Myung + Stacy {Pasadena}

Myung and Stacy are so artistic that they made cartoon pins of their faces as party favors for their guests. They are so generous that they threw the bouquet and garter with attached Benjies. They are so much fun that they hosted a photo-booth so that their guests could show their true colors. They are so in love that they got married at Villa del Sol de Oro and will live happily ever after. The end. Or… just the beginning I should say! ;)









Anna and I rocked the Red Cheese Photo Booth! Can you tell that we love working together?!
Check out their engagements pictures!

Jake + Nancy {San Luis Obispo}

Nancy was the most excited bride I have experienced in the history of brides.com! She actually contacted me for the first time like 3 and a half years ago about shooting her wedding. She was excited then and boy was she excited on her wedding day! My wife, Anna went to high school with Jake and Nancy so it was a bit like shooting a party full of old friends, except I was meeting most of them for the first time.

They got married at one of our most favorite restaurants in town; Novo. The entire back deck was reserved for Jake and Nancy’s most beautiful wedding ceremony and dinner reception. It overlooks the creek in the heart of downtown SLO. We were able to get some amazing pictures around the creek area after the ceremony. Since Nancy was so freakin’ obsessed (and excited!) about photography, I was allowed to flourish in my element. Nancy would catch me getting lost looking into the trees and across the cement walls for the magical light. She would say, ‘I see your mind working! Do whatever you want with us!’ I had died and gone to wedding photographer heaven. Nancy would yell out to anyone that walked, ‘I just got MARRIED!!!’

Their personal vows were the best. The words they exchanged were so intimate and humorous that I really began to see a picture of their beautiful love for one another. Jake started out saying, ‘This was the easiest writing assignment of my life.’ The love that flowed between them made their wedding the easiest photo shoot of my life! ;)

David + Melissa {San Luis Obispo}

Since David and Melissa wore cowboy boots to their engagement session, I figured it was only appropriate for me to wear cowboy boots to their wedding. Especially since they were getting hitched at Holland Ranch! It turned out that most of the cowboys left their cowboy gear at home, so I was kinda not as blending-in as I thought I was going to be. Oh well! Yee-ha for shooting the whole wedding in boots! ;)

What started out as a rainy morning with a dreary October forecast turned into a beautiful sunny day! It was like the clouds parted so that the sun could smile on Dave and Melissa’s marriage. The weather and colors were perfectly wonderful; and with that stunning mountain backdrop I was in photo-geek-heaven!

Adornments were representing the floral regions and Phil’s Catering the food sector. Chris Baily at Kramer Entertainment worked the music mayhem. The Cakery brought the sugar rush. It was a cornucopia of wedding beauty and bliss! Great work to all of the Central Coast wedding vendors and especially to Melissa and David for supplying the vision and being the substance!













Precious! She was just killing us with cuteness all day!

Andrew + Sandra {Paso Robles}

Andrew and Sandra had such a beautiful wedding at The Villa Toscana in Paso Robles. They discovered Paso Robles years ago when they vacationed there and enjoyed the tranquility and the wine which makes it such a famous town. For them getting married at the Villa was a Central Coast destination wedding. Everyone came from out of town to enjoy the warm weather, clear skies, and Paso Robles wine. It was an amazingly awesome day and I was so glad to capture it with my heart and camera!

Adornments again!


















Check out their engagement pictures if you want some more!

Matthew + Kimberly {Livermore}

Matt and Kim got married at Wente Vineyards. Kim was just beautiful the entire day! She was made to be a stunning bride. The groomsmen were a lively bunch with a little pre-ceremony ultimate Frisbee and some wild Illinois dancing which I can’t define with words. My good friend Joshua Caine came out to second shoot for me. He did an amazing job and a lot of these sweet pictures are from his heart and lens.















Check out their engagement pictures if you want some more!

Ben + Min {Cayucos, CA}

Ben + Min got married at Swallow Creek Ranch; one of my favorite locations on the Central Coast. Ben’s family actually owns and runs the ranch. The wedding ceremony took place in a rustic field behind the barn with a view of the ocean peaking between the hills and Eucalyptus trees. Ben and Min expressed their unity by writing their names on a paper airplane and throwing it together into the air. It was hilarious and sentimental, which I think sums up who they are as a couple. Way to be awesome!











Check out their engagement pictures!

Steve + Veronica {Pasadena, CA}

Steve + Veronica got married at the Castle Green in Pasadena. It was a beautiful setting dripping with purple flowers and accented with a koi fish pond backdrop. A string quartet ushered the guests to their seats and the bridal party down the aisle. The Castle was majestic and yet classy. Veronica was stunning and Steve daper. It was a pleasure working in such a historic slice of Pasadena!








