She Walks in Beauty {Sugar Plum Invitations}

Becky Hawkins of Sugar Plum Invitations has blogged me! So, I thought I would get her back. She has an amazingly beautiful blog that is a wedding resource for highlighting trends, colors, and design for brides with an eye for detail. I recently photographed a couple of her friends weddings and she emailed me saying that she loved my style and quality. It looks like this blog is one to bookmark, especially if you are in the planning stages of your wedding. Also, be sure to check out her invitations work. Stunning!

Alex + Michelle {Engagement, San Francisco}

I live in a mellow little town called San Luis Obispo (SLO). When I meet a perfect stranger and they ask me where I live, I describe San Luis as being halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. (Usually with the visual aid of hand motions and finger pointing.) We small town folk here in San Luis, therefore, refer to San Francisco as {The City}. Having put that out there, I can now properly continue with Alex and Michelle.

Like many of my couples Alex and Michelle booked me by way of a referral from a good photographer friend and then through phone and email contact. Our trip to The City was our first in-person encounter. We really enjoyed our time together!

I showed up at their place and Michelle handed me my itinerary. She had map-quested 3 locations that played a special part in their relationship. This bride is organized! I felt like I was on a reality show about my job as a California wedding photographer and I had my list of assignments with unknown future obstacles to overcome.

We started out at their apartment complex just outside San Francisco for some engagement pictures and shots with their new son, Jordan. He was so smiley and easy to photograph! Then we explored this little spot called Treasure Island which unfortunately wasnt as pirate-y as it sounded. Then we drove to the top of this hill that supposedly overlooks the whole of San Francisco, but all we could see was grey fog. Lastly we drove downtown to the bar where they had met years ago and it was unfortunately shut down. They were bummed, but we got some cool shots after sunset in a random alley. It all worked out and by the end of the night I had accomplished our mission, to capture little glimpses of Alex and Michelles intimate relationship. Lets just say, I certainly didnt get voted off of the show!









My sister Jessica was visiting from Oregon and she came to help Anna and I out. We had an awesome time introducing Jessica to some San Francisco Sushi. On our way back from the restaurant we saw this broken mirror propped up on the sidewalk and I couldnt resist a little self-portrait.

Jason + Jaime "One Saucy Couple"

Jason and Jaime got married at Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, CA. It was one of those a-hundred-plus-summer-days that make me question just why groomsmen are required to be dressed like penguins. Even through the heat they really had an saucy celebration of their friendship and commitment to love for life. There were many jokes exchanged during family speeches about how this was a long awaited wedding. I think they had been together for like 10 years or something. Pretty amazing considering they met on a blind date!

After their engagement session in San Luis Obispo we had drinks and appetizers at a local steak house and shared stories and lots of laughter. Jason bragged about a legendary BBQ sauce that is so good that it will change your life forever. Anna happens to have her own BBQ sauce recipe that is equally acclaimed. We had so much fun hanging out with them that we decided to have a second date; dinner and a sauce off!

A couple of weeks later they came over for chicken and yes, BBQ sauce. We tasted each contestants sauce individually and the majority was surprised that they tasted very similar. Well, the point is that Jason and Jaime are so proud of their sauce that they bottled it for all of their guests. Great idea!

You guys are awesome and I look forward to many more BBQs!















Jaime and her brother busted out some awesome swing moves at the end of the night!
Lastly, here is a shot of me and my good buddy Joshua Caine who assisted me at the wedding. Josh is an amazing photographer that just lives around the corner from me. He has just started his own business and it has really been exciting to watch him grow. Thanks Josh for rockin' it with me. ;)

Jason + Jaime had a polaroid guest book where people wrote a love note next to their picture. I liked this picture so much, I had them take another one so I could keep it.

Anna Ingalls' Brand New Blog!

