One of my favorite lines in a Christmas song is, “So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” It’s definitely the time of year when we all sit down & reflect on our blessings & we take the time to reach out to those around us who might not be as fortunate as we are. It is Christmastime once again & last week I posted on Facebook for all of you to let me know if you knew anyone who might be in need of a little extra help this Holiday season. The response was completely overwhelming…I read stories of families who needed financial help, stories of families who needed medical help, stories of heartbreak, sadness and hope. I spent last Friday at my computer sobbing as I read these stories that everyone had sent my way. It was so, so hard to narrow it down but I’ve prayed that I might pick a family who needs our help & I feel like the Anderson family is a family who we can help out this Christmas.
This is the story of a darling family-the Andersons. The parents, Marc & Janette and their 4 & 6 year old boys. Over a year ago Janette was diagnosed with leukemia. Being diagnosed with leukemia never happens at a good time, but Marc had just graduated and did not have a job. Janette had dreams of watching her kids grow, being a great mother to her sweet children & to spend a long life together with her prince charming. Because her treatments were so intense, Marc spent the past year being her sole caretaker since her treatments required 24-hour care. Anything that could have gone wrong with her did…she had organs fail, blood clots, blindness, you name it. She had 3 bone marrow transplants but it just wasn’t enough. Sweet Janette passed away on Thanksgiving day, leaving behind her prince charming of a husband and her two beautiful boys. Between the medical bills, funeral expenses & payments for her medical treatment, the bills that Marc will have to pay are astronomical. You can read more about Janette’s story on the blog she updated before her passing HERE.
Their story is completely heartbreaking to me-I think it’s difficult for anyone to imagine leaving behind a darling, sweet family. So this is Christmas, the time of year when we reach out to help those around us…whether they be people we know or complete strangers. It’s the time of year when we lend a hand in a soup kitchen, give someone in need a warm coat or donate some money to a family in need. It’s the time of year when we can show each other that there is love and that there is goodness in this world.
The photograph I chose for this fundraiser is a photograph I took in a cathedral in Brussels this summer & I loved the serene look on the mothers face as she helps her child. I felt like it was an appropriate photograph for the Anderson’s story…because even though Janette isn’t physically with her family, I know that she is definitely watching her family from up above. If you can, please make a donation to this family during this time & share in the true meaning of the Christmas spirit by clicking on the donate button below the photograph. Any dollar amount will be accepted. 100% of the donations received will be given to to this family. The photograph will be emailed to you in high resolution format. The photograph is then yours to print, frame, give as a gift, use as a desktop photo, etc. The photograph will not have my watermark on the image. ALL of the proceeds will be given to the Anderson family to help them during this tragic time in their lives. The fundraiser will go through Christmas day & I won’t be posting anything else on my blog besides this fundraiser until after the New Year.
God bless each & every one of you who donates. I know that we are put here on this earth to help each other, to lift each other up when times are hard. May each of you find joy in helping others this Christmas season. XOXO, marielle.
If there is one thing that everyone knows about Monica & Jorge, it’s that theirs is a love that is pure & sweet. It’s obvious that they are comfortable being together-that even though they’ve spent years as a couple, they are still breathless when they see each other…that they still listen to every word that the other says. It’s a testament that love can still be fresh & exciting, even after years of being together. Monica & Jorge were married in a beautiful church in Oakland-and although the ceremony was in Spanish (and I got C’s in all my Spanish classes so I didn’t understand much!), the feeling during the ceremony was just like Monica & Jorge-sweet, kind & loving. And there is no doubt in my mind that Monica & Jorge will grow old together-still excited to be together, still interested in what the other has to say & even more in love with each passing day.
Monica & Jorge decided to see each other before their ceremony which was perfect. We set up a First Look, where Jorge was positioned facing away from Monica. Until Monica tapped him on the shoulder, he wasn’t allowed to turn around. When Monica arrived & walked over to Jorge, he turned in surprise to see his beautiful bride. They both were beaming at the sight of each other & had some time to themselves before they left for their wedding ceremony. I LOVE when couples choose to do a First Look because it gives me as a photographer more time with the couple & the rest of the day can be spent celebrating without being held back taking formal photos. I LOVED Monica’s black shoes with her ivory dress, Jorge’s slim fit suit, the beautiful church where they were married & the joy that emendated from each & every guest there.
Monica & Jorge-you are the sweetest, nicest couple on the planet. I have loved getting to know you both-and photographing the two of you together is a DREAM for me!!! Wishing you joy, happiness & lots of beautiful babies! XOXO, marielle.
Oh my goodness. Monica was STUNNING.
And Jorge isn’t too shabby, either!
Off to the chapel to get married…everyone was anxious to help Monica with her dress!
