What I know about weddings is that despite all your planning and best intentions someone important will be running late, the flower girl will suddenly go shy, the groomsmen will look for any opportunity to get out of their suits, and someone will inevitably have too much to drink. Flowers will wilt, cakes will melt, and there will be a wardrobe malfunction. If you have cable television you’ve probably heard the term “Bridezilla”. I’m sure all you reality TV junkies out there are picking up what I’m putting down, yaknowwhatI’msayin?

What I’m trying to say is, weddings aren’t all roses. BUT inside every one of those hectic wedding day moments is joy, wonder and beauty. One of the most important things you can do as a bride is hire a photographer with a trained heart and eye who knows how to look for it. A really good photographer can turn any mishap into a beautiful pin on Pintrest and design an album as gorgeous as a fashion magazine spread.

You should know, I take joy very seriously. Years of experience photographing weddings and families has trained me to find the beauty inside whatever story I am documenting – including your wedding day.

Every year I shoot a handful of weddings for brides and grooms that get it. They don’t stress out about schedules and timelines. They take comfort in knowing that the ceremony starts when they’re ready and not a moment before. And most importantly, they know that at the end of the night, no matter what else happens during their wedding day, they’ll be husband and wife. And that’s all that matters.

Last summer I had the pleasure of photographing Jae & Zar’s wedding at the Columbia Winery. It was a beautifully hot August day. I can’t say the wedding went off without a hitch, but I can say it was a heartfelt ceremony followed by a vivacious reception. Surrounded by friends and family, Jae and Zar professed and promised love. They were married.

Check out the video for even more photos of Jae and Zar’s wedding day…

I just got the news this morning via Facebook that Brooke and Josh welcomed their baby boy into the world last night. I am so excited for them! Brooke and I go waaaay back to our pre-teen days and seeing her now, in the life after our twenties as a mommy, sheesh, it gives me goosebumps. The power of the Social Network never ceases to amaze me. A baby gets announced on Facebook and a whole village rallies through the internet to give blessings, well wishes and cheer. An entire community at your finger tips. Isn’t that incredible? And through this tool Brooke and I have been able to remain in touch after all these years. We watch each others lives from a distance and then when we finally get together, we hardly skip a beat.

Brooke, I wish you all the tender, love filled, bittersweet moments that occur when a persons heart expands. I can’t wait to read your status updates about how everyday is a new discovery of deeper joy. May you have entire days spent just watching your tiny baby, soaking it all up and letting yourself be present for every precious moment of this new journey you’re on. Congratulations, Mama!

Today I feel like a ladybug: bright and colorful with a voracious appetite.

Today I feel nostalgic. I want to feel holiday cheer the way a child does. Could Santa be real? Will it snow and shut down the city? Can we walk and sled in the streets?

Today I feel like stargazing. With a hot cup of spiced cider in my hands I’ll make up names for made up constellations and reflect on how tiny we are in this big old universe.

Today I feel like a leaf. I’m clinging to my base for dear life but nearly ready to succumb to being blown around wherever fate will take me.

Today I feel surreal. It’s as though all the bustling of holiday shoppers, downtown commuters, and noisy traffic jams are being whisked around, not of their own accord, but by the crispy cold wind that cuts sharply through our layers.

Today I want to feel passion and time stand still.

Today I feel blessed. It has been a very successful year and I’m ready to wrap a nice little bow around 2011 and send it on its way.

Today, I imagine the Wales family is feeling some of the very same things but for very different reasons. With a little one due to arrive this spring and news of the sex of their baby just days away, they’re surely feeling all this and more.

Julia, whatever you’re feeling today, I hope these images are received with joy and excitement. May your holidays as a family of three be filled with much celebration and jubilation as you transform into a family of four. I look forward to seeing you all again in a few months once the little one arrives!

Things I loved from this session:

Her sassy red heels.

The way he swept her bangs out of her eyes.

The symmetry of lines. (i.e. boats in a row, tall masts, her dress, the skyline…)

Those crazy, overcast, Seattle skies against my (second) favorite skyline.

Two bottles worth of champagne explosions (on purpose).

Snuggling in a blanket on the shore of Puget Sound.

