Blog
Love stories and more
Look for my favorite wedding planning tips and tricks, behind the scenes tidbits about my life, and, of course, features of many of the beautiful couples who spend time in front of my camera.
I promise it’s worth your while.
The First 4 Wedding Planning Decisions to Make
Wedding planning checklists can get craaazy long, so it’s no surprise that many of my couples tell me they feel overwhelmed even as they’re just starting the planning process!
It can be hard to know where to begin, so here are four of the big ones that I have found to be key to making my wedding clients feel like they’ve got a handle on things.
Door County Vow Renewal
If you didn’t already know, I’m obsessed with Door County. It’s this gorgeous area in Wisconsin - the “thumb” of Wisconsin, if you’re looking at a map - between Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay and is well-known for its cherries, lighthouses, and state and county parks. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular destination beloved by many and was actually where Matthew and Marlana traveled for their honeymoon when they got married.
It makes perfect sense that Door County is also where they chose to renew their vows nearly ten years later.
Santa Monica Soft Launch Session
Soft launching a relationship on social media isn’t a new concept. Folks have been sharing teasers about their new partners - without giving their followers too much detail - ever since social media was invented. But if you fast forward to the last few years, we now have a name for those little sneak peeks into relationships: the soft launch.
Now, y’all know I love being included in secrets and surprises, so it shouldn’t come as a shock that I was over the moon to take the photos for James and Andrea’s cutie lil’ soft launch session - the fact that it was in Santa Monica was just the ultimate cherry on top!
Your Wedding Shouldn’t Feel Like a Photo Shoot
There is a statement going around social media these days that I’d like to chat about. It’s pretty simple: “Your wedding shouldn’t feel like a photo shoot.”
And I agree. To a certain extent.
(You knew there had to be a catch if I’m writing about it, right?)
3 Wedding Traditions to Skip
We’re living in an incredible time. We’re finallllly seeing this incredible shift in the wedding industry that allows couples to THRIVE and create a wedding experience that truly reflects the day that they want to share…not one that was born out of the pressure to do everything in a certain way or to please the people around them. This is honestly the best time for you to be planning, because we’re all rooting for you and are ready to jump on board and support the uniqueness of your relationship - and therefore the uniqueness of your wedding!
3 Things To Do Within Driving Distance of Los Angeles
I’m headed back to Los Angeles in a few weeks to meet my cousin’s first sweet little baby (and to take as many pictures of those tiny little fingers and toes as possible while I’m there!), so it feels like a perfect time to look back on my favorite places from previous visits. If you’re headed out to LA but aren’t entiiiiirely sure the hustle and bustle of the city is what you’re most excited for, here are a few spots to consider adding to your itinerary…
Joshua Tree National Park Engagement
When asked what emotions they want to feel when they look back on their photos, Jody and Remington replied, “Joy. Warmth. Steadfastness. Oneness. Overall, we want to feel that there is evident delight in one another through the photos.”
Little did I know that a dusty desert path and the setting sun were all we’d need to shine a light on their love…sometimes it really is as simple as that.
What is Golden Hour?
Wedding planning often involves hours of research, countless decisions, and more than one moment which makes you go, “Wait. Am I supposed to know something about that?!”
As a wedding photographer, it can be all-too-easy to talk to my clients about their photography experience and forget that, while I am capturing special moments all year long, you’re not being photographed every weekend. It’s important for me to to remember that things I’m excited to share with you might not make much sense without a bit of extra context!
Planning Your Walk Down the Aisle
In my experience, if there’s something about weddings that lives up to the hype (well, okay, there are actually quite a few things that do, but this is a big one), it’s your walk down the aisle.
A truly magical moment that you’ll never forget.
It’s not a moment I realized I needed to plan anything special for when Kevin and I were making arrangements for our own wedding, but now I know better - and want to make sure you’re prepared too!
Choosing Where You Propose
To quote Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, “…when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
When you’re lucky enough to find your person and want to make your proposal extra special, here are four suggestions for choosing the perfect location.
How to Use Lanterns in Your Photos
There are two things to keep in mind if you want to use lanterns during your engagement session or on your wedding day:
Selecting Lanterns
Using Lanterns
Let’s dig in a little deeper…
What Your Wedding Photographer Needs to Know
As a wedding photographer, it’s my job to capture the moments - big and small - that make up your wedding day. No two weddings are the same and, while I do love the variety, there are a few things you can tell me ahead of time that will help me be prepared to make sure your wedding is documented exactly how you hope it will be.
Feeding Your Wedding Photographer
It’s a common question that pops up during the wedding planning process: “Are we supposed to feed our wedding photographer?”
YES. Please!
New Year, New Website
It was a long road. A labor of love. A little bit (okay, a lot bit) frustrating at times. But 100% completely worth it in the end.
I have wanted to build a new website for the last two years and, given it was a pretty daunting and time-consuming task, it always seemed to wind up at the bottom of my priority list. Shocker. (ha!)
This fall, however, I was finally ready to take on the challenge.
17.5 Things I’ve Learned in 35 Years
Turning 35 wasn’t as earth-shattering as I expected it to be. In fact, it felt much like the day before, which is perhaps because my perspective has shifted quite a bit as of late. The last few years have involved a significant amount of self-reflection and personal growth, and you know what?
I’m freaking PROUD OF MYSELF.
Storing Your Wedding Photos
Gallery delivery day is the best day.
A little time has passed since your wedding and you’re able to sit down with your partner, pop a bottle of bubbly, and relive all the incredible moments that made up your big day…what’s not to love?
Minneapolis Lakeside Engagement
When they told me they wanted to have a little fun with their second outfits, I had no idea just how much fun they meant. Let’s just say my stomach hurt by the end of our session from laughing so hard!
The Soup Swap
When my neighbor invited me to a soup swap with her friends, I envisioned that we’d all prepare our favorite type of soup and get together for a giant feast.
While that would have been amazing, this was even better than I imagined.
Wedding Cake Alternatives
Traditionally, weddings feature a cake that the couple cuts together before it is shared with the guests. But if cake isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other options to consider! Here are just a few of my favorites to get you started…
Creating a Wedding Day Photo List
Let’s face it - planning a wedding isn’t always a complete walk in the park.
But your photos don’t need to be a source of stress!
In the weeks leading up to the big day, your photographer will likely ask you for your preferred shot list.