SoCalSunshine Productions

Vacation in Paradise

2012-02-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

Turks and Caicos is a group of about 40 islands and cays inthe Caribbean, just south east of the Bahamas. We vacationed there on the island of Providenciales (the most visited T& C island) in December, and my-oh-my, what a magnificent vacation spot! There are not nearly enough blue Crayolas inthe box to do the place justice. Westayed at the outstanding Alexandra Resort, which is situated on exquisite Grace Bay Beach. This gorgeous sugar-whitesand beach is consistently named one of the top beaches in the world, andit’s no wonder! Just look at thesepictures and tell us you don’t wish you were there right now – we certainly do,and we will definitely be back, hopefully sooner than later.

Shanna & Adam - Wedding

2011-12-27T17:59:00.000-08:00

What can be more beautiful than a candlelit wedding ceremony? Only a candlelit wedding ceremony with a gorgeous bride! Shanna and Adam began their lives as husband and wife at the Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego, surrounded by loving family and faithful friends. It was an absolutely heart-felt night of love and joy. We wish Shanna and Adam a wonderful honeymoon in sunny Costa Rica, and a life of happiness together.

Shanna & Adam - Engagement Session

2011-10-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park, surrounded by gorgeous architecture and divine live classical music, not to mention the glorious warm fall weather! Shanna and Adam rocked their engagement photo shoot and we had a ton of fun with them. We’re really looking forward to their wedding in a couple of months!

Holly & Brandon - GraphiStudio Album

2011-09-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous day it was for Holly and Brandon in the beautiful low desert city of Indian Wells! Take a look ata few of their GraphiStudio Wedding Book pages. Whenever they want to go back and re-live their special day, all Hollyand Brandon have to do is to flip through their beautiful Italian album, andthey (and someday their children and grandchildren!) will be magicallytransported back to that wonderful day – the first day of their happy marriage. We absolutely love being able to providecouples with something that instantly becomes a family heirloom!

--SoCalSunshine Productions

Michelle & Victor - Southern California Wedding, July 30, 2011

2011-07-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

We got to know Michelle and Victor a bit at their recent engagement session on the Santa Monica Pier (link). We found out they are a really sweet couple who are genuinely in love. It was so great to witness that tenderness and playfulness again at their wedding! We had a great time shooting the formals at the Cerritos Sculpture Garden with their fun wedding party. Michelle and Victor, we wish you a long and happy life together!

Jennifer & Dennis - GraphiStudio Album

2011-07-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Dennis had not only one fantastic wedding, but two! The first was a beautiful Catholic ceremony and the second a gorgeous Jewish one. We loved how they totally celebrated both of their cultures and traditions, and the result was a fabulous day of celebrations! To give you just a taste of their extraordinary day, here now are a few pages from Jen & Dennis’ gorgeous album: custom designed by SoCalSunshine Productions, and printed and bound in Italy by GraphiStudio. Enjoy!

Michelle & Victor - Santa Monica Engagement Session

2011-06-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Santa Monica: The end of Route 66, but just the beginning for Michelle and Victor! The Santa Monica Pier is a special "date" place for these two. One special story Michelle shared with us was that the day Victor proposed, they came to the Pier and enjoyed the music of one of the talented Pier performers, James Valenti (<== click here to check him out; he is awesome!!) What is so cool is that James was performing again during our shoot so it brought back some special memories, and romance was definitely in the air! Michelle and Victor's wedding is coming up soon – soon as in next month! We can’t wait, guys!

Maria & Carlos - GraphiStudio Album Pages

2011-06-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

Wow…we are so excited to share a few album pages from the beautiful GraphiStudio Wedding Book we designed especially for Maria and Carlos! Can’t you just feel the sparks between these two! Now that is what we call L-O-V-E!

And speaking of GraphiStudio, can we just tell you how much we adore this album company? Aside from the fact that each album is hand assembled and bound in Italy, we have truly never seen such quality and craftsmanship in a wedding album! And trust us – we have seen hundreds of album companies, none of which come close to GraphiStudio! This is why we use this outstanding album maker for the overwhelming majority of our wedding albums. These guys ROCK the Wedding Book (it's NOT your mother's wedding album for sure!) Check out this short >>VIDEO<< showing the assembly and binding process used in their Italian manufacturing facility. It’s simply fascinating!

Website Announcement

2011-04-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

It’s time for a change! So (insert trumpet fanfare here)…(maybe a little drum roll)…SoCalSunshine Productions is pleased to announce our newly redesigned website! Check it out, and, as always, feel free to leave us a comment here on our blog or on our facebook page. Cheers!

Sarah & Todd - La Jolla Engagement Session

2011-04-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

Not your typical sun-filled beach engagement session, that's for sure! The OC area was bright and sunny when we left on the nearly two-hour drive south to La Jolla to shoot Sarah and Todd’s engagement photos, but when we got there, it was gloomy and cold – boooo. However, because this is a very special place for Sarah and Todd who spend time there whenever they can spare it, they really wanted to go ahead and brave the less-than-ideal beach temperature, so we said, let’s do it! Wow, we are really glad we did! No need for scarves and mittens at all – these guys make their own heat! Speaking of heat, check back in August for their wedding photos – we know they will be just as hot!

