Talia Studio

11.23.2012

Their meeting was not uncommon. At college, in class. The sweetest part is that they were engaged less than a year later, and making wedding plans. I remember meeting them last Spring and being surprised they had only been together less than a year but knew so much about one another. When it’s true love it’s forever I suppose.

One of the last weddings of the year, John and Rachel’s beautiful wedding at the Los Willows Estate in Fallbrook. There was absolute magic in front of our cameras as we captured these two getting ready to be together forever. Even Rachel’s bridesmaids kept going on about how stress-free she was and relaxed. I love this especially. And the way John looks at her… swoon. These two? Eye candy. Jeff and I caught ourselves looking at one another as if we were watching some romance novel in real life and we had to do double takes. The best part is they are keeping God in their marriage, I loved hearing this. I loved the message and the reminder of the whole thing!

Thank you two once more for allowing us to be a part of this. We feel truly blessed to have clients like you, and are looking forward to all the blessings you two will receive in this marriage!

Friends and family of John and Rachel, to view more photos from their wedding, please click here and put in the password given at the wedding (or go through the bride and groom if you don’t have it. )

Venue: Los Willows Estate, Fallbrook CA

Videographer:  David DeLauder DelauderVideo

Hair and Make Up: Jaqueline Ferreira jacqueline@jdmsalon.com

Florist: Sheri Smith Michael’s Flower Girl

DJ: Alex Grammatico Pro Sound

Photography: Jeffery and Natalia Cruz TaliaStudio

John’s mother seeing him and the emotions that follow. =)

^really Rachel?? BEAUTY.

^This is how the groom arrived to his ceremony. LOVE it!

One of the most exaggerated and best laughing sequences EVER.

11/09/2012

I have know these two lovies for way too long. They’ve been dating since Jeff and I were still friends, so we’ve only known of “Aldrich and Jessica”. In fact, that pretty much is the way you would talk about them. “You know Jessica – well, Aldrich and Jessica… that Jessica…” Finding out they were making that leap in to marriage was so exciting and then for these two to hire us to shoot their engagement photos & wedding, amazing. We were thrilled!

The day presented us with beautiful weather, gorgeous sun coming in and giving us that perfect natural light in the room. The weather was also very forgiving since it wasn’t too hot, everything was just right. They were married in Poway and then it was back downtown for photos and a celebration! From the memorable speeches and dance moves, we felt the love in that ballroom. I was so happy we were a part of all of this. There are way more photos up in the gallery so to those friends and family please feel free to visit it here and make sure you have to login info from the bride and groom!

Event Coordinator : Evelyn Francesca Weddings Evelyn Sell

Videography: DorianFilms Ray Quiambao

Photography: TaliaStudio Jeffery Cruz & Natalia Cruz

Venue: San Diego Sheraton

DJ: Marben Jimenez

Florist: Barliz Flowers Elizabeth Cisneros

Hair/Make Up:  Make Up City Loli & Liz

^I love this photo. He approves of these two getting married just so you know, he was just so so happy! <3

Church lighting.

beautiful Jess!

ahahah love it! guys can go crazy over the ring too!

^found these somewhere downtown, it felt like Goldilocks and the three bears!

Pretty much a favorite from the day!

^Elizabeth Cisneros did a BEAUTIFUL job with Jessica’s flowers… LOVE!

^gorgeous ballroom at the Sheraton.

^all in the little details.

Loved all their entrances!

*to view more of the Galimba wedding photos, please visit here and type in the client access code given to all the guests or you can ask the Mr. & Mrs. yourselves! =)

10.19.2012

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since Tony and Kelsey tied the knot! Kelsey is like most of us married women who take a look at our somewhat beaten up wedding dresses after the event and thoughts such as these start racing:

• I can’t believe I spent that much on this dress.
• I can’t believe so-and-so stepped on this, twice!
• I am never wearing this again.
• Ugh.
• It’s okay, I looked beautiful and that’s all that counts!

I am just as guilty of such thoughts. Then it really sets in when the time comes to have it dry cleaned and bagged for.. I dunno, maybe your future daughter will want to wear it for her wedding. Vintage is in, right? That is a really small percentage people. With as much as I loved my wedding dress, I couldn’t blame Amelia if she looked at me in the future and said, “Umm, no thanks Ma.” So we take it to the cleaners. Then what? A minimum of $300 quoted everywhere. I don’t know about you but I am going to go ahead and admit that my dress is still in a plastic bag in the hallway closet. I wanted to do a Trash the Dress myself, but life happened. Got pregnant, had a post-baby body. So I look at it sometimes when I am changing the guest bathroom towels. Call me cheap, but I can think of a lot of other things to spend a few hundred dollars on that cleaning this dress and putting it right back in to a bag.

