Karina and Matt were married two years ago in an intimate beach wedding in Carmel. Karina and Matt live three hours away, so I can only imagine how much went into the wedding planning and finalizing the details without being local to the area. They hired a photographer (not me), paid the photographer, and the photographer showed up to shoot their wedding as agreed upon. Karina and Matt were married on a beautiful day in Carmel and I’m sure it was everything they dreamed of. They began their happily-ever-after and anticipated receiving their wedding photos as expected.
Two years later, Karina contacted me and her story broke my heart... After two years, they never received their wedding images from their photographer and at this point, they don’t know if they ever will.
My heart dropped and my response was “Please… tell me what I can do for you two…” and from there we exchanged numerous emails, sharing ideas on how we could do a re-do of their wedding day.
So here it is!!!
Thank you so much Karina and Matt for making the trip out here! I am so happy to have met you both and feel really fortunate to be able to shoot your wedding portraits. And Sharnie.... thank you!
To my upcoming brides & grooms, rest assured I WILL PUT MY HEART AND SOUL INTO DOCUMENTING YOUR BIG DAY AND YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR WEDDING IMAGES AS PROMISED. I take my job seriously and I take pride in my work ;)
Back in 2007, a friend of mine asked me to help her out with headshots for the cd cover of her demo. We spent an afternoon shooting and having fun, but it was her reaction to the final images that I found most fulfilling. We looked at the final product together and her immediate reaction was...
"Is that me?" as her eyes lit up, staring in awe at the computer screen.
I respond, "Yup that's YOU. Beautiful."
That moment defined the direction my life would go in... Fast forward to 2012 and here I am putting my heart and talent into sharing the same feeling with others. To take things just a notch higher… I am now offering BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY simply because every woman deserves to feel gorgeous.
And I know what you're thinking as you read this... Why would anyone want to take boudoir pictures?
WHY?
Because you deserve to get all done up with hair and makeup, feel beautiful, and have this spotlight moment just for yourself. Plan on your family photos next time around. Now it's just your turn. It's all about YOU on this day.
WHEN?
NOW is the best time. If you let that little voice in your head tell you "When I lose five more pounds..." or "When my hair grows out just a little bit more...", then it will never happen because you'll keep making excuses and you'll never get to experience the feeling of seeing how beautiful you really are.
BUT WHAT WOULD I DO WITH PICTURES OF MYSELF?
Whatever you want! Surprise your husband on your anniversary or boyfriend on his birthday with a sexy, fine art book of your really tasteful photos. Or even better... do it for yourself just because! Save your book as a keepsake to look back on and remember how you had it goin' on back in the day;)
WHO WILL BE AT THE SHOOT AND WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Women only: You, me, and the pro makeup artist.
I encourage you to bring your best friend, sister or mom for support if needed! My shoots are really easygoing, comfortable and fun. If you've ever had a portrait session with me, you can expect the same, just sexy. Always classy and tasteful.
BUT I'M NOT A MODEL AND I DON'T WANNA BE HALF NAKED!
So what! All you have to do is have fun and trust that I will capture you in the most flattering way. You can rock a long fur coat down to your ankles if you wanted to stay covered up.... there's a way to pull sensual and sexy out of an image. You can be as dressed or undressed as you want.
WILL YOU POST MY PICTURES ON THE BLOG OR FACEBOOK?
Your images are strictly confidential. I would never share your images unless you say it's ok, which actually goes for any types of photos I take, whether it's portraits, a wedding, boudoir, etc.
SO HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKIN' HERE?
I hold boudoir marathons where boudoir photo sessions will be scheduled back to back at a local, modern hotel. At your appointment time, you'll have your makeup done professionally (sexy lashes and all) then we'll shoot. The boudoir session fee is $250 and will include a cd of at least 12 retouched images that will look like they came straight out of a magazine. Add a sexy, custom book (highly recommended) for an additional fee.
If you would rather have a shoot on your own time, in the comfort of your home or at a hotel provided by you, I can do that too! The makeup artist and I will come to you.
If you have any questions, or you're interested and would like to know the date of my next boudoir marathon, contact me now! Open to 18+ only.
There's nothing like sunshine after weekends of rain. Having to reschedule Olivia and Kris' engagement session WEEK AFTER WEEK due to weekend rain frustrated all three of us. Fortunately, on this day, the sun came out just for them, and it was worth the wait...
Through our phone calls and emails, I knew Olivia and Kris would be fun to shoot. And now that I've met them in person, I'm even more excited to shoot their big day!
I love love LOVE this shot...
It was so nice to finally meet you both! Can't wait for July to come around!!!
Not much of a presence on the blog, I know, but this will change.
As a photographer, I live to capture moments and I tell stories through imagery. This is my creative outlet. This is my passion. I need a camera and photography like I need air to breathe and live.
As a business, I spend more time behind the scenes than I do behind the lens, which is where I have been for the last month.... preparing contracts, responding to emails, working on projects, scrambling to meet deadlines, upgrading gear, amping up for wedding season, and the list goes on. I am SO EXCITED for a couple upcoming projects I’ve had in the works and also some special shoots I’ve got lined up in between.
I sometimes have to stop where I am, take a deep breath and remind myself why I do this and what it is in my heart that led me to this place. Photography has a brought a pure joy to my heart and I’m truly blessed to be able to do what I love.
It’s the question everyone asks an engaged couple. In between the clicks of my shutter, I asked, “So… how’d you guys meet???”
One responds, “On e-harmony…”
Then the other responds, “I mean at Hooters…”
Then I hear, “No we met on a plane…”
With each response, I imagined a sweet story behind it. So let’s keep their love story a mystery. What matters most is that these two beautiful souls found eachother and since then, literally everything in their life has been falling into place.
As we roamed through Monterey one early morning, it felt as if no one else was around. Alex and Erik were simply themselves, in eachother’s company, and in love. I was fortunate enough to be able to capture this special time in their life.
Alex and Erik, I am counting down the days to your wedding!
As soon as I introduced myself to this cutie pie, she smiled and reached her little arms out to me. It wasn't hard to fall in love with Melody in that first moment.
Melody was so happy and full of smiles all morning. I whispered to her mom, thanking her for making sure Melody was well-rested and ready for pictures that early morning. She responded, "Oh no. She's always happy like this...".
Happy 1st birthday, Melody! Jamie, thank you for coming out to meet me!