Check out Steve and Veronica’s engagement session!

Gavin + Melanie {Shell Beach / San Luis Obispo}

Are you kidding me?! Gavin and Melanie are just about the most handsome couple ever! They just go together like… like chocolate and peanut butter! They got married on a beautiful cliff overlooking the Shell Beach coastline. And if that wasn’t pretty enough, they had their reception at none other than Holland Ranch. The sky was perfectly overcast for the wedding with a little hint of sunlight peaking out over the ocean miles into the horizon. As soon as we finished up the bridal party portraits we buzzed over to the ranch and walked right down into the heavenly glory of dripping sunlight and chocolate hillside for icing-on-the-cake couple portraits.

The groomsmen made my day (no, week!) with their 80’s glasses. I just wanted to take a million different pictures with those guys sporting their mad times square style. They also wore name tags corresponding to their title or responsibility. There was The Doc, Best Man, The Amateur, Bone Man, and lastly the groom; Crabbman (his last name being Crabb). Oh, and watch out when you park in Pismo Beach because I got a $40 parking ticket! (Whenever in history did they start charging to park in Pismo?! *chanting; We don’t live in L.A. We don’t live in L.A.)

Adornments arranged the most beautiful flowers for the whole event! It is amazing how flowers can tie an oceanside park and a country ranch together. Events Redefined did an amazing job coordinating the whole day. They were so organized and calm, they made me even relax!

Their reception was too legit to quit with the swinging tunes of the San Luis Jazz Band, the best food ever by Phoenix Fine Catering, a tower of multi-flavored cupcakes, and the most amazing A&W truck complete with freezers of vanilla ice-cream and root beer on tap.

If you want the inside scoop into how Melanie planned her amazing wedding, check out her blog; Crabb Cakes. She is such a great graphic designer!

















Check out their engagement pictures if you want some more Crabb love!

Darren + Caitlin {Nipomo, CA}

Darren and Caitlin got married at the Dana Powers Barn in Nipomo and boy was I excited because I LOVE barns for some reason. I would have totally gotten married if this barn was operative a year and a half ago. It’s a new (yet old) addition.

We had a lot of fun because Darren and Caitlin are so stinking amazing. There was a lot of love going around and profuse joy.

Here are some highlights. Caitlin had two of the cutest bubble gum blowing flower girls in history. Darren’s grandpa played jazz music on his hollow-body Epiphone during the cocktail hour while the owner of the barn poured blue moon into mason jars for guests. Darren and his buddies took over the dance floor and busted out some wild moves. (Anna suggested I lay on the floor and shoot a picture of them all dancing around me. It didn’t turn out to be the best idea because one dude straddled and lifted my legs while dancing so I only got a shot of his hind quarters. Not a pretty picture!) The Chocolate Divas took everybody (Anna and I included) to chocolate heaven. It was a perfect day!











This kid was not excited to be the center of attention.

Matt + Ali {Shell Beach, CA}

If Matt and Ali were a chocolate truffle they would have a gooey center consisting of awesome-sauce. They were such a joy to be around and photograph on their wedding day.

They got married at The Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach which is just down the 101 from my house. Matt and Ali chose The Cliffs because they wanted to have a destination wedding. Their guests came from L.A. and as far as the east coast. They went to great lengths to create an atmosphere of comfort and enjoyment for all of the people invited and involved. Because Ali is an actress all of the esthetic details were of the utmost importance to her. She really put her heart and soul into making sure her wedding looked and felt beautiful. She wanted people to come for the weekend, celebrate in style, and leave feeling refreshed by the Central Coast love. Matt and Ali, you pulled it off amazingly! Way to throw a party!

In other related and exciting news, Ali Hillis is an amazing actress who has been doing wonderful work in the world of Hollywood. She was in a beautiful movie called The Ultimate Gift and has appeared over the years on the occasional T.V. show. She had a part in one of my favorite RDJ movies, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and she is in the upcoming Disney feature, Beverly Hills Chihuahua. A national magazine really wants to feature Ali’s wedding in their celebrity weddings section. Stay tuned to find out who publishes Matt and Alis beautiful love story.

Adorments brought the floral beauty. A Santa Maria Mariachi band kept the guests happy during the cocktail hour and The San Luis Jazz Band had everybody dancing into the night. It was such a classy yet cozy wedding celebration.





















Check out their engagement pictures that I took in a junk yard.

