Zion Lutheran Church Wedding Piedmont: Stacey & Shawn

I had recently been given the opportunity to assist in photographing the wedding of a lovely bride named Stacey and her fiance Shawn at Zion Lutheran Church in Piedmont. This church had special meaning to them as this was the same location Stacey's own parents were married years ago.   

Shawn is a proud fighter pilot for the United States Air Force and truly, when you're around folks who serve in that capacity for our country, you can't help but want to stand up, salute them, and say thank you. For real.

There was no mistaking the joy and happiness everyone felt for Shawn and Stacey on their big day. To be surrounded by your best girlfriends with all things happy - too priceless.

I adore details and the intricate beading and buttons of the dress' bodice were an absolute perfect touch!

After my own wedding, Justin took the time out of his schedule to go to the local dry cleaners to have my wedding dress dry cleaned and preserved in this special box that will keep it in pristine condition. This service cost about $200 (whaaaaat?!) but means that my dress will last something like 300 years. Something like that. Why do I mention this? Simply because seeing Stacey's own beautiful wedding dress made me want to rip open that box and re-live that princess feeling every girl experiences on her wedding day.


See what I mean? Stacey rocked that gorgeous dress.

I'll end with this photo. It was one of my favorite ones fo the night as it so accurately and beautifully captures who Shawn and Stacey are. In love and proud to show it off to the world.

Happy Friday!

Murrieta's Well Livermore Wedding: Michael + Lorene

I think it's always important to be thankful for the big things and the small things. The available parking spot closest to Target. Sunshine-y weather on your day off. A good hair day with no frizz. The remnants of a Toblerone chocolate bar you forgot about in the kitchen cupboard. (Oooooh, my personal favorite.)

Even being thankful for learning experiences that take place outside of my comfort zone.

A few posts back, I mentioned that I had the opportunity to help shoot a wedding alongside Ananda Shorey of Bliss Fotography. And looking back at the photos, remembering how nervous and excited I was to have been given such an opportunity, still brings a smile to my face.

In the midst of the anxiety and running around trying to learn and absorb all I could from this experience, (and of course, trying to make sure I didn't drop my own camera, trip over my own feet, or get in anyone's way), I grew in ways that only happen when you're out in the field. As a photographer and as an artist, I got to dive right into a real experience outside way beyond my nice little comfort zone.


And for that, as I'd said, I am thankful.

Here's to being thankful for learning experiences. And for Toblerone chocolate bars. 

Happy Monday!

My First Wedding and Freezing A Bit O' Happiness

There's a good chance I'm going to sound a bit babbly and a bit rambly in this post. I guess that's what happens when you're feeling happy, ecstatic, and incredibly blessed. You just tend to get a little cheesy. 

You know that feeling that you get when you see an 80 year old accomplish his lifelong dream of running a marathon? Or an artist dance their heart out on stage without fear or hesitation holding down any of their graceful moves? That feeling that makes you say to yourself, "Wow, that's so cool and I want to do that someday."

Well, what I've always wanted to do "someday" was to photograph a wedding and this past Saturday gave me a chance to do exactly that. Though I am still in the midst of culling and editing the final images, I wanted to share a sneak peak into a day that marked a turning point for Heartbox Photography and reminded me to never be afraid to take my camera and fly.

You just never know when you'll get a moment to freeze happiness for someone else.

Stay tuned...