Being back at Chatham Hall, in many ways, can feel for me like time has stood still. Most of the same traditions still exist as when I was a student at this Virginia Boarding school 30 years ago. My French Teacher, Mary Lee Black, (aka: “Madame”) has remained, although retiring this year after more than two decades of service. Even the students looked familiar, a few of them daughters of my own classmates. I was reminded that the school has also retained the same spirit of generosity and kindness that I remember fondly from my time there; Shelley, my assistant…

The Fausel Family are near-and-dear to my hearts not least because I have had the privilege of photographing many amazing weddings at their ranch in the past few years. Fausel Ranch is simply one of the most beautiful and friendly wedding locations to work at in El Dorado County and, through those weddings, I have had the honor of becoming a friend of the Fausel family. In addition to photographing two Fausel family weddings (check out Mark + Sharlot and Albert + Melissa) in the past, Deanna and David have been kind enough to refer numerous other close family and friends to…

  The road behind her family home led to the perfect spot for my session with graduating Senior, Amanda, recently. The light was stunning – as was Amanda’s smile – and the cool, clear waters of the Consumnes River added the perfect backdrop. I met Amanda’s family through some good friends, the Crovitz family, on a group camping trip to Wench Creek. Laura, Amanda’s mom, remembered the Crovitz’s own daughter’s Senior session and looked me up when graduation time was near. I’m so glad she did. Amanda has been home-schooled and so it was fitting that mom came along to…

I adore this family! I have been photographing them for several years, dating back to 2006 when I shot Tony and Tara’s engagement photos. My how their family has grown, starting with their daughter Zoe (check out this great “Then and Now” blog post from Zoe’s first birthday) and then baby Wyatt (who is now no longer a baby), and now their newest addition to the family, Gage. Although I have fun with all my clients, there are just some families you “click” with; there is a level of comfort and easiness that flows both ways and I am lucky…

Jen and Dave are getting married in August, with a weekend long celebration at the American River Resort in Coloma. And, as you can see, they enjoy kayaking. Living in the Sierra there are so many beautiful slopes to ski, trails to hike, and lakes to explore. I just love it when I run into couples like Jen and Dave who enjoy outdoor adventure as much as I do and want to incorporate that into their session; it’s the perfect blending of my two passions plus it makes their session so much more unique and personal. The “Just Engaged” signs…

Congratulations to Shanna and Jon, who married recently at the Wedgewood Sequoia in Placerville. You may remember this fun and easy-going couple from my engagement session with them at Boeger Winery & downtown Placerville in March. It was great to get to know them a little before their special day; it really does make all the difference in being more relaxed on their wedding day. Shanna and Jon, like many of my couples, chose to do a First Look before their ceremony. I love that private moment when the groom gets to see his bride for the first time! You…

Beautiful Cammy is graduating this spring and heading to California Baptist University in Southern California to study drama. She is currently in the El Dorado High School production of “Cats” and so she is no stranger to the stage. We met up recently to commemorate her graduation at Sly Park Lake, where we talked about her summer plans to run, hike, and camp with friends and family. I loved Cammy’s sweet and playful nature, making goofy faces in the field and splashing in the lake. She definitely has enough personality to light up the stage, the same way she does the camera,…

It was a beautiful April day for Courtney and Chris’ wedding at the Wedgewood Sequoia.  Despite a hiccup with the bride’s dress that meant she had to switch gowns in the final days, everything was simply perfect – including their amazing purple and gold cake with peacock feathers. Courtney and Chris clearly wanted a day that was focused on them and their love and that’s just what they got. You can see from  their playfulness in the grass outside the Sequoia and the way that they continually kissed during their first dance, that they’re going to be so incredibly happy…

Dulce and Jorge’s wedding at the Wedgewood Sequoia last month was a beautiful joining of two families, bringing together not only the bride and groom but three girls as sisters: Dulce’s daughters, Mia and Karina, and Jorge’s daughter, Kennedy. Jorge’s proposal last year was quite the romantic affair. He took Dulce on a horse and carriage ride through Central Park in New York, accompanied by a dozen red roses and a paparazzi-like photographer that followed along on a skateboard. Then, at a perfectly-researched spot, with the New York skyline as backdrop, he dropped to one knee and asked Dulce to…

This was such a fun and unique engagement session for Sheri and Mike, who are getting married in June at the Wedgewood Sequoia. Our location was their farm in Elk Grove that has been in Sheri’s family for more than 100 years. Sheri’s parents moved back to the farm when she was in 7th grade and she and Mike now live there with their herd of 8 does and 20 goats. Sheri shared so many happy memories from her childhood during our session, from feeding the sheep her grandfather bought her at age 6, to “roller-coaster” rides in hay buckets.…

Graydon has the biggest, chubbiest, happiest smile and he instantly puts you in a good mood. I had so much fun capturing him and his parents at Larsen’s Apple Barn recently. Graydon and his family are no strangers to me and my lens, however. I have photographed Graydon three times before, beginning with his birth, then again as a newborn, and once more just 4 months ago as an infant. What many of my clients may not know is that, if I photograph your wedding and if I am available, I will also photograph your first child’s birth as a…

Kelly and Chase purchased my Baby Package and this was their third session with me to celebrate their daughter, Makena’s, first birthday. You can see her newborn photos here and her 5-month session here. Wow, how time flies! Makena was super cute as the birthday princess in her little pink tutu, prancing around Larsen’s Apple Barn, in Camino. Meanwhile mom had fun swapping out outfits, ribbons, and accessories. Unfortunately, Makena was also teething, poor thing, which meant she wasn’t all smiles. Mom, Dad, and I spent some time holding her, distracting her with new activities, and, finally, soothing her with a welcome…