luka bella photography (real families, real life)

Temecula CA wedding photographer (jess+anthony)

I have had the pleasure of photographing another Hallworth family engagement session and soon to be wedding. We trudged up the plateau in beautiful weather to capture these sweet moments

 
 
 

Last time I had a family at this location they came home with poison oak so we were on the lookout and in that dress Jess, that would not have been cool.

 
 
 
 
 
We had just seen a coyote right before this shot and as I knelt in the bushes I could hear something rustling behind me. No idea if it was mr.coyote or not way to afraid to turn around.

 
And my favorite. I have a crush on you! You would never know it from this shot but they were being eaten alive by the biggest ants I have ever seen. As soon as they stood up they were covered with them.

Sorry, but you do what you got to do to get the shot. And don't you think it was worth it.

 

 

Love 146

This has been a whirlwind of a week. I have a wedding up in Dana Point today and I am keeping my fingers crossed about the weather. Beach wedding, and a downpour. This could get interesting or extremely complicated. Not to mention what happens to my hair when water is involved. Anyway, last night was a beautiful ending to a full week. My heart was full watching this couple and hearing them sing. The cause they fight for is heartbreaking but non the less it is worth the fight.

Love 146

You can also see a piece of their heart here: Julianna Morlet.blogspot.com and if it is on your heart you can donate to the cause.

Here are some pictures from the event last night in the pouring rain, they poured out their hearts

 
 
 
 
 
 
She sold jewelry and oodles of cupcakes were made with love and donated to raise money.

 
 
The burlap tags with the number 146 we pinned to our chest over our hearts and when you click on the link above and here how Love 146 became, it will break your heart. Or maybe it will light a fire in you to do something and not forget the broken and exploited. Maybe it will inspire you to fight for those that have no fight left.

xoxo

Cuppa joe

I had a very last minute meeting this morning and got to enjoy this beauty

 
I have found a new place that is not a Starbucks that totally makes my mouth water. The best Mocha I have ever had. I have a fun day planned tomorrow. It does not involve a drop of work. I will be learning something new, stepping out of my comfort zone and doing it with a bunch of girls that no doubt will keep things interesting. I may or may not share.

Happy weekend, what creative things are on your to do list?

 

 

Temecula wedding photographer (Katherine+Zech)

This is a couple that has such a sweetness about them. They are a beautiful couple with hearts filled with a love for the Lord and a desire to Honor Him. What a pleasure it was capturing those sweet moments between them.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Just so you know we worked really hard to synchronize those bubbles.

Congratulations Katherine and Zech may you continue to bring glory to God in all that you do.

 

San Diego wedding photographer (Jen + Tom)

Here is a couple who will melt your heart. They got married on a HOT day litteraly in the sand in San Diego.

 
 
 
Look at him, looking at her...... you could see it written all over his face. He knew he had scored big!

 
She is absolutely beautiful.

 
You would not believe the spectators that had gathered around us on the beach. I am not kidding there were at least one hundred of them.

 
 
As they said there vows the guests literally cheered.

 
 
Neither one of them could contain there excitement.

 

You can literally see on their faces how they feel about each other.

 
Raw, real, joy!

 
And then they danced,

 
and danced

 
Then came the cake, and watch out.

 
and you know what they say about pay backs....

 
and what wedding would not be complete without the easy button

 
The groom by the way pushed this button right after he said his vows. Thank you Jen and Tom for letting me be part of such a special day.

 

That was easy.

 

Holiday Cards

Oh my this time of year gets me every time. I love October, the pumpkins and the decorating and crafting. I just love it. Oh and how could I forget the pumpkin spice lattes!! What is up with the pumpkin puree shortage?? I can not find it anywhere. Does anyone have any suggestions???

I am in the beginning of Christmas madness. Here is a look at this years Holiday cards

 

I have so many pictures to share. June, July and August were wedding overload. Not to mention the adorable babies that I have gotten to snap. So maybe one day, I will get into the swing of blogging more frequently. But as for now I am off to search for some pumpkin puree and if my search comes up empty then I guess Starbucks is the next best stop. As soon as I find some puree I will share my pumpkin latte recipe and you will never have to stop at Starbucks again and be eternally grateful to me. Your waist size may not be so pleased but your pocket book will thank me forever.

