Amidst the palm trees & the incredible architecture of the Stanford campus, Emily & Scott’s paths first crossed. Their dorms were next to each other & they would often see each other in the dining hall or on the way to class. After freshman year, Scott left to France for two years to serve a mission for his church, and then just a few months before he came home, Emily left to serve an eighteen month mission in Japan. During their three years apart, they kept in touch by sending letters & cereal to one another. When Emily returned from her mission, they we were once again Stanford students together…and over the course of time they began dating, fell in love & realized that they never wanted to be with anyone else.
On that same beautiful campus where they first met, Scott sent Emily on a scavenger hunt where at the end, he asked her to marry him…and she said yes! They are getting married this summer in Boston & although I’m not going to photograph their wedding, I loved being able to get to know them while shooting their engagements! They are fun, easy going & completely, absolutely & totally crazy in love. Here are my favorites from their engagement session at the Stanford campus!
I love shooting at the Stanford campus because of the beautiful architecture & mosaics…
FAVORITE.
I love all the huge palm trees there! One of my favorites…
It was one of the only Saturdays last summer where I wasn’t booked for a wedding. I was on a mini-vacation at Lake Tahoe with my family, enjoying the summer sun & the sand in my toes. While soaking in the sun, my phone rang & on the other line was a voice that asked, “Did you bring your camera to town?” I had brought my camera to town because I was visiting for my sister’s bridal shower & I had brought my camera, one lens & my flash. “Yes….” I responded. The woman asked, “Can you shoot a wedding RIGHT NOW?” Amber & Conan’s photographer had written down the wrong date for their wedding & about 10 minutes before the ceremony began, they realized that it was very likely that they would have no professional photographs for their wedding. Thanks to their fast thinking wedding coordinator, I was contacted & although I knew I wouldn’t make it to that side of the lake for the ceremony (it was an hour drive), I knew I could make it to the reception site in time to get some bride & groom photographs as well as photographs during the reception. So I met Amber & Conan for the first time on their wedding day right as they pulled up to the reception. We had some time to quickly get some bride & groom shots by beautiful Lake Tahoe before their reception started & spent the rest of the evening capturing the heartfelt toasts, the sweet dances & the fun evening that their families & friends enjoyed.
This wedding was definitely a testament to me that you don’t need a myriad of lenses to get great photographs-I literally had one-ONE lens for this wedding so there was no option for me to switch lenses. When I first started photography, I had a long, LONG list of all the lenses I needed. Sam encouraged me to get really good at using one lens & then we could build up from there over time. My first year of photography I carried one lens & now in my sixth year, I only carry four lenses. For all you photographers out there, I hope & pray you are in constant contact with your clients before the wedding day so that something like this never happens!
Amber & Conan were so laid back, easy to work with & the kindest people on the planet. I loved getting to know them a little bit & I was so glad to be able to come at the last minute & take some photographs for them to remember their wedding! It was a beautiful event, filled with laughter, dancing & a whole lotta love. Here are my favorites…
My favorite…
I loved how they turned the glass cups upside down & used them as centerpieces!
I’m always a softie when it comes to the daddy daughter dance…
I’ve had a couple of people ask WHICH lens was the lens I shot with me…it’s my favorite lens-the 85mm 1.4!
The rain clung to the petals & the leaves around the temple. The fog was heavy & it was a typical winter day in Oakland. It was a typical day except for the fact that two wonderful people were celebrating their love & happiness with their families. I was elated to be able to document Claire & Russell’s special day at the Oakland Temple. They were married on my anniversary (best day of the YEAR!!!) & I was able to spend a couple of hours at the Oakland Temple documenting their joy. The fog & the slight rain certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit. And the typical, foggy, rainy day in Oakland turned into one exciting, wonderful & beautiful day because of Claire & Russell.
I loved how modern & elegant their details were. Claire’s darling, DARLING dress (lace!! and a belt!!!), her fishtail bride & her pink shoes were adorable & modern. Russell looked dapper with a pink tie, as well! We met before their ceremony so we could do photographs outside before the sun set completely. After their ceremony, we did a few more photographs & I literally almost died when the sun went down & the Christmas lights came on at the temple! The sunset was this incredible purple color & we had a great time taking photos with the Christmas lights!
The best part of my job is that I am able to meet people who as just as lovely on the inside as they are on the outside. Claire & Russell are totally down to earth, sweet, funny & perfect for each other. This was the last of my 37 weddings for the year & I couldn’t have ended with a better wedding. As I drove home after taking their photos, I kept on thinking about how blessed I am to be able to work with people who are so incredible. Wishing you an eternity of happiness, laughter & overflowing joy, Claire & Russell! xoxo, marielle.
Look at the fog!
Definitely my favorite!
There was a green dumpster outside the temple & I suggested that we use it for a background. I think Russell was a little hesitant at first but look how awesome it looks! Thanks for trusting me, you guys!
Claire, you are stunning!
It was a super, SUPER cold December day in Sausalito as I shot Janna & Phil’s bridals. With the always amazing Golden Gate Bridge as their backdrop, they cuddled together to keep warm. Phil & Janna were married in Utah last month & I was able to shoot their bridals before they went out of town for their big day. I love Janna & Phil because they are as sweet as cherry pie. I’ve never met two people who are kinder, more genuine & more in love than these two.
A bridal session can be a number of things: the bride in her wedding gown by herself or the bride & groom in their wedding attire together. Normally a bridal session takes places a few months before the wedding which gives the couple a chance to have some of their favorites from the session enlarged & on display at their reception. I’ve even shot some more relaxed bridals a few weeks after the wedding. Bridal sessions are fun, relaxing & a great way to get more photographs of you in all your radiating glory!
If I’m booked on your wedding date, I’m always available to shoot bridals or engagements, so hit me up HERE!!
Here are my favorites from their bridal session…
He would always try to catch a glimpse of Monica as she left class in high school. Jorge was in the classroom next door & he would see her every now & again in the hallway… Smitten by her good looks, Jorge was intrigued & wanted to get to know her. As time went on, they began to notice each other & through a mutual friend, they began talking. Over the summer, he got a call from Monica…they ended up setting up a date, planning on going to the movies but ended up going to different movie theaters! After they realized that they had gone to separate theaters, they met up & went for a walk instead. It was the first of many, many conversations that they would have together. They began talking on the phone for hours & hours and over the course of time, Jorge finally asked her to be his. And they’ve been together ever since! They are a dynamic duo who love to simply be together no matter what they are doing.
We met up in Emeryville for their engagements-I LOVE Emeryville because there are so many amazing backgrounds & unexpected colors everywhere. We had a great time exploring & laughing-I am excited to shoot Monica & Jorge’s wedding this year & can’t wait to see how beautiful their day is going to be! Here are my favorites from their engagements!
Monica’s ring is stunning!
This is one of my favorites of the day! Loved the light as the sun faded…