Ryan and Khemmy, many thanks for trusting me to capture your special day. I wish you all the best and a lifetime of happiness in your new home in California. Please don’t forget to call me when you get started on the next chapter. Those babies are going to be beautiful.

(P.S. To view more of Ryan and Khemmy’s wedding day, please watch the slide show at the end of this post. If you were a guest at the wedding, please contact Ryan and Khemmy directly for access to their password protected online gallery which includes all of the family formals and everything in between.)

Josh and Jeanine are one of my special families that have been around since the beginning of my adventures in photography. I remember the day they told me they were pregnant and I remember watching her grow and glow as they became baby married. I remember visiting little Liam in the hospital when he was born and taking some of the very first pictures of their new family. And now, they’re doing the next big thing with wedding plans a brewin for this coming November. It’s gonna be one hell of a party, let me tell ya. I’m beyond excited and honored to be trusted with telling their story in photographs that will become a part of their family history. It’s truly amazing.

The day of our session was a wet one so we jumped to plan C and ended up at the Conservatory at Volunteer Park. Greenhouses make a great, dry background! So does the water tower we hiked up and the covered benches with all those great lines I love. And we did get lucky with some sun breaks. Puddle jumping, sun soaking, cuddling, whispering, laughing and loving. It was an afternoon made for lovers, adventures, breathing in fresh life and celebrating family.

Josh and Jeanine, it’s been an absolute delight to watch you fall more in love with time. The addition of Liam has made you an even more beautiful couple and I can’t wait to watch you become husband and wife this November. Enjoy your love story…

One of these days I’m going to have to have someone video record me and the behind-the-scenes of one of my sessions. It would be comical I’m sure! Every time I scroll through these pictures I find myself giggling as I remember the events that unfolded. I know precisely when screams were heard and tears fell. I remember when snack time came and we took a break to watch the chickens and bunnies. I know all the silly faces, silly phrases, kissing, tickling, jumping and dancing that went into making these precious portraits.

When it’s all said and done, I’m sure my clients feel like we just spent an afternoon at the fair. Exhausted, running on adrenalin and sugar, side-aches from laughing, grass stains, dirty knees, wet butts and drool everywhere. Our hour and a half together goes by in a blur and as we retreat to our cars, a little hungover from all the excitement, I promise them that we got some good stuff. I reassure them I captured smiles and the snot and drool can be edited out. I don’t think they ever believe me in that moment…and then I show them things like this…and I can feel them smiling all the way through the Internet.

We started their maternity session at their home where I scoped out locations for their upcoming newborn session and helped Sadie capture a very special gift for her hubby. A sexy maternity shoot like this one is such a special way to remember and celebrate your beautiful mama glowin’ body. Sadie was a gorgeous model and we got some stunning photos “for their eyes only”.

After that, Rob and Nika headed out to Woodland Park with us for some family pictures. Wandering around with this cute couple talking about life and families and all the excitement of their baby boy (with the super top secret name) made me silly happy to think – this is my job. To be friends with and take part in the happiest and most exciting times of peoples lives. Amazing. Truly amazing.

Sarah’s soldier has already been away for several months. No doubt her Marine misses her…and his baby girl Leanna who is growing up so quick. With another wee one on the way, I’m certain that when Sarah’s soldier receives this album of his beautiful girls, he’ll be overwhelmed with joy. Hopefully, these portratis will help his time away go by a little faster.  

If you’re a photographer living near a military base and would like to help, click here to get more information. And if you’re a member of a military family with a deploying, deployed or returning soldier, click here to find out how you can get your own OpLove photo session. And if you just want to see pretty fall pictures, enjoy the show…

Their day was filled with reds and roses; laughter and tears; sunshine and love; and dozens of friends on standby to ensure Erica would receive the wedding of her dreams. Erica wanted a traditional wedding in every sense. From the chapel ceremony to not being seen by the groom or guests before she walked down the aisle, this beautiful bride lit up the room as she and her dad stepped slowly together towards her husband-to-be. Officially declared husband and wife they spent the evening side by side dancing and toasting and thanking their friends for celebrating, in his words, “one of the happiest days of their life”. Thank you, Robert and Erica, for allowing my images to become a part of your family’s history. It’s truly an honor.

Check out more of Erica and Robert’s wedding day in the slide show…