Salt Lake City Jewish Wedding by Graham & Graham

 
 
 
 

A Jewish wedding in Salt Lake City on Christmas day? Don't laugh. The couple was surrounded by friends and family, kosher food and rockin' klezmer music at a wonderful 12/25 simcha. It was the first wedding ever at the Chabad of Utah, and we predict many more. The best news of all: beautiful weather! The big snow storm came on Monday, leaving us with lots of sunshine and blue skies for the Tuesday wedding.
The 12/25 simcha was a first for us as well: our initial "destination" wedding,leaving our sunny Southern California climes for the snowy, cool mountain air of Salt Lake City. We hopped in our car, and headed up route 15, lights, tripods and camera gear in tow, and it was well worth it. A great way to spend the holiday.

Manhattan Beach Wedding | Cynthia & Jack

All morning long, we had worried it would rain--bad news for an outdoor wedding. While it did drizzle, by 1 p.m., all was fine, and we had not a drop during the ceremony at the swanky Manhattan Beach Shade hotel. Then, we hauled off with the newlyweds and entire wedding party two blocks away to the Manhattan Beach Pier for some fun shots down by the beach. It was magic time in one of the premier locations in the world. Lots of well-wishers screamed out "congratulations," and graciously gave us room on the Pier for our pictures.
Then, when our fifteen minutes were up (an entire gathering was awaiting our return) the rain did indeed start to fall, and we returned to the glamorous, indoor shelter.

Redondo Beach Engagement Photos | Ben + Allison

Sunday at 5 p.m. in Redondo Beach on Avenue I.
The sun was just starting to make its way down, and the light had that soft, flat, people friendly sheen that photographers love. We met Ben and Allison at the ramp, and headed down to the Hollywood Riviera sand--just us, a whole lot of birds, and a handful of folks who had come out to watch the glorious beach sunsets.
Our couple is getting married next October in Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love. We're sure it will be a beautiful, glorious affair. But for our money, there's nothing like Redondo Beach!

Cynthia & Jack |Manhattan Beach Engagement Photos

Cynthia and Jack met in Manhattan Berach 13 months ago at the world renowned Shark's Cove sports bar. They were at the counter, started talking and now they're set to wed on 11/11.
We had a blast accompanying Cyn and Jack back to their meeting spot to document it for their engagement shoot, and then heading down to the Manhattan Beach Pier for some romantic sunset shots.

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah | Brian, Temple Isaiah, 9/15/2007

We loved watching Brian reading from the torah this weekend at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, followed by a rockin' party at the swanky Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Los Angeles Wedding Photography | Adriana & Enoc @ Union Station

We brought Adriana and Enoc to the historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles shortly after their Boyle Heights wedding. This is the happy couple, enjoying a post-wedding smooch in the wonderful afternoon light.

Selena & Mishel | Los Angeles Jewish Wedding | Temple Judea

Four weeks ago Selena and Mishel decided to make it official. They hustled to get family and friends together and put on a beautiful affair Sunday, August 19, 2007 at Temple Judeau in Irvine, California.
Shortly before the ceremony, we took these portraits of Selena and Mishel under the Hupa at Temple Judea, and North Lake in Irvine.

Palos Verdes Wedding | La Venta Inn

Karen and Saul--Come on Down!!!
Several years ago Karen got her big moment on TV's classic "The Price is Right," wearing one of those wacky "I Love Bob Barker," T-shirts to get the now attention of the now retired, legendary TV host. Afterwards, she went out to dinner at Koo Koo Roo, and struck up a conversation with Saul, who asked about the shirt.
One thing led to another, and four years later, Karen and Saul tied the knot, on July 28, 2007, at the stunning La Venta Inn, in Palos Verdes.
Karen held onto her "Price is Right" name-tag for her grand entrance--and the couple made their way in to lots of applause and the "Price," theme song. Now she's going to have her name-tag framed--along with some of these shots from their Palos Verdes La Venta wedding as well!

Hermosa Beach Engagement Photos | Heather & Dave

We met with Heather and Dave on Monterey and Pier Avenues, right around the corner from Becker Surf. This was the exact location where they met several months ago and started talking. One thing led to another, and the next thing they knew, they were engaged to be married, with a wedding set for next May, near Austin, Texas.
Sunday was Heather and Dave's official engagement photo session shoot with Graham and Graham Photography, and we opted for a sunset shoot. It was slightly foggy, and not exactly swimming in color, but the light was subtle and wonderful, and we loved every minute of it.
We usually do our E-sessions in Manhattan Beach, under and near the Pier, but loved the urban setting of rollicking Pier Plaza, and the soft light in the sand. We just may do all of our Los Angeles Wedding engagement sessions in Hermosa from now on!

