You might remember this couple from their Los Angeles Arboretum engagement session couple of months ago before this big day. We’re definitely still not over that one.  All the lovely little details was so them.

When a wedding is set amidst lush greenery and foliage, it’s romantic, refreshing and invigorating. We have always loved a wedding that is surrounded by nature’s best. River walk Golf Course San Diego is the lovely venue for Rianna ad Dylan road to forever. The undulating fairways and manicured green areas with visually stunning backdrop creates an array of picturesque imagery. We want to capture the connection between the couples photograph in which reflect the relationship between a couple. And here is the perfect one.

Riana chose the most beautiful details and accessories for her wedding day. Her gown was a showstopper and was stunning sparkled in just the right place. Riana looked a dream in her long, floating veil.

We were lucky enough to have a beautiful golden light by the time came for the portrait shots. Dylan and Rianna had previously had an engagement shoot with our team so they’d already gone through that learning curve – they could just focus on each other and enjoy. The beautiful landscapes gave us plenty of opportunity for soft-focus backdrops and wonderful images. Dylan during portraits would guide her so tenderly with the placement of his hand on her back. It was incredibly chivalrous and romantic. The bridesmaids and groomsmen was such a happy chaos. There was such an exciting vibes.

For the new Mr and Mrs. Carangalan, thank you so much for having us join your special day. You guys were such a joy to work with. We wish you nothing but love and happiness. Looking forward to watching your family grow and all the good things life has to offer you!

Below are just handful of our favorite wedding photographs from this amazing day at Riverwalk Golf Course San Diego.

You might remember this couple from their Balboa Peninsula and Victoria Beach Engagement shoot.  We are definitely not over with that one, because this is it! Where the sky kisses the blue and clear sea.  Where we soak in the view of Pacific Ocean. When the sun is out; the soft and warm rays that tell us that this is the perfect day. Sophath and Lucy’s wedding is very much like this day- genial, familiar, perfectly wonderful.

                What are the chances that your former classmate comes into your life years later? That’s how charming their love story was. Serendipity, indeed! And the next thing they know is sitting next to each other and exchanging their eternal vows. And that’s how destiny works.

                The wedding celebrations seemed like a season to us, one that was pleasant and vibrant. It is smothered with lots of rose colored details to make those loving hearts beat a little bit faster. And the bride’s stunning gown. So much gorgeousness in that wedding dress, we should say!

                We had the best time running around to click photos with them. A close set of friends and family graced the occasion with more than enough space for us to move around and capture the moments. The quiet smiles; the stolen glances; that care-free random touch. These things are all unspoken yet tinkling loud and clear in every intimate wedding we get to see. And don’t forget all of Sopath and Lucy’s countless looks of love plus all the happy faces (and happy tears) of their friends and loved ones. We are very sure that everyone had fun and enjoyed that day.

                It was heartfelt day of celebration, filled with high spirits, warm smiles and hopeful wishes! Cheers to our hardworking Team for doing a fabulous job in snapping all those precious moments and they are all for you to see!

                It was such a lovely day!  Thet and I love to shoot in a view like this. Picturesque. Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort has amazing views of the ocean. Beautifully festooned and endowed with well-designed backdrop.  But this wedding was so much more than that. It is Issa and Claire’s (who’s engagement session you might have seen a while back at Victoria Beach) wedding.

                They are both graphic design artist. I remember when Issa told us about Claire. “She is the most gorgeous and exceptional dancer for me. She is the ballerina of my life.”  There was a sweet laughter that only Issa could bring out form Claire, and the look in Issa’s eyes when he was looking for his future wife. Together, they glow in elegance with warmth emanating from them. It was a celebration of how these two amazing people managed to find each other way, and how this quiet love saw them all the way through to this day, and every day after. There couldn’t be a more perfect moment for these two lovebirds. We are grateful to be part of this intimate gathering.

                We remember Issa and Claire’s wedding as the elegant intimate weddings with many guests. I know that sounds strange using the word “intimate” for a big wedding. But going through the photos, these were the people who genuinely loved them and celebrated with them. So maybe intimate has nothing to do with the number, but with how much you are loved by the people around you. And they just happen to have many who do.

                The over-all atmosphere of their wedding is similar to the familiar feel of home. It has that familiar scent of love and a quiet sense of beauty. It was the day that has full of excitement and abundance of fun and laughter. Their reception was so alive! Everyone was dancing. It was the celebration of celebrations, filled with nothing but love and beauty. Our team is proud of giving you no less than a love story. Believe us, this is one gallery that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Scroll down to see more of these captured love story as shared by Russ and Thet Studio.

“All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.”  - Beatles

            Now I’m singing one of my favorite song because for a singer like me (LOL) the song is easy to sing along.  It is simple and a little repetitive. But this is what Thet and I saw while shooting Alex and Jessica’s engagement. It is just as true as now when it is first written. Love gives life it’s meaning, and without it there isn’t much life at all.

