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Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve Family Session in Carpinteria, Ca is the perfect location for not only engagement photos, but family photos as well! Dan and Andy, known to their friends as “Dandy” traveled down from Oregon to see some family, and get some updated family photos. These two were married in Malibu several years earlier, and it was so much fun to see their family grow by two beautiful twin babies.
Eugenie and Justin chose the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Ca for their engagement photos, and it is such a stunning place to get to visit. Besides its sprawling views of the Los Angeles skyline, this historical building also boasts incredible architectural. Opened in the early 1900’s, it was the first institution in the United States dedicated to public science. The Griffith Observatory is always free to visit, and makes for a beautiful location to capture an engagement session. Eugenie and Justin chose to do their engagement session at sunset, and we were able to watch the sun descend over the Los Angeles basin.
Read MoreWhen fellow photographer Bree reached out for an engagement session before tying the knot at the Santa Barbara Courthouse, I was excited to say the least. It is always such an honor to photograph a fellow creative, and when they chose Lizards Mouth Rock in Santa Barbara, Ca for their engagement location; I knew we were going to create something magical. When I’ve gone up to Lizards Mouth Rock in the past, sometimes the wind is just too much- so I am always so happy when the Santa Barbara weather conditions line up perfectly to take some pictures.
Read MoreI absolutely loved photographing the wedding of Julie and Jon, partly for their beautiful locations, but mostly for their beautiful personalities! Their first date was on 12/13/14, and that’s a pretty incredible start to any relationship if you ask me. I had the pleasure of meeting these two before their wedding for their Lincoln Park, Chicago, Il engagement session, and I’m so glad I did. Nothing is better than arriving to a wedding and already knowing the couple, before getting to see them tie the knot.
We started their wedding at the St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove, Il, and their ceremony was tear-worthy- at least that’s what the guests and Jon thought. With their love story, I wouldn’t have expected anything less, “Jon says it was truly love at first sight,” the bride Julie says.
Intimate weddings come in all shapes and sizes, and for Takesha and Vincent’s they chose one with a small group of their friends and family in Chicago, IL. Held at the First Baptist Congregational Church (otherwise known as the Union Park Congregational Church) in Chicago, IL, these two had a short religious ceremony before a quick first dance and dinner. Before parting ways with their small group, they went and around the room and each attendee gave the couple their well wishes!
Read MoreJayna and Daniel have the sweetest love story, and when we had a change to do an engagement session in Venice, Ca before their wedding day I was stoked! Traveling from Washington DC, they planned a destination wedding in Santa Margarita, Ca from across the country; we were not entirely sure that our schedules would match up for an engagement session in California! I am so glad that they did, because everything about this sunset session was magical. We started at the Flowerboy Project, a local coffee shop in Venice that these two used to frequent; and ended up at that Venice Pier, in Venice, Ca to wrap up their engagement session.
Read MoreSo when the Stahl’s told me that they wanted to shoot near Menlo Park Fire Station to use a fire truck, I didn’t know that me meant he planned on borrowing one and driving it to Holbrook Palmer Park in Atherton, Ca. Michael is a firefighter, and if every shoot I ever photograph in the future has a fire truck, a dog, and two cute kids; I would be in heaven. Not to mention that it was such a pleasure getting to finally meet baby Kylan, who I photographed a year earlier when Marlee was pregnant with him!
The fire truck on the other hand, I have never had the pleasure of meeting. Old Tom was built in 1935, serving the town of Sausalito for over twenty years. In 1999, the Firefighters Association decided to give Old Tom a renovation, making him a gorgeous staple to the Menlo Park area.
Today is my birthday, and not just any birthday, that weird phenomenon of birthdays where I am 28 on February 28! So I thought it was only fitting to do a quick blog post about some of my favorite things. I know there’s a nice little professional synopsis on the actual about page, so I wanted to shamelessly slam this page with pictures of my favorite places, and some random facts. I try to share a little bit more real life on my Instagram page, so if you follow along on there you probably already know some of this!
Read MoreI originally met this glowing mama to be at our Senior Prom, so when I had the chance to photograph Jessicca when she was pregnant with her third little one; I absolutely jumped at the chance! Roberts Christmas Tree Farm in Pollock Pines, Ca provides the perfect holiday backdrop for not only maternity photos but family photos. Their little girls played with leaves, looked for fairies, and climbed tree stumps in this beautiful woodsy area. It was hard to not fall madly in love with this family, and baby fever is a real thing when you get to hang out with two kids as sweet as these.
Read MoreI had the chance to photograph Dasha and James for their engagement session at the Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, California, and we had probably one of the prettiest Southern California sunsets ever. Combine that with Dasha’s stunning red dress, some birds who were not minding their own business and this engagement session was definitely memorable.
Read MoreAndres and Rafael ended their wedding at Casa de la Guerra in Santa Barbara, Ca, but started their beautiful day at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Not only do I absolutely love the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Barbara, Ca for all of my weddings, but I love it even more when my couple designs their entire reception from scratch at a nearby historic home built in 1828. Andres and Rafael started their wedding day at the courthouse, getting married in the historic mural room. It has in the past been called “the unquestionable masterpiece of the courthouse interior,” and that could not be more accurate with the artwork. Designed for use in 1929, the room now serves as a ceremony venue for locals and tourists alike to get married. We wandered the courthouse doing some photos, and I can never get over how stunning the architecture is.
Read MoreIt was such a blast getting to photograph Jeff and Terra’s wedding at Cass Winery in Pasa Robles, Ca. This awesome venue has a separate off-site getting ready house for the girls, allowing them to get ready nearby but also free from hassle of any early arriving guests. It also allows for the most gorgeous first look location, up a flight of stairs and under a tree for a private moment for bride and groom. Cass Winery also not only hosts 145 acres of vines, but you can get married under a 200 year old heritage oak tree- which Jeff and Terra did.
