Justine Ungaro

Santa Monica Wedding – Christina & Nima

justine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:56:44 +0000

With as much travel as I do, I don’t always get to meet my wedding clients before they book me to shoot their weddings. But Christina & Nima were an exception to that rule and the first time I opened the door to greet them, my jaw almost hit the floor when I saw what a strikingly beautiful couple they were. But it wasn’t just that, I also learned they are two of the kindest and most appreciative individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with. And the love between them and the obvious adoration of their families was such a pleasure to experience. And although it’s been a few months since their wedding, I had to share their loveliness (inside and out) with all of you.

But first, a few images from their engagement session which we shot on the UCLA campus just a couple of weeks before the actual wedding.

Ceremony: St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Santa Monica
Reception: Sheraton Delfina
Event Coordinator: Weddings by Kathy

Enjoy!

And a big thank you to the amazing Michael Tyler for coming along to 2nd shoot with me!

Reagan Building Wedding – Joanne & David

justine — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:02:06 +0000

As I wind down 2011 I am determined to blog every single wedding that I’ve shot this year. And although I’ve been a bit behind, taking a little trip back down memory lane to revisit all of my fall weddings all over again feels like visiting with old friends I haven’t seen in a while. So when I peaked through my folder of images from Joanne & David’s wedding, I was all smiles all over again to see these two. They seriously could not have been more lovely to work with and it was just one of those days that was bursting with happiness. It was great to be back at The Reagan Building which is a super cool and modern Washington DC venue and I loved the sleek yet chic black, white and red decor. Just fabulous all around.

Thank you to Stephen Gosling for coming out to shoot this one with me!

Published – Exquisite Weddings Magazine

justine — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:13:34 +0000

Well, I still have quite a stock-pile of of weddings and portrait sessions to share here as well as the most exciting studio news EVER but all of that can wait just a little bit longer. Heehee.

For now I just wanted to take a moment to share another recent magazine showing off some of my gorgeous clients. Exquisite Weddings published by San Diego Magazine is a really beautiful publication and I was just tickled pink that they wanted to share Sarika & Prabhu’s Indian wedding extravaganza which I shot last September….and which ultimately ended in Gary and I getting our new (not so new now) puppy, Daphne.

Four Seasons Beverly Hills Wedding – Amy & Shane

justine — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:52:52 +0000

Within moments of meeting Amy & Shane in my home studio earlier this year, Amy had already taken her shoes off to feel the texture of my new sheepskin rug between her toes. To her credit she did ask permission first, but I found her to be so delightfully sweet and loved that it would even occur to her to get cozy and comfy so quickly. She immediately won me over with her giant sparkly eyes and beautiful smile. Equally charming, it was quite obvious that Shane was Amy’s biggest fan. And along with the expertise of Alyson Fox and Diane Levine over at Levine Fox Events, their wedding at The Four Seasons Beverly Hills sparkled from every angle in shades of fuchsia, lavender, gray and black. Oh, and did I mention the dancing? I can do better, I can show you. Enjoy!

And thank you CK Hwang for 2nd shooting with me!

Published – OK Magazine Australia

justine — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:34:56 +0000

Everywhere I look these days there seems to be a new magazine coming out with my images. I love it, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. So the latest only my Aussie friends will see in print but here are the magazine spreads from Kathryn & Siimon’s gorgeous gorgeous wedding at The Parker Palm Springs last month.

Venice Beach Engagement Session – Nicole & Mike

justine — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:58:39 +0000

So many blog posts to write and so little time with the holidays upon us. There are a lot of exciting things going on around here lately and in the midst of all of the madness I’m sad to say that my father has been very ill. But I must say that with great friends and family around, I feel as loved and supported as ever so thank you to everyone for your incredible support and best wishes.

Although I’ve known Nicole & Mike for only a couple of short months, they have proven to be as lovely and supportive as they could possibly be. After photographing their wedding last month, I became shockingly attached to their families and I’m excited to share all of the images that we created together. For now, here are a handful from their engagement session. Wedding images to come along soon as well. Enjoy! Nicole & Mike, I heart you both!!!

Published – Lisa Loeb

justine — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:46:48 +0000

It’s always fun to see my images in print and it seems I have quite a few publications out at the moment. Here’s the first of several which I’ll be sure to blog. Some images I shot of Lisa Loeb are featured in Royal Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine right now. Check out the spread below and be sure to check out Lisa’s eyewear collection.

Congressional Country Club Wedding – Morgan & Jordan

justine — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:46:18 +0000

I have been so busy flying and shooting and shooting and flying over the past couple of months that I have hardly had a moment to blog all of the fun stuff I’ve been up to. And I am determined to share it all here. So that being said, please forgive me as I jump around chronologically just a bit. I will get to everything, just perhaps not in the exact order it was all shot. So first up, Morgan and Jordan’s absolutely amazing wedding at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. This was the first of 2 weddings I photographed in the Washington DC area on Labor Day weekend.

Morgan may have been the most excited bride I have ever photographed and her enthusiasm was absolutely contagious. She was also one of the most calm and collected brides I’ve ever seen and although I’m a little (or okay, a lot) older than Morgan, I think I could learn a few things from this truly wise beyond her years lady. And although super spunky and adorable, Morgan is a true and graceful lady, through and through. The mutual love and respect between Morgan and Jordan is just so obvious and somehow it just bounces around and can honestly be felt by anyone in their presence.

Wedding Day Coordination: Marilyn Cave Bradley

Gown: Vera Wang

Florist: Phillipa Tarrant

Lighting: Frost Lighting

Makeup: Maura Fales

Hair Stylist: Jean Bae

Video: Blue Sky Films

Georgetown Engagement Session – Laviana & Zach

justine — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:29:24 +0000

This session almost didn’t happen. I drove into DC under some rather ominous-looking storm clouds which had intermittently been spewing rain and gloomyness over the DC area for most of the afternoon. I sat in my rental car parked just off of M Street in Georgetown, now and then sticking my arm out the window to see if the rain had stopped while I texted to Laviana who was doing the same thing just blocks away. Luckily for all of us involved, the sun started to poke through and we managed to get the weather we had been hoping for. This was my first meeting with Laviana and Zach, who could not be more adorable if they tried. So after a quick latte at La Madeleine, we wandered around Georgetown for a bit, along the canal and then down to Washington Harbor, which I was very glad to see was no longer under water. Now I am looking forward to what is sure to be a wedding to remember next year at The Reagan Building.

Sivan & Shai

justine — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:06:56 +0000

It is always exciting when one of my clients welcomes a new baby to the family and I was thrilled to be called in to photograph the most recent edition to the Laibow family, little baby Shai. So just 2 days before leaving on my last trip to DC, I popped in to say my first hellos and to do little Shai’s first portrait session. This was the 4th time I’ve photographed her big sister, Sivan…click here to see our most recent previous session. Galit & Brian make the most beautiful babies…I’m so fortunate to be their photographer.