Yesterday’s session in Carlsbad at the beach with Anthony’s family was so so sweet! When Anthony reached out over a month ago about wanting to plan a surprise proposal session disguised as a family session I was so excited! He said Rhonnel, his girlfriend, had been begging for a family session since their son was born and the fact that he was about to turn one would be a perfect way to do a session at the beach and half way through get down on his knee and propose. She would never expect it. So after lots of planning and scheming, and conversations with Rhonnel about outfits for the family, the day was planned! And it worked perfectly! She was so surprised and her tears of joys even got me going a little.

This morning’s elopement may have been a foggy affair blocking the sun, but nothing shined brighter than Josh and Arturo’s smiles. We arrived at the gliderport and even though we were a bit disappointed that the fog was there we all agreed even with the fog this spot in La Jolla is so beautiful. We could hear the waves crashing on the beach below, and the excitement was building as we got closer and closer to go time.

Yesterdays sweet proposal was such a spirit lifter! I love the holidays usually but being in a full lock down has been tough and running around on the beach with Christian and Abby was magical. I loved that Christian involved his sweet family in the surprise, they waited down the beach with champagne and hugs to celebrate! Abby’s was so excited and surprised and the delight on both of their faces was so evident. I loved their story as well, as a Navy Vet’s wife, I loved that these two navy Pilots meet and fell in love! This fun loving couple and family lifted my spirits and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for these two! Congratulations Abby and Christian! I hope you love these sneak peaks and I can’t wait to share the rest with you soon! :)

Baby Theo is a little angel!! I feel so lucky to call his parents my dear friends and got to spend time with them in their home yesterday. It was christmas-y and was so fun to meet this sweet boy. I love that I have grown and evolved with Jen and to see her now become a mom is so magical. I love you all and I love these sweet pictures so much! :)

Yesterdays surprise proposal in La Jolla was so so sweet! Kristian’s plan to propose to his girlfriend Mary was originally going to involve the gliders, with him landing before her and being on his knee as she landed. But as we all know by now this year just isn’t going to let us have it the way we want. The winds were too strong so he and I spent the afternoon texting and calling each other coming up with another beautiful plan. Back on the same cliffs, as the sun set, this sweet man got on his knees and asked her to be his wife. And she said yes!

When Kathleen approached me about her mountain top elopement basically in my backyard my answer was a resounding yes! This sweet couples original plans had to be changed just like everyone living in this covid world. So instead of their Hawaiian elopement they picked a beautiful and convenient spot where their family could be solidified and celebrated. I loved that their ceremony really focused on them and their adorable kids. So congratulations and I hope you love these sweet sneak peaks! Cannot wait to share more. :)

This early morning session with Michelle and her husband made me fall in love with Balboa Park all over again. While it was tough for all of us to be up that early and be happy about it, it really is the best time to be in the park. Especially this time of year. We did see some early risers out doing yoga or on walks but for the most part we got to run around the park together, alone with wide open spaces behind us. Michelle and her husband celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary together this year and I feel so lucky to have been chosen to be the photographer to capture this sweet couple. Their Christmas cards this year are going to be extra cute. ;)

Yesterday’s surprise proposal at Sunset Cliffs was so exciting! I had anxiety all day leading up to it, just like Drew did I’m sure. I think with everything going on in the world it felt so good to take a minute to focus on nothing but excitement and love. Jess and Drew arrived a little later than I was expecting because everyone and their mother was trying to get to sunset cliffs for the sunset. Once they arrived I moved into position trying to be a sneaky sneak and not draw attention to myself.

Yesterdays early morning session with Monique and her sweet family was so much fun! We got there early early morning at 7am, which thanks to the time change didn’t feel quite so early. And we ran through the dunes, and Ellie (monique’s daughter) told us all about her new baby brother and hunted for birds and beautiful shells. Monique and I actually used to work together many moons ago, so it was amazing getting to see a friend. I loved getting to hang out with the whole family while we just got to chat and pretend for just one minute that things are sort of normal, or maybe we’re just all doing our best and adjusting to this new normal.

Yesterdays moody skies made for an amazing backdrop for Megan’s surprise proposal to her girlfriend Katie at Coronado Beach. This year has presented its challenges for all of us but for Megan (and I’m sure Katie) it’s been lots of obstacles in the way of her proposal plans. This was the third iteration of planning for Megan’s proposal (her original plan was to propose on a trip to Maui this spring which got cancelled because of Covid). But with the help of her friend Ryan, Megan was able to execute this final plan, and luckily for me I was chosen to capture the surprise. Even with the rain clouds nothing was going to stop this day from happening. And the joy of a proposal is always contagious! Everyone walking by cheered congratulations and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time we hung out!