Rena & Christopher - Washington, DC Engagement Session

2011-04-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Oh my, what could be better than a spring engagement session in our Nation's beautiful Capital, during cherry blossom season! We were delighted to spend a wonderful weekend with Christopher and Rena in and around the City they call home. From the extraordinary National Cathedral, to the DC monuments, every moment was filled with fun and laughter! Miss Rena the ballerina, and her handsome beau have some incredible chemistry, no? We've made some great new friends and we're looking forward to shooting their California wedding next year!

Danielle & Jonathan's Album

2011-03-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

We thought it was a good time to present a few pages from the gorgeous wedding album of Danielle & Jonathan (designed by SoCalSunshine Productions, printed and bound by GraphiStudio in

Italy

). Bug & J, as they are affectionately known to some, and their families were an absolute joy to work with, and it’s one of the reasons we love what we do! This beautiful outdoor wedding and reception took place at the Glendora Country Club, which is a super fabulous place for a romantic celebration! We highly recommend it if you want a wonderful experience for your wedding day. Ask for Taryn, she rocks!

Holly & Brandon - March 12, 2011

2011-03-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

On a super gorgeous nearly-spring day at the beautiful Low Desert, Indian Wells Country Club, Holly and Brandon were married under a dazzling blue sky. Everyone looked so great and had a spectacular time! We were very honored to be a part of Holly & Brandon's special day. Enjoy!

Smart Tips for Hiring Your Wedding Photographer

2011-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

Your photographer is one of the most important items on your Wedding Planning Checklist. Here is a great article with helpful tips for choosing the one that’s right for you:

It’s NOT all relative. Please do not let a relative or a friend who takes awesome vacation pictures take your wedding photos! Wedding photography is probably the most demanding branch of photography there is. It’s fast paced, and once a special moment is gone, it’s gone forever. A wedding photographer cannot have an off day, or learn on the job as a solo shooter. Uncle Bob’s vacation pictures may be wonderful, but unless he trained with a good professional wedding photographer for many years, don’t trust him with the most important day of your life. There are no do-overs! Stuff happens, and if it happens at your wedding, you want to make sure a cell phone camera is not the backup plan! The same goes for an “up and coming” photographer looking to build his portfolio and offering an unbelievably low price to gain experience at the expense of your lifetime memories!

Hire a photographer, not a studio. Make sure you know who will be doing the actual photography on your wedding day, and that you have seen (and love) their actual work, not just photos done by “someone” in the studio. And while I’m on the subject, two photographers are always better than one. One person cannot be in two places at once, and two photographers will more easily be able to capture the special moments from different angles and perspectives.

Money isn’t everything. Don’t shop by price alone. You’ve probably noticed that you can hire a wedding photographer for anywhere from $500 to $10,000! In the wedding photography industry, like in everything else in life, price may be a very good indicator of the quality to be expected. Unfortunately, this is especially true at the lower end of the price range. It is nearly impossible for a professional photographer to offer complete packages in the two thousand dollar range because of the high cost of professional camera equipment, backup devices, liability insurance, overhead, quality albums, etc., etc. Expect to spend $3500 and up if you want an experienced photographer and an excellent quality album. Think McHamburger vs. Ruth’s Chris. Grabbing a burger may be fine on a Wednesday night after work, but for a special date night is that what you really want??? C'mon, this is the most important day of your life! Don’t treat your wedding photography like a value menu meal!

Personality, baby! This tip is almost as important as making sure you love the photography: Make sure you really “click” with your photographer (pun intended!) If you feel comfortable around your photogs, you will be more at ease, and that will show on your face in your pictures. When you are laughing and having fun, you will hardly notice the camera, thus, eliminating the “Barbie and Ken” (i.e. “stiff”) look.

Wild salmon or photography? If price is a major issue for you, try to cut corners elsewhere (maybe cut down the guest list, go with a regular instead of a premium bar, DIY as much as you can, etc.) And really, who remembers what they had for dinner at a wedding? You do not want to look back and regret having an expensive dinner but not hiring the right photographer!

Customer service (Who even DOES that anymore?) While narrowing down and interviewing prospective photographers, how long does it take them to answer your emails or return your phone calls? If you are waiting more than 24 hours (or even 12) when they are trying to get your business, what makes you think they will be any better once they have your deposit? The last thing you need to worry about is if your photographer will call you back if you have a question (or, heaven forbid, not even show up to your wedding!) Make sure your photographer gives you the warm fuzzies. Select someone who can verify their reliability through referrals and reviews. Peace of mind is golden.

Just like being there. Sample albums say a lot about the photographer’s vision since they are the images the photographer considers to be their best. However, ask to see a copy of a real client album to get a feel for the mood, flow and “narration” of the day, as well as the graphic design. Once you’ve looked through the album you should feel like you were an invited guest.

Postpone the extras. If money is tight, just book a photography only package for now, and add any prints or albums later on. This will lower the cost of the initial outlay, but you will be sure to have the photographer you really want. Many couples receive monetary wedding gifts and this is a good way to purchase your album!

How long must I wait? Ask what the turnaround times are for proofs and albums. Make sure there is a reference to work schedules in your contract! Turnaround times vary due to workload, so make sure you’re comfortable with the wait time. If it’s a long one, it may be worth it to you. Or, you may even find an awesome photographer with a relatively short turnaround. They are out there, so just ask.

Pimple? What pimple? Remember: A bad editing job is actually worse than no editing at all, so make sure there’s at least one person in the photographer's group with strong retouching skills! This includes color and density editing, artistic effects, if that’s what you’re into, as well as blemish removal, skin smoothing, etc. Ask to see some before/after images that they have edited themselves.

It’s just good insurance. Choose a photographer with full liability insurance. Many, if not most of the large hotels and even some smaller venues will require your photographer and many other vendors to carry full liability insurance. As I've mentioned, stuff happens!

Be a stalker. A blog stalker, that is. Blogs are the best places to view and compare images! Photographers typically post only their best and favorite shots of the day. That will give you a good idea of their style. The moment the images take your breath away is the moment you have made your decision…in your heart.

Now you just need to make sure that in addition to finding your brilliant artist, you have also found the one that checks off all of the above tips! If you have heard some of the wedding photography horror stories we've heard, you will definitely want to do your homework! That includes following these tips, asking your married friends about their experiences, and checking references and reviews!

Hopefully this will start you on your way to selecting a photographer you will still be thrilled with when you show your wedding album to your great-grandchildren. We at SoCalSunshine Productions are dedicated and committed to helping you achieve everything you want, and more, from your wedding photos!

Bride's Choice 2011!

2011-01-31T09:41:00.000-08:00

What could be a better start to the year, I ask you??? We are thrilled and proud to announce that we have won WeddingWire.com’s 2011 Bride’s Choice Award! This is the third consecutive year we have been so honored. And you know the best part? This award is given based on actual client reviews, and “recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate quality and service excellence in the wedding industry.” We are simply tickled beyond words, and would like to thank all of you who have given us such stellar reviews! We love you! Mmmwaaaaah!

--Gene & Linda
SoCalSunshine Productions

Michele & Colin's Album

2011-01-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

Yay for San Diego weddings! And yay for gorgeous brides and handsome firefighter grooms! Michele & Colin’s wedding was incredibly beautiful with the sparkling blue San Diego Harbor as a backdrop, and flowers and décor in elegant shades of lilac. The bridal party was a very lively bunch indeed, and it was obvious how much they truly care for the happy couple. We hope you will enjoy seeing some of Michele and Colin’s album pages as much as we enjoyed designing them!

Lindsey & Bryan's Album

2011-01-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

Once again, we would like to present a few pages from the album of an awesome couple, Lindsey and Bryan. Can you say fun? Wow, these two sure know how to not only have fun themselves, but to make sure all around them are having the time of their lives as well! And we’re not just talking about the wedding and reception, but also how they live their lives in general. It was our pleasure to take part in capturing the touching and happy moments of their special day, and to get to know them as friends too.

So now, take a look at what Lindsey and Bryan will someday be sharing with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. ~oooh goosebumps!~

Sean & Stephanie's Album

2011-01-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! We wanted to start out the new year with a few pages of a very sweet album from a very sweet wedding of a very sweet couple. Sean and Stephanie were married on a Newport Harbor Yacht this past July. From the "First Look" to the "Get Away," the wedding absolutely rocked -- particularly when the guests were treated to a special dance performance by the newlyweds! Sean and Stephanie, we wish you a very sweet 2011 and beyond!

Concert for Cancer

2010-12-21T19:27:00.000-08:00

We were delighted to be one of the sponsors for the wonderful fundraising event, “Concert for Cancer.” The organizer, Lex Hidalgo, puts together this concert in his “spare” time, and this year we were honored to participate as the event photographers. This year’s concert featured five local bands: Everything Said, Inglourious, Lexington, Made in America, and Apollo Sol. All awesome!

The beneficiary for this particular concert was Linda’s seven-year-old grandson, James, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) just two days before Christmas last year, and received his first of many chemotherapy treatments on Christmas Eve. After going through seven months of chemotherapy along with several life-threatening infections, James is finally cancer and infection-free, however, the financial stress took its toll on the family. After a very scary and exhausting year (physically, mentally, and emotionally,) this Christmas will be an especially merry one, indeed!

We are so grateful for people like Lex, who devote their time and efforts to helping others! Here are some pictures from the event:

Holly & Brandon - November 28, 2010

2010-11-30T20:48:00.000-08:00

This is why we like engagement sessions! Getting to know Holly and Brandon was great fun and we loved the location too! Ever been to Old Town San Juan Capistrano? It’s very quaint and charming and there are great little niches for photographs, including a train station, as well as some great colors and textures. Holly and Brandon's wedding is fast approaching, and we can't wait!

Road Trip!

