Talia Studio

05.15.2012

When I say “bring sentiment” in to an engagement shoot, THIS session with Chase and Clarissa is exactly what I mean. Look, I totally understand how so many people want those standard beach photos, and I don’t mind doing them, if that’s what you want, go for it! Let’s do it! Your wish is my command! However if you’re choosing that route simply because you don’t know where else to shoot, you’re going about it the wrong way! Clarissa and Chase flew in from South Carolina last week to spend some time with family, (for Clarissa) wedding dress shopping with her sister, and to take their engagement photos! I was so so SO excited when I heard about my friend Samantha’s little sister getting engaged but even MORE thrilled when Clarissa emailed me about wedding and engagement photos. (I see an east coast wedding in my future…. =D). We literally waited and waited until last minute when it came to deciding where to take their engagement photos. Both of them are so incredibly “easy-going” that they would’ve been fine with taking them almost anywhere, but I wanted it to be special so I was tossing and turning over this all week! Finally the night before the shoot, Clarissa fills me in on a little bit of information that just sparked a thought in my mind. She mentioned that when they first met he was in a band and he’s really in to music. BINGO.

They met at a house party in college, (the romantic kind of house party I’m assuming, I wouldn’t know since I’ve never been- to college, I understand house parties quite well, but moving on!) and Clarissa came with a puppy she found that very day. Chase and her somehow got to talking, hanging out, and the rest is well… Facebook Relationship Status Updated! Chase asked Clarissa how to make it more official and she lovingly told him – five years ago – “change your status on Facebook!” I love it. I can’t wait to see that status changed to “married” next year. Congrats again you two, enjoy this engagement as much as possible, don’t stress on the little things – and Clarissa, please feel free to call me for anything what-so-ever that I may be of assistance with! Love you guys, thank you for letting Jeff and I capture these for you!

It only made sense to start the shoot off in a record shop!

LOVE THIS ONE.

^probably one of my favorites of the day^

CJ rockin’ that dress !

A rooftop kiss

There were too many of these little moments to count =)

CJ you are so incredibly gorgeous!!

A little dangerous on my end but worth it! <3

Loved their outfits for the entire shoot, especially the lovely bow on the belt made by her talented sister, Samantha!

PRESH.

05.09.2012

How am I going to recognize you?

I’ll be in a long magenta gown.

Gown. Ohhh I knew I was in for an awesome shoot! A busy Friday afternoon in Balboa Park and I was in the middle of the street scoping out my couple. From far far away by the stairs next to that famous fountain I see the brightest magenta dress walking down next to a man in a tuxedo. Go big or go home!

Marjorie and John have been together for about five years now and their wedding ceremony will be taking place end of May (so excited!). Note to potential brides: This is normally not enough time to get engagement photos finished in time for your wedding, especially this close to summer, but I am also an over-achiever so I made the exception in this case!

I had a great afternoon with these two and the chemistry and charm was consistent all throughout. I hope you like these photos as much as I enjoyed capturing them! <3, Talia

There was instant chemistry.. just how I like the shoots to begin!

Of course I wanted him to dip her! Look at their outfits! 

The moments these two were having were as though no one was around taking photos. It’s easier said than done for most people, but not these two. 

Can’t all women just have a guy look at them like this forever? 

5.3.2012

So how has marriage been for you?

Amy asked me this when all was said and done with their engagement shoot last Sunday. I haven’t even hit the three year mark so I was only able to answer with a generic:

It’s been good. Ups and downs and all but.. it’s working!

Probably not something you should say to someone about to walk down the aisle in a couple months. However Amy can completely relate to this whole “up and down” business. Aaron and Amy have been together for about ten years at this point. Through thick and thin they’re still together and can’t imagine growing old with anyone else.

Knowing this going in to the shoot I still couldn’t help but feel ill-prepared. When I shoot engagement sessions it’s always a.Oh we’ve been together for two years, b. we’ve been dating for 5 months, c. we’ve been together for a long time…five years! The family sessions we shoot have couples who have been together for past ten years and it’s normally about the kids. When I put the couples together to pose they instantly act awkward as if they’ve never taken a photo together and normally it’s the mother who would rather I take more photos of the kids. Yeah, once you have children, life is no longer about the two of you… but why? So here is Aaron and Amy-no kids, yet!- who have been together longer than most married couples, ready for an engagement shoot. I didn’t know how they would act towards one another but all those worries left me within the first three minutes of the shoot. When I told Aaron to hold her, he held her so tightly, and willingly! When I would ask Amy to look at Aaron with love she would wrap her arms around him and gaze at him as if she had just met him a few weeks ago.

