A Smokin’ Editorial Engagement Session: Bakersfield, CA

It was music to my ears. A couple from Los Angeles, CA who wanted to come back to roots of Bakersfield and experience open field scenarios that Bakersfield is so known for! It made me remember how special my city is. Sometimes we get comfortable in our surroundings and we forget to see the wonder in its beauty!

When a super cool and strong couple contacts me and then sends me their session inspiration that involves Kim + Kanye’s Vogue editorial session…I can’t help but dance inside and freak out just a little. I mean, come on, it’s Vogue! I spend so much time looking at these magazines dreaming of the day that my images could be featured inside one of them and this is the inspiration they brought to me. Somehow, I knew it was in my bones-and heck yes I was going to do everything I could to evoke the emotion and passion behind that session.

It was a given, the direction we would take for the sunset photos inspired by K+K’s session…what was missing was the other half of their session. In most occasions on a full engagement session, I like to do a two part series to give my clients a good selection and variety. But…honestly, this one was a tough one. How would I come up with an idea that could work as a partnership to the ever so epic ending we were going to have. I needed something casual but strong-and after, literally weeks, of brainstorming, I was driving and WAM! It hit me. A sultry warehouse inspiration. And there it was, the missing piece to a strong collection for an even stronger couple.

Oh man. Everything within me awakens as I process and look through this collection. Thank you so much Mike + Kathy for trusting me this much on something that you hold so dear to your heart. I know how much you care about photographs and documenting memories. It was an honor to witness you guys expressing the depths of your love to one another on an engagement session.

If you go all the way to the end, you’ll be so delighted to encounter an engagement video from the amazing Brian Yanez! You will love it. I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I did! With all my heart and soul….

I’m so nervous to even show you, but below you’ll encounter the inspirations given to me from Kim + Kanye’s Vogue Editorial Session. I never ever try to copy the images exactly-I just take it as a feeling or an overall vibe they’re loving about the images and try to recreate that same overall vibe in a way that feels genuine to Mike and Kathy. Honestly…they nailed it to the max! I later realized that they chose this inspiration because they connected to it-it’s like it was them. That’s why it came second nature for them to live it out.