Meet Sebastian, born to Amanda & Nick, he was 3 weeks full of wonder for our session. And so was his beautiful momma! One of my favorite parts from the day was watching their trio of dogs follow Amanda everywhere we she went in her home... "helping" :)
When my close friend Kate asked if I could shoot her wedding in Spain on July 3rd, I knew it would be lovely and amazing. What I didn't know was how awesome Granada would be when you have all your girlfriends around to roam the cobblestone at all hours, or how comforting would be the smell of a 14th century villa where the dust of time, books and night jasmine have settled into the tiles and crevices. Also unbeknownst was just how freezing the spring waters are rushing through the dry canyons, just how delicious and cheap the wine is, or how invigorating the pool would feel after sweating to flamenco at this gorgeous and intimate wedding across the ocean.
Kate, of course, knew all this because she is a wise seer of elegance, intellect and flair ...otherwise known as a hot genie (the kind that may or may not slip over to Beirut to cover a story for the New Yorker in the middle of a long honeymoon). A perfect match for the loyal, ever aspiring and artistic mind of her husband Camden who will welcome you with arms reminiscent of a Roman rower. You both make magic happen and I know you will in your life together. XO
Wedding Location: Palacete de Cazulas
Life on the farm starts early, and so it was most fitting for Kappie & Duncan to begin their wedding with a morning ceremony beyond the back porch of the groom's family home. The fields were still wet with a mix of rain and dew when each of their mothers poured dirt from their family homelands together- such a special aside to the ceremony. I love to take note of rituals like these. After a morning brunch the party disbanded only to return that evening to the cleared-out and cleaned-up former tobacco barn on the property. K&D even had the dirt leveled to make for an even dance floor. Pretty tight. -As were the gorgeous horses on the rolling Kentucky hills. Steeped in history, surrounded in camaraderie, and set to a gorgeous sunset was Part II of their wedding. I think leveling the floor was a good call with the way this crew could dance. Wishing these two an incredible life together. XO Kappie & Duncan
Leah Shapiro in Cozumel, Nassau, and a floating gym in the seas in between.
Joshua Tree, May 2017. 35mm
Actress, Reiki healer, and the beautifully abundant soul that is Lili Bordan is soon to be married! After kicking Michael, her beau-to-be, out of the house, friends pulled together to throw her a garden party bridal shower at her home in South Pasadena. There was plenty of witchy-ritual, tasty cocktails, fresh flowers twisted into crowns, guessing games and reiki-blessings (even Finn got one!). It was amazing to see Lili surrounded with a community of such strong female support. Hang onto your girlfriends y'all, they are your number ones! Here are some snaps from the afternoon. xo
Meet Sally & Nick, two beautiful New Yorkers with an affinity for flora, fauna and good company. The couple held their wedding at the verdant Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was the perfect backdrop of natural beauty for this marriage, full of charming toasts, good vibes, and one stunning non-traditional wedding dress. Sally picked out a long black dress, beautifully embellished in a colorful pattern from Sak's Fifth Avenue to be her wedding dress and she could not have chosen a better fit. Unless we're talking about the groom that is- these two seem perfect for each other!
There are two things you'll first notice about Dayna Bowers. These two traits are 1. her gorgeous light blue eyes that are probably the pathways to heaven. And 2. her sweet sweet Southern accent. And if you get the chance to say hello to Dayna, prepare yourself for a long goodbye- because this babe was born in the all-knowing-ways of North Carolina Southern Hospitality. Now that she's landed on the West Coast you can check her out in LA at the UCB's musical improv group. RESPECT. So much to love!
Perhaps you've seen her give birth on Grey's Anatomy or reveal her acting chops in another show that makes for an extensive IMDB. And if you've met Caroline in person, then you were in for a treat. This sweet vegan momma (of two!) emits a golden glow and has a dynamic energy. Can't wait to see where this adorable + sexy working mom and actress is going next! XO
I love shooting with Erin! Actress, avid hiker, writer and champion of the best self living on Hollywood Blvd.
I drove over to Morganton, NC on a chilly winter day to meet her. She greeted me in a cozy poncho, some coffee and pretty soon we were well into our shoot. I love that we chose to create these shots in her home, the environment reflecting her own minimal aesthetic.
Last October I had the pleasure of working with Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez of Blue Cactus, based in Durham NC. We shot this video during one long October afternoon outside & around Asheville, NC. These guys are a dream team and a dream to work with- they make modern classic country sound sooo good. The vid for the song "I Never Knew Heartache (and then I knew you)" premiered yesterday via Paste Magazine. See the article here. Their full album will be released 2/24 & is available for pre-order now.
I Never Knew Heartache (Then I Knew You) is from Blue Cactus' debut self-titled album. Self-released 2.24.17.
2017, dearest darling, I welcome you. Photos from a trip to Wadmalaw Island, SC one of my most treasured places... See the link to ongoing photos from past years here. Without cell service and with great friends, we slipped out of 2016 and into this brave new year on the best note I could ask for. xx
Banning Highschool in Southeast Los Angeles has bolstered their curriculum with a new class. That class? Firefighting. They've teamed up with the LAFD whose own firefighters (male + female) go to the school to provide both tactical and classroom instruction. One of my favorite parts from photographing that morning was seeing how into it the female students were, and the positive example the two female firefighters held for them. Listen + read the story for NPR here: http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/10/05/493141278/can-a-school-district-help-diversify-a-fire-department
Blue skies and golden leaves surrounded these two expert hand-holders at their wedding on October 29th in Tuckaseegee, North Carolina at Castle Ladyhawke. If you hold your partner's hand about as naturally as you breath air, something tells me it's meant to last. Ruthie & Tom, it was such a treat to meet you both and to be welcomed into a crowd of friends and family who were so ready to celebrate you. They clearly love y'all to pieces and it's easy to see why.
I met Wil and Katie during my time at UNC Chapel Hill, building individual friendships with them thumbing through records on Franklin St, winning NCAA championships, hitch-hiking to Cocoa Beach FL, late-night talks over cinnamon toast crunch, 80's dance parties and crisp Carrboro bike rides. Years later, their magnetic draw brought them together in Los Angeles, and before long these beautiful, quality humans found themselves engaged (beside a castle in Prague no less)! So when they decided where to get married, there was nothing like their mutual love of home and commitment to family that made a North Carolina wedding the clear choice. They did it right. Everything looked and felt perfect. The wedding held a golden glow the whole time... maybe it was the October air but it was probably Katie's smile. (And ALL the friends who love these two deeply.) I love seeing how happy these two friends make each other. To both of y'all, congratulations!
Location: Starlight Meadow near Burlington, NC. Dress by BHLDN.
I love that I'm from North Carolina y'all. Especially when going home is like this... friends throwing a post apocalyptic themed feast on top of a mountain.
Jensen's Center Echo Park. Styling by Anna Calloway.
The prep photos are always some of my favorite pictures from a wedding... kind of similar in spirit to why christmas eve feels so special... the anticipation, the prep, the (relative) calm, the community and those beautifying details that are so special. I already posted a few instax that I loved of gracie getting ready in Granada, Nicaragua... but decided that's not enough! Here are a few more off my mark ii. Gracie... a Sophia Loren of her own kind.
A little sister is on the way for little Ben, Jennifer & Chris! So amazing watching this family grow.
