145
July 23, 2010
Outdoor adventurers to the bone, Suzanne and Jon traveled from Los Angeles to Yosemite to marry in the beauty of the outdoors. The simplicity of an elopement fit them perfectly. Their priorities were on each other and nothing else.
They came up to Yosemite a few days before their wedding to take in some hikes and and find their perfect wedding spot, in the Ahwahnee Meadow just beneath Half Dome. I met them their for the first time and joined them for a beautiful ceremony, just the two of them in the wind whispering through the grass.
After the ceremony Suzanne and Jon told me that I had free control over where we went in the park for photographs. I love this complete freedom and took full advantage of it. Thankfully, both Suzanne and Jon are in great shape and used to spending time outdoors, because I took them up above 8,000 feet to the top of Sentinