this moment captured photography

Josh & Debora – Newport Beach Yacht Wedding

September 28, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

We often kick ourselves for taking things for granted, for not appreciating what we have and what we are given. Our lives are a series of moments that line up like dominos. Day in a day out we live and choose and remember. A couple weeks ago, I was reminded of how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful place. As I second shot for the amazing Brian Fletcher in photographing Josh & Debora’s wedding on the Endeavor, the beauty, that I call home, was evident.

In getting to know them, I discovered that they were together for over 6 years and never lived together. I honored them for that, because I know it could not have been easy. They agreed to a first look and from the moment they saw each other, you could see in their faces that their long wait was over. Like your favorite pair of jeans, they fit just right. The last domino was finally in place behind 6 consecutive years of dominos – And it could finally be knocked over. Their new life could begin. It was perfect

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Posted in Weddings | Tagged Josh & Deborah, newport beach, Wedding, Yacht Wedding | 6 Comments »

Expressions of a little girl

September 2, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

This morning as I got ready for work, Elise got up with me and soon after Giuliana awoke with a squalk. Showered and dressed, I gave out hugs and kisses to two of my girls. Giuliana grinned and reached out for me. As I held her, she looked up at me - smiled – put her arms around my neck - squeezed - and rested her head on my shoulder for about a minute. I couldn’t see her face while she hugged me but Elise said, she was smiling from ear to ear. I melted.

So I decided, since Giuliana is fast approaching 1 year old, I should update the world on her cuteness. I’m fairly certain that the cuteness level is quite high, yup. Biased you say, absolutely! Hard not to be after that hug.

I snapped these about a month ago and I’m convinced, she’s more of a natural in front of a camera than most of us are, well at least more than I am. Sometimes I honestly think she’s posing. However, the expressions of our little girl are what crack me up. For those of you who have little girls and get early morning hugs… Enjoy them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Families & Children, Newborn & Infant, Personal | Tagged Children, family, Giuliana, hug, little girl | Leave a Comment »

The Big Orange Balloon

August 31, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

This past week Elise and I have been going through literally thousands of photos so we can get a bunch printed and make some fun family albums. We came across a bunch from January, yes January, when we packed up and went to Irvine’s, Great Park Balloon . Elise checked it out and thought it would be fun… she was right. If you haven’t gone, set a date and go! It’s FREE and amazing. The kids absolutely loved it… and the “big” kids loved it too. With huge fields to run around, throw a frisbee, kick a soccer ball or just lay out for a picnic, you can make a day of it. JohnPaul, Maggie, Sofia and Giuliana were amazed at this Big Orange Balloon (that’s what they called it) going up and down in the air. The balloon is actually the first of it’s kind in the United States. It’s not a “hot-air” balloon but is in fact a tethered helium balloon, 118 feet tall. It takes you up 400 feet and you can see for miles. Super fun and well worth it.

The clouds looked as though someone had painted them

Giuliana was only 4 months old here…

Without fail, JP and Mags always try to squeeze each other’s heads off in an attempt to pose for a picture

boo-boo’s heal much faster with transformer bandaids… they have special powers, yup

Sofia was content running around the inside of the balloon’s basket

On this photo I used a texture I shot of a cool fabric I found in balloon waiting area

Posted in Families & Children, Landscape, Personal | Tagged Children, family, Great Park Balloon, Irvine | 1 Comment »

Summer Fun with Friends!

August 18, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

This past Sunday, we packed up the Tahoe and headed South to meet up with some great friends from college, Dominic and Christine. Where did we go to college, you ask… Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio… Best university in the country… thanks for asking.

Anyway, the kids were wired and it was just shy of 137 degrees out, so we pulled out the kiddy pool, swung from trees, used lincoln-logs as swords (yup) and had some good summer fun! Dom & Christine, great to see you guys!

After everyone was out of the pool, Sofia just stood, grinning in the middle, completely content with filling her blue tea cup and drinking the pool water that they had been playing in for the past hour… mmmm tasty

Yes Sofia, that’s the moon…

Elise and I just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary… Love you babe!

Just after sunset the sky was incredible…

Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Families & Children, Newborn & Infant, Personal | 4 Comments »

Tim & Cami Wedding

August 11, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

Tim & Cami were married on July 31st at the beautiful St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Huntington Beach. From there we headed over to the OC Performing Arts Center. Tim is a trained opera singer so this was really special for him. Having previously performed there, he was like a kid in his own backyard, knowing every nook and cranny. “Oh let’s get some shots up on the balcony…or…There’s a great statue around the corner, well it’s not really a statue but it’s great, let’s take some over there.” Skipping around like he owned the place, and hand-in-hand with his bride he was smiling from ear-to-ear…and Cami was skipping right along with him. From OCPAC we headed over to Costa Mesa Country Club for the reception. And, just before the sun disappeared we snuck onto the course and were rewarded with absolutely perfect light.

Side note: I would like to just say that Tim & Cami are two, incredibly sincere, and convicted, and giving people. Yes, they are in love with each other, as you will see clearly in the photos, but they are also sincere and convicted about their lives and their faith. They understand what it means to be “married” and to be “family”…and it shows. As I walked the dance floor during the reception I overheard family and friends, thanking them for the impact they had in their lives. That really hit me so I wanted to share, and honor them for their good example. Thank you and congratulations on your new life together.

A super big thank you to the amazing Brian Fletcher who was my second photographer for the wedding. You can check out his work at Brian Fletcher Photography. He rocks. If you haven’t seen Tim & Cami’s engagement photos yet, and would like to…click here.

The warm natural light just before the sun sets is as perfect as it gets

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Posted in Weddings | Tagged Costa Mesa Country Club, Huntington Beach Ca, OCPAC, SVDP, Tim & Cami, Wedding | 12 Comments »

Tim & Cami Engaged

June 22, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

Laguna Beach rocked! Tim & Cami rocked more! We trucked on down to Laguna and hit a few cool spots and then ventured a few miles further south and hit the beach. A thousand steps later we were welcomed by massive waves that sprayed water 40-50 feet in the air, richoceting off anything that got in their way. It was super duper rad and we got some killer shots. We also grabbed a few great bloopers to add to our gag reel collection. To say the least Tim & Cami were great sports… and completely drenched by the end of the shoot. We can’t wait for their wedding on July 31st at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church and Cost Mesa Country Club.

Enjoy and don’t forget to leave a comment below the last shot.

Blooper 1: The shot below is one of many waves that tried to foil the shot above… we prevailed!

Blooper 2: shot below (hysterical) wave completely engulfed Tim & Cami as we attempted the shot above

Blooper 3: Love this next shot below. There were 4 photog on the beach shooting and one brave-crazy soul convinced his clients to climb up on the ledge for some shots. I on the other hand chose life. Needless to say, they survived.

Thanks for stopping by! Let your friends and family know we are still available for 2010-2011 wedding commissions.

Posted in Engagement | 3 Comments »

Joe & Leigh – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

June 9, 2010 by thismomentcaptured

We spent a couple weeks in Hilton Head, S.C with my brother and his NEW WIFE!!! WOOHOO!!! Joe and I have shared a lot in our lives. A lot of laughs and tears, good times and broken bones, knocked out teeth and boomerang’s to the face, crabbing expeditions (yes… c-r-a-b-b-i-n-g) that ended up in the emergency room, and bacon-cooking expeditions (which um… also ended up in the emergency room…but that wasn’t my fault). Anyway, Joe lived through his childhood and…um… I’m a better man for it? Yeah!

Back in December, Joseph was married to an amazing southern gal, Leigh. She rocks! As a gift to them both, we all had some fun. She brought her gown and he brought his tux. They bought some flowers, put their faces on… and BAMM we hit Harbor Town on Hilton Head Island. Ok, the whole face-putting-on-thing, took a little longer than expected so we only had about 45 min of sun light left but, nonetheless… 917 pictures later, we sat down for a drink and some laughs. I would like to thank my sister and newly hired (and fired) assistant for all her help (litterally running around and tossing me lenses when I beckoned… she left a trail of batteries and lens caps in her wake…). Anywho, here are a few fun shots with my bro-joe and his super fun wife, Leigh. Welcome to our crazy family Leigh!

Enjoy and don’t forget to leave a comment in the section below the last picture to tell us what you think.