Van & Heang Received Editor's Pick!

So this morning after finally learning about Google Alerts (I was wondering how people were so well informed) I started browsing what came up when I Googled "CLS Photography." Well, after the expected website and blog references to my sites, I saw one from The Knot.

Intrigued to say the least I quickly discovered that one of my couples from this summer, Van & Heang, won Editor's Pick for their wedding.

Congratulations! You had a fabulous wedding with so many personal touches and lovely details that deserve this recognition.

If you want to read the rest of the story on The Knot, click here.


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Spring Valley Lake Country Club

Woot! Last month I got to work with a fabulous coordinator, Trisha, at the Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville.

Just recently I was able to share some of the amazing photographs I took at Brad & Mindy's wedding. Today I checked out the CC's website and found the images highlighted in their wedding gallery! Check it out here.

Thank you Brad & Mindy for allowing us to share your beautiful wedding with prospective brides and grooms considering SVLCC.


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Brad & Mindy's Wedding

Congratulations Brad & Mindy!

The happy, and oh so sweet, couple wed Saturday, July 19 at Calvary Chapel High Desert.

Following they had their reception at the beautiful Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, CA. The Event Director, Trisha, did a fabulous job and coordinating everything at their reception.

Scott Allen Productions provided the emcee and DJ services for the afternoon reception.

It was such a beautiful day and I'm so happy I was invited to be a part of it. Thank you, Brad & Mindy. May your future be richly blessed!









Above photography by Assistant Christina Vejar.








Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Todd & Frances's Wedding

Todd & Frances had a lovely wedding this past weekend that I was invited to photograph. Their special day started at the Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes followed by an evening reception at Simon's Banquet Center in San Pedro.

It was so fun working in my home town - so to speak - shooting in the South Bay area. But it's a fun challenge working in so many different beautiful places.

Here are a few of my favorites from their day. Enjoy!















Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Evan & Nicole's Wedding

Evan & Nicole had a beautiful wedding this past Sunday evening at The Hacienda in Santa Ana. This super fun couple had their closest friends and family join them as they wed, after six years together. Wow!

I had so much fun photographing their wedding. Recently I heard the concept that a photographer's work is largely based on his/her emotion. It's apparent in that two different people, feeling different emotions, can photograph the same scene and come out with two diversely different photographs.

While at Evan & Nicole's wedding my concept/feeling/mood/emotion at their wedding can be described as passionately immersed. I think the photographs from their wedding, as you'll see, convey this well (and beautifully if I say so myself).

Evan & Nicole's eclectic taste in music showed during their reception, at which Showcase DJ did a fabulous job providing the amazing tunes for the evening. Their first dance was to John Legend's "Slow Dance" and the Mother-Son dance was to "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

The night ended with lots of laughing and dancing by just about everyone there. Nicole and Evan even required me to have the last dance with my assistant, who happened to be my hubby Matt. (Thanks! It was a fabulous dance.)

Wedding Photo Essay:

Let me take a moment to comment on these two images. These were photographed towards the end of the evening one of the bridesmaid's significant other showed up. Something powerful, emotional, and lovely was taking place between them - in a very subtle way. I stood back and had the opportunity to take these photographs. These photographs make me want to listen to Coldplay's "Rush..." album. They are two of my favorite from this night because the mood and emotion in them speaks so loudly, yet, just like the couple they are very subtly portrayed.

Mike & Angel's Wedding

Mike & Angel married Saturday, June 21 at Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills. They had such a beautiful wedding, and I was so excited to be a part of their special day.

Just a few months prior we got to hang out in Los Angeles for their e-session and had a blast! They are such a great couple.

After the wedding ceremony, they headed off to their reception at The Historic Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. We had so much fun shooting their photographs throughout the mission, it's such an interesting place to photograph! So many possibilities...

At the reception their friends and family celebrated them with dancing, toasts and a special word of advice from Angel's grandparents who've been married 62 years.

Congratulations you two!










Above photographed by Associate Emily Engle.




Above photographed by Associate Emily Engle.



Above photographed by Associate Emily Engle.

Chris & Jody's Wedding

Chris & Jody married Saturday, June 14 at the Crystal Cathedral chapel in Garden Grove, CA. Associate Emily got to spend the day photographing this super fun couple!

After a beautiful ceremony, the couple along with their friends and family celebrated together at New Life Community Church in Norwalk, CA.

Congratulations you two!


