they were giddy with nerves, while the scent of bbq, cotton candy, and all-things-fried danced between the sounds of the orange county fair. and, as if the over-sized camera wasn't enough to draw attention to our intention, three jumbo multi-color balloons trailed at the end of a few pieces of ribbon, loosely grasped in susan's left hand.

people were watching.

it didn't take long, however, for the surrounding crowd to melt away, leaving susan & sam the moment to enjoy this fleeting portion of their story.  amidst all the planning, the checklists, the meetings, the budget... and amidst the busiest part of orange county during the summer, susan & sam enjoyed their company... he enjoyed his fiancee, and she enjoyed her prince.

as always, the engagement shoot left all of us famished.  fortunately enough, the shoot ended caddy-corner to the bbq corn booth.  coincidence???  i think not ;)

enjoy.the.story.
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Blair Van Bussel says:

Ohmygoodness....so super sweet! Such an adorable couple, and the colors of the fair are just so fun! Awesome job as always! :)

(09.02.10 @ 10:53 AM)
{15:51} photography says:

I've seriously been having a love affair with your blog for at least a year now! It's so delicious and intoxicating!! Keep up the great work!

(09.02.10 @ 09:18 AM)
Vivian says:

AWWWW SUJAN!! You guys look amazing! I hope Vit and I look as good and natural as you both did in these pictures. Love the outfits! KUDOS GABRIEL AND CARLIE!

(09.02.10 @ 09:08 AM)
Hanna says:

Fun to be their assistant that day. Had a whole entourage. =) fun fun fun! It was nice meeting you and your fam! Pics are sooo amazing. Great job!!

(09.01.10 @ 05:31 PM)
Christine says:

Wow! These are amazing! I'm so proud to say I'm their Planner...can't wait to meet/work with you in person!

(09.01.10 @ 05:00 PM)
Lauren says:

Best and cutest Asian couple ever! Love these pictures!

(09.01.10 @ 04:58 PM)
Marci says:

Such an amazing e-sesh!! Seriously some of your best work!!!!!

(09.01.10 @ 04:54 PM)
Tracy Wallace says:

gorgeous couple and session. The carousel ones are super cute

(09.01.10 @ 04:32 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Orange County Engagement Photography - Susan and Sam . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://gabrielryan.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/52
he simply adores her.

he might reach out for a slight touch on her elbow, and point out the way the light was beaming down through the clouds.  or, while still waiting for his bride, earlier in the day, he might stop for just a moment, and in his pause, think about her.  you could tell he was thinking about her.  because, ben simply adores alex.

from a relaxed morning, with alex getting ready in the calm of her parent's home... to a serene cliff-side wedding reception in palos verdes...  to an intimate backyard dessert reception...  alex and ben's wedding day flowed effortlessly, much thanks to kerrie and her team from platinum weddings, but also because alex and ben are people who are so in tune with what they value, that only the important elements received their attention, leaving their wedding day [and their story] free from the distraction & clutter of excess.

thank you again, kerrie, for your planning & compassion.  thank you melody from my sweet & saucy for delivering another incredible cake [my camera & my sweet tooth perk up every time we see you on the list of vendors].  thank you josh elliott for assisting me throughout the day.  and most of all, thank you alex & ben for choosing gabriel.ryan.photographers.  i've said it a million times, but the invitation into the heart of your story truly is a blessing.

enjoy.the.story.

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check back later for the slide show and more photographs...


Tracy Wallace says:

What a beautiful location. Looks like you shared in what was an amazing day for the B & G and their family and friends.

(08.31.10 @ 02:19 PM)
Evie Perez says:

Great job you two!!! This was a beautiful wedding ::)

(08.31.10 @ 09:39 AM)
Emily Scott says:

i love palos verdes and i loved driving up to the cliffs when i was in high school. this brought me back. you captured everything so well, the scene but also the couple and the simplicity & beauty of the wedding!

(08.30.10 @ 11:38 AM)
Stephanie Krasovec says:

Great pictures!!!!! Just to correct the flock of birds seen are actually pelicans - Amazing day and wonderful captured moments by a great photographer

(08.28.10 @ 03:27 PM)
Dillon Krasovec says:

yea you hardly ever see flying geese in that area. OH and that panoramic james bond picture of the crew... bad-A

(08.28.10 @ 03:14 PM)
Kaylee Pollitt says:

These pictures seriously turned out great. Good thing you had a photographer who could capture how beautiful the ceremony was.

