They met online and struck up a relationship over three months of conversation. She was living in Campbell River on Vancouver Island at the time, and he in the Lower Mainland. On New Year’s Day one year ago, Julie took a chance and took the ferry over to Horseshoe Bay where she met Omar for their first date. They wandered the cute village and continued that conversation, finally in person. I was more than happy to meet them both there last weekend, as they celebrated their one year together, as well as Julie’s birthday, by recounting and reminiscing. This time, Julie came down on a Greyhound from her home in Kamloops. You could say they also celebrated the fact that she made it safe and sound, after her bus got stuck on the snowy highway over night! Julie, I hope you feel that the adventure was worth it…I had such a great time with you two, and I’m so grateful I could document your love and laughter. Enjoy this sneak peek from our time together! We happened upon the cutest bake shop, Butter Lane, and couldn’t resist popping in for hot tea and macarons…
Read MoreAloha Hawaii: Family Vacay
I felt the warmth of the sun on my shoulders, powder sand beneath my feet, heard the soft lap of the waves and squeals of delight from my kids. Palm trees lined the beach and in the distance was the iconic view of Diamond Head. In that moment, I nearly melted in a pool of happiness. It was our first vacation as a family of four, and introducing our two favorite people to our favorite vacation spot, Oahu, was so fun. We booked the trip last minute as an opportunity came up that we couldn’t pass by, and soon we were getting settled in our Honolulu condo and getting acquainted with its roof top pool(!) and nearby beaches. There were plenty of “is this real life?” moments, and then other days came with their reality checks of course. There are still dishes and laundry to be done, as well as sleepless nights and tantrums, in Hawaii – who would’ve thought ;) But the joy Zaya had as he splashed in the water, 0r the wonder Ava experienced as she sifted sand through her fingers, was beautiful. It’s my hope that these memories will be some of the first that Zaya will always recall. It’s also my hope that we’ll get to return here, again and again (and again! ha), and continue to make more vacation memories as a family. It’s quite something to get to escape the everyday for a place so idyllic, and then return home happy and rested and find yourself grateful for all the little things you often take for granted. It’s something I’m oh so thankful to get to experience. Ala Moana beach park was just a few minutes down the road from our condo, and was perfect for Ava and Zaya… Play hard, nap hard I’m not sure he’s ever had so much fun! Zaya was definitely in his element, and it was so fun to see and be a part of… Lanikai Beach…I was so glad to return here… Our one family shot! It’s not perfect but we’re all in there, and happy :) Like Zaya would say, one-two babies! Until next time…xo
Read MoreNewborn Lifestyle Session At Home: Kennedy
Randy and Sumeuy were married three years ago this May, a beautiful wedding at the Brock House that will always remain a favorite. And a year prior to that, Shane and I had the absolute pleasure of getting to photograph their engagement photos in New York City. So it was with great excitement that I got to meet and photograph their newborn baby girl, Kennedy, last week! This little one month old is such a doll and it was oh so sweet to document this now family of three (well, five including their pups!). Randy and Sumeuy, I can’t thank you enough!
Read MoreExpecting: Jordan & Monica
I count myself pretty lucky to get to work in an industry that is filled with so much joy…joy for engagements, for marriage, for sweet little babies. Jordan and Monica are expecting their first, a boy! He is due to arrive on Valentine’s Day, but these parents-to-be can’t wait to hold him in their arms (and I can’t wait to meet him and document the three of them!). We met up on the last snowy, sunny day before the rain returned and melted away the snow, and enjoyed the crisp, cold air and time spent documenting an exciting season of anticipation…
Read MoreNew Year’s Eve Wedding: Cayden & Jolene
I don’t think I’ll ever get over this wedding! Cayden and Jolene were married on New Year’s Eve and celebrated under a sky of falling snowflakes, in her parents’ barn hayloft. It had been transformed into a gorgeous sight, decked with greenery and countless candles. 2.5 years earlier, I photographed his brother and her sister as they were married in this same barn, and I’ve been so blessed to have worked with these two families both times, documenting such beautiful I do’s. On Cayden and Jolene’s wedding day, the snow began to fall just as we began their portraits at a Christmas tree farm…it was, in a word, magical. It continued to fall as we left for some quick wedding party portraits as the daylight faded, and didn’t stop all night. As guests entered the barn for the reception, there was an extra festive feel…perhaps it was the snow, perhaps it was because it was New Year’s Eve, but most definitely it had to do with the marriage of Cayden and Jolene. Two wonderful people who are so clearly loved and celebrated. To Cayden and Jolene, many, many thanks to you and to your families. It was such a joy to document your wedding day! The girls kicked off their day and stayed hydrated with The HABIT Project’s Citrine drink. The gorgeous packaging totally sold me! It tasted great, too :) Venue: Private Property (sorry, not for rent) Hair: Montana’s Bridal Hair Makeup: Darcie Cromarty Flowers: Vanessa Oddy Caterer: Simply Savory Portrait Location: Pine Meadows Tree Farm
Read MoreChristmas Tree Farm Family Photos
What’s more festive than fresh snow at a Christmas tree farm? Maybe a warm fur blanket, wrapped up and cozy with those you love… We don’t get much snow where we live and if we do, it lasts for hours, not days. But not this time! It sure added a bit of magic to this session with my oldest and dearest friend and her sweet family last weekend. Seeing the joy in these photos, in this family, makes me so grateful for the happiness that she has found.
