I love that so many of my shoots come from word of mouth recommendations - Rhiannon + Logan’s wedding was a blast to be a part of, but it was doubly special given that I shot Rhiannon’s sister’s wedding the year before. I’m grateful we’ve made our clients that happy and, to be honest, for the years of experience I’ve poured into shooting at low-light venues, because this day would have been tricky for a less experienced photographer! Catholic churches are notoriously dimly lit and anti-flash-photography, and the Modesto Elks Lodge was a fun, retro venue, but it’s definitely one that requires a multi-flash-setup. There were a lot of killer details in this wedding day, including the groom’s Air Jordans (I am not a sneakerhead by any means but even I could tell they were cool as hell), great hair (scroll far enough for the french braided mohawk) and the tear-jerking first look between the bride and her father. If you have a low light wedding day planned, hit that contact button and we’ll talk!
Read MoreChante + Christian's Rockin' Victorian Mansion Wedding // McHenry Mansion // Modesto, CA
Modesto’s McHenry mansion is a great place for a wedding! If I accomplished anything with these wedding photos, I hope I accomplished capturing just how much fun Chante + Christian have together. The day, from start to finish, was filled with Chante’s throwing-her-head-back laughter. Everyone there had an ease with each other that made the day such a joy to shoot.
Read MoreBrittany + Josh's Elegant Downtown Wedding // Greens on 10th // Modesto, CA
There were so many things to love about this day. Most of the weddings we shoot are in the Bay Area or Sacramento region so for us, personally, a wedding at Greens on Tenth was a treat from minute one. We were amazed at how many little hidey-holes there were inside the building - the ceremony and reception were in one room, the cocktail hour was in another and then there was an entire giant upstairs where the wedding party were able to get ready and take pictures.
When we say the event was great, though, 99% of that was because of the incredible couple and their family and friends. Brittany and Josh were such a treat to work with - they were totally at ease with one another and that lent the day a relaxed vibe that was so fun to capture. It was lightly sprinkling for most of the day, and yet the whole wedding party was game for walking across the street and posing for photos in an alley. This was a wedding where everyone just wanted to have fun, which is to say, it was our perfect clients!
Read MoreChiemi + David's Bubbly Spring Elopement // Janet's Flower's + Wedding Chapel // Modesto, CA
Chiemi + David's downtown Modesto nuptials were small and sweet. I couldn't have been happier to pop in and capture their formals before their elopement at Janet's Flowers. This wedding chapel - attached to the flower shop - is really a gem of a spot. If you're in the neighborhood, check it out and pick up a bouquet!
Read MoreKathlene + Ryan's Hilarious and Heartfelt Vintage Gardens Wedding // Modesto, CA
Before I point a camera at couples, I often extol my grand unifying theory of cuddling: every couple has their own unique ways that they fit together, and those comfortable poses are not something I can direct them into, it's something that happens after months and years of slinging their arms over their partner's shoulders, intertwining their fingers in just the right way, resting the space between cheek and chin at just the right tuft of hair or enveloping each other in the comfort of deep hugs. Kathlene & Ryan are one of those couples who joined lives in reality long before they joined them on paper, and I have to admit that at weddings like this, my job gets much easier. There is an ease to couples who know each other so deeply and whose lives already run parallel. The wedding day becomes not a moment of change, but a celebration of what has passed and an embracing of what is to come.
Read MoreKatie + Kevin's Book Nerd Chic Autumn Wedding // Reedemer Church // Modesto, CA
I admit it. I was an English Major. In fact, Dana and I both were. And before I made a living looking through a lens, I made it with my fingers on a keyboard. And Dana? Well, she actually qualifies as a legit writer. Books are in our blood. So maybe that explains why we had such a squealing "OMG LOOK AT THIS NO NO LOOK AT THIS" reaction to Katie +Kevin's incredible book-infused Autumn wedding.
Read MoreLaura + Jeremy's Downright Rockin' Downtown Wedding // St. Stanislaus Catholic Church + The Century // Modesto, CA
Dana and I have known Laura for over a decade - when her sister married my brother in 2005, we became family. We see each other on holidays, at birthday parties for our mutual nieces and nephews, and in all the years we've known each other, one thing is obvious: she's never been so happy. Joyously happy. The sort of happy that lights up a room. The sort of happy that made 19 - yes, 19 - bridesmaids and groomsmen stand next to her at the altar. The sort of happy that turns a wedding reception dance floor into an absolute mad house. And that is so, so obviously thanks to Jeremy. Judging from his reaction as she walked up the aisle, the feeling is mutual.
There were endless stand-out details on this wedding day. Jeremy and his brothers toasting beer cans with their mother after they finished getting their tuxes on. The ceremony at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, where golden-hour light poured in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, back-lighting Laura while her father walked her up the aisle. The reception at The Century was, as usual, unbelievably stunning, filled with lush green ferns and eucalyptus, bunches of white and royal purple flowers, dozens of glowing chandeliers and candelabras. The bride comes from a family of dairy farmers and the groom from a family of almond farmers, so their favors were miniature milk bottles filled with almonds. It was perfect. Going through the pictures again for this post, I'm struck by all the stolen glances and simultaneously hilarious/romantic moments between these two. Laura and Jeremy, thank you for letting us be a part of your wedding, and for gracing us with the permanent mental picture of Jeremy's faux striptease during the garter toss! You clearly have a lifetime of memorable moments ahead of you.
Read MoreLaura + Manuel's Churro-Filled (and Filled Churro!) Wedding // St. Stanislaus Church // Oakdale, CA
There's something special about documenting the wedding of a couple who have been together as long as Laura and Manuel have - there's an ease to their interactions, a comfort with each other that compliments the loving looks and the beaming smiles of a wedding day. The sign above really says all you need to know about these two: they may come from different backgrounds, but they're truly best friends who compliment each other perfectly.
Read MoreSarah + Josh's Family Portrait Session // Ceres, CA
We love shooting in an almond orchard as much as the next Central Valley photographer, but it's nice to get the opportunity to shoot in one outside of blossom season - it's something different. This family portrait session, which Sarah and Josh traveled all the way from the Bay Area to do, really captures summer in Modesto. The resulting photos are full of green leaves, leading lines and dramatic lighting from all that summer dust.
Read MoreRoland's Rainy Day Newborn Portrait Session // Modesto, CA
One of the biggest joys of this job is getting to see a family grow over time. This portrait session was a special one for us because little Roland is the second baby in the family that we've been lucky enough to shoot. It feels like only yesterday that his big sister was this size - they grow up too fast! Welcome to the world, Roland, and congratulations on joining such an awesome family unit!
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