2010-11-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

…and during our “spare” time…we took an incredible road trip! On our four-day mini-vacay, we drove up to Southern Utah, to the National Parks of Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon (North Rim) and Zion. It was simply amazing to see such breathtaking natural beauty. In a relatively small area, it is surprising to find such differences in the landscape! And can I just mention the stars at night? They are extraordinary in that part of the country!

On our first full day there, we went to Bryce Canyon and were awed by the spire-like geological formations called “hoodoos” (from the verb “hoodoo” meaning “to cast a spell.”). Really, I swear. I looked it up. On the way back to the hotel, we took a little detour to Navajo Lake for some more gorgeous photo ops (you know, fall-colored leaves, cloudless sky, clear-blue water, that kind of thing.)

The next day we drove down to Northern Arizona to check out the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Since 90% of the Grand Canyon visitors go to the South Rim, it was very peaceful, more rugged and had quite incredible vistas. Like a colorful Dodge Viper Club, for instance, consisting of about 20 of them, parked at the Visitor’s Center. A few hours later, after stopping at many spectacular viewpoints, we saw them following us, so when we could, we pulled over. As they passed by, some of their hand gestures changed into pleasant goodbye waves. Just kidding – they were a very polite group of Vipers indeed.

Later that day, we had an adventure! Ever heard of Toroweap? Well, neither had we, until it was described to us as a “bucket list” kind of place, so, of course we were intrigued. Imagine turning off the paved road and driving about 2 hours on a dirt (read: bone-jarring, teeth-rattling) road with no cell service or any other kind of service, for that matter. But, wow, it was totally worth the drive! This is the narrowest point of the canyon, only about a mile across to the other side, but a 3000-foot sheer drop below to the Colorado River, with no guard rails in sight. We belly-crawled to the edge, and oh my, what a sight! Thrilling!

The last day of our trip took us through Zion National Park on the way home. I can’t tell you how immense the mountains look when they are kind of straight up and towering above you. Amazing! We took a short hike where we saw unbelievable rock formations, hanging gardens, and a babbling brook, complete with waterfalls and everything! You know, even OUR pictures can’t do it all justice. You just have to see it for yourself.

What a great road trip! Enough narration now, just take a look, for goodness sake! We have another exciting trip coming up, and will definitely post some more goodies soon, so ya’ll come on back, ya hear?

Album Design - Christine & Tyler

2010-11-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Sooooooo….after a busy summer, things are starting to wind down a little now, which is a good thing since we have a lot of albums in process and more coming! See how it all works out very nicely? We thought this would be an excellent opportunity for us to show you some of our recent album designs. Here are a few pages from Christine & Tyler’s album, from their wedding this April. Enjoy!

We will also be posting some other goodies in the next few weeks as well, some of them wedding-related, some not so much, but all very much eye candylicious. Come back often, you’ll see.

Danielle & Jonathan - September 18, 2010

2010-09-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

You wanna talk about love? Well, dear friends, love was definitely in the air at Danielle and Jonathan's incredibly beautiful country club wedding! Danielle made a truly stunning bride in a magnificent Ines Di Santo gown, dazzling gold Manolo Blahnik pumps, and a fabulous bouquet of white lilies and roses, Swarovski crystals and feathers! Jonathan, you are one lucky guy! And, oh my, don't you just LOVE first look moments?? The guests were thoroughly enchanted by all the lovely details of the open air wedding and under-the-stars reception at the Glendora Country Club, including an awesome mariachi band, a fun photo booth, a fantastic cigar table, and lots of twinkling lights and feathers. The newlyweds are now off to Fiji for a romantic, sun-filled, relaxing honeymoon. Ahhhhhhhh…

Lindsey & Bryan - September 11, 2010

2010-09-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

Sock puppets! Lindsey and her bridesmaids and family worked for months to create the most wonderful wedding favors ever (formerly known as the "super secret wedding project.") Each sock puppet was different and represented a historical figure (how awesome is that?) The wedding day was filled to the brim with not only fun surprises such as an awesome musical number performed for Bryan by Lindsey and her bridesmaids, but also some truly touching and emotional moments. Lindsey and Bryan are without a doubt embraced by their loving family and friends, and it is obvious they simply adore one another. We are very excited for them as they begin their new life together in one of our most favorite places in the world - Rome - where they will board a European cruise! How fabulous!

Audra & Mark - August 28, 2010

2010-08-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

Audra and Mark's wedding at Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Palos Verdes was an intimate affair with family and close friends. Every elegant detail was thoughtfully planned and executed with the help of Theresa of Dream Weddings Happen, from the exquisite room decorations to the twinkling lights on the ocean-view patio. 24 Carrots Catering provided scrumptious treats including grilled vegetables, olives, spreads and cheeses, rustic breads and an outrageous mashed potato bar with all the fixings! Completing the beautiful décor were the gorgeous flower arrangements by Bloom Where You're Planted. Audra and Mark will be headed to Spain for a romantic honeymoon, and we know they will have a fantastic time!

