The Morse Family

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” - George Burns

There are instances in our lives when you meet a person for the first time, and you have no idea why you crossed paths, but you just know there is something that the universe has in store for the two of you. We met Venus at a nursing facility back when we were still living in San Diego. She worked the graveyard shift while my wife worked the evening shift. She was a kind, sweet person with a pleasant demeanor. But my wife's relationship with Venus really blossomed one night when Cristina had to stay and work the graveyard shift with her. I remember when Cristina came home after her shift ended and all she could talk about was how elated she was that her and Venus had so many things in common. From being single moms with boys to becoming engaged to be married. Everything in their lives were so similar. And for my wife to find a person that she could relate to was very meaningful to her. Especially after moving to a new city. And with our engagement and wedding only a year apart from Venus and her fiancee. Cristina and her became really good friends, bonding over gym time, bridal fairs and exchanging wedding ideas. But even when we had moved back to L.A., their friendship never really dwindled. We got to witness her marry the man of her dreams. And then a year later she became part of our wedding entourage in Cabo, and got to share with us, one of the most fun and memorable nights we ever had. To present day, we both now have added beautiful daughters to our families. I can honestly say that their journey through their personal lives almost mirrored each other in every aspect. Past and present.

Lewis and Jason. Teasers.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.” - Anonymous

Sometimes you just have to step out of all this contractual work and do something that is more personal. Something that speaks volumes. Something that can make a statement. And let the people see that you are more than just a photographer. Work on something that twenty years from now your kids will say: "Yea, my dad stood for something. He believed in equality. He believed in love and marriage. And he did it with creativity. And because of him I learned not to hate and accept people for who they are." 

Damaris and Marco

“I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight.
But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life,
if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you.
Not because he was perfect, or because you were,
but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way
that allowed two separate beings to hinge together.” - Lisa Kleypas

The sun was slowly going down. I knew I only have a good hour left to create moments that can last a lifetime. A lonely bridge which was standing on top of a dried up creek was screaming at me to use it. So I gave in. "Can you sit up here?" I asked Damaris while patting the wooden beam that she was going to sit on. She had a puzzled look in her face but I knew in her heart that she trusted me. Even with all the events that happened that day, Damaris looked beautiful sitting against the setting sun. Marco, who was behind me, started saying something to her. I couldn't hear it, and I think it was in Spanish but he had said something that made her laugh. It reminded me of a sweet, sort of kindergarten romance. You know that kind. It could be a look or a glance. Or even a smirk. And you instantly know what the other person is thinking, with or without words having spoken. It's rare to have this kind of kindred spirit between two people. But it does exist. And when you are there to witness two people communicating their love without words then it is something extraordinary. Maybe this is why I love being a photographer. You get to see and document the beauty of people in love. Even when you coach or direct them on how to pose and interact with each other, the final output has to be that the couple is capable of conveying unknowingly what you are set out to capture, which is LOVE. Because to be honest, after the honeymoon phase of a couple's marriage passes, the reality of life will start creeping in. Bills, mortgages and the constant demands of being a husband and a wife are all too real. It will come quick. And without warning. And the arguments and the bickering can and will weigh down any couple. And it will test the relationship. But maybe, after having a bad day they will look through these photographs, start reminiscing and remind them of the love they have for each other. And if starts to rekindle a new kind of romance or even if it inspires them to be better to each other, then clearly I have done something way beyond any talented or more famous photographer can accomplish.