This couple! We can not wait to share their full gallery and film with you all! The bride has a special place in Kelsey's heart as her childhood best friend. From their elegant details to sparkler exit and everything in between, this wedding was full of love, laughter and excitement!
We decided to randomly take a quick turnaround trip to Little Rock! Not really on the randomness but very seriously on the quick turnaround. We were able to capture the love story of Greg and Meckae-Lynn's wedding on Friday after flying in on Thursday evening! We then flew home Saturday evening, but we had some down time so 3 Ubers, a baggage drop off at a hotel, and another Uber later, we made it sound a couple hours in downtown Little Rock.
Our plan seemed so logical! We were going to stop off our bags off at the Holiday Inn downtown (we stayed at one in West Little Rock and they let us use the other hotel to hold our bags), then Uber across town to Old City Hall. We would explore, and walk around, then walk back towards downtown for lunch. Not too bad in our minds, but halfway through that 4mile walk, with no food yet, not sure about my compatriots, but I. Was. Tired.
The journey though was filled with laughs and history that was awesome to see rather than hear about. Arkansas has some beautiful architecture that if you ever get the chance to go, even though you might think "what's there to do in Arkansas?" you should go. The answer to that question is walk around and see the architecture. Both Kelsey and I had visited when we were younger, not even knowing each other then, but man this place was more fun than I remembered. That, or i had a new fondness for buildings and stuff. They have some great food by the way, one of the best burgers! And I eat IN-N-Out Burgers often! Thats one thing I don't take for granted, haha.
Over the break we set out on New Years night to drive to one of the places in the world that gives you chills, a sense of how small we really are, and real wonderment. This trip was every sense of spontaneous as we left 3 hours after I had gotten off from work. Drove out to Joshua Tree for some night time long exposures, but we were too tired and cold to do anything but sleep! I know, I know missed opportunity. To read more, click here!
2016 had us in the presence of some beautiful love stories, wonderful couples, amazing venues all around the country, giving us the honor to capture what love looks like to each of them. From couples who had been together for 7 years to those who knew right away and got married within 2. We never know who God is going to place in our life, what His plan is for us when we find those people, or how it will all turn out. All we can do is trust in the path and plan, and live life to the fullest with the love God gave us. Life is an adventure, and an even better one with your spouse.
If there was one thing we learned this year, it is that. From our first couple to our last of the year, each one is on an adventure that begins fresh after saying "I Do" and walking down the aisle. So here is to the journey that you are on. To the memories we hope you make and share. To the blessings God may bring you. To the adventure, that it may never end and always bring out the love you share. And thank you for allowing us to document part of the journey and the memories we have taken from them.
With all that said, here are some of our favorite moments from this past year. Reminisce with the mindset that the journey is always moving forward, and its better with your spouse than alone! Be sure to check more of their love stories!
When Christmas comes around, what a better way to share in some family time than get holiday family portraits done! We had a few days in December with some amazing families to hang out, chat and laugh with little ones, run around with a dog, and taking time to exploring a park with new friends and their family! Each family has a special place in our hearts and we loved spending the time with them to capture the laughs and love they give each other!
Amy, Chris + Family
Kiley, Kevin + Maverick
Erika, Mike + Family
Kirtsy, Kyle + Family
This park really is becoming one our favorite places to shoot! There are numerous areas to shoot that have a different style all at one location. No matter the time of day or background, the lighting can be utilized to perfection. Not to mention how beautiful this couple was, they truly made it easy and elegant.
Mark and Rachel are so fun to be around, and you can see the love and laughs they share below. We can't wait to capture the next chapter of their story, the wedding day! Enjoy all the smiles, kisses, hugs and love from these and be on the lookout for more!
We are so stoked for this shoot! One its our family, as Krysta is Zac's sister, and two they are bringing us a nephew! Krysta and Jake will be wonderful parents and we cannot wait to meet baby Weston! Enjoy these photos and leave a comment for the little guy! Cheers all and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
3 words that you don't have to say twice to us, to get us somewhere. Whether they are used individually or simultaneously, we're there! This trip was a mix of all of them as a gift for Kelsey's birthday. The island looked so much different than either of us remember from when we were younger, but experiencing it as adults was something great!
We were able to relax on the beach. Roam and explore the island via parasail and golf cart. And experience some wonderful food! The sand and water aren't as smooth as the coast, but tranquil nonetheless once you get away from the people. Sitting on the shore, drinking an ice cold beverage and listening to the slow crash of waves at our feet mixing in the background of our country playlist. If we could be in this setting everyday, it would be paradise!
