A. O'Brien Photography » Austin

Engagement Session, Palos Verdes, CA – Patrick and Rachelle

Austin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:49:28 +0000

What a great day this was! Palos Verdes is a great town full of some amazing locations. This particular day there was a crazy fog bank that kept following us around. For the most part kept it’s distance so we were able to get some really fun shots. Even if the fog did come rolling all the way in I think we would have gotten some really fun shots! Patrick and Rachelle are a super fun couple that I think would really shine in any situation. They are both extremely funny and full of energy and we had so much fun just driving up and down the coast as Patrick tried to remember his way around his old stomping grounds.

Wedding at Mariners Church, Irvine CA – Deborah and Robert

Austin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:43:00 +0000

This wedding rocked! Key ingredients for a rockin’ wedding are:

1) Rockin’ couple

2) Rockin’ location

3) Rockin’ family and guests

(and if the geeky photographer in me had to add a 4th it would be Rockin’ light)

Deborah and Robert fulfilled the Rockin’ wedding trifecta! They were both so much fun to be around and ready for anything. The Chapel at Mariners Church is not only stunning but makes for an amazing backdrop and location for photos. To top it all of Deborah and Robert have some amazing friends and family who kept the day full of fun and high in energy. Definitely a rockin’ day all around.

Newborn Baby Portraits – Juliet & Bill with baby Kailyn

Austin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:05:00 +0000

Juliet and I actually went to high school back in the day and so I was really excited when she contacted me about doing some Newborn pics not only because I was excited for the shoot but because it would be a great chance for us to catch up and for me to finally meet her new husband Bill and their latest addition Kailyn! Juliet and I talked a bit about what they were looking and I found out they were interested in doing some studio shots as well as some more informal shots out and about. So I got to convert my garage into a studio for the day! Turned out really well. Kailyn was an absolute doll and it was so fun to spend a day with all three of them. I think my favorite part was watching Juliet and Bill interacting with their new daughter. You can tell they are so in love with her. It’s kind of hard not to be. I mean look at that face! Only 3 weeks old and already so expressive!

Engagement Session in Hermosa Beach – Beti and Berhanu

Austin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:19:48 +0000

This was actually my first time shooting in Hermosa Beach, and I am definitely going back! While it is a little more crowded some of the other beaches I normally shoot at, it also offers a different environment and new things to play with (primarily a pier!)! Beti and Berhanu were so much fun and they were totally game for anything. We may have gotten a bit sandy, but it was well worth it. I got to play with some fun textures in post, and I have been playing with the Lensbaby more and more, so keep your eyes out for that as well. Enjoy!

Moss Point Beach, Laguna Ca – Brian and Samantha Engagement Session

Austin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:48:12 +0000

What a fun day this was! I am shooting Brian and Samantha’s wedding at the Castaway Restaurant in Burbank this fall and after shooting their engagement session I can’t wait for their wedding! They brought their cruisers down to the beach for some fun shots around Laguna Beach and then we were able to get some really fun romantic shots overlooking Moss Point beach. I go to play around with some fun toys as well (like the Lensbaby). It was great watching them interact, they have so much fun with each other and you can really tell they are crazy about each other. I loved being able to spend the day with them and I am looking forward to spending more time with them at the wedding!

Ponte Winery, Temecula Ca. – Brad and Gladys

Austin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:10:50 +0000

Ponte Winery is a beautiful family estate winery in the heart of Temecula wine country. Not only do they have fantastic wines, but their location is stunning and their staff is extremely friendly and easy going! Tori, their onsite coordinator, was extremely helpful and fun to be around and she kept their day flowing effortlessly. I shot Brad and Gladys’ engagement session there a few months back and we had so much fun that day that I knew that their wedding was going to be an amazing experience. And it was! Gladys selected a beautiful color scheme that really popped when set against the lush greens of the vineyard and it’s surroundings. Both Brad and Gladys are two of the kindest and warm hearted people I have worked with and it was an absolute delight to be a part of their day. Enjoy!

Bridlewood Winery, Santa Ynez, CA – David and Monique

Austin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:50:28 +0000

I met David and Monique in Los Olivos just outside of Santa Barbara in the heart of SoCal wine country. The weather was perfect and David and Monique were an absolute treat to be around. After getting some photos in Los Olivos we made out way to the Bridlewood Estate Winery, which is an absolutely gorgeous winery with an amazing tree lined entrance. By the end of the day we had spent nearly an entire day wandering around taking pics, tasting some wine, taking more pics and just having a really great time! They were extremely fun and easy to shoot and it felt more like I was enjoying a day in wine country with friends than it did like I was hard at work. But alas, we were there for photos! So here are some samples. Enjoy!

Santa Anita Church/Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena CA – Laura and Manny

Austin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:46:54 +0000

I’m gonna start with a massive plug for Bravo Salon. I go there for my hair cutting needs (yes, that’s right, I cut my hair at a salon haha) and they are absolutely awesome. Not to mention this is also where I met Laura! My friend Andi (and amazing stylist who cuts my hair at Bravo) had me shoot her family portraits last year and she passed the word along to her co-worker Laura and I am so glad she did cause I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both her and Manny! We had a ton of fun the entire day and I am so excited about the fun photos we were able to get! Their ceremony was held at the Santa Anita Church, which features some really amazing stain glass windows, followed by a rooftop reception at the Pasadena Museum of California Art or PMCA. I had never been to PMCA and let me tell you, this is an awesome location for a reception. Fantastic view of downtown Pasadena with great sunset views. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and unique reception site. All in all this has been such an enjoyable experience and I am so glad to have been part of Laura and Manny’s day and to get to know their friends and family!

San Diego County Fair – Allen Family Portrait

Austin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:56:21 +0000

Man this was a fun day! I have shot with the Allen family now for their engagement session, their wedding, Sarah’s Trash The Dress, and now for a killer day at the San Diego County Fair! We wanted to do something a little less orthodox and not just a formal family portrait. Something that really captured the family together just having fun. When Sarah had the idea of shooting at the Fair I was on board instantly! So much color and energy! It was just a really fun day. I felt kinda guilty cause I was really experiencing the fair along with them and having a total blast, but true to their nature they really wanted me to feel like part of the group and not just like I was there working, and I would have to say that I have spent quite a bit of time with the Allen’s now and I consider them genuinely good people and friends.

The Clarke Estate, Santa Fe Springs, CA – Melissa and Chad

Austin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:59:05 +0000

I think I have the best job in the world! I love what I do and I get to work with awesome people! And Chad and Melissa are awesome!! I had such a great time at their wedding. Not only was the Clarke Estate in Santa Fe Springs a beautiful venue, but Chad and Melissa were so much fun to work with. They are both extremely nice and their personalities really shine through in all that they do. I think that is pretty apparent in some of their photos. I remember shooting their engagement session last year and thinking that their wedding was going to be a memorable event, and it definitely was! I am very excited to know Chad and Melissa and I look forward to hopefully spending more time with them!