(08.28.10 @ 01:43 PM)
Dennis Bullock says:

Wow these are amazing!

(08.28.10 @ 01:30 PM)
Alexandra Krasovec says:

Gabriel, you did an absolutely fantastic job! You captured the feel of the day exactly. Ben and I could not have dreamed for more. It was such a pleasure working with you. Thank you so very much for making our special day such a delight (and a complete breeze). Love, Alex and Ben.

(08.28.10 @ 11:12 AM)
Tori G says:

Oh, my. I LOVE how you captured such a lovely bride in a simply gorgeous ceremony. What a lovely wedding. And oh, the flock of geese totally reminded me of a quote from 'Runaway Bride'..."V! V for, for v-Victory, that's it!"

(08.28.10 @ 08:39 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: A Cliff-Side Wedding in Palos Verdes - Alex and Ben . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://gabrielryan.net/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/51
our little family moved to a new place a few weeks ago and since we are almost settled in i think it's a good time to start looking for design inspiration!! i love searching the internet for new decor ideas and seeing how other people put things together that i would never think to do!! i wanted to share some of my favorites!!

this room is lovely. i love the mix of blues, reds and yellows. the wallpaper is gorgeous! amand-peet-bedroom.jpg (JPEG Image, 500x265 pixels).jpg
i love this room because it has a more clean modern feel. it's more masculine which i don't mind since i am sharing the room with a man! ;) Nate+Berkus_s+bedroom.jpg (JPEG Image, 400x320 pixels).jpg
and i love this because our bed is already very similar and the walls are crisp white. 3368201490_ba5ab45810_o.jpg (JPEG Image, 500x666 pixels).jpg
now for lincoln's room i can't decide between two totally different looks. one is more "mature" i guess. and the other is more fun and playful. maybe i'll mix both. boysroom_123.jpg 3407329227_7ba4083d66.jpg (JPEG Image, 354x375 pixels).jpg
here is my inspiration for our living room. i just love blue grays, gold, yellow and white together! Google Image Result for http___4.bp.blogspot.com__ELLvkVDaHHU_SOvL1cOJqcI_AAAAAAAAA8Q_DvAcWXzN_0I_s400_Blue+Entry+dresser_domino.png.jpg
and i love this living room too! living rooms - full house striped blue rug sofa chair full house.jpg
and i can't forget the office!! domino+klj7.jpg (JPEG Image, 354x375 pixels).jpg look 4 less - finds - spaces (idea boards)-1.jpg domino123.jpg (JPEG Image, 354x365 pixels).jpg 
 
now the hard part, growing a money tree.
shanni says:

don't worry about the money tree lady!!! DIY, Flea Market, and Craigslist can become your new BFFs!!!

(08.31.10 @ 04:05 PM)
Evie Perez says:

I love decor!! I am such an HGTV junkie. I love the ideas you have. I love the second picture from the bottom. The white desk, chair, turquoise and the wall paper is awesome. Reminds me of the beach ::)

(08.31.10 @ 09:43 AM)
amanda rae says:

thanks carlie...now i want to completely redecorate!!! these are all sooo amazing!

(08.30.10 @ 06:44 PM)
carlie says:

hi kelsey- http://www.decorpad.com - one of my favorite websites! they have tons of inspiration for every room!

(08.26.10 @ 05:36 PM)
Kelsey Clark says:

Carlie, I love the first bedroom and the second living room. Where did you find the photos for those two rooms? Thanks :)

(08.25.10 @ 12:22 AM)
Aly says:

apartmenttherapy.com is my new design obsession. highly recommend it...im hooked!

(08.24.10 @ 07:08 PM)
amy vogel says:

Oh! If you find one let me know! I could use some cha-ching for decorating as well! ;)

(08.24.10 @ 04:19 PM)
Mary Dunlap says:

LOVE! Can't wait to see what you come up with! I'm with you on the money tree...no luck here : )

(08.24.10 @ 12:50 PM)