Sometimes as photographers, we get the incredible pleasure of getting to know our clients. Sometimes that’s just because a lot of meetings and conversations go into wedding planning and wedding photography and we just… click (I’m so sorry). Sometimes it’s because we work with them over many years as they keep coming back for family photo sessions or employee headshots (looking at you, Grimbleby Coleman :)). And sometimes, maybe only once in a career, we get clients like Kate & Jon.

I met Kate when she was working as a marketing director at a business I do a lot of commercial photography work for. I photographed her for the first time when taking headshots of all their employees in a marathon photo session back in the day. I had probably worked with her for a couple of years before she asked me if I ever did non-commercial photography, as well, as she and her new boyfriend (reader, that was Jon!) had adopted a puppy and would love to get some photos of him.

That resulted in these photos of their doggo that still rank among my favorite pet photographs I’ve ever taken, and I don’t think I have to explain why. I mean, just look at this pup!

A bit after that, Jon and Kate asked us to come back and take the first real photos of them as a couple.

A year or so later, they booked a mini session with us to document life together with their second dog. I think it wasn’t long after this session that these two crazy kids got engaged and I was so so grateful that they thought of us again when they needed to choose a wedding photographer.

Kate & Jon’s wedding was Yosemite’s hottest party of the year. Held in Evergreen Lodge, at the foot of Yosemite National Park, this party had everything. Kilts. A dog in a tutu. Lumberjack-themed photo booth. Beavers. Choreographed dancing. A Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band. A cigar bar. Next level flowers by Willow Floral Design. Even a ring bear (What’s a ring bear? Well, you know that thing where a dad joke you make in a client meeting about how everyone uses a kid to bring their rings down the aisle but you can’t convince anyone to hire a bear to do the job actually turns into something hilarious and awesome? HE CARRIED THE RINGS IN A FREAKING HONEYPOT, YOU GUYS!)!  

Just browse the highlights reel below. This was one of those events that reminded us why we love photographing weddings.

I feel like I’ve been blessed to have gotten to document the course of a relationship between a couple of the most beautiful, wacky, wild people I’ve ever met in my life. As they recently revealed they are soon going to be adding another member to their incredible family, I’m so excited to help create many more amazing photographs of them in the future!