Above photographed by Assistant Jesse Thomas

Above photographed by Assistant Jesse Thomas

Justin & Jessica's Wedding

What a wild and fun day! Saturday I had the privilege of photographing my sister-in-law, Jessica's wedding. She and Justin married at the Centennial Heritage Museum in Santa Ana, CA.

Both Justin & Jessica looked amazing in their wedding clothes; it was so easy to take amazing photographs of them.

Congratulations you two!

Photo Essay: After the toasts had been made and the dinner hour was coming to a close these little girls decided to let loose and have some fun. They played for no less than 30 minutes with this poor little stuffed penguin - tossing him about, tackling one another to catch him - all on the dance floor for all to see. I had so much fun photographing them. My hope is you'll enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them, and remember that sometimes it's okay to laugh and dance around.

Jeff & Emily's Wedding

What a fun wedding! Jeff and Emily wed Saturday, June 7, 2008 at their home church, Grace Community of Garden Grove.

Jeff and Emily have such a creative relationship, and it was all poured into every detail of their wedding day - from the "Who is Cooler" money dance off (which Emily won), the In-N-Out catering truck to their choreographed first dance to The Darkness' "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" - their day uniquely revealed the love, commitment and fun of their relationship to anyone present.

I'm so excited I got to be a part of their biggest day together yet - I can only see bigger and more beautiful things in their future to come.

Congratulations you two!







Above photographed by Associate Emily Engle

Van & Heang's Wedding

Sunday Van & Heang married at the San Gabriel Hilton. This lovely couple was surrounded by friends, family and handmade treasures that decorated their entire day.

Thank you both for being such a joy to work with. Many blessings to you both in your future!

Below are a few of my favorites from their special day...


Above photographed by Associate Emily Engle







Above photographed by Assistant Jesse Thomas

Jerod & Karen's Wedding

Friday I was so excited to spend the day with Jerod & Karen - and their friends and family. This couple is amazing, and had a beautiful wedding.

Jerod & Karen wed and celebrated after at Occasions in Laguna Beach. The entire day was filled with smiles, hugs and congratulating the couple.

Below are a few of my favorites from their day.

Congratulations Jerod & Karen!





Above photographed by Associate Emily Engle

Frank & Shannon's Wedding

Congratulations you two!

This past weekend associate Emily and assistant Jesse were privileged to photograph Frank & Shannon's wedding in Playa Vista, CA.

Enjoy a few of the highlights, and the slide show, below!

Bryan & Ashley's Wedding

Saturday Bryan and Ashley had a beautiful wedding, thanks in part to Deborah Podesta of Simply Perfect Events.

Their day started at the Marriott Hotel of Fashion Island. Following, their ceremony was held at St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island. Their day concluded at a lovely home of a family friend in Newport Coast.

Bryan and Ashely are so blessed; and I hope you two have a fabulous honeymoon and a blessed marriage.












Above photographed by Assistant Jesse Thomas
Above photographed by Assistant Jesse Thomas

Jeff & Katie's Wedding

What a fabulous wedding!

Saturday I had the privilege of shooting Jeff & Katie's wedding at the Redondo Beach Historic Library at Veteran's Park. Lance of LB DJ Service hosted the evening festivities.

Everything was so beautiful - and everyone was so wonderful. They couldn't have had a more perfect day. However, Jeff & Katie were troupers (as were their bridal party and family) as they so gracefully dealt with the high winds outside that tried to nearly blow them away!

Congratulations you two - I'm so happy for you and can't wait to see what the future holds for you both.

















Enjoy the slide show...

Nathan & Caitlin's Wedding

What a night! I had the awesome privilege of photographing Nathan and Caitlin's wedding today in San Luis Obispo, California at the Cayucos Lion's Club.

The ladies had their hair done at Tigerlily, a full service salon in San Luis Obispo.

A Perfect Production provided an excellent mix of oldies and classic rock during the reception.

Caitlin and I went to Junior High together, at Brethren Christian Jr/Sr High School. A few months back we reconnected via myspace (oh, what a world we live in).

It was so amazing to see how Caitlin has grown up and turned into a beautiful woman - who married a fabulous man today. It's so clear how much these two love each other; I know they're going to have an amazing journey together in marriage.

Here are a few of my favorite photos.













And the infamous slide show...

Rodrigo & Anna's Wedding

Warmth, family and generosity are all words describing what was clearly evident at Rodrigo and Anna's wedding Saturday night.

Anna is an amazing young woman, full of life and ready to take it on full speed ahead. She graciously shared many wonderful details about how she met the man of her dreams, which only made me so much more excited to meet Rodrigo.

