Ryan and Janie’s California Love

Ryan and Janie have just wrapped up a memorable chapter in their lives together as husband and wife. They relocated to the LA area for Ryan to work on his MBA at USC and during their stay, they really grew fond of the weather, the food, and all that is southern California. While Ryan had to leave his job to complete this program, Janie, the fabulous mastermind behind We Heart Paper, took her work with her and has continued turning out super cute custom letterpress for her clients.

This is where the fun connection happens. Ryan, Janie, and I have a common link in our friend the social media guru Ron Ploof. Ron wrote an article about me and my use of social media for business a few years back, and still uses me as an example when he guest lectures. I’m always honored, and slightly shy when he pumps me and my business up, but this time, I was completely floored when I found out that the reason Janie and Ryan chose me to photograph their final days in California was on Ron’s recommendation in Ryan’s MBA class. What a small world this social media phenomenon makes, and how amazing that we can all connect on so many more levels than ever before. I’m pretty sure I turned a pretty shade of pink when they mentioned the influence Ron’s suggestion had on them. Ron, I owe you lunch and a hug!

So, on a Friday evening in May, we met at the Santa Monica Pier and enjoyed their final hours in California together before they headed back to the east coast. They wanted to document the change in their surroundings as well as the change in themselves after this journey through higher education and passion searching. After spending a few wonderful hours with them, I walked back to my car feeling a sort of loss that these two great people I had only just met were leaving so soon. But I know I’ll see them around Instagram and Facebook, and I know I’ll be retweeting new and amazing things from these two. You should follow them…. they’re pretty great.

Here are my favorites from the evening by the shore…

PS… the Mr. Potato Head is a little something Hasbro gave Ryan when they offered him a job… so he wanted a little celebratory high-five with the man. Haha!