These two added in so many special elements to their day, wanting to represent themselves in all of the planning. Besides all of the rustic elements to compliment the venue, they also decided to include a doughnut bar instead of a cake! I have had so many couples tell me that they don’t even like cake, but were doing it because they felt they had to; so when I see one of my amazing couples go an alternative route, I am so so happy for them! The evening was complete with some off the wall dancing, teary eyed speeches, and a evening tunnel leading to their getaway car. Cass Winery actually provides a 1947 Chrysler limo throughout the day to use for pictures, entrance to the ceremony, and a quick get away!
Read MoreI’m absolutely loving the age of four. I had the pleasure of getting to photograph the Bernatowicz family again at the Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach, Ca. The age of four doesn’t mean that Jackson still doesn’t love his Transformer’s, but it does mean they are advanced enough that the sand at the beach would destroy them. Speaking of sand, 2018 was apparently the year of sand. From the moment the four of them (including the adorable and always loved dog Holly) stepped on the beach, Jackson could not get enough of it. From sand angels, to the spontaneous jaunt into the ocean to kick the sand; it was a good thing the family was headed to pizza for dinner. Which I can proudly say I was even invited to by Jackson himself. Go watch him grow up, because it couldn’t be cuter.
Newborn
6 Months & 1 Years Old
2 Years Old
3 Years Old
Erika and Peter had the most unique Do It Yourself (DIY) wedding at a families residence in Santa Cruz, Ca. Between ordering the flowers online from Hawaii to create their arch and bouquets, or staying up all night creating hand waxed place setting- everything about this wedding was straight out of Erika and Peter’s dreams. It was such an amazing experience to get to photograph their wedding day and see everything we had talked about to come to fruition.
Read MoreI am so in love with the Chicago, IL skyline, and how many places around the city you can view it’s picturesque beauty for engagement pictures! Julie and Jon chose the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and the Lincoln Park Zoo for our photo locations, and they definitely did not disappoint. Filled with so much greenery, they were a perfect compliment to our spring day walking around. I love getting to hear my couple’s stories, and especially when they meet online! These two met on Match.com, and had their first date back on 12/13/14. I’m so excited to get to photograph their wedding later this year at the Eagle Brook Country Club and it was definitely such a fun adventure to walk around the city exploring. Check out their proposal story below, and see just how cute they are.
Read MoreI absolutely love Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula, Ca, and it was made all the better by the beautiful presence of getting to photograph Lupita and Omar at their wedding. These two high school sweethearts wanted the day to be about family, and that was exactly how the day turned out. Surrounded by their 300 family members and friends, the day was filled with music and celebration. It was amazing to see Omar and Lupita again after their engagement session at Limoneira Ranch earlier this year. Omar used to work at Limoneira Ranch, so we were able to explore the orchard in all of its sunset glory.
Limoneira Ranch is 7,300-acres of the county’s largest producer of avocados, lemons, and oranges. When someone has a wedding here, the guests get to take home oranges as a wedding favor, which is such a cool feature at the end of the evening. Not to mention Lupita and Omar having a popcorn cart, taco bar, and other delicious reception snacks. These two are absolutely such a blast to get to spend the day with, and I can’t wait to see the adventures they go on next.
Read MoreWhen I came upon Sly Park Falls after a hot, 5 mile hike, I knew that this place was straight out of a fairy tale and the perfect location for wedding portraits. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains off of Jenkinson Lake in Northern California near Pollock Pines, it is hard to believe this beauty is man-made. At roughly 33 feet high, you would think it would be a popular swimming hole, but the locals have kept it mostly a secret, and the place usually only has a few visitors.
Read MoreI can’t love a couple harder than when they want to do something amazing, including driving 8 hours round trip to the middle of nowhere to take their engagement photos at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, sometimes just known as the Glamis sand dunes. Known for being the largest sand dunes in the state, they were formed by windblown sands of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Extending for more than 45 miles, with dunes reaching heights of 300 feet above the desert floor. I have to say the whole experience was out of this world, especially based on the many movies that have graced the area. Including but definitely not limited to the original Stargate, Resident Evil : Extinction, and Star Wars : Return of the Jedi! It was so much fun getting to spend the day with Gaby and Josh, and the pictures tell a story of so much love between these two high school sweethearts. Check out their proposal below, and learn why these two are pretty much the best.
Read MoreI love Alex and Asa’s boat wedding so much. It was everything that represents these two, and that is unique! They decided to get married at sunset on the Grand Belle of Geneva, on Lake Geneva. While rushing to fight some potential rain on the horizon, we did some fun portraits on the pier than jumped aboard. After getting situated, the Grand Belle took off onto the lake, and then we started their ceremony. Alex and Asa wanted to have a string quartet play during the whole affair, and their goal was to also insert parts of themselves throughout the ceremony. They both said their own vows, basically filled with jokes that had the entire room giggling. I am such a sucker for boats, and the lake; and it was such an adventure to capture this beautiful day for these two! In their words, they wanted “a nautical theme with a classy ambiance (string quartet), but not too serious or stuffy. We'll probably inject some humor into the ceremony,” and I’d say that was the exact definition of the evening.
Read MoreIt was such a blast getting to watch these two roam around Ojai Olive Oil in Ojai California, and by these two I definitely mean Abbie and Tucker, Rebekah and Jason’s pups! I’ve gotten to hang with them two other times for their engagement session, and an anniversary session; and I pretty much love them.
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