he liked him. The long conversations, the laughter, the lingering thoughts of him throughout the day...Kelly was undone by Tyler. But she lost her heart the day she received a package addressed to her Boston apartment. Having moved to attend photo school, Kelly missed home. Northern California was a part of the world she hung her proverbial hat and rested from the chaos life sometimes threw her way. In Boston, Kelly longed for all things home.
Tyler was a friend from church and someone who made the transcontinental distance shorten. They emailed, IM'd, and chatted as any friends might, but when Kelly slowly unwrapped the box with the California return address, she realized she had given her heart to Ty in the process of communication.
A handwritten note, freshly cut grass from California (a smell she so dearly missed), and a hat from In-N-Out Burger. That's what she found in the box.
Kelly and Tyler's friendship unraveled through the years to reveal how perfectly matched their hearts were. They now call San Francisco home...a place filled with handwritten notes, freshly cut grass, and In-N-Out Burger.
I had the pleasure of collaborating with an amazing team of San Francisco wedding professionals to photograph a San Francisco elopement. This shoot was a labor of love and it was an honor working with a stellar team to put together a photoshoot for the fun of it...I can't wait to work with everyone again soon! It was a day I appreciated and won't soon forget.
Venue: San Francisco City Hall
Makeup + Hair: Alana Halvorsen Floral: Natalie Bowen Designs Dress: Opening Ceremony Models: Kelly Boitano and Tyler Madsen of Branches Photography: Jasmine Star
Here's the thing about Tyler: he's awesome. Sometimes you meet people and within a few minutes, you know you're better because of them. Tyler is one of those people. He's smart, witty, caring, and really hears what you're saying in between the lines. On top of this, he's talented. He's the lead singer for Branches and I lovelovelove their music (check out this Beyonce cover song they recently did!)
Oh, Kelly Kell, we both know you're all kinds of crazy, but only the best kind of crazy. I love you to bits and pieces. Thanks for the inspiring conversations and becoming a new friend...
Kelly and Ty bragged about San Francisco's City Hall...and, well...I couldn't disagree. What a gorgeous backdrop for wedding photos...every square inch is magical. I could shoot there every day and never tire of it. Ever.
After leaving City Hall, we celebrated with libations at Comstock Saloon in San Francisco...no better way to toast than with bubbly.
I just have to take a second and thank Natalie and Jenny of Natalie Bowen Designs for creating a gorgeous bouquet and boutonniere...love them!
We quickly passed through Golden Gate Park for a few more wedding photos...
Kelly, you're gorgeous. Really.
Kelly and Tyler share a beautiful thing called love and I was thrilled to document every ounce of it.
To see more San Francisco City Hall elopement photos, feel free to click HERE for a slideshow with music provided by The Music Bed or simply watch it here...
hey're the type of people who collect art, who love good food, and the type of people who ensure kindness and respect are extended at all times. Basically, they're salt of the earth people. Stu and Joanne planned a wedding to embody the love they have for their friends, family, and each other...not only did they accomplish this feat, they set a precedent to how they'll celebrate their lives together.
Tucked under a bright, blue sky, Stu and Joanne promised to remain by each other and swore to remain bound, regardless of what life throws their way. Together they'll continue to collect art, enjoy good food, and love those around them...but this time around, they'll be wearing rings as a symbol of their promise to do life connected. Always.
Joanne and Stu, I hope you're enjoying your honeymoon and taking time to soak up your new titles as husband and wife! Thank you for allowing us to document your marriage and making us feel like family. Your wedding was truly special and we wish you only the best life offers. Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The day started at Joanne's home and I was particularly fond of Spunky...although she wasn't quite sure what she thought of me.
This? THIS is the reaction of a groom seeing his bride for the first time on his wedding day. We can safely say Stu was excited when he saw Joanne.
The wedding and ceremony was held at Vellano Country Club and the day couldn't have been more perfect when the bride and groom opted to see each other before the ceremony...
I lovelovelove when clients plan to see each other before the ceremony because it allows for plenty of time for wedding photos...
Stu's greatest quality is his ability to make Joanne laugh at any moment...
Stu and Joanne had their friends serenade them during the First Dance and there wasn't a dry eye in the house...
t's home. A place they hang their proverbial hats. It's also the place their love has grown and seeped into the gray walls. Walking out the front door ushers you onto Manhattan Beach and the sound of the crashing waves is a welcomed sound in comparison to Los Angeles traffic. Seagulls fly overhead and while the day might seem like any other, it's from from it. On this particular Saturday, Lesley and Amir are becoming husband and wife.
As Lesley prepares in the bedroom they share, pictures of the couple reflect their world travels together and gleaming sunsets along the coast. They also reflect happiness. Lesley and her sisters rush from room to room as they prepare for the church ceremony and their parents laugh as onlookers from the kitchen.
Amir arrives to the church and his brother cracks jokes and proffers last minute fashion cues, although both look dapper in black bow ties. Amir wrings his hands as he waits at the end of the aisle waiting for his bride. And the wait was worth every second. Lesley looks radiant as she walks toward to husband-to-be and as they swear to each other, and in front of God, to forever love, their marriage is sealed with a kiss.
