One of the shoots up there was an Engagement session for William & Amor. Both of them went to Cal for school…and that is where they first met. Same dorm. So its only made sense that they had their engagement session on campus. [Must be a sports thing. Cal has a great sports program...and everyone there seems to love the school. UCLA has a great sports program, and Stef loves UCLA. UCSD has no sports program...and UCSD gets zero love from me. hahah]

We decided to take bart up to Berkeley…I must be getting old because I don’t remember it being this loud.

Finally on campus

Isn’t this like the PERFECT place for an outdoor wedding? That tree is a SIGNATURE to san diego

Some dirty details being revealed.

A simple look at this image….you can just feel his joy.

hello cutie.

See. I wasn’t lying about the Judge Ito good looks!

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 756-1131

But like most good parents, they did not let my crime spree carry on unchecked. They would always tell me: Put your money where you mouth is. Meaning? Back up your talk. Everyone can talk a good game. Few actually go through with it.

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to attend the Thirst Relief Benefit Shoot at WPPI. When I say fortunate, I mean Lucky. You see, spots to the benefit shoot had been auctioned off to raise money to bring clean water solutions to people in need. Typically 3rd world countries. Try as I did, I didn’t get a spot. Bummed.

So on the day of the shoot, I randomly ran into Mike Colon…who was one of the instructors. I had attended one of Mike’s workshops earlier in the year. And Mike isn’t hard to miss. He’s over 6ft. So I told him about how I was bummed about missing the shoot. Then he said that a spot had opened up last minute. And that they were meeting in the lobby. Right now.

I sprint upstairs. Grab my gear. Run back down. And somehow make it.

Through out the day, I had a great time learning from Mike [Celebrity Photographer. need I say more?] and David/Luke Edmonson. [They're a father-son studio out of Texas. Two of the most amazing, yet humble photographers you'll ever meet]. But more importantly, I had a chance to sit down and chat with the founders of Thirst Relief during dinner. I got to hear firsthand why they started Thirst. The need that drives them. The impact they’re making. Their Vision.

It struck me. Sincerity. They saw a problem, and did something about it. Which made me think. Most people [myself included] talk a good talk when it comes to giving back and helping. Everyone knows giving back is a GOOD thing. But if one doesn’t take immediate steps to change once we’ve been touched….the ebb and flow of our busy lives will quickly wipe away that desire.

I don’t want that to happen. So I’m putting my money where my mouth is. As some of my recent brides already know….a minimum 2% of every wedding booked will go towards clean water projects with Thirst Relief/Charity:Water.

Imagine what could happen if we all put our money where our mouth is.

No post is complete with images. Here are some from the Shoot. On the left….David + Luke Edmonson. Right, Mike Colon

The first question most people ask, why all the stuff? This vid from their website genuinely explains it better than I ever could.

They do such wonderful work in showing love to the community. Providing furniture, clothing, food or anything else that might be needed by distressed families in transition/resettled refugees in the United States. When my friend Daniel asked me to come along and photograph their daily workings, I was excited. Its always so inspiring to see people follow their calling and make a difference in the live of others. Here are some of the images from the day….