I looked at Jeff several times during this shoot and we would just smile. Although we are the ones married in all of this, we have a lot to learn from these two. Life will throw trials and tribulations your way constantly. I even talked about this with Amy at the end of the shoot while the guys were chatting (most likely about video games). Thanks again for giving us such a memorable afternoon you two. I hope you like the photos and cannot wait until the big day! Love you guys! <3, Talia

my angle^

^Jeff’s angle. He really got the concept of “candid moments” down!! =)

*Part 2, we got in to the purples and browns..

^^my angle^^

^Jeff’s angle^ — looooove!

02.28.2012

I was a sophomore in high school when I first heard of the name “Aldrich Galimba”. I had a friend who had the biggest school girl crush on this guy and I remember sitting in her room and her telling me she was going to marry this older guy that she only met a few times…and who considered her to be a “friend”. So naturally I had my guard up when I was going to meet this guy who my fifteen year old friend was setting her sights on. I’m not going to lie, Aldrich and I didn’t quite get along the first few times we met. I was a tough girl to get to know, I had this side of me that people saw as bitchy when I was just being quiet/shy and keeping my thoughts to myself. (Perhaps some of the time I was judging…who doesn’t at that age? And I am not the best at hiding facial expressions, at least I’ve been told). Aldrich would also be perceived wrong by most people in the beginning, so it wasn’t just me! Over the years we’ve grown to be friends, especially when Jessica came in to the picture. (LITERALLY!)

I met Jessica at a party many many MANY years ago it seems and can I just tell you… she was the ONLY girl my age who met me and was GENUINELY NICE and not standoff-ish. Jessica approached me instantly and said with the most bubbly charm.

Hi! I’m Jessica! It’s so nice to meet you!

This could easily be taken as super sarcastic by most people, but she was so sincere and friendly that I just couldn’t help myself! It’s so uncommon especially at that age (you know, pre-twenties). I smiled and introduced myself right back.

I’m Talia. (cut to the chase!) So… how did you and Aldrich meet?

Well I was at this party in Oceanside and I saw him waltz in. I looked at my friend Jill who I was with and said, WHO IS THAT GUY? YOU HAVE TO INTRODUCE! Since then he’s been mine.

Jessica is a woman who knows what she wants and takes it. I admire this and think it’s one of her best qualities! Wait a minute… you’re telling me that playing hard to get is outdated? Haha! Of course nothing ever happened between my friend and Aldrich besides a schoolgirl crush, but how bizarre that many years later I am the one who is going to shoot his wedding? Aldrich could not have found a more PERFECT companion that Jessica. They literally beam and are the life of the party when we’re out. They’re such a solid couple and there’s no bad thing anyone can say about these two. They just work together! Aldrich and Jessica, Jeff and I are among the HUNDREDS who cannot wait for your big day next October and cannot tell you how honored we are that you chose us to capture it for you. Thank you for the fun times through the years, even if few and far between, we have only good thoughts and best wishes for the both of you. Congratulations once again, all our love! <3

**Thank you to Ileana Pagan with Makeup de Amor for doing Jessica’s make up & Ray Quaimbao with Dorian Films for coming along and capturing what I am sure will be one of the best “LOVE STORIES” we’ve done so far! After the shoot Jessica and Aldrich invited all their closest friends to Stone Brewery to continue filming and got more interviews from those who know these two best… stay tuned it will for sure be worth it!

Now I know there are about to be a lot of super cute lovey dovey poses but there was definitely more laughter than anything with these two! =D

^^had to include their love for beer in some way^^

One of my favorites.

^^Jess you are STUNNING my dear!^^

LOVEEEEEEEEE

02.08.2012

I got the news about Katie and Josh’s engagement session from Oscar Martinez. His son Ricky Martinez has been battling aplastic anemia since August. Last December they were having a fundraiser for Little Ricky and although I couldn’t make it to the event, I wanted to help. I donated a photo session for the raffle they were having (the included an iPad, which, I think most people were gunning for) and Oscar called me to tell me a woman by the name of Katie Wallace won the photo shoot and she would be in touch with me. Within a few days I got an email about how she wanted to use the session for her engagement photos since she just got engaged to her boyfriend Josh.

Earlier that day before the shoot I saw a commercial for Match.com. I remember watching all the actors/real people (can’t tell) talking about how their brother met their now wife on Match and how their best friend met their now husband on Match and I remember saying out loud, “no way. Not that many people are meeting online on dating sites and actually get married, right?” How odd that I would be doing an engagement shoot later on that day and upon asking Katie and Josh where they met there was this silence that came over while they both stared at one another as if to ask “should we say?” with their eyes. At the same time these two repeated, “Match.com” Bizarre! Not that I am against any of that, I just didn’t think it happened as often as it does but welcome to 2012, Talia. I mean, when was the last time I dialed 411 for information? Guess it really is tougher these days to meet someone worth spending time with and marrying!

I loved this session. It was so relaxed and it will go perfectly with the theme of their wedding which is country! Used the perfect spot for these, excited to have them posted up at their wedding at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, another favorite spot! Congrats again you two! All my love, Talia