Patrick + Christine {Woodside, CA}

Patrick and Christine are simply delightful people! They have an energy that is like a contagious spark when you are around them. You can’t help but get excited about the daily adventures of living life!

They got married at The Mountain Terrace, which is up in the hills from Redwood City where I spent a few years of my childhood and many summers vacations. Just the smell of the ocean breeze mixed with the towering musty redwoods made me nostalgic and miss my grandparents.

I met Patrick and Christine at a wedding a couple of summers ago. They saw my work on a slideshow and I think Patricks life changed forever. Okay, maybe I am being dramatic, but in that moment he decided that he loved photography, which is a pretty big deal in my book. They also decided that when they were ready to get married that they would call me!

Since then Patrick has been walking the road to becoming a photographer. He has purchased some camera gear and is soaking up any information he can. Before the wedding Patrick and Christine took Anna and I out to lunch so that I could share photography secrets. I gave him a few nuggets and on the walk back we stopped by a wall and I made him photograph Anna and I. He did great! Stop by his blog and give him a shout-out.














I just thought this looked amazing!

Day After Shoot ;) + Holga Love {Marty + Sarah}

This is the old Mill where we did Marty and Sarahs trash the dress session. I brought my Holga camera and to add to the artistic feel of the shoot. Film is an old friend to me, a really old friend. Its about time we get reacquainted.

Marty and Sarah were down for anything. We tromped through piles of sawdust and I risked my life balancing on sketchy plywood to get the shots. I think I got more dirty than them. ;)









Julian wanted to come along. So we put him in a few shots. This one was my favorite.

Marty + Sarah {Port Angeles, WA}

This wedding was incredibly special to me because Marty and Sarah are not only freaking awesome people, but they are also my family. Its a long story so I wont get into it right now because this about their wedding, not me! ;)

Marty and Sarah got married at this amazing outdoor art museum. Its basically 5 acres of forest with random art pieces blending into the natural setting. A hillside covered in starched kid sweaters, a path sprinkled with shards of glass, a random mirror cradled in the limbs of a tree, a grove of trees dressed in tutus, a labyrinth of rocks in a grass meadow are just a few of the things that brought character to Marty and Sarahs already unique wedding.

Years ago Sarahs friend (who was also one of her bridesmaids) decided it was a good idea to hook up Sarah and Marty. Through much effort, prodding and pushing she got them to talk on the phone. Much to both of their surprise they hit it off from 2 states away. Marty decided this girl was worth a flight to San Diego to meet in person. That trip sealed their fate and after Marty returned home, he sent this straight-to-the-point love note. Sarah sent it back to him knowing that someday she would have the note to keep as a reminder of just the beginning of their lifelong love story.





Sarah has an obsession with pink flamingos. So much so that she could tell you the entire history of the pink flamingo cult that came out of the 60s. Seriously, don’t get her going about it. ;) But, if you are a sucker for cool lesser-known facts then by all means ask away. Their wedding was surrounded by flocks of these plastic birds. This flamingo was the outcast who let people know where the smoking section was located.


Martys 3 sons were his groomsmen. Julian, the youngest loved the camera.








I had such an amazing time meeting family from the Ingalls side for the first and second time. I felt so at home and cant wait to go back to visit. The following day Marty and Sarah took me to an old mill for a trash the dress shoot. I will post those images next. Stay tuned!

Charlie + Autumn {Willows Lodge, Washington}

Charlie and Autumn were both intense and hilarious. Allow me to clarify; they were intensely in love and hilariously joyful! They made everyone around them break into wide mouthed smiles with occasional moments of side-splitting laughter.

Simon and I flew out for Washington last weekend for a double feature. Charlie and Autumn started out the wedding festivities on Friday. They got married at the beautiful and serene resort Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington. There was this amazing herb garden that backlit their wedding ceremony. Autumns father read a passage from Peter Rabbit about toys becoming real. The pastor then explained that to become real means that you will experience all that real people do; pain and pleasure. He spoke about marriage offering both as well. That its not some blue sky kite flying picnic. It was a real different and amazing message! Everything was awesome; especially the love that overflowed from Charlie and Autumn. Thanks so much for having me!

Autumn gave Charlie an hour glass exactly an hour before the ceremony. Cuoooote!






Remember Charlie + Autumns engagement pictures? We shot in downtown Seattle. I am so glad that we came up in April for that shoot and meeting. It made showing up for the wedding that much more exciting!

