Weddings

Mary Lou, the mother of bride Kaitlyn, contacted me a couple weeks prior to her daughter’s marriage to Chaz expressing that she really wanted to make sure her daughter had some beautiful wedding photographs. I hear this alot especially from people who perhaps didn’t have their own wedding documented or even in a way that they were happy with. It’s a one chance event- you don’t get to do it again and with the unfortunate trend leaning to “Uncle Bob” (with a really great iphone, btw), some folks WANT to get it right. I don’t mind the pressure, in fact…

Just as the sun was setting, Stephanie and Aaron exchanged their vows at the beautiful Wine and Roses in Lodi in a romantic twinkle light ceremony, sprinkled with lots of laughter and officiated by cousin Blaine. Steph and Aaron first met at a wedding of mutual friends a few years ago, only to discover that they lived down the street from each other, knew all of the same people AND went to the same high school, but somehow had never met. Serendipity. I got a chance to get to know Aaron and Stephanie prior to their wedding as we drove…

Kalene and Joey tied the knot on October 6 in at Black Creek Center in Copperopolis, surrounded by family and friends.Joey’s family is local to Copperopolis. Having known the Bartolo family for over 16 years, I was so honored when Kalene asked me to photograph their big day. In fact, Kalene and both of her sisters, Samantha and Jacqueline, used to babysit our kids a long time ago. Time keeps pushing on…and now Miss Kalene, outgoing with the beautiful smile, is married. That’s crazy! Joey is a bit more shy and reserved than Kalene but when I got him out…

Stephanie and Aaron drove up from San Jose for their engagement session up in high country. Little did Aaron know that he was just up this way the previous weekend when he was 4-wheeling with his friends out past Loon Lake. I enjoyed meeting Stephanie and Aaron outside of their wedding day. It’s great to get to know my wedding couples through a photo session prior to their wedding day. It helps me to better understand their connection so when the big day arrives, I know what is natural and what is comfortable for them, in order to capture them…

On a most spectacular Thursday afternoon in the mountains, my daughter Jaz and I headed to Sorenson’s Resort in Hope Valley to capture Bethany and Dan’s very intimate wedding ceremony. The day was beautiful and the drive made me realize how much adventure and road trips give me renewed energy. Bethany and Dan’s connection was clear when I first met them as we hopped in my car to photograph them together, down the road in the open meadow of Hope Valley. Here are a few of my favorites…including their dessert bar and charcuterie plate. They give you a good flavor…

I met Mariah, Charlie and their son Wyatt over a year ago at a coffee shop in Camino. I really enjoyed them because they were real. I know that sounds trite but honesty and joy that shines through is so refreshing and so much fun to capture as a photographer. They were down to earth and excited about spending the rest of their lives together and being Wyatt’s parents.  That day we decided it would be fun to work together so we made it official 🙂 A few months before their wedding, Mariah asked me if we could do a boudoir…

Helen and Bob found each other on Eharmony and when they were ready, they chose to marry poolside in Carmichael, California. The landscape consisted of children, grandchildren and extended family and friends. Right in the middle of this mid-day ceremony, Bob and Helen broke into a spontaneous and romantic slow dance as a family friend played a beautiful piece of music for the bride and groom. It literally took my breath away and surely all those in attendance. Their happiness is an inspiration to me. It just goes to show you that it really doesn’t matter how old you are…

Sierra and Cory were married on a beautiful May day in a small ceremony at the stunning Eden Vale Inn. The wildflowers were in bloom, the bright blue sky full of puffy white clouds and a small group of close family and friends were gathered in attendance. There were lots of unique touches created by Cory for this day like the lovely, handcrafted ring box and the wagon for their flower girl. Camino Flower Shop created the bouquet that literally brought Sierra to tears. While Sierra was getting ready, Cory and and his best man were hard at work getting…

I’ve known Michelle and Tim since their engagement in 2010. Since then I have photographed various versions of their growing family seven times, I think. I added the links below to some of these blog posts because it is fun to look back, and to remember. Life gets busy when you add a wedding, a new home, the birth of a first daughter in 2015 and all the firsts that go along with that. It was time to get out to the Mathewson home and capture some family photographs as we all welcomed Paige Marie, and especially big sister Madelyn.…