Chico Wedding Photographer: The Heart of What We Do...

As Kenny and I have been working on some new projects and rebranding, one thing continues to resonate with us. Authenticity. We want our clients to be themselves -- to laugh with us, or cry with us, to make themselves at home, right in front of our camera. Because when that happens, when our clients become vulnerable and let their guard down, we know that they also become friends.

Being a wedding photographer is so much more than understanding photography and taking photos: For us, it is about creating trust with the people that we serve and ultimately, walking alongside them, as friends, in these sweet, beautiful moments of life.

And because this photo tells this kind of story...

Chico Photographer: Sweet Baby C...

Just in case you were wondering why I can't get enough of this little guy... He is beautiful, absolutely perfect! This week we will take his newborn photos... but in case some of you needed a pre-tease of those, here you go... Carsten Jeremiah, you are amazing. We love our new nephew so much!

Chico Engagement Photographer: Stephen and Kelsey Tease...

In between the excitement of baby Carsten's birth, we also had the opportunity to work with these two amazing people this past weekend! Stephen and Kelsey, you are so, so wonderful! This is one of the first photos from our time together... I cannot wait to look at the rest! Cheers to this Monday rain and another very full week!

Chico Wedding Photographer: Zach and Ashley Tease...

Whew... It has been an incredible two days! My sister went into labor yesterday, we photographed a wedding, we held an all nighter at the hospital last night, and today, we celebrated the birth of our newest nephew. Does it get much better than this? What an amazing weekend! Tonight I wanted to share a tease from this gorgeous Friday afternoon wedding. Zach and Ashley, you are perfect together. Thank you so much for letting us share in your day, and thank you for letting us check our text messages ever so often, as we were giddy with excitement at the thought of a baby being born!

So cheers to hardly any sleep and the amazing miracle of childbirth!

And I have not had time to look at many of their photos yet, but I do love this shot of Ashley...

Chico Wedding Photographer: Bobby and Lauren Part Two

Oh gosh, where to begin? This wedding was full of details, every moment perfectly thought out. Kenny and I were so honored to be a part and thankful that Bobby and Lauren would invite us into their amazing day. Bobby is quiet and so smart: A soon to be doctor with the kindest spirit. Lauren is a nurse, and among the most joyful people you will meet. Together they are better. They dream of what they will do in the medical field and I can already tell that they will make a big difference in this world.I wish I could tell so much more of their story, but perhaps these photos will give you a glimpse into their love and into the start of their journey together. Cheers to love and the beautiful stories that I get to capture.

Oh yes, and if you missed part one, you can see that here.

Their first look...

Gorgeous...

Throughout their dating relationship, Bobby and Lauren would frequent Powells...

Loved the girlies and their cute details... The cutest of flower girls...

It was a gorgeous ceremony inside of Bidwell Presbyterian...

A few more portraits...

These are only a few details from their amazing day...

At the end of the evening, we captured a few more photos of the sweet couple..

Lauren, you are gorgeous!

Have I mentioned that I really like photographing rings?

And at the end of the night, we all just danced...

A beautiful moment between Lauren and her Dad.. and once again, I will end my post here, although there were so many details and moments following...

Some of the Amazing Vendors: Catering: Bacio Catering Forist: Cambray Rose Florist Ceremony Venue: Bidwell Presbyterian Reception Venue: Private Residence

Chico Wedding Photographer: Aric and Cinnamin Tease...

I have so much gratitude for this couple and the others involved in their sweet celebration Saturday! Aric and Cinnamin, you are beautiful together! Cheers to Monday and call me crazy, but I kind of hope it rains today...

Chico Wedding Photographer: Today I Woke up Before the Sun...

You know what, sometimes I just get too excited! Today, has been one of those days. I got to wake up early and work with some amazing people on a really unique project! So, this Friday post is a shout out to the team that I worked with today. Stephen Diaz, you are among the most brilliant videographers out there! And, Kenny Stone, well you are just the best husband in the whole wide world and such an amazing photographer!

And, while I can't quite share the project that we worked on today, I will say, you should get excited too!

So cheers to Friday! To our waking, far before the sun came up, which I may have to try again soon...

This is his "I'm really excited you are taking a picture of me" face :)

Chico Wedding Photographer: Bobby and Lauren Part One...

While he studied for Medical School, she spent her evenings working the night shift as a nurse and the days planning her dream wedding. The day came together beautifully and I am so thankful to have captured it.And today, here is part one of their sweet wedding day.

The two were married at Bidwell Presbyterian, followed by a private backyard reception. The day was warm and held so many beautiful details. Here are just a few from the first part of the day.

Cheers to Thursday! Tomorrow I will be getting up before sunrise for a new project, to debut soon... And yes, I am still waiting for my nephew to be born :)

Lauren had two pairs of shoes that she chose for her wedding day... How can you not love that?

She wore the pair on the left for the ceremony...

The ornate details of this dress were completely stunning.

Lauren, you are gorgeous! Such a stunning bride...

Bobby, you are so great! And make the perfect husband for Lauren!

Would you like the tiniest peek into their reaction to seeing one another for the first time that day?

To All My Sisters Out There: The Smallest of Details

Hey Friends -- Quick post today, as I am just working away. Oh yes, and let's not forget, that my sister is going to have a baby any day. So perhaps my brain is on excitement overload, making it much harder to concentrate on these blog posts. As a wedding photographer, I continue to see that the smallest of details matter. While it is certainly my job to be creative and set the scene for the extraordinary; sometimes I find a bride has gone the extra mile in considering so many of her details. Here is an example below. The bride had ordered a custom hanger for her wedding dress and it made a world of difference in her photos. A tiny detail like this, will give such personalized character to your photos. Photos with this kind of detail are also perfect for wedding albums. I just love it.

