I love San Diego (a mini-announcement)

{this is actually Santa Cruz but we'll pretend its not...}

As you may (or may not know) I moved last August from San Diego to San Jose to be apart of Lighthouse San Jose. While I don't regret it one bit, it's undeniable that life is different and somethings can't be replicated. This week I've been thinking about....

....Things I miss in San Diego:

1. California Burritos
2. Pollo Asada Fries
3. Chick Fil-A
4. The Coffeebean and The Tea Leaf
5. Hotel Hasegawa & Camp Tse
6. Boogie Boarding in Del Mar
7. Mild sunny skies with the ocean breeze
8. Surf and sand 
9. Lighthouse Bible Church
10. ....taking family portraits of adorable kiddos!!!

 It's time to take care of ALL those things on that list! The last few times I've stopped by there have a number of families mentioning that they wish I were still around so that we could hang out and I could do family portraits for them. I'm always encouraged and honored when I hear that. But,  I am happy to announce that I will be back in America's finest city for one week...July 25-July 31!

While I'll be in town because my best friend is getting married, I realized that I would love to take this opportunity to offer a limited number of family sessions on the front and back ends of my trip. This $125 family portrait special will be a one hour shoot in the location of your choice within San Diego and include a DVD of your images. There are only 4 sessions being offered during the week so please email courtlynn.photography@gmail.com if you are interested!

Ahhhhh can't wait to be walking on those sandy beaches soon. :)

somewhere over the rainbow

Kev and  Chelsea just ooze love and sweetness....and I was oozing with joy when they asked me to spend the afternoon with them taking their engagement photos before we all ended up leaving SD.

I’ve actually known of Kevin since we were in middle school from Mt. Hermon summer camp. It wasn’t until my first months at Lighthouse that we actually became friends, as we were both newer and were adjusting to a church family so different from our Mt. Hermon/college fellowship roots. It was totally one of those “I know who you are, do you know who I am?” moments. Now, I consider him a much trusted brother. I remember meeting Chelsea when she started coming out while in college and she was and still is one of the sweetest sisters I’ve ever met.

While I never get tired of that shocked feeling when my friends ask me to take their portraits because they actually like what I do with the camera, I don't tire of cute couples either. And of the cute couples I know, ohhhh these two are up there.

From getting to hear about how they first met (while in college, he got stuck driving a carfull of girls, including Chels) to her interest in him and of course his EPIC proposal including the most intricate scavenger hunt I've ever heard of (including clues inside of gifts that he gave her dating back to even when they were just dating), you can't help but feel happy...

When you see they way they care for each other, you feel like like everyone in the world should be in love.

Prepare for high amounts of happiness and sunshine (maybe even butterflies) to flood your heart. I'm totally serious.

Then we were off to Paradise Point

{chelsea used to take daytrips here with her family, when she was a little girl}.

Seriously, so thankful for them both.

I'll be praying the next few months leading up to the wedding!

I love you guys....thanks for taking me along for a lovely afternoon. :)

warms your heart {kevin & chelsea}

Honestly, they are just adorable.

Carol & Sung {Balboa Park, San Diego}

"Only by the sovereignty of God..."

Carol & Sung have one of my favorite love stories.

When Sung asked Carol if he had a chance she told him that it was only by the sovereignty of God. Clearly, it was...because here they are, getting married in May.

Carol has become a sister near & dear to my heart...first bonding over a common love for the Lakers & Anthropologie and now she's someone who I trust to point me to Christ. Through serving together in Sister connection @ LBC we got know each other better and it was actually right before a staff meeting (via facebook) that I found out Sung had asked her to marry him! She stepped in through my front door and though I tried to help it, I looked straight down at her left hand. Lo and behold, there was a beautiful ring on her finger and a sheepish smile on her face.

Getting to be a part of their big day by helping coordinate has been a privilege and I was really really honored when she and Sung wanted me to take some engagement photos in Balboa Park, where they had their first date, and where he almost proposed.

I got to see a playful/affectionate side of them that I had yet to experience and by the end of the day, I had a very full smile on my face. I was so blessed by their company and generosity... no doubt in my heart that God had sovereignly brought a kind, faithful and God-loving man into Carol's life in his perfect timing. I've already posted some of my favorites.... but enjoy the rest!

So much fun on the trolley driving into Balboa park. :)

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley

Ding, ding, ding went the bell

Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings...

I was in love with this tree. Absolutely lovely moment when the petals from the tree started falling upon Carol & Sung.

The Prado....where Sung was originally going to propose...but God had other plans for them. :)

I'd say Carol is ready to become Sung's Mrs. Megabyte

I'm so so so happy for you both and can't wait until your big day!