Oroville Engagement Photographer: Sam + Kassy

Sam + Kassy

Kassy and Sam met at a country bar they liked to visit in San Diego where they were each living at the time. Sam spotted Kassy from across the room and thought to himself, “Man, that girl is beautiful!” Kassy noticed a coworker of hers standing with a group of other guys pointing in her direction. The group walked over to Kassy and her coworker introduced them all to her as his roommates; one of these guys was Sam. Kassy said when she was introduced to him, she gave him a big hug and thought to herself, “Damn, this guy is hot!” They had an instant attraction. However… another one of the guys from the group, Oscar, was also interested in Kassy and initially tried to pursue her. Sam, being the good guy that he is and not wanting to break the bro code, took a step back until Kassy expressed to Oscar that they would always just be friends. Well, no one needed to tell Sam twice, he asked her out as soon as he was able and she said yes immediately! And, to quote Kassy, “If you’re curious…both of us are still friends with Oscar, no hard feelings there!”

Fast forward to when Sam knew he wanted to propose. He had been loosely planning to pop the question and had purchased the perfect ring in advance so when a trip to San Diego with Kassy’s family came up, he adjusted his timeline and set his plans into motion! He decided on a location, arranged for a friend to take his camera so they could photograph the moment he asked for her hand, and (most importantly) pulled Kassy’s dad aside to ask for his blessing–which he excitedly gave! The next day, he suggested to Kassy that they go to Mission Beach for a little date. She liked the idea so they set off! Unfortunately, the one thing Sam didn’t factor into his plan was the fact that this was the morning San Diego hosts its annual beach marathon so there were literally thousands of people running on the beach as far as the eye could see. Kassy remembers Sam being so irritated by this and not understanding why– she was oblivious to his plan! However, after walking for about half an hour Sam brought her to the water’s edge to take a picture since the crowd had thinned out. Unfortunately, Kassy gave him a little grief because she didn’t want her Vans to get sandy and wet. Sam later laughingly recounted how he had to kindly pull her to the water while she protested just so he could ask her to marry him! Kassy is so glad that he did! After he asked she instantly started crying and was even more emotional as she saw their friend running up snapping photos of the entire moment. It’s a moment neither of them will ever forget.

We connected with these two after Sam’s mom met us at the Chico Bridal Show and later told them, “You have to book these photographers!” How sweet is that?! So at their engagement session, Sam was sure to snap a photo of our card to text to his mom saying, look what we are up to and she was thrilled! We love familial connections; weddings are such an intricate web of relationships and on “the Big Day” we work with families as a whole. More than once we have asked if we could be adopted by a loving mother, father, auntie, or grammy!

I hadn’t had a chance to meet Sam or Kassy yet and I was really taken with what positive and warm energy they had from their first hellos! We had rescheduled their session once before as it had initially been planned for a week when the weather was well into 100+ degrees and we were SO glad that we did; the weather on their engagement session day was utter perfection– warm, with soft breezes. As Anne of Green Gables said, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

It was easy to strike up a conversation and begin cracking jokes; almost as if we were reuniting with friends who live out of town we hadn’t seen for a while. We talked about all kinds of things, from their shared love of Vans shoes to their adorable nine-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback. As we walked around the afterbay sanctuary location, both Sam and Kassy were taken with the beauty of it but I think Sam especially so. He remarked upon the trees, the fish, etc., and how excited he was to return to this location another time with his fishing pole! They were so playful with one another and willing to try silly and adventurous poses which make for the best candid photography. 

Between the easy conversation and the absolute gorgeousness of this couple– both inside and out– the time flew by and we were chasing the sunset (and then the mosquitos were chasing us!) and it was time to say our goodbyes for now. We are so looking forward to being there to capture your wedding memories, Kassy and Sam, see you in December!

Bidwell Park, Chico CA, Engagement Photographer: Sam + Scott

Sam + Scott

We are so excited to be following this couple and their love story.  Scott is an old high school friend so when I got the email to capture his wedding I couldn’t be more excited.  Scott and Sam are two awesome people that have great personalities and a mutual love for Subaru.

