Jennifer and Bryan - Yosemite Engagement

I first met Jennifer almost a year ago shortly after Bryan proposed to her. They were in the earliest stages of planning their wedding and were interested in my photography. It was only after talking with them for quite a while over the phone, that Bryan sprung the fact that he is also a professional photographer on me (nice one Bryan)!

When it came time for the engagement session, I gave them complete and total freedom to choose a location that fit their style. Somehow I imagined shooting an urban feel someplace in Fresno or even near their home in Visalia. But after talking with them a bit more, they revealed their love of nature and how much they feel at home in the mountains.

So last Sunday we met up just outside of Yosemite and jumped in my car for a quick Yosemite tour. On the way to Yosemite Valley, our conversation started off with their wedding plans, but quickly spilled into everyday life. And truth be told, even though I was in the drivers seat, I really had no specific place in mind to take them to. I was driving with one eye always out the window looking for the perfect light.




Once we made our way into the valley, it seemed like I stopped the car every quarter mile (hey, I'm driving so I can do that) to soak up the fall colors. Thankfully, nature was on our side to create these fall engagement photos.




If you know me, you know how much I love to shoot in water. Unfortunately, the water here is cold, like really cold, so I put Jennifer and Bryan in the water instead.






We continued to milk every last ray of susnet on our slow progression to the Ahwahnee.




Once we got the Ahwahnee, the photos took on a different look as stone walls replaced falling leaves.




After all of this, it was a short ride back with my new friends Jennifer and Bryan. It's still almost a year until their wedding, but I have such high expectations already. Thanks for sharing such and amazing afternoon with me and I can't wait for the wedding! You guys rock!

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Terry and Cary - Glacier Point Lovin'

Terry and Cary married last Thursday at Glacier Point. Words cannot describe the inspiring view from that vantage, it sure seems to me to be one of the most amazing places to wed. If you have been to Glacier Point, you know what I am talking about, if not, you need to go.

They gathered in Yosemite with close friends and family from across the country to celebrate their wedding. For many of their guests, it was the first time they had been to Yosemite. Thankfully, as we traveled through the park and Wawona Hotel, the weather was perfect and presented a beautiful day.

I had the pleasure of driving Terry and Cary for the day and getting to know them throughout our adventures. Let's just say Terry and Cary are totally in love with each other and are destined for many happy adventures. It really is a blessing of my job to get to know so many wonderful people at such and important step in their lives.

We started off the morning bright and early with Carol of Bellissimo Brides working her magic.




From their, we headed back up to the Wawona Hotel where they prepared for the wedding.





Once ready, we headed out for a few shots near the hotel before heading up to Glacier Point for the ceremony.








Upon arriving at Glacier Point, I was once again blown away by the majestic views and scenery.





Kirk Moulin' music provided the finishing touch on the ceremony.



Reverend Autrey Nassar officiated a simple and inspiring ceremony.




After the short trip back down to the hotel, everyone enjoyed the staff's hospitality and delicious food.





Everyone enjoyed the amazing food and each others company through the night.


Sweet Dreams Cakery provided the flowers and tasty cake.






We ended a superfun day and night with one last shot before I left Terry and Cary for the night... congratulations again!

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Julia and Beau - The party goes on!

Julia and Beau's wedding was simply an amazing experience. Good friends and close knit family joined them to be by their sides on one of the most important days of their lives. The ceremony was at the Abundant Life Center in Tulare with the reception at Beau's grandparents home just nearby. All day long life and excitement radiated off Julia and Beau. Their love for each other and their family was inspiring. In the end, it was an amazing day that started off amongst close friends and family, and ended in the same way.





Looking like this before the ceremony is the surefire way to get a reaction from your future-husband as you walk down the aisle.



Meanwhile the Beau and his groomsmen gathered in the church office to prepare for the ceremony.



A beautiful candlelit ceremony provided the necessary intimate setting for their wedding.





After the ceremony, we headed back outside to shoot in the fields and trees.






