Jen & Johnny's Wedding!

Ahh, back at my desk. The one in my house. NOT the makeshift one on the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo, nor the lap-based one at YVR, YLW, YWG or any number of airports across the countryside, and not at any one of the 12 other places I stayed while on a 25-day trip to and fro across British Columbia and Manitoba. No, I'm finally back here at my desk in California where I can work in my pajamas and no one is the wiser.

That being said, I would like to thank everyone over this past month who hosted me in their homes and kept me warm, fed, and happy. It's easy to get cranky when packing and repacking every other day, but good friends and hosts make the nomadic experience as pleasant as possible. My husband, Will, also deserves a great deal of thanks for not just putting up with, but challenging and encouraging me in my traipsing around. This last trip was the grand finale in a bout of traveling that had me gone 5 weeks out of 9 from mid-August until now.

During that time I had twelve shoots, only one of which made it's way to the blog, and so I must also thank my faithful readers for putting up with my inconsistent nonexistent posting habits. After a long absense from my desk, I've returned and promise to faithfully unveil this fall's latest work!

To begin, I thought I'd post my final summer wedding, which happened to be the wedding of my cousin Jennifer to her new husband Johnny. They were (and are) gorgeous, fun, and oh-so-in-love, which made photographing them a dream, but the fact that it was a family affair made the shoot that much more special to me. I claimed 'personal moments' at various intervals just so I could let myself tear up for a few seconds!

All right, enough details. I'll stop rattling on and let you get to the goods! Enjoy!

Little Jennifer--you were such a stunning bride and I love you! Johnny--welcome to our crazy family!!! Everyone else...please post your thoughts/comments/well wishes to the happy couple below!

A Concannon Picnic: Jeremy & Krista

It's hard for me to believe that picnics are still to be had at this time of year. Where I'm from, friends and family are pulling out their sweaters, prepping their yards for the fall, and churning out the heartiest of recipes. Here in the Livermore Valley...not so much. Sure, fall is around the bend, but so far as I can tell, September in this neck of the woods means the grape harvest is upon us, and that makes me one very happy camper!

But back to picnics. The other day I had the pleasure of providing Jeremy & Krista with an engagement shoot at Concannon, one of Livermore's premiere vineyards and one of my favourite places to bring friends and family when they roll into town. The grounds are beautiful and beg to be dined upon, and so with a bottle of one of Concannon's refreshing whites, I photographed Jeremy & Krista on a perfect not-so-summer, but feels-like-summer day. Technically, summer's got until September 21st, but who's keeping track.

With that said, please raise a glass of whatever you might be sipping, and toast to Krista & Jeremy and their upcoming nuptials! Enjoy the photos!

Celebrating one year: Laura & Jason

Today is the first anniversary of one of my dearest girlfriends so I thought I'd celebrate by posting not-yet-seen photos from their wedding day. Laura and I were bridesmaids for each other last year, our weddings being only 6 weeks apart, so naturally we were up to our ears in everything wedding-oriented, especially photographs! As one of Laura's bridesmaids, it would've been tricky to do the photography, so she made arrangements for a photographer to cover the day, and for me to do two shoots featuring just her and Jason alone. Our pre-wedding shoot was one gorgeous morning in Kal Park overlooking the lake, and our day-of shoot was snuck in between the ceremony & group photos, and the reception. My new husband and I joined Jason & Laura at a predetermined, out of the way location, where I was able to spend a few moments quietly photographing the new bride & groom and where the four of us could celebrate all our newly-wedded bliss together. I was all OVER the map last summer, and didn't have a chance to blog about this shoot, so I thought I'd use Laura & Jason's first anniversary as an occasion to feature a few photos from their wedding day.

Congrats Laura & Jason and here's to MANY more years to come!

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Jeremy & Lori: Part Two!

Rich hues, vintage styling, a gorgeous day and a fabulously turned out wedding party made for some of the most rewarding shots of the season! Lori, Jeremy & Co. pulled off a stunning outdoor ceremony and tent-covered reception in rural Abbotsford, British Columbia, which I had the privilege of flying back to shoot. This couple's flair for the dramatic kept the day filled with surprises and left me inspired to push my photojournalistic tendencies to the side a bit, and integrate alternative editing techniques into my process. I can't wait to dive into this editing project full force and see what I can churn out! Enjoy!

PS Comments on the blog are always welcome! I love hearing from readers/viewers and especially enjoy when dialogue amongst readers takes off!!!

New Bride on the Blog

Well folks, there's a new bride (and groom of course!) on the blog and a touch of new styling as well. Last weekend's wedding in Abbotsford, British Columbia left me eager to dive into the editing process and while the entire teaser isn't quite ready as of yet, I couldn't wait to share at least a sampling with you!

Lori & Jeremy were looking for something fun and creative, so we headed over to the Vancouver Skydive Club's Abbotsford location for their great views and perfect props (no pun intended!). The groomsmen were kind enough to haul the trunk and vintage suitcases out to the plane for us, and Jeremy & Lori were patient enough to withstand the blazing afternoon sun throughout the shoot! Lori and I spoke over the phone and corresponded via email about purposeful aesthetic touches to include in both the shoot and in the editing--the trunks & cases would perfectly suit the vintage touches they had incorporated into the wedding, and the textured styling during post-processing would polish off the look. Lori's ideas worked well for me as this is the direction I've been working towards for a while. Watch for more of my creative outpourings throughout the summer & fall, and of course, more photos from Jeremy & Lori's wedding next week.

Jaime

PS Don't forget to vote on your fave Maui pic in time for the draw!!! See Details Below!