Over the last ten years, the element team has provided a unique perspective to wedding photography. While based in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, we’ve traveled all over the world catering to brides and grooms with different stories. We're committed to producing composition-centric images and utilizing our environment around us to tell those stories. Whether you are getting married or just taking a peek at our work, please drop a line and say hello!
I got to catch up with Rovy when he came down to pick up his wedding photos. These have been done for a few weeks but he wanted to do a private screening with his family and friends before they went up, so you can see how the timeline on this is a little skewed. Rosanne and Rovy brought us out to Oxnard for their wedding weekend and we did full coverage for their day. We had a lot of time to play with ideas, creative detail shots, and great rain shots. Rosanne and Rovy were down to get into the mud and rain for the right shot and had one of the coolest yet simplest backdrops i’ve seen. I really enjoyed these photos and I think you can tell how fun everyone had. Thanks for letting us be a part of your big day and for being great friends. Please enjoy!
Susan, our good friend and hair stylist at Salon 25 is expecting a new addition to her family, so she and her husband Alex spent some time with us taking some before-baby pictures. Along with their two dogs, we went over to the nearby elementary school, which was fitting for this kind of photo shoot if you think about it, and the local park! We focused on Alex’s love for basketball, which we think he’s passing on to the baby by getting the baby a Kobe Bryant jersey, and at the same time the intimate relationship between Susan and Alex. Nothing stopped us from having fun on this shoot, even if it meant breaking the law by bringing in their dogs to the no-dog park. It was a very contrasting day, having two adults in situations we generally think of children being in, and hopefully it got them more excited than they already are for the baby. This is only the first half of their maternity session though, so stay tuned for the next set. We’re just waiting for a latecomer to the arrive :).
December 2012 was the busiest month we’ve yet had. Between Christmas and New Year festivities, we had 4 weddings, a trip to Hawaii for 10 days, and a trip to Dominican Republic for 3. The timing didn’t leave much room for error, but even crazier was that I had to make the trip alone, no assistants, no second shooter, just me and my trusty camera.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was our next stop in our list of Destination Weddings and if you’ve been around me this last month, you probably know how much I recommend this place. The Hard Rock Hotel all inclusive resort was one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. Fine dining, all inclusive meals and drinks, resort credit, spa credit, 300 count linens!! If you watch Aziz Ansari you’ll know what i’m talking about. Anywho it really was the whole shabang. I’ve been telling Gaby that we’ve got to go sometime since I “had” to enjoy it all alone. Nevertheless, the backdrop it gave us for Melissa and Ryan’s wedding was stunning.
Upon arrival I had a little bit of time to enjoy the resort, shoot some craps and play some bets on my favorite teams, later that night Melissa and Ryan hosted their rehearsal dinner where I got to meet the crew. Everyone was from Toronto, Canada where I had met Melissa and her family years years ago. It was really great getting to know everyone and I’m glad everyone was so welcoming, it made shooting the wedding the next day that much easier.
They had a small intimate ceremony beachside under a grass hut and afterwards we were able to shoot anywhere in the resort. The coolest part of it all is that they literally let you shoot wherever you want. Check out the shots of Melissa climbing the pool table :)
The next day we enjoyed the resort, took some shots poolside with the entourage, trashing everyone’s dresses and suits, and partied the rest of the night.
Melissa and Ryan were naturals and loosened up immediately. DR was just beautiful. And the experience, irreplaceable. Thank you again for flying me out and letting me capture your day Melissa and Ryan, I hope you enjoy your photos for years to come!
If anyone wants to travel there, let me know and I’m right there with you!
amazing photo shots! very romantic..so beautiful! thank you Mel & Ryan.
Rosella Cui Bautista -01/31/2013 - 6:47 pm
Beautiful pictures!
An Ny -02/03/2013 - 4:59 pm
Amazing wedding pix Mel and Ryan! <3
Melissa Carryon -02/03/2013 - 5:27 pm
Thanks Anny xo
Aimee Rose Cornelio -02/08/2013 - 10:32 pm
I finally got to sit down in front of a PC & look & reminisce about your wedding…. Mel u are really so beautiful! I couldn’t contain my smiles looking @ everything = D I can’t believe it went by so quickly though… What awesome pictures to capture the beautiful moments! Can t wait to see more of the AMAZING wedding pictures = D.
Very precious photos, congratulations on the Baby! Wish you and your family the best.:)
So cute!