Weddings

Karin and Amy were referred to me by my good friends, Dorit and Mark (friends of the bride and bride and also bartenders at this event – check them out in their German costumes in this post!) Referrals are the mainstay of my business and I love the folks I get to work with when I get them. When Karin and Amy  told me their wedding would be held in Coloma by the river, I just knew we would be the perfect match. And this was definitely one of those weddings with many memorable details. Their ceremony was in the…

Loved this intimate and romantic November wedding at the Wedgewood Sequoia. The day began with a prayer for the bride and groom, Carol and Michael, led by Pastor, Tim  Baker. Carol and Michael held hands on either side of a partially closed door as they listened, not wanting to see one another before the ceremony but still wanting that moment of connection before they walked the aisle as separate people for the last time. (So sweet.) A group of around 30 friends and family were waiting on the beautiful Sequoia patio, to cheer them on. Meanwhile, Carol’s daughters, Sara and…

Photographing another photographer is nerve-racking. Especially when that photographer is one who is incredibly successful and whose work you greatly admire. When that person is also a good friend, there is added pressure to not only produce technically beautiful photos but also to capture something a little deeper – the emotional spirit of the day. So, when Chip, who is an accomplished architectural and fine-art photographer (plus friend of ten years), asked me to photograph his Monterey wedding to Shannon, I was not only very honored but, I’ll admit, a little daunted.  That said, I’ve been photographing weddings for more…

Baby Mark’s parents were referred to me by some wonderful clients/friends of mine, the Haffners, and Mark Alexander is their first child. I got to shoot this new family at home in Grizzly Flats recently.  It’s so wonderful to photograph a new baby at home. Those womb-like newborn shots are just adorable (and I enjoy capturing those too) but there is something so incredibly special and intimate about being invited into someone’s home to document their first, authentic moments as a newly-expanded family. At four weeks, Mark is past the curly-q, newborn stage but that didn’t mean that we weren’t…

A ballerina in the woods = magical. There is just no way to not say “ahhh” when you look at these images of beautiful Rebecca, during our session to celebrate her upcoming graduation next year. Just a couple of short years ago I was photographing her brother, John, as he prepared to join the Marines. Becky is considering the US Coast Guard Academy as well as Geneva college in PA,  Montana State, and Tulane. Her plan is to study chemical engineering and pre-med. High school has been busy for Becky, where she has competed in track-and-field (her specialties being long…

Wow. What a spectacular venue for Madelyn and Justin! Loved this easy-going couple and the breathtaking hilltop backdrop of David Girard Vineyards in Placerville. One of the many wonderful things about this wedding was the relaxed timeline they had created for themselves and our photography. Building in plenty of time to get from one ‘event’ to the next and have cushion to appreciate the special moments can be the difference between a stressed-out wedding party and one that is relaxed and having a fantastic time. This was definitely a wedding of the latter. And having time helps us photographers too.…

Cowgirl boots, stetsons and shot guns. Yeehaw, it’s a country wedding for Briggette and Dean, who married recently on a private estate in Rescue, CA. Briggette’s mom, Sharee, was my daughter, Ember’s, first grade teacher and so I  started off with a special connection to this fun-loving couple. Not that I needed it, I quickly found, during our engagement session at Sly Park Lake earlier this year. This couple is relaxed in front of the camera and willing to try anything for a great shot. This came in extra handy as me, my assistant, bride, groom, and groomsmen tore across…