Chico CA Engagement Photographer: Jenn + John's Engagement

Once upon a time, in the vast world of online dating, Jenn and John's love story began. After talking for a couple of months, they finally met in person. John drove from Oroville to take Jenn out to lunch at the Bear in Chico, and little did they know that this would be the beginning of their forever love story.

Despite coming from different cities, Redding and Vallejo, they found a common ground in butte county and their love for each other and in the activities they enjoyed doing together. They love gaming, puzzles, roller skating, mini-golf, and arts and crafts, but they also cherished the simple moments of cuddling at home and watching their favorite shows. Jenn is enamored with John's sense of humor and his quirky jokes, while John loves the little gestures of affection from Jenn, like wanting him to kiss her goodbye before going to work.

Their love blossomed into an inseparable bond, and they share countless memories together, but the most memorable moments were etched in their hearts forever. For Jenn, it was when she saw John get emotional while visiting her grandparents' grave. She knew he was the one even before they met in person, and her intuition proved her right. For John, it was going camping with Jenn for the first time, which was a life-changing experience for him.

But their love story reached a new height when John proposed to Jenn on a rainy weekend that they were supposed to go camping. Even though the weather canceled the original plans he went all out to make it special, from creating a romantic indoor tent, to going roller skating, and they stopped at a couple of lookout points. Jenn knew something was up when John started acting nervous, and he finally popped the question. Overcome with emotions, Jenn cried and said yes, and they embraced each other, knowing that their lives would be forever intertwined.

Their engagement session at Upper Bidwell Park captured the essence of their love and chemistry in the beautiful surroundings of nature. They both looked forward to growing together in their marriage.  We are so excited to follow this couples love story and capture their wedding day.   

Chico engagement photographer: Nicole+ Brett

Hi all, Jena here. We are in the height of our wedding season for the year so while Emma is editing away I will be helping write the engagement blogs. I hope you enjoy!

Nicole + Brett

It’s not often that you meet a couple who arrives at a consultation saying, “ We already know we want you, let’s do this!” And even though Nicole and Brett were sure we were their photographers, we still spent three hours at the T Bar talking as we lost track of the time and slipped into easy conversation. Nicole’s charming sweetness and desire to have us for their big day and Brett’s easy, subtle sense of humor had us saying “YES!” right back to them! We always say we get the very best couples and these two are absolutely no exception.

            Brett and Nicole’s story began when they met through mutual friends while playing a party game. Nicole remembers that Brett was really good and that sparked her competitive streak so she wanted to play next to him. After that night they went their separate ways, only seeing one another here and there through those mutual friends until Nicole was invited over to Brett’s place for a BBQ by one of his roommates during the summer of 2015. That was the summer they discovered a shared love of the Golden State Warriors and became the “Summer Crew”. That was also the summer that Golden State Warriors were pretty much unbeatable and won the championship—the rest, as Nicole puts it, is history.

            When Brett knew he wanted to marry Nicole, he waited until they were with family at Christmas time in San Diego. The whole family was in on the gambit! Everyone suggested they go watch the sunset and Nicole, oblivious to the scheme, didn’t think anything of it (even when they suggested Nicole change into hiking boots) because Brett’s sisters love photographing sunsets! On the hike to Sunset Cliffs, Nicole wanted to stop to look at the tide pools but everyone told her there’s no time to stop because if they do they will miss the perfect sunset. Nicole noticed the tide was coming in but Brett’s sister Jill mentioned she checked the tide chart and they should be fine; however, as they look up, a wave comes crashing into them above knee level. By this time, Nicole was a little over it and told Brett she didn’t want to do this anymore and asked why they couldn’t just go back and watch the sunset from the beach. Brett, being the wonderful gentleman he is, adjusted his plans and signaled the family to turn around and head back.

            Back on the beach, Nicole was feeling much more at ease, enjoying looking at the tide pools and finding shells; in fact, she was so preoccupied that she didn’t notice that Brett was setting up his proposal! With his sister Jill hidden away with the GoPro in the cliffside, Brett led Nicole over to a “good shell spot”. Nicole remembers how nervous Brett was as he professed his love to her. As he got down on one knee to propose, he pulled from his pocket his Grammy’s ring. The answer, of course, was a huge yes! Afterward, they rejoined his family who was ready with warm congratulations and shots of tequila!!!

