Los Angeles Wedding Photographer - Polka Photos Photo Blog: Wedding Photography, Photojournalism, candid photos

Wear White After Labor Day

Los Angeles, California
Just because it's Labor Day doesn't mean it's time to put your white clothes away. In fact, we dare you to take out your wedding gown and wear it again.

Polka Photos would like to offer 3 adventurous brides a complimentary portrait session.

Want to play in the ocean? Ride your Harley? Go hiking? Skydive? Not sure what you want? We can come up with some fun locations.

To qualify:
1. You must like having fun.
2. You must wear a wedding gown. If you don't want to get your expensive gown dirty, we can recommend places to buy inexpensive gowns.
3. You must come to the LA area for the session. But if you insist on flying us out to Hawaii then we won't refuse.

So go ahead, defy a cardinal fashion rule. And get the photos to prove it. We dare you!

Email us.

Labels: portraits, Shameless Self-Promotion

Playing Dress Up

San Francisco, California
We met some brides in San Francisco who wanted to wreck their dress. We started out underneath one of the city's landmarks: the Golden Gate Bridge.

Tonie is a super cool bride who was up for anything... and up she went on this pedestal.

Fort Point has some interesting alcoves and windows. I wonder if a bride has ever graced its hallways before?

I was trying out a different lens for many of these photos. It has an interesting focal effect. Although the bride isn't sharp in the photo below - I still like it. It looks like it was taken through a fogged up window.

Our second stop was Baker Beach - one of my favorite places in San Francisco. The sun came out as we headed into the water.

While I was in the ocean with Tonie, Michael took this photo with the waves breaking behind her.

One of the perils of shooting on Baker Beach is that it is a nudist beach.

I was happy Tonie remembered a change of clothes. Of course I didn't follow my own advice.

After saying our goodbyes to the intrepid Tonie, we headed out to meet our other dress wrecker. Tricia loves exploring all the neighborhoods of the city. And she looks stylish doing it on her pink Vespa!

When Tricia told us about her cute doggie Anjou we just had to take him with us! Look at that face - isn't he adorable?

This is one of my favorite photos. I love how the fog is covering the Golden Gate while there's a spotlight of sunshine on Tricia and Anjou.

The gorgeous bride strikes a pose.

Tricia is a modern day Venus emerging from the water.

Thank you to both Tonie and Tricia - the most adventurous brides in San Francisco! You were so much fun to photograph!

Stay tuned for photos from a cute couple in San Jose.

Labels: portraits, San Francisco

Family Portraits

Malibu, California

When I first met Tiffany & Jill we talked about their engagement session and how it could be fun to include the kids for some family portraits as well. All of them love the beach so Paradise Cove was the perfect choice!

There's a trailer park off the beach reminiscent of The Rockford Files, which happens to be one of my favorite old detective shows.

Up the hill from the park we stopped by a cute fence.

Jake is in his own world. This was one of the few times he was actually still. I wish I had his energy!

We walked on the pier for some more photos....

then under the pier...

Then it was playtime for Olivia & Jake!

Labels: beach, family, Malibu, portraits

The Many Faces of Todd

Los Angeles, California

Todd is a comedian from Chicago who is now living & working in LA. And he is funny - not just giggle funny, but laugh-out-loud stomach-shaking funny. He's performed nationwide including Zanies, The Icehouse Comedy Club and The Comedy Store.

Here's the leading man:

The tough guy:

The funny guy:

The international man of mystery:

Labels: portraits

Adam the Actor

Los Angeles, California

Meet Adam. Adam is an actor. He's also a writer. And he was the bestest best man ever in our wedding. He even put out a fire.

Labels: portraits

Flawless Melody

Los Angeles, California
Before the move I took some headshots for my friend Melody who just joined the Troubadours, "a group that sings everything from doo-wop to opera to Broadway music."

Melody is also a personal trainer and licensed massage therapist with her own Pasadena studio, Flawless Fitness. If you're trying to find the motivation to get in shape or fit into your wedding dress, she will get you sweating!