Yesterdays elopement in Joshua Tree went about as perfect as an elopement can go! The weather was a little cloudy for the ceremony which made it perfect lighting! I loved getting to meet and get to know Josh and Christina’s family. The love that surrounded them was pouring out of everyone, and even with all the things going on in the world nothing was going to stop this family from celebrating their love. While the ceremony was short and sweet, it was full of intimacy and heart. After their ceremony we raced into the park for their portraits, and the timing again could not have been more perfect.

Yesterdays Elopement with Jenn and Eric was so fun! While they didn’t get to have their original big wedding that they planned this felt so intimate and lovely. We started the day at Jenn’s apartment inside the park (she works for the National Park service) and then headed to Lucas Fabian Ranch for their first look. Eric looked so handsome in his suit, and their excitement for the day was so sweet. Jenn couldn’t stop smiling and neither could I. I loved that we had some time alone and while we were at Lucas Fabian they were able to do their choreographed first dance to Moondance.

Yesterdays portrait session was dreamy! The colors were beautiful and my couple was so so sweet. If you’ve ever been to the cliffs in Ocean Beach then you already know how beautiful it is, but when heading down to the beach it can be treacherous. Slippery rocks and sharp surfaces with crashing waves rolling in that can knock you over any second. But Yuki and Ben were ready for an adventure! We slipped and skidded into some stunning portraits. This sweet couple was in town from Japan for work and I feel so blessed that they found me to do this session. I loved that they really researched our beautiful town and found the perfect spot that really shows off San Diego’s best side.

Yesterday’s Session in La Jolla was hot, in more ways than one. Mike and Meghan were bringing the heat and it came through the lens. Even though the temperature was make us sweaty as we walked around the beach nothing was going to keep these two from getting close. We got super lucky with the clear skies and beautiful sunset for their session though and we all enjoyed our fun filled afternoon. Mike and Meghan were so sweet and so ready to try anything. Their love and affection came so easily I very rarely need to direct them, they just came together so naturally. After running around down on the beach by scripps pier we made our way up to The Gliderport for sunset and boy was it worth it. The view was a stunner and as the sun went down the sexy turned up.

What a beautiful fall day in the Teton’s to have an engagement session, this past weekend. Originally Ally and I planned to shoot on Saturday, but we were super worried about the smoke from all the fires. AND then we both looked at the weather and realized that oh crap, it’s supposed to storm all day. And by storm I mean, lighting/thunder, rain none stop. So what do we do? Luckily for us, we had another option where we both would be in town. SO Sunday morning rolled in and the sky was clear, the sun was shinning, and we breathed a sigh of relief. After all the rain the day before we were blessed with relatively smoke free skies, and just the most perfect fall day.

I LOVE early morning sessions! Oh how I wish more people were totally cool with getting up early and shooting at 7am. The light is to die for, and with the hot summer weather it is the perfect way to stay cool. Cool enough to even wear a jacket and sweater, in August, in Southern California. Even though we were out there super early in the AM Emily and Michael were so excited to shoot. We played music, danced around, and just generally had the best time. Engagement sessions are so fun especially when you genuinely like your new clients!

Like most weddings, Franki and David’s wedding didn’t go exactly the way they planned. First their ranch wedding with friends and family was cancelled because of Covid, so they came up with an amazing back up plan. Since they both worked at the ranch, they worked with their friends to plan and execute a back country elopement in the mountains. We all packed up from CM Ranch with horses and side by’s and made our way up to the remote camp in the woods, for 2 nights. It was a beautiful remote spot by Moon lake, and their sweet coworkers, friends, and bosses helped them set up an amazing wedding weekend, even if their families couldn’t be with them.

Friday was a record breaker in Aptos (a city just south of Santa Cruz). While the central coast is notorious for being foggy and cool during the summer, on Friday it was over 106 degrees! Despite the heat everyone was so excited and happy all day. None of us could stop mentioning the heat, because 100% there were moments where it felt like we were melting. BUT Nothing was going to stop these two from enjoying their beautiful day. 8 1/2 years in the making, even with covid changing all their original plans, this wedding was going to happen and it was a beauty. Set in the hills above the ocean, this home has a very California/Spanish/Italian villa vibe. With olive orchards and tons of beautiful outdoor spaces, it was the perfect backdrop for a wedding.

A Sunday spent with two lovely people in love, traipsing around Grand Teton National park, frolicking through fields of wildflowers, is a day well spent. Tessy and Kelsey have been together for 5 years and are one on the sweetest couples I have ever had the pleasure to know. This portrait session was a way for these two to take time and celebrate their 5 years together. Especially poignant with all that is happening in the world. It’s been a huge reminder for us all to appreciate the time, to get out and explore and to acknowledge the precious time we have with the ones we love.

Yesterday was the ultimate day for a wedding in the Tetons, perfect weather (sunny with cool breezes), and aside from the current state of the world it was perfection. Moose Creek Ranch is a beautiful ranch in a little valley that feels like a secret. Their wedding felt like a moment of calm and joy, in a storm of uncertainty. But Chase and Amanda were a glowing beacon of hope and love for the family and friends who were and were not there.