I always feel so limited on wedding days when it comes to posing brides. I manage to get through it happily, but a lot of my ideas have been turned down because brides want their dresses to look new and clean still for the reception, where a drunk relative will eventually spill something on it anyways. That’s when I secretly cringe and look at Jeff saying, “she should’ve just lay on that _____ earlier.”

When Kelsey contacted me weeks ago letting me know she wanted to trash that dress just once more before putting it away for good, I jumped to it! First of all I love this couple, second we had a “forresty setting” and lots to work with especially with Kelsey’s light red hair beaming whenever the sun would hit it. And Tony? Well he’s such a good sport to do this! This shows me he is already learning a lot in the first year of marriage that regardless, the wife gets what she wants and life is good! Cheers you two, thank you for letting me capture this for you. Kelsey, let me know if you find a place with an awesome deal for dry cleaning. =) <3, Talia

^got right down to it!

^beautiful Kels, the lens is loving you!

^a favorite!

08.27.2012

I met Roya and Chris last Fall for their engagement session in San Diego. It seemed to be a long time coming but the time went by so quickly. As did the moments on their wedding day. You see, a curve ball was thrown at me a few nights prior to their big day. I spoke with Roya on the phone to go over anything last minute and when it came to the topic of “getting ready photos” and “bridal portraits” she seemed to rush me on the phone. It wasn’t a bad thing, but she made it very clear that she did not want to make a scene, she didn’t need the usual bride pictures and the plan was to only get in her dress right before they had to leave the hotel for the wedding. I was so confused. Most brides love the time they get “alone” with the camera. To be all glam and pose just like the women in the magazines they’ve been gawking at. But not Roya, she seemed to dread the thought! It surprised me how shocked I was with the idea, and how within the same minute I knew I was going to enjoy this regardless. I had to get really creative in that bridal suite while she was getting ready. I literally had to be a fly on the wall because I wasn’t able to tell her things like, “oh Roya, think you can smile while doing that?” “Roya, would you mind standing this way so that your mom could be in front of you” etc etc… I had to just position myself if a moment was about to happen. It was exhilarating. It was almost like, “well, if Talia doesn’t get the shot, she doesn’t get it, and I’m okay with that.” I liked it because she wanted the day to have nothing to do with the photos, it was all about her and Chris.

The ceremony came along and there was a point mid-way before the kiss where the pastor asked for a moment in silence. It was so that Chris and Roya could step aside and just take the whole thing in. Just take in the moment. Take in the vows exchanged. Take in their new roles in life, as husband and wife. Really soak in the moment. I creeped around a tree and thankfully had the 70-200mm set so that I could let them have that time without me being in the way. They stood there. Backs to the crowd and faces to the water and downtown San Diego view. The had their handkerchiefs in hand and both began crying together. It was the most special moment of the day. It even got me tearing up behind that camera. The two of them just looking at one another with that, “it’s all really happening, this is it.” And they were both just so happy. Moments like these shouldn’t be interrupted by the clicking of a camera, or a big lens in your face. There are times when the camera truly is not needed or even wanted.

So I will take this in to consideration from now on. I never realized just how much moments like these are taken away because of the sheer attempt to remember the moment. There were some points in the day where I was able to direct, just a little bit. I only got a few moments of their time when it came to these and that’s just how it should be. The day passes you by so quickly you want to be able to enjoy it all. I think I am starting to love the rogue photographer approach to it. Anyhow, here are some favorites from their day. Cheers to Mr. And Mrs. Corpuz, blessings on your marriage!

^love these moments!

^one of my favorite photos. These two stopped everything mid ceremony to walk away and have a moment together to “take it all in”

*to view more photos of the Corpuz wedding please visit www.taliastudio.com and under client access put in the password given to the couple. There should be over 100 images to view =)

08.17.2012

A new fresh look, saving time and some $ while being a little more eco-friendly over here.

-GASP-

Yeah I know. Not my style, right? Well I am keeping up with technology over here and it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but since it would mean new packaging and ordering in BULK – just the thought of having to shoot an entire wedding to pay off USBs and boxes and eco-paper would make my neck hot and red and then I would have to take a cold shower or throw my face in to the freezer and watch something on Netflix to take my mind off of the crazy thought!

