Why take time to practice in the mirror?

Every girl does it, even if they wont admit it. Every girl practices that seductive look - the piercing eyes, the parted lips, the firm jaw line. It's the look in every Calvin Klein ad, most perfume ads, and about every pop-star and actress has it mastered. How did they master it? They practiced in the mirror, were coached on it, and tried thousands and thousands of times in front of a camera.

This look of seduction is fun to practice. Get your favorite lip gloss and try it out. Some of us girls are better at it than others. I fall in the "not-so-good" half, but Nick frequently humors me and tells me I am getting better (See... I practice). An engagement session is one of those times to practice for the camera. Of course, not every photo will have that look, but it gives you some air time to try out what you have learned thus far. We want you to, quite literally, work the camera! The more you are able to let your guard down and allow yourself to be beautifully you in front of the lens, the more it will show.

Last week Jasmine Star wrote an awesome blog about giving the woman permission to feel beautiful in front of the camera. Permission to be yourself, go for it! This is quite along the same lines. Nick and I are never judging from behind the lens. We are dying for your guards to fall and for you to "ham it up" (as we tell Kara).

This is another reason we LOVE, love engagement sessions. They are prep for the bridal session, trash the dress session and wedding.

We photographed Samantha and Mike's engagements a couple weekends ago down in the beautifully spectacular Orange County. We started at Rancho Capistrano and then headed over to Laguna Beach to catch the sunset. Samantha is one of the women that fall into the "Perfect every time" category for the seductive look. She has it nailed. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Knotts Berry Farm Resort - Bridal Showplace Bridal Expo

Yesterday's Bridal Show at the Knotts Berry Farm Resort was beautiful, elegant and all around FUN! The brides we met with were beaming ear to ear with wonder and anticipation of their wedding planning adventure. Bridal Showplace puts on shows throughout the year and this year Nick Corona Photography is participating in two of those shows. Our goal at a bridal show is to stand out! We bring a sofa, a couple chairs, bright red backdrops and large format prints.


We enjoy getting to talk to all the brides that come by our booth, and getting to know a little about them and their wedding. Although meeting with all the brides is wonderful, the next best thing about bridal shows is getting to meet the other photographers and network around So Cal.


Lasting Images Photography Studio was also there, and we were able to throw around lots of ideas and avenues of marketing... which is always a PLUS!


Laura, from Remember Me...Photography we there with some steller prints. She is a fellow member of IEPPV, and we were able to talk throughout the show. One particularly hot topic was last weeks IEPPV speaker Mike Colon, which I blogged about a few days ago. We also talked about how to potty train Kara, our two year old... thanks for all the tips Laura! (See why I like to network?!)



Last but not least... Henry Wang from Henry Wang Photography was also there! Talk about a fun guy to have at your wedding! Henry - your photos are incredible and we look forward to getting together at WPPI!


It was so wonderful to get to meet all of you at the show...We will be at the Queen Mary in August, and we hope to see you there! We also have a bridal show this coming Sunday with ExpoBridal at the Hyatt Regency in Newport. Come out and see us!

- Liz Corona

Adam & Andrea - It's all in the Details

Planning a wedding does not have to be stressful (though it usually is!) Thanks to the internet, there are hundreds of do-it-your-self articles and planning guides to help today's bride plan her wedding. But, today's bride does not just want to be involved with the planning...they are hand's on, personalizing, "Making sure this reflects us!" kinda bride.

That is my kind of bride...which is why our goal is to capture the moments that reflect the true you as well. Your heart and soul goes into planning every last detail, and we will be there...cameras ready... to snap away of you enjoying all your hard work.

Adam and Andrea did just that. They spent their day enjoying all their planning, and did not stress if there was a hiccup. Andrea put her flowers together herself after ordering them from Riverside Flower Club!! One of her friends even made the wedding cake...now that is keeping it personal!

We loved everything Adam and Andrea did to bring together their closet friends and family as they said their vows and tearfully were announced "Husband and Wife". Nothing is sweeter... and I am sure that at that moment... they may not have cared so much about all the little details.

Hector & Jessica - Giddy with Love

Hector and Jessica got married right before Christmas (Yes, I know that shows our slack in blog posting!) and the entire day neither of them could contain their excitement. Every moment was filled with laughter and a few with tears as they said their vows in front of family and friends. It was more than happines... it was giddiness. Hector and Jessica were giddy with excitement and love to embark on their journey of life together. It was a breath of fresh air! Here are a few of our fav's from the day.











Fire & Water - true definition of opposites attracting! Hector and Jessica has the fire and water symbols engraved into their wedding rings. Super special!



Hector and Jessica wanted a small, simple cake, filled with all the little symbols of their favorite things. I did their cake for them - red velvet with butter cream frosting... yum! Hector loves batman, hence the batman logo, and both are very fond of their puppies, and wanted to incorporate little paw prints into their cake. What a way to personalize it!

Amber & Eddie - The sensation of a Kiss

Amber and Eddie are saving their "first kiss" for quite literally their "first kiss". I don't know of anything more romantic that being in love with your fiance and making their heart race by a kiss on the cheek. In today's over sexed, over dramatic society, kissing is downplayed to almost a "Hello" (at least in my opinion.) Amber and Eddie have fought that societal norm and come out stronger on the other side. The magnetic connection between these two love-birds draws you in from across the street. What a lock of their eyes express is more than a million kisses could ever convey.

Nick shot their engagement session in Pasadena, around City Hall and other fun back allies. Looking through their photos there was entirely too many, "I LOVE THAT ONE" to pick only a few for the blog... so hence the multitude of pictures. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Amber and Eddie...I am thrilled to be photographing your wedding, and having the opportunity to capture that very sweet, very romantic, very emotional first kiss. I can hardly wait!


































- Liz Corona