In your wedding planning, perhaps you can find a few extra moments to consider the small things. And in case any of you want to know how to order these: here is a link to an etsy site for you!

Cheers to Wednesday! Wow, this week is flying by! Thank you again to the best of clients and friends!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Danny and Bridget Tease...

Ok Bridget and Danny, you two are stunning! So thankful to have captured their day this weekend... Cheers to a new week and pumpkin spice lattes!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Simon and Veronika

Simon and Veronika were married on one of the warmest days of the year. But that did not stop us from celebrating all day long! The wedding took place at a private residence in Chico. It was a perfect setting for a wedding with quite a few DIY components. Veronika and Simon had a vision and I believe it got carried out on this beautiful wedding day. There was a mixture of traditions and cultures and it was an absolute honor to join this celebration! Cheers to the newlyweds!

Gorgeous...

Dear Simon: You are awesome -- there are so many things that Kenny and I loved about working with you!

The first look...

The ceremony was in the front yard of the private residence and just perfect for their day... I loved this view of Veronika with her Dad and then immediately following the ceremony, Simon and Veronika began to dance as the Mariachi band played... Let's be honest, don't you love this ring bear and flower girl?

We went offsite for a a few more portraits...

As soon as we returned, the Mariachi band greeted us...

Just one more reason why we loved this party...

The details were amazing -- I could have photographed them for hours...

The evening ended with toasts and so much dancing!

Does a look between a Father and Daughter get much sweeter? I think I will end here...

Have a great weekend everyone! We are excited to capture another sweet wedding day tomorrow!

Chico California Photographer: Too Exciting...

It is true. I absolutely, hands down, no doubt about it, like my job. And among some of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer, is the time that I get to spend photographing a bride. She is always stunning and always unique. She is also always patient, as I take way too many photos, proceeded by high pitched squeals of delight. It is simply too exciting... I really believe that every single bride is beyond beautiful -- and as she prepares to see her groom, there is a glow and sweetness about her.

So cheers to my brides! Thank you so much! And as for Veronika, her entire wedding will be blogged tomorrow! Isn't she beautiful?

Chico California Engagement Photographer: Mike and Andrea

This couple is just the sweetest! Together they are stunning and they have a zeal for life. Mike is a baseball player for the Boston Red Sox Minor League. He is strong and a protector to his girl. Andrea works for Enloe and is so full of joy. She adores Mike. I love how they treat one another and working with them, even in one hundred and seven degree weather, was absolutely wonderful! Cheers to these two! Your wedding will be an unforgettable affair!

We started at a family farm, as the two grew up close to here and Andrea's Dad is a dairy farmer...

Andrea, you are gorgeous!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: I Couldn't Resist...

Well, I am back in the office today, and waist deep in editing. It is a good day! I had planned to do a post on our recent trip to the coast, but time is getting away from me and I must stay the course with my weddding edits. Lucky for all of us, that means one more tease from Bobby and Lauren's wedding day. I just couldn't resist... Cheers to this happy couple! Much Love to all of my amazing clients! You are the best!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Bobby and Lauren Tease...

Bobby and Lauren are married and what an amazing day it was! We were so honored to capture this sweet couple on Saturday! Cheers to this tease and a day off for us...

To All My Sisters Out There: Your Wedding Day Shoe

When I saw on my calendar, that today was going to be a "To All My Sisters Out There" post, I knew exactly what I would write. When you see the pair of shoes below, you will know exactly why I was inspired. I like shoes. I don't own a lot of shoes, but I love to photograph shoes. So, I am already biased as I write this post. Every weddding, I look forward to photographing a bride's shoes. Give me a good pair of heels to photograph, and I am all over it. They make for beautiful photos and a perfect addition to a wedding album.

Ok, now that we got that out of the way, let me tell you why I think a bride should give thought to her pair of shoes.

When I meet with a bride, we often chat about their wedding day vision. And along with this, what is their personal style -- what kind of dress will they be wearing, will they wear a veil, and what kind of accessories will they choose. Then we get to the shoes. I don't know why, but there is something about shoes that makes women swoon. We get all giddy. This is the point in my meetings, where most women, bust out their iphone and show me a photo of the shoes they have chosen for their big day.

And so this tells me something. It tells me that the shoe a bride chooses, has significance to her. It is her way of sharing more of her personality and style. I have never photographed the same shoe, and so perhaps this is why they are an important part of a wedding day. The pair of heels or shoes that a bride chooses, are certainly unique and telling.

In the end, I realize that it is just a pair of shoes. And while these are small details to a wedding day, it is still once in a lifetime. So consider what story your pair of shoes will tell.

Cheers to the Thursday! And the fact that I now want to wear heels tonight!

PS: Don't you love this bride's choice of shoes?

Chico California Wedding Photographer: The Moments in Between...

In our work, Kenny and I want to create moments and we want to freeze time. We want to capture life that is perfectly genuine, and sometimes that happens in between the frames of our work.... just like this... Andrea, know that you are beautiful: Genuinely.Beautiful

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Simon and Veronika Tease...

I think this photo says it all! These two were married on Saturday and it was among the most joyful celebrations ever! Cheers to Simon and Veronika!

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Mike and Andrea Tease...

Kenny and I spent last evening with these two gorgeous people. I couldn't be more thankful to work with the sweetest clients ever, who brave even the warmest days of the year! Can't wait to share more from their engagement session soon. Cheers to Saturday! We are headed off to photograph another wedding today in this crazy hot weather :)

Chico California Wedding Photographer: Holding Onto Summer

We are holding onto every last bit of summer in this household and treasuring the sun and the slower pace for one last week. So hold on with us, and know that next week will be all things weddings and engagements once again...