After posting the photos yesterday of Stephanie+Saxon, my designer friend (the one that helped me design our new Storyline page) emailed me a photo with a little added touch... He said this photo looks like it could be part of Banana Republic's new ad campaign..haha.  I actually kind of like it =)  what you think?! haha

One of the things that's always important in our world of photography is to constantly be shooting.  Like any craft, instrument or sport, the more you practice or do what you love, the better you get.  So as we strolled into the new year without hardly noticing (thanks to Haydn) one of the first things we wanted to do was put together a shoot to start getting our creative juices going again.  Come early Feb, thanks to our assistant Christian, we were able to schedule a weekend, find a couple more than willing to be our models, pin down a location and make some cool new friends all at the same time! =) Meet Stephanie and Saxon ...definitely one of the coolest couples we've been blessed to have crossed paths with!  We have to admit though, after working with these two, we're totally bummed we won't be shooting their wedding but regardless, we know they're going to look great in their photos =) To Stephanie and Saxon, thanks again for being our models...we had a blast with you guys!  So when's sushi?!! =) Here are two of our favorites from the day followed by a link to their Engagement Story.  Enjoy!! =) There's more pics from their shoot at the link below... ****************CLICK HERE FOR THEIR ENTIRE ENGAGEMENT STORY************** ----------------------- On a side note, we're still booking weddings for 2009/2010.  If you have any questions shoot us an email at Weddings@johnlauren.com

Engagement Sessions are such a big part of what we do that they're included in all our Wedding Packages.  Why?!  For a few reasons... 1. It's an endless train track of creative possibilities.  We typically shoot at two locations when we have our Engagement Sessions and the best part about it is anything can happen!  We've been lucky enough to have had couples give us a lot of creative freedom and we love it! =) 2. It allow us to get to know our couples even better!  Whether its an early morning  or a late afternoon start time, two to three hours with our couples typically do that! =) 3. This is probably the most important reason of all...it gives the soon to be Bride and Groom some first hand experience with having our cameras pointed in their direction...before their Wedding day!!!  Unless you're a professional model, having your photos taken can definitely be intimidating!  Trust us, we know!  I totally remember feeling all jittery once we knew we were starting..."what do i do?!" "where do i stand?!" "Oh man, i think he's taking my picture right now!!!" hahah.  All those thoughts can run rapid so for this reason, Engagement Sessions with our couples are a HUGE deal! =)  There's nothing more important to us than to get our couples to a certain comfort level with our cameras. 4. Did I mention, it's a super fun time?!  Our soon to be brides get their hair and make-up done by a pro and best of all, they get to bring and wear anything they want! Ok so enough of my ranting...here are some of our favorite Engagement photos of 2008! It's really a hard decision but we really, REALLY love this image!! ___________________________________ To inquire about availability, packaging/pricing, email us at Weddings@johnlauren.com For general questions/comments: John@johnlauren.com or Lauren@johnlauren.com

One of the key parts of shooting any wedding, at least to us, is to capture each detail of the day. If you're already married then you'll know what I'm talking about when we say that the wedding day goes faster than you realize.  And sometimes because that, the Bride doesn't even get to see all the little details that she and even her Groom, worked so fervently to put together!  So we really make it a point to try to capture those things...from the shoes, to the ring, to the dress and even down to the center pieces...they're shots Lauren and I have to capture! =) So today, here are our favorite Details shots of 2008, in no particular order or category...kind of!  Enjoy! =) Wasn't sure if this one is considered a detail shot but eh, what they hay?! Not sure what it is with this shot exactly but we love it nonetheless =) Another tweener here but no faces+accenting the shoes=Detail shot to us! Seriously?!  Who actually gets to drive off in one of these?!!! These next two shots landed on our Favorite list because even though they are the same location they almost look completely different.  The first we were able to catch the last bit of twilight in the sky...the second, pitch black sky. Last but not least, our favorite dress shots! Off camera lighting on this shot was perfect! ________________________________________ To inquire about availability, packaging/pricing, email us at Weddings@johnlauren.com For general questions/comments: John@johnlauren.com or Lauren@johnlauren.com

Happy New Year! Hahah, ok ok, yeah kind of late we know but Haydn's been taking up a lot of our time and unfortunately, our blog has gotten the bitter end of the stick.  Can you believe she's now 5 weeks old?!?!  Just in case you wanted to follow our little Haydn and her crazy hair as she grows up, Lauren started a little blog called pinstripesnpolkadots just for her and her baby adventures =) Well 2008 came and went faster than we realized and what a year it was!  We got a chance to meet some awesome brides and grooms, shot at locations that we've never shot and overall, grew so much as professionals and as people, not just individually but together, as husband and wife.  So for those of you that have been with us since our days of Beauty for Ashes Photography, we just want to thank you for your support, love and encouragement.  Many if not all of you are part of the reason for our success this past year.  And for all the brides and grooms that believed in our work, trusted our creative thought process and allow our eyes to see your world from our perspective, THANK YOU! =)  Allowing us be be part of your special day is more special to us than you know. So with that in mind, starting tomorrow we wanted to kick off the year by sharing our favorite photos of 2008.  Each day will be broken down in categories so you'll just have to check in each day to find out what category is shown =) For today, I thought it'd be fun leaving you with a few images from a wedding back in 2006.  And hey, just like I tell everyone or anyone new to the photography world...you have to start somewhere and believe or not, this is the first ever wedding that kick started it all for us. Who says you need the most expensive camera to take a nice pictures?!  if someone tells you that, they're lying to you...it's all about the lens =)  All the following photos were shot on my first ever Canon Rebel XT that was given to me as a gift by the person who I now my wife along.  The lens was a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L =) This is one of my favorite photos ever...and i'm not just saying to that to be all "Paula Abdul" nice to myself either, i promise =) Stay tuned the rest of the week for our favorite photos of 2008! ________________________________________ To inquire about availabilty, packaging/pricing, email us at Weddings@johnlauren.com For general questions/comments: John@johnlauren.com or Lauren@johnlauren.com