Monte + Marlene: E-Session

Last Sept. I needed about 2,400 miles to grab Continental elite travel status for 2008. As I planned how I could knock that out in one trip, it ended up a HOU-to-LA would put me over. So, I tracked down my good friend, high-school tennis opponent and current tennis pro, Monte, to check his schedule. The timing was perfect, and as usual, great weather, good food, and old friends catching up made for a nice, long weekend.

Marlene, Monte's girlfriend, was a great host and broke me in immediately upon arrival, picking me up at the airport and showing me around town. Little did I realize she'd have me marching to the top of a mountain near Mullholland Drive, overlooking the LA basin, within an hour of touching down. I was so sore I could barely walk the rest of the trip. Lucky for me, she fed me well at some of LA's swank eateries.

While there, I managed to talk the two of them into letting me shoot some casual portraits, and now in retrospect, it ended up being a stealth engagement session for me. All I can say is, "Marlene, you're a natural...and Monte, well, you still clean up good these days, too." :)

Looking forward to celebrating with y'all at the Oahu wedding, Nov. 23!