Being up in a parasail was an unique adventure to say the least! Taking off from the back of boat, sitting in a harness seeing the coast of California as well as the harbor of Catalina. To then dive back to boat and get splashed by water when our feet cut across the water, was an experience not soon forgotten. We made our way up to 500ft again, soared around in a circle like a bird scouting the area, and awe fell upon us. In that moment, seeing God's creation from a perspective not often visited, in the open air rather than cabin of a plane, was bliss. Everything we see each day, at ground level gets taken for granted. The trees that give us shade. The flowers that give us oxygen and beauty. The crashing waves that show us the force of the ocean, yet the calm and peacefulness that comes with its repetitive nature, all taken for granted until we find a new way to see things. Thats the challenge in and of itself, right? To find a way to continuously see life and our own formed opinions and experiences in a different way to either form a new one, or come closer to understanding someone else's.
Then there's the food. From the ice cream shop the corner, to some of the best tacos we've had in a long time, it had a little bit of everything. Although, a lot of the places only take cash without warning, my melted ice cream was still worth it! One night, we got dressed up and had dinner on this second floor balcony at a seafood place. Seeing the sunset while enjoying a table of lobster and wine, it made the trip! But getting an unexpected hearing of an ABBA tribute band when walking main street back to our room was a rare treat.
This little slice of island living is so close yet we hardly go. Isn't that the reality of life though? Having so much so close to us, yet we rarely visit or taste? One of our goals to close out the year and beyond is to find new adventures and go on as many as we can, while we can. Everyday should have no regrets or finding time for statement" I wish I did this more" or "I wish I found time for this."
To that, enjoy the scenes from this trip and live life abundantly!
We love this couple! They have become great friends of ours over the years and we were so excited to be there for this day! What started out as a random question the night before (Evan wasn't going to have any take pictures) turned into us being there the next day to capture the moment! We are so happy for the two of them and hope you enjoy the love they share!
Matt and myself became friends his freshman year of college in choir. We became closer over the next two years and had many deep talks. I can still look back and remember conversations after Linda caught his eye. The way he talked about her, you knew his plan was to marry her, and at the time hopefully in God's plan as well. Linda is a real woman of God who has the heart and personality that reflects it. Her and Matt shared values, beliefs, thoughts, among others. The real amazing things that these two shared and professed, was everything was in God's timing. From the start, nothing was ever rushed, hurried, slow or lackadaisical. God has been at the center of their relationship since day one, following the voice of God. They followed His voice to the Central Coast of California and are both music instructors, which is what they both wanted to be. It is inspiring as friends to see patience and obedience pay off in the form of God answering prayers. We wish them both the very best and cannot wait to see God work in their lives.
This was one of those close to home, stay at home kind of deals. Kelsey's dad is big on hiking and geocaching, which for those who don't know, is a real life, scavenger hunt. Basically, you hike all these places in search of these hidden boxes (caches) that can be as small as a quarter to as big as a covered can. They can be found in the ocean, a park, a parking lot, on a mountain trail and even on top of a rock or peak.
Well for this adventure, Kelsey and I get invited to go to Little Corona and help search for one of these caches. We were given no clues as to what we were searching for, or where it was. All that it was at the beach. Once we get there however, he proceeds to tell us that it is atop the Rock Arch in the middle of the water. Lo and behold, we have to swim out to the rock, scale this thing and search for something hidden. It was an experience and adventure for sure, but sure worth it! Nothing was found, but we did end up having to jump off the top which is probably 25ft or so from the water surface. So that was fun! Anyways, enjoy the shots and till next time.
After a long weekend of double weddings, one in So Cal and one here in Nor Cal, we gave ourselves a rest day before heading back! We borrowed our aunt's car and drove from Sacramento to San Francisco early in the morning and walked around the city.
Part of us had the thought, "why are we walking when we've been on our feet for 2 days at weddings?"
But then we decided, there is no complaining when an adventure is looming! And so, thats what we did. We went on an adventure and what an adventure it was! Delicious food, wonderful sights and scenes, and a little bit of excitement! We are always searching for great, random adventures so enjoy this one and leave a comment with any suggestions for our next one!
This amazing couple have the biggest hearts for others, and it shows even on their wedding day! We flew into Sacramento the morning of their wedding and the groom insisted on driving the 45 minutes from the venue, McFarland Ranch in Galt, to pick us up. Caleb, he is always so involved in his friends and family, that he always puts their needs first. He has definitely found the perfect match in Katey. Her heart and personality are exactly what Caleb needs to encourage, strengthen and love him, likes he does others. And she has the same heart for others, just like him. Her love for Caleb is to trust in God and follow where God leads Him. In a few months, they are moving to Japan for 2 years to teach, minister, and share the gospel there because thats where their hearts and God led. These two have always shown their love for others since we have known them. Words that people used to describe them at their wedding were ones like selfless, obedient, loyal, trustworthy, devoted, a blessing, to name a few. This is our view of our friends and cannot wait to see how God uses them in Japan over these next two years.
