Jordan and Alex both graduated from San Jose State University, sharing a love for drama. Naturally, they wanted to reenact one of their happiest moments—when Alex proposed—in the SJSU theater where they had spent so much of their college lives.

But fun-loving Jordan and Alex have more than just a theatrical flair; they also have superhero alter-egos!

Many, actually, as in their engagement photo session, we played up Alex’s love for comic books by bringing to life some of DC’s and Marvel’s most beloved icons. Like the Gotham bat signal projected against a dreary sky and Green Lantern’s power ring, Jordan and Alex are each others’ light through dark times, their mutual symbols of hope and strength.

The fun does not stop with a mere studio shoot, however. Since Alex grew up around the redwood trees and beaches of Santa Cruz, we also photographed them spending a day out in nature and enjoying each others’ company (this is what superheroes do on their days off).

We all can relate to the appeal of superheroes, those larger-than-life legends who live in a fantasy world not too different from our own reality. At some point, we have felt like cast-out freaks, different from the rest, harboring a dark side no one else could possibly understand. Like Venom, this side of us threatens to take over, drown and incapacitate us.

It takes a pure and true force of nature to allow us to see the “freakish” as “unique,” to accept us for who we are, to help us conquer our dark sides. Believing in superheroes is a way for us to cope with the mundane and to bring out the best in ourselves through impossible and trying times. Not much different from the power of love.

Christina and Andrew met in UC Santa Cruz and lived in that city for many years, so naturally, they asked for an engagement session along its historical and picturesque shores.

Home of the Banana Slugs and famous Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz boasts a rich history of redwood trees, sand, surf, and good times. Many couples have fallen in love under the warm California sun that shines on this jewel of a city, their bare feet kissed by the sea-foam waters, their hair tousled by salty breezes banked off rocky bluffs.

Adding to the joy of shooting an engagement session for such a romantic couple, it always comes as a pleasant surprise when I am able to connect with a fellow photographer on the job. Having taught photography for big classes (over 150+ students/class) and small (less than 10 students/class), it’s a poignant feeling to run into a fellow photography enthusiast who offered his helping hand.

A photography session in Santa Cruz does not come without its challenges. It’s part of what makes the job so interesting—even in a familiar location where I’ve shot before, the weather, tide, and subtly-changing landscape make every session unique.

At Natural Bridges State Beach, there is a rock formation that makes a wonderful arch—great for photography, but also great natural air conditioning as it forms a strong wind tunnel. All you other photographers out there can relate to how heavy your equipment and lenses can get after you have to hold them up for a while. Having upper-body strength is practically part of our job description. Add to that your other must-haves such as flashes and reflectors and you’ve got a job fit for two people. I was in the middle of figuring out this balancing act so that I could get the proper amount of light and give Christina and Andrew the perfect shot when a landscape photographer came running up to relieve me of my load.

He left soon after I scored some great shots with his help, but I was met with another surprise from the kind Lance Miller. Unbeknownst to us, he saw me photographing the couple and started taking behind-the-scenes footage for us.

When people look at the focus subjects in a photo, they often don’t think about the bigger picture: what it takes to have captured these people, places, lights, and colors in this way. Taking just a little step back, Lance was able to capture these candid moments of me at work, all the while taking in the incredible landscape of Natural Bridges. What a memorable way to preserve the moment. I am honored to have shared nature’s canvas and a sense of camaraderie with this fellow photographer on this day.

-Michael Soo, Capture the Love Photography

When we think of destination weddings, most of us picture a golden sunset on a beach with the bride and groom wreathed in flowers as a romantic stringed instrument is played in the background. But for Sarah and Greg of Sheffield, United Kingdom, the ideal wedding destination is none other than the city of San Francisco, with its red cable cars, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and classic storefronts decorated just in time for the holiday season.

Sarah and Greg researched and interviewed 20-30 photographers before asking us to photograph them, and we are glad to have had the chance to share in their special day.

Looking elegant and refined, the bride and groom are complemented against similarly silvery and sepia-infused images of the city’s sleek inner architecture. Since the couple loves vintage and antiques, we employed colors and backgrounds that play up this look.

What is one thing that impresses this English couple about America? Since Europe’s vehicles are built small for energy efficiency and ease of travel, Greg is intrigued by the stretch limo, a car on a grand scale. Greg and Sarah, thank you for allowing us the opportunity to preserve such loving moments between two adventurous souls who have come from so far away.

