Chico California Wedding Photography: Almost Finished...

I have been editing so much this week and yet still didn't get this next wedding completely finished and showcased on the blog. However, I still couldn't resist. As I started to put together the story for their blog, this set of photos is one of my favorites from Chris and Mallory's Wedding. I say it all the time, but I am blessed with the BEST clients and the most BEAUTIFUL weddings. I love what I do -- and Mallory -- you are so sweet. I promise the rest of your wedding will be blogged early next week.

Cheers to Friday, another great wedding this weekend, and the fact that Costco sold me the best grapes in the world this week. So delicious!

To All My Sisters Out There: The Powder Room

Well this is long overdue -- another installment of To All My Sisters Out There. Thanks for your patience as the wedding season has made my life a bit crazy lately. Today, I am thrilled to showcase The Powder Room -- a beauty bar in downtown Chico. The concept here is makeup and skin care in a boutique fashion. When clients walk in, they are greeted with a beautiful design and served well. The Powder Room works with many brides and bridal parties, so I thought this was fitting for this post. I believe that makeup design can be a sweet part of your wedding day look and finding a good artist, who understands your desires, is really important.

Ashley, is the owner of The Powder Room and so I asked her to share briefly her perspective on the way that this brand serves the wedding industry.

Ashley first said that Brides incur a lot of stress (even good stress) and tension leading up to their wedding day. This where she comes in: On the day of the wedding, it is her desire to make those moments enjoyable, relaxing, and the most beautiful that a bride can have. She takes careful attention to consult with her brides before and so the day of is totally stress free, when it comes to finishing her look with makeup. Ashley takes the time to understand what her brides envision.

Ashley also said, "I really love my job, and hope it shows! I travel to do makeup for the bridal party and do whatever it takes to make the bride feel SPECIAL and IMPORTANT on her wedding day. Because that is what it comes down to..."

In hearing these things, I think it is safe to say that brides are served in a special way by their makeup artist. These are the people who put the finishing touches on your look in a beautiful, personal way. So consider this investment on your wedding day.

Lastly, here are some photos of the details in her shop -- the beauty bar we call it. Cheers to The Powder Room and Thursday mornings in my office. Thanks Ashley, for sharing a bit of your brand with us.

She has put so much work into the details of her store. I just love it.

Oh yes, and the bride below: Her makeup was designed by Ashley at the Powder Room. Gorgeous!

Chico California Photographer: Rest

I disappeared this week and you will have a hard time luring me back to Chico from this beautiful place... Kenny and I are taking a break and soaking up every moment before shooting two more weddings this weekend. Cheers to an amazing time. I have left even my own computer behind, to take this break, so this photo lies completely unedited. Another post will follow as soon as I get back to my office -- but hopefully not too soon...

Chico California Engagement Photographer: Brent and Jade

I met Jade and Brent only about a month ago and I am so, so glad to get to work with them! First of all, they are creative and inspiring people. I don't know them really well -- but I can tell they have beautiful stories. Together, they are better.I believe their photos begin to tell something -- a bit about their chemistry and relationship. Brent adores Jade and Jade looks up to Brent. They are really beautiful people. Thank you so much for letting me into your lives. Your wedding day will be amazing! PS: Brent roasts his own coffee -- And as soon as I try some, I have a feeling I may be hooked. Stay on the lookout for that, because you probably want to try some too.

Cheers to Thursday and four weddings in the next two weeks!

Love it!

I love these next three -- Just gorgeous people!

I love how happy you are together! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day!

Chico California Wedding Photography: Scott and Rebekah

Ok -- this was a crazy, fun wedding! It was one of those strange Saturdays, two weeks ago here in Chico. It was so windy and actually kind of cold. (I know all of my Portland friends do not want to hear that 60 degrees feels cold...). All that to say, Rebekah and Scott were troopers. They made the weather look so good and they had so much fun together on their wedding day. I feel like my blog posts could go on and on with their photos...The wedding was at Butte Creek Country Club. An outdoor wedding with an indoor reception. I loved meeting all of their friends and family -- it was truly a beautiful event. Thank you so much for allowing us into your lives, Scott and Rebekah. What an honor!

