Cheryl and Michael ~ Stemple Creek California Ranch Wedding
I have been sure for a while that I ONLY want to do wedding photography, specifically destination weddings, intimate weddings, & SMALL weddings or elopements… Cheryl and Michael changed my mind about much of that with their Stemple Creek California Ranch wedding.
Only Wedding photography….
The reason behind “only wedding photography” philosophy is my love for cinematic storytelling and documentary photography. During a wedding there is a story arc: getting ready (bride and groom), ceremony, couples portraits & reception. In addition, the light of the day shifts over the course of the event and then all the parts come together to create a cohesive tale.
Only Small Weddings and elopements….
Furthermore, small weddings and elopements create the time and space necessary to capture intimacy and moments. Small weddings and elopements don’t seem to have the same kind of time pressures. This California ranch wedding however was jam packed with moments and intimacy, with lots of time and space. Cheryl and Michael are now credited with expanding my professional aspirations… I have opened my mind to pursuing bigger and bigger weddings and I am daydreaming about family portraits and maternity shoots. WHAT?!?!
Family Portraits and Maternity shoots?!?!?
Yesterday as I sat at my desk processing hours and hours of wedding photography bliss I found myself daydreaming about Cheryl’s pregnancy shoot and the years of family photos that would follow. Assuming that they have children ;-). The point is that this wedding and couple moved me to see beyond the glorious wedding day and inspired curiosity about their continuing life story. I have been moved beyond my limited photographic and professional perspective into a much more relational realm. What I wouldn’t give to photograph the birth of my wedding couples first baby and weave a lifetime of monumental moments into the stories that started on the wedding day. Exciting: No pressure Cheryl.
Wedding Day:
Addy (my daughter) and I hit the road at 6:00 AM to make the 3 hour drive to Stemple Creek Ranch. Addy was shooting as my second, which is now another reason I love bigger weddings. Working with either or both of my children in a family business is a bucket list item. Check! We arrived at 10AM.
We left at 9:00pm and got home at 12:00am which amounted to an 18 hour day. I felt energized. I love my “job”. Many many thanks to Cheryl and Michael for expanding my horizons and many blessings in your lives together. (don’t lose my number)
Venue: Stemple Creek Ranch
Dress: BHLDN Whispers and Echoes
Shoes: Badgly Mischka
Florist: Felice Faison
Catering: Anaviv
DJ: All Ears DJ