This year, I’ve shot quite a bit with Keri of Keri Pinzon Photography.  I met her last year when I responded to a request for a 2nd shooter.  We met, talked and I shot a wedding with her.  I really like how laid back and easy going Keri is.  To be honest, I’ve tried to match her calmness in my own weddings.  She does beautiful work and I’m so glad to call her a friend!  I am always excited to shoot with Keri and she’s been able to share some great information with me about different areas of photography.  I admire her style.  It has a distinct editorial feel to it- really inspiring to me.

Almost two weeks ago, I joined Keri in Woodinville, WA to shoot a wedding at Columbia Winery.  It was just a beautiful day and the light all day was amazing!  Today I’m sharing some of the details from the day….later in the week I’ll showcase some of the portraits.

In other news, my kids go back to school tomorrow- and guess what?  It’s raining…..it seems like the last few years it’s always rained on the first day of school.  Does anyone remember the downpour I was caught in last year?  Happy Tuesday friends!

Let me tell you a few things about this lovely lady.  She’s GORGEOUS, glamorous, an expert on make-up application, a fabulous mother, and freaking hilarious.  Brittney ALWAYS says what’s on her mind and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is.  She’s also one of the strongest women I knew….and I’m not talking about strength, I’m talking about, she takes situations in her life, and works for what she wants.  She has faith and patience that I don’t think many of us will ever know.  And lastly she’s an amazing mother.  To say that Brittney is a wonder woman would be an understatement.  We also share some crazy background things, so it was just easy to be friends with her!  We both managed the same Victoria’s Secret store, just a few years a part, and we both have worked for Clinique (she still does).

When Jaxon- Brittney’s other half, got out of the Navy, they moved to Georgia and now Britt lives ALL the way across the country!  We miss her so much here, but she’s made a pretty great life for herself there and is SO happy.  Thank goodness for Facebook, flights and events where we can meet up during the year.  Recently Brittney and Jaxon were sealed with their children in the Draper, Utah LDS Temple. The day before, we did a few portraits at the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.  It was just a great weekend, and I was so happy to be able to be there with friends to celebrate this happy day for them.  On Saturday, all of us girls got back together for shopping and food and it was like we’d never been a part.  Hopefully we can connect like that at least once a year.

Now…since I’ve written a book, I’m going to post the pictures that Brittney  has been patiently waiting for.  She had a great dinner for close friends and family to celebrate their milestone at LaCaille in Sandy, UT.  This place is just amazing.  The grounds are beautiful, and the peacocks abound!  Enjoy……

Brittney and Jaxon, I am SO proud of you guys.  You are definitely great examples of what love is.  It’s not always easy, it’s a lot of hard work, but it can be so rewarding right?  You have a beautiful family, and I’m so honored to call you friends!  Miss you guys!

♥Katie

Thursday, Brittney and Jaxon visited the Salt Lake Temple.  After their session we did some quick portraits there for them…..

Then on Friday, we met at the Draper, Utah Temple and they were sealed as a family for time and all eternity.  I’ve never been to the Draper Temple and it was beautiful with a amazing view of the valley!

so special that their kids could be there with them!

this photo makes me SO happy!  Brittany looks so happy here and it almost makes me tear up a little.

then off to LaCaille we went.   I can’t explain how beautiful it was there and it was SO Brittney, she definitely chose a place to celebrate that reflects them.  Do you see her “TO DIE FOR DRESS”?  Yep, she had it imported from France and custom made to her.  They added some sleeves and a few other things, but I just love it!

I just love this series…we all know I love artsy things and these make me think art.  They’re going to go in my studio!

These next portraits I love!  We didn’t get out and away from the party until it was dark outside, but I was so happy we did.  We got to do things I’ve never done before and I was just inspired by the lighting and the setting, allowing me to get some portraits that were unique to anything I’d ever done before

I love these stolen moments alone together…..

THIS is the photo for me.  Doesn’t she look like she should be gracing the pages of a fashion magazine?

and finally the end of the night.  These were inspired from my good friend Simon Revill in England!  He does some amazing work with lamp posts and night time, so when I saw this I thought of him…..

For those of you who are photographers, all these outdoor shots were taken with a Nikon D700 and all natural and available light.  No flash was used at all.  I bumped up the ISO and used the lighting that was on the grounds.  Definitely a challenge, but I couldn’t be happier with the results and I’m adjusting nicely to Nikon  Happy weekend!

1.  I’m grateful that my dad is alive and with us and doing great in his recovery from a bone cancer called Chordoma.  He posted an update on his Facebook journal today and I appreciate my dad for his faith and positive attitude.  It’s a great example to me

2.  I’m thankful for an amazing family and friends I have!  We support each other and are there for whatever happens in our lives.  I’m especially grateful that some of them keep me accountable for the goals I set for myself, and that a few in particular (you know who you are) push me to RUN everyday.  I feel so much better and am running farther and farther each week!

