Atop Mount Tamalpais, Juilee and Rishabh stood quietly and in embrace, in awe of the surrounding majestic beauty. The wispy fog blew over the rolling green hills and birds took flight, and as Rishabh hugged his soon-to-be wife on the edge of the pacific, the salty sea wind blew Juilee's black curls across her face.
Read MoreAs they said their covenant words to each other, the breeze kicked-up the yellow and red fallen leaves and sent them swirling around the sweet bride and groom. Glorious golden and soft autumnal light eclipsed every moment of their perfect day.
Read MoreThe last half of our session together was down in the Valley for sunset. What I love most about these images, is how relaxed they both were--at this point, it didn't seem like it was about getting the perfect photo, but rather, being present to and loving the moment that they were in. Josh and I both loved these moments with them and the entire day. In fact, our time and adventure with Amin and Nuraini was one of the most fun times we've ever had during our photography career.
Read MoreThe details of Seth and Josie's wedding were more ornate than anything you could ever find on Pinterest, only nothing about their wedding was cliche "Pinterest," in that, everything they added to their day was purposeful and meaningful to them and to their families.
The wedding party spent the morning in historic downtown Fredrick where they got ready at a cozy, Victorian-style bed and breakfast. This is also where Josie and Seth had their first-look--on the home's garden-surrounded, wrap around porch.
Read MoreSometimes it's hard to find descriptive words that are not cliche, but the more I think of it, the more I realize that words only becomes a cliche when they're proved over-and-over-again true. And that's what we found with Chase & Kasey: With hearts to inspire and help the next generation, they're truly best friends of more than seven years, and the perfect, balanced match.
Read MoreIn southeast Minnesota, there is a hidden jewel called Whitewater State Park. On route to the park, it seemed like my husband and I were driving in endless corn fields and farmlands. Merely turning one corner, however, we were immediately greeted by lush rolling hills, rocky cliffs and cedar forests. With foothills on either side of us, we drove down a dusty gravel lane, crossed a bridge over the Middle Fork White River, and hidden in a hallow between the forested hills, we entered the emerald beauty of the group camp area of the park. In the hallow, there are eight rustic cabins, and it is in these cabins that Joshua and Katie's family and closest friends stayed for the weekend of the wedding.
Read MoreAs you'll soon see in the images below, Kyle and Samantha's wedding day was far from ordinary. Before the wedding, the couple wanted to spend time together, but it was also important to them that Kyle not see his bride before the ceremony. So with Josh, I orchestrated the meeting in order to keep Samantha hidden from her groom. With Kyle's eyes closed, Gentry, Kyle's best man, led Kyle to the center of the Oak Openings pine grove, and positioned him so he could not see Samantha approach. Happy tears graced sweet Samantha's eyes the moment she saw her soon-to-be husband. She beautifully walked toward him, and gently touched his arm.
Read MoreThe two most important technical aspects that Sam and Kyle wanted for their session was a sunset and to use smoke. At the reservoir we found a beautiful pine grove, and because it was after 7pm, the sun was low enough to create harsh directional, horizontal light and shadows. After taking a few shots, we decided that this was the perfect spot to use the smoke. I positioned Kyle and Sam in a light streak between two shadows, and then Josh lit a green smoke stick and ran around them. As the smoke moved through the air, Kyle and Sam embraced and connected; and I photographed my back lit subjects, taking one shot after another. It wasn't until I looked through my playback that I saw what we just created together. I showed Kyle and Sam, and we were all ecstatic. You'll see those images at the bottom of this post. In summary, the smoke illumined the sunbeams that were already shining in between Kyle and Sam's embrace. The true beauty, to me, is their beautiful connection--the sunbeams and smoke just actuated it.
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