I am proud to announce that my beautiful (and talented) wife is now blogging! But even more importantly, she is photographing pregnancies, infants and children. A year ago I showed up to the hospital where her sister had just birthed her 4th kid to photograph his first day of life on the outside. Anna and I were 'just friends' way back then. When it was my turn to hold my future nephew Anna took the camera and captured some images that were pretty much way better than the ones I was taking. Well, I should let her tell the story. Check out who she has been photographing and drop her a comment. She gets giddy when people comment!

I am amazed and excited that my wife has fallen in love with my greatest passion. I can’t wait to see all that her heart and camera creates in the years ahead. To keep up with my better half go here.

Luis + Erika {Engagement, San Luis Obispo}

Luis and Erika were so much fun! We explored downtown-SLO-town and discovered random walls painted with cows, alleys, creeks; all romantic backdrops for their love story. They have been together for like 10 years and are finally getting married this coming Saturday in Camarillo and I am really looking forward to it.

After their session we sat creek side and had a wonderful dinner at Novo; one of my favorite local fancy restaurants. Luis is really a funny guy! We laughed a lot during our time together hearing what they do and where in the world they have been. It was awesome to share our dreams and passions with one another over dinner.

Bryan + Cheryl

Bryan + Cheryl were married at a nice little church in Los Osos, CA and had their reception at the Embassy Suites of San Luis Obispo. I am again forced to post way more pictures than is blog-legal, but I just can’t control myself. The couple, bridal party, families, and guests were all so much fun all day long. Cheryl was one of the calmest brides ever. I didn’t even have to ask her how she was doing. The peace and joy that she wore was even more beautiful than her amazing wedding gown. Bryan and Cheryl were the ideal couple for me. This year has been full of adventurous couples and Bryan + Cheryl were no exception.

I was thrilled when Cheryl happily agreed to climb on top of the piano we found in her dressing room. And the dudes were co-operative enough to explore an abandoned house across the street from the church. After the ceremony the whole bridal party met us downtown for some shots in San Luis.

The reception was a lot of fun thanks to D.J. Mel ‘The 5 Footed Filipino' who did a club-house job of mixing songs and beats from everything from Mo-Town to Gwen Stephanie. I hope to add some photos from the party later.














Bryan + Cheryl choreographed a dance for their reception intro and practiced it one last time.

Michael + Katie's Wedding

I recently shot this wedding in my ol' stomping grounds of Paso Robles. Although, I'm not sure that I did much stomping while there, however, I did grow up there and... I did grow up down the street from Katie Maki. Katie’s older sister Sarah was in my class and I remember her as far back as first grade. This wedding was really fun because I saw people from high school that I haven’t seen in 10 years. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years! Does that mean I’m officially getting old?! I think so.

This wedding was so much fun because I have been slightly adopted by Katie’s mother (Rhonda) who I’ve been getting to know this past year due to the many letters and pictures updating me on Michael and Katie’s life. Check out this old blog post of a class picture Rhonda sent me last year. Simply amazing!

The wedding was hosted at Rancho Llano De Los Robles just outside Paso towards Nacimiento Lake. It was such a beautiful and cozy home with such hospitable owners. I was very impressed with their forethought and service to the bride's family, party, and to my assistant and myself. The owner has just incredible gardens all over the grounds making it such a personal and beautiful venue for a romantic wedding.




Because Paso can boil to tempuratures of 100-plus-degrees Katie planned her event for the early evening. We took time before the wedding to shoot pictures of the bridal party, the family portraits and also the couple. Michael waited in the garden with his back turned so that Katie could sneak up and reveal herself to him just minutes before their wedding. Rhonda and the bridesmaids stood by to watch Katie approach Michael for his first look. The girls ooh-ed and awe-ed and even shed a few tears while the couple had a (private) moment together.







I love little people!Thank goodness we broke away around 8-ish to take a couple more shots of the couple because the light was fantastic! D.J. Andy Morris graciously allowed me 10 minutes with the couple before speeches. I took them into a field just behind the house and was so thankful that we had that time together. Couples are always a bit more relaxed after the wedding, making for much more natural and joyful pictures. You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for having me participate in your amazing day!




