Orange County Wedding Photographer – Southern California Destination Wedding Photographer – Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Candice and Colin at St. Regis Monarch Bay

Lawrence Crandall — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:26:11 +0000

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. My personal thanks to second photographer Travis Tremble.

Newborn Photography – Announcing Kayla!

Lawrence Crandall — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:05:34 +0000

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.

Ritz Carlton Monarch Bay Sunset Terrace and Plaza Room Wedding

Lawrence Crandall — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:00:32 +0000

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 of the ocean, and of course it’s the Ritz Carlton. For a smaller wedding it doesn’t get much better than this, really.

Lisa Simpson and Wedding Celebrations was the event planner for this elegant event. Naturally Crandallphoto provided photography, Hair and makeup by Design Visage, Florals by Cina, and my friend Jeff Holmes at Moondance Mobile Music was the superb DJ.

Maternity Photography

Lawrence Crandall — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 01:23:33 +0000

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.

What do these wedding photos have in common?

Lawrence Crandall — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 17:52:04 +0000

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.

For your photographer, the day unfolds in a series of the briefest moments which reveal the story of your wedding day. These are visual moments which are simple, yet so substantive one is reminded of complex feelings and turning points. It is how a photographer expresses a sincere affection for people, by bringing those ephemeral moments back to life.

St. Regis Botanical Gardens Wedding of Kathleen and Jeff

Lawrence Crandall — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 04:00:13 +0000

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.

St. Regis Rotunda and Staircases for Wedding Photographs

Lawrence Crandall — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:26:51 +0000

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 for you with the St. Regis Catering Manager, and then work with your photographer to include timing Rotunda photography into your day’s schedule.

As magnificent as the Rotunda is, there is another wonderful staircase at St. Regis adjacent to the Motif Restaurant. I have photographed brides on the Motif Staircase from almost every angle, and photographs of a beautiful bride on her wedding day in that location are absolutely stunning! There is almost an Art Deco look to the Motif Staircase which differs from the vast circular expanse of the Rotunda. Either location should provide you with awesome images with the right photographer.

There are many other wonderful locations to photograph on this vast property (not to mention a trip down to Monarch Beach on a St. Regis golf cart), but these two stairways are the real attention getters, and for good reason.

Motif Staircase at St Regis Monarch Bay Resort

St Regis Motif Staircase from above

St Regis Motif Staircase from the side

St Regis Rotunda with Butterfly mosaic floor

St Regis descending Rotunda Staircase

St Regis Rotunda Bridal Portrait

St Regis Rotunda for Bridal Portraits

St Regis Rotunda Balcony

St Regis from top of Motif Staircase

Motif Staircase from above

Bar Mitzvah Celebration – for Two!

Lawrence Crandall — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 03:32:06 +0000

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 all contributed to the party theme, and toward the end of the evening, dessert tables stretched all the way out past the exit! Our best wishes to a really cool family.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Dana Point Wedding of Ally and Brandon

Lawrence Crandall — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:19:29 +0000

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.

We also recently posted some photographs of this couple during their engagement session in Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA.

Best wishes Ally and Brandon!

DIY Wedding Extraordinaire!

Lawrence Crandall — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:28:40 +0000

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 - online and offline – and her efforts paid off!

She found the silverware and dishes, as well as table linens and overlays online at Smartyhadaparty. After doing some research, she determined buying the items cost the same as renting, and she reasoned she could always resell many of the wedding items afterward on Craigslist.

For the florals and related decor, Patti found a florist in the wedding section of Craigslist who provided the centerpieces and all the personal flowers. Additional floral items came from a variety of sources as well: Joanne’s Fabrics and Walmart, and 100 orange roses from Costco for $90.

Patti learned from a friend how to buy items on eBay, and it soon became another great resource for the wedding where she found the large white food tent, orange silk flower petals, instant camera and film, and personalized napkins.

Tuelle fabric came from Gifts International, Inc. (40 yards at $8.95/yard). Ribbon came from BBCrafts. Orange Chinese Lanterns, shepherds hooks and the white tissue paper for the floating balls over the driveway came from the Dollar Store. The “photo booth” frame idea came from Pinterest.

Patti had the help of friends with the myriad of decor details, but as the wedding day approached she made the very smart decision to hire a “day of” wedding coordinator. John Lawrence, a local wedding planner, brought his organizational expertise to the rehearsal and wedding. His presence not only helped tie everything together, but it also enabled Patti and her husband Ken to turn some of the responsibility and stress over to a professional.

Jena and Chris’ outdoor wedding with its orange theme was beautiful, and all of the planning really paid off.