Rodrigo is an wonderful man, clearly in love with Anna. Together God will accomplish many beautiful things through them.

I feel the need to describe these two because after meeting them, you feel as if everyone should have the privilege.

Thank you for sharing your special day with me! I wish you a truly blessed and wonderful life together.

Micah and Rachel's Wedding

I'm having a hard time putting words to the wonderful wedding I photographed Sunday. Micah and Rachel wed at the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, CA with so many loving family and friends present.

The amazing Mariah Nicole was artist for Rachel's beautiful hair and makeup.

Since their e-session in October, I knew they were a special couple - but after being at their wedding I came to realize how truly wonderful they are and what a bright future they have ahead of them.

Rachel recently moved to California, from the U.K., to marry Micah. After meeting they dated long distance until Micah proposed atop the Empire State Building (after his plan to propose on top of the Eiffle Tower).

Not only were they such fun to photograph, these two and their entire family treated us like one of their own. I can't thank all of you enough for your kind words and loving acceptance you gave us yesterday; such a blessing to be a part of this beautiful day!

Here are a few of my favorite images from the day...

Mark & Kathy's Wedding

This past weekend I had the privilege of photographing Mark and Kathy's wedding at the Ole Hanson Beach Club in San Clemente, CA.

It was a beautiful intimate affair filled with friends and family. I loved howhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif this couple focused on celebrating the joy of their wedding day.

Here are my favorite picks...



If you haven't already, don't forget to check out their engagement session by clicking here.

David and Sarah's Wedding

So I've mentioned this amazing couple in the previous post - but because they're so awesome I want to mention them again: David and Sarah Fordyce!

These two love-birds married Saturday at New Life Community Church in Artesia, CA. I was a college roomie with Sarah my senior year, and David (who I only recently met) is a jewel. When I first saw these two together I could tell it was a great match.

Their wedding was just amazing - it was filled with love, friends and what I like to call a "personal" touch. Most of what took place was sponsored by people they knew - good friend's singing the solo, David's mom hand-made Sarah's dress (talk about amazing!), and more!

I'm so excited for you both - have a wonderful honeymoon and a blessed marriage!

Here are a few of my favorite pix...














And here's their slideshow. Enjoy!

Jack & Ashleigh's Wedding

Jack and Ashleigh are an amazing couple. These two are the definition of flexible and adaptable.

Their October 12 wedding, which was set to take place at the lovely Mt. Terrace facility in Woodside, CA, had some unexpected weather changes. Instead of the beautiful outdoor wedding they had planned, at the last minute it was transitioned into a beautiful indoor wedding at the venue due to the downpour of rain that happened just hours before their ceremony was set to begin.

This slide show reflects their inner characters. You'll see their love, joy and excitement - despite what others who are less adaptable may have considered as a disappointing situation.

Congratulations you two!

Wes & Tessa's Wedding

Yea! Wes and Tessa are now married. These two lovebirds wed last Saturday in Wes' family's backyard. It must be true what they say, that rain on your wedding day brings good luck, because only hours before their wedding was to begin we were having a downpour. Thankfully, the skies cleared and created some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen to date on a wedding day.

Congrats you two!

View their slide show here.

Benny & Jennifer's Wedding

So last weekend I had the most amazing time photographing Benny and Jennifer's wedding. It was a fun filled day to work with these two and their family. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. What a treat!

Saturday was also my first time working with Emily Engle as our second shooter - she did amazing! Check out more of her other work here.

And I can't forget Maggie's Pub in Santa Fe Springs, which hosted a great reception for Mr. and Mrs. Cortez and all of their friends and family.

Hope you enjoy this slideshow!

Brian and Sheri's Wedding

Sunday Brian and Sheri married in Laguna Beach, CA under the Heisler Park gazebo near Las Brisas restaurant.

They had a lovely ceremony that involved all of their boys - symbolizing the uniting of this family - performed by Rev. Christopher Torres.

It was such fun after to stroll down the park and find a few great places to capture their love, their family and the fun they were having together. Congrats you guys! Here are a few of my favorites

Gates Wedding

Michael and Gloria - what a couple!

These two, after being married for many years, decided to renew their vows August 11 at the Double Tree Hotel in San Pedro, CA. It was so much fun to be with them and meet their amazing family.

What was so remarkable to me was, that even after living through the ups and downs of life together they still laugh. It seems to me that one of Michael's favorite pass times is to make Gloria laugh - and she does so often.

Thank you both for inviting me to be a part of your big day. And thank you for reminding me how beautiful laughter is.