Squaw Valley Resort, Lake Tahoe Wedding Photography {Jon & Jessica}

Last nights wedding was SO amazing. I love how couples get original and just do something risky. Get married on superbowl weekend in the winter at 8,206 feet in the Mountains above Lake Tahoe. For me, it was 100% worth 12 hours of covering a spectacular group of people, wonderful family, and friends gathering to celebrate Jon & Jessica celebrating their nuptials at High Camp at Squaw Valley Mountain Resort.

It was snowing all day and created an amazing aurora that surrounded them as if a big white fleece blanket of quiet and warmth. That's one of my favorite things about the snow, it makes everything clean and quiet. Here is Jessica proudly walking towards her bridesmaids a few minutes before the wedding.

Then Later after sunset, at 5:45pm, with almost no light, using my new Canon 1D Mark 4, at ISO 1250, 1/50th, & 1.2, I was able to grab these shots. The only way I was even able to focus was by having my assistant (sweet Rachel) hold up her iphone near their faces and focus on that.

Thanks to this new gear and some tricks, I was able to get an extra 30 minutes of shooting in. Later at the reception, it was a fun reunion to see 2 other couples we had photographed in the last year there. Near the end of the night our highly anticipated slideshow was about to play and the projector bulb went out, JUST as the DJ cued the soundtrack for the music. I had nothing else to do but pray for the gear to work. God was victorious and everyone was amazed that the "burned out" bulb worked one last time. The slideshow was sweet and was such a hit. Thanks guys for a great night. I'll be posting more of the images in a few days.

I love light. I love photography.

I was editing a wedding and came across this getting ready shot. The light by the window was so sweet! Its all about unique lighting and seeing it. I love sweet light, if it edible I'd eat it.

Rancho Santa Fe Wedding Shoot { Daniel & Megan }

Daniel and Megan are such a laid back couple, and I think they had the coolest ideas for their casual portrait session last spring. After that I was SO amped and looking forward for their wedding. Set in Rancho Sante Fe Inn, a beautiful spot above San Diego, inland a short hop, we captured their beautiful wedding.

I would describe Megan by her everlasting smile.

Daniel and the guys were having fun throughout the heat as we shot them being themselves and hanging out.

This is what I love, creativity, Megan got him an amazing retro 70's surfboard with his family's ranch logo on the nose! What a good wife! I love it.

When they had their first look, they could not take their eyes off each other.

we played around with a Polaroid and got some awesomeness (stored in his pocket for safe keeping)

Their grandfather gave a heartfelt message as the officiant at their ceremony in the courtyard

Tiber Canyon Ranch, Wedding Shoot { Craig and Autumn }

Our good friends Craig and Autumn had their special day at esoteric Tiber Canyon Ranch, tucked away just outside of San Luis Obispo. I must say, "good work!" to all who were involved in this event. Hair by Karri at Salon Lux. Amazing taco salads and guacamole provided by Maya Restaurant. The amazing ambiance lighting on the oak trees was set up by Kramer DJs and Melissa DJ'ed and MC'ed the evening. Congrats to Craig and Autumn on their marriage!

The light was so-so in this shot above and we used our Sunbounce to reflect light into the building, I LOVE doing this, because it creates such great light!

So the guys had a good sense of humor and wanted to have some fun, so we played around with some of the tools and random things on the property adjacent to the wedding. Seeing their character come out as they had fun was great.

Craig, was mightily holding back the guys. Autumn, does't this make you proud! Look at your man. He was barley trying and still looks cool.

Autumns parents were so sweet as her dad waked her down the isle, Autumn always smiles, but this time her smile was SO HUGE. It was great to see her so blessed!

I'm addicted to finding the angles that nobody has ever found, and I climbed and maneuvered my body to get this shot. But its totally worth the hunt!

The manzanita bark was so freaking cool. I could have shot there all day!

This series below is inspired from their casual portrait session in the apple orchard. I love how they make each other laugh. The coolest part is hearing how this was one of their friends favorite shots from that casual portrait shoot we did!

As we turned around after we finished, shooting, I saw this little bit of light come through and could not resist!

As always, Kramer DJ's lights were off the hook! They made this event look amazing at night!

Bel Air wedding weekend begins...

Don & Robyn had their rehearsal today and we joined them back here in California. Its a bit cooler, but I'm super amped on the daylight savings time! before I crash out for the night, I wanted to post an intro for the 3 day weekend event! Tonight they had a Mexican Fiesta and the food was very good, ambiance overlooking the Westwood, Beverly Hills area.

Cambria, CA Wedding Shoot { Doug and Shannon }

Doug and Shannon had an amazing wedding at the Cambria Pines Lodge!

Beverly Hills, Greystone Mansion { Steve & Stef }

I love this family of friends. Its been a blessing this year to watch some of our clients who have become friends get Married and really influence each other. When anyone gets married, they have the potential to influence so many people! This is true of Steve & Stef, they have left a wake of people that are more blessed because of them. Rachel & I included.




We got started at The London Hotel" with Stef and her girls in West Hollywood, from there, we met up with Steve at his house and prayed over his day. I loved seeing the dedication of their friends towards helping them with their day.


Steve had a great group of guys around him to support, encourage and make him laugh.


Stef was beaming as she walked around the beautiful grounds of the mansion.


This is a spectacular site. Greystone Mansion sits overlooking the LA basin, the rainy weather turned blue skies and it was actually pretty warm out until the sun set! The Ceremony was one of the best ones I've heard. Challenging to myself as a husband, I was captivated by the words JUST as much as the images I was capturing.

Right after the Ceremony Steve & Stef snuck away to this balcony to have some private time, something thats a MUST for all couples right after they get married!


So as our bridal group photos came to an end, I decided to up the ante, using all the petals from the ceremony isle, everyone grabbed a handful and tossed them into the air. While it looked cool, it was very hard to catch the camera as it fell from a cloud of orange petals! Crazy, but I'm amped on how it turned out!


Steve, the amazing man he is, is also a pretty good looking statue, and caught the attention of his bride here while she headed to get her hair adjusted.


During the day, there are about a gazillion things that catch my eye and I NEVER, EVER get a chance to shoot by them all, or even a fraction, so I have to pick as many as I can and go as fast as I can while not rushing as well, its a delicate balance. I knew I wanted to revisit this wall by the bridal room and the light was perfect. The color is sweet!


What a couple, what a weekend, we have been blessed by getting to know Steve & Stef more and I felt like this was one of those weddings where I grew from. I love that.


Lighting is EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING, those of you brides who are reading this, lighting makes such a difference. As someone who is looking at an event from a photogenic perspective, I can't recommend it enough!

Bella Events did a great job putting everything together.