The chemistry between them was evident and their attraction was just undeniable. How do we know that? Just look at how they smile together. Here, in this truly significant and incredible Joshua Tree National Park. These two were free to totally let go and be themselves, which is important. Another thing we loved about this shoot was how natural Alex and Jessica were in front of the camera. The couple’s shoot was great because they weren’t shy about showing their love and care about each other and needed almost no direction at all! It was full of joy, laughter and sweetness. They are young, sun, full of life and love.

An engagement shoot is kind of like a date. You are to enjoy your partner’s company, and we’ll just record it for you. Natural, beautiful, great way to make your friends and family excited for the big day. Couples just want to have fun, really. Thet and I think that the best ingredient of this shoot is FUN. Nothing too fancy, just something to enjoy with the person you are marrying.

Love truly is the greatest of God’s gift. It’s intangible but you can feel it. Alex and Jessica found one another and share the love in its purest form. It helps us grow and develop. But love doesn’t have to be rainbows and butterflies all the time and we know the couple believed in this. Love is what gets you through tough times with someone and the fact that you’ve been through those times is proof enough of the love you share. Valuing each other, support each other and love each other.

That’s simply substantiate that all we need is love. We are looking forward to shoot them on their special day. Save the date!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Thet and I find it bewildering how fortunate chances can lead two strangers in love. We’ve always believed in destiny – that if things are meant to be, the universe will make it happen. And this is one of story. We captured Nathan and Vanessa from their engagement session in the eclectic and historic old town of Pasadena last year. And this is the time we are all waiting for. They are getting married! We could not be happier joining them on their big day.

Their wedding day rolled around. It’s always special to capture the bride and the groom getting ready for their big day. The anticipation and excitement is something like they will never experience again. Nathan might have preferred to play it calm, cool and collected, but like most grooms, he just couldn’t hide his excitement on this special day. He couldn’t stop smiling. While Vanessa is on the other room, is getting ready with the girls. Bridal Prep is a norm. Emotions are high with tears and laughter.  It was no different from this couple. Hopeful moments that they’ll both love looking back on.

Reminiscing over Nathan and Vanessa’s wedding day, with its gentle and erratic rain showers, feels like a breath of fresh air. The ceremony was a traditional affair at a stunning church in all of its glory with traditional organ player made a most perfect romantic setting for such a loving couple as they exchanged their vows. When Nathan laid eyes on his stunning bride in her fitted lace gown and heavenly veil you could almost hear the breath leaving his lungs. We loved Nathan’s look of absolute joyful emotion when he saw Vanessa walking down the aisle.

After the solemnity of the ceremony, it is time for a celebration. They had their reception at Los Coyotes Country Club. The gorgeous setting is a picture perfect from beginning to end. With the garter and bouquet toss, cake cut and speeches given. There was only one thing left to do, dance! Nathan and Vanessa’s first dance was met with lots of cheer and applause.  You can sense the love from all their family and friends.

 Experience their bliss and love; re-live these moments with our video presentation.

                Like this, Joshua Tree National Park, where the high Mojave Desert meets the low Colorado Desert creates fascinating scenery. The anthropomorphic shapes and sculpted land makes it more perfect. Like this couple, Alex and Jessica. A special kind of people who effortlessly complement to each other. Perfectly matched.

                There are people you just hit it off right from the start.  From the very beginning, Thet and I always fell this is to be true. It is really about our couples to fall in love with. This was easy with Jessica and Alex. They are chill and so much fun to shoot. When we shot their engagement session, there is stillness to Jessica and Alex’s love that draws us in again and again. It’s quiet kind of love, without drama or hype. It is solid and steady; secure and unwavering.

                The small and innocent gestures, but you can see so much from it. We like it best when they find each other and intertwine with ease, fingers falling impeccably into place like it is their natural site. But more than anything, truly, it was such a great way to get to know them. In those days that we all spent together, we got to see how sweet they are with each other. How much Alex looks to after Jessica. How she looks at him with all the love in the world and how he’d pretty much do anything to make her happy. They are really comfortable around us and just get loose and have fun.

                In Joshua tree, beauty shines all day and all night. With amazing sunsets melting into nights filled with endless stars. In Joshua Tree National Park, beauty shines all day and all night. With amazing sunsets melting into nights filled with endless stars. Seeing them so happy together, it’s love like this you will keep forever.  To say that they are a perfect match is an understatement. We look forward to shooting their special day.

And here’s love…

            One of our favorite things about being a photographer is getting to visit places we wouldn’t necessarily get to go to otherwise. And now, we are going to Balboa Peninsula for the Sophath and Lucy’s engagement session. It was timely escape from the busy everyday life in the city.