Lesley and Amir, I appreciate you both. Your day was nothing short of perfection and a true representation of your love. Thank you for inviting me to document the first day of your marriage and I hope it marks the beginning of even more amazingness in your lives. I wish you nothing but the best and I have no doubt the future is bright for two kind souls like yourselves. Can't wait to share a macaroon again soon! Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The wedding day started in a perfect way: amazing light, a gorgeous dress, and a pair of great shoes.
I absolutely fell in love with Lesley and Amir's home in Manhattan Beach...I'm tempted to back my house and become a neighbor. True story.
JD hung out with the guys at American Martyr's Church in Manhattan Beach where Amir placed the finishing touches on her black tie apparel.
Good people hang out with good people and Amir is a perfect example of this notion...this group of guys were top notch. Funny, kind, and all around great people to be around...
Lesley made a stunning bride...truly.
I always love the moment when a bride and groom descend the aisle as husband and wife...true bliss...
Just down the street from the church is the beach they call home. Manhattan Beach made a stunning--and totally personal--backdrop to the place they met, fell in love, and started their lives together...
Oh, GO ON...
Lesley let me in on a little secret...she got her dress just a few weeks before the wedding...she made a last minute decision to vamp up her look and I'm so glad she trusted her bridal intuition...what a perfect gown!
I know I say this often, but--really--I'm lucky to work with gorgeous couples...inside and out!
Hands down, my favorite wedding photo of the day...
I was especially excited for the reception because Lesley and Amir decided to blend their cultures on their wedding day, so they--naturally--added the Hora as a nod to Amir's Jewish heritage...
...Lesley's expression says it all...
Now THIS is a groom who's happy to be married.
I'll end on this photo because they spent the rest of their wedding reception dancing in each others' arms and falling more in love...
To see more of Lesley and Amir's Manhattan Beach wedding photos, you can CLICK HERE for a slideshow with music provided by The Music Bed or you can watch the slideshow here:
t wasn't just a pretty place in La Jolla, it was the place. The park that changed everything for Lindsey and Jonathan. Careful and cautious to not spew words with little weight, Lindsey waited to tell Jonathan how she felt about him. She waited for the perfect moment...which happened to be on a weekend trip to California. They drove to Mt. Soledad and sat gazing onto the Pacific Ocean in its full splendor. I love you, she said just above a whisper. And in that moment, they knew everything changed.
Years later, Lindsey whispered the same words, but this time she was looking into the eyes of her husband-to-be. Jonathan and Lindsey live in Texas, but planned a destination wedding in a place close to their hearts: La Jolla, California. With palm trees stretching to the sky, they walked into each others' arms and soaked in the gravity of the moment.
Surrounded by their closest friends and family, they vowed not only to be the salt of the earth, but to live their lives in accordance to love, devotion, and tenderness. It was a perfect day for two very perfect people.
Lindsey and Jonathan, so glad you enjoyed Antigua and spent time relaxing in the sun! Thank you for the honor of documenting your love, but--moreso--your friendship. I can't wait for you to show me the Tex Mex ropes in Dallas one day soon, but until then I wish you nothing but joy and happiness. You deserve nothing less. Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The day started perfectly in La Jolla, just outside of San Diego with truly spectacular weather...the day before it rained, but the skies cleared for a stunning backdrop...
Lindsey and the bridesmaids prepared at a nearby hotel then headed to Mt. Soledad, where Jonathan was eagerly waiting...
I absolutely love when clients opt to see each other before the ceremony...the moment belongs to them and they have the freedom to take photos at places that truly represent their love. And there's also plenty of time for extra photos!
Initially Lindsey wasn't sure about seeing Jonathan before the wedding ceremony, but by the look on her face, she made the right decision...
After the First Look, we headed to the wedding ceremony at Scripps Seaside Forum along the coast...
The wedding was beautiful and personal since they asked their Dallas pastor to marry them...such a sweet ceremony...
It was a really bright day, but the windows from Scripps Forum reflected light marvelously for wedding photos...
Jonathan and Lindsey are avid Polaroiders (yes, I make up words), so they bought loads of film to document their day...what fun detail for instant wedding pictures!
We headed to the beach for more wedding photos and sunset treated us nicely...or maybe the bridesmaids were so awesome they made any light look good...
Wedding photos under a pier? Sign me up!
It was so easy photographing Jonathan and Lindsey...they're so in love they simply fell into each others' arms effortlessly...
A special thank you goes to Lindsey's sister, Marisa, who perfectly planned the wedding. She's a former planner, so she beckoned bygone days marvelously for such a delightful wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum.
The First Dance...
I had to include a few reception photos because everything is bigger in Texas...including the dancing shoes. This group loved to party and I had a blast documenting all the fun!
spoke at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference yesterday and though I'm exhausted, it was a truly wonderful experience. Coming to Las Vegas every year reminds me of my beginning as a photographer and how much has changed, both personally and professionally. In light of these changes, it's always an honor to collaborate with Anton Lorimer of LorimerWorks.com to create a new business commercial.
Putting these projects together is a labor of love, but Anton is amazing at what he does and helps me tell a story my brides--both current and prospective--can grasp onto, and it provides insight to who I am as a person.
Without further ado, I'd honored to share the fruits of his labor...
