Wow, these kinds of stories blow me away. I mean, what are the chances? Some love stories feel destined, and Courtney and Christian’s is one of them. After finding each other as teenagers, spending decades apart, and ultimately reconnecting, their story is a beautiful reminder that true love can endure time, distance, and life’s unexpected twists. Some stories are best told in the first person….from Courtney and Christian’s wedding website: “We first met each other in 1990, in the Diablo Valley College parking lot, when Christian was 16, and Courtney was 14. There was an instant connection, and we felt…

This was Paisley in 2017, the first time I met the Heather family. Nine years later, everyone is growing up. Seeing Paisley, Megan, and Robert again was a reminder of just how quickly the years pass. While so much has changed since that first session, the connection and love within this family remain exactly the same. I loved this session and spending time with them! Paisley Fall in El Dorado County…. I can’t get enough of Miss Paisley….

I first photographed Madison as a preschooler, and these portraits were taken just one day before her high school graduation. It’s rare to photograph a senior so close to such a major milestone, and I enjoyed having the chance to spend this time with her before the celebrations began. A dedicated FFA member, she spends much of her time caring for and showing livestock. Her biggest passion, though, is horses. She enjoys riding, competing, spending time with her animals, and being outdoors. There is a quiet determination about Madison that comes from early mornings, long days, and the willingness to…

Kaitlyn and Jake chose Camp Lotus for all the right reasons. Between the river, the trees, and the relaxed atmosphere, it’s the kind of venue that makes everyone slow down and enjoy the moment. Plus, Kaitlyn and Jake LOVE the river. After their wedding celebration and the several weddings I have photographed there, I have wondered — is Camp Lotus magical because it sits beside the river, or because couples like them choose it as the place to begin their marriage? For Kaitlyn and Jake, it was probably both. Congratulations! Venue: Camp Lotus Wedding Coordinator: Amanda Roy and Storybook Weddings…

Bryce, Vista Del Lago, Class of 2026, brought a relaxed, confident energy to his senior session and is ready for his next adventure at the University of Utah, where he’ll study finance and accounting this fall. He’s especially looking forward to taking advantage of all the skiing Utah has to offer. This summer, Bryce will be coaching lacrosse, one of the many sports he enjoys alongside basketball, football, skiing, and paddleboarding. When he’s not playing sports, he enjoys hanging out with friends, spending time at the lake, hiking, and listening to music. His advice for incoming high school students: explore…

It’s so special getting to walk alongside my couples through some of the biggest milestones in their lives. From photographing their wedding day to now capturing the beginning of their journey into parenthood, it is a privilege I never take for granted. Watching love grow into family is one of the sweetest parts of my work. Little Raelynn June is especially treasured — a true miracle baby for Lindsey and Adam. Seeing them step into this new chapter as parents was incredibly emotional and beautiful. Little Raelynn is already surrounded by so much love. Typically, my newborn sessions take place…

Some senior sessions are about celebrating what’s ahead. Others become a way to honor what’s being left behind. Charlie’s session held both. We met at his family home in Pleasant Valley, a place filled with generations of history and memories. Originally purchased by his great-grandfather, the property became the backdrop for decades of family life. Charlie’s mom and aunt grew up there, along with all the cousins who spent holidays, summers, and countless family gatherings surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. The home sits high above Pleasant Valley with a breathtaking 180-degree northern view — wide open skies, rolling…

Ayla’s golden hour senior session in Coloma: Union Mine, Class of 2026 Easygoing, fun, and naturally funny, this Union Mine High School senior brought lots of personality to her session—complete with her signature shoulder shimmy, which I hear she may even be famous for among her friends. A lover of theatre, reading, and writing, she’s found not just creativity but true community on stage. That sense of connection is what every high schooler hopes to find in the four years defined as high school. Her favorite musical artists are Noah Kahan, Hozier, Mumford & Sons, and The Lumineers. It makes…

There’s something quietly powerful about the work Emily Bouchard does. It lives in the spaces most people avoid—family dynamics, trust, and the often complicated conversations around wealth—but she approaches it with a steadiness that immediately puts you at ease. I felt that from her. With more than two decades of experience, Emily has dedicated her career to supporting family offices and multigenerational families as they navigate not just money, but relationships, legacy, and meaning. Her work is about helping families build genuine trust and coherence across generations. She’s also the co-author of The Little Book of Trust and Money: An…

Noah is the kind of senior who makes the future feel calm instead of loud. This spring, he graduates from Mountainside Middle College High School in Diamond Springs with a brain wired for math and science, hands that love building Legos, and a creative streak that shows up in art and colored pencils. We met in Placerville and headed toward one of my favorite hillside spots above downtown, the light shifting as the sun slipped in and out of the clouds—fitting for someone who’s comfortable moving between logic and imagination. When he’s not biking or problem-solving, he’s looking ahead: Italy…

When everything feels heavy, some stories still shine. This dynamic high school senior came into our lives during the Caldor Fire, when her family generously opened their home to us while we were evacuated. In the middle of a different kind of heaviness, their home became a refuge — something my family will never forget. Rebecca attends Mountainside Middle College High School and somehow balances it all: piano, vocal and dance lessons, working outside of school, paying attention to the bigger picture, and dreaming big — whether that’s becoming a K-pop idol or teaching English in Korea someday. Photographing her…

A Setting Straight Out of a Fairytale Phoebe and Jake embraced a Ren Faire aesthetic for their engagement session with flowing fabrics, earthy tones, and subtle medieval details. Soft gowns, textured layers, leather accents, and boots grounded the look in realism while still allowing it to feel whimsical and timeless. The forest provided the perfect backdrop for this fantasy-inspired engagement session. Moss-covered logs, winding paths, and patches of dappled sunlight created natural stages for quiet moments and sweeping romance. Congratulations to Phoebe and Jake, who will exchange their vows this November at Newcastle Gardens.