So how did it all come to be? There was a Wednesday not too long ago where all Amelia wanted to do was go to the park. I was under crazy deadlines and had to get orders out to clients. I spent the entire day BURNING cds. Okay so do not get me wrong here. I LOVED the look and feel and all around cuteness of the custom DVDs and their casing. All of my packages used to include the custom dvds, others also included casing. So the list of PROS and CONS looked something like this.

PROS TO CUSTOM CD:                                                                     

• Pretty
• Custom-made, each different and brides will love that
• Everyone knows how to use a CD
• Pretty

CONS TO CUSTOM CD:

• Packaging costs
• Had to wait 3 days for shipping (even longer if a disc didn’t burn properly b/c then I would have to re-order and that would take up more time)
• Burning just ONE cd (and there’s at least 4 to a wedding) would take an hour on top of the already long time it takes to upload images
• If the client had an older computer there would be an issue or two until they fixed it before they could view their images
• One scratch and bye-bye
• The custom cd and casing company I use KNOWS that cds are going to be obsolete soon so not only did their pricing go up but there were no more discounts here and there
• I did not get to take Amelia to the park that day

So that was that folks! Now I know that some brides are really impartial to the CDs. They love the look as much as I do so here is what I am willing to do. If it is something the bride WANTS, she can pay extra for it. Simple as that! And the list of PROS is longer on the USB end:

PROS TO USB:

• Super convenient. Mobile and easy to use. Pop it in and there are folders dividing the Original Photos and the Retouches
• Sleek look
• Free Advertising
• Who doesn’t want a free USB? They’re also RE-USEABLE
• Now brides can create their own folder in the USB once they’ve cleared it and drag and drop all the photos they want for their albums, send it to me and I will mail it right back at no charge.
• IF there is a glitch, I don’t have to wait days for a new one
• The “burn” time is decreased by 80%
• IF A RETURN CLIENT WANTS ANOTHER SHOOT THEY CAN BRING IT BACK FOR ME TO RE-USE AND I WILL GIVE THEM TWO 8×10′s just for doing so!
• Jeff is happier
• Amelia is happier

CONS TO USB:

• A lot of $ up front (but I am hoping these babies pay off!)

Aaaand there you have it! So now I leave you with some past and present images so you can understand where I am going with all of this! Cheers everyone, have an amazing weekend!

^I really did love the custom casing and still do, but maybe that love will grow in to LIKE and we can still be friends.

^^this is what an entire day looks like^

08.14.2012

Kind of just a little obsessed with the Trash The Dress session I had with Amanda and Dylan. It wasn’t too long ago that Jeff and I were able to shoot their beautiful wedding day in Ramona. All that we were missing was a horse. Well… meet Virgil. I cannot stress enough how much FUN these TTD sessions are and how much LESS stress there is to ‘em!

Think about it. You’re wedding day is over. You have no guests to cater to or impress. You have this (most times) expensive and gorgeous dress that you only got to wear ONCE? I mean, even an inexpensive wedding dress costs more than a prom dress right? It’s still a dress you were most likely trying for so long not to dirty up, and during the engagement trying your very best to HIDE. So there you have it. One of the first things brides want to go shopping for during the wedding hunt is the dress. The excitement is overwhelming and the experience along with friends and close family can be super emotional. So you buy it. Hide it. Maybe try it on once or twice when you’re alone at home. Lay in bed with it. Prance around the living room. Then the wedding day arrives. Oh the glam of it all! If you’re lucky and all the make up and hair is done on time, you get at least 30 minutes of bridal portraits with your photographer. Several with your bridesmaids. Then the ceremony comes and goes… at this point (and with my experience) you only have 30-45 minutes after traditional family photos to get those wedding photos with your now husband. The photos you want up in your living room or on the mantel, or even by your bedside. Kind of unfair, right? 45 minutes? And you can’t rush these.. you want them to be perfect. However you can’t postpone them either…your guests are waiting. You think about those Vogue shots and all the bridal magazines where brides are running carefree in settings and laying down then realize: I still have a reception to go to after this. I can’t lay down in this dress… I can’t get it dirty! So you sacrifice several poses and shots to keep it as clean as possible. Then when all is said and done, you hang up that dress and take it to the cleaners within a couple weeks. (Or if you’re me, a couple years)

The best part about it? THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAS TO BE! You can opt to do a TTD session after the wedding and actually have MORE time to spend with your guests (especially those out of town) on the actual day! How brilliant is that? Then you can have those shots where you get “lost” in the woods and run around free with your hubby (or solo) and lay down gazing up at the clouds and just feeling beautiful without worrying if anyone remembered to chill the champagne, or if so-and-so sits next to one another, or if that one relative of yours is already getting wasted. –yes, there is always that ONE relative.

