Aria and Levi - The full-blown Yosemite experience

It's been a few days since the wedding day, and I've had time to recover from the wedding experience. I spent nearly the whole day with Aria and Levi in Yosemite. Recently I changed all of our packages over to include an unlimited timeframe because it just works better. Seriously, I hated when we were in the photo-groove, making some killer shots, only to realize that we were out of time. Thankfully Aria and Levi took full advantage of this and made the full Yosemite wedding tour and got some rocking photos, some of which I already posted.

One of the weirdest things about my photos from this side of things, is that my favorite photos change as often as the weather - and right now the weather is changing. One day I like this about that photo, and the next day I can't stop looking at a different photo. All of that to say, that had I written this entry a five days ago, I would have had chosen different photos than I did today. And now without further interruption, we return to the main story...

Aria and Levi married last Saturday in Yosemite. The wedding was blessed by nature with great weather, sneaking in between the rain and snow. The sun was out, the trees showing their last hint of fall color and the waterfalls were still flowing. Surrounded by all of this, two families gathered to celebrate the foundation of a new family. Normally when I talk about weddings here, I focus on the love between the bride and groom. But this day it was so much more than that, it was the love between everyone at the wedding.



I met up with Levi first thing in the morning as he was getting ready for the wedding. Since I had not previously met with Aria or Levi, I take everything in pretty quickly to get a feel for the day. Something about these shoes said a lot as to where the day was going.




Meanwhile, just a few doors down Aria was busy getting ready. Amy and Marilyn from Bellissimo Brides started off their day (insanely early) by glamorizing Aria. I think it is pretty clear they know how to do their job.




It's pretty cool when you can have someone who means this much to you marry you.






After the ceremony, we returned to the Yosemite Lodge for their reception. The views out of the mountain room are simply amazing.



I must admit, this in one of the cooler things I have seen done at a wedding reception. Aria and Levi set up a tile painting station for their guest to create a special gift for the bride and groom. Everyone joined in, how cool is that? I love art.



After enjoying a tasty meal, friends and family began to honor the bride and groom with encouragement for the marriage.





After the reception was over, we began our second trip around Yosemite Valley.






When I asked Aria and Levi what Yosemite meant to them and what locations the wanted photos of, they knew Half Dome was near the top of that list. Knowing this, we headed up to Tunnel View to get a great sunset shot of the valley, but nature had a different plan. Clouds how moved into the valley, obscuring Half Dome but casting El Capitian in a beautiful warm glow. I love the changing place the Yosemite is.







After a while of shooting in the dark, we headed over to the Ahwahnne Hotel to make use of the surrounds (and warmth).






As we wrapped up a long day of shooting, we returned to the Yosemite Lodge where their friends had decked out their car for the trip home in true wedding attire.



Thanks again Aria and Levi and enjoyed your well-earned honeymoon!

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Aria and Levi - Yosemite Wedding Preview

It's been a busy week leading up to Aria and Levi's wedding, so I'm taking the day off with the family. Time to soak up the last bit of fall. Too much fun last night, so before I go, here's six of many to come from yesterday's Yosemite romp.








Much more coming soon!

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Sarah and Robert - Yosemite Elopement

Yesterday I joined Sarah and Robert for their wedding day. I say that lightly, but in truth it was a heavy experience. They came to Yosemite and marry by themselves, just the two of them, myself with a camera, and Rev. Autrey Nassar as the officiant. As I have said before, something magical happens when you strip away all the fluff surrounding a wedding and just bring the focus back to the bride and groom, and that's exactly what happened. With no distractions, the love between them was thick, I just tried my best not to get in their way.


For the majority of the day while we traveled through the park to create photographs, it was just the three of us. After we met up at the Ahwahnee, and I drove through the park pulling over anytime I saw the light working (which was basically everywhere).




It wasn't too long before I started to get a little crazy with the camera. Perhaps I'm still feeling the halloween thing...






Although they gave me complete artistic freedom, there were a few spots that Sarah and Robert knew they wanted a photo at, and you can't beat this view! As a side note, I am always amazed by how cool tourists are with us taking over a popular spot like this. While most are hustling and shoving to get a chance to snap a photo, everyone moved aside to give the bride and groom their chance. I love Yosemite!


After traveling around the valley for a while, we returned to the Ahwahnee to the perfect spot that Sarah and Robert had scoped out, their own private Yosemite, for the ceremony.





During the ceremony, as they exchanged their own heartfelt-unscripted vows with each other, both Autrey and I stepped away and suddenly it was just them. No microphones, no band, no crowds. Just them and Yosemite. It was a beautiful sight to see them stand by themselves and profess their complete love for each other.




After the ceremony, we headed back inside to sign the marriage license. I say we, because I was not only the photographer but also the witness. How cool is that? Once that was completed, we took a few minutes to create a few more photos.








This shot was greatly inspired by flat-out-ripped-off from DJ Ellis of La Bella Vita Photography (I told you I was going to steal this great idea).


We ended the day with one final shot before Sarah and Robert enjoyed their first dinner together as husband and wife at the Ahwahnee. Congratulations again, you guys are amazing!

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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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