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Bid on a Photo Session – Help Brian Petty Beat Cancer

Polka Photos is giving away one portrait session in the Fight for Brian Online Auction. This auction has been set up to help create a hospital fund for Brian Petty, who has been diagnosed with liver cancer. Although I don’t know Brian personally, he’s a close friend of one of my bestest friends and I love to help whenever I can.

The give-away is for one full portrait session ($250 value) in the LA or Chicago* area which includes:
– 1-2 hr portrait session
– online photo gallery
– $25 print credit
– disc with images for web use

Disc with edited hi-res images available for an additional $50.

Right now the bidding is at $65 so you can help Brian and help yourself to a greatly discounted portrait session!!!

*I will be in Chicago from June 11 – 19 and still have some openings. I will also be back in the fall. If you’ve already scheduled a June session you can still bid.

Here is the link to the auction: www.fightforbrianauction.com/3/auction.htm

There’s also some other cool items and services on there, mostly kettlebell & workout related.

Hurry & bid!!! There’s only 2 days & 7 hours left!!!

If you don’t bid you’re going to make Jolie sad.

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Shotgun Wedding

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
I’m photographing the beautiful Selina and her fiance Steve leaning against a palm tree on the beach in the Dominican Republic. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a hotel security guard approach us with a shotgun at his side. I snap a few more photos quickly in case we get asked to leave. As he gets closer he asks what we are doing. I talk to him in my best elementary school Spanish. 
“Hola. How are you?” I keep smiling and talking.  “This couple is getting married at the hotel in a few days. Aren’t they beautiful?” The security guard smiles. He allows us to continue and even poses for a photo (although he hides the shotgun behind his back). I’m a big believer in smiling. A lot.
And muchas gracias to Sra. Daley and LaSalle Language Academy. Knowing the language of the country you’re visiting is always helpful.

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It starts out as a typical beach engagement photo session but then we all see the security guard with a shotgun approaching us.

The serious-looking security guard poses with the couple.

I sneak a quick photo of him walking away. You can make out the shotgun in his right hand.

Selina and Steve are in a great mood and we joke around.

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One of my favorite wide shots from the day with the couple leaning against the palm tree surrounded by dozens of others. I love destination weddings!!!

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Moonlight Serenade

Laguna Beach, California
After a beautiful ceremony, the newlyweds Billy and Karissa and their guests dine al fresco under the setting sun.

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Orange County wedding photographer, Orange County wedding photography

The wedding colors are green and brown making this green fondant cake with two lovebirds sitting on top a perfect fit.

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Billy surprises his new bride by singing a song to her. Since Brian was taking lots of photos of Billy singing,….

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I position myself to get photos of Karissa’s reaction.

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I love these photos!!!

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I think Karissa enjoyed the song!

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Here’s to the Happy Couple!!!

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Encore! Screen Beauty

Karissa has a classic natural beauty. She reminds me of femme fatales from the golden age of movies.

I captured this photo of the beautiful bride unaware of my camera by photographing through the screen door from inside the house. The screen also gives this photo a softer look acting as a filter. Slight color correction and sharpening in Photoshop was the only post-processing done to this image.

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Laguna Beach Wedding with A View

Laguna Beach, California
I love second shooting because it gives me more time for candid photos as the primary photographer is shooting portraits. I photographed this wedding a while back with Brian from Weed Photography.

Billy and his beautiful bride Karissa were married in a private home in Orange County.

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Brian was with the bride as she was getting ready so I explored the house. Here the groom and the maid of honor take in the view.

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Billy goes over his vows. I think he’s a little nervous. His mom, on the other hand, is all smiles.

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Brian and I switch places before the ceremony. He goes to the ceremony location as I follow the bride down the aisle.

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Los Angeles wedding photographe, Orange County wedding photography

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What a gorgeous spot for a ceremony!

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Billy and Karissa added many unique touches to their wedding. One such touch was including the guests in the ceremony. Any guest that wanted to had time to stand up and offer their wish for the couple.

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The minister is the bride’s sister which made the ceremony all that more special.

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The rings.

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The kiss.

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The Happy Couple!

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laguna beach Wedding - Great pics, love the Pacific Edge!

Polka Photos - Thank you!