KELSEY + MATHAI : layli samimi photography wedding shoot | POLAROIDS

i had the distinct pleasure of shooting not only kelsey + mathai's engagement photos, but also polaroid & analog photography for their beautiful wedding. the wedding took place at the silverlake reservoir in late december, overcast and dreamy. their ceremony was so full of love and light, joy and peace. at one point during the ceremony i looked up at the sky and saw a huge flock of birds flying, circling above the wedding ever so gracefully - they circled the entire ceremony, as a blessing - confirming on a whole other level this amazing union of theirs [and their families] and how the world is so fortunate to have a team as beautiful, strong, loving, funny and thoughtful as these two love birds. 

here are the polaroids i shot of the prep and the ceremony. enjoy.  *film shots coming soon! stay tuned.

i am so grateful to have been able to capture their special day through my eyes! 

♥

A PORTRAIT : KENNETH

i was just in the Holy Land [israel] visiting my parents & 2 of my 3 siblings. it was heavenly and i shot heaps of awesome photos and took some delights on my instagram [handle "samimi_extremie"]. but i've been so anxious to share with you this beautiful portrait session of kenneth while he was here in LA a couple of weeks back. we had a blast and i took him on a tour of LA, photoshooting the entire time - malibu, venice & downtown LA. in malibu i taught him how to call the dolphins and they came [hence expression on his face in photograph #6] it was a blast & he was a delight to shoot, full of energy and joy, hilarious, full of expression and confident. i hope you enjoy the photos, as much as i did taking them.

kenny wanted to take my portrait. here it is.

> Hey new readers! Layli Samimi Photography also has a Facebook page. Please come on over and "like" it! 

i received this via a friend today and i about rolled over and died i love it so much. i think this is my new motto:

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” 

-Mother Theresa