Tova & Tyler in Seattle | San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Photographer

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to head to Seattle, WA to teach 4 completely full classes at the Click Away conference. Two of my classes were styled wedding shoots, the first of which was with Tyler and Tova. If you recognize Tova it's because she actually modeled for a styled shoot that I did with BHLDN in Seattle last year! This year she brought along her boyfriend Tyler and along with 25 other photographers we shot in a few of Seattle's most iconic locations.

Hair and makeup: Ashley L Smith

Dress: The Dress Theory

Kelly & Patrick's Edgewood Lake Tahoe Wedding

Kelly and Patrick got married on a beautiful July afternoon at the always stunning Edgewood Lake Tahoe. I have been anxiously awaiting this wedding for over a year. Why? After meeting Kelly and Pat at their engagement session, I knew that I would have a wonderful time not only photographing their event, but simply being around them. We share a couple of friends and everyone made me feel more like a guest than the photographer. The girls got ready at the Embassy Suites on South Lake Tahoe Blvd and the guys got ready right next door at one of the "H" hotels...Harvey's? Harrah's? Horizon? I always get them confused! I think it was Harrah's. haha. After the guys were transported to the venue, the girls climbed in the limo bus, toasted to Kelly & Pat's big day, and so the wedding began! As Kelly walked down the aisle, Patrick's expression said it all. Overlooking the blue water of Lake Tahoe, Kelly and Pat became Mr. & Mrs. Rhodes in front of their family and friends. The perfect wedding.

Thank you both for including me in your special day. It was one that I will never forget!

....little boys, I tell you! :)

"I'm king of the world!!!"

I thought this was a fantastic way to serve beer! The bartender always kept a handful of glasses ready for guests to walk up and grab. It's the small things that excite me ;)

Chug chug chug! Who do you think will win....?

My 2nd shooter, Anita, captured this exchange between Patrick and his parents. I simply love it!

Jeff & Cherill's Serrano Country Club Wedding | El Dorado Hills Wedding Photographer

Jeff and Cherill are a sweet, kind couple. At their wedding consultation, they grilled me a bit harder than most people (which I welcome and encourage, by the way) so when they decided on the spot to hire me, I was extremely flattered. We did their engagement photos in Monterey and Carmel and they even treated me to Starbucks after we were done, which if you know me, you know that's one way to my heart (Starbucks, that is)! Photography was very important to them so I knew I needed to really deliver. Well, on their wedding day, boy, did they make it easy! A wedding day can be a stressful event, especially for the bride, but both Cherill and Jeff were calm as cucumbers and laughing all day long. When a couple is relaxed and truly having a good time at their wedding (and really, isn't that what every couple wants?) the wedding photography jumps to a new level simply because the photographer can take photos that show a gamut of emotions. Giant smiles and tears are my personal favorite ;)

Venue: Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills Videographers: Heritage Video DJ & Professional Lighting: Music & More Entertainment by Bryan Greenwalt Chocolate Fountain: Chocolate Fountains of Sacramento

Thank you, Jeff & Cherill! I had a wonderful time at your wedding and I consider you both friends.

Daaaaang, Jeff! You're a natural :)

Cherill, you are so beautiful!

I. Love. You. Muah! :)

During some of the formals, I asked Jeff and Cherill to kiss for a photo. Well, since their whole family was still milling around and watching, they did the fastest peck ever, so I joked that I needed more of a "real" kiss. Cherill, who has a great sense of humor, gave Jeff and unexpected, HUGE smooch. I love it!

...not to be outdone, Jeff's best man had to get in on the action.

They had quite the paparazzi during the speeches!

My 3rd photographer for the evening. What can I say, I start 'em young! haha