View Michael and Katie's engagment pictures here.

Web Site Update!

I'm excited to announce that my website has been updated by the awesome 805 Collective. There is a new loader, new music, updated galleries, as well as a handy contact form! Check it out friends and let me know what you think.

Canaday Designs

Matt Canaday and I grew up together enduring the hot summers of Paso Robles. We passed the time by swimming in the neighbor's pool and playing music together in a couple of different bands. Matt has always been artistic and over the past lots of years has really directed his artistic capabilities into ironwork and design. Matt is practicing his experience and knowledge of blacksmithing to embrace his dream of making a living as a sculpture maker. He knows how to weld everything from railings to sconces to metal tables but his heart’s passion is creating these gi-normous statues that speak of eternity. This one in particular took him 700 hours!!!

This sculpture is a symbolic rendering of an angelic being, titled "Wisdom". It is a multi-metal masterpiece consisting of core ten steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, and copper. Every piece is cut, formed, and fabricated by hand, all one of a kind. Wisdom stands 62" tall, 36" wide, and 24" deep. Her hand’s reach open to her audience, silently calling them. The idea for this sculpture was based out of the book of Proverbs in the Bible, where "Wisdom" is described as a female form. She stands humble yet with power as she invites onlookers to consider for themselves her message.

Matt’s business is called Canaday Designs. I’ve shot for his portfolio in the past. You can see my pictures on his website. Most recently a book has asked to feature some of his work in their yearly publication. I am just thrilled that Matt is living his dreams and using his gifts. Congratulations my friend!

Here is an excerpt from Proverbs 3:13-20.

“Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the clouds poured down rain.”

Post #100! Happy Birthday Me

Today was my birthday. I am officially twenty-eight! I'm excited to continue living this life to the fullest potential. I want to do my best to live in the moment with hope for eternity, to Love those around me from a selfless heart, to take big risks and have grand adventures, to grow old gracefully, to create and facilitate community, to begin raising a family, to believe in people's dreams, to make my wife feel like the luckiest girl alive, and to give God all of the glory.

Because I love art; my wife asked our friend, James McCarthy to craft my birthday present. Anna asked him to draw us and to put his heart and style into it. He drew this amazing picture of us sitting in our dining room based off of a picture Jeff Newsom shot for our engagement session. James is amazingly talented and has been drawing since we became friends in Jr. High. He is like a brother to me so I am honored to have a work of his art hanging proudly on my wall. It is a mixed media piece with ink, pencil, and coffee. James you are awesome!

James + Kate in Limkiln

We took James and Kate on one of the fun-est Monday engagement adventures you could possibly go on. Because they live clear up in the San Francisco area we decided to meet halfway to do their session. We had a perfect lunch in Cambria at Robins and then they followed us up HWY 1 in search of Limekiln National Park.

The forest lies just through the mountain right off of the highway. Driving by you would never know it was there; all tucked away like a magical kingdom. We walked up the trail to the kilns and found these amazing pockets of light to play in as we went. I really can’t plan scenes like this. They just happen and they almost find me more than I find them.

We found out that Kate and James are yearly Ren Faire attendees as well as devoted fans of Lord of the Rings. I couldn't help but make jokes about Orcs and Ents during our time there. If the trees could talk then they would definitely at Limekiln.






James and I crawled into one of the kilns to check it out. I got the shot for his solo album if he ever makes one. ;)



This location was especially special to Anna and I because we had our first ever ‘non-date-hang-out-hike’ there. I remember telling myself to do whatever it took to not fall ‘in like’ with her. I think I was able to hold out for another year or so before we started dating and now look! Beware of the friendship hikes! Here are some infrared shots we got from our non-date. We were thrilled to go back out there and share our special place with James and Kate. You guys are a wonderful couple and you compliment each other so much. We can’t wait for your wedding next month!