Brandi Welles Photographer Blog

Gaby + Brandon | Orange Engagement Photography

Brandi — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:31:45 +0000

The first time Brandon laid eyes on Gaby she was covered head-to-toe in fur. Yep, you heard right. Fur boots and all. And not the sexy kind. Gaby is that girl. The kind who sacrifices looking hot for a good laugh and you know, shows up to a Cowboy and Indian costume party dressed as a Fur Pelter. Needless to say, Brandon was instantly drawn to her confidence, sense of humor, and mad costume designing skills. Even though she brushed him off like yesterdays newspaper after their first date, he continued to chase her. And he hasn’t let go since. Smart man.

It’s clear why these two fell for each other, besides the fact that they are both SMOKING HOT. They both have electric personalities, loud and infectious laughs, and irresistible charm. Heck, after getting to know them, I was madly in love.

Brandon and Gaby are going to Aruba on their honeymoon. Okay, officially jealous.

Gaby and Brandon, I CANNOT WAIT for your wedding in April. If it’s half as fun as you two are, it will be a fantastic party.

Catina + John | Huntington Beach Wedding Photographer

Brandi — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:30:23 +0000

Only in Southern California can you plan a beach wedding in the very beginning of February and get an absolutely perfect 80 degree day without a cloud in the sky! The sun was definitely shinning bright on Catina and John’s wedding day as they grab their flip flops and walked across a busy Main street in Huntington Beach with their friends, family, and little weiner dog Toby all in tow. It was the perfect intimate beach ceremony overlooking the ocean and pier, with lots of love and smiling faces. And really, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Thanks to Kaysha Weiner for letting me shoot this bright and colorful wedding with her.

John texted Catina before their ceremony, “Let’s gid er done!” He had the right idea.

Fact: Kaysha and I showed up to this wedding wearing basically the exact same outfit. You know what they say, great minds think alike…

Yay to the first wedding of 2012!!!

Yelena + Michael | Malibou Lake Mountain Club Wedding

Brandi — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:51 +0000

I just love it when a wedding is 100% reflective of the couple and their relationship, and these two definitely take the cake here. Yelena and her family are Ukrainian and Michael and his family are Jewish. So what better way to represent both of their backgrounds than by creating a perfect hybrid of the two cultures and calling it a “Jewkrainian” wedding. LOVE. Not to mention the day couldn’t have been more perfect with the adorable and quaint Malibou Lake in the foreground, the lovely Agoura Hills mountains as the backdrop, and not a cloud in the sky. The day was absolutely perfect. And these two kids? Perfect for each other.

Thanks to the amazing Kaysha Weiner for having me along on Michael and Yelena’s stunning wedding day!

The week, according to my iPhone photos.

Brandi — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:25:21 +0000

It was a great week. We were finally able to meet our good friends’ new baby, Claire, and I actually had a rare weekend off. So naturally, we spent lots of time with friends and family. Which is always good.

Highlights:

1. My little brother, Josh’s fifth birthday, spent at the eccentric and sugar-coma inducing Farrell’s Ice Cream Palour with family.

2. Hiking up Big Red at Peter’s Canyon with friends.

3. Meeting baby Claire.

4. Perfect 80 degree weather for long walks with the hubby and pup.

Happy Monday!!!

Amy + Peter | Long Beach Wedding Photographer

Brandi — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:00:29 +0000

Amy and Peter are some of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. They got married on an absolutely beautiful day in Long Beach, and before the ceremony we were able to sneak off to the Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Garden to take some photos and so Amy and Peter could have a little quiet time together before saying “i do.” I just LOVE when couples choose to take their photos before the ceremony because it not only allows them to relax and put some of the stress and nerves to rest before the wedding, but it also gives them more time to party and enjoy themselves during the reception. It’s a win win for everyone!

And now for some photo goodness of these two little lovebirds…

It was such a joy photographing Amy and Peter’s wedding day and I wish these two the happiest life together! A big thank-you to Stacy Degroot for having along to be her second.

Mammoth Vacation.

Brandi — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:12:27 +0000

Will and I drove up to Mammoth this weekend to spend some quality time with my family. It was great to get away and hang out with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins, some of whom I haven’t seen in years. There wasn’t much snow during our trip, which was kind of a bummer, however it made a town that’s usually jammed packed with tourists this time of year, nice and quiet. As well as dropped prices on everything including the ski slopes which were also pretty empty even though there was still plenty of man-made snow to ski on. We made sure to take advantage of this and enjoyed a fun day of snowboarding on a nearly empty June Mountain (and yes I did fall on my bum several times, and no I do not have any photos of this).

We also randomly ran into some industry friends who were staying at a cabin right next-door to us. So Will and I snuck away from the fam. for a night and enjoyed some much needed “adult time” with them hot tubbing, drinking good vino, playing pool and ping pong, and cooking steaks. It was an all together great weekend, and boy am I’m glad I brought my camera along to help capture some of those memories.

{The whole family, except of course yours truly, the photographer}

Happy Tuesday!!!

Inspiration Therapy.