Congrats guys!

Manhattan Beach Engagement Pictures | Adriana and Enoc

We met with Adriana and Enoc on a supposedly quiet Sunday evening at the Manhattan Beach Pier, for classic sunset shots. At 8 p.m., the beach was packed! Kids were still frolicking in the waves, and lifeguards were still on duty. We promised the couple--set to tie the knot with a Los Angeles Wedding on 9/1--we'd find a quiet, secluded place, so the Manhattan Beach would be all theirs. Well, it was so crowded, we couldn't make it happen. But thanks to Photoshop, it looks like we did!

Palos Verdes Bride

Here's one more shot of the lovely Ruth, in a reception room at the Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes, moments before she met Shane at the Altar. Ruth and Shane were married this weekend in the church by the sea. Love those flowers!

Temple Israel Bar Mitzvah

Alan had his bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in Hollywood on June 16th, 2007. We love coming to Temple Israel, hearing the great music and being in the big, historic sanctuary. Mazel tov, Alan!

Palos Verdes Wedding Photography by Graham and Graham

Ruth and Shane were married on June 30, 2007, at the Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes. Ruth and Shane are posing in front of the church--with the big classic clocktower--and by the sea, right up the road from the church, overlooking the ocean. We were about to start taking pix by the side of the road, when a neighbor called to us "You want to use our backyard? You won't regret it." The lovely couple had one of those killer views of the Pacific Ocean, from "PV to Malibu," as the realtors like to say, and we happily took him up on the offer.
Afterwards, we dashed to the Portofino in Redondo Beach for the reception, where you see Ruth and Shane in black and white, enjoying their first dance.

Temple Isaiah Bat Mitzvah

We had a blast (literally!) photographing Justine at Temple Isaiah for her Los Angeles bat mitzvah. Not only is Isaiah the alma mater of the junior member of Graham & Graham (Sam attended 1st and 2nd grade there) it's also one of the more beautiful temples in town. Great music too.

After the service, Justine and family moved to the Olympic Collection in West Los Angeles for one W-I-L-D party, complete with orange feather boas, a boffo conga line and confetti falling from the sky during the horah.

A big mazel tov to Justine.

Jessica and Steven's Calabasas Wedding

Jessica and Steven had their "fairytale" wedding in Calabasas over the weekend, in a beautiful backyard provided by Steven's grandma. Disney music and pictures of Cinderella and Prince Charming were everywhere, along with the love in the air.

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah

My new all-time favorite horah shot, from a big weekend bat mitzvah. It was held for Lana's sister Nina at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, where 300 people celebrated, schmoozed and danced until dawn (actually, around midnight, but who's counting?) Does this girl love the camera, or what?

Maria in Beverly Hills

Here's Maria on Rodeo Drive.
This was a glorious wedding that began with a session at Jose Eber, before moving to the Christ the King church in historic Hollywood.

Canoga Park Wedding | Orcutt Ranch

Napa Valley in Canoga Park!
Marlen and Williams, from the stunning Orcutt Ranch in Canoga Park, a facility with 1920s historic homes and acres of lush grounds. What a setting--and couple!

Here's to another 50

On the same day we met with soon-to-be newlyweds Karen and Saul, we also spent some time with Cecily and Jim , to prepare for their 50th Golden Wedding Anniversary. We were making a video montage of their lives together, a tour down memory lane, courtesy of some great old photographs and Elvis Presley, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra and the Spiral Staircase.
For the ending, we brought the two lovebirds to a Manhattan Beach park for pictures under a tree.
Check out the montage

Karen and Saul by the Sea | Manhattan Beach Engagement Photos

Karen and Saul are slated to tie the knot in July, at the beautiful La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes, and we'll be there to document the event. We recently met with the lovely couple in and around the Pier in Manhattan Beach for some romantic couple shots, or as they're called in the biz, "engagement" photos.

Woodland Hills Bar Mitzvah Photography

Max's bar mitzvah was in the historic Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills, where his mom Gayle also had her bat mitzvah in March--back in the 1980s sometime. Love the stained glass on the bima, which provided this colorful backdrop.