Corissa and Jason's Wedding
"Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
Hit play and click on the little square to make it full screen!
Here are the highlights of my oldest and dearest friend Corissa's wedding to Jason. Where to even begin?
Corissa and Jason met in high school on a Close-Up trip to Washington, DC (this girl was her roommate). They stayed in touch and fell in serious love over ten years later. They've built this life together based on a long-ago friendship and have weathered some of the hardest storms anyone could face. Jason's laid back, quiet presence compliments Corissa's friendly, outgoing personality perfectly. They are loved by everyone and this day came together nicely for them. It was filled with many home-town touches. Every vendor was a part of her life. Her hairstylist was a fellow cheerleader of ours, her DJ is the go-to guy for Patten weddings, another friend made beautiful bracelets for Corissa and her awesome bridesmaids, and talk about being floored and honored...She asked me to be her photographer.
I'm so ridiculously happy for her. Can you feel the joy and happiness in these pictures? I think it was a seriously amazing day, and Corissa was the most organized yet go-with-the-flow bride. I was amazed.
On a sad note, there was someone missing on this day. Corissa's dad, Richie, passed away a little over a year ago. Being someone who has known her relationship with her dad since we were 4 years old, I can say it was a model. A dad who loved her to the moon and vice versa. He was missed for sure, but I know his spirit was there the whole time. He was the sun beaming down on her as she walked down the aisle. He was the happy-go-lucky, hard working attitude that defined the day, and there was not a dry eye in the place in her mother/daughter dance. "So fathers be good to your daughters/Daughters will love like you do/Girls become lovers who turn into mothers/So mothers, be good to your daughters too."
Marie and Richie, you were both always a second set of parents to me and everyone else. Thank you. Your homes were always welcoming to all, and thank you Marie for teaching us how to dance...It was a supreme honor to photograph (and be with) Corissa and Jason. I'm so happy for you all. Jason's family is so incredibly nice. What a blessing to be surrounded with wonderful family, near and far.
So much love to the two of you. May your marriage be as much of a beautiful blessing as your wedding day. It was wonderful. Thank you Jason, for humoring me and my camera. You're a good one. Corissa is a lucky gal!
Many more pictures are coming. These are just the icing on the cake. Friends and family, stay tuned to your emails from the couple.
They were married at the Morgan Hill Event Center with some of the nicest staff ever.
Flowers from Lougee and Fredericks: http://www.lougeefrederick.net
Harmony Bidwell Student Cosmetologist (look her up on Facebook). She's in the Portland Area
DJ Shawn Rigby: http://www.mainedjs207.com
As for the music on the slideshow. I have used this song so many times recently, but seriously. It could have been written for these two, and Eric Bettencourt is from our hometown area, so...Here it is again. Mad props and thanks to Eric for letting me use his music. He's home in Portland this week doing a few shows!
http://www.eric-bettencourt.com
A walk together
The other day my little man and I went for a walk. We took our time, looking around and met up unexpectedly with a Grandpa and his granddaughter, who is almost exactly a year older than Ho. We had a nice walk, which gave me some time to take some photos of just my little man. I am relishing any time we have one on one. It makes all the difference (to both of us).
Alex and Tray's Wedding
It might have rained on their wedding day, but these two don't need luck. They are truly in love!
I was honored to be emailed by Tray to ask if I would be available to do photograph he and Alex's wedding. I was excited to meet them both. They are living and going to school in Arizona but wanted to come back to the East Coast for their wedding. Friends and family came from near and far to celebrate their love. I was honored to be in their presence.
It did rain throughout the ceremony and reception, but these two's spirits were not dampened one bit! They worked hard to get everything together under the tent behind Alex's aunt's house, and the party was a huge success. Plenty of dancing, laughter, and the food! The food was amazing. Alex's cousin is a chef who worked with his dad to prepare the dinner. It was probably the best wedding food I've ever had. So delicious.
Thankfully the rain did let up a little bit and the guys and I were able to do their wedding portraits in the backyard. I'm so glad they were brave and didn't care about a little rain.
It was such an honor to be invited to document their beautiful day. Let's just say, they were ridiculously nice. I didn't know them before the big day, but I'm so glad I do now. They both make the world a better place. Thank you both. I just wish you lived closer!
Music is graciously provided by Eric Bettencourt:
http://ericbettencourt.bandcamp.com
A musician from my hometown, making it big! I love this song, especially for couples who have been together for a long time like Alex and Tray.
Please note, these are just the highlights of the wedding. Many more photos are coming to Alex and Tray's gallery in about a week.
Cousins at Groff Park
Okay folks, let's make it no secret. I love where I live. See these boys? They are literally looking at my house across the soccer field to my house. Groff Park is where I live and photograph families a lot! It's basically my own little studio. I know the perfect spots any time of day, and there is an awesome playground for all ages.
This extended family contacted me in the late summer to say they would all be at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Could we get together for a photo shoot? I loved the energy of these boys. Kind of reminded me of someone I know well! We had a good time getting some sweet family shots plus playing "campfire" and exploring the playground.
Thank you for booking me. What a joy it was to meet you and best of luck in your big move.
My baby girl
My sweet little babe is now a year. She's growing and changing every day. I'm amazed and trying to keep up. While her brother was at school today, we had ourselves a little photo shoot. I went a little "Dance Mom" crazy getting her ready for this...Always good to put myself in other moms' shoes, right? Let's just say I washed her hair in the sink and brought out a hairdryer (which only produced puzzled looks and slight hysterics!). Moms, don't be crazy like me. She didn't care what she was wearing. She had fun just crawling around the backyard, making me chase her.
She sure is cute though!
