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Heather & Kevins Engagement Session..

Heather & Kevin…in a nutshell…. are sincerely smitten. You would only need about 2 seconds amongst them to witness it, and about .5 seconds to see why they are undoubtedly perfect for another..They are the kind of people who would have been voted “Most Lovable” in high school..or “Most likely to bring home to mom”.  Its this lovable contagiousness that deserves a new word of its own. Heather is almost angelic to me….she has such a beautiful spirit about her, that at times I almost feel like she has this light around her. For reals!! Heather comes from an incredible family and truly endearing best friends, who I have known for some years now….who would ALL vouch that she is without a doubt… sweet as pie. While this was only the second time I had really met Kevin I was instantly sold. He is gentle and kind hearted..and not to mention an incredible track star..I am soo grateful they came down from Texas so we could squeeze this session in after her bridal shower, and before her wisdom teeth get yanked today….Heather, I only got to edit a few pics before I headed out of town, but I wanted some pretty images floating around in your head to distract you from the dentist today:) Cant wait to see you guys again!

Oh…and YES..there was a wild bunny during our shoot that wanted to be in every shot as we started out…(see below)..Who needs Easter Bunny pics at Sears..right??

Courtney & Dereks Wedding {San Francisco}..

Courtney and Derek are indeed proof that “Opposites Certainly Attract”. Courtney is sweetly reserved and a bit quiet upon meeting…where Derek is an outspoken, larger than life character sure to get any party started. They have an honest joy for each other, and just know how to enjoy life. Now, I know that wedding days are all about celebrating the meaningful and eternal things..but another thing that Courtney and Derek were celebrating this day, was a normal face for Derek. You see, a week ago, Derek was up at the snow for his weekly skiing trip and he got bit by a spider on his forehead. No biggie right???..well this little sucker made Dereks face swell up like a UFC fighter who clearly got a beat down. He showed us pictures on his phone because I didn’t believe it was that bad, until I saw that he was unrecognizable… and his eyes were swollen shut. As  photographers, there are things we can retouch, but  not entire heads. We were equally excited that the swelling had gone down, and that the remaining bump could be masked by makeup..but clearly this story was an ongoing catch phrase throughout the night…and Derek handled it like a champ.

You know it is going to be a good wedding when the bride agrees to forfeit going to a few favorite landmarks  in the city..to climb aboard what seemed to be a pirate ship. Between having “Goonies” flashbacks, and being blown away by the beauty of the city view..I felt myself have to take a few deep breaths to not get emotional. I was just standing next to my darling husband Jason at the bow of the ship, sunshine on my face, getting a few last shots of our love birds, and I couldn’t help but feel SO grateful that this is our job, and more importantly, how much we LOVE IT. {This is where you insert the Celine Dion song from Titanic}. But for reals…It was a perfect day..XOXO..

And because Derek kept joking that this was the “Courtney Show” cuz we were taking a million pics of JUST her, I wanted to do a few shout outs to our groom, and the things that make him awesome.

Lisa and Mikes Engagement Session {Monterey}..

Lisa and Mike are architects. It takes a certain type of person to do a job like that. It also takes a certain type of person to see my vision when I make them hike into abandoned and condemned buildings with yellow caution tape. This my friends was a good match:) They completely trusted me…even during our first frame as they got soaked by the crashing waves. (Might I add this was the day that the waves were HUGE for the Mavericks surf contest.. where photographers,fans, & judges were getting swept away..Yeah, it was THAT day)..and I was pretty sure a fish came out of Lisa’s ballet flats as she gracefully dumped the salt water out between pictures. Lisa and Mike’s main requirement for their session was that they wanted  interesting textures and structures around them… I think we accomplished that.. AND got them out of their comfort zone a bit and just.. had ..FUN. Because that is what it is all about right? Lisa and Mike-you are sweetly quiet & endearing.. I love your simplicity with life and each other..thanks for spending an afternoon with me!