            They were both a bit quiet when the shoot was starting out. If you take them separately, they’re a bit reserved, but when you put them together and they look at each other, the smiles just come bursting forth. But our engagement shoot to the Peninsula wouldn’t be complete without taking a picture and a ride to the Balboa’s famous Ferris wheel. True love can make any situation more comfortable. We love how Lucy lights up for him. We saw how happy they were it just felt like they were the only two people there.

            We continued our photo shoot at Victoria Beach which known for its medieval-looking tower rising from the sand. It is visible from the beach at low tide which is picture perfect scenery. Our session was like a one long silent conversation. They said so much to each other and about themselves, but without using words. Sophath is a quiet guy. He doesn’t say much at all. But he says so much in the way he looks at Lucy. It was amazing to watch. They wanted to photograph as they are. It was just the two of them, my team, our cameras, the birds and the waves. It’s that simple; It’s just who they are.

            Forehead kisses and sunset by the sea. There’s a certain melancholy that comes with shooting at the beach, spent with two people wondrously in love with each other. For Sopath and Lucy, it’s as if the universe conspired to bring them together. And yes, we may have just lifted that from a quote but hearing the couple’s story, it definitely rings true that line. This gallery is for sure is a faithful testament to that.

Congratulations on your engagement! We can’t wait for the wedding!

We absolutely love Los Angeles Arboretum and were lucky enough to shoot here for Dylan and Rianna’s engagement shoot. Here is a vast Oasis of beauty, tranquility and nature at its best. The location is really diverse in terms of looks in photography. There are unique spots throughout the acreage that really provide a photographer like us an opportunity to get creative. 

We planned their engagement shoot and were thrilled to get a gorgeous sunny day. We like this to be relaxed, fun and no stress. We wander and chat. There’s no pressure to do anything or to be something that you are not. As a photographer, Thet and I, usually take the lead from how they are as a couple. Dylan and Rianna were a little nervous to start, but soon got into the swing of it and enjoyed cuddling and spending time together.

The grandeur of capturing the early evening light was never disappointing. Their love for each other is full of passion and respect. They are clearly a great match. The photographs will tell it all. We feel the good chemistry between them in those moments so we did not want to move them from that good energy. Dylan and Rianna are young lovers who have stood the test of time. It’s very obvious that their love for each other runs deeper that mere infatuation. Spending time with them is very easy and very lovely. They are comfortable in each other’s company and clearly perfect together. It was lovely spending our photo shoot.

We wandered enjoying the session, chatted loads about their wedding plans and what they are looking forward to with the big celebrations coming up. We are all very excited about the fact the next time we could catch up would be on the wedding day! Thet and I can’t wait to shoot their special day!

From the first time we met our “down to earth” couple from their engagement beach photo shoot, it seemed like we had been waiting for this big day for ages (LOL). Maybe because we are always looking forward to each one with more enthusiasm, and we couldn’t have been more excited when Chris and Sabrina’s big day is finally here!

Today’s couple Chris and Sabrina, were sweethearts by the sea as they sealed their lifelong vows amidst picturesque beach wedding attended by family and close friends. What’s so great about beach wedding is that, nature is beautiful as it is, there’s really little need for enhancement. The clear skies, pristine blue waters and fine white sand made such gorgeous back drop for their lovely ceremony.

Chris and Sabrina wanted a day that celebrated both of them and their love for one another. No frill, no fancy. They chose the Huntington State Beach because they thought it would be a perfect place to get married as it represented the very things they hold so dearly - adventure, peace, love and positivity.

There was something so lighten and joyful about the atmosphere of this day, which was made out genuine and stunning smiles. A gorgeous setting with sunflower smiling and glowing bride and groom. There couldn’t have been a better day for Chris and Sabrina’s wedding. The sun was shining, the water was calm, and there was a slight breeze. It was just perfect. The hop, skip and jump allow us to capture beautiful beach portraits and it was so much fun to photograph.

We enjoyed every minute of Chris and Sabrina’s special day. It was a total joy to photograph their wedding. They are the loveliest, happiest and warmest couple. It’s almost impossible not to smile when you see the photos. Hope this has brought a little sunshine back in your life today.

Embrace love.

In a world and time where you really have to fight for your right, Erica and Evelyn's wedding is such a breather for us. Unknown to many, we have family members back in the Philippines who are proud members of the LGBTQ group. This is the reason why we could not be more honored to participate in their wedding. We felt so much sincerity when they said their vows to one another. At some point, our vision became blurry as we try to hold back our tears. We truly share their happiness as they finally found their RIDE or DIE. 

This wedding was packed with emotion: anxiety, tears of joy, laughter and of course, some crazy great dancing. While I am still finishing the rest of their wedding pictures, I am excited to share to you their wedding day highlight. :)