California Wedding Photographer, Photography Worldwide – Victor Sizemore’s Blog

Lizzie and Christian tied the knot in Santa Barbara a few months ago. Bacara is an amazing resort tucked away on the coast just north of the city. The property, service, grounds, views and rooms are all top notch. I felt right at home at this wedding since half the guests were from Kentucky. Lizzie grew up in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky. She was also Miss Kentucky in 2002. You might remember her from the WPPI Mentor Shoot in the desert. We had really fun bridal party to photograph and both families were good fun! Susan MacDonald and her team keep things running smooth all day and night.

On day 2 we photographed two different couples with two very different styles. The first session we did a mock getting ready and first meeting and shot close to the hotel and around Champs-Elysees. Then with the second session we had a nice walking route with the couple that included the Louvre.  Enjoy!

Here’s a shot of our group!

I wonder if that guy had a good view?

Tara and Andy got married at Pelican Hill over Labor Day weekend last month. We had an absolutely gorgeous day for a wedding in Orange County. This was a really fun bridal party! Andy had a lot of his family and groomsmen over from England. There was a very cute ‘Love’ theme for the wedding. Andy is a huge Beatles fan so “All you need is love”… My soap reminds me every morning at the moment. Their favors very good smelling and very large bars of LOVE soap. I’ve been using it everyday since the wedding. Anyway, there were also 40 doves released at the ceremony and lots Beatles love songs. The décor was very beautiful with purples and greens. Nisie at Enchanted florist did an amazing job with the design which included fabulous linens from Wildflower. Gini Garner was also on the scene keeping the show on track. Enjoy!

This was one smokin’ group of Bridesmaids! There were certainly enough of them too… The bride, Elizabeth Arnold was Miss Kentucky in 2002. We also have Miss Georgia, Miss Toronto, and an America’s Next Top Model. Then a sexy sister maid of honor and all the other beautiful Kentucky and California friends! Wow…

Photographers***
This photo was just a quick edit the night I got home from the wedding from my jpg files. I’ll probably do a cleaner final version. I merged five separate shots for one composite image. I only had one video light so I had Regis spot the girls in groups of two and three while I took the shots from the same position and focal length.

Yet another beautiful day in the OC! Stephanie and Sam were two of the easiest people to shoot. They are so happy and fun together. Stephanie has a bright beaming smile; I don’t think she can frown if she tried. A few weeks ago I posted there engagement session from USC. We shot there because they both attended and met in college. There were also a lot of fans at the wedding. I saw people checking game updates on their phones. Barkley was injured and UW took them by surprise… My Wildcats won the Governor’s Cup vs. Louisville but look sloppy with three turnovers. They better be ready the next two weeks beginning SEC play. We have Florida (1) then Alabama (4), I think we are in trouble!

Anyway, back to the wedding… The ceremony was on the Gazebo Lawn and the reception in the Pavilion Room. I love that ballroom! It’s a very long and narrow space but has an amazing ocean view and the cocktail hour is on the terrace over looking the ocean usually at sunset. The wedding colors were very unique using teal and white with hints of red accents. Sunny at White Lilac never fails to impress! There were lots of small glass pieces with fragrant gardenias, white tin lanterns and mirrors arranging the tables. Also, white chafari chairs and dance floor. Jeff Holmes kept them on the dance floor with the classics and oldies by request of the couple. Then Jeannie and her team kept me on track with another smooth event.

Catherine and Jason got married at her childhood home in Manchester, Kentucky.  The Burchell family are very good family friends and I have found memories from growing up at the Burchell house. Everything from swimming at the pool in the summer, study groups, Halloween and Birthday parties!

They had a very small and intimate ceremony. One of my best friends from home, Tim Rogers, performed the service. Then there were about 300 for the tented reception. As most of us are in Kentucky, BIG BLUE fans! As a surprise to Jason during the grand entrance they were announced by ‘Mr. Wildcat’ (voice of the UK Wildcats) Ralph Hacker. I almost thought Jason and Catherine were in the starting lineup, it sounded just like we were at a game in Rupp Arena. It was a real down home wedding with lots of Makers Mark, great food, a Bluegrass music performance in addition to the DJ, and grooms cake. Enjoy…

Last month I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to photograph Catherine’s bridal session and her and Jason’s engagement session as well. Charleston is such an awesome city! Despite it’s rich southern culture of food, architecture, and hospitality it has so much history. The first shot of the civil war was fired at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Anyway, check out how amazingly beautiful Catherine looked in her dress around town. Then stay tuned this week for their engagement and wedding posts.

After the normal reception stuff like formal dancing, cake cutting, bouquet and garter toss everyone moved over to the “After Party!” They transformed La Cappella boardroom into an ultra cool club/lounge for late night sliders, drinks, and dancing. It was awesome! Before all the guests walked over I obvious did set up photos but I also shot some more moody, fashionable photos of Megan and Kyle. I loved the lighting with the fireplace, couches, mirrors, and glitzy bar. Enjoy!

Jeannie Savage – Details, Details
Christopher Aldama – Fiori Fresco
Alex and Julie Hill – Elysium Productions

I met Megan, Mama Sue and one sister at the consultation and it felt like many other meetings. Went well overall and meshed with them but you never know. The ball is in their court. Obviously they ended up booking… They wanted to shoot the engagement session in Boulder, CO where the couple met in school at the University of Colorado. So several months later I traveled to Denver. The same three picked me up from the airport after I missed my first flight due to United Airlines not notifying me of a changed itinerary. (That just happened again in Cabo, not a United fan at this point!) Anyway, unknowingly I left my laptop on the plane… I just had to finish that last five minutes of Entourage I started while waiting on the next flight. Lucky I got it back thanks to Alyssa, that’s another story!

After settling into the St. Julien hotel in Boulder I finally got a chance to met Kyle. We drove around town and up the mountain to scout for good locations for the engagement session. Us being “guys, guys” and fellow collegiate baseball players we attempted to feel each other out. Later that night we had a glass of Pappy Van Winkle 20 year and haven’t looked back since! Now it’s been 9 months, a basketball league, a Lakers game, bourbon tasting, countless nights out and a wedding later.

The rest of the week Me, Megan, Kyle, Alyssa, Jessica and Mama Sue had a blast! We shot the engagement session, went to sushi, competed in trivia at ‘Pint Night’, and went to the Buffs game!

I have been fortunate over the last several years to photograph many great weddings all over the world both big and small. My clients are simply fantastic therefore I am truly blessed! All this to say Megan and Kyle rank up there with the best of them! I’m proud to call them friends as well as clients. Their wedding was a couple weeks ago at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, California. There was an amazing team of people working over a year to put this event together! This is going to be a multi-part post so check in often this week for updates, enjoy!

Jeannie Savage – Details, Details
Christopher Aldama – Fiori Fresco
Alex and Julie Hill – Elysium Productions