Posted in engagements

I kinda fell in love with these two at first sight. We met at a coffee shop just two months ago and as we talked their connection and love for each other was so apparent, I secretly hoped and prayed they liked me as much as I liked them. I was beyond excited when they announced they were set on having me as their wedding photographer. We celebrated with chocolate chip cookies and iced tea and I’ve been looking forward to their engagement session ever since.

LOVE this. I wish I could bottle up Nicole’s laugh, it’s really that great!

This is what happened when I asked for a serious face…

But then we got it. Well, kinda…

Nicole is absolutely beautiful!

This location was Chris’s idea and he asked to get some credit on the blog. Great job, Chris!

It doesn’t get any more adorable than this:

Can’t you feel the love here?! It’s my favorite image of the day:

After the hugs and hellos, one of the first things I said was how much I liked Nicole’s shoes. Her reply:  “Aww, thanks, I knew from reading your blog I needed some killer shoes for the photos”. Love you, Nicole!

Nicole and Chris wanted to incorporate some desert shots into their session, so into the desert we went:

Sooo pretty:

I could not love this shot anymore:

Nicole and Chris, thank you, thank you, and thank you! You have no idea how much fun I had with you yesterday. I hope you love your images

Posted in engagements

For all of you romantics out there, go and grab a big box of tissues… When I first heard Colleen and Brad’s story I sure wish they had warned me just how cute, made-for-the movies, make-Cristi-cry it was going to be…

Brad had just finished his first year in law school and had decided to go to London and Paris for the summer to study International Law. On his last day in Phoenix, as Colleen was helping him pack, he said he had a present for her and gave her a giant cardboard box. The box was filled to the brim with huge manila envelopes – each one dated for a day that he would be gone. Below the envelopes were gifts all wrapped up – again, each one dated. He had written letters for Colleen to read every night and small presents for her to open each morning. Just a way for him to be there, even though he was gone. They made plans for Colleen to go visit him in Paris at the end of his program. The last letter Colleen read in Phoenix said that her final gift was waiting for her in Paris. Her first few days there with him were spent sightseeing, traveling and enjoying time together. On the last day – Brad took Colleen to the Luxembourg Gardens for their final picnic of the trip. There he reminded her of his last letter and the gift that was waiting for her arrival. He pulled out the ring got down on one knee… and she said yes!

Aren’t you glad I told you to get some tissues first?

They are just soo cute together!

We of course had to re-enact their picnic:

Colleen is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S

Colleen and Brad, thanks for enduring the heat, the ant bites and the outspoken bystanders I hope it was worth it!

Posted in engagements

You can’t meet Irma and not fall in love with her. She so sincere and kind. She’s a hard worker and she’s laid back. Irma and I worked together for a few months (as dietitians) and I would often forget my lunch. I know, I know, how hard is it to remember your lunch, but I was juggling a full-time photography business and a part-time job downtown Phoenix. Irma barely knew me, but she would often share her lunch with me. Her lunch that she had cooked with Braden the night before and that Braden had prepared for her. She would always say with a smile: “…really, Braden always packs so much food for me we can definitely share”.

From things like this to other little glimpses I’d get about their relationship, I knew they were perfect together. And I was right.

When Curt and I were at the airport in Philadelphia coming back from Italy, I got a text message from Irma. She had gotten engaged! I called her back and we chatted a little. It was the 4th of July. Irma found out we were taking a cab from the airport in Phoenix to our house. Guess who showed up at the airport at 10 o’clock at night on the 4th of July? Irma and Braden. Braden is equally amazing and kind. Besides going totally out of their way to pick us up and take us home, they even brought us bottles of water! I am just in awe of what wonderful people they are individually and I am so happy that they will be spending forever together.

When they hired me as their wedding photographer I was beyond thrilled and honored.

We had so much fun yesterday during their session. And even though it was really really hot, they just smiled and laughed the whole time.

Irma has the best smile. Not only because it’s beautiful but because it’s always so genuine:



After a few fancy shots around town we drove to the desert. More precisely we drove to the exact spot where they went on their first official date together. They went hiking here:
I love it that their wedding colors are turquoise and coral. Check out Irma’s necklace:

You two are amazing! Thank you for a fun session and a fun dinner.

Posted in engagements

Yesterday I drove to Tucson to meet Vanessa and Gabriel for their engagement session.  I arrived in Tucson a few hours early and met a past client of mine at La Encantada for lunch to catch up and see her now 4-month old baby Ian. Thanks for meeting me Vivi (and for reading my blog ).

The first location they chose was this really cool fast food place called Pat’s. Both their grandparents live around this area so they grew up going there and have tons of good memories from this place. I LOVED it!
Oh, and how could I forget? This ball of energy is their baby Oliver

Vanessa is so incredibly beautiful!




They are so much fun!!
Dear Vanessa, you are beautiful.





You two are seriously amazing. Thank you so much for your kindness and for the great dinner. I am looking forward to some more fun times in Tucson in a couple of months