Last week I had a birthday. It was amazing. Best birthday I can remember. There are only a few things that make me really happy... two of them are amazing food and being surrounded by friends. This year I got both.

Monday night Cyndie and I left Makenzie with some friends and drove up to LA. We got a room at The Roosevelt Hotel, one of the coolest hotels ever, and had dinner at Spago, Wolfgang Puck's signature restaurant in Beverly Hills.

I've wondered for a long time if Spago was all hype or if it really was all it was cracked up to be. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. Instead of ordering off the menu we decided to do the 10 course tasting menu. After three and a half hours we rolled out of the restaurant... stuffed from one of the most amazing meals we've ever had. The meal cost more than the rent on our first apartment but I have to say it was totally worth it. Also, we sat right next to Sidney Poitier and his family. Awesome.

The next day we hung out at the hotel for a while then headed back to the OC where we were having a bonfire with friends out on the Balboa Penninsula. There were probably 10 photographers there so I was thinking that several would have their cameras but only one person did. Jory brought an old Canon AE-1 and one roll of film.  He just blogged the images from the day so I stole a few for my blog too.  Thanks for the images Jory!
Yours truly. Jory and Val, Jasmine and JD Star ;)

Steven Taylor, Victor Sizemore

There's a blurry Jessica Claire, Jasmine and Cyndie back there.

A few weeks ago a couple of friends came out to visit, Craig and Chip from Studio563 in Houston. One of the nights they were here we went out to Laguna Beach to shoot for fun. I totally forgot about these images and recently sent a bunch of film to get processed and got these back. I never get over how amazing film looks. The color and skin tones just blow my mind, and the depth of field you get shooting medium format is just incredible.

Craig and Chip also have a new product about to be release called BlogStomp. Its a super easy way to get your images branded and blog ready. It's saved me hours and hours. It's amazing. Go follow them on twitter and be the first to find out when it's released.

Here are my boys Craig and Chip!

Lauren and Kyle had an AMAZING wedding at the Nixon Library. Square Root handled the florals and did an incredible job and the fabulous Kerrie Underhill coordinated. I love working with Kerrie. I always know things will go smoothly when she's around!

Here are a bunch of my favorites from their day!

The amazing bouquet by Square Root:

I love this shot of Lauren's mom looking on as she finishes getting ready.

More of Square Root's beautiful work!

This guy stepped right into the aisle in front of me... I had to throw an elbow to get him out of my shot, haha!

Kyle's grandparents... pretty much the cutest couple I've ever seen!

We had such amazing light that afternoon!

Amazing reception details...

The radical sweetheart table.

Finally, a sweet shot after the cake cutting.

A few weeks ago I shot Michelle and Mark's wedding in Oceanside. The were married on the roof of an incredible private residence on the water there. Bethany at Splendid Sentiments did and incredible job on the florals and put together an amazing bouquet and maybe my favorite boutonniere I've ever seen.

Here are a few of my favorites from their wedding.

I don't get to shoot the groom getting ready very often but because they were getting ready in the same home I got to sneak over for a few minutes. Love these images.

Now for the bride.

Sweet rooftop ceremony:

A little photobooth action during cocktail hour:

The girls were a little nervous getting up on the rocks but once they were up there they were ready to party, haha.

And here's the boutonniere and bouquet I was talking about:

Then it was time for a few portraits of the couple... my favorite part of the day.

I love this moment at the end of the first dance when the wedding party joined in!

Here's Michelle and Mark with one of my favorite couples from a few years ago, Melissa and Chester!

I love when the sparklers are brought out!

I posted a few of the polaroids of this awesome wedding a few weeks ago but I just got the film back and wanted to post more.

Some of my favorite vendors worked on this wedding with me:

Venue: Park Prive

Coordinated by: Kelley Gin of Picture Perfect Events
Florals: Square Root
Videography: DV Artistry

All of this was shot on my Contax 645 with either Fuji Pro400H or Pro800Z film. There is nothing like the color from those films. I'll be posting the digital images in the next few days.

Onto the images.

I know I blogged a bunch of the bouquet but c'mon, look at it!

Her dress was a beautiful Paloma Blanca

Here's a little sneak peek of the reception details. Square Root has got some skills:

A couple of weeks ago my friend Matt was in town and he asked if I'd take a few pictures of him for his website. I of course said yes. Well, Jeff and Jessica came along too and so I ended up shooting each of them for a bit.

Here's Matt:

This one didn't make it on the blog because I think it's a great image, its on the blog because I think it's really funny. We were in these amazing fields with really cool, tall grass and I thought it would be cool for Matt to sit down. Turns out it doesn't look too masculine. Hey, all the ideas can't be winners.

Now for Jessica

She definitely knows how to work it for the camera. :)

Then Jeff jumped in and decided he wanted a piece of the action too.

I woke up super early and couldn't get back to sleep so I hopped in the car with my Contax 645 and newly acquired Polaroid back and went out to shoot a little. I love how cool these images are and there's absolutely nothing done to them. They're cool without even trying... dust, scratches, smears and all.

My next purchase is definitely a HOLGAROID.

I saved my favorite for last!