Kirsten Manick Photography

Southern California Wedding Photographer | Kirsten Manick | United States | Destination

Jenna & Bradley | Married | Boston, Massachusetts

03.13.13

What happens when you strip back the layers of a wedding?

What matters the most to you?

I dare to suggest that many ‘brides and grooms to be’ have a really hard time considering this while making their wedding plans. I must admit, in the midst of planning my own wedding I have become a victim to pinterest, wedding blogs, social media and expected norms.

It’s ok. That’s normal.

To me, what’s most important is to not let this consume you. Each couple has to do what feels right to them. Invariably, what feels right varies (and should) from couple to couple.

Sometimes what feels right is meeting during an epic trip to Egypt.

Sometimes what feels right is planning the ultimate intimate wedding surrounded by only family.

Sometimes what feels right is taking a couple of hours with your photographer to explore a city that you love on your wedding day.

And sometimes, what feels right is ending that night surrounded by those very people that love you and sharing a meal to celebrate your union.

Your union as a married couple. Dedicated to one another. How appropriate to keep that sacred and to share that with only the people closest to you.

I dig it.

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Michaela & Josh | Married | Laguna Hills, California

03.03.13

So this wedding has a pretty special and crazy backstory. Last year I held a contest for free wedding coverage through The Loveliest Day. Couples wrote in and explained a bit about their relationship, why photography was important to them and why having the opportunity to win the contest would mean the world. Emails started flying in. I was inspired, moved to tears and the deadline was approaching to pick only one couple out of all the lovely stories that had come through.

After I read Michaela’s email, I felt like I had an instant connection with her and Josh even though I had never met them. She so eloquently (and with a crazy touch of humor that only Michaela can pull off) explained their love – how they met, how he proposed, why photography was so important to them on their wedding day. I was drawn in. After a crazy bout of wedding planning and nailing down vendors and a venue Josh and Michaela finally tied the knot last weekend with a beautiful ceremony surrounded by amazing friends and family.

I was also assisted by a new second shooter who was a phenomenal help and added some beautiful photos of the day. Rich just moved from to California from England and I am excited to see him grow as a photographer in the States!

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Sita & Michael | Engaged | Los Angeles, California

12.31.12

Love is beautiful.

I am completely floored that time and time again photography brings me into the lives of such amazing people. People who are completely devoted to each other. People that radiate friendship, warmth and love. People who I have just met, but instantly feel comfortable around. Love is definitely beautiful like that.

We shot Sita and Michael’s engagement session at Sherwood Oaks Country Club. Although it was a bit cold and we ran into a little bit of rain, the atmosphere could not have been more beautiful.

Here is to an amazing end of 2012 and an exciting beginning of 2013. I could not be more thankful.

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portrait of a family….

11.11.12

a courageous and fun spirited little guy

another one on the way

loving parents anticipating a new addition

a portrait of a family….

XOXO

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rochelle & rob. married. st. petersburg, florida

11.09.12

I just got back home to Los Angeles from a month of shooting in Florida. I was a part of two wonderful friend’s weddings and I couldn’t feel more blessed; my heart is so full.

Rob and Rochelle got married at the beautiful and unique Postcard Inn in St. Petersburg, Florida and shared a an amazing ceremony and evening with friend’s and family. All their friends and family met each other and enjoyed a sunset dinner rehearsal, danced under the stars, swam in the ocean, and watched them stand side by side while saying “I do” on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Shooting a good friend’s wedding is such a special thing.

Rochelle and Rob incorporated so many personal touches and packed up suitcases full of decorations that they had collected over the past year. Rochelle arrived in Florida from Vegas a couple days before the ceremony and organized the bits and pieces with her Grandmother that lives in the area. While organizing, Rochelle stumbled upon her Grandma’s wedding album and we even recreated a photo from that day.

It’s kinda cool; Photography lives on like that.

Honestly, being there couldn’t have been more of an honor and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it and to document their love.

I have been a traveling machine, shooting weddings from one coast to the other this year and I can’t wait to see where next year takes me.