I'm not going to gush and get all emotional about how much I LOVE The Big Fake Wedding and everything they stand for and believe in, because I just did that when I photographed the Seattle event last fall. All I have to say is that I had SO MUCH FUN photographing the San Diego event and I have been freaking out so excited to share these images. This was truly an amazing team of vendors to work with and I had such a wonderful time. San Diego - you have my heart!
Read More10.08.16 /// Martha and Thad. This one was a special one. One of the first that come to mind when people ask me about my favorite weddings I've photographed. These two are so connected to one another; their love is so deep and pure and it's clear to anyone around them. I really don't think I've ever photographed two people who were so present during their ceremony - it truly seemed like they were the only two people on that island. Through my whole process working with them: our initial meeting, their engagement shoot... whenever I left my time with them I always said "omg they love each other SO much - that was so fun!" Their wedding was no different. Surrounded by a close group of local and out-of-town family and friends, these two said their vows on Orcas Island where Thad grew up. Family-style dinner where everyone sat together on long tables and served themselves of serving platters. Family and friends staying in big houses on the island together. It felt like a big family reunion and the best party of the year. The rain didn't stop them from wanting to adventure out to the lake and I am SO glad a little PNW drizzle (downpour) didn't ruin their day. Because it was perfect; and these are some of my favorite images I've ever created.
Read More9.24.16 /// Cody + Susannah. #sorrynotsorry in advance... this blog post is a long one. This was one of my favorite weddings of the year for a lot of reasons. I feel such a strong connection to these two, probably because I had my first slumber party with a couple for their engagement shoot in Winthrop. When you spend 10 hours in a car with a couple, hang out with their friends for the weekend, stay in their hunting bunker with them... you're bound to become pretty close. This wedding felt like a fun reunion between friends (yay). From a photographers perspective, I love everything about how Susannah planned her wedding day.
This wedding was featured on Seattle Bride Magazine, check it out!
Read More9.23.16 // Toni + Kellen's wedding in the city. Thank you to Julia Kinnunen for second shooting for me on this one! Toni's two-piece custom gown stole the show and was so fun to photograph. These two high school sweethearts and fellow Disney fans know how to throw a party and this day was one of the highlights of my wedding season.
Read MoreEmily + Ben's Port Orchard, WA wedding was such a treat to be apart of! One of the sweetest first looks I've ever witnessed and SO much joy and anticipation throughout the day. These sweet friends of mine are the real deal and photographing their wedding day was a highlight in my wedding season!
Venue: their family church in Port Orchard, WA / Second shooting by Karen Ready
Read MoreLast month, I had the opportunity to be a photographer at an event called The Big Fake Wedding. To be honest, I never considered doing a wedding show. But this was different. The premise of the event is putting on a fake wedding so you can see vendors in action. Instead of being to a show where there are dozens and dozens of different vendors and you are just shaking hands behind a display table - you are only seeing a few (or one!) of each kind of vendor. Seeing them in action. Seeing their real work on tables. Watching them work and seeing them do their thing. The Big Fake Wedding's philosophy is to inspire local businesses AND inspire committed marriages, which is something I absolutely stand behind. The "wedding" is an actual vow renewal between a real couple, which reminds all the couples planning weddings out there that the most important part of being engaged is laying the foundation for your MARRIAGE, not just planning a wedding day. I absolutely love this company and their heart for what they do. Not to mention, it was SO fun collaborating with all these other vendors putting their best work forward. I felt like I was in a photographers play-land. I felt so honored to be one of three photographers shooting this incredible event. This day in Seattle was pouring, absolutely downpouring the whole day, which made the neon/bright color theme so fun. I loved the contrast of the gloomy day and the party full of bright colors happening inside. I'm all about bright and bold color palettes (not usually seen in the PNW!) and I was so excited when I saw the inspiration board for this event. I am so impressed with all the vendors and everything they created!
Check out the event featured on Ruffled Blog and the Big Fake Wedding website! I am so excited to finally be able to share my favorite images from the day on my personal blog. Check it out!
