And now for something really different… I had a great opportunity recently to shoot an engagement photo session for Anna and Kyle in a bar just outside of Orange County! Yep, a bar. We shot their session in a Downtown Pasadena bar because they wanted something a little different than most couples. So to give them a more dramatic feel for images we used off-camera lighting. As an Orange County wedding photographer, I do love the opportunities to venture into Los Angeles when the moment strikes.
One thing I find often as an LA wedding photographer is the couple doesn’t think they would photograph well. Anna and Kyle were no different, but we each absolutely loved their pictures. We had a fun time and got something a little different from this. Though, of course, being mainly a natural light photographer, I also shot some great pictures in the alley behind the bar. Sometimes it’s important to remember that we can create something awesome out of something ordinary like a back alley and a bar.
Anna and Kyle are getting married this fall at the Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont, California. We are so excited about their upcoming wedding. I hope you enjoy their love story….
Anna and Kyle’s Love Story
Anna’s Perspective….
Q: What do you do for work?
A: I am the senior graphic designer for a glass and crystal engraving company.
Q: How did you first meet Kyle and describe to us your thoughts upon first meeting him. And was he goofy, weird, prince charming, etc?
A: I first met Kyle in seventh-grade science class; I saw him from across the room. I thought he looked like a nice boy and I really liked his hair. The first time we talked he was pretty nerdy, which I liked because I was a nerd too.
Q: What is something that you find totally cute about Kyle?
A: How he talks to our cat (Mickie Meowse) when nobody is around (or when it’s just me). He doesn’t really like cats in general, but I never expected him to love our cat as much as he does. I don’t think he expected it either, honestly.
Q: What’s the proposal story? How did it all unfold and were you surprised?
A: He ordered a diamond-shaped crystal from the company at which I work with the engraving, “Will you marry me?” on the front. He ordered it under the name Ryan Wilson so I wouldn’t find out (since I would be prepping the artwork for his order). For a split second, I thought, what if that’s him and he’s using a different name? But that thought ran out of my head pretty quickly. A week later, I get home from work and while setting my stuff down on the kitchen table, he gives me a box to open. I thought it was cake because the box looked like a little cake box. Excited for food, I open it fast and see the diamond. I pause, say something like “whaaa….” and then after a loud and nervous “OKAY!!!” he gets down on his knee in front of me and says, “Anna, will you marry me?” Still shocked, I say way too loudly and clearly, “Yes!” and then set the ring down on the table. He yelled saying I’m supposed to put it on now! It was really funny how nervous we both were at that moment. It was very surreal, but after a few minutes it hit us and we both laughed and maybe cried a teeny tad.
Q: As you plan your wedding, what has this experience been like? What’s your advice to others as they plan their wedding?
A: I thought it’d be really crazy and stressful, but so far it’s been awesome. Everything fell into place, we’re having a lot of fun along the way and we’re really grateful to have our families support and help us. It’s way more fun than I expected for sure. My advice to others would definitely be just that; keep an open mind when planning anything (big or small) because it might not work out with Plan A (but it doesn’t mean that Plans B or C will suck). What matters, in the end, is that you two will be super excited to see each other on opposite ends of the aisle.
Q: If Kyle were an animal, what would he be and why?
A: I’d love to say a giraffe just for kicks, but quite honestly he’d be something more loyal and trustworthy… like a German shepherd or a sheepdog. I’m probably thinking too much cop, but his personality fits perfectly with both of those traits. Apparently, wolves are loyal, and I like wolves, but Kyle might not appreciate that (oh well).
Q: If you were Kyle, what did you most likely get detention for in High School?
A: Probably playing pranks with those little popping firecracker things or making ketchup packets explode everywhere.
Kyle’s Perspective….
Q: What do you do for work?
A: I work in law enforcement.
Q: Describe Anna in one word and why did you choose that word?
A: Fun. Anna is my best friend and I can honestly say I have more fun when we’re together than when we’re apart.
Q: Tell us about your first date. What did you do and were you nervous?
A: I think it was a movie. I can’t even remember the movie because I was so nervous. The whole time I was thinking, “Should I hold her hand? Is she having fun? Should I give her a kiss? Does my breath smell?”
Q: Was Anna surprised when you proposed and why did you choose to propose the way you did?
A: I think she was, even though she’ll probably deny it – haha. I thought of my whole proposal idea with the intent of surprising her. We had known for a while that we would eventually get engaged, but I wanted the proposal to still be a surprise. I decided to ask her two weeks prior to our actual anniversary instead of on our anniversary just in case she was anticipating it.
Q: Looking towards the future, what do you most look forward to doing with Anna?
A: I look forward to traveling together, buying a house and starting a family.
Q: If you were Anna, what would you most likely sing if you were singing in the shower?
A: Right now, probably “American Money” by Borns.
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