Shooting in the forest can be technically challenging, and I almost always try to bring off-camera lighting with me to help supplement and control light when the ambient situation isn't ideal (which is almost always the case in the forest). I met Amy and Lu at Henry Cowell State Park, just off Hwy 9 in Felton, California. They are a sweet, reserved couple and I enjoyed coaching them through, discovering what kind of poses did and didn't work for them. Here's a few of my faves from their engagement session:
I love it when a couple decides to have a low key wedding that's more like a fun party that happens to include a wedding ceremony, skipping a lot of the typical formal parts. It's a nice break from the norm, and allows me to focus on all the candid moments, capturing the intimacy of a smaller wedding with lots of interaction between the couple and their loved ones. After getting ready at Seascape Resort in Aptos, Karen and Todd held their wedding ceremony on the bluffs above La Selva Beach.
Diana and Zoltan are Santa Cruz locals through and through – so it's fitting they decided to get married at historic Holy Cross Church – pretty much the first Santa Cruz landmark you see as you drive off 17 into town; its bright white tower announces its presence for all, day and night. THis romantic couple decided to get ready at the new(ish) Hotel Paradox, a great location close to downtown. However there's not a whole lot of open space on the hotel property, so we walked to San Lorenzo Park for the First Look, bridal party and bride and groom photos before the ceremony. Yes, the park has some interesting denizens, but everyone was respectful and we were able to get some great shots of this fun crew.
