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

One year ago today Victoria and I were blessed with our son Gideon. It is truly amazing how fast the year has flown by. Today we had fun celebrating his first birthday. Here are some images and video from our day.

Opening a present from Grandma and Grandpa Weaver.

Gideon loves his new toy!

One of the presents from us to Gideon. He picked it out at Target last night.

Another fun toy for Gideon from us.

It only took about a minute of playing with his new toy until Gideon closed the hatch on his fingers.

Gideon’s birthday cupcake from Yummy Cupcakes.

Gideon didn’t really want to smash it like most 1 year children would, so we cut it up into pieces and he ate it with a fork.

The loves of my life!

It is fun to watch Gideon dance to music.

Earlier this month I met up with my friends Jack & Mary for a “day after” session at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. I met Jack and Mary about this time last year. They were engaged at the time and sadly they had already picked their wedding photographer for their December 2008 wedding. Over the past year we have become good friends. Mary approached me over the summer and asked if I would consider doing a session with them in their wedding clothes since they really like the style of my work, of course I said yes. They were happy with their wedding photos but wanted some images on the beach which they didn’t get a chance to get on their wedding day.

Time can fly by on a wedding day. If one thing is behind on a wedding day there may not be as much time for photos as planned. Since most the group shots and the bride and groom together photos are done after the ceremony it is important to not run late even if everything else is already late that day so the wonderful food you have catered for your guests doesn’t get cold or dried out. That is the reason I always love engagement session and “day after” session. There are no real time constraints. Although the term “day after” usually refers to the day after your wedding this session can take place at anytime after your wedding day usually within the first year.

I loved the location that Jack and Mary chose. Here are some of my favorites shots of Jack & Mary at El Matador beach. Thanks again to Roberto Valenzuela for coming along and assisting, always good times.

This past Saturday I headed up the coast to Malibu to capture Ryan & Lisa’s beautiful wedding at the Stone Manor private estate. Everything was perfect about the day, the nice Fall weather brought cooler temperatures and a nice breeze, the skies were clear and beautiful, and the light was amazing. Stone Manor has so many amazing places to shoot. I hope to shoot another wedding there again soon. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

I arrived just before Lisa put her dress on.

A few finishing touches before the ceremony

The ceremony

The exchanging of the rings

First Kiss

Just married!

Lisa and her girls were stunning.

Ryan and his guys looked dapper.

The full wedding party

Lisa

Ryan

Some portraits of Ryan & Lisa together. I am so happy they scheduled plenty of time to shoot just them at this amazing location. I love when couples give me time to play.

The reception

Toasting as the sunset.

The first dance

Lisa’s amazing custom made dress from L’ezu of Beverly Hills

Some additional details.