Archive for February, 2012

kim + will : a tahoe winter wedding

February 28

Normally I would make some sort of apology before bombarding you with a wedding post containing one hundred images.

Today, I won’t apologize.

Because all I care about is Kim + Will, and praying that they experience their wedding all over again, in all of it’s amazing little moments. And I hope that they know it wasn’t just beautiful to them, it was so beautiful to me. Not just because Kim told me years ago that I would photograph her wedding, and that the day finally came. It was because of how uniquely them everything felt. 

Kim + Will – thank you for trusting me so much to tell your story that you allowed me to get lost in it. To let this day unfold and experience it with you.

Your love is comfortable like a soft knit scarf and mittens.

It’s funny and quirky like the quote from Woody Allen you read at your ceremony.

And sometimes unexpected. Like snow all of a sudden falling from the sky. Right before your beautiful winter wedding.

Thank you for being real and letting all of us enjoy you two for all that you two are.

Alyssa did such an amazing job with Kim + Will’s cake! I loved the pinecones.

The best is yet to come, my friends.

xoxo,

Em

Posted in wedding | 11 Comments »
kara + chris : san francisco liberty hill engagement

February 23

If I had to have one artist and one artist only play the soundtrack to my life, it would be Bon Iver. There is no hesitation.

Waking – perth  ; sleeping – stacks ;  grocery shopping – blood bank  ; showering – holocene ; driving – skinny love ; at the gym – calgary ; doing laundry – michicant ; Every single thing would seem more epic and beautiful. Justin Vernon’s voice just has this way with my heart. I can’t explain it.

So now you know this about me.

Imagine me standing at my desk when I got Kara’s email about her wedding. Oh and by the way we got engaged at the Bon Iver concert at the Greek Theatre. 

Well then. There was no question in my mind that now I had to woo them.

They drove all the way down from Santa Rosa to meet with me and so I did what any girl does to woo someone. I made them tacos. And I am so thankful that it worked.

And Kara, who works to protect open spaces, and Chris, who makes websites work like magic, chose me to tell the story of their love and their wedding day. It’s a good fit.

Just like Bon Iver and Tacos.

this. really makes me giggle.

Kara + Chris. You fit like Bon Iver + Tacos. And I like you.

Also, shout out to my lovely friend Camille for doing such an amazing job on Kara’s hair and makeup. Hire her, people.

xoxo,

Em

Posted in engagement | 6 Comments »
a traveling heart : joshua tree

February 16

I’m not gonna fake the funk. I was nervous.

A trip with 11 other women who are not only beautiful but amazing photographers as well. And they all know each other already?!

This was my first trip with A Traveling Heart and I’m not gonna lie, it’s intimidating to jump into a group like this.

Instead of being any of those things, these women were warm, and loving, and inviting. And hilarious. And ridiculous. And wonderful.

Really. This trip was a breath of fresh air in my soul. I could go on and on, but I feel like these images, from 2 rolls of 35mm I shot while we were in Joshua Tree, really describe how it felt to be there and laugh and play with these girls.

I have a thankful heart.

I can’t wait until next time.

With all my heart,

Em

Posted in film, friends, personal, travel | 3 Comments »
carlee + chris : nob hill engagement

February 15

Carlee and Chris grew up together, went to the same high school, and then parted ways. They weren’t really even friends. Sometimes you never know who is going to reappear at just the right time…

They met again a few years later in Boston, and everything changed.

When we met up for their engagement session a little ways from their Nob Hill cottage in San Francisco, they told me how it happened just like that. It was simple : there was a spark when they reconnected in Boston and they have been inseperable ever since. The spark part I totally see. Carlee is energetic and fun, and Chris has a more understated confidence, and they are one of those couples that just balances each other out.

Carlee has her own blog + so even though we had never met before their engagement session I just had a feeling we would get each other. My suspicions were confirmed when we got to Swensen’s Creamery and she picked Mint Chip ice cream because the colors would pop in the photos. The only thing I love more than a girl who loves her ice cream is a girl who is committed to the photos.

I also love that my clients don’t mind that I can’t help myself but get my own scoop and fumble around with my camera, and the ice cream, and directing the photos…. it’s a hot mess but I love me some ice cream.

Carlee + Chris, I had so much fun wandering around the city with you two. You are so easy to photograph because your love is bright and fun and playful. I just adore the way you guys are with each other.

Thanks for sharing some ice cream with me…

This pic below is SO Carlee. And it makes me smile.

We stopped for a change of outfit at their adorable cottage. I love Carlee’s little touches on everything, I couldn’t resist a few images from their life here…

The view from Coit Tower was unreal.

So excited about their Bodega Bay wedding!! June is coming soon and I can’t wait.

xoxo,

Em

Posted in engagement | 5 Comments »
cristina + matt : tilden park engagement

February 13

Sometimes it’s all about being in the right place. At just the right moment.

I happen to think God orchestrates moments like Matt and Cristina’s meeting that day. But whether you think it’s God or the planets aligning two people into the same orbit, it’s undeniable that these are the kind of stories that make life meaningful. It’s the kind of story I live for.

On that day two Northern California kids happened to be in Washington D.C.

Matt happened to see Cristina in a restaurant, and bless his heart, straight out ask her out right then and there.

A stranger in search of someone to show him around D.C while he was visiting. Cristina says a thought crossed her mind – “Should I have just agreed to spend a day with a guy who is a complete stranger?” – and the thought passed and left and in it’s wake they had a day together that started something for forever. That was 2 years ago.

They told me, as we sat together in a little cafe together on a blustery day in the Mission District, that it was as close to love at first sight as you can get.

I think this counts as full-on love at first sight. And it makes me happy and grateful to document a love like that. We spent the afternoon together for their engagement session at Tilden Park, where they are getting married this August.

all the black and white images are scans from one roll of kodak tri-x 400 that I couldn’t resist shooting.

FEIRCE.

Matt + Cristina, I am so thankful that God brought you two together that fateful day in Washington D.C. and I’m so thankful he brought you to me. I love seeing him work in your love.

xoxo,
Em

Posted in engagement, film | 5 Comments »