Mark + Katie {Big Sur}

One of my favorite things about living on the Central Coast is that Big Sur is just a 2 (or so) hour drive North of my house. I literally drive one block from my house and I’m on HWY 1. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastland in all of California! That’s why Katie and Mark flew all the way from Canada to have a short and sweet wedding at the cozy Henry Miller Library. Drew from Cana VP joined me for the adventure because he is addicted to Big Sur. Check out his fun movie below.

















Mark and Katie from Ben Potter & Drew Barefoot on Vimeo.

Wes + Sam {Melbourne, Australia}

It’s a humbling thing to be flown across the world for a wedding. My heart was immediately touched with a deep sense of honor and love for Wes and Samantha. They have such a quiet beauty. A chemistry that needs little action or words to be visible to all who surround.

I met Wes almost 3 years ago… on my wedding day! He showed up at my door as my groomsmen and I were getting ready. He was a guest of friend who surprised us from England. I remember Wes asking me who took all of the photos hanging in my gallery. When I confessed that it was me, he confidently declared, “Someday I will hire you to photograph my wedding.” I shrugged it off figuring it wouldn’t happen.

I was wrong.

Because Wes’ family live in Australia he and his bride planned a quaint destination wedding in a massive botanical garden with an Auzzie BBQ reception to follow.

It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the Brits and Aussies. They welcomed me into their homes as one of their own. I found myself resting as if surrounded by life long friends. I left inspired by the wonderment that the same love story I capture week after week in California is alive and blossoming at the world’s farthest corners.













Wes’ dad gently held Samantha’s hand to publicly welcome her into the family.






Wes’ brother picked up my 2nd camera and stole the shot of me. Great work for a first time tilt-shifter!

Derek + Shelly {Santa Barbara}

Shelly + Derek had the most beautiful wedding on the beach of Santa Barbara at the Fess Parker Double Tree Resort. It was one of those days where I leave the wedding 8 hours and thousands of images later feeling renewed and energized. Their love was what was most inspiring. It was the kind of love that welled up into tearful sobs and occasional shouts of joy. Derek sang a song to Shelly as a surprise during the ceremony and Shelly sang a surprise song back during the reception. Let’s just say that neither of them are professional musicians, but they totally excel in the romance department! I was moved to tears a few times myself just being a witness to their heartfelt vows and love songs.

My friends over at Cana Video Productions made an amazing preview movie of the whole wedding celebration that brought everyone to tears during the reception. It was cry-fest 2009!

I also worked with a coordinator that is like a secret agent because she is so awesome that she doesn’t have a website and doesn’t even advertise. Her name was Pamela Galvin. I think you have to know someone who knows her to get a consultation. ;) What I was blown away with most by her was her professionalism mixed with flexibility; always yielding to the way the couple wanted or needed the day to go rather than according to her agenda. She made everyone feel at ease and excited to be a part of Derek + Shelly’s wedding day team.

After you check out all of their lovely photos be sure to watch Cana’s preview movie below.



















What is so incredible about Cana Video Productions is that while guests eat dinner at the reception Ben edits a wedding day preview movie from footage just hours old. And if that’s not crazy enough Drew writes music ahead of time and records it for the soundtrack. These guys are a creative fury of awesomeness!


Preview: Derek and Shelly from Ben Potter & Drew Barefoot on Vimeo.