Jalea Photography

Hey friends! Just wanted to share an interview I did recently with Shoutout Socal. I share my thoughts on starting a business and some of my favorite San Diego spots! A big thanks to them for the opportunity to be featured! http://jaleaphotography.com/interview-shoutout-socal/

In honor of Valentine's Day I thought it would be fun to share with everyone how I met my forever valentine. We met while working together at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. I would love to know how you met yours! Tell me in the comments. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

"Can we do dips and twirls now?" she said. You betcha! Engagement sessions are always so much fun.

We traveled quite a distance from San Diego for this light but it was SO worth it! Timing is important! Planning your session about 1 1/2 to 1 hour before sunset is ideal. It's how you get dreamy light like this, the kind of light photographers live for and makes clients swoon.

We practically had the whole place to ourselves. That never happens! Congratulations to the happy couple!

Such a happy couple! I had a hard time picking out which photos to share from their gallery. There were so many that I loved. Here's just a couple of my favorites!

I just adore this couple! Maybe it's because I shot their surprise proposal, or that they're going to share the same wedding anniversary date as me and my hubby, or that they were willing to make the drive all the way from L.A. for their session. Or maybe it's just because they're really nice people. I think it's all of these things! I love that I finally got to meet their dog Ollie too. Check him out! Isn't he a cutie pie?

Let's talk about colors for a minute. There's a lot of factors that go into the outcome of your photos such as lighting and location. But another important component is the colors you choose in your outfits. Consider the environment and choose colors that will complement. Beach scenes like this one do great with neutral tones such as taupe, mixed in with pastel leaning colors like pinks and muted blues.

Happy Friday everyone! Hope your weekend is off to a great start. Here is a little wedding planning tip for you. No matter the size or budget of your wedding, you can never go wrong by splurging on your bouquet. After all, it's going to be the focal point in many of your photos and adds a nice pop of color and vibrance to your images.

I photographed the groom's mom's wedding three years ago. So it was really an honor to be asked to photograph her son's. Congratulations to this sweet and adorable couple!

There's just something extra special about couples who manage to get married this year despite COVID. Every time they say, "I do" and walk down the aisle, it feels as if they're finishing a marathon. Cheers to all the 2020 couples that tied the knot, against all odds.

"Couples who laugh together, last together." -Dr. John Gottman Starting their marriage off right! Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Bailey.

Another intimate wedding on the beach. I could get used to this! These two remind me of my hubby and me when we got married. So young and so in love!

This lovely couple was married recently in Coronado and I couldn't be happier for them. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Espinosa!

Part 2 from this gorgeous intimate wedding!

Let's be honest, there's not much to love about 2020. Some days I wish we could fast forward to 2021. But until then, one thing I'm enjoying is the increase in intimate weddings and elopements. I love how the day is centered around the couple and their love rather than having to live up to expectations of family and friends on how a wedding should be. This stylish couple got married in a gorgeous park setting. Afterward, we went to the beach for some portraits. Here's some pics from the beach part of the day. Stay tuned for part 2 at the park. To see more, check out my blog. Link in comments.

Recently I got to photograph this sweet and adorable high school graduate. She was a little unsure of herself at first since she'd never done a photo shoot before which is TOTALLY normal! But after a few quick posing tips from me and a little encouragement, it didn't take long before she was looking like a pro in front of the camera. But regardless! She literally could not take a bad photo. Even the first one was a stunner right off the bat! I had so much fun that I'm thinking I need more senior sessions in my future. To see more photos from this session check out my blog. http://jaleaphotography.com/natalie-senior-portraits-san-d/

This couple waited a LONG time for their engagement session. We had to reschedule twice thanks to the lockdown. But the 3rd times a charm! I'm so glad we finally got to do it and I got to meet this lovely couple. I can't wait to make magic again with them at their wedding in October.

Another happy courthouse wedding! I'm so glad 2020 couples are finding alternatives to large venue weddings. These days couples are choosing courthouse weddings, micro-weddings, elopements, beach weddings, mountain top weddings, whatever they can think of to get hitched. So take that COVID! Nothing stands in the way of love.

This engagement session was magical. Windandsea, you never disappoint.

Uyen and Rico got married recently at the San Diego Courthouse. Like many 2020 couples, COVID-19 threw a wrench in their wedding plans. But they didn't let that stop them from getting married. Lots of couples are opting to do this, making courthouse ceremonies more popular than ever! But that doesn't necessarily mean they're abandoning their original plans either. Couples are also choosing to have a big wedding next year. This way they get the best of both worlds! An in...timate ceremony with the one you love and a grand celebration with all your family and friends on another date. Check out these photos from their special day! We got some pics at the courthouse and a nearby location. I love how they wore traditional Vietnamese dress, known as ao dai (pronounced ow yai) for some of the photos. Check out their awesome heart-engraved rings too! Congratulations Uyen and Rico! See more

I couldn't help but feel a little emotional when I was editing these photos. This handsome young man is my good friend's son who just celebrated his graduation a few days ago. It was a drive through ceremony but special nevertheless. As a mama to a teenage boy who is about to enter his senior year of high school, I can only imagine what was going through her mind as she went through these photos. Probably thoughts of how her son is not a little boy anymore and memories of dropping him off for his first day of kindergarten. It is an honor to be able to capture these moments for my clients and friends. One I don't take lightly. Congratulations class of 2020!

This sweet couple almost didn't get to have their wedding thanks to the Coronavirus. However, they decided not to let it ruin their day. They really wanted to get married on their original date because it was meaningful to them. It was when the groom first told the bride that he loves her. So they got married anyway with an intimate ceremony. I couldn't be happier for them! Best part is we get to do it again in August when they have their big wedding with family and friends.

Things are looking up for San Diego! Hoping that weddings will soon be on the horizon. I've missed my job so much and I'm ready to get back in the saddle again. 2021 brides, if you've been sitting on the fence, unsure about booking, I wouldn't wait too long. Dates are filling up with 2020 brides who've had to reschedule their wedding. I'll be lowering retainers for the time being to make things easier for you. Contact me for details!

It's been a long time since I've done night photography. Since the shutdown, I've been itching to use my camera Luckily I got to catch these bioluminescent waves in San Diego. If you haven't seen it yet, catch it before it's gone because it's spectacular.

Happy Mother's Day from my family to yours! Families I have not forgotten about you. While I love taking pictures of couples in love, I love taking photos of happy families too. In fact, that's how I got my start and it will always be my passion, just as much as weddings. I can't wait until I can make beautiful pictures like this again for you too. Hoping that it happens very soon!