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.

One of my end-of-fall sessions took place at my favorite private location in Camino—one that absolutely sings when autumn hits its peak. The colors this time of year never disappoint, and they created the perfect backdrop for a session. I’ve been photographing Tom’s son, Graydon since the day he was born—literally—which makes every session with him extra special. Watching him grow through my lens over the years is such a lovely experience. It’s always a treat to spend time with my friend Tom, whose presence brings so much warmth and ease to every shoot. This session was made even more…

  I’m a photographer with a camera… well, a few of them. And honestly, I feel like the luckiest person in the world. I get to do a job I love, and year after year, I get to meet incredible people and stay connected with them as their lives grow and change. The Hayashi family is no exception. From Ross and Kristy’s wedding over 16 years ago, we hit it off right away, and over the years Ross and I have swapped photography tips and gear ideas like photography junkies should. And while we don’t do this every year, this…

Some stories just stick with you, and Mel and Brennen apparently have a lot of them. Their wedding celebration was draped in adventure photos of the two of them, and that always lights a fire in me. From an underwater proposal to an elopement in the Dolomites in Italy to a riverside celebration at Camp Lotus that brought family and friends camping, sharing stories, and dancing by the water, this was a laid-back, joyful, and full of connection celebration— the perfect balance to their quiet but majestic elopement. From the sea to a mountaintop to a riverside party, Mel and…

Ally and Keenan’s wedding was one of the last of my fall season — and what a perfect way to close it out. They chose to celebrate their love at Camp Nauvoo, with the amazing folks at Roses and Acorns Weddings, creating a weekend that was as relaxed and heartfelt as it was fun. This wasn’t just a wedding — it was an experience. Ally and Keenan spent the weekend camping with their closest family and friends, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of community. It was the kind of celebration that reminds you what weddings are…

What a pleasure it was to work with this cute, local family. Little Miss Goldie is a spitfire, and I had so much fun playing with her. It’s sessions like this that remind me of why I enjoy my job so much. A family that brings the vibes! We moved around in the Gold Ridge forest adjacent to their home as the sun moved through the trees. We captured a handful of headshots, too. Here are some of my favorites from our photo session.

Brenda and Dan live in Iowa and met online, only to discover that they lived down the road from each other. They feel so fortunate to have met. Having both been married previously, they wanted a small destination wedding and chose Nevada Beach on Lake Tahoe as they “love the natural beauty it brings along with the water and mountains in the background”. They may have forgotten about the wind part. Wow- it was gusty and cold. I grew up in a sailing family, and we would have described it as “blowing stink”.  They did a first look in a…

Sofia & Andre’s Camp Nauvoo Wedding in Placerville This season, I’ve found myself falling in love with smaller, more intimate weddings — the kind where every guest, every laugh, and every detail feels personal. Sofia and Andre’s celebration at Camp Nauvoo in Placerville was exactly that. Tucked along Weber Creek, this beautiful, wooded venue offered the perfect balance of nature and community. Guests camped along the creek, shared in each other’s company, and enjoyed the easy rhythm of a weekend away from the city. What made this day truly memorable wasn’t just the setting — though the afternoon light filtering…

As a photographer, you get to witness a lot of love—but every so often, you get to capture something that really sparks your creativity. Courtney and Christian’s engagement session in the golden aspens of Hope Valley was just one of those moments. Their story spans decades: once each other’s first loves, life took them in different directions, only to bring them back together when the timing was finally right. There was something so effortless about the way they moved through the landscape. It wasn’t just a photo shoot; it was witnessing kismet in real time. Their connection is effortless and…

Some of my favorite things and all at once-so energizing! Out on the water, late afternoon light, cool, old, and impeccably maintained Besotes boat, and the son of some dear friends whom I’ve been photographing since their kids were tiny. JACK IS ENGAGED! Isn’t he still an eighth grader at Sierra Ridge? Ok- I digress. I got to meet Dana, who is awesome, beautiful and kind, just like Jack said, as we drove together up to Ice House Lake. Self-admittedly, they are both a little camera-shy, so I appreciated knowing Jack well enough to joke around with him, which I…

Devyn and Aaron chose to wait until Devyn walked down the aisle to see each other for the first time. Having never met them before until their wedding day, it was in that moment that I saw the love they shared. Devyn’s nerves melted into a big ol YES as they spoke their vows to each other. Devyn and Aaron share an enjoyment for most things outdoors, including hiking, camping and fishing. They chose a summer camp theme for their decor with tables designated by National Parks. The evening took off with some hilarious toasts(and roasts) that led into a…

I first met Grace and Nick on their engagement session last year as we bopped around to different locations in Apple Hill chasing light and fall color. Not only were they so sweet with each other, but their inherent kindness was felt by me. Lovely, wonderful people. Fast forward a year, and now they are married. They chose the Flower Farm in Loomis for their celebration, one of my favorite venues.  Grace went all out with the decor, which included an amazing dining room, brimming in fall colors, a big, lighted LOVE sign and an outdoor living room, all so…