Amanda has a love for more than Dylan it seems. Although he is her main squeeze, she also grew up with horses so she has a love for that, and to my surprise this woman has a rock crawler! After the time spent at the ranch, Dylan rolls up in the massive rock crawler that does..well, just that! Shocking and exciting all at the same time. Then, if I didn’t already love her, she and I have a common love for wine as well. (by the way Amanda, Jeff and I finished that bottle later on that night, thank you so much!) So let’s finish this all off running through vineyards… I was in love. She let her hair down, she was relaxed. She got dust and dirt on her and could CARE LESS. I guess you can say she was CAREFREE. And isn’t that the look you were going for in the first place?

^beautiful Virgil

with beautiful Amanda

Loved these next few shots… loved! And feeling the danger of it all too. You never really realize the strength and weight these animals have until you’re up close.

^an absolute favorite

=)

BAM!

^getting things a little warmer in the already hot hot Ramona heat!

what an amazing way to end it.

08.07.2012

Something tells me I’m in to something good.

My thoughts exactly as Jeff and I stepped foot on to the Secluded Gardens venue in Temecula, CA. When I met with Siuming and Matt months ago they let me know that they were leaning more towards an eco-friendly feel. There will be lots of trees, recycled paper, and looooove. The day was off to a gorgeous start. Everyone arrived with big smiles on their faces. Groomsmen were cracking jokes, bridesmaids were setting up, and Matt and Siuming were constantly asking about how the other was doing and both without seeing one another were in a special kind of peace. They did a mini vow exchange with hand-written love letters (aren’t those the best kind?) to one another prior to the ceremony. It was such a sweet moment among many that day.

Congrats again to Mr. & Mrs. Wilks on your beautiful wedding! BIG thank yous from Jeff and I, we were happy to share this day with you both and document it for you. Hoping you two love the photos! Cheers! <3, Talia

yes!

thoughts on foot jewelry for a wedding? LOVE.

^Jeff thank you once again for these groom shots!

Siuming’s mom made all of the bridesmaid’s dresses! How sweet is that?

Siuming looking beauuutiful and ready to see her groom!

adorable flower girls in their tutus!

Matt looking calm and collected. =)

They didn’t want to see one another until the venue but wanted to exchange love notes so this is how we did that.

Paper flowers are growing on me <3

look at those views! what a backdrop!

Matt rocked his FEET for the ceremony as well =)

A favorite

Having fun scaring the groom a little!

one amazing bridal party!

I just love how they all gathered in!

You can just feel the love <3 <3

Sweet speeches!

One heckuva cake smash!! They meant business!

dancing the night away

*To friends and family who want to see more images from their big day, please go to www.taliastudio.com and under client access put in the password to view. Don’t have it? Email Siuming or Matt =)

08.01.2012

Upon arriving at the ceremony site I saw one thing only. Nick’s smile. It’s hard to miss. He had on the biggest smile there. And why shouldn’t he? He was about to marry the girl of his dreams, Jennine. They were married under a gazebo at the Loews Hotel in Coronado Island. The sun was as bright as can be while their guests lounged cozily under the shaded garden. Only close friends and family were lucky enough to witness the union between these two. There is definitely a lighter feeling in the air when there are less guests at a wedding. You just feel calm and relaxed all of a sudden as opposed to a circus inviting almost everyone and anyone. (We’ve all been to weddings where there is just no intimacy between guests… everyone seems to be waiting for the food and drink.) Not at this wedding. There was only one reason for the day and everyone around made that apparent. The fact that Nick and Jennine were going to now be one.

God bless these two as they enter in to the fabulous life of marriage. Congrats again and thank you for giving me the opportunity to capture such a special and sacred event. <3, Talia

^Beautiful Jennine =)

^^A favorite ^^

07.13.2012

It was all smiles. From the guests, the bridesmaids, the bride herself. Like any wedding there were things bound to go “wrong” (and I quote this because 90% of the time it’s little things that can be fixed quite easily). With all the little things, Amy is able to keep a big smile on her face. She has mastered smiling while worried, smiling while irritated, and smiling while a little upset– and I loved that about her! Not just because this makes for better photos… okay, that’s part of the reason!

