Caroline Tran Photographer – Los Angeles Wedding Photography

Pinar and Michael have the cutest story.  They met in Las Vegas while Pinar was living there and it was love at first sight.  Instant chemistry.  Unfortunately, Pinar had already bought a one way ticket home to Turkey for 3 months later.  She thought it was so sad that she met the perfect man and then leave so soon.  After being back in Turkey for a few months, Michael asks her to meet him in Rome.  While there, he proposes!  She says yes!  …but she still lives in Turkey & he in the US.  Another few months go by and Michael surprises her in Turkey.  He literally swept her off her feet and took her back to the US!   They are seriously so so cute together and SO in love.  Just look at the way they look at each other…

I love this stairway!  Such pretty colors!

…and a random jogger that ran between us.

so sweet together, right?  There were moments where she would just squeal, “I’m so in love with this man!”

So on their first date, they went on a cruise.  Michael brought along a backgammon board just in case there was nothing to do.  Little did he know, Pinar has grown up playing backgammon all her life!  Pinar beat him in that first game.  He claims her winning streak is over.  She says she’s still undefeated.  I just think it’s cute. 

Above is a detail shot of the beautiful backgammon/checker board she got from Turkey.  Designs are made from mother-of-pearls and gold-plated metal.  Look at how they “crimped” the wire on the checker board!  I don’t play, but I want one just because it’s so beautiful!

And above is the house “trophy”.  It has the scores from their last game, which has him as the winner.  I love how proud Michael looks and how Pinar looks like, “oh please.”

A quick game?

But in the end, it’s really just all fun and games, right?

We then headed down for a walk on the beach.  They live just a few blocks from here.

Their little thing is “I love you… plus 50.”  I thought that was funny because Jonathan and I actually do that too, but only “plus one.”  or two.  lol.

We picked up this cool pinwheel at a kite store on the pier.  It’s now going into their garden!

Beautiful night, wasn’t it?  And this last photo just makes me giggle. 

Before I start today’s post, I just wanted to thank everyone for participating in a buck a comment.   I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  I sure did.  I got to hang out with old friends and family.  I am so grateful for all the love and support in my life.  I am thankful for all my readers love & support, and your 136 wonderful comments during the past 2 weeks.  I am thankful to have my basic needs (and more) taken care of and that I’m able to share a bit of it.  I just sent charity:water $136.  Thank you all for your support & participation!  I’m a true extrovert who feeds off of people around me and their energy, so thank you.  Thank you for giving me the energy to shoot & tell stories.

I’m not sure how your Thanksgiving looked, but it was 80 degrees here in LA.  I am thankful for our warm weather because I love shooting on the beach… and I’m a wuss when it comes to cold… unless I’m snowboarding.  I notice I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately from couples who just got engaged and wants to do a session.  No wedding date planned yet, but they just want a session to be able to show their friends and family.  I’m used to engagement sessions being done right before the wedding with your wedding photographer, so this is interesting to me.  I’m never one to follow conventions though, so I love it.  It’s perfect timing too since it can be mailed out with their holiday cards!

Chris & Nicole contacted me soon after their engagement to do a session.  It was fun brainstorming things that would bring out their personality.  They’re both from the east coast, but moved here a few years ago and now live right on the beach.  We thought it would be great to share with all their friends & family a piece of their life.  Chris loves surfing and suggested to bring out their surfboards.  Of course I loved the idea!

The light was just so amazing.

It was actually pretty cold this day.  Nicole was such a trooper.  It was fun running up and down the beach with them though.  The run warmed us up a bit.

I loved watching how happy Chris & Nicole are together.  They were all giggles & smiles.

And I love it when she tippy toes to kiss him.  So sweet!

And check out the amazing sunset.  I never tire of shooting at the beach because the clouds will always make each sunset different.

Congrats you two on a beautiful engagement!  I loved hanging out with you two and look forward to seeing what/where you decide to have your wedding!