Ivana & Vedran’s Wedding..

DSC_2217Ivana and Vedran are a darling little Croation couple that just make my heart sing. Our family has had the joy of seeing Ivana on a weekly basis since she manages at our local Target. A little shout out to HILLSDALE:) She gets to see the real Maxwells-early morning-messy hair-and trying to chase our kids up and down the toy aisles, while keep track of how many boxes of food our kids have already opened:) This was our second wedding of the year..and was a quick reminder of 1.) How putting effort into colorful details of your day-makes for fab pictures & happy photographers:) 2.)We LOVE FIRST MOMENTS between brides and grooms. Even if its freezing. Even if your worried about your dress. Even if you aren’t wearing waterproof mascara. It Don’t Matta. Make time for it in your day..they are precious moments! 3.) It pays to be familiar with receptions when you are the only people who don’t speak Croation. We had no idea what was being said 99%  percent of the reception-but luckily most time lines are the same. Jason and I found ourselves trapped in the middle of the dance floor a few times trying to find a safe way out underneath peoples arms. It was like when you are little and you are doing jump rope and you are the one trying to time out when to run in…Nonetheless-Ivana & Vedran’s families treated us like we were their own, and we are completley grateful to be part of their lives. You know I like LONG posts..this was no exception:) Ivana + Vedran..thank you for trusting us with your day..especially in moments it would have been cozier to just stay in the car:)Enjoy a few of our faves…xoxo..

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Happy Valentines Day…

Collages29DSC_3217Hope you feel loved today, and everyday…

We Heart Wedding Season..

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I am having a “Wedding Crashers” moment here. Yes people, it is THAT time of year again. WEDDDDING SEAAASONNNN!! Jason and I just had our second wedding for the year, and we are SOO ecstatic for God blessing us with another collection of sweet couples and new adventures. Ivana and Vedran’s wedding will truly be a VERY LONG post later this week, but I have other editing tasks to do before I can get to that..gotta stay in order:)..but I couldn’t pass this one up as it was uploading…Have a great week everyone!! XOXO…

27.things.you.maybe.didnt.know.about.me.

agDetails. Its all about the details. I have a tendency to interrupt people when they are talking..not because I am trying to be rude..but because I want to ask questions before they keep skimming over things..and I want to know more. Please, never filter your thoughts when you are with me, or feel the need to give me cliff notes version. The whole enchilada people!! Spill it. My favorite times with my girlfriends, are the one on one coffee dates where we literally talk about every single thing with another. We might only finish one story in 3 hours, because I literally want to know what you were wearing and how you were feeling in every scene of the story. I’m sorry. I love the details. When life gets really busy, I don’t get upset because I’m losing sleep or I have too much on my plate..but because I forget the little things. Birthdays, to follow up when  friend has a job interview, or I have forgotten to do the little thing my hubby has asked me to do 5 times. UGH. My dear friend Emily Turner (formally Keirstead) got married last November, and I had an ultra-lame friend moment at her bridal shower. I was sitting at a 50 foot table with all her closest family and girlfriends..and it was time to do the “How well do you know the Bride” game. “Its in the BAG!” I thought..I’ve known her forever, we are soul sisters..bring it on!!! Lets just say that out of like 20 questions, I got only 3 right. And the lamest-easiest three. 1.)what color are her eyes 2.) What high school did she go to(or a  high school related question) 3.) and what is her favorite color. Lets just say the color one was a guess, and I just got lucky. After tallying up my score, I felt the need to go over and just hug her…. and give her back my bridesmaid badge because I was the worst friend ever. And EM is such a details girl too. Anyways..not my proudest moment… I have vowed to slow my life down to notice, and remember the little details in peoples lives. I have a pretty strong stance about being ANTI-FACEBOOK-SURVEYS..but I remember back in the day people filled out random facts about themselves, and I LOVED reading everybody’s. Even the stuff that no one really cares about..because that’s what makes us who we are. So not that anyone is going to get a pop quiz on how well you know me anytime soon..but I thought I’d give ya a little easy reading…27 random tidbits in no particular order:)

1.)My second dream job would be a clothing/accessory designer for Anthropologie.

