Ray and I have been super busy with weddings and engagement sessions and we can't wait to share them all with you!

When I first met Julie and Lou, I knew that their wedding would be as fun and warm as they were. We couldn't stop laughing during their consultation. A few weeks ago, Julie and Lou were married in an intimate ceremony at Brix in Napa. Fun, relaxed, and casual were the themes for the day, and their party didn't disappoint!

For a more in-depth look at Julie and Lou's wedding, check out their slideshow.

Our 2008 wedding season is in full swing! A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of shooting an engagement session for Misono and Dan who are getting married in Virginia later this year. Dan is a film student, and Misono is a web designer and it's always fun to work with such talented and creative people.

Misono asked us to photograph them when the cherry blossom trees were blooming in Golden Gate Park, and we had a narrow window of time to do this since the bloom only lasts for about two weeks. We managed to get some fantastic shots in the Japanese Tea Garden despite the throngs of tourists. Baker Beach was gorgeous as usual!

Take a look at more photos from Misono and Dan's engagement session slideshow.

Ray and I are back from WPPI where we had an absolutely amazing time meeting new people and learning lots of new things. We can't wait to start making some really positive changes in our business. Every year at WPPI, some of the best wedding photographers in the business donate their time by auctioning off mentoring sessions to benefit Thirst Relief, an organization that provides humanitarian and disaster relief by helping people get access to clean drinking water. Ray and I were lucky enough to the win a mentoring session with the wonderful and incredibly talented Michael and Anna Costa. We got together at the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris, and had a great lunch where we learned so much from the Costas. If you're a wedding photographer, you should definitely check out their new photo forum, Photo for the People.

Of course, it wasn't all work and learning at WPPI. There were lots of parties to attend, networking events, and Ray and I dined at lots of new restaurants. Some of our favorites were Cafe Matorano (Philly style Italian), Fix, and Sushi Roku. On our last day in Vegas, Ray and I checked out Dinosaurs 3D at the Luxor, so that's why we're sporting these sassy and haute couture 3D glasses.

It's been a while since I updated my blog! Ray and I have been super busy meeting new clients and booking weddings this year. We've met some fabulous clients and we're so excited about their weddings! We've heard some amazing stories about truly unique wedding proposals, and I can't wait to blog about them.

The latest good news for us is that Lilia Photography was accepted into the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association). Membership in the WPJA is by portfolio review only, so we're ecstatic to be selected to be part of this organization.

More about the WPJA...

"The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) is a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world. What sets our members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography.

Ray and I are gearing up for WPPI, the biggest national convention for wedding and portrait photographers. We will be there from Friday, March 14 - Thursday, March 20. We managed to win a Thirst Relief auction for a mentoring session with Michael and Anna Costa, and we're stoked about meeting them!

We're looking forward to seeing our photographer friends and meeting new people, as well as learning from some of the best in the industry. Ray and I are always looking for new ways to improve our photography and to learn from other photographers. Since it's in Vegas, the siren song of gambling and cocktails may tempt us, but we'll keep it real.

At Lilia Photography HQ, we like to pride ourselves on our amazing sense of humor. Hopefully you'll enjoy this little video of rejected Valentine's Day cards. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Ray and I are going to WPPI this year, hopefully we'll run into Joe Photo!

I'm slowing catching up with our photos projects! A few months ago, Ray and I had a Trash the Dress session with Alexa. I posted a few of the more glamorous photos here, but now I wanted to share the really wonderful moments at Lake Temescal in Oakland. Alexa was once a member of her swim team, and loves being in the water. Of course getting in a lake in a wedding dress isn't that easy! In order to get these shots, I had to go into the lake myself, all the way to my behind. But I never mind getting dirty when it means grabbing gorgeous photos.

Ray and I love edgy photo shoots like this, so get in touch with us if you're interested in a Trash the Dress session, or any alternative style shoot. :)

You can view more of our San Francisco wedding photography at our portfolio site.

15 Countries. 31 Cities. 32,000 Photos. One Stare.

Most able bodied people take for granted their 5 to 6 foot high perspective on the world. Kevin Connolly was born without legs. He's endured stares his entire life. Now Kevin has picked up a camera to document those stares as he traveled the world on his skateboard from his very unique perspective.

A few months ago, we had a great portrait session with Catlin and Gio at Stow Lake, the De Young Museum, and Fort Point. Although they're not engaged, Catlin wanted a nice portrait session with Gio so that they could send photos back to Gio's family in Italy. We didn't have the weather on our side, but we made the best of the day. I decided to use a black and white treatment on the photos as an experiment, and I think it nicely captures the mood of the day in a dramatic way.

To see the full-color slideshow, click here.

You can view more of our San Francisco wedding photography and engagement sessions at our portfolio site.