Love the girls!!

The boys too...

The flowers were beautiful and created by Flor Decor...

The ceremony came first, followed by our time with the bride and groom....

At the end of the aisle we caught this sweet moment...

Now for portraits...

Rebekah -- you are stunning!

The details were gorgeous as well!

And as for the night -- it was wonderful! Lots of dancing and good times that I will try to blog later as this post has gotten quite long and I still have to make dinner for my hubby :)

So for now -- Cheers to Scott and Rebekah!

Chico California Photographer: Six Years...

Well -- it is Tuesday and I am waist deep in editing right now. So I have a quick post today -- just a little something fun for you. Kenny and I celebrated six years of marriage this past week. Wow -- I can hardly believe that it has been six years. We both feel like it has gone so fast, yet SO much has happened as well. I guess I want all of you to know that marriage is life changing. I am such an advocate for marriage -- such a believer in this great thing that God has created for us! Maybe this is why I love being a wedding photographer. Weekend, after weekend, I watch other people commit to this and I know their lives will never be the same. My life has been changed, for the better, because of this beautiful thing called marriage.

So cheers to my amazing, (and good looking) husband and to the God who put us together. I am forever grateful.

Here's a "self-timed" photo from our date night on Friday. We went to 5th Street Steak House and enjoyed a delicious dinner. Save your pennies for this great restaraunt!

Chico California Photographer: Bryn

Looking back at this senior class, I have had the opportunity to work with so many different students and I am so grateful! Bryn may have been my final senior session of the year and what a great way to end. Bryn is on the snowboard team for her high school. She is courageous and full of passion. It was an honor to spend the afternoon with Bryn and her Mom. Thank you so much! Cheers to Bryn and the entire class of 2011!

Bryn, you are beautiful!

I love these last two photos -- how they contrast two different moods, both beautiful.

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Brent and Jade Tease...

I walked away from this session last night, my heart full and with much adoration for this couple. Brent and Jade -- you are fabulous! Wait until you see more of these photos.... Cheers to Thursday - and the celebration of six years married to my hubby tomorrow! I am one lucky girl!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Jeff and Julia

Jeff and Julia are amazing people. They have such a sincere love for one another and God. Their families and friends are among the kindest, happiest people I have met. So then, you can imagine that their wedding was truly a celebration and we had so much fun!Saturday April 30th: The day was so bright and warm: The venue, gorgeous. Julia blushed with anticipation at seeing her future husband. Jeff was beaming with pride at his beautiful wife. I know God had His hand on their special day. Jeff and Julia: I admire your joy and passion and love. Thank you so much for choosing Kenny and I to photograph your day. This blog post is way too short, to even begin to summarize all that happened on your wedding day. Enjoy this glimpse! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

Julia, you are so pretty!

Julia and Jeff moments before the first look...

The first look...

The ceremony was beautiful -- very windy, but so blessed!

The details glowed, as did our bride and groom.

La Cocina Econimica catered the party. I know, you can almost taste those chips, huh?

Some friends created a makeshift photobooth for the party and I loved it! The props signified different parts of their lives.

Loved hearing all of the beautiful things said and just seeing so many people have a wonderful time!

Sticking to a "Taco Truck" theme, Jeff and Julia chose to have an array of desserts, with a spanish food flair to them!

They proved to be amazing dancers -- really. I got a little caught up in their first dance as well, because I loved their song choice, "Just the Way You are..." So sweet!

A few cuties came to the party :)

I think we all smiled until our cheeks hurt -- and I love this photo of the "Anniversary Dance Winners". Everyone at this celebration was truly happy!

As the evening sky dimmed, and the flowers became worn, Jeff and Julia took their final dance and away they went. What a beautiful day! Congratulations you Mr. and Mrs. Thielman!