3.  I love my kids and am so thankful that I’m able to be their mom.  They have special personalities and they teach me things every day.  I’m especially thankful for my little Riley today.  He is always thoughtful of me and will always come and walk with me so I’m not “alone”.  Kids are special blessings and I love mine so much!

4.  I’m grateful for the opportunities I’m given with my job.  It’s something I love and am passionate about and it makes me so happy to give other people special images and memories that they can always look at and remember forever.

5.  I’m thankful for me.  We all have issues and struggles we work through and deal with, but when I REALLY think about it, I’m pretty happy with the person I am and things I do.  I’m thankful that I can feel that way.

There it is, just some random thoughts this Monday…….

In other happenings, I had the chance of shooting for Rachel and Jonathan on Saturday morning at Alderbrook Resort in Union, Washington.  I’ve shot there before and just love this resort.  It’s only about 35 miles away from my house, but it takes about an hour to get there down a winding two lane road along the Hood Canal.  The resort is right on the water, and just beautiful!  Rachel and Jonathan live in Washington D.C., Capital Hill to be exact.  They wanted to get away, just the two of them to a place that they loved (the Pacific Northwest) and get married.  Just the two of them.  I was so honored to have them ask me to document this intimate ceremony and they were so nice!  Rachel had the most elegant, sophisticated dress and it was a perfect day here in Washington.  Cool with amazing light!  Here’s just a few that were my favorites.

Rachel and Jonathan I hope you had an amazing time up on the Washington coast and that your trip out here was all that you had hoped.  I’m so honored to have been part of your day and wish you  nothing but the best in your new life together!

♥Katie

Erin was a beautiful bride and Ryan looked so cool and collected!  Here’s my favorites….

Ryan and Erin, congratulations on your marriage!  It was a beautiful wedding and you got to share it with your close friends and family!  You guys have been through so much to get to this day.  I hope that these images will remind you of what an amazing day you had and the love you have for each other!

♥ Katie

the bride getting ready….

Erin had this amazing little archway in her yard where she got ready and I was obsessed.  The light was beautiful there and so we got a few portraits….

Across the street Ryan prepared for the ceremony

Erin arrived at the ceremony with her dad in the Mercedes

I just love how a bride and groom look at each other throughout the ceremony.  They are some of my favorite shots!  And then of course right after they are pronounced, they are just so full of love walking back down the aisle together as husband and wife.

Some details from the day….

Then off we went to do some portraits……

Ryan let me know that he really wanted some portraits down by “their” rock.  When I asked about it, they told me that this was their place to come and talk to each other….so sweet!

you can go ahead and work it Erin…love this black and white photo!

and THIS photo friends is one of my all time favorite wedding photos.  I can’t stop looking at it.  I love the light, I love the moment and the feeling of this photo, it’s magical to me…

A few quick portraits of them by themselves and then back to the reception we went for cake cutting and the first dance.

Thanks for looking!  Stay tuned for another 2 day celebration from Utah next week

Now When Whitney’s mom told me that the reception was at a family cabin, I thought- cool!  I had never been to Fountain Green either, but knew it was about 15 miles East of where Nathan went to high school in Nephi, Utah.  Well, let me just tell you, the “cabin” was more like a mountain lodge!  It was amazing!  What’s even more amazing is that the family of 4 brothers all share the cabin but they also lend it out to weddings.  I say lend, because during the evening I had a chat with one of the brothers.  He told me they don’t charge for the venue!!!  I couldn’t believe my ears.  It was SUCH a gorgeous place, and he said if they ever do charge anything, it’s like $50.  HOLD UP………$50???  Do you hear that brides?  If you will be getting married, and need a reception venue that is unique and amazing, look them up.

Miles and Whitney, congratulations on the start of your forever life together.  I had such a great time getting to know you guys and telling the story of your day.  I wish you all the happiness, and here’s to lots of babies!  (For any of you wondering, we had a discussion about babies and kids sooo…….)

♥Katie

The Japanese Gardens are really part of a bigger park that was established in the early 1900’s.  The trees and grounds are beautifully kept.  There’s a rose garden, a perrineal garden, a garden that looks right out of an English castle, the main park, and of course the Japanese Gardens.  When I travel to different cities I often wonder why MY own city doesn’t have parks like this!  I must get out more and explore to find similar amazing shooting spaces!

It was an intimate wedding with close friends and family gathered around the statue while they exchanged their vows.  Then the newly weds had portraits taken around the garden and we finished with a delicious meal at a Thai eatery.  It was my first time eating Thai food and I’m hooked!  I need to find a good curry recipe to make for my own family!

Bill and Linda, you guys are so full of life and love!  I was honored to be a part of your day.  You have wonderful families and just a spirit of contentment about you guys!  I wish you lots of love and joy in your marriage!  Congratulations!

