An Engagement Shoot: Millenial Style
When I got hit up by my long time friend Tony to shoot his cousin’s engagement photos I got shook with a little anxiety. While I’m a Swiss Army Knife with a camera, there are a few styles I’m not a seasoned black belt in. I can pull them off, but wedding and engagement photos are something I get nervous shooting. After hopping on a quick call with the soon to be bride Jazmine, my nerves settled. She wanted to take a different approach to her’s and Gerry’s engagement photos, something that suited their millennial foodie lifestyles. She mentioned wanting to get some shots in and around restaurants, which was a huge part of their relationship. I got the Pinterest link and my mind started racing. This is what I’ve been doing the past 15 years, lifestyle photography, capturing people doing what they love.
Jaz expressed her interest in shooting at In-n-Out as well as a ramen spot. I threw out the idea of walking around Little Tokyo and Chinatown where we could get a mix of street and food shots. She was in and we were off to shoot. We started at the In-n-Out in Monterey Park where we the couple was immediately complimented on their matching outfits and we found the perfect table to shoot at. We lucked out getting some great lighting coming in from the window and the angle I was hoping for, the counter and menu backdrop. After our fast food breakfast we headed west to Downtown LA. We cruised the Little Tokyo promenade and hopped into a booth at T.O.T., a classic Japanese restaurant where you can get anything from ramen and bentos to sushi. Then we cruised to Chinatown where we took a lap around the historic Mexican Olivera Street for a warm Churro and some window shopping. Getting to see the plaza popping off with the old folks dancing to a live band was a sweet indicator of what long lasting love will look like for Jaz and Gerry.
To burn off the churro and ramen off we walked back to Chinatown and strolled through the indoor market. We talked about traveling while snapping some shots, I learned of all the places they have lived and traveled and we all agreed we missed the times we’ve spent in Asia, specifically for the food. A quick cruise through the red lantern filled Gin Ling Way I popped off some more shots with the Canon and my Olympus 35mm film camera. Of course we had to comment on the building with the “Rush Hour with Jackie Chan was filmed here” sign. I couldn’t resist dropping on of my favorite lines, “which one of ya’ll kicked me??”. As the Thai night market street vendors were setting up we bounced and headed to our last location hoping the couple had any room left in their full bellies for one more meal.
Walking into Phillipe’s we were shocked to find no line. It seems like every time I’ve been there since my pops first took me 30 years ago, the cafeteria line was almost out there door. We walked straight up to the counter and I let my trigger finger go making sure I didn’t miss any special moments. I usually black out in these moments and push my way around, in this case my camera was hovering 6 inches above an elderly gentleman’s head. Luckily he was pleased to hear we were shooting engagement photos as he said “you’re lucky, any man who brings you to Phillipe’s is a keeper!”. The sweet old man in the Dodgers sweater congratulated the couple and Gerry grabbed the tray of French dip sandos as we headed towards our seats. A table and booth right by the window with a timeless background worked out perfectly. However long this place has been around, it still gives that timeless feeling. It could be the 90’s, it could be the 50’s, it just takes you out of the present anytime you step into that historic establishment. Stuffing our faces with the last piece of French dip, we sighed with exhaustion. Rough day in the office for all of us haha. I scrolled through my camera roll to give them an idea of what we captured and on our way out we had to take a film photo of them using the classic phone booths.
Anytime someone wants to share a special occasion and trusts you to capture a once in a lifetime event it’s always humbling. Celebrating love is something that gets me every time and I want to make sure I do my very best to help bring their ideas to life. Although it was a special day, it seemed like another day in the life for not only the future newly weds, but also myself, making the shoot easy, authentic and fun. It was a pleasure and congrats to the the soon to be bride and groom!
