Rachel + Sky in Big Sur, CA

Rachel and Sky were married within the gorgeous Redwood trees in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.  With only their parents and Rachel's brother, it was an intimate wedding in an idyllic setting.  After their ceremony, Rachel's brother and father treated us to one of my personal Bob Dylan favorites, "If Not For You."  Rachel and Sky had a super fun vibe, and their families were lovely.  To signify how simpatico everyone was, their moms both (coincidentally) wore the scarves that Rachel and Sky had brought back for them from a trip to India.  It couldn't have been done more perfectly.

Rachel + Sky Preview

Rachel and Sky's wedding is next up for the blog, but before I get to it, here is a sneak peek: This is something totally new for me - combining and overlaying frames, but as I've gotten more into the wedding photography world this year, I've really begun to appreciate all different kinds of styles, particularly those based more in fine art (since that's not my background).  Plus, there's no better time for experimenting than the "off-season."  For this look, I was inspired by Noa of Feather Love Photography and Kelty of Steep Street.

Jamie + Steve in Yorba Linda, CA

I met Jamie the last semester of senior year in high school, and although we only knew each other for half of a year before going our separate ways for college, we became close friends and have remained close throughout the years.  I played softball competitively for a good 12 years of my life, and before going to UNC on a softball scholarship, I transferred the last semester of my senior year of high school from a private all-girls school in Pasadena to a public school with a top softball team in Tustin (all southern California).  Jamie was my catcher at this new school, Foothill, so we quickly got to know one another really well and, along with our good friend Jess, became inseparable.  Her family kind of adopted me for those four months so that every time I go for a visit, I feel right at home.

Jamie started dating Steve after college, and he oh-so-romantically whisked her off to Paris for half a year.  His love for and devotion to Jamie have never wavered, and I can’t wait to have new adventures with the Cruzes.

I feel so privileged to witness the weddings of my clients, but it was so special to see so many familiar faces show their love and support for one of my dear friends and her husband.  Here are a few photos from their day – it’s not easy to take lots of photos as a bridesmaid, but I managed to capture some.  They had a beautiful ceremony and reception at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.

Our other good friend Jessica, followed by a few other bridesmaids.

The last two photos were taken by Adm:

From left to right, Courtnay, Jamie and I:

Christy + Miguel Engagement

We started off Miguel and Christy's engagement session at Lyon St. Steps in the Presdio before heading to Union Square for some urban and colorful photos.  The light was amazing throughout the entire shoot, and I especially fell in love with the Louis Vuitton store front that had tons of brightly colored lights (above photo).  Lucky for us, we took advantage of this display just in time because I was there about a week ago and they had swapped it out! It was so wonderful to photograph Christy and Miguel - they are doing a long distance relationship right now since Christy is in school in San Diego, and you can tell they really value the time they get to spend with one another.  We can't wait for their wedding next year in San Francisco!

Laura + Jason Engagement

Laura and Jason are one of our 2010 couples who we met through Hillary and Matt.  They wanted more of a natural look surrounded by lots of trees so we began their engagement session at the Redwood Bowl in the Oakland hills.  It started off a bit cold and gloomy with some technical difficulties, but by the time we got things rolling, the sun came out as we hit Butters Peak so that we had some gorgeous light and fantastic views of the bay.  Laura and Jason are so easygoing and had such wonderful and natural laughs and smiles throughout the shoot.  We're really looking forward to their wedding next spring, which will consist of a two-day affair in their hometown Visalia.

Judith + Tom in Burlingame, CA

Working with Judith and Tom has definitely been one of our highlights this year!  We had a super fun engagement session with them in the beginning of summer so we knew they were going to have an incredible wedding with lots of smiles and laughs.  They were married the first weekend of October at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, and despite a last minute change of moving the ceremony indoors because of high winds, everything flowed very smoothly.  For starters, Judith and Tom claimed the mansion as their home for the night by decorating it with personal photos and making guests feel cozy and comfortable.  Another one of my favorite features was that Judith had not one, but THREE dresses she wore throughout the night.  Judith and Tom also wowed everyone with the most incredibly choreographed first dance that I've ever seen!  In addition to showing off his amazing dance moves, Tom also surprise serenaded Judith during the reception with a few of his groomsmen as backup.  All in all, it was the perfect celebration for a couple so perfectly suited for one another. Below is a slideshow with many more highlights set to their first dance song, "We Are in Love," by Harry Connick Jr.  Enjoy!