Nina + Eric // Yosemite Engagement

Somewhere around three weeks ago, I had a scheduled phone call with Nina and Eric, an engaged couple who was looking for the right photographer to capture their wedding day for early next year. We hopped on a video call, and within minutes, we learned that we were both vacationing in Colorado from California. It made for a good conversation starter, however, we quickly uncovered many similarities the longer we chatted and the connection just felt serendipitous right from the start...annnnnd that's how we ended up in Yosemite together, just a little over a week from our initial phone call.

This was by far the most spontaneously planned engagement session I've ever done, but due to the connection we established on that video call and learning we were both randomly going to be in Yosemite on the same exact dates, I knew a last minute engagement adventure was the perfect option for our new "team". I think all of our eyes collectively lit up at the idea of adventuring around in the most serene, perfect nature, so it was an easy, "I'm in, if you're in!" unanimous kind of decision.

We hit a comical number of roadblocks when trying to meet up in a MASSIVE National Park with zero reception on this day, but the fact that we made this day happen at all still feels so impressive, and I'm still so proud of how hard we hustled to make it to all of our premeditated locations on this day. Sure, we might have SPRINTED during a mile hike in to chase the sunset at our last location, but we knew it was worth it the second we saw the views. Our destinations on this day were even more magical in person, but I'd like to add that these images of Nina and Eric being blissfully in love actually DO these locations justice.

We hiked back to our cars with headlamps and iphone flashlights, and I left with a giant smile on my face, feeling like somehow we just conquered the world. Thank you to this amazing power couple for saying yes to this experience...I don't think any of us can forget that one (or the fact that we saw a freaking bear?!).

Kelly & CJ // Yosemite Wedding

About two months before this wedding took place, I received an email from the bride, telling me in the world's most casual way that her wedding venue has basically flooded, and that they were no longer able to have their wedding at said location. Instead of panicking or even being 2% upset, she ended the email with, "Can you shoot our wedding in Yosemite by chance? ". Uh, DONE AND DONE.

Beyond being the most excited wedding photographer in the world to shoot my first wedding in Yosemite, I was also so excited to work with this couple, and nothing could have prepared me for HOW.MUCH.FUN. they were to work with. I think they laughed/smiled for 8 hours straight on this day, and I can't say I've ever seen clients HANDLE a zipline with such coordination before (and in heels+stunning wedding garb?). Even though the bi-polar forecast kept us on our toes and almost had us moving a fully outdoor wedding to all indoors, it stayed put long enough for us to capture the breathtaking nature that Yosemite has to offer, and it was honestly the most remarkable natural light I've ever worked with (that cloud cover!!!).

I loved the natural story that unfolded on this day, and I am so freaking grateful for clients like Kelly and CJ who let me "my thing" and trusted me completely. Cheers to this incredible couple who I am absolutely obsessed with...you guys are the real deal. <3

Venue+Catering: Rush Creek Lodge

Hair: Gia Tummillo

Makeup: Sara Chestnutt-Fry

Florals: Whitney Hanson