Brandi — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:03 +0000

I am a total sucker for New Years resolutions. One of the many I’ve set for myself this year (along with the usual get more organized, eat more vegetables, and read something other than fashion magazines and Facebook statuses) is to blog more. When I first started this blog I wanted to make it a point to not only focus on my photography, but also create a space for my writing (awkward as it may be) and let it tell a story about my life. I want my blog to be something I can show my kids when they are older and say, look how silly your mom was, dressing her dog up like a person. So, I’ve decided to start another personal post relating to my life and the places, things, websites, blogs, and basically anything and everything that inspires me and makes me happy. Personally, I’ve found that posts such as these happen to be my favorite reads on other blogs, so why not have some fun with it on my own blog?

Today it’s all about my favorite websites! When I’m killing time on my computer, these websites/blogs are always my go-to bookmarks. I just can’t get enough of these super addicting sites.

Cupcakes and Cashmere:

My first and probably FAVORITE place online to find inspiration for everything a young modern gal can’t get enough of such as recipes, fashion, and home design. Emily is a total style icon. This woman can make a sack of potatoes seem glamourous.

Design Sponge:

Ahhh the mother ship of inspiration. Design Sponge is a widely known and adored website (and now book) that is all things design. Interior design, DIY projects (that I always want to do but never get around to), shopping guides, guides for traveling, and entertaining. Not only am I super obsessed with this website and can spend HOURS of my day browsing away, but I’ve also recently purchased the book and it’s mind blowing! Well, for design-conesuers like me anyway.

FFFound!!!:

This website is great for just random creative brainstorming. It’s similar to Pinterest (if you haven’t heard of Pinterest, you MUST get with the times) in that it’s just image bookmarking of random coolness. I like to browse this website for design, typography, art, and just anything artsy and unique. It’s a great place to waste an hour of internet surfing.

Smitten Kitchen:

I don’t cook often, and when I do it’s either tuna fish and crackers, or something completely outside of my comfort level. For me, cooking is something I do when I’m feeling a little Martha Stewart-esque. This does not happen often. So Will is the full-time cook of our house. But on rare occasions, I get an itch to get in the kitchen, and this website is my first stop for recipe ideas. Every dish I have made from this site has been FANTASTIC! I just love the homey, rustic, and fresh approach Deb uses while cooking in her tiny NYC apartment kitchen. Plus, the writing and photography is pretty darn amazing, which always helps. Some of my favorite recipes include her thick, chewy oatmeal cookies, pesto potato salad with green beans, pear cranberry and gingersnap crumble.

Happy Wednesday!!!

Hello, 2012.

Brandi — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:23:12 +0000

After an insane holiday season, and a New Years spent sick in bed downing Nyquil like it’s the last drop of water on the planet, it’s finally here. 2011 was a great year. A year of learning and growing and well, baby steps. Lots of baby steps. But 2012 is going to be different. Instead of baby steps, I’m going to take life by the reigns and ride off into the sunset. Okay that was a bad metaphor, but you get my point. It’s about time for my dreams to start becoming a reality, and the only person that can make this happen is yours truly. Starting with…..(drumroll please)……a brand-spanking new website!!! Yes, it’s been a long and frankly, painful at times road to get here. But, I’m here nonetheless. Although I’m still making some minor tweaks, I’m pretty darn proud of how far I’ve come. Yes, I designed this website entirely by myself. Well, I had some help from a trusted friend and fellow photographer (ahem, Kaysha) who is always there to help me organize my thoughts when my brain feels like a hamster wheel. Of course I also have to thank my super supportive and amazing hubby, Will, who is the BEST shoulder to cry on (aka wine pourer). Without you guys I would probably be in an insane asylum by now.

It’s true, this website is my baby. And until I get bored (again) and decide to redo the entire thing (again), make sure you check it out and let me know what you think!

Also, I’m sure you’ve noticed some changes to the blog. This is also a big work in progress (isn’t everything?) but I’m still pretty excited about this fresh new look. As if all this was enough, I am also making some big changes to my business plan in 2012. I am really excited to begin this journey, and I am SO looking forward to making 2012 the most critical year in building my business. Also, two of my best friends are getting married this year and I can’t wait to be a part of the most special day of their lives.

2012 is going to be an EPIC year. So Happy New Year and don’t forget to check out the new site, I would love some feedback!

xoxo,

Brandi

Happy Holidays!

Brandi — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:45:30 +0000

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of my wonderful clients, friends, family, and fellow photographers for making this a wonderful year of learning and growing in my business. Each one of you has helped shaped and influenced my life and business in a positive way, and for that I am truly grateful. I wish you all a holiday season filled with joy and laughter. Here’s to the New Year and exciting changes in 2012!!!

xoxo,

Brandi

Kaysha + John | Irvine Mini Shoot

Brandi — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:41:39 +0000

In lieu of the Weekly Collective today, I bring you something EXTRA special! A fun and adorable fall mini session with two of my favorite people, Kaysha and John! You have probably noticed Kaysha’s name pop up on my blog many times before. That’s because her and John are not only very close friends of ours, but Kaysha is also a VERY talented wedding photographer who I regularly work with. Plus, she recently did a mini shoot of Will and I for our Christmas cards, so naturally I had to repay the favor.

P.s. You should also know that these two lovebirds recently got engaged, and we are SUPER excited for their wedding next year (which I will also be a bridesmaid in!). Now for some photos…

Happy Turkey Week!!!