Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer : A zen-like wedding at Pema Osel Ling : Cate and Jon

When my associate Natalie and I arrived after a long windy drive to the Santa Cruz wedding venue Pema Osel Ling, we could not stop gushing about how naturally beautiful this location was! Jon and Cate were so relaxed as were all their friends and family and the ever lovely Karissa Paxton of Coastside Couture was running about putting final touches on the gorgeous mutli-colored decor.  I was seriously smitten by the work of Laughin' Gal Floral- the florals were breathtaking! Jon and Cate's woodsy Santa Cruz wedding is featured today at Ruffled Blog so head over there and check out their take on the day! :)

People who provided the beautiful content for me to photograph!

Venue: Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center

Wedding Designer: Karissa Paxton

Florist: Laughin’ Gal Floral

Wedding dress: Adele Wescheler

Caterer: Pema Osel Ling

Wedding Cake: Edith Meyer

Bay Area Wedding Photographer : A Wedding in Livermore at Rios Lovell : Amalia and Nino

Hello my loves! Happy Friday! How has your week been? I have been busy - finally had some full days of production this week to catch up on all things editing/emailing/shipping/prepping/ordering/designing .. it's been a few months since I've had days off of shooting in a row and it feels good to have a completely checked off check list. Of course, always things to add to it! We started construction on our bathroom this week... pretty excited to have that all pretty and finished in the next couple of weeks. We picked out some really gorgeous Calcutta marble that I never in a million years thought I would be buying..... as of now though- it looks something like this ;)

In other news....

I can hardly believe it but tomorrow is the first of October... this year I don't have any weddings booked after the last weekend in October and I am so looking forward to the holiday hibernation! :) So excited for my October brides though and can't wait for these gorgeous fall weddings! Our wedding was November 6th last year and I have always had an affinity for this time of year... something about that wind blowing and those leaves falling.  Just a quick reminder- if you want your album before the holidays you need to get your selections into me before the end of next week to make the deadline! If I do not receive them before next Friday then it will enter production in January.

Amalia and Nino got married in Livermore and the Rios Lovell Family Winery earlier this summer. (In fact, it was the day we moved, or should I say Tim moved us, into our new home!) Everything about this day was so picturesque and really was so indicative of their love for each other. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and it put all of their friends and family at ease and ready to party. Thank you so much for inviting me to document your love!

Onward!

Bay Area Engagement Session in San Francisco : Lauren and Misha

Lauren and Misha's engagement images were such a blast to photograph- It was a typical August in SF- wind, cold, slight rain, and fog! Yes, rest of the country, we do get cold/bad weather conditions for shooting here in California occasionally! Regardless of the weather, these two had smiles plastered to their faces the entire time! We started off in their neighborhood and then took a little driving trip around the city  to find some secret spots ;)

I find that for a lot my clients, "Where do you want to do your engagement session?" can be a question that is stressful to answer. A little tip- it helps when you keep it close to home ... You want to pick a location that means something to you ... a place that when you look at your photos in the years to come you'll be able to reminisce about the breakfast nook at your first apartment together, long walks you took by that lake, or those fun days you spent at the county fair eating corn dogs. A lot of people instantly answer, "I don't know- we were thinking the beach...." and I usually follow it up with, "Does it mean anything to you?" and sometimes it does- "Yeah, we live a block from it and spend all of our summer days down there playing frisbee... " (or something) but a lot of time clients will pause..."Not really... we just thought it was pretty and know a lot of friends who did their photos there....." I then give them the "Meg" ... a look that says, "Listen to yourself... you can do better than your friends beach location!!!" :) Lauren and Misha wanted to start their engagement session out on the street that they live on... we found some great spots in their neighborhood and then explored the back of their building and found a great little outdoor garden that overlooked the city... all within 4 blocks of their own home! Once we finished up there they wanted some more softer natural inspired shots so we all piled into my car and headed to the Presidio ... two very simple spots with a lot of beautiful contrast and beautiful memories attached. Sometimes the answer is right in front of your face :)

Can't wait for Lauren and Misha's wedding next year up at Barndiva!

Onward!

Bay Area Wedding Photographer : Engagement Session : Alli and Cole

Alli and Cole are getting married in a couple of weeks in San Francisco on Treasure Island and I can't wait! They have an amazing team of vendors lined up and I know the day is going to be nothing short of amazing. Alli is so super stylish.. I almost died when she showed me the blue dress she wore in the last series of images ... Could I be any luckier??

Can't wait for your big day guys- it's going to be here before you know it! Lets hope all of the cars start when you want them to :)

Malini and Greg : A sneak peak

I want to take this moment to thank Malini and Greg for trusting me to document their love a second time. I had so much fun with you guys today and hope that we can continue this tradition as your love grows! Spent the afternoon up in Olema with them and just couldn't wait to get home and put some touches on my favorite images. Here's two I finished up :) These two seriously know how to pick locations ! Last year we found a strawberry field and today there were wild chickens running around everywhere! :)