Ventura Wedding: Wes & Alicia

I was so unbelievably honored when Wes and Alicia asked me to be their wedding photographer. When I first started dating my husband, he told me that Alicia and her family were like a second family to him.  So when I first spent time with them, I knew they were really important to him and I was totally blown away by how they welcomed me as another sister/daughter/friend.

Naturally, we're both protective of our "little sisters" but as soon as I met Wes I could tell he was someone special.  He treats Alicia so well and she in turn lovingly supports him as they both embark on their careers and milestones such as buying a home together. You can tell that they are the real deal!

I am so thrilled to share some of the photos from their beautiful November wedding in Oak View!  A big thank you to the ever fabulous Shanna of Shanna Rene Photography for shooting alongside me and helping me capture a more complete picture of their special day.

Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!


Enjoy!

While I was taking photos of Alicia and her bridesmaids getting ready, Shanna snapped these great shot of the groom and his buddies.








The site, a private residence in Oak View, was simply a breathtaking backdrop for the ceremony beneath this old Oak tree.


















Alicia's amazing parents, Kate and Michael, did double duty and also performed the heartfelt and sweet ceremony.  Of course, they also snuck in some dance time together!












I can't remember what exactly I was saying here, but it was something like, "Seriously?!" Could she be a more beautiful, radiant bride?



Oh yes, I'm also hilarious too.



It was truly all ages out on the dance floor and everyone, I mean, everyone hit the dance floor at least once. I *may* have been out there for every 80's song that the fantastic DJ Myron played!









Another great photo by Shanna!




Thank you to the fantastic vendors who helped the day come together!
Catering: DJs Catering
Music: DJ Myron
Cake: A Gift of Taste

Elissa Holiday Session 2012

I've had the privilege of photographing this cutie every year since she was just a baby.  She certainly has grown into a bubbly, sweet little girl!  You may remember her super cute bee costume from last year.  This year we met in a park and just had some fun on the playground, one of their favorite places to hang as a family.  You can tell she really adores her uncle, who also joined us for the session.

Enjoy!

La Piece de Resistance

Wow, I've been super busy lately! But then again, aren't we all?  The busy has been a very good kind, with lots of travel and seeing friends and family and very fulfilling work.  I can't wait to share all the photo sessions I did for the holidays this year!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a few photos from our recent trip to Europe.  We went to Helsinki, London, the northern part of France (Normandy), and then Paris.  The trip was to celebrate five wonderful years of being married and it could not have been a more amazing, beautiful, and inspiring visit!  To say that we enjoyed every minute of it really doesn't do the trip justice.

Marking a milestone like an anniversary or birthday always makes me reflective and if I'm being totally honest, a little moody.  Sometimes I can't believe it's already been five years since we got married (or that I'm not 25 anymore), but whenever I try to hold on to any moments too tightly, I remember reading Thich Nhat Hanh (like any good college student, I read a lot of books about Buddhism and meditation) who reminds us to be present in the moment.  And then I try to just relax, enjoy the journey, and remember that each day is a gift.


Enjoying the adventure,