I heart Seattle

Flying home from Seattle today where we shot 2 weddings back to back last weekend. Anna and I have been enjoying time with our family in Port Angeles and a little sight seeing in Seattle. We hung out at the Experience Music museum before our flight. It was inspiring and refreshing to travel up the Pacific Northwest and photograph such amazing people! Here is a teaser of a couple shots from a trash the dress session I did with Marty + Sarah the day after. I have so much to post and Im not sure I can cover it all in the next couple of days. So you will just have to wait and see!

Shayne + Ashleigh {Wedding, Nipomo}

Shayne + Ashleigh got married in Shaynes grandparents backyard. What an enchanted little grove of trees and hangy stuff! I felt honored to be there to witness their wedding because they really only had family and close friends in attendance.

There are some fun little facts about this couple that ties my story and their story together. If you are into it, read on!

Fact #1: Years ago Ashleigh worked with my wife Anna at her dads auto body shop. I used to go into the office and visit Ashleigh when I would meet her father there for lunch once a week. (confused yet?) It was those random Tuesday afternoons that I would chat with the blonde girl who sat in the desk looking very office-professional with her phone head piece that reminded me of a country music singers microphone. One of those random lunch days I invited the cute blonde to a group outing and the rest is history.

Fact #2: My mother in law made this dress by hand! Crazy lady, huh?! She did an amazingly amazing job. Ashleigh had a vision, expressed it to Vickey and they were both so pleased with the result! If anyone wants a one of a kind Victoria original hit me up. I have her details.

Mr. Miagi wasnt exactly one of the groomsmen but he asked me if I could take a picture of him and his dogs.

Fact #3: I actually photographed Shaynes cousins wedding 2 years ago at this same location. That was the first time that I met Shayne. You may recognize Denton from some of the pictures that are in my wedding gallery. It was so awesome to see both Denton and Sayde again as well as their newest family addition!

Fact #4: Ashleighs father Jose married them. He is my good friend and also my pastor.





Fact #5: Ashleigh looked stunning! (that actually has nothing to do with me, but its true) You could really sense the joy that flowed from Shayne as he gazed into his new brides deep blue eyes! What an awesome day!

Dale + Tiffany {Wedding, Avila Beach}

Dale + Tiffany got married at the Avila Beach Golf Resort during the epic heat wave we had a couple of weeks ago. It was crazy hot so we found lots of trees to hide under for picture time. After the ceremony the wedding site coordinator, Linda, escorted us around the course on golf carts and gave us wet rags that had been in the freezer. God bless you Linda!







They had hula girls dance during their reception, a legit kimono and a NBA or NFL (I dont know sports) grand entrance. It was rad! Check out their engagement pictures if you are a blog stalker.

Michael + Jennifer {Wedding, Holland Ranch}

Anna and I had such a wonderful time shooting the new-Newsom-two-some at the Holland Ranch here in San Luis Obispo. It was a perfect day! I just couldnt handle how beautiful the mountain backdrop was. Jen was an absolutely stunning bride and Mike was looking dapper as can be. It was so much fun to photograph their wedding because I have known Mike since he was just a wee lad.

Lori Boe did such a fantastic job on the flowers. I am always so impressed by the unique life and vibrancy that she adds to a wedding. Joe Labarbera did an awesome job playing the tunes and keeping the party flowing. What an awesome day!










My good friend, Jeff Newsom, is Mikes brother and was one of the best men. It was cool having him on the other side of the camera for once. I was excited to finally grab a shot of Jeff and Kim. We have been meaning to photograph them since Jeff shot our engagement pictures and then wedding up to 2 years ago. So serious!


As the sun was setting Newsom and I took Mike and Jen down to the pond for a few more shots. Jeff really wanted to shoot a killer lighting shot of Jen with his soft box. Check out his version of this same moment. One word: AWESOME!


If you want to see their engagement pictures; then do it!

Philip + Alicia {Wedding, Santa Margarita Ranch}

Alicia + Philip had a proper wedding day celebration at Santa Margarita Ranch. Everyone enjoyed the festivities. From the kegs flowing with German beer to the live Polka band, it was hard not to party. They even had helium balloons which I convinced the groomsmen to hold for a picture. Surprisingly, they graciously complied with my weird photographer ideas.

Alicia was thrilled to get married to the man of her dreams! It turns out they were high school sweethearts that broke up and got back together a couple of times. Philip tried dating other girls and ended up just dating girls named Alicia. It got to where his cousin referred to the new Alicias as Alicia 2, Alicia 3, ect. When he got back together with Alicia 1, Phils cousin couldnt decide if Alicia 1 was Alicia 4 or just Alicia 1 again. Phil says she was always number 1.

Thanks to everyone who made Simon and I feel so welcome and loved.










Check out their engagement pictures.