also took off her shoes and ran around bare foot. Smart girl I say.

http://www.kristineambrose.com/Albums/hitched/index.html

Let Me Eat Cake

2009-12-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

In my Wedding Photography agreements, I include a piece of the wedding cake. Why not? The couple and family put research, extensive taste testing and did I mention a lot of money into this dessert. I believe it's a great opportunity to get to know the couple even better, through their cake. I remember each piece of wedding cake I have eaten over the years and the couples who had it baked. It is interesting to match cake to couple. The cake tells a story.

After the wedding couple & their guests are secured with cake, I can be found in the kitchen with the caterer, two cameras strapped to my neck and a piece of delicious wedding cake. The caterers have a laugh watching me eat this beautiful piece of cake fairly quickly, while holding two cameras. I say it's worth it. qu'ils mangent de la brioche

My Grandparents Wedding Portrait

2009-12-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

It's only proper to begin this blog at the beginning with my grandparents above.

They arrived to this country from Lithuania before my father was born. This photo was taken in Maryland in front of a backdrop on their wedding day. I love the white gloves on my grandfather and my grandmother's shoes. Actually, I love everything about this photo. It's telling of the times. Shot with film and no Photoshop ever applied, their faces look smooth and perfect. This photo hangs up in my kitchen and I look at it everyday. I never met them but think of them often as I am booking weddings.

I believe that the simplicity in this portrait brings out the seriousness & intimacy of the day. For him she placed her one hand through his arm. Holding on for support. For her he posed his strong arms with his hands in white gloves to give her the support.

This picture makes me wonder what he was thinking while he was putting on his gloves. Was it about having enough beer for the guests to drink at the reception? Was it about her? Maybe both.