ALSO - I will be a photographer at the Big Fake Wedding in SAN DIEGO in just a few weeks! I am so excited and I can't wait to share that event with y'all.
Read MoreKevin + Rachael
Venue: Woodland Meadow Farms / Second shooting by Maddie Takata / Makeup by Shalonda Peguero / Hair by Azalee Gracier / Florals by Flourish Floral Design
Read MoreBlogging is hard for me because I am horrible with my words, especially when I'm really excited about something. That's why I moved away from writing (whaddup journalism degree) and into photography. I sat in front of this blog post for what felt like hours (maybe ten minutes) trying to figure out the perfect thing to say about this one. This was one of my favorite weddings of my career so I just want y'all to enjoy the images because this was a fun one.
Allison + Josh's Snohomish wedding at Craven Farms was *so* dreamy. It was late August, which is normally hot and bright, but the stormy clouds created the best mood and perfect lighting throughout the day. Allison put so much work into this wedding - all that stunning hand-lettered signs she did HERSELF. I felt like I was at a photographers playland at this one because Allison has such amazing taste and style and poured herself into planning this day. Also she gave me like 1.5 hours for bride and groom portraits which always allows us to produce some really amazing stuff. Allison should be a wedding planner someday because she *nailed* it.
Second shooting by Sharis Harmon
Read MoreI don't think I've ever blogged so many images from a portrait session, so sorry about that in advance (not). It was so hard to hold back with this one; this is some of my favorite work of my career and there's so much variety within this one location. I had the pleasure of shooting their gorgeous PNW backyard wedding last September, and I was so stoked when she asked me to shoot an anniversary session for them. We've had this session in the works for *months* and it did not disappoint. I am always so excited to go on an adventure with my couples and shoot in a new place. Spend the day together. In this case, catch up and hear all about their first year of marriage!
ok ok ok y'all. More anniversary sessions please (any excuse to get dressed up in your wedding dress again #amiright) and don't be afraid to ask about a location that's on your heart. Because odds are I'll always say yes. ;)
Read MoreI contemplated pretty tough whether or not to blog this. Not because I don't *love* these images (because I definitely do), but because this wedding was SO fun and so full of joy. It's hard to explain, but it was such a special day it was like I wanted to keep it to myself. The kind of day I came home and cried about later because I had so much fun. I felt like I was leaving my own bff's wedding. These two and their friends and family made me feel like family and I didn't even want to leave at the end. I was like "I don't want to share these because no one will know how much fun it actually was or how much we all smiled and laughed!" These two have been together since middle school, so naturally they have the most amazing friends and family who have been supporting them for a decade. The energy and joy surrounding this day was unlike anything I've ever experienced. It was such an honor to be apart of and I can't help but look back at this images and smile. I hope they make you smile too.
Read MoreAlex & Ryan's wedding was one of my favorites. The breathtaking scenery, the brides stunning dress... it made it hard not to love. But what was most amazing of all was how much it felt like them. Friends, family, and the wedding party were able to stay in the cabins for the weekend and enjoy themselves. Dogs running around. It felt like summer camp (with booze and way better food). It was so chill and the best party.
Read MoreVenue: Albee's Garden Parties; first look/portrait location: Tumwater Falls
The Grussings! This wedding was so fun and special to be apart of. Courtney is one of my friends from college and barista days, and her wedding day felt like a reunion. So many wonderful friends and people supporting these two. Rain was on the forecast for the whole day, but instead we got sunny skies and dreamy clouds that rolled in during the ceremony.
This wedding is a really great example of what a difference a good getting-ready space can make. Courtney got ready in our friend Brenna's home near the venue and I was in photographer heaven. Big windows, lots of natural light, neutral colors and tones... this was the perfect space to get ready in and resulted in stunning images from that part of the day. I always try to encourage my couples to find places to get ready with lots of light and a clean space, because it's SO worth it.
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