Maria & Carlos - August 14, 2010

2010-08-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Maria and Carlos' wedding day was filled with beauty, warmth, laughter, love, and music. Seriously, we don’t know how it could have been any better! We have been looking forward to this special day for quite some time, and have come to have a very warm place in our hearts for this amazing couple! We were treated to the outstanding "Mariachi Juvenil Tapatio" who played at the ceremony as well as entertained the bride and groom and their guests at the reception. One of the best we've heard! We wish Maria and Carlos all the best, and hope they have a fantastic honeymoon!

Michele & Colin - July 24, 2010

2010-07-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

A beautiful wedding day, the gorgeous San Diego Harbor, handsome firefighter, Colin and his stunning new bride, Michele. Wow, it was such an amazing day and we were so happy to be a part of it! Michele and Colin's "first look" was so sweet and touching, followed by some crazy antics of their super-fun wedding party! The outdoor ceremony included plenty of laughter and happy tears, while the reception was pure party! We wish the newlyweds all the best for a wonderful Caribbean honeymoon and a lifetime of happiness.

Stephanie & Sean - July 25, 2010

2010-07-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

Newport Beach was the lovely setting for Sean and Stephanie's at-sea wedding! The couple had their "first look" before boarding the beautiful M/V Ambassador, a 128-foot luxury yacht. The ceremony and reception, sailing the Newport Harbor, were wonderful events, especially for their numerous out-of-town friends and relatives. We got to know Stephanie and Sean a little at their beach engagement shoot last year, but one new thing we learned about them at their reception: man, can they dance!!! That ought to come in handy at luaus during their Hawaiian honeymoon! Congrats, guys!

Maria & Carlos - July 14, 2010

2010-07-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

After waiting so long for the June Gloom to clear, we were so excited to finally have a beautiful late afternoon engagement shoot at the beach! It had been quite a while since we had met Maria and Carlos and we were delighted to get to know them a little better during their photo session. You definitely won't want to miss their wedding pictures on our blog NEXT MONTH!

Jennifer & Dennis - June 26, 2010

2010-06-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Dennis' wedding day was full of love, laughter and happy tears, as well as not only one, but two wonderful ceremonies: the first, a beautiful Catholic ceremony at Dennis' home church, and the second, a touching Jewish one at the gorgeous Tustin Ranch Golf Course! The reception literally rocked the house to the very talented "Invisible Touch" DJs, and the dance floor was packed all night long! Jen and Dennis, congratulations and Mazel Tov!

Lindsey & Bryan - June 19, 2010

2010-06-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Isn't it great when you meet two people that you just know were made for each other? Well meet Lindsey and Bryan! Shooting their engagement session at one of our favorite locations (the fabulous Huntington Library Gardens), we were delighted to get to know this easy-going couple. We loved watching (and photographing) the interaction between them, which was part love & tenderness, and part fun and silliness! We are really looking forward to photographing their "Judgment Day" wedding (glad they have a great sense of humor)!

Lilly & Brian - May 15, 2010

2010-05-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

We were so excited for Lilly and Brian's wedding day! Lilly comes from a Cuban family in the coffee business and Brian's family is Irish so you can just imagine the party! The wedding was a beautiful ceremony in the bride and groom's hometown with the reception following at the Downtown Los Angeles Marriott. The ballroom was an aromatic wonderland of the most gorgeous flower arrangements we've ever seen (courtesy of Exquisite Florist Designers!) We were delighted to capture some of the nighttime flavor of the city during a brief interlude from the festive reception. Lilly and Brian, we wish you all the best!

Audra & Mark - May 8, 2010

2010-05-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

With Audra and Mark, we got to combine two of our favorite things: photography and wine! We had such fun with these two at one of our favorite Temecula wineries, and we couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Vibrant colors everywhere! We really must spend more time here - uh - for the photography, of course. Speaking of colors, just wait till you see the beautiful location Audra and Mark have chosen for their August wedding! Spoiler alert: think blue.

Christine & Tyler - April 24, 2010

2010-04-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

We were so excited to be a part of Christine and Tyler's special day! It was such a colorful wedding surrounded by green foliage, vibrant flowers and the lovely waterfall of Coyote Hills Golf Course. The orange and white theme was the perfect accompaniment! We were touched by the closeness of these families and their dear friends. It truly was a splendid day! Off on their Caribbean honeymoon, we wish Christine and Tyler our sincerest congratulations!

Danielle & Jonathan - April 17, 2010

2010-04-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

Danielle and Jonathan took us back to where it all began: The Glendora Country Club, a gorgeous place for sure. They met here when they were teenagers and Jonathan was swimming in competition. It was a lovely day for a photo shoot, and for hitting a few balls, climbing trees, and just having fun goofing around at the pool (kind of gives a new meaning to "taking the plunge!") These two were so much fun and up for anything we threw out there (thank you guys!) You're going to want to check back right here mid-September when we bring you the wedding of this wonderful couple. Can't wait!

Eenar & Steve - April 10, 2010

2010-04-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

The venue was the AMAZING Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates, a hidden gem set into the cliffs with the most beautiful surroundings you can imagine. The day started out cloudy but just after the ceremony, the sun burst through the clouds and gave us the precious gift of vibrant blue skies! Eenar and Steve celebrated their marriage ceremony on this glorious day, embraced by the love of their close friends and family. We wish them all the best and hope they have a wonderful time on their honeymoon in Jamaica!

