Lindsi and Jason – October 1, 2011 – Taber Ranch, Capay Valley, California

Lindsi recently let me in on how she and Jason became an item – through a gathering at a BBQ thrown by Kari, a mutual friend. Lindsi remembered, “Jason and I hit it off right away talking with each other throughout the night until it was time to go to work the next morning. The next day I got his number from Kari, but chickened out on calling him. And according to Jason he got my number from Kari but was waiting a few days to call. Well a few days passed and I decided to hunt him down on Myspace… Yes, Myspace. From that point on we started talking had our first date at Willies Diner.” Lindsi went on to describe a future date in which the couple had planned to go hiking in some rather wet weather. Jason is very outdoorsy, and Lindsi believes that it helped seal the deal that she never complained about being cold and wet during their hike. On the other hand, the two enjoyed getting to know each other a little better while taking in the nature around them. Three years later, Jason proposed to Lindsi on the same hiking trail. This time, though, the weather was gorgeous and Jason came armed with a surprise picnic and wine. And in Lindsi’s opinion, it was absolutely perfect.

Love the perspectives from two different angles! First, my image:

Then a shot from Katherine’s perspective:

Taber Ranch is such a beautiful venue, and the owners dress it to the MAX for weddings. Lindsi had to do next to no decorating for her event. In addition, the views are amazing. I LOVE it!!!

Jason and Lindsi opted to see each other before the ceremony in order to help the wedding day schedule run a little more smoothly. Their wedding ceremony ran close to sundown, so we completed all the bridal party pictures before the ceremony began.

In love with the reception details. I have to say that even as a wedding photographer who is used to seeing a lot of detail, I was overwhelmed with the overall amount throughout the day. And the fact that my bride didn’t have to do most of it… Priceless!

Lindsi and Jason’s DJ ROCKED! He really knew what it took to get guests out onto the dance floor!

The antique hats used to decorate the bathrooms were just too irresistible – we had to grab a fun group shot!

A very, very special thank you to Katherine of Katherine Vess Photography for being my right hand gal for this shindig. I credit her for so much – keeping me calm when I got overwhelmed with all the beautiful details, fishing for hair flowers behind heavy furniture, capturing awesome detail shots, and much, much more. THANK YOU!!!

Cake: Sweet Cakes by Rebecca in Citrus Heights

Centerpieces: DIY mason jars with hydrangeas from Mom’s Wholesale Florist

Bouquets and boutonnieres: Mom’s Wholesale Florist

DJ: The Sundance Kid. Love him, he has done many of my family events and weddings.

Bridal Dress: Davids Bridal

Bridesmaids dresses: Two Birds Bridesmaids

Hair: Mel George, working at Studio 55 in Roseville

Makeup: Renee Gargano, working at Macy’s Impusle counter in Roseville.

Tuxes: Tuxedo Den

Rings: Giraux Fine Jewlery

Officiant: Bob Waegell

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Jorgia Lynn – Newborn Session Sneak Peek

Welcome to the newest addition to my family… My niece Jorgia! She was such a sweet, sleepy little peanut and did so well for her first pictures. More coming soon!

Newborn headband by Jacklyn Johnson of Trew Luv.

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Merry Christmas!

Here is a Christmas sneak peek for a local Colusa County family. I love that the weather has been beautiful despite the fact that it is December. What a great gift for photographers this season!

Warm wishes to you all as you enjoy the holiday with your families!

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Baby Neviah – Newborn Session Sneak Peek

Loving this little girl! Her parents went through so much in order to conceive her and bring her into this world… And she’s SO worth it!

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Elizabeth and Keith – September 25, 2011, Crawford’s Barn, Sacramento, California (Part II)

Part two of this couple’s fabulous DIY shindig. Might I add a couple of tips for prospective brides?

One, if the bride and groom are on the dance floor, the wedding guests will be too. Note this in the images below, in which Liz and Keith amp up their guests by shakin’ it like crazy themselves.

Two, if your photographer offers the chance for “Golden Hour” portraits during the ceremony, TAKE IT!!! (Thank you Aimee Fredy!)

Three, if you feel the need to have your guests join you in singing Bohemian Rhapsody at the top of your lungs, go for it! This couple is going to look back on their lively reception with no regrets. The pictures say it all!

This is part of the reason I love these two!

The awesome bride and I:

It is very important that I give credit to Aimee Fredy of White Daisy Photography for all her support on this day. Without Aimee, many of the above images would not exist or even be possible.