2.)I am severly terrified of public speaking.

3.) My favorite book is “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers.

4.)My favorite drink at Starbucks is a grande soy chai. I might mention also that if I don’t have coffee before about 11am-I get migraines.and I’m grouchy. Its a problem, I know:)

5.)I have mini panic/anxiety attacks every time I am in a scrapbook or craft store. Too many ideas in my head, so little time.

6.)I cry. Alot. At little Things. Especially Music. Especially Carrie Underwood.

7.) My favorite photographers are Sarah Rhoads and Tanja Lippert.

8.)I firmly believe that I have the best friends in the world. I wish I invested more time in letting them know so.

9.)I hate socks. I never wear them. Ever. Not even when Im asked to. Not at bowling. Not in bouncy houses. Never.

10.)When I doodle, I draw flowers. On everything.

11.) I think that every good thing that happens in this life is not by chance, coincidence or luck. It is God. And God is GOOD. ALWAYS.

12.)My favorite place to take pictures is Napa.

13.)I’m obsessed with Thai food.

14.)My grandma Teresa died 5 years ago, and I still think about, and miss her every single day.

15.)I think there is nothing sexier than my husband in Jeans and a white T-shirt.

16.)I like to watch my kids sleep. Is that weird?

17.)I have 15 photography-wedding blogs that I read daily.

18.)My favorite movies are Garden State and The Notebook.

19.)I feel really socially awkward in a room full of unfamiliar people.

20.)I don’t like watching sports. Or war movies. Or Westerns. ZZZZZZZ….

21.)I like to pray through journaling.

22.)I collect vintage buttons.

23.)I truly believe that wearing a cute headband will add a spring to your step and is a simple solution to a drab outfit.

24.)I get really awkward when the camera is pointed at me. “What should I do-where do I look..ahhhh”.

25.)I secretly want to go try on wedding dresses one day because I have never tried a single  dress on ( I made mine for our wedding.. 7 years ago.) Who wants to play dress up with me???

26.)I shot my first wedding when I was 18.

27.)At the end of the day, all I really want, even above being loved, is to feel  appreciated.

Jenna & Matts Engagement Session…

DSC_1138Meet Jenna: classic beauty.outgoing.athletic.sweet tooth.my graceful-loving-fashionista.

Meet Matt: Mr. adventurous.surfer boy.studious.current law clerk. has “Mad Men” hair that is officially awesome.

I have known Jenna from afar for some years now..My mentor Hillary taught at Jenna’s High School back in the day.. Jenna is part of a darling group of girls that I have seen tidbits of over the years…incredible purehearted girls who are now all amazing women..I feel so honored to be the one to photograph a few of them as they now start getting married:) There is a high bar that is to be met for a girl like Jenna… and Matt completely exceeds that bar..he’s practically pole vaulting over  it. Being the people watcher I am, I love to observe the tiny moments during our shoots…try to sweep up all the little “looks” and considerations they have for one another, so I can try to catch it the next time it happens without having to ask for it. Matt has such a presence with Jenna..he is almost anticipating what he can do for her before she even knows she needs something. As we got to our first place to shoot, we were walking through the grass, which Jenna and I could both tell was muddy by the sounds our little flats were making with every step..before we could even redirect our path, Matt had already swept up Jenna in his arms, without question…carrying her the rest of the way.. I felt like I was in a movie. They  have that type of Love. What I call the “LOVE ACTUALLY” kind of love…because LOVE ACTUALLY is ALL around with them. Jason and I had THE BEST day with these two..I have decided that I need a new word for couples like this who bring my dream wardrobe. Lets call it “J.Anthro”…or “Anthropolocrew”. The perfect marriage between two clothing stores that brings love and harmony to my shoots. When I asked them where they shop and the words J.Crew and Anthropologie were pretty much it..I knew I didn’t need to give them any advice on what to pack. They were already in good hands:) Jenna and Matt…your sense of adventure and playful spirits made us just  fall in love with you as a couple…it was truly a blessing to be part of your world for the day…Jenna3Jenna11Jenna2DSC_0866

