Evening on the farm

I venture out to my parents house almost every evening to enjoy the peace and solitude that one rarely has while living in town. As I grow older I have an equal love for the city and country, I love the hustle and bustle of my little city and I crave the open fields, orchards and slower pace of life out in the country where I grew up.

One early evening in March I found myself in need of some inspiration, a new personal project to dive into, so I drove out to my parents house and went to the neighbors across the street and talked to the lovely Holly Smith about her beautiful horses and other fun farm animals she had. We got to talking and before I knew it, we were on a tour of her family farm and I had my camera out snapping up every little detail.

I love that when I am looking for inspiration I find it in the ordinary, daily life that we all too often overlook.

That evening was a true representation of my life and heart in that moment, free, calm and open to see the moments in between that are beautiful.

Take a moment to enjoy the moments in between, they happen so quickly, but can be so magical.

Into the sunset

A preview of what is to come tomorrow...

I am a country girl at heart, living life in the city. A trip Mom & Dad's house is always a great way to wind down and relax.

Meet, Becky, she's a gorgeous horse.

Danielle + Chad 9.24.2011, Johnson Residence, Ballico, CA. Part 2

I love weddings because they are all so different and unique, fun and full of love. Danielle and Chad have an amazing love story that spans across 8 years from meeting in high school and growing together and getting married on the date of their first date all those years ago, their relationship came full circle. And what a better way to celebrate that than with a wedding!! These two know how to party and have a blast, that's what I love about them and their relationship, it's all about fun, great times with the people they love and enjoying every moment of it all!

The wedding ceremony was beautiful, their family and loved ones by their sides as they exchanged vows and shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

As I began to think about it more, why I love weddings, it's because of the little things that I get to experience throughout the day as I photograph, meet new people and document. I will always remember asking Danielle's dad to come and see his daughter for the first time as a bride before they walk down the aisle together and tears of joy streamed down his face as he kissed her cheek, or as the groom got ready for his big day the family dog, Duke, was lying on the couch watching Chad put on his tuxedo, or when the bride was walking down the aisle and I was by the bridesmaids and they were tearing up as she made her way to Chad, special moments.

Priceless.

I decided to start this post with Danielle's dad, Richard, entering the parlor room to see his daughter before the ceremony. Moments like these make me love what I do and feel blessed to be a part of the biggest day in my wonderful clients lives.

Danielle + Chad 9.24.2011, Johnson Residence, Ballico, CA. Part One

Danielle and Chad are such a fabulous couple, wonderful individuals and so in love. They were married September 24 at a gorgeous private residence in the small country town of Ballico, which is where I grew up and went to school and have known Danielle and her family since I was a little kid.

I spent an entire day with the bride and groom capturing their wedding day, which began at Fontis Salon with Danielle getting her hair done and joining her a bit later at the wedding venue, the Johnson Residence, to finish the bridal preparations.

Danielle and Chad chose a magnificent wedding venue for their big day, I am a huge fan of photographing at private residences because each home is unique and custom to the owners style and taste. This home was a beautiful Neo-Classical design modeled after Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mt. Vernon homes, it was simple and so gorgeous. Andy, my assistant, and I fell in love with the home and felt like we traveled to the east coast once we walked into the Johnson Residence.

There are so many great pictures to share that I am splitting this blog up into two parts: the bride and groom pre-ceremony portraits and tomorrow I will be featuring the wedding ceremony and reception. Enjoy!