LOS ANGELES WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - RUSTIN MICHAEL BLOG » Rustin Michael is a Los Angeles based wedding and portrait photographer

If you remember a few months ago I posted about my goal to get moving again this year. Earlier today I completed my first 5k in conjunction with the LA Marathon. I owe it all to my friend Kolby from Solace Arts. He is the one that first brought up the idea of doing a half-marathon in October and also setting small goals such as the 5k we ran today. I am happy to say I was able to run the whole 5K without stopping and I did it my goal of under 30 minutes.

The question remains, how much under 30 minutes was I? My official time according to the race results is 29:47. It took me several seconds to get through the start gate when the race started due to all participants. I started my watch when I ran through the gate and ended at 29:30 according to my timer. I also have a picture of me running less than 10 feet from the finish line with the official clock at 29:36. I know I didn’t set any world or even local records today but I set one for myself. Hopefully I can beat my time the next time I run a 5k. I guess I need to do the next one in under 29 minutes just to be sure I beat my time from today.  

Here are some pictures taken by Kolby’s wife, Emily, and my wife, Victoria. 

Victoria and I just before the race

Trying to get through the crowd at the start. Can you spot me?

Finishing up strong!

Gideon just wanted to play with my medal.

After finishing up I haded back out on the course to use the line of porta-potties I saw about a half a mile into the race, and to find Kolby. I had to go to the bathroom before the race but never saw any bathrooms until I was on the course. I didn’t want to stop for a bathroom break in the middle of a race, although I saw some people that did. After using the restroom and meeting up with Kolby I completed the last part of the race with him. Here we are coming around the turn to the finish line.

On Sunday I drove down to Irvine to meet up with Julia and Thomas for an engagement session. Thomas was in town from Toronto, where he works, for the weekend. The shoot started off with us being threatened to have to cops come after the park ranger thought we were trying to sneak a 2nd car into the park and forgo the $3 parking charge. I think the ranger was just on a power trip. After our little run in with the ranger things calmed down and we were able to get the shoot in.

Julia and Thomas have been doing the long distance dating thing for a while, so I am very excited for them and their upcoming wedding. I am sure it can’t come soon enough for them. Julia and Thomas are so much fun together and I look forward to shooting their wedding in July. Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.

Last Saturday I trekked up to Bakersfield, CA to photograph Vanna and Coleman’s wedding. Since I am still relatively new to CA, I drove through new areas which made the drive enjoyable. It was the furthest north in CA I have been so far. I love how diverse the landscape in CA is. When I first talked to Vanna about her upcoming wedding she granted creative freedom to capture her wedding day. There are so many great images from Saturday’s wedding that I can’t post them all here. I hope these images will give you a taste of how awesome the day was.

Vanna getting ready for the day

The guys watching the NBA playoffs

Coleman admiring his new Bulova watch. A wedding day gift from Vanna.

Coleman getting ready

The guys wanted to have some fun

So did the girls

How about 10 people in a golf cart.

Vanna made a beautiful bride.

A prayer before the ceremony.

The ceremony took place in the park in front of Vanna’s uncle’s house.

After the ceremony I took Vanna and Coleman on a little photo-walk.

The reception took place at Vanna’s uncle’s backyard. Here are few from the reception.

Vanna’s mother hand made the wedding gown.

I couldn’t decide which shoe shot I liked more

The gifts Vanna and Coleman bought each other to celebrate their wedding day.

The rings.

Last Saturday I headed up to the Valley to photograph Anabel & Torin’s wedding in Canoga Park. The ceremony and reception was held outside at the Garden Chapel. The weather forecast was calling for rain. I am happy to say that it held off all day for us, even though at some points the sky looked a little threatening. Blue skies even made an appearance as the day progressed. All in all it was a great day.

Anabel getting ready for her wedding day.

The guys sharing a toast before heading across the street to the ceremony.

Anabel finishing up getting ready.

The girls in the bridal suite just before the ceremony.

Anabel being walked down the aisle by her parents.

I told you we got some blue skies.

The first kiss

Just married!

The guys.

Anabel made a beautiful bride

Torin didn’t look too bad himself.

A couple more portraits

The reception had a mariachi band to entertain us before the dj took over for the night.

Some toasts

A shot from the first dance

Some details from the day.