It was because of their Subies and apartment living that Scott and Sam became acquainted.  Their friendship was one that naturally grew stronger and eventually at the right time they would take off the brakes and start dating.  Scott moved to the Bay Area while Sam was still in Chico. Scott would make trips every week to visit Sam.  Unsure of the future of long distance they both took it slow, and with supporting one another’s ambitions and careers they created something magnificent.  Sharing interests and hobbies has made this couples story unique.  I have never met a couple that exchanges car parts for Christmas or celebrates their 2 year anniversary by getting their cars pro-tuned. But it works for them.  Sam grew up wrenching on cars with her dad, She actually rebuilt her beloved WRX Vader.  She’s lifted Vader to take her on more off road adventures.  While Scott’s WRX is built more for street performance. The pair can go most anywhere.  

Their Engagement session was full of laughter, banter, jokes about bacon, and pure fun.  During our session we learned the full story of the proposal from both sides.

            Scott and Sam had their annual trip planned to visit Scott’s family in Arizona.  Scott had ordered Sam’s engagement ring and had anticipated it’s arrival in time for them to leave, however there was a delay and Scott had to have them reroute the ring to his parent’s home in Arizona.  They had a day trip planned to Sedona but Scott’s dad had to miss out to “wait for his medication to be delivered.”  While Sam thought this odd she didn’t quite put the pieces together.  Between covert texts and conversations Sam had an idea something was going on.  She wasn’t really expecting a proposal but Scott and his parents were all a little “off”.  Later in the evening Scott and Sam went on an evening adventure to Mingus Mountain.  They did a little exploring and a little wheeling in her Subie. When they got to the top of the mountain they found themselves enjoying the view of the valley from a hang-glider launch, it was a perfect moment. Full of nerves Scott held Sam’s hands started to tell her how much he loved her and how he wanted her to be in his life and to be a part of his family.  So when Sam saw Scott’s shaky hand starting to reach into his pocket all of the pieces clicked into place.  She made sure to move the both of them away from the cliff side to insure that the ring didn’t find its way on a solo flight of doom.  Sam was thrilled but needed to make sure one thing.  “Did you ask my dad?.”  The couple called Sam’s Dad to make sure they had his blessing and fortunately they did. 

  Sam and Scott enjoy adventures together and just relaxing at home with their cat Slinky.  Their adventures consist of sushi date nights, camping trips, drives, hiking, car shows, and Subie meets.

We cannot wait to celebrate your wedding day with you! Just a few months to go!

Oroville Engagement Photographer: CJ + Samantha

Samantha and CJ are Halloween enthusiasts loving all things Halloween. It is so fitting that their wedding day would be Halloween inspired as well.  Authentic to them Samantha and CJ came embracing the full theme at their engagement session.  While there were hints of spooky there was nothing to fear here.  These two are the sweetest! Both so deeply in love with one another.  Their love story has been in the making for many of years. 

The spark of their friendship began when they were both in middle school,  Samantha was new to the school and remembers the first time seeing CJ as a 6th grader chasing his friend, She said she specifically remembers that “mop of curly hair”.  CJ recalls their friendship beginning on his moms school bus, bonding from the common love for Dragon Ball Z and then becoming best friends. 

Samantha and CJ shared a note book in high school, at their lunch period Samantha wrote in the note book and asked CJ out.  As most best friends would he was timid to this.  Not wanting to lose the friendship they’ve built so far.  Samantha reassured him she would always be his friend.  So the two of them took the leap.  They became even more inseparable than before. 

CJ and Samantha’s relationship is very beautiful,  I’ve enjoyed getting to know what they value in their partner and just how strong their connection is. 

Road trips are their favorite thing to do together.  Whether the adventure be short or far every moment exploring together is one they cherish. Samantha loves that CJ can be in the moment with her and appreciate the scenery and participates in the selfies.  He too loves that she shares these moments with him and it makes the adventure more rich. 

The proposal story was one of these trips, CJ had surprised Samantha with a trip to their favorite coastal town of Fort Bragg.  He rented a cute cottage where he decorated the room with rose petals.  He set up a camera to capture the moment and when the moment was right he flipped a switch and showered the room in more rose petals.  Samantha says it was “magical” and it was perfect.   

Samantha and CJ have a deep love, the highs and lows are treated with compassion and both express a sense of safety with their partner, a knowing that they are the love of their lives.

When you choose your best friend, life is the adventure. 

Jena and I cannot wait to celebrate with you at your wedding,  we are both working on our costumes already!

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!