Favorites
Make sure to click on the "Vote Here!" button under your favorite photo.
The five with the most votes gets moved up here!
The five with the most votes gets moved up here!
I was meant to photograph Elisha and Gideon's wedding. And it's odd to think that there is, of course, the possibility that they could have used one of the millions of photographers out there today. Yea, I believe in all that destiny stuff. I do, sorry, deal with it! So it was destiny that brought us together but first it was a referral that got them my phone number. I booked Gideon's cousins wedding a year ago (happening this Friday!) and so it was his aunt that referred me for their's. I met with Gideon and Elisha and felt a connection immediately. I loved hearing their story and I tried to hold back the tears when Elisha told me her mother was no longer here and one of the things she treasured was her mom and dad's wedding album. I arrived at that meeting wanting to shoot their wedding because if their connection to Rachel and Brian and I left that meeting wanting to be there for them and to create a wedding album of their own to treasure.
And then Elisha's aunt emailed me. Michelle and I have known each other since we were four. We played ding-dong-ditch together, snuck into our first R rated movie together (Carrie) and sang Barbra Streisand songs into our hairbrushes into the wee hours of our sleepover nights. Michelle and I lost touch as we moved into our adulthood but through the beauty of Facebook there she was again. And now she was emailing me, telling me that her niece Elisha just told me she had already booked a photographer and that her name was Karen Ard! And just like that, the meeting I had just had with them all flashed through my head again, like a sped up movie. Her mom had passed (no... that was Michelle's older sister), her grandmother was no longer with us (Michelle's mom... the one whose car we would sit in to listen to the radio...)... I was hearing all the stories run through my head again, the stories that linked us together, and I started to cry. Michelle reminded me that I had held Elisha as a baby at Michelle's Sweet 16 and now I was taking her wedding pictures. Destiny.
Elisha and Gideon, I have had such a great time getting to know you both. You guys are hilarious together - so sweet and so supportive of each other. I simply can not wait for your August wedding. It will be an emotional day for many reasons and I am so grateful that I will be witness to your marriage and the one there to capture it for you. Elisha, I hope you can find a baby picture of yours with us together so I can post it on the blog!
This is Matai. He will be making the occasional guest appearance...
Ya gotta love when a client trusts you and does whatever you tell them to. Of course it helps that these two are goof-balls!
We also headed over to a local skating rink since Gideon is a huge fan...
We had so much fun together and they are so silly that I had to make a bloopers reel. Enjoy!
It's come to my attention my phone service is momentarily down. While Time Warner does their magic, please feel free to contact me via email if you cannot get through by phone right now. I hope this is resolved by the end of the day. Thanks you for your patience!
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/06/phone-service-temporarily-down.html
I've known this gorgeous girl since she was born now here I am taking her high school senior portrait. This would normally make me feel old but it's been great watching her grow into the young lady that she is.
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/06/high-school-senior-calabasas.html
They meet on a Navy base in San Diego. Somehow, with different work schedules, times on the island and, well, life, they managed to met and fall in love. I'm sure it was Stephanie's freckles that charmed him and his adorable smile that did her in too. (remember the awesome engagement session we did?)
Although they no longer reside in San Diego, they decided to bring it full circle and have a destination wedding there, overlooking the marina at the Island Palms with just the closest of family and friends.
I was super excited to find out that Andrew would be honoring his Scottish heritage by wearing a kilt, along with his groomsmen! He even had family fly all the way in from Scotland for the occasion! And although the day was very cloudy, nothing could put a damper on this amazing day.
One of the most delicate bouquets I've seen, by Point Loma Village Florist.
I loved the whole DIY beachy theme, besides the fact that this is my favorite color!
I love that Stephanie and Andrew choose to see each other before the wedding. It gave us time to get some great photos and they really enjoyed hanging out with each other and their bridal party before the ceremony. Andrew got se teary seeing Stephanie... both times... so sweet... Stephanie took in the whole traditional clothing Andrew wore.
Dennis with Premier Entertainment rocked the house all night. This is what a good DJ can do...
Click here to see a slideshow and remember to leave a comment and vote for your favorite!
Stephanie Greeson Says:
Karen these pictures are amazing! Thank you soooo much!!! We had sucha great time :)
(06.04.10 - 08:41 AM)
Lynda Greeson Says:
Karen, what a fantastic job you have done. Looking at all these pictures, and the slide show, made me cry all over again. Happy, happy tears for my son and gorgeous daughter-in-law. Andrew & Stephanie's wedding was so much fun and you have captured that with your images. The happiness on EVERYONES faces, you caught it. You were awesome too!! Haning in there until almost the very end. Thanks again for everything :-)
(06.05.10 - 08:53 AM)
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/06/stephanie-andrew-married.html
I thought I'd do another quick post of some headshots I did in the last month or so. Whether for an acting gig, business website, real estate promo or maybe even a social networking site, I always meet some great people in my community when I do these.
Okay, sorry everyone else but Justin Grafman is my favorite. What a doll! We shot the day after my birthday and he brought me a gift! With his own money! What a giving spirit this kid has! Justin needed to update his headshot. You might recognize him from the movie "All About Steve", "Scrubs" or some other shows...
From Rocket Science Talent Agency, two more extraordinary visual effects artists... Michael Owen...
...and John Berton...
College grad photo of Monica for her announcements and resume...
Need a great real estate agent? Contact Ellen!
And my favorite.. the 'just because' portrait.
http://karenard.com/blog/2010/06/los-angeles-headshots.html