They were married at the Twin Oaks House and Gardens and I just love shooting at this place! The thousands of little lights all over the place, the perfect bridal suite with the most amount of room I’ve ever seen a bride have to get ready in, high mirrors and ceilings, rose covered swings, fountains — I could go on! The best part is that every time I go back they’ve added something new.

Remember how during their engagement session I said that I had a lot to learn from her? It was like she was still teaching. I wonder how if this tactic makes Aaron happy, or just confused? But being married for a few years myself, I can gather that most happy men are a little confused at times.

Aaron arrived looking just… rested. He had his best buds by his side, he was going to be marrying his dream girl, and all I needed him to do was put on his shoes for the camera. Simple enough. He takes direction really well- he’s going to be an amazing husband! Congratulations once more to Mr. & Mrs. Halda, Jeff and I had such a good time at your wedding and can’t wait for future Couple’s Nights! =D

*Friends and Family of Aaron and Amy, feel free to view more photos from the event on www.taliastudio.com and under client access put in the password given to the Haldas.

The smile that stayed consistent^

^^look at this suite!

^love this photo of Amy, just love it!

^some of my favorite bridesmaid dresses this season, with the many ways to tie

^Thanks Jeff once more for shots like this!

Words cannot explain the ceremony site… hopefully this photo can!

^close up from yours truly

^thank you Jeff!

^who doesn’t love a fierce group of bridesmaids?!

love this set^

And this is when I realized I would need a five minute break so I was pretty excited that Jeff was there to let me enjoy this.

loved Chris’ best man speech! “If I’m the best man… why’s she marrying this guy??”

Baby Abel had that dance floor to himself for a good 15 minutes and the crowd loved it!

DJ Joe Sullivan! Remember him? He Dj’d our wedding back in Nov. 09 .. it was so good seeing him there as well!

…and that’s pretty much how the rest of the night went! More photos on the gallery, enjoy!

07.07.2012

This wedding seemed like a long time coming only because I knew it would be worth the wait. I shot Chelsie and Shayne’s engagement session last Fall and could not stop thinking about the chemistry these two had. It couldn’t be real…it can’t be like that all of the time – these were just some of the thoughts going through my head! (I know, I’m so positive, right?) But all the giddyness and googley-eyes stayed true upon shooting these two at their wedding last weekend. First of all the setting could not have been more perfect. The type of “country theme” they went with was: Rustic Country. I didn’t know there were types either until this one, so don’t worry if you felt the same. Apparently there’s, Picnic Country, Country Western, Cowboy Country, & well.. rustic! I am starting to lean towards the latter and you will know why after you peruse through the photos below.The best part? The bride planned it all herself. It was DIY and I think that calls for some extra love and appreciation to all of this!

They were married at the Pine Hills Lodge in Julian, CA. Those of us from San Diego understand how out of the way Julian would seem, however with the “look” they were going for I don’t think they could have found a better location. The guests couldn’t have said it better themselves during the toasts. Chelsie and Shayne are gifts to one another, theirs is a marriage that you can see lasting forever. Her best friend mentioned in her speech, “I hope this day is the least you two will love one another for the rest of your lives”. We all agreed. If these two could possibly love one another more than they did on their wedding day, this world will be a better place.

Congrats again, Willingham’s! <3

Shayne looking very handsome on his big day!

^^Hands down, best groomsman outfits I’ve seen yet!

No joke, felt like I was in a Mark Twain novel. looooooved it.

Where they would be getting married under.. just so pretty.

Chelsie’s unique and beautiful bouquet!

^^yup!

^^my kind of bride!

beautiful. That is all!

Show-stoppin’ in the country! Thanks Jeff for this one ^^

So instead of a guestbook they had all their guests fingerprinted and had ‘em sign underneath too! I thought it was super unique!

^^wouldn’t you love to be in her place? =P

See what I mean?? Just well thought out!

=) One of my favorites. You just know love is around the corner.

^^thank you Jeff for this shot as well!

A stranger was nice enough to stop and let us use his car–complete with skull head in the front! People are pretty nice in the “country” =)

^^Any chance he could get he was kissing her!

^^a favorite (right one of course) especially because it is so risque it would seem, but I happen to think it is perfect, and I think this is what women want/see for their wedding day, secretly. =)

On to the beautiful details of the wedding! Couldn’t. Stop. Taking. Photos.

^^Yes!!! Mini pies instead of cake! Perfect!

Toasts which had even my eyes swelling up!

^ =)

**Friends and Family, the gallery will be up shortly to view more photos from their big day. Please ask either Chelsie or Shayne for the password. =)