 

 

 

Temecula wedding photographer/lake oak meadows

I know, I know you are about ready to fall off your chair because there is a new blog post. I don't know how some of you die hard bloggers do it. I just can't keep up with it all. Family, work and life makes little time to update the blog. So just in case some of you thought I was still fishing, nope, I am back and this is what has left me with very little sleep.

Weddings, lots and lots of them. This gorgeous couple about made me cry. They were so happy and so connected with each other that photographing them, well lets just say I took over 3,000 shots of them that day. And yes, I have been paying for that dearly behind the scenes.

This is what I am talking about prepare for picture overload....

Do you see him looking at her, OH MY Gosh, do you see him looking at her...

I know, I know, me and my jumping shots. I am determined to jump my brides across America.

I have not idea what they were saying right here, I was trying to change my settings and this started happening all on its own. That is when the most yummy things happen. Sometimes I pretend I am changing my settings when I actually have no intention to do a thing but take some shots while they have no idea that I am actually shooting them. Tiffany I am not saying that is actually what I did or anything, I am just saying that sometimes......

This is one of my favorites!

This was during their first dance, I have no idea what he said but it worked magically.

They had me at photo booth. I mean really, look at the light how it made this look almost vintage and how I love me a good vintage.

I have no idea what they were looking for but clearly her hand found it.

 
Look at the sun peeking through. Just yummy isn't it! Thank you Tiffany and Kyle. What a pleasure I had capturing these moments for you.

Photo Booth courtesy of: Bella Photo Booth

Venue: Lake Oak Meadows 

Gone fishing...

Don't even have time to leave you with some pictures of a beautiful bride and groom that I have been dying to share. I will be out of the studio from 7-24 until 8-1.

I will tell the bears hello.

wedding season

It is officially wedding season and I am moving full speed ahead.I have to share an engagement session that I did over the weekend. As a photographer you never know what to expect from a photo shoot, are you going to click with your clients, are they going to like the location, are they easy to laugh. Well let me tell you what happened with Jen and Tom or how about let me show you......

 
I was not even set up yet when Jen was all over the ice-cream and Tom was not far behind. 

I knew from this moment that we were meant for each other.

 
I rarely had to give any direction at all. They could not keep their hands off of each other. Tom loved her feet, her neck, her shoulder, her lips, her hair you get the idea.

They loved to kiss and better yet

they loved to laugh. 

 
We went wine tasting

We climbed into old water troughs

 
they window shopped

we climbed into doorways

They looked lovingly into each others eyes (I am beginning to sound a little cheesy)

and SHE pulled chest hair. LOVE IT!

We then made a quick dash to the wine country

and this continued to happen

lots and lots of love was captured that day. Tom and Jen thank you for letting me capture a little piece of your love story. You are my kind of couple!   
 

Seniors

Oh how I love them. High Schoolers are so much fun to photograph. They don't need a daiper change, don't have to stop to eat and rarley do they cry. I love getting to know them and then fitting a location that will fit their personality perfectly.

This one I knew was going to be a meadow in an open field. I was hoping for some cows but they were to far away. We almost got a few sheep and I prayed and prayed that no snakes would make a visit.

We started in Old Town and then had to race the sun to our meadow. Here she is....

Look at the boots. She is a girl after my own heart. I lurve me a good pair of cowboy boots.

I had to include this one so you can see how wacky we can be on a photo shoot. That is what I love the crazier the better.

This was when the magic happened the sun was going down and it was a race to get a few shots before it went behind the hill. Magic I tell you, unexpected magic.

See I told you. 

Ok, Senior madness is about over for the year and I am looking for some new Senior reps. This is a totally easy way to make some money for your senior year, and trust me you are going to need it.   If you are a high school senior and looking for a job please email me at lukabella@verizon.net

Happy Summer!