Tag Archive for: elopement

Stephanie + Michael: Sutro Baths Engagement Session

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The Sutro Baths at Lands End is a gem of a spot, despite it being extremely windy almost every time I’ve been there. But the stars aligned for my session here with Stephanie and Michael – the weather was perfect for photos that day, and the sky was clear and blue! We walked along the concrete paths over the pools to catch some photos with the reflections on the water. Then we wandered down to the beach, and finally made the mini hike to the tree-lined trail just in time for it to be bathed in golden light. It was such a joy to see this couple’s personalities come out as we took photos against these stunning backdrops, and I can’t wait for their wedding next year!

Tabitha + Sarn: Legion of Honor + Golden Gate Park Engagement

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When it comes to engagement photos, should you choose classy and sophisticated, or fun and casual? Tabitha and Sarn chose both! We started at the Legion of Honor, for their all-black dress-up outfits. We arrived just before closing for a few photos in the courtyard, and took the rest around the exterior. The wind made it a bit extra chilly on this moody, overcast day, but it also added some drama, tossing Tabitha’s hair and skirt!

Our second location was the Rose Garden at Golden Gate Park. I love using this garden because it’s free and easy to access, and there are a variety of colors in bloom all year round. T&S changed into more comfortable and casual outfits and we used the many rows of roses to create some colorful, dreamy portraits together. I can’t wait for their wedding this summer!

Zalai + Sandy: San Francisco City Hall Elopement

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Since Zalai and Sandy eloped during the pandemic, they didn’t get the full wedding photo experience they wanted – so they made up for it two years later with an anniversary shoot!

We started at the beautiful San Francisco City Hall, early in the day, so we had most of the building to ourselves. The scenery here was a perfect backdrop for this elegant and sophisticated couple. Then we walked through the Palace of Fine Arts, where they originally were married under the dome back in 2021. It was so special being able to capture all the love and romance of newlyweds, but in a relaxed setting without the stress and hustle of a wedding day. It was also special knowing they would have these images to look at whenever they have to be apart for Zalai’s military service. Thank you to these two for trusting me to immortalize your love story!

Krista + Jeff: Roaring Camp Railroad Wedding

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A vast gathering of family and friends showed up for Krista and Jeff’s happy union at Roaring Camp in Felton, CA and it was a joyful event from beginning to end. The couple shared a first look on the redwood trails, then after some romantic portraits and family photos, they were joined by the rest of their guests to board a steam train that took us deep into the woods for their ceremony in the middle of a tree grove. The setting was so peaceful and secluded, but full of so much life and warmth from the gathering of loved ones around them. The wedding party celebrated in the train’s caboose car all the way back to the reception hall, where Krista and Jeff had their first dance with the added whimsy of a bubble machine, and then proceeded to dance the night away with parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends for hours. I was honored to be let into this giant family for such a happy occasion and hope for so many more years of joy and laughter for this sweet couple!

Samantha + Cristina: Bodega Bay Elopement

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Sometimes, all you need is a handful of your closest friends and a stunning view to get married – and that’s exactly what Samantha and Cristina chose for their Bodega Bay micro wedding. After getting ready at the Airbnb they were staying at with many of their guests, these gorgeous brides tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at a lookout point on a coastal cliff side. With a close friend officiating, they exchanged poetic vows – Cristina’s including an actual poem that she wrote just for her sweetheart on their wedding day. The two celebrated with their friends and immediate family at a nearby restaurant that they rented out to finish the day, where several of their guests gave toasts expressing their love and support for these women and their marriage. It was an honor to witness, and a delight to capture this day – many thanks and best wishes to these brides!

Teresa + Johnny: Lake Arrowhead Elopement

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Teresa and Johnny’s elopement at Lake Arrowhead in Southern California was cozy, intimate, and relaxed – everything you could hope for in a small celebration at a lakeside cabin with only your closest friends. And don’t forget joyful!

The bride and groom were surrounded by friends as they got ready in the quaint cabin bedrooms, and then as they married in the little courtyard behind it. Their adorable Corgi accompanied Johnny down the aisle, and looked on as his human parents made each other laugh with heartfelt vows.

We retreated to a mountainside lookout for Teresa and Johnny’s romantic portraits, where a moody overcast sky and the San Bernardino mountains gave us the perfect epic backdrop. When we returned to the cabin, their friends had turned the courtyard into a wedding reception, and proceeded to serve each other the rest of the night, taking on every role from decorator, to bartender, to food server. This intimate wedding was the epitome of friends coming together to support a marriage and create a happy occasion, and it was so special to be a part of.

 

Nora + Rafael: San Francisco City Hall Wedding

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Surrounded by their families and closest friends, Nora and Rafael tied the knot in an intimate ceremony against the backdrop of the regal San Francisco City Hall. They exchanged emotional vows, and had their first kiss as husband and wife to the enthusiastic cheers of their loved ones echoing off the building’s high ceilings. After taking photos with each of their guests, we wandered each floor to find the best spots for romantic portraits. Even with the high volume of weddings and elopements going on at the same time, we never ran out of spots to photograph in or felt rushed and the light was perfect, even in the middle of the day, highlighting the beauty of this special couple. Congrats to these lovely newlyweds, and thank you for letting me be part of your day!

Teresa + Johnny: Los Angeles County Arboretum Engagement

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One of the amazing things about shooting in LA is that you will never run out of new places to discover! My first visit to the vast and diverse Los Angeles County Arboretum was for Teresa and Johnny’s engagement photo session, and it was so perfect for the photos they envisioned. Every ten steps it seemed there was a new garden or pathway or body of water, and every new scene made a gorgeous backdrop to show off this adorable couple. I will definitely be keeping this place in mind for future SoCal shoots, and I can’t wait to photograph these two again for their wedding in May!

 

 

Amanda + Averill: New York Public Library Engagement

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Never in my life have I seen a public library as grand and majestic as the New York Public Library, also called the Stephen A. Schwarzman building, in the Midtown neighborhood of New York City. The ornate interior, with its massive windows and marble staircases, made a most romantic setting for engagement photos – with my personal favorite detail being the vintage phone booths on the lower floor. And there was no better couple to capture in this unique building than the stunning Amanda and Averill, who traveled in the same day from Connecticut for this session and still managed to show up dressed to the nines. I was also traveling, on one of my yearly visits to see family in Manhattan, and I’m so glad the stars aligned that allowed me to experience this place with the coolest couple I’ve ever met. Many thanks to them for making the trip to the city to meet up, and I can’t wait for their Joshua Tree wedding in the fall!

*A permit is required to take professional photos inside the building

 

Ashleigh + Brett: Saguaro Hotel & Palm Springs Windmills Engagement

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If you asked me what my dream photo spots were in the Palm Springs area, I would have told you the Saguaro Hotel and the desert windmills. So imagine my delight when bride-to-be Ashleigh requested these exact locations for her engagement photos! We started at the colorful hotel, the courtyard of which is a photographer’s dream with its retro-inspired design, bright rainbow colors, and aesthetic landscaping. Then we drove over to a spot off the side of the road where you can get a perfect view of the windmills in the sunset. Despite an insanely strong wind that tossed their hair and clothes everywhere, dancer Ashleigh managed to look flawless and graceful in all her photos, and Brett just looked happy to be with her! So grateful to this fabulous couple for trusting me to capture what they envisioned for their Palm Springs engagement session. It was well worth the drive!