Andrea & Alex - March 21, 2010

2010-03-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

How much fun did we have with these guys??? And how could we have picked a more perfect Sunday afternoon for a photo shoot??? The Huntington Library Botanical Gardens were ablaze with color on this unseasonably warm early spring day, and the chemistry between these two was unmistakable and sizzling hot! Andrea & Alex, you rock! Not only did we enjoy the company of this very charming couple, we also got some incredible shots, so it was a win-win for all concerned (except perhaps for the mean old security guard lady who tried to throw us out, but that is a story for another time haha.) So now, please enjoy the following eye candy. . .

Lilly & Brian - March 20, 2010

2010-03-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

And now we present the engagement pictures of Lilly & Brian. These guys were such a blast to work with -- we laughed so hard it's a wonder the pics didn't come out all blurry! But through all the laughing and joking around, we could see the deep love and connection between these two. We can't wait for their May wedding. . .what a party it will be!

And the winner is...

2010-03-11T14:24:00.000-08:00

The contest is heating up! Being nominated for Best Wedding Photographer on My Fox LA’s “Best of the OC Hotlist” is quite an honor and we are tickled pink to be in such esteemed company!

Holding strong in third place for several weeks, we have now dropped out of the top five, but don’t worry – there’s still time! The voting is open for one more week, so if you haven’t yet placed your vote, please do it now, and spread the word! TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT! YES WE CAN!

Click here to cast your vote for us!

Michele & Colin - February 13, 2010

2010-02-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

Road trip! We headed down to beautiful San Diego to photograph Michele & Colin's engagement session. Since Colin is a San Diego firefighter, they came up with the very cool idea of using the San Diego Firehouse Museum as a colorful backdrop! This is a wonderful place with all kinds of antique fire trucks and memorabilia, and it was an awesome place to get some fun shots! Then we headed to La Jolla for some incredible sunset action! If you think these are great pictures, just wait till you see their wedding pictures in July!

Bride's Choice Award 2010!

2010-02-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to announce another prestigious award! WeddingWire.com has honored SoCalSunshine Productions with the “Bride’s Choice 2010” award! “The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the Bride's Choice Awards are determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds. This year's winners represent the top five percent of WeddingWire's vendor community, which consists of over 100,000 local wedding professionals nationwide.” (http://www.weddingwire.com/brides-choice-awards )

Once again we wish to thank all of our wonderful clients for trusting us with their precious memories. We love you all!

See our reviews on WeddingWire.com

Jennifer & Dennis - January 31, 2010

2010-02-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

After our original date was rained out, we were very excited to shoot our first engagement session of the year with Jennifer and Dennis! The location was one (super secret) beach we’ve used a few times before, and it was a great place for pics. Jen and Dennis are so cute together and we had such fun photographing their antics, including some crazy water play (brrrrr)! Crazy, maybe, but Jennifer will make a beautiful June bride, don’t you think? By the way, a big shout-out to Becca for bringing us together!

VOTE VOTE VOTE!

2010-01-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is BIG NEWS! SoCalSunshine Productions has been nominated for Best Wedding Photographer on My Fox LA’s “2010 Best of the OC HOTLIST!” It is truly an honor for us to be in the running along with some of the best of the best in Orange County!

We need your help to make us #1, so please vote and spread the word! Thank you for your support and we look forward to another great year!

Click here to cast your vote now!

Just Launched!

2010-01-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

It’s a brand new year and we have a brand new website to go with it! We plan on adding new pictures often, so come back and take a look around every once in a while.

We now invite you to experience our new site: www.SoCalSunshine.com. We welcome your comments.

Cheers,
Gene & Linda

Suzy & Matt - December 19, 2009

2009-12-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

Our last wedding of 2009 was a wonderful event in Rancho Palos Verdes. Suzy and Matt were very fortunate indeed to have a warm, sunny December wedding, while the East Coast was getting a thick blanket of snow! This was especially appreciated by the great many guests who flew in from some of these chilly regions, including several of Matt's VMI buddies. The reception was a blast, including some fabulous photo booth action! Continuing with the "warm" theme, the newlyweds are off to the blissful summer paradise of Australia and New Zealand for their honeymoon. Suzy & Matt, thank you for including us in your special day, and we wish you all the best!

Kauai - December 2009

2009-12-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

Aloha! During the first week of December we took a little break from the photography biz for a short getaway to Kauai, Hawaii. The main reason for the trip was the celebration one of those “BIG” birthdays (you know, one that ends in a “0” sort of like forty.) However, as is common with professional photographers, with the astounding natural beauty of the Garden Island, we just could not put down our cameras!

One of the really fun things we did there was to book an hour-long flight on the Cessna 172 Skyhawk belonging to Wings Over Kauai (http://www.wingsoverkauai.com/), which is owned and operated by Bruce Coulombe and his wife, Ellen, who provides the excellent customer service in the front office. With a Ph.D. in Agronomy, Capt. Bruce’s commentary during the flight, including information on the native vegetation and interesting facts about the amazing sights of Kauai (some which are only viewable by air) was fascinating! We were so thrilled to see this beautiful island from the air! What a breathtaking experience!