To All My Sisters Out There: Wedding Bouquets

Many of you know that it doesn’t take long and I will refer to you as sister. I am not sure when this all started, but a few years ago instead of saying someone’s name, I would just say sister. And it kind of stuck. I have found myself saying this to most of my brides and any of the girls in my life. Now bear with me, there is a reason for this story. Today is the debut of a new blog journey. Every other Friday, I will be posting wedding information for my brides to be and any girl out there who is already thinking of her wedding day (hopefully that is a lot of us). There will be posts about choosing a wedding dress, choosing a venue, elements of a first dance – Basically, anything that has to do with the wedding industry, I will try to post at some point.

Now, I had to come up with a name for these blog posts. Let me tell you – this was the hardest of part, for sure. Here’s where the “sister story” comes in: Because I refer to so many of you as my sisters, I have titled these posts: To All My Sisters Out There.

Ok – so I hope you like that part. When you see that title, you will know that wedding thoughts are coming your way.

And for today’s debut post: It is about Choosing Wedding Bouquets with a Different Perspective.

The floral arrangements for a wedding are often chosen to compliment the colors and theme of a wedding day. Great idea? Absolutely. But let me ask you to consider a different perspective.

Choose flowers that you want to see as photos on your wall. Choose flowers that you will love on the day of, with all of your color combinations and dresses, but remember that you will see these flowers for the rest of your life: in your wedding photos.

Giving attention to your floral investment with a wider perspective will make you more satisfied in the long run. Just think – some of your wedding photos, even of the floral details, could be art on your wall. It is definitely something new to consider.

And below, are a few of my favorite bouquet photos. These are shots that I take at nearly every wedding – and some of these are hung in my office. See, I love them as photos as well!

Cheers to Friday and all of my sisters out there!

Sometimes, I like to photograph the bouquet very subtly.

I photograph the boutonierre and a Mother's bouquet as well.

The bridesmaid's Bouquet.

Some close ups of the bridal bouquet.

I didn't include any photos of the other floral arrangements at a wedding -- because that will be another post, for another time. Cheers!

Chico California Photographer: Baby S

At seven weeks old, baby Sicily is too sweet. I think what I love most is her cheeks. They are just squeezable! If you saw her Dad, you would know how much they look alike. It is quite amazing. These are just a few photos of Sicily -- as we only had time for a quick session.Baby Sicily you are so happy! Cheers to this adorable girl!

I am off to meet with the bride and groom for this weekends wedding! And later... I will be watching Survivor and eating a bowl of popcorn. Oh, I can't wait!

You may remember this sweet photo from a tease...

Chico California Photographer: Natalie

Sometimes I get the chance to meet with my clients before their session. Natalie was one of them. We met later on a Thursday night and as she began to tell me her vision for her senior photos, I knew, in that moment, that this was going to be good. She is an AP student, very involved in school and I can tell, she is adored by her peers. Natalie is a natural leader and she is stunning. And the best part, she rocked her senior photos -- in her heels! Thank you so much Natalie. You are so sweet -- and I loved working with you!

Yes, this is her car -- she restored the entire thing!

Love it!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Adrian and Adree

We were on the road by six in the morning. Headed to Manteca, California to photograph another beautiful wedding. There is nothing like it -- Starbucks in hand, camera gear in the backseat and my best friend at my side. We may have been jamming out to our latest find, Boyce Avenue. All in preparation for this couples big day!Adree and Adrian had a lovely park ceremony and backyard reception. The weather was just right, and the setting was perfect for their wedding. They are great together -- oh, you should see how much they adore each other! I have had so much fun looking back on their day. These photos are only some of my favorites -- I wish I had the time to post each one! Thank you to the new Mr. and Mrs. -- I am so honored to know both of you! I can't say it enough -- thank you so much!

Both Adree and Adrian right before the first look...

The first look and LOTS of portraits...

Love it!

We had spotted this ally on our way to the wedding, and had to stop. Adree and Adrian are just awesome!

The wedding took place in a beautiful park nearby the residence where the reception was held. Right after the wedding, we caught this moment between Adrian and his Mom. It is beautiful....

Some of my favorites from the group shots

Details... and a glimpse into the reception

A couple cuties at the reception :)