Standing 50 miles south of San Francisco is California Historical Landmark #930, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. What does this have to do with love? Named after the Carrier Pigeon ship that wrecked on its shores in 1853, this operative lighthouse, since built, has lit the way for ships with its reassuring and steadfast beam of light. It boasts the reputation of being one of the tallest lighthouses on the United States’ west coast and is undeniably situated in a picturesque location, sitting atop tide pools and rocky cliffs, backed by an azure sky and swirls of white clouds in the summer, speckled by purple wildflowers in the spring.

Capture the Love is proud to be the first-place recipient of a photography award for a picture taken at Pigeon Point seven years ago. So when Manuel and Amanda asked us to photograph their engagement shots at the same place, we were happy to revisit this memorable place. Symbolic to them since Manuel had proposed to Amanda close to here, we think it’s the perfect backdrop to highlight their love.

Love leads the way in the dark for those who are lost and seeking the light. Standing tall and steady is the lighthouse, a lover beckoning for a ship to come home as it is tossed amidst a silent and unrelenting sea.

The lighthouse lens go round and round with its reliable flash of light. So too does life come full circle as it sometimes does in it serendipitous way.

What’s more fun that a couple who loves to make fun of each other? The first time Jordan asked Maria out, he gave her the choice of a stuffy ol’ museum or some go-carting, and this active, on-the-go gal can’t wait to run down her husband-to-be behind a set of wheels. As they continued dating, they found a mutual interest in football and arm-wrestling each other. Jordan keeps it real by mimicking Maria’s myriad facial expressions and default body language through her various moods, but she knows how to keep him in line—she just busts out the Tickle Torture, a gift of ultimate endearment to her macho-man Jordan, who can’t help but laugh despite the Ironman façade.

Anyone who knows what a Filipino wedding is like understands the concept of celebration on a grand scale. Whereas more timid couples may balk at the idea of planning and managing a wedding with 20 people in the wedding party and hundreds of guests, this doesn’t stop the couple’s quick laughter for a moment. They are every wedding photographer’s dream in that you never have to remind them to smile. With an entourage of loving friends and family to support them on their wedding day, Jordan and Maria got married at Mission Santa Clara, followed by a reception at the Palmdale Estate in Fremont on a lush green carpet of grass, under the canopy of a new spring sky. Anyone can see that they find joy simply by being in each other’s company. In each other’s arms, they are light in spirit and uplifted by love.

Aside from all the goofing around, it’s clear that these two are ready for the commitment of a lifetime. They will support and help each other across obstacles in their path, letting love guide their decisions throughout their lives together as husband and wife. Jordan and Maria, may your devotion root you to what’s solid and true; may your love for each other make your souls as buoyant as the wind; may you stay as hopeful as the green springtime—and, as you grow old together, may you forever laugh through the years.

This blog was written by Daisy Luu after her engagement session:

How do a wrist lock and a hip throw lead to an engagement? Once upon a time, wearing a white gi and belt, I met the man that I am fated to marry. Our love story starts out with a mutual interest in martial arts—me in aikido and him in kickboxing. For our engagement photo shoot, I wanted to recapture the story of how we met and fell in love.

In the course of wedding planning, we went with some vendors for budget, some for location convenience, and some because our first choice was booked. But one thing we knew we wanted from the beginning was Michael Soo as our photographer. From viewing his work, we could tell that he put couples at ease in front of the camera so their natural playfulness and beauty, along with that special something that highlights their relationship, are effortlessly captured and preserved.

We headed to San Francisco for the rest of our photo shoot after our playful martial arts session. I felt transformed from normal to glamorous as we went around the city for ideal backdrops. However, the fun was yet to come because we insisted on making a hike around fenced off areas and steep steps to get to the little stretch of beach near the Golden Gate bridge, in a spot affectionately dubbed “Soo Rock” for a dramatic picture complete with crashing waves and a golden sunset.

When my parents crossed the sea in their immigration journey to America, they had to leave behind most of their precious belongings, so they don’t have even one wedding picture as a keepsake. This is part of the reason why photography is such a high priority for me in the ever-growing list of wedding necessities. I can always buy another fancy dress, order a three-tiered cake, take a limousine ride. But capturing the here-and-now-freezing a moment in time—can never really be repeated. In the past, I was someone’s baby girl, a student, a best friend. In the future, I may be a wife, a mother, an old lady whose wrinkles tell the familiar story of age and time. But today…today, I am a young woman whose heart is set aglow like the sun, with the wind in my hair and the waves at my feet, kept warm by my lover’s embrace.

What a breathtakingly romantic shot, right? It’s pictures like these that forever remind me of this moment. But some of them come at a bit of a price. So, Ladies—as you work your way through wedding planning and you’re thinking about that one Money-Maker shot that will capture the essence of your love, let me ask you this:

Are you ready to take on the Soo Challenge?

