A-WEDDING LOCATIONS- Foothills

I first met the Ellis family for some photographs about 16 years ago. They got in touch this year as Ava, their oldest was graduating from St. Francis High School. We included the whole family since it was time for some updated photographs. Ava runs cross-country and track and is planning on attending college locally, studying abroad and then transferring to a UC. Ruby, Ava’s younger sister plays soccer and loves creating visual art. It was great to reconnect with this family after so long. Wishing you the best next year, Ava.

I love these two! And, as it often goes, I met Soudi and Mike at a wedding this summer where they were part of the wedding party of another wedding I was photographing. Referrals are the best and usually yield super kind and cool folks. Mike and Soudi were married at the Wedgewood Sequoia Mansion in Placerville in the Veranda room on a beautiful winter day in December. Their nuptials includedboth an American ceremony and a traditional Persian ceremony. Mike’s uncle who is super funny and personable performed the American ceremony and Soudi’s dad, a bit more soft spoken, and…

It took decades for the time to be right and this past August, the time was right. Nearly thirty years later, their connection was renewed. Dave and Pam met in high school and in fact there is even a photo of them at the dance in their high school yearbook. I love stories like this. It was joy all day long with these two. They wanted a chill day- they got one. They wanted to let go of the details and just be with each other and family and friends- celebrating their love. AND they did. These are the weddings…

I can tell you who liked being the center of attention, the singer from the awesome mariachi band that played both at the church and at the cocktail hour. They were sooo fun!

High on a hill, with rows of vines shimmering in diffused light and gently sloping southeast, Elena and Josh exchanged vows at the home of Elena’s parents, Tim and Karen Jolly, owners of a beautiful vineyard and farm, WindRush. Out in the mid-day sun of a vineyard, this exposed location could have sent us photographers seeking shade to find the most flattering light, but not today. The clouds softened the light before it hit the ground all day long while we hit the ground running to capture their wedding day. Avoiding a forecasted rain, there was just a slight hint…

Scott and Christina married at Serrano Country Club on April 9, 2022- and the next morning I left for Scotland- which is why I’m getting these up a little later than usual. Talk about a chill bride, Christina was all that and more. They chose Serrano Country Club due in part to the proximity to their home but also, the crew at Serrano always host such an elegant affair. The ceremony was outside down by the big oak tree on the edge of the green and Christina arrived in a beautiful Rolls Royce to Scott who was waiting to see…

Towards the end of 2021 I received a message from Sandy that said, “Can you photograph a wedding?”
I said, “Whose wedding?” to which she responded, “It’s my turn now!”

March 19 was one of those early spring days in northern California where you knew rain was in the forecast, you just didn’t when it was going to start and for how long. According to Harrison, it didn’t make a bit of difference to him, he was marrying Sarah, the love of his life. Indoor, outdoor…let’s just do it! Having been a bride with the experience of a full-on downpour on our mostly outdoor wedding, I’m empathetic to this and am able to help keep my couples focused on what is most important if needed. “Wet bride, lucky bride”,  “A…

September was locals’ month for me. Ryan and Stephanie’s wedding was the 2nd local-family wedding that I had in September and at a local venue, Shadowridge Ranch. I enjoy witnessing these milestones with people I know. It’s fun to have an insider perspective at a wedding. Over the past decade, I’ve photographed all three of the O’Rilley kids as they graduated from a high school senior to an adult. Here are Ryan’s senior pics, for fun. Just last year, I got a chance to meet Stephanie, Ryan’s girlfriend for the first time while photographing the whole family at the lake.…