Candice and Colin at St. Regis Monarch Bay

Bride with Design Visage

The elegant St. Regis Monarch Bay was the perfect start and end to Candice and Colin’s wedding celebration April 28. The couple chose the picturesque Laguna Presbyterian Church for their vows, and the St. Regis Mediterranean Rooms and Balcony were combined to create an elegant and intimate reception.

Wedding planning was provided by Lisa Simpson. Other services for the day included the talented Design Visage (hair and makeup), DJ and uplighting by Mark Cherney from Music Man Events, Fusion Linens, Keith J. Laverty Florals and Lawrence Crandall Photography. [Read more...]

Newborn Photography – Announcing Kayla!

Family portrait with six week old baby Kayla

I had the opportunity to visit Natalie and Steven last week, and was introduced to baby Kayla (only six weeks old)!  What a cutie she is. Aren’t they a gorgeous family?  I also recently took some Maternity Photos of Natalie just last month; both Maternity and Newborn photo sessions were taken in their home. [Read more...]

Ritz Carlton Monarch Bay Sunset Terrace and Plaza Room Wedding

Grand Entrance Ritz Carlton Plaza Room Jennifer and James

I revisited one of my absolute favorite locations in Orange County, CA for weddings a couple of weeks ago. Jennifer and James planned an elegant wedding at the Sunset Terrace, with reception at the adjacent Plaza Room at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point.  I like this location for several reasons: there is a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean, the cocktail and reception area are literally steps from the ceremony, the Plaza Room is intimate yet has doors that open to a balcony view [Read more...]

Maternity Photography

Silhouette portrait of Natalie pregnant

We develop a lasting relationship with some of our clients, photographing important milestones long after the wedding. Natalie and Steven were married in 2011 at Dana Point, CA. Last week I spent a hour with Steven, Natalie and her mother Heidi at the couple’s new home, and we came away with some very fun shots! Natalie didn’t mind if I shared a few of my favorites, so here they are. By the way, she gave birth 48 hours after these photographs were taken. To see some newborn photography photos of baby Kayla, see our other post. [Read more...]

What do these wedding photos have in common?

Grandmother of the Bride

We’ll give you some hints: It isn’t some Photoshop filter, the budget of the wedding or the latest hot lens. What these unrelated photographs have in common is this: Pure emotion of the moment. Distilled to its essence, recorded in a split second.

As a bride planning your wedding, you want to create an experience where the guests enjoy themselves, the details are special, and your family and close friends feel honored. It’s a highly emotional day, from early morning hugs to partying the night away. [Read more...]

St. Regis Botanical Gardens Wedding of Kathleen and Jeff

Bride and Groom silhouette photo at Sunset

Kathy and Jeff enjoyed a perfect Fall day and were joined in the St. Regis Botanical Gardens.  The intimate ceremony was witnessed by close family and friends, including Kathy’s two daughters and Jeff’s two sons. We wish this special couple happy days ahead, and this preview of some of the many photos taken by Lawrence Crandall Photography. [Read more...]

St. Regis Rotunda and Staircases for Wedding Photographs

St Regis descending Rotunda Staircase

Writing about staircases in a Five Star Orange County, CA hotel may seem unusual, but every one of my clients who has planned a St. Regis Monarch Bay Resort wedding is very familiar with iconic “rotunda and staircases”. The favorite location of course is the Rotunda, but this location is usually reserved for Grand Ballroom weddings, and arrangements to photograph here must be made in advance if you are having your event elsewhere such as the Botanical Gardens or Club 19. Your Wedding Planner can make arrangements [Read more...]

Bar Mitzvah Celebration – for Two!

Jason and Zachary Shube

 

The Shube Family knows how to throw a Bar Mitzvah in style! They recently planned a double celebration for both sons – Jason and Zachary. Family and friends gathered for the formal ceremony on Saturday at Temple Beth Shalom in Santa Ana, with the B’nai Mitzvah party following on Sunday at Turnip Rose Celebrations.  Crandall Photography also produced the images for six lightboxes from an earlier photo session.  The lighting, decor and dress [Read more...]

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Dana Point Wedding of Ally and Brandon

The wedding couple make a grand entrance onto the dance floor

Ally and Brandon scored a perfect weather day and a break in the recent heat, to get married at Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point.  It was truly a pleasure watching these two special families come together in celebration.  The couple devoted much time and planning to make every detail perfect for their family and guests.  Elizabeth Wilson, day-of Coordinator, along with Sandy Chiu, Director of Events, Laguna Cliffs Marriott, made the day stress free for everyone. [Read more...]

DIY Wedding Extraordinaire!

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Jena and Chris were married August 4 on the warmest day of the year, under a cloudless sky with forever views.  While they had a choice of venues in the Battleground, Washington / Portland, Oregon area, some good friends of the bride’s parents generously offered their home for the wedding.
Patti Stem, the extraordinarily resourceful mother of the bride, started planning and shopping for the wedding in January.  Once the orange theme was established, Patti began searching everywhere she could think of [Read more...]