- Daisy Luu & Tung – 8/25/2012

Weddings in San Francisco City Hall showcase beautiful architecture. Many a weddings have we photographed there. However, when it comes to video / cinema, it’s an extremely noisy location with echos and is difficult to shoot.

With only ONE cinematographer in under 2 hours of prep + ceremony, it’s a miracle how this beautiful cinema was pieced together. Thanks to Paul and congratulations to this absolutely beautiful couple, Brenda & Ben!

As we say goodbye to 2011, we also say goodbye to the headache of renovating our photography
studio. We spent 3 months dealing with the fine white dust from the drywall, the teeth-shattering jackhammering, and the noise from dawn till dusk. Renovation is super stressful, especially if, like me, you’re someone who is meticulous about the tiniest details: light, color, the shape of the tiles, design, ambiance, and on and on.

But the good news is that our studio renovation is finally complete! Champagne all around, please! Happy New Year!!!

We decided to go through the remodeling process because we wanted to be able use the studio as an elegant backdrop in photos. Renovation of this proportion usually takes 6 months, but we
completed a majority of it in just under 3 months because we are utilizing the space as a studio and can’t have such a long downtime. We had to be extremely creative in making the renovations in sections.

We did all the interior design ourselves, and we’re so please with how it turned out! The studio used to be really dark, but now light pours in from skylights and windows. Glass doors open onto the yard, creating a flow between indoor/outdoor living space.

We created more light by adding 7 new skylights, and a bunch of new windows. We also installed at least 60+ new light fixtures into the studio, most of which are LED (energy efficient and non-toxic).

The interior has a wedding theme with a glamorous, contemporary, warm and extremely sexy feel. The furniture is modern and cozy, the perfect place for couples who are getting married to get comfortable, have some wine and cheese, and chat with us about their plans.

The fireplace is elongated, see-through and set into beautifully curved tiles, bordered by wood. The other side has a large black granite surround, sitting on a sensual red wall. The see-through fireplace is fun because it’s essentially 2 fireplaces in one.

The salon also received a facelift with new light fixtures, glass French doors and new flooring.

With its beautiful lighting, flowing design, comfortable furnishings and elegant touches throughout the space, visitors tell us the new studio has the feel of a high-end lounge.

If you know me, I always preach about being able to take a great photograph any place, any time. Location doesn’t matter as much. Being in Hawaii again makes me eat my words. I never appreciated Hawaii when I lived in Honolulu, HI between 1991 and 1994. Then again, I was not a photographer then.

I appreciate it more each time I return. The sunset in Kona, North Shore, Waikiki, etc. makes the sky glow hues of red, purple, blue and yellow in just about every evening.

Brian is an executive in Symantec and a art collector who loves the work of Peter Lik. He already owns four Peter Lik’s landscape art pieces in his home thus far and is looking for collections to match, in his wedding photographs.

Beyond his deep appreciation in Landscape art, the Hawaiian within him yearns for an escape to serenity and love. The latter, he acquired in abundance from Dee, his wife-to-be, in about a month or so, October 8th.

Capturing landscape and people well require a multitude of skills such as lighting, meteorology and people skills. Brian also wanted his dad’s home in Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii where he grew up to be photographed as well. That required the photojournalism part of me to emerge, to understand his story, his life in this beautiful home. A home to a large mango tree the he used to climb, growing up, a basement of dirt that he played in and a view from the entry to his home.

We were at Waikiki, Honolulu for a few night scenes and the next day, traveled north to Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu for some of the photos as well as an abandoned building that doesn’t even show up in Google map!! Then, to end the day, an unknown beach in the North Shore. It’s a beach that is filled with sea turtles, climbing up shore for a breather. We saw at least 10-20 sea turtles during our scouting trip there.

An amazing day with fantastic friends. Nothing beat the dinner after at Ige’s and the 19th Puka. Thank you, Brian & Dee for such an amazing time. Tiffany Chiang’s makeup and hair styling was beautifully done, as usual. Her help in directions and ideas made the day wonderfully pleasant.

What an amazing way to end the Engagement Session in the North Beach, Oahu, Hawaii with Brian & Dee. As I was going to pack up after the session, Brian and Dee are already cleaning up and Tiffany was about to collapse the light stand, two surfers walked right in front of us. My ninja skills snapped into action for this last but sweet photograph in our 10 day Hawaii extravaganza.

Photos from the Engagement session with Brian & Dee will be up shortly! Need to rest as we just returned from Honolulu, Hawaii mere hours ago.