Well here we are again, our Monday “meeting place.” Just you and me and the rad couple we’re posting. How was your weekend? Did you miss me? I thought so. Rico and I had one wedding this weekend that kicked some major wedding ass if you ask me. Go view the glimpse HERE and you’ll see what I mean. mmm…mmmm…mmm.

Guess what??? Rico and I had the day off yesterday! I know, monumental. So that means I only needed ONE cup of coffee this morning to go along with my blueberry soy milk smoothie and my pickled beets (breakfast of champions).  Rico and I had such a special weekend, with an engagement session of a couple of triathletes and a wedding of two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. So I’m feeling good and ready for what this week holds, first of which is sharing a couple who is very near to my heart.

HOWEVER, before that I have a little propostion for you all. I have been getting a lot of emails lately from current and aspiring photographers asking questions about photography. I love all your questions and I love that you’re reaching out, it just takes me a little while to respond sometimes because my inbox is crazy… a dark place that inbox. A few years ago a photographer I love offered a little meet up at a coffee shop here in San Diego which we attended and the relationships and knowledge that came out of it were invaluable. Since that helped us so much, I thought I’d offer the same. SOOOOOO, not sure there is even anyone interested, but I’m thinking of scheduling a meet up for sometime in the next two weeks on a weeknight at a coffee shop just to meet, hang out, answer any questions. I want to keep it somewhat small so if you’re interested send me an email to rachel@studiocastillero.com and the first 6 people/couples who respond will receive the details of the meet up. Sound good? do it now. boom.

And with that I give you the FANTASTIC Luca and Carly. Oh man, these two…I love them. Luca is a good friend of mine from college in SLO. I have such fond memories of too much nutella on french bread, MANY nights at Garappolo’s, hours of excel accounting homework bashing, and eating pasta in the middle of the night. They were married at the San Luis Obispo Mission on a rainy day in June. It was beautiful, the food was amazing (Luca is from Italy and has quite the taste for good Italian food), the details were exactly “them”, and the day went off without a hitch..even with the rain.  Luca, you are such a sweet part of my college experience and I don’t know what it would have been like without you. Carly, I have only met you recently but I must say, I adore you just as much…the two of you are a prime pair and I couldn’t have picked someone better for Luca. Next time we’re in town we must get together for some wine tasting and nutella..yes, mmmmmmm. In the meantime, enjoy! xoxo

And how are we all doing today? Hopefully by now you’ve all had your coffee and are ready for the week to start. I’m there. I love coffee…mmmmmmmmmm. Rico and I had another packed weekend with two weddings perfectly finished off with a dinner at Spread with two lovelies (xoxo Josh and Ariel). And here we are, EDITING our brains out, and prepping for the engagement shoots and weddings coming up this week. Life is good eh? I think so.

Today we’re going to share with you a boudoir shoot Rico and I did last week (in our dining room) with our FABULOUS hairstylist and friend Mish. Not only is Mish a genius at keeping my hair tame but she’s also an extremely talented wedding hair stylist. Seriously, she’s a true artist and I fully recommend her if you’re in need of the BEST HAIR EVER for your wedding. We were ecstatic when we had the opportunity to do this this shoot with Mish, and I really love this because it is a perfect example of how boudoir can be anything you want it to be and still be just as beautiful. Who says you have to sit around in your chonies and take off your clothes? Not us! We can make your boudoir shoot anything you like, one requirement is that it’s YOU and that you feel comfortable. Got it? good. Sooooooooo, Mish obviously rocked this shoot and I could not wait to share it with you, so here you go!

And OF COURSE a shout out is in need for Rita Nguyen, the talented makeup artist who did Mish’s makeup. AMAZING!