When you have a group of ball players, what else can you do?


With one of the coolest reception entrances, each couple got down on their way in.





A touching moment between father and daughter.





After the reception, the bridal party jumped back into the party bus to make way to a second party. These guys know how to celebrate!


Once we got to the cocktail party at the Marriott I made sure to bust out the camera and get photos in a completely different setting that earlier... like a bellhop's cart.




We ended the night with one last kiss between a man and his bride. Congratulations again Beau and Julia, we wish you the best life has to offer!

Huge thanks goes out to Andrew for helping me out all day!

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Kyra and Matthew - Yosemite Wedding

You may remember Kyra and Matthew from their engagement photos. I know I do. Their infectious love for each other and laid back style is impossible to forget. Add in 160 of their friends and family, eight pairs of Van's shoes, a perfect day in Yosemite, and a rocking party and you get one crazy cool wedding.

They decided to have their wedding at the Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley and nature cooperated. A few days earlier heavy rain drenched the valley - a few days later heavy snow covered it. Their day was perfect. Their ceremony was on the lawn at the Ahwahnee with their reception taking up what seemed like half of the hotel. Despite the amazing scenery and beautiful hotel, it was the simple love between and a man and a woman that was truly beautiful and amazed us all.


The perfect shoes for any occasion.




Having friends who are professional makeup artists and hair stylists pays off at your wedding.



Seriously stunning bride.





I love the smile on her father's face. It's the smile of knowing your daughter is going to be in perfect hands.










The staff at the Ahwahnee kept bringing delicious little treats for everyone to enjoy.







With the enrgy of this party, it seemed like they had been held back and itching to dance all night long. Pete of the Spinheads kept the house bumping.







We wrapped up the evening with a short break from the dance floor to enjoy the architecture of the Ahwahnee one last time, as Kyra and Matthew cuddled the night away.

Huge thanks goes out to the crew - Katie, James, and Aryn - you guys rock!

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Savanah and Chris - Serious Romance

Somehow, despite all of the stories of the crazy bridezillas, I am blessed to work with the most amazing couples. Last Saturday's wedding with Savanah and Chris was no exception. With two of the happiest, luckiest-to-have-each-other, best-friends, all around beautiful people - plus and amazing wedding venue (lakeside ceremony and reception) and great friends and family, it was an awesome day. Katie and I joined them on their wedding day and had a blast.

Savanah and Chris have known each other since their high school days. They are both incredible athletes and are driven through life. Savanah looked stunning. Chris (whose nickname is goofy) is a romantic who continued to surprise everyone - including his wife - throughout the night - with his personal touches on the wedding.



Savanah had the help of her best friends before the wedding.







Their ceremony was short, only about ten minutes. It was stripped down to the purest part, their personal vows to each other.








After the ceremony we all enjoyed dinner courtesy of Savanah's father and the Kelly Brothers Brewing Company.



Friends and family shared thoughts, memories, and advice for Savanah and Chris' new life together.



I stole Savanah and Chris away for a few moments to catch the last rays of light in the valley.





They shared their first dance in their own little world.



I had no idea that they were such amazing dancers! They put on an unannounced dancing show for the guests.


Sometimes cake goes down smoothly, sometimes the cake flies. Tonight the cake flies.



In the middle of the reception, Chris grabbed a microphone to announce that he was going to share a song for his bride. He played a heartfelt rendition of Grow Old With You to his wife's delight.


If serenading your bride isn't enough, Chris put together a slideshow detailing the history of their relationship for their guests. It was at this point, that he also revealed that he had a friend secretly videotape their engagement on Catalina by playing back the video tape. Love comes full circle.



Dave of TNJ Digital DJ rocked the night away. I heard later that the party went on until 2 AM. These people know how to celebrate!


Once again, for the last shot of the night I set myself up for some serious photoshop work. This photo taken when it was way dark outside and with only one light. I keep experimenting, learning, having fun and loving the possibilities!

Our best wishes go out to Chris and Savanah once again!

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