Read MoreNewborn Lifestyle Session: Chloe
Sweet Chloe Noelle was just 8 days old when I met her last week for her newborn session with new parents Mike and Sarah. She arrived early and fast, much to her mama and daddy’s surprise and delight. I photographed their maternity session a little over a month ago (and their wedding two years ago!), and now to see them with their little girl in their arms was special, to say the least. Those early days with your new baby, surviving on little sleep but so much wonder and awe, are simply the best. So it was with such joy that I got to document a glimpse of it… Many thanks and warm congratulations, Clark family! Chloe is just the sweetest. xo
Read MoreLa Jolla Wedding: Jonathan & Jaquielyn
Where do I begin? I’ll forever be thankful that we were able to share in Jonathan and Jaquielyn’s wedding day. It’s no small thing to document someone’s wedding, and neither is it when they fly you in from out of state. Family tried convincing Jaquielyn to hire a local photographer, but her mind was set and I can’t tell you what that means to me. When you have that kind of trust from your clients, you have the freedom to create and together get to document something beautiful. It’s my hope that the photos they take from their day reflect the depth and beauty of it. The day began at Scripps Inn in La Jolla, just across the street from where Jonathan and Jaquielyn would say I do at the Wedding Bowl at Cuvier Park. Jaquielyn was as joyful (and stunning!) a bride as they come, but then again, she’s the kind of person who seems to bring joy wherever she goes. After a sweet and tearful first look with her dad, we walked over to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, whose grounds provided us with gorgeous pockets of light among cacti and other desert foliage. Which I was all too happy to shoot, coming from the rainy Pacific Northwest ;) There, Jonathan and Jaquielyn shared their own first look and a little time together before joining family and the wedding party for portraits. And then it was time to get married…they said I do on the cliffs above the pounding surf, their grandmas walking the aisle as their flower girls. As part of their ceremony, Jonathan and Jaquielyn locked in a box a bottle of wine and two letters written for one another, to be opened on their fifth wedding anniversary. Or sooner, should the need arise in their marriage to be reminded of their love for one another on their wedding day. How neat is that? Following the ceremony, Jonathan and Jaquielyn ensured some time for each other, the new mr and mrs, taking in the sunset over the water and more photos. I don’t need to tell you how happy that made me! But then there was a party to get to! The reception festivities were held at Green Flash Brewery, complete with a food truck that served up delicious organic eats, funny and touching toasts to the bride and groom, and a full dance floor of guests excited…
Read MoreSan Diego Engagement: Jonathan & Jaquielyn
College, a mutual friend, and beer pong brought them together, dressed in Halloween costumes at a party. At first read, it may not sound like the perfect recipe for finding your soul mate, but eight years later, Jonathan and Jaquielyn would say otherwise. They light each other up with their love for one another and life together, and so it was with great joy that we got to fly down for their engagement session and wedding in San Diego last week! This was the first time we had met in person, the day before their wedding and the day of their eight year dating anniversary. Jaquielyn and I had spent months emailing one another, her excitement for life and their wedding always bursting from the screen in her warm, genuine words. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to finally meet and I’m so glad we had this extra time together before the big day, and to meet the one who had captivated her heart. Natives to Southern California and living right across from the beach(!), and Jonathan having proposed on a beach, it seemed only fitting that we would document their engagement there. Here are just a few favorites from their session…and now I’ll be working on their wedding photos for another blog post this week!
Read MoreExpecting: Mike & Sarah
It was almost two years ago exactly, that we were on the warm beaches and streets of Mexico photographing their engagement and gorgeous, intimate wedding at Las Caletas. Such a joy it was, and now again that Mike and Sarah are expecting their first little one – a girl! I’m so grateful to follow along such milestones with these two, and can’t wait to see them again once their sweet baby has arrived. But for now, a sneak peek of their maternity photos. Pretty special, that sweet anticipation as you await the arrival of your first born… Many, many thanks, Mike and Sarah!
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