♥Katie

As always here’s my favorite from the day…….

It was an intimate wedding with Kym, Victor, a few close friends, and their kids on Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head as the backdrop.  They stayed at the Hale Koa Hotel, and I must say, if you’re in the military (any branch), are retired, or work for the Department of Defense, you have to stay at this resort!…trust me!   The island was beautiful!  I fell in love and I MUST go back.  I also fell in love with Kym and Victor’s family.  Four amazing boys that I hope my own little boys can grow up to be like.  They were full of life, respectful, and just great kids!  You can tell that they are great parents by just seeing how their kids act.

Kym and Victor, thank you so much for entrusting me to capture your special day in Hawaii.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you guys, and when your son asked how we met and if we were now friends, I was honored to say “YES!”, I do consider you a friend now, and am truly inspired by what you do!  Congratulations on your marriage, and I hope that your time there was all you dreamed!

♥Katie

Here’s my favorites from the day……

Kym’s dress was perfect!  Perfect for her and perfect for a Hawaiian wedding.

THIS my friends, was Kym’s view from her room!  Isn’t it amazing?  The Hale Koa is right on Waikiki Beach right next to the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  I’m trying to convince Nathan to take a family vacation there so my boys can paddle surf boards in the lagoon!

Victor looked amazing in his dress whites…..you gotta love a guy in uniform!

The portraits were amazing….the light was beautiful and the breeze made my heart flutter!

Did I mention their traditional wedding leis?  TO DIE FOR!

They were such troopers to get out on the rocks for some portraits.  All the surfers walked out on here to get out to the waves, but I wanted Diamond Head in the background with the blue green water!

Why hello, boats in the sand!  Yes, I think we’ll take some portraits here under the palm trees!

AHHH I’ve decided I’m totally a beach girl.  I love the warm sand, I love the palm trees, and the warm water and breezes.  Hear that Nathan?  EVERY vacation from here on out needs to be at a beach…..it rejuvenates my soul and I feel like I’m not even working!

I got to meet Tamera in person for the first time and meet her wonderful family. I also got to meet Jake for the first time at their first look session. Then we walked around Jacksonville, Oregon- THE QUAINTEST little town. I totally want to pick up and relocate there it was to die for! It was the perfect day for a wedding, with the most genuine, perfect couple. I feel so lucky to be able to work with such fabulous couples, I am truly blessed to be a part of their day!

Jake and Tamera, congratulations on a truly sweet wedding! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of it! I hope you have a relaxing, wonderful time on your honeymoon, I’ll be thinking of you guys lounging on the beach!

♥Katie

Enjoy some of my favorite images from the day!

Tamera and Jake decided to do a “first look” session and see each other before the ceremony!  I love these sessions as we have tons of time to get couple portraits.  They met each other and exchanged gifts before we walked around town getting some great portraits of the two of them!

Hello fairy tale woods!  I loved this location and they were up for anything.  Again, a beautiful day for beautiful portraits!  And what a fun couple!

This guy cracked me up!  The little ring bearer……I asked if I could take his picture and if he knew any super hero poses…..this is what I got, and I died laughing!  His face was really turning red!

I was also lucky to be able to shoot with Michael Boardman, another b School member.  Since Mike gave me a shout out on his blog, I’ll do the same “What’s up Mike!  You’re such a cool guy!”

If you’re wondering how on earth I got this opportunity, to shoot with one of the most popular wedding photographers in southern California, it’s all because of the community- The b School.  I’ve learned so much from Becker over the past few years and when he started the b school he started an area called “Shoot with B”.  When he has weddings he posts in that area that he needs a 2nd shooter and you leave your website info and he chooses.  I’ve never put my name in the bucket before because I’ve never been close enough to attend.  But since I was going to be at Escalate I decided to try.  It was really an amazing day and honestly a dream come true to be able to shoot with someone I look up to so much in this industry.

The wedding was coordinated by Lisa Simpson, Peter from Vive Entertainment was the DJ, ProView did the video and the crew from Design Visage did the hair and make up.

I learned a ton of stuff that day, but what stood out to me the most was that we all wonder how the “big pro’s” shoot, what their weddings are like.  We may think that they have better venues or better lighting and locations.  The truth is, that we ALL deal with the circumstances we’re given.  If YOU really want to know how Becker shoots, join the b school, go look at the video in the classroom named “Relaxed Portraits in Real Time”.  That is EXACTLY how Becker shoots the entire day.  He is relaxed and fun and even though things may seem to go super fast, he does what he is hired for.  I learned you don’t need to shoot in a million places for hours.  You can get amazing shots that your clients will love and then let them get back to celebrating their day.  Thank you Becker! Between shooting with you and Escalate, the past 6 days have now become a new starting point for me, my business and my life.

Here are my faorites from the day……Enjoy!