Ziva Santop Photography Blog

A Day in the Life of Sunny Los Angeles (in December)

2011-12-02T19:34:00.001-08:00

My daughter and I went to Zuma Beach in Malibu so that she could sand board down the sand dunes on the beach. I did not have my professional gear with me so used my Android phone to capture this shot. Because I was facing directly into the sun, I could not see what I was shooting on my screen so I shot this photo rather blindly. It was luck and perfect timing (her body position and the clouds in the sky) that made for this amazing photo!

Kaia and her Cake

2011-10-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

I photographed Kaia's parent's wedding several years ago and then Kaia when she was a newborn. I had the pleasure of photographing Kaia once again when she turned one.

The location was the Ronald Reagan Library. The library houses a tall piece of the Berlin Wall that was spray painted with pink flowers. We placed Kaia in front of the wall and she naturally just sat down and gave me this cutest pose with an attitude!

Sisar Canyon Engagement Shoot

2011-09-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

Barb & John wanted to incorporate their horses (Darius and Pharlap) into their engagement shoot. Darius the white horse just loved the camera and patiently posed. Pharlap on the other hand was quite stubborn but in the end he was fine too. The location (Sisar Canyon, Ojai) was quite spectacular with a canopy of oak trees, a running creek and boulders.

Wildly in Love_Alison & Phillip

2011-08-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Location: The Santa Barbara Zoo
Florist: Rincon Floral - 805.745.1855
Catering: Rincon Catering- 805.566.9933
Cake: Jana's Creative Cakes - 805.231.0043

The Santa Barbara Zoo is the perfect setting for a wedding. Guests had the opportunity to feed the giraffes just before dinner while Alison, Phillip and their wedding party were sliding down the ant hill!

Gorgeous in Green

2011-05-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

I recently teamed up with event planners Chabeli and Laurel of "P.S.& Associates Event Planning" (818.644.9701) to shoot the wedding of Heather & Sean. These two ladies are truly the ultimate professionals. They are extremely passionate about what they do and it shows. Their attention to details is impeccable. The bride wore a unique green dress (selected by Laurel).

ENviRONmenTurmOIL

2011-03-08T11:09:00.000-08:00

Whenever we get a chance, a group of us get together to create "editorial" shoots in different locations. Petrochem is an abandoned oil refinery in Ventura. It was the perfect location for this shoot. Jeremy Hiatt designed and built Amber's outfit and he airbrushed Amber from head to toe. Sarah J. did Amber's hair and makeup.

A Halloween Wedding

2010-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

I was so excited to finally photograph Amber & Jeremy's wedding on the eve of Halloween at the Acacia Mansion in Ojai. Both Amber & Jeremy are unique and did not have a traditional wedding. Amber found this amazing red wedding dress and had black Swarovski crystals sewed onto the dress. All her guests donned masquerade masks during the reception and Amber & Jeremy surprised them with fire dancers during dinner.

The Red Couch

2010-08-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

During spring, the mustard plants carpet the rolling hills of California. The landscape is so picturesque with the yellow flowers and oak trees. Amber and Jeremy wanted to take advantage of this special time and wanted to incorporate their red couch into the scene for their engagement session.

Les Femmes Bridal Party Photo Shoot

2010-08-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

Amber, whose wedding I am shooting on Halloween wanted to give a gift to her bridesmaids - a bridal party photo shoot. We used the same location where the wedding ceremony is going to be taking place - The Acacia Mansion in Ojai. This was a very unique and creative shoot!

Stephanie & Brian's New Years Day Wedding

2010-08-02T23:18:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Brian - El Matador State Beach

2010-02-13T20:29:00.000-08:00

Stephanie is a California native however Brian is from Virginia so they wanted a "California" photo shoot and what better location than El Matador State Beach.

The wedding took place on new year's day in Ojai in a quaint chapel and then at Azu restaurant.

Into the Woods

2009-12-24T16:05:00.001-08:00

Rocky Oaks

Malibu, CA

Ambrosia and Jeremy are a unique couple so we decided to shoot their engagement shoot at a location that suited their look. I found this amazing location in Malibu that was just the right fit for them.

When we arrived at Rocky Oaks, it was fairly overcast and dreary but as soon as we started to shoot, the light was so magical. Rays of light were shooting through the oak trees and cast several mystical colored beams that I was able to capture with my lens.

I am shooting their wedding on Halloween at a gothic mansion in Ojai which truly fits their style. I am sure it is going to be a one of a kind event and I cannot wait to shoot it!

Client Comments

2009-08-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

Gladys & Dee (married May 29, 2009)

"I cannot say enough good things about Ziva. She made our day memorable, and her sweet, humble demeanor was a treasure. Our pictures turned out glorious, more than we could have ever dreamed for"

Denice & Jeremy Engagement Session - Gardens of the World

2009-07-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

Denice & Jeremy mentioned to me that their engagement shoot totally distressed them as the location (Gardens of the World) was so beautiful and calming. I love to shoot engagement sessions at Gardens of the World for that exact reason. We are totally surrounded by amazing flowers, trees and plants which truly help to de-stress the mind, body and soul.

Jennifer & Julian's Engagement Session

2009-07-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

I met Jennifer & Julian in Pasadena for the engagement shoot. Pasadena is a great location for"urban" engagement shoots as there are numerous interesting spots with various textures and backgrounds. We did encounter a security guard who told us we were not permitted to shoot because we were on private property! Who knew an outdoor shopping mall was not considered a public place!

ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

2009-06-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

MARRIANE & MARK

Gardens of the World

Thousand Oaks, CA

DANIELLE & DANNY

The Lakes

Thousand Oaks, CA

AMANDA & ROB

We went to the high school where they met!

HEATHER & ROB

El Matador Beach, Malibu CA

Liza & Justin's Engagement Session

2009-03-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

I love shooting engagement sessions, as this allows me to get to know couples prior to shooting their wedding. It is also a way for a bride and groom to become comfortable with their photographer.

My bride & groom - Liza and Justin chose the Getty Villa in Malibu as their engagement session location. The villa's architecture and gardens are influenced by ancient Rome and Greece.

Liza has such a bubbly personality and it definitely shows through her great smile. Justin is a dapper young man with a serious side.

A Serene Wedding

2009-03-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

On Valentine's day, I shot a wedding of two very special soles - Prudence & Jeff. They flew into LA from Seattle to unite as one in a sacred ceremony at the Lake Shrine Temple in Pacific Palisades (www.lakeshrine.org ).

The Lake Shrine Temple is surrounded by serene gardens and is a spiritual sanctuary.

The ceremony is considered extremely sacred and thus I was not permitted to photograph the two of them performing their vows. However afterward, we walked the gardens where I captured the essence and calmness of the surroundings.