Weddings

On July 27, Eric and Jody celebrated their marriage at Strawberry Lodge in Kyburz.(read the history of the Lodge here). Nestled in the mountains at 5700ft., their unique celebration, complete with a castle hand built by Eric, brought together many of their dear friends and family while also expanding their own family to now include their three sons, Weston, Brian and Lucas.  Eric and Jody’s met on a blind date set up by one of Jody’s students… AND the student’s father is Eric’s friend of over 20 years. Don’t you just love that? With Jody’s warm and engaging smile and Eric’s…

My summer weddings have been exceptional so far and it’s all about the lovely people I get to experience. I’ve had the honor to work with some of the sweetest, most laid back and connected couples. Maureen and Curt were no exception. Last year, when they contacted me they were very clear that they wanted wedding photography that told the story of their day elegantly and realistically without a lot of “cheesy” poses…and Maureen may have even said that. Fortunately Deanna from one of my absolute favorite venues Fausel Ranch, knew this about my work, that I prefer emotion and…

Ever been to one of those weddings where you walk out, so completely energized, exclaiming “that was the BEST wedding”? I’m certain most all who attended Amy and Tim’s June 1st wedding at their home and dog training facility in Dixon did. These two and their friends and family, really know how to throw a party! I’ve photographed several variations of the Cutter family over the years so the whole event already started out near to my heart. With only 8-10 weeks from planning to event, Amy and Tim, with a lot of love and help from their friends and…

There was just something special about this wedding that it was hard to put your finger on. Was it the buzz of eager anticipation in the air? Was it the warm, genuine hugs from the family and friends that flooded in with broad smiles on their faces? The constant soundtrack of laughter that enveloped you everywhere you went? Or was it just Emily and Shannon, who seem to have touched so many people with their generosity of spirit and sweet love story?

Love /luv/ (noun, verb, & everything in between) 1. sweethearts 2. gets better with time 3. the best kind of friendship Two days after Mandi and Tom celebrated their marriage on a gorgeous April day “made to order”, in a beautiful backyard ceremony, I headed east for a month long adventure to celebrate some of my own milestones including a birthday, a high school reunion, a graduation celebration and two weeks out of the country celebrating my own marriage, nineteen years ago. Mandi and Tom’s relationship began at a Mexican taqueria in Davis that had “terrible food” in 2013 after…

While these two are out starting their new lives together on their big cross country adventure to their new home in Tennessee, I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite images from their Wedgewood Sequoia Mansion wedding earlier this month. I’m hoping they will get a chance to enjoy them on some mountain top, down in a canyon or even at a cool historic diner somewhere between here and there. Road trips rule! I loved working with Cambria and Craig. There was such a strong connection between them, and not only that, their friends and family…

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…