During our stay, the North Shore of Kauai experienced 30-50 foot waves, so we HAD to drive up there and witness them (and photograph them) for ourselves, after having seen them the previous day from the air. One extra big wave surprised everyone by surpassing the previous waterline by over 30 feet, making everyone scramble for shoes and bags!

So here is just a tiny fraction of the pictures we took during our mini-vacay, including a few from the air, as well as the obligatory stunning sunrise and sunset pictures (with and without palm trees). Check back in a few days for our last wedding of the year featuring Suzy & Matt! Mahalo!

Taking flight over Kauai

Flying past our hotel - the one with the green roof

Beautiful waterfall in Waimea Valley

The impressive Na Pali Coastline

The huge waves hitting the North Shore

Hanalei Bay

Sunset (with palm trees)

Sunset (without palm trees)

Wailua Falls (as seen on Fantasy Island)

Gorgeous sunrise on our last morning

Lizette & Matt - November 21, 2009

2009-11-22T15:06:00.001-08:00

Oh my gosh! What a fabulous wedding day for high school sweethearts, Lizette and Matt! The whole day held a marvelous mixture of faiths and traditions, including a Jewish blessing, a lasso ceremony, a wine blending ceremony and the breaking of the glass! Felicitaciones and Mozel Tov! Once married, Lizette decided to take advantage of the resources at Black Gold Golf Course to brush up on her swing (LOL!) Afterward, the party got into full swing as well, and contained more dancing per square inch than most, thanks to the awesome talents of Michael with Vision Groove Entertainment! What a great celebration! Matt & Lizette, we wish you all the best as you begin your lives as newlyweds!

Gretchen & Jeff - November 14, 2009

2009-11-15T15:57:00.001-08:00

We've really been looking forward to Gretchen and Jeff's wedding and in no way did their wonderful day disappoint! With the exquisite St. Regis Monarch Beach as the backdrop, this formal affair had both touching moments which included an ancestral ceremony and a tea ceremony, and the whimsical fun of a cartoon artist and an outrageous candy table! We could not have asked for a more beautiful day with mild temperatures and blue skies overhead to wish Gretchen and Jeff all the best as they begin their life together as husband and wife.

Christine & Tyler - October 31, 2009

2009-11-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

We met up with Christine & Tyler in Newport Beach a little while before sunset. Hard to believe it was so warm on the last day of October, but that's why we are so happy to live in beautiful Southern California! We had so much fun with these guys and we could tell they always have fun together! Was it the sparkle on the water or the sparkle in Christine's eye? We're not sure, but there was definitely some major sparkling going on! We can't wait to photograph their wedding next year - we hope you'll come back to see more pics of this amazing couple in April!

Jennifer & Jordan - October 23, 2009

2009-10-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

Jennifer & Jordan's wedding was non-stop glitz and glamour from start to finish! The "first look" pictures of the elegant bride and the stylish groom were taken before the ceremony in an intimate setting. We could feel the emotion between these two, for whom this wonderful day had finally come! Jordan's mother traveled all the way from Bulgaria to witness this happy occasion, and she brought with her the traditional bread ceremony. The couple broke bread over their heads, and from what we understand, since Jennifer got the largest piece, she will rule the roost! Our warmest wishes to the newlyweds!

Mandy & Cory - October 24, 2009

2009-10-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

Mandy and Cory were married in Huntington Beach on a glorious sun-filled day. We were so happy to capture the excitement and emotions of their special day. The informal atmosphere included a fun space for kids to enjoy the day as well as the grownups. The dancing continued until the vintage limo swept the newlyweds away to start their honeymoon in Antigua! Best wishes to the happy couple!

Becky & Eric - October 17, 2009

2009-10-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

If you're a member of Becky's or Eric's family or one of their close friends, you can count yourself lucky to be a part of such a wonderful group! What an extraordinary day we spent among these caring people, some of whom came from as far away as Israel to celebrate this joyous occasion in San Diego. We certainly had a lot of fun with the wedding party, all of whom were great sports and up for anything we suggested! The ceremony and reception were amazing -- full of both touching emotion and delightful fun. This is the kind of wedding that makes us so happy to be photographers!

Shauna & Brandon - October 15, 2009

2009-10-16T22:52:00.001-07:00

It was such a pleasure seeing Shauna and Brandon again! We had the privilege of photographing their wedding last year, and we were thrilled to work with them again in this exciting time in their lives! Their little girl is due in December, and we can't wait to meet the new Miss! Congratulations Shauna and Brandon, and we wish you all the happiness, love and excitement only a bundle of joy can bring!

Stephanie & Sean - September 27, 2009

2009-09-28T22:03:00.001-07:00

Stephanie and Sean chose one of our favorite beach locations for their engagement session. It was really great meeting Sean for the first time and getting to know them both and seeing how fun and crazy they are. Yet even through the playfulness and silliness, we could see the love and tenderness between them. Though their wedding is not until July next year, we are really excited about photographing another wedding on a beautiful Newport Harbor yacht, especially since we were also married on one! And now for your viewing pleasure, we present Stephanie and Sean.