            From there, they have continued to have fun together; enjoying backpacking, fishing, camping, etc. Nicole says Brett makes the outdoors fun for her and she looks forward to their adventures together. They love to be outside most of the time, but when they aren’t out having adventures, they spend their days at home together and Nicole says their perfect date night would be having sushi and a movie night at home. She also told us about what an amazing cook Brett is, he makes dinner for them every night and that shows her how much he cares for her. How sweet is that?!

            At their engagement session, Emma and I fell back in love with them! Brett and Nicole are such friendly and easygoing people that it is impossible not to like them instantly. We met them at a new location that we scouted and it was the perfect backdrop to showcase the love of this gorgeous duo! It was one of the first days that felt like autumn; the air was warm but the breeze was cool and the colors were all rich and golden. As Emma clicked away on camera, performing her magic, we talked about how Brett is nearly finished with the school where he is studying sustainable manufacturing/engineering as well as Nicole’s job at Parent Infant Programs where she works with families who have children with developmental disabilities and helps them get the services they need. We all laughed and talked and took beautiful portraits and before we knew it, another few hours had gone by!

            They are so excited to step into this new chapter of their lives together and we are so honored that we are the ones who are able to capture it for them forever!

Bidwell Park, Chico CA, Family Photographer: Tim, Megan + Little Carter

When the right people find you in a saturated industry it just makes you feel like you’ve won the lottery. 

There are many amazing photographers in the Butte county area and I was found by Tim’s mom.  Tim and his wife Megan live in Oregon and but they are both from Chico.  For Christmas Tim’s mother bought both he and his sister gift certificates for their family photos.

  Megan and I picked out a date earlier this year and we were fortunate to be met with beautiful weather.  Tim and Megan are so sweet and their little man was a bundle of fun.  For most toddlers the world is for adventure and there’s no telling what will happen in the next five minutes.  Having a toddler at home I am well aware of the independence and how we have to go with their flow and embrace their need for space.  We were able to focus on mom and dad while Carter was playing in the grass.  Eventually I won him over and was able to capture some cute individual images of him too.  

It is always refreshing to watch children experience the world differently than we do.  Carter stopped and watch the ants as they made their way in single file.  He found flowers in different shapes and colors, and watched the waterfall and was fascinated.  As adults forget to embrace or appreciate these everyday occurrences it is fun to watch children bring the adventure back to their parents. 

After exploring the park we started walking back to our cars where Megan and I chatted about kids and patience.  I had to credit my patience to my previous job, where it turns out I had the pleasure of working with her brother for a few years.  It always amazes me on how small the community of Chico and Paradise can be and just how fate finds its way to bringing us all together.  I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and capture this little family.   

Chico California Engagement Photographer: Augie + Laura

Laura+ Augie

Halloween shenanigans always make for fun memories.  Sometime the best memories are made.  This happens to be the setting of Laura and Augie’s story.  Laura came to a party hosted by her co-worker.  She noticed Augie from the moment she walked in.  Augie is a quiet guy but Laura was drawn to him, he has a contagious smile with dimples she adores.  She spent the evening flirting with him and at the end of the evening they shared a super awkward side hug that they still joke about today. 

After a few days Laura kept thinking about Augie and asked her co-worker to pass along her phone number to him.  With little delay, Augie texted Laura that night and asked her out on a date.  This date lead to many like it.  Laura loves sharing time with Augie they enjoy playing catch and talking. A perfect date for Laura would be a Giant’s or A’s game at Oracle park and then Pizza afterwards.

The first time Laura told Augie she loved him was when he had driven her to the airport.  She was about to have a girls trip and she felt like it was a perfect time.  She was so nervous the whole drive to the airport,  meanwhile he thought it was the flight she was nervous for.  When she finally got the nerve to speak those three words, Augie’s face lit up.  She says seeing his happiness is something she will never forget. 

Augie is often thinking about their future.  Laura loves hearing about all the ways he plans and dreams about their life together.  Laura looks forward to eventually having a family and raising kids together.  She knows Augie is going to be and amazing dad and looks forward to that adventure with him. 

