“And we are starting a new life” was the title of the first photo session blog post that I did with the Skalos family. It’s also the lyric to a great Van Morrison song. At that time the Skalos family were new to Pollock Pines and wanted to document their family. Claire (bear) was a toddler and Ava was a big bump in Shannon’s belly (see the log of posts at the bottom of this one). That was in March of 2022. Over the next 2.5 years, I captured not only Ava’s first year but also their growing family. This…

You studied, you tested, you worked hard for years, and the time is officially here! It’s time to start thinking about senior photographs and I’m eager to collaborate with you to create photographs that you love. As a photographer, I want to make sure you are comfortable and having fun during your session.

I loved getting out with the Sierra Tribal Bellydancers last week for some refreshed marketing photos. While it was a very busy two hours as we ran around and chased the late afternoon light before the sun dipped below the trees,  these ladies were prepared (as was I) and had two camping spots reserved with tents set-up for costume changes and parking.

Karina and Colin will marry this October at a family property in Placerville. It’s going to be a big wedding with lots of guests, but laid back like the vast property they are celebrating on. Karina and her brother Nate were some of my earlier clients when I started my business in El Dorado County. In fact, I must not have started my blog yet as I am unable to find any of their photos in a previous post. I was so honored when Karina reached out about their wedding photography. I’ve had alot of full-circle moments and this is…

After their beautiful and intimate ceremony, we headed to Sly Park Lake for a “just married” photo session. It was fun to run around in my stomping grounds and find the perfect spots to capture their love and to celebrate with them.

by Samantha Iacia, the Knot Updated Jun 28, 2024 What Is a First Look at a Wedding? A first look is a moment when the couple sees each other and spends time together before the ceremony begins. The first look is planned ahead of time and usually takes place at or near the ceremony venue. It’s usually captured on camera by the wedding photographer or videographer to document the excitement and emotion as the couple see each other in their wedding attire for the first time. Superstition says that seeing each other before the ceremony is bad luck, but many…

South Lake Tahoe was this year’s destination and I met up with them right before I took off for a vacation. Their family has a home in Tahoe Keys and they love the area. Who doesn’t? Cooler temps, mountains, meadows, beaches, and sunsets.

We chatted about Leslie’s plan for a fake first look for Dan with their friend Trevor who was all dolled up as a bride. Let’s just say, Dan was very surprised as he shined that big smile knowing that she got him and he fell right into it. Then, when Leslie finally arrived behind Dan for their first look, these two were ready to get married.

The Colby’s moved in across the street three years ago. Shortly after that, my daughter Ember started babysitting for little Kai who was a precocious 2 years old and that opened the door to a broader friendship with our families.  Elora Soleil who shares a middle name with my Ember Soleil, joined their family two years ago. Kai is now 5 and Elora is 2.  I’ve had fun over the years getting to know their family and getting to photograph them. It’s such a life treat to have lovely neighbors. This session was about capturing them in their mountain home…

I’ve photographed Jordan’s family over the years many times including weddings, pregnancy, birth, family….and now they are living in Belgium where Jordan will join them to attend University upon graduating from his high school in Sacramento and he can’t wait! We met up for golden hour last week and captured some images to mark his achievement and it was great reconnecting with him since it has been years. He is sweet, kind and confident- eyes wide open with the world in front of him- and he is ready and looking forward to what is next. He enjoys bowling and the…

The last time I met up with Elizabeth and Greg we were at Sand Harbor and Hudson, their oldest now, was getting ready to make his grand appearance. This was in 2019. Now Hudson is almost 5 and Perry is almost 4. Super cute and ALL BOY! We ran, we built castles, collected pinecones, looked for critters and at the end we succumbed to the lake. They were ready. Thanks, Elizabeth and Greg and also to my husband Jeff who joined me on this one to help with the reflector.

Whitney and Spencer eloped to Sequoia National Park in mid-May opting for a simple ceremony that was just the two of them (and their officiant and photographer) and celebrated their love of that forest.