Seventy-five Stars

2009-09-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

We were so excited, we just had to share the news!

SoCalSunshine Productions has just received their 15th perfect 5-star review on ProjectWedding.com! We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you who have taken the time to write such glowing reviews about our service. Providing excellent customer service just comes natural to us, and it is rewarding that it is appreciated so much. We feel we have the greatest job in the world to work with such wonderful people!

<3 Gene & Linda

Sarah & Art - September 19, 2009

2009-09-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Take one very sweet couple, a warm Southern California day, a beautiful venue, and a touching ceremony. Mix in a fun-loving bridal party, a vivacious guest list, and an awesome DJ. Bake until done. What do you get? The super-delicious wedding day of Sarah and Art! Exchanging their vows at beautiful Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club, this wonderful couple shared their special day with their friends and family on a very toasty day. As the evening cooled, the dance floor heated up with the crowd being encouraged by Eric from SoCal-DJ who played all the right tunes to keep the party rocking till the very end. Sarah and Art will be cruising the Mexican Riviera on their relaxing honeymoon, and we wish them all the best!

Gretchen & Jeff - September 5, 2009

2009-09-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

With the Huntington Library Gardens as a beautiful backdrop, Gretchen & Jeff's engagement session was sizzling, and we're not just talking about the temperature! This wonderful location had so much to offer from a photographer's perspective, we plan to come back here often. We had so much fun with these two, who have a wonderful sense of humor, and in spite of the heat, we ended up cracking up the whole time! We can't wait to photograph their wedding at the spectacular St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach later this fall!

Get trashed in Mexico!

2009-09-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Remember this?

Or this?

Who could forget this?

See more here:
http://socalsunshineproductions.blogspot.com/2008/05/roger-hayley-ttd-may-9-2008.html

These are some of the amazing Trash-The-Dress pictures we took in the Cook Islands last year. Now we are taking it to Mexico!

Announcing our Mexico Trash-The-Dress Extravaganza! If you are planning on being in the Los Cabos area the first week of October, pack your wedding gown and tux: we are offering a $99 TTD special! Please contact us at mail@socalsunshine.com to schedule your date. Availability is limited.

Spread the word!

Jennifer & Jordan - August 23, 2009

2009-08-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

What an awesome engagement session! Jennifer and Jordan wanted to do their photo shoot at a place that is near and dear to their heart, so we drove out to Yucaipa to a beautiful, sunny apple farm that boasts (of course) acres of apple trees, a duck pond, impressive Sequoia trees and could not have been a more perfect backdrop! We had a great time playing around with our cool fisheye lens, remote flashes, sun flares, and interesting angles and perspectives. In fact, we were having so much fun with these two, we didn’t want the afternoon to end, and we all lingered over a delicious BBQ dinner right there on the property. We are really looking forward to Jennifer & Jordan’s autumn wedding, and we invite you to check back to see their wedding photos toward the end of October!

Suzy & Matt - August 15, 2009

2009-08-16T12:50:00.001-07:00

We had a blast with Suzy & Matt in Rancho Palos Verdes! They are such a fun couple and it seems we laughed together the whole time. Splitting their time right now between Southern California and Washington, DC, they are looking forward to their wedding in December to begin a new chapter together! We are looking forward to their wedding too, as we know it will be a glorious affair! Check back on this blog at year-end for some more great pictures of Suzy & Matt as husband and wife!

Vicky & David - August 8, 2009

2009-08-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

For a few hours yesterday, we were transported into the wonderful dreamland of Vicky & David's Cinderella wedding. Vicky truly was a fairy princess, arriving by a horse-drawn coach for the beautiful ceremony in the Disney Rose Garden. The reception was an awesome party, with Ryan and Brad from Invisible Touch Events expertly spinning the upbeat dance tunes. Toward the end of the evening, Ryan led the bridal party and guests in a hilarious "Thriller" dance lesson. It looked like so much fun, for a moment we considered laying down our cameras and joining the group! What a wonderful wedding it was. We wish Vicky & David all the best as they begin their happily-ever-after as husband and wife!

Nicole & Jim - July 17, 2009

2009-07-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Part 2 of "The Marine and the Beauty Queen!"
(You can see Part 1 here: http://socalsunshineproductions.blogspot.com/2009/03/nicole-jim-march-21-2009.html.) The wedding of Nicole (Miss Huntington Beach 2005) and Jim (a very proud Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton) was a fabulous combination of respectful military decorum and fun, spirited, raise-the-roof party-making! From the moment of their "first look," to the ceremonial sword arch, to the awesome Porsche ride to the reception, to the cake smash...uh...I mean cutting, the day was non-stop wonderfulness! Indeed, we knew that Jim & Nicole were perfect for each other the first time we met them. They have been through several of Jim's deployments, and they truly deserved a glorious wedding day. We wish the newlyweds a long and happy life together! Oh, and one more thing: Thank you, Jim - and all your groomsmen - for serving our country.