When Estee, Jose, and I Facetimed to discuss wedding photography for their big day, I knew this was my ideal couple to work with: Estee and Jose are truly a team, evident in their equal involvement with me as we planned their day. They are foodies at heart, immensely value family, hard work and education, and absolutely love each other. Jose is a romantico, and how these two danced Mexican banda at their wedding reception, cheek to cheek, as if no one else was there, made me admire them even more. When I delivered their photos and album, I was sad: with no more 'business' reasons for us to interact, I remember thinking, 'I hope we can be friends.'
To my heart's content, we kept in touch. When Estee told me that they were expecting their first child, I was thrilled. When they asked me to photograph their maternity session, I was honored.
Once again, the three of us planned for this very special shoot, and Estee had a vision of what she wanted: the Arts District in Los Angeles would serve as one of the backdrops to their shoot. We would include the 'Bloom' mural from Oakland-based artist Allison Torneros because Estee and Jose met and fell in love in Oakland, so the town (no pun intended! Ha!) is an important part of their love story. Equally important, Jose and Estee are from Los Angeles, making this baby a proud second generation Angeleno to be, so catch Downtown LA in the background in the second part of their maternity session.
Come the afternoon of their shoot, Los Angeles was bizarrely chilly, but the universe knows what it's doing: as we began shooting in front of Bloom, Mexican banda starting playing from a nearby food truck. Cue the perfect opportunity for these lovebirds and soon to be parents to dance to stay warm. Just like these two make each smile and laugh, make each other feel safe, I just know this Angeleno baby is going to be SO loved.
Estee and Jose, I ADORE YOU! Thrilled is an understatement for how I feel about the soon arrival of Baby Hernandez! Thank you for allowing me to continuously be in your lives, as your photographer and friend. Con mucho carino, Evelyn
