2014 in review: the raddest year EVER

Posted December 31, 2014 to family , life as a photographer , maternity , news , portraits , weddings , world is my studio by: .

I remember the day I decided to stop pursuing fashion photography and turned my sights toward shooting portraits and weddings. It was actually in 2013 after Burning Man, which, depending on who you talk to, is either a large party in the desert or a life-altering experience. For me it was the latter. Afterward, after months of chronicling the House of Tonics camp, I was unprepared for my campmates’ emotional reception when I unveiled the photos. I decided then and there to devote my career to documenting moments people would enjoy for the rest of their lives.

2014 has been wholly devoted to real people. It was probably the greatest year of my life, one that has given me the most personal and professional growth. I’m sad to see it go, but so pumped for 2015.

Here are my favorite moments of 2014:

Ozier-Wright Bump (more…)

Clea + Clayton | Vashon Island Wedding

Posted December 30, 2014 to portraits , weddings by: .

Months later, looking at these still makes me cry. I’ve been hanging on to this wedding throughout an incredibly busy wedding season, wanting to give it the attention it so richly deserves, waiting for the perfect words to express how beautiful, extraordinary, tender, and hilarious this day was. So I’ve waited. And waited. And what I’ve finally realized is that there aren’t any words that will describe this magical day, that you just had to be there. The most I can do is present photos that give you a feeling for the time, for the place, and for the people.

Clea + Clayton - August 2, 2014 (more…)

Rose + Jesse teasers | West Seattle Wedding

Posted December 11, 2014 to weddings by: .

They two are adorable! Couldn’t help but share!

Rose + Jesse 12/06/2014 Rose + Jesse 12/06/2014Rose + Jesse 12/06/2014

Darian + Christopher Genesis Farms Wedding

Posted December 8, 2014 to weddings by: .

This ceremony for Darian and Christopher at Genesis Farms in Enumclaw, WA was nothing short of stunning. In the very last days of summer, the weather forced this outdoor wedding inside, where in the course of an hour everyone managed to transform a hall into a paradise of golden lights and olden-time charm.

Darian + Christopher were so wonderful, so in love, and with such buoyant spirits that the weather couldn’t dampen. I’ll never forget how Darian defiantly marched out barefoot to the place where they intended to say their vows, and how the two of them rocked out like nobody was watching.

Darian + Christopher August 30, 2014 (more…)

Yanner + Kelly Again | Ann Arbor, MI Wedding

Posted November 21, 2014 to weddings by: .

I’m not sure I’ve ever released so many teasers before the couple has gotten their photos, but the photos from Yanner + Kelly are making me laugh so much!

Yanner + Kelly 10/26/2014I can still remember this moment, when Yanner’s sister skipped ahead a few parts in the ceremony. And Kelly, to relieve tension, told the audience that it was okay, that it was her first time officiating. The crowd erupted in laughter, and then they exchanged rings.  Yanner + Kelly 10/26/2014

 

Yanner + Kelly teasers | Ann Arbor, MI Wedding 

Posted November 7, 2014 to weddings by: .

The 2014 wedding season is officially done, but not for me. Editing for Yanner + Kelly’s wedding has hit full swing, and I’m photographing Rose + Jesse early next month. Really, I have the best job.

2014 has been a busy hectic year, and I’m months behind posting weddings and projects I’ve worked on. There is a longer, involved post coming about the last year, but I decided to cut in line with these teasers, because though the 2014 wedding season is still going for me, this wedding marks my 1st anniversary photographing weddings on my own. I can’t think of anything more intimate and wonderful than to have ended this year with a bang, photographing my good friend Kelly’s union to Yanner.

Enjoy these teasers –

Kelly + Yanner, October 26, 2014 in Ann Arbor, MI.Kelly + Yanner, October 26, 2014 in Ann Arbor, MI. Kelly + Yanner, October 26, 2014 in Ann Arbor, MI. Kelly + Yanner, October 26, 2014 in Ann Arbor, MI.

Jack, the light tester

Posted November 6, 2014 to behind the scenes , weddings , world is my studio by: .

Jack gets major boyfriend points. We returned early last week from Michigan, where I photographed Kelly + Yanner’s wedding in Ann Arbor. In the picture above, Jack just stands there looking good (the usual) while I test lighting for Kelly + Yanner’s family portraits. Not picutred above is Jack driving me through downtown Ann Arbor, MI, navigating through Halloween costume party traffic and parking, lugging my gear around this park, helping me setup and breakdown lighting, offering input on composition and lighting, picking me up at the end of the job, and generally being awesome.

Did I mention he also helped me lug all of my equipment to and from our hotel room, made sure I was well-fed and hydrated, and reminded me to take my medication on time? What a dreamboat!