I am sure that Liz would like to thank quite a few people, but I will do my best to mention a few. I know that Foster McManus, Sharon Wonder, Dianna DeLashmutt, Paul McManus, Jeff and Joe (in charge of music in the next post) and SO MANY OTHERS contributed to making this day happen. Other than that, here are the basics:

Ceremony and reception location: Crawford’s Barn, Sacramento, California

Catering: Hannibal’s

Cake and dessert bar: DIY – Liz, family and friends

Centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres: DIY – Liz, family and friends

DJ: Playlist designed by Liz and Keith, played by friends Jeff and Joe

Bridal Dress: The Collective Bride, Yuba City

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Chosen individually by each bridesmaid

Hair: Ashleigh at Details Salon in Sacramento

Makeup: Mandie Jackson

Tuxes: Keith’s suit purchased at indochino.com, groomsmen provided suits of their own

Officiant: Liz’s father, Mike

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Elizabeth and Keith – September 25, 2011, Crawford’s Barn, Sacramento, California (Part I)

The story of Liz and Keith’s wedding day is told by me in vivid, detailed images. The story of how they met and their proposal, however, will have to be paraphrased from their wedding website. It goes something like this…

Keith recalled that the first time he laid eyes on Liz, she was onstage at The Acting Company’s show “Into the Woods”. Liz played the role of Cinderella, and Keith remembered wondering, “Wow. Who’s that?” A few months later, Keith was given the opportunity to find out. It turns out that the pair were cast opposite each other in The Acting Company’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors”. In Keith’s own words: “The first day she arrived at the playhouse, I was outside the front entrance with friends. She rolled in on her favorite cruiser bicycle, her brilliant smile flashing. Her beautiful, kind eyes fell on mine and my heart fell completely for hers.”

Wow, Keith. Making a few girls jealous right about now, I’m sure!

Again, I am going to quote this sweet groom’s words about his proposal to Liz:
“By the beginning of March, 2010 (Liz and I had been dating just over six months), I was sure of two things regarding Liz: One, I’m spending the rest of my life with this woman. And two, the day the big question is uncorked will be a day neither of us would forget… On the eve of her twenty sixth birthday, I took her down to the foot of ‘the eighth wonder of the world’, Burney Falls, and, after she had opened her first two presents, I opted to open the last. The ring was wrapped, and safely hidden inside a gift bag so there would be no clues to ruin this moment I had worked so hard for. I knelt to one knee (’cause I’m a true sap at heart), recited my rehearsed line, and let the question fly…

… And, with the sun peaking over the top of the ridge to cast a few moments of sunset for my stage, she smiled. And laughed. And cried. And she said, ‘Yes!’”

As an extended family member of Keith’s, this couple and their special day meant a lot for me. I watched Keith change after meeting Liz, and I loved the person he had chosen. This bride has a beautiful soul to go along with those gorgeous eyes and the brilliant smile Keith referred to in his story. I loved watching Liz’s excitement as she witnessed all of her planning and hard work come together. Even on a tight budget, the details complimented each other so perfectly. Liz splurged where it was important and cut back where necessary. She is the ultimate Do-It-Yourself bride on a budget, and proved to all of us that an amazing wedding can truly be pulled off with enough inspiration and help from friends and family.

On to part one of Elizabeth and Keith’s day…

The view from Liz’s window. The skies threatened to let loose all day, eventually settling with a few “good luck” sprinkles during formals. Thank goodness!

SO beautiful.

Liz and Keith opted for a first look in order to make the best use of their time during the tight wedding day schedule. I want to take this opportunity to point out that typically, the schedule would allow us to spend more time with the groom as he is getting ready. Unfortunately, it did not work out that way during this event.

It is very important that I first give credit to Aimee Fredy of White Daisy Photography for all her support on this day. Without Aimee, many of the above images would not exist or even be possible.

I am sure that Liz would like to thank quite a few people, but I will do my best to mention a few. I know that Foster McManus, Sharon Wonder, Dianna DeLashmutt, Paul McManus, Jeff and Joe (in charge of music in the next post) and SO MANY OTHERS contributed to making this day happen. Other than that, here are the basics:

Ceremony and reception location: Crawford’s Barn, Sacramento, California

Catering: Hannibal’s

Cake and dessert bar: DIY – Liz, family and friends

Centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres: DIY – Liz, family and friends

DJ: Playlist designed by Liz and Keith, played by friends Jeff and Joe

Bridal Dress: The Collective Bride, Yuba City

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Chosen individually by each bridesmaid

Hair: Ashleigh at Details Salon in Sacramento

Makeup: Mandie Jackson

Tuxes: Keith’s suit purchased at indochino.com, groomsmen provided suits of their own

Officiant: Liz’s father, Mike

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Elizabeth and Keith’s September wedding – A VERY antsy sneak peek!

Here is a little look at why I am so head-over-heels with this wedding so far. And this is just the beginning! I seriously can. NOT. WAIT!!!

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The Peters Family

In the midst of all the family sessions going on right now, it’s nice to be able to capture a few images of my own family.  Wish I could post my little sister’s full family picture with these two, but I wouldn’t dare ruin her Christmas cards by spilling the beans!

 

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