Santa Barbara Independent Best of Poll

We are so honored and excited to share that Kandie Koed, of Pacific Islands Media, has won finalist for Event Coordinator in The Santa Barbara Independent’s Best Of 2009. Kandie has been coordinating events in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles for the past fifteen years and is also a Brooks Institute of Photography graduate where she earned her Bachelors of Arts in Professional Photography. Congratulations Kandie!

Larry’s 4th Birthday

23 September 2009
This past weekend we celebrated Larry’s 4th birthday by cursing around the Santa Barbara harbor on The Little Toot then heading to Rusty’s Pizza for pizza, cake, presents, and games. It was so much fun to watch as each child took a turn at the wheel of The Little Toot, always under the captain’s watchful eye of course. Bubbles, sailors hats, and fun where had by all despite the cloudy day. Latter at Rusty’s Pizza kids and parents enjoyed pizza, face painting, and loads of pirate treasure. Happy Birthday Larry!

Bryson and Mackenzie’s Wedding

25 July 2009
This past Saturday, my team and I had the immense pleasure of coordinating Bryson and Mackenzie’s beach wedding in Santa Barbara, California. Mackenzie looked so beautiful as she walked down the aisle in a flowing pink gown that was perfect for a beach wedding. The couple exchanged vows before friends and family then headed off to one of Santa Barbara’s historic landmarks, Stella Mare’s where they dinned in the breathtaking Greenhouse room.
Congratulations Bryson and Mackenzie! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lovely day.

All photos taken by Pacific Islands Media

Secret Wedding

On the morning of 28 June 2009 I woke up to one of the strangest phone calls. Someone was on the line asking me if I could come down to the Santa Barbara courthouse in an hour and photograph her wedding. My first thought of course was why had they waited until the last minute to hire a wedding photographer so I started asking questions. What I discovered was that this couple was up for Los Angeles and that their parents were planning a very large wedding for them next year. They felt that things had gotten out of control with this wedding and it had become more about their parents wants then their own. All they cared about was being married so they hopped in their car and drove up to Santa Barbara, a place they enjoyed visiting together. The couple had only one request of me as their photographer, I would not be allowed to post any of their wedding photos as no one knew they were getting married. They were still going through with the large family wedding the following year but they wanted photos to show their children someday of their actual wedding day.
At this point I should tell you that I was a bit reluctant, not because of the couple but because I had returned late the night before from my grandmothers funeral and to say the least I was not in an overly happy mood. For some mad reason however, I found myself agreeing and an hour latter I was standing, camera in hand watching and photographing the most beautiful couple. The love they shared simply poured out of them healing my broken heart as it did. I thought I was doing them a favor by showing up at the last minute but in reality they were the ones were helping me without even knowing it.
The photos turned out to be some of the best work I have ever done and I am sorry that I can not share them with you but I made a promise not to. So thank you to the magical couple who had the secret Santa Barbara wedding. You know who you are.