During this session you could see this loving connection where they are both so happy to be in each other’s arms.  The cuddles, and giggles were so genuine and sweet. I loved that they had a mini tailgate sporting their team’s colors and enjoying a few Sierra Nevada Brewery’s Hazy Little Things.  Laura and Augie share a little competitive banter over their teams but they never let it be too serious.  You can see just how much these two complete each other.  They are best friends, and what better way to spend the rest of your life?

Jena and I left the session so excited about the time we spent and we are looking forward to capturing your wedding day this fall.  We know it is going to be so amazing! 

Cheers to you both!

Chico Ca, Engagement Photographer: Marie + Gareth

This couples story is not like many, their first date was a blind date of sorts orchestrated by Gareth’s Sister Rebecca and Marie’s good friend Lori.  These two match makers clearly knew what they were doing.  

Let’s set the scene for this blind date:

Rare Air Trampoline park, balloons, cake,  paired with excitable young kids all gathered for Gareth’s niece who turned four. 

The attraction was pretty instant, (although they were a bit distracted by the party) there was just something about Marie and Gareth’s connection that day.  Without much alone time to talk in depth Marie was hoping Gareth would get her number after the party; but in Gareth’s own words “I almost screwed it up and let her get away.”   Fortunately he hunted down her number that evening and asked her to lunch the following day.  

They met for lunch the next day at Broadway Heights, followed with a walk.   They shared  long deep talks of their wants and needs in a partner and for their future, the puzzle pieces just started falling into place. Gareth left that day knowing Marie was the one.  Marie mutually felt that her connection with Gareth was different and special.  Within this whirlwind romance Gareth was living in Oakland, CA and Marie here in Chico, CA many miles between and short weekend visits the couple only built a stronger foundation for their future.    

Marie and Gareth both share a lot of common interests and views.  They both have a love for the outdoors and while they haven’t had the chance to do some of the things they love together, they look forward for all of the adventures they will have and the memories they will create.  

For their engagement session we met in Bidwell park near the cedar grove. They brought along their beautiful husky Sierra.  (Jena loved spending time with Sierra she was such a good girl and minded well) While here, we shot in a new (to us) location capturing some beautiful glow-y light.  Marie and Gareth were so natural to pose and easy to work with making the shooting go by quickly.  We learned of Marie’s love for big oak trees and made it a mission to capture some images with the epic-ness of the large oaks.  So we headed up to the five mile section of Bidwell park. We were successful on our tree hunt and found some of those mighty oaks we wanted to capture, we also enjoyed finding some wild flowers among the tall grass.  Marie and Gareth were troopers and I’m very happy with the images we created. 

We are so excited for the opportunity to capture their wedding up in the Lassen forest at Highland Ranch resort.  We have no doubt that the wedding is going to be stunning and the reception will be a fun filled party!  We cannot wait! 

Cheers!

Chico Ca Family photography: Karissa, Kyle, and Family

It was such a pleasure capturing this session for Karissa and Kyle. Their blended family is mixed with some amazing little spirits! I had so much fun goofing around with the kiddos capturing their silly sides. Here are a few highlights from the session!

Chico Family Photographer: Dustin and Abby Maternity

Oh my goodness!  I am so incredibly excited for this little lady to come into the world.  I have no doubt of the love she will be surrounded with.   Abby and Dustin, I am so happy for you both.  You will be great parents.   Life is about to change so much, I hope to be along to capture the journey! 

Chico Ca, Family Photographer: Reynolds Family

The Reynolds family is always up for an adventure, we took a nice stroll through the nature preserve while playing red light green , admiring unique leaves, and creating walking staffs. It was a perfect day for family photos, it wasn’t too hot or too cold though the morning had started off gloomy and foggy,  the day became lovely and allowed us some great light for golden hour.   I always enjoy myself in the company of the Reynolds family and I’m so happy to capture their quests in life. 

Chico Ca Family Photographer: Katy and the Boys

Katy is such a wonderful individual and her love flows into her children. The boys both have brights spirits and caring souls. I love this time because I get to see just how much the boys have grown and how their personalities have blossomed. I know when we have our sessions we will have an adventure. Katy you are an amazing mom, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the journey.