I’m off to the Bahama’s in just 8 short hours for a “working” vacation. A quick note to all the wonderful wedding blogs and online magazines who have featured my work these last few days: I haven’t forgotten you! Thank you so much and I promise to return the love just as soon as I return. In the meantime enjoy a sneak peak of part two of Victoria + Joe’s killer engagement session.

Quite often couples will contact me inquiring availability for their wedding date. Because I book a limited number of commissions per year I am often unavailable for their special day. However, they will more often then not opt to schedule an engagement session anyway. And oh how I love when couples do just that!

Victoria + Joe was one such couple and even though I will not have the honor of documenting their wedding story I am so happy that they allowed me atleast this one small glimpse into their lives in order to witness their complete love for one another. In fact, this particular session was so amazing it will have to be posted in two parts! Here are a few of my favorite images from part one…

Siobhan + Sean are such an amazing, fun loving couple and I am so humbled to be a part of this unbelievable miracle that they will experience is just a few short weeks. I know that this an unusually high number of images for a post, but honestly I just couldn’t help myself. Thanks again to Siobhan + Sean. I will see you very soon for little Ethan’s first vintage shoot! In the meantime enjoy some of my favorite images…

It seems that as of lately I have been receiving an unusual number of emails inquiring about from where I draw my inspiration. Why on earth anyone in their right mind would even attempt to get inside this noggin of mind seriously perplexes me. But if you must know, I mean if you really really must know I’ll tell you! This is what is hanging on my inspiration board as of this very moment. Be inspired my friends~

“If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up.”

-Richard Avedon.

If it seems as though I have been posting an awfully lot lately it’s simply because I was down with a bug for over a week. Ugh. And now I am kicking it in overdrive to get all caught up before my much anticipated shoot in the Bahamas in just two short weeks. Um, yeah. Can’t wait for that!

In the meantime please enjoy the latest of the Clayton Austin Love Stories Collection. Samantha and Mitty are such an amazing couple and I am so happy that they invited me to be a part of their story. Here are a few of my favorite images from their session…

I am going to let everyone in on a little secret. When it comes to capturing amazing images, my unreal clients do over 90% of the work. I am just blessed to be there when it happens. For instance, what do you do when it’s 60 degrees outside and it starts pouring down 30 minutes into your session? Smile, look your couple dead in the eye, and say “It’s time to get cold and wet”. Gawd, I love my job…

I absolutely love California. California loves me. She has been very good to me lately and because of this I am feeling a wee bit frisky! So I’ve decided to be merry and give something away! Woohoo! How about a vintage inspired engagement, portrait, or just because session? Sounds good to me! What’s the catch? Well keep reading…

The catch? Glad you asked.

1) Session must must take place in the region between San Diego all the way up to Santa Barbara (give or take).

2) Session must be scheduled to take place between Thursday, Nov 26 and Monday Nov 30 excluding Saturday Nov 28.

3) Two night’s accomodations must be provided by the lucky couple.

4) The session must mimic a vintage theme in some way.

Win this $500 package!

TO ENTER: send an email titled “California Love” to Clayton@claytonaustinlovestories.com and include:

1. Your names and contact information.
2. Wedding date and location.
3. Your love story – how you met and got engaged and anything else fun.
4. Share a picture of you and your honey – I want to put a face to the name!
5. Tell me why a vintage session would really float your boat!

*Entries must be received by October 31,  2009 at midnight PST.

Good luck to all and I can’t wait to hear your Love. Story!

 Many of you will remember Brea from her amazing vintage engagement session. You can see those here and here. There were so many touching details about Brea’s bridal session that I just have to share with you. First, ever since Brea was a little girl she had dreamed of one day being married in her own mothers beautiful wedding gown. However, as she grew older and began planning her own special day she realized that deep down she wanted the opportunity to create memories of her own. So, she settled for the next best thing. The amazing hat that Brea is wearing was actually made from the tulle from her mother’s dress!! How beautifully ridiculous is that?? Brea said she “threw it together” the previous evening with a little help from her somewhat emotional mother. Secondly, Brea’s beloved grandmother Tobia passed away this last year. Tobia is Yiddish for dove and Brea chose to pay a special homage to Grandmother Tobia with the release of a white dove ( who I affectionately named Sam for some reason).

Sometimes I feel as though I am the luckiest photographer in the world. Having the opportunity to document the lives of beautiful people with an already amazing history never ceases to blow my mind. Here are a few of my favorite images from Brea’s unforgettable Bridal session…