Kayla and Dimitri
DECEMBER 18, 2023
WEST HILLS, CALIFORNIA - Apologies for the oversight. Here's the corrected essay with spelling and grammar checks:
---
Maria and I woke up early on the Friday morning of September 29. There is always a sense of adventure in doing weddings far away from our home in San Diego County. Opening the bedroom window to see the first light of the day, the warm water splashing on your face, and the water running down your body as you relax in the shower—all part of the routine as you think about the images you want to capture. Getting ready involves preparing equipment and loading the car, feeling the first cold wind as you open the garage, and enjoying warm coffee in your hands.
With my wife, also my co-photographer, sitting next to me in the car, it's time to hit the music. The angry energy of Metallica blasts through our stock sound system that came with our humble vehicle. It's time to embark on our journey to Los Angeles.
GETTING READY
We travel dozens and dozens of miles and arrive at the Orcutt Ranch Horticultural Center and Community Garden. The place greets you with its charming vegetation and trees—perfect for our style of photography. What truly blows my mind is the structure itself, full of rich cultural details from an era that no longer exists. It's like traveling to another time. No wonder scouts chose this place to film La La Land.
As we approach the house, you can hear the chatter and laughter of the bride and her circle of friends—a sign of a great wedding ahead. After following the good times, we finally meet Kayla in person. We had only met through Zoom, and we hit it off right from the get-go. Kayla sits in the room getting her face prepped before her makeup can be applied, accompanied by her mom, a darling woman enjoying her golden years. Her mother-in-law is getting her makeup done.
We greet each other with glee and introduce ourselves to everyone there. I love these first chats on the wedding day because they give us a chance to set the mood. We joke, laugh, share anecdotes, and talk about Danny Trejo. It's a great time, but now we have to work and document this awesome day. My wife begins doing her thing as I capture moments from the groom's side.
On the other hand, I have plenty of time to scout the location for wedding portraits. While doing that, I bump into Dimitri, who is helping set up the reception area. Dimitri, a slender and good-looking guy, is hard at work, so I briefly introduce myself and continue on my way. After that, I get to work and start photographing moments from the groom's side.
CEREMONY
The ceremony starts with a little hiccup (not related to us), but it gives me a glimpse of how Kayla and Dimitri are—calm and understanding. They just let the day roll, as we always advise our couples on their wedding days. Just enjoy your day. As you can see from the photos we took, they were all about their wedding day.
THE PORTRAITS
Ugh! THESE TWO LOVECATS! They look so amazing that I can't wait to photograph their portraits. Kayla looks astounding, and I would give my left ear for the chance to photograph her in that dress. Add Dimitri, a very handsome guy, and you realize they are perfect. As soon as I see them together, my mind starts creating images. I couldn't be happier with the results.
THE RECEPTION
The reception is nothing too crazy. It's simple yet entertaining, filled with nuggets of cute moments and funny but loving storytelling. The guests have a blast dancing, and the food is excellent. I honestly feel honored to get to know these two even more, to be their photographer. I hope these two have nothing but the best. I hope the moments we captured will forever tell the story of their wedding day for generations to come.