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DSC_0891Jenna4DSC_1001DSC_0991DSC_1029Jenna5DSC_1134bDSC_1076DSC_1091Jenna7DSC_1110Jenna6DSC_1149bDSC_1164DSC_1193Jenna is a total family girl like me:) In one of our conversations a few weeks ago, she mentioned wanting to wear her moms wedding dress for a few pictures..we thought it would be fun to do it today, rather than the wedding day, since their wedding will already be encompassing so much family history..and vintage goodies….SO.Much.Fun. Kinda like trash the dress in reverse:)..the hole was already there mom..we didn’t do it!

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Allison & Craig’s Capitola Engagement Session..

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Allison & Craig reminded me today about a jillion times…why I love my job. Being with these two for a few hours left me feeling on top of the world, and I found my self singing, “I got, I got a pocket full of sunshine…” as I drove away. A.) We had blue skies in a rather unpredictable forecast week..B.)SO thankful that God is good, and that this darling couple from Arizona somehow found me in a sea of photographers..& made me realize, once again, that there are no “accidents” in this life (Just like them meeting by chance at a friends wedding)..&  C.) Hello-they are just ridiculously in love..Its as easy and simple as that. It was definitely one of those days that I was giddy and climbing all over the place trying to contain my excitement, all the while getting the best shot..without breaking a leg or getting swept up by the tide. I probably looked like a kooky National Geographic photographer who had 8 cups of coffee too many. Nonetheless…I pretty much burrowed in my bedroom today the minute I got home because I wanted to relive every moment…I.simply.could’nt.wait. Just like I cant wait until their wedding..Allison & Craig….all I can say is Thank you for being AMAZING..and loving eachother whole heartedly. No photoshop action can create that…XOXO..

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Tales from Ma Pocket Point & Shoot…

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words….. That is if you have it. Being a photographer, people look at my kids all the time and say “You must have a million pictures taken of these little angels!!”-in a very grandma-pinch-your-cheek-fashion. And while I smile and nod, I am now dazing off trying to remember why I haven’t seen any pictures from Disneyland..nor anything else from last year. I am very religious about instantly uploading pictures from portraits and weddings, yet somehow the everyday moments in life seem be to hiding from me somewhere. It is not always easy to whip out the big camera when you’re on a ride or laughing because your child walks out of their bedroom in some ridiculously awesome outfit. It’s totally unrealistic.It just is. I haven’t owned a point and shoot little pocket camera since Jr. High..so you have to know my excitement when my cousin Liz bought me one last year for Mothers Day. She watches my kids every week, and for every wedding we shoot, so she KNOWS the moments with my darling rascals…fly by. The only problem with this darn thing..is that I take pictures on it…and forget about it. Better yet, I loose it entirely. See, my darling Kyla is very into self portraits and photographing me when I’m blow drying my hair..so naturally, the camera gets nested between princess shoes and remote control cars in her delightfully cluttered room, when she’s done being artistic:) Over the last year, I have taken this camera all over the place-lost it for a few months-reunited- taken a few more-swore its gone forever-then it shows up in the car under the seat. Today, was the first time I actually decided to see what was on it…and thought it would be fun to relive a few everyday moments, that very well could have slipped into oblivion. It’s the everyday minutes and hours that tell the stories of our lives…and though I complain that my life is crazy sometimes, I think that what makes me love it…

P.S-excuse the low quality of these pictures. It’s point and shoot people..work with me here:)

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Sorry for the blur in this next one. Vegas+ Tourist+Stratosphere margarita in hand=mediocre button pressing skills:)

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