Where to start with this wonderful couple! We knew Chris from choir in college, and after getting to know him a little bit better, found out he had a long time girlfriend. We never expected them to say' "We've been together for 9 years!" That is so inspiring, crazy, and truly romantic. They really knew they were going to get married and be in it for the long haul. I can only imagine what its like to be with someone for 9 years before getting married. However, upon talking, interacting and shooting their wedding, it was no secret that they are still crazy into each other 9 years in on their wedding as they were on day one. The church was decorated beautifully, and then the reception was at a rodeo in nearby Norco. Filled with lots of love, laughter and fun, everyone in attendance surrounded them with love and support, which is what you want throughout your marriage.
This is one of the most fun and hilarious couples we know! It would be a shock if they weren't, as Sam has been in numerous plays and was deeply invested in theatre over the years. Lauri is the perfect fit for him as she compliments his outgoing and energetic lifestyle with a calming presence, but has that same energy and humor. They both have hearts for theatre, music, and God. Christ is in the center of their lives, and nothing is more evident of that than the year before they got married. She moved to New York after college to pursue musical theatre, while he was finishing school in California. On their wedding day, the love and emotion, knowing that they will never be apart again, mixed with a relief that the hard year was over, was something magical. Getting to capture another friends' wedding, at the beach no less, is always very special for us and we are so thrilled for them.
This couple had been together for many years before they got engaged , and their story is one of distance, change, faith and obedience to each other and God. We met Richard in college and he has the sense of humor and personality that everyone wants to be friends with. He is a man of God, music, and comics.
We finally met his then girlfriend about a year before they got engaged, and their passions, personalities and lifestyle meshed well that you would never bet against them in life. She is a down to earth, God-fearing woman whose faith leads her passion for life. A moment came, when looking back is one of pure obedience to follow His voice, Richard took a worship pastor job in Hanford, CA, months before they got married. At first on the outside it seemed so strange and hard. But this couple prayed and asked for guidance, where they ultimately got married a couple months before their wedding! Now even though they had been married, the vibe and beauty in these photos show that everyday is a new one with the one they love by their side. The look in their eyes are as if they cannot wait to call each other husband and wife.
It makes for a great connection and story that we got to capture the love and beauty of a strong relationship like Richard and Britnie, that as friends we were there a week before they were the DJ's at our own wedding! We loved getting together with these two talking weddings, friendship, God and the laughs we share that we got married a week apart! Cheers Blackshers!
Educated.
This is Ashley. We had the privileged of photographing this lovely lady in celebration of her graduation from California Baptist University. We took a stroll in the extraordinary city of Pasadena and talked life, future expectations as well as took some great portraits! Ashley is a brilliant musician who has a passion for singing and is always pursuing excellence in anything she does. We know her future is bright and can't wait to see where she will go in her professional life!
It is always special to be apart of something so wonderful and life changing, and its even more so when it happens in your own family! Kevin and Kiley have been through so much and had been together for 3 years in college before Kevin planned to propose. Being with your cousin throughout life, then there when he gets the ring, to being able to capture the moment she said yes! These two are such wonderful people with beautiful souls and they are going to have a wonderful marriage that we hope God blesses immensely!
Throughout their time at Vanguard University, Tower 17 became a place of getting away, growing closer and forming a vision of their future together that would come into focus a few years down the road. So when the time came for Kevin to propose, he had only one place in mind on where to make that happen! We laid in the sand, hiding so we were not seen as they walked by which always adds more excitement for photographers haha. Being part of this moment was such an honor and we cannot wait to be by their side as family on their wedding day when it comes!
What a special occasion this was! When our aunt asked if we can photograph her parents vow renewal, we couldn't wait to jump on the opportunity. Ken and Linda's daughter Tami is our unofficial aunt, as is her her whole family, unofficially family. The whole family is sweet, selfless, kind and will go above and beyond for anyone.
Ken and Linda have two of the biggest hearts you would ever be blessed to know. The love they share and are proud to show, at 50 years nonetheless, is so encouraging! To beauty in the details, the glimmer of the lights and the emotion from the love were all shown through the evening. Enjoy the love and beauty!
We have good been friends with this beautiful couple for a few of years now. We met them while attending college in Southern California, quickly becoming friends. She is from Indiana, while he is from Northern California. They have passion and love for people, music, each other, Christ and hearts to expand the kingdom of God. Their vision for missions and stepping into the unknown to just follow their calling. She is a beautiful singer and he has some of the best spoken word pieces you will ever hear. Their passion, love, and kind hearts make them some of most caring and friendly people you could ever meet. We hope you love their beautiful photos, and hope they shed light into how loving their personality is not only for each other but life itself. Enjoy!