Definitely my favorite from the day…
A few weeks after the wedding, we met up for some bridal photos of the two of them…
Theirs is a sweet love story. Amanda had been long time friends with Chris’ cousins-even before she knew Chris. Amanda & Chris lived in different states, but when there were at Chris’ family events, she & Chris were always set up by his family to do a myriad of tasks together (on one occasion, their task was to be the greeters at a cousins wedding together!). She always thought that he was sweet, kind & good looking but she knew that Chris wouldn’t be interested in dating long distance. The opportunity arose for Amanda to visit Maui for a month…and she knew that Chris had never been. She asked him to come along for a couple of weeks. They spent the two weeks together exploring, laughing & having a fun time in the sunshine…and the rest is history. Later down the road, Chris had taken Amanda for a day of ice skating & she was surprised at the end of the date that he hadn’t proposed. When they got home, Chris ran into the house, leaving Amanda in the car…and when she walked into the house she found that Chris’ family had driven up from Sacramento to decorate the house & have a beautiful dinner ready for them. That’s when Chris asked Amanda to be his wife…and the rest is history!
They were married in the back yard of Amanda’s aunt & uncle which overlooked all of downtown Reno. It was a beautiful view & the back yard was PERFECT for a wedding. Guests enjoyed music & Mexican food up on the patio, helped themselves to assorted candy at the candy bar & then after dinner, dancing & some heartfelt toasts, Amanda & Chris JUMPED INTO THE SWIMMING POOL!!!! It was so fun & other guests (along with members of the bridal party!) jumped into the pool in their clothes, as well. Needless to say, the evening was a complete blast that was completely unforgettable. I mean, how many times have you seen the bride jump into the pool in her wedding gown? I loved the beautiful autumn colors of their wedding-the burnt orange & the deep purple were a perfect color combination for a wedding in the fall. It was a beautiful day & I was lucky enough to be able to photograph the beauty, joy & fun of their wedding!
Amanda & Chris-I LOVED getting to know you both on your wedding day! You were both a complete joy to work with & I was soooooo excited that you guys were willing to walk through sagebrush & up hills and jump in the pool-all for the sake of having awesome photos! You both make everyone around you feel so loved & so welcomed…I wish you a lifetime of love, happiness & the sense of adventure and fun that you both have! XOXO, marielle.
Amanda was a total stunner of a bride!
My two favorite images from their beautiful day…
This car is a rare vintage car that was used at Amanda’s parents wedding!
I am always, ALWAYS excited when couples let me sneak them away from their reception for some sunset photos…and THIS is why!
Such a cute flower girl…who knows how to work the camera!
The first time they met was at a game night at a mutual friend’s home. After that game night, they became friends & realized that they had soooooo much in common. They both enjoy joking around, being competitive, being in the great outdoors & simply enjoying life to the fullest. Their love story was outlined by special, fun experiences they shared together..watching the stars in the sky, going to the river, hiking, dirtbiking, arm wrestling & cuddling while watching movies. It didn’t matter if they were hiking up a mountain or simply watching a re-run of an old show together, they just loved being together. In September as they were hiking in the Sierra Buttes, Keifer proposed to the girl who was more than happy to share adventures with him. They are getting married this winter & I am so, so thrilled to be able to document this new adventure in their lives!
We met up at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland-the light was incredible & we had a total blast together! Here are my favorites from their session…I think you’ll agree that they are quite the darling couple (and I also think you’ll agree that Kristin’s red cowgirl boots are the cutest pair of shoes known to mankind)!
The pine trees that surrounded the 20 Mile House seemed to reach all the way to the blue, blue sky. While Monika’s ivory lace dress hung in the corner of the room, she chatted with her bridesmaids, wrote a note to Kevin & excitedly laughed as she prepared for her walk down the aisle. Just down the road, Kevin’s groomsmen helped him tie his tie & he opened a gift from Monika-he was just as excited as she was to be married. Monika & Kevin are the kind of people who are constantly happy-and in turn, they are constantly making other people happy…they could have been married in a hurricane & they STILL would have been blissfully happy. Monika & Kevin couldn’t wait for their wedding to begin-to finally begin their lives as husband & wife. Monika cried as she walked down the aisle to a beaming Kevin who held her hands during the ceremony. They both laughed & cried as they were announced husband & wife. It was an exciting, beautiful, romantic day that was made even better because Monika & Kevin are such wonderful people.
Their reception was completely, perfectly detailed-beautiful floral arrangements on each table, a bag of seeds for guests to take home & plant in their gardens, delicious food, a bluegrass band, and at each corner & area, there were cute details that Monika & Kevin had put together to customize their wedding. They danced, laughed at the hilarious (and heartfelt) toasts, mingled with each guest & spent the evening laughing & holding each other. The 20 Mile House in Graegle was the perfect backdrop for their outdoor wedding-pine trees for miles, great open spaces & just the kind of feeling that they wanted for their fun wedding.
Monika & Kevin-thank you sooooooo much for not only choosing me to document your wedding, but for treating me like a dear old friend. You both have the ability to make everyone around you feel happy & it’s because you both exude joy in everything you do. You are a darling, fun & perfect couple & I couldn’t have asked for better clients who put total trust in me. Wishing you the happiest life EVER-you both deserve it. XOXO, marielle.
Aren’t Monika’s shoes DARLING?!?!
Ohhhhhhh yes. This one is my favorite…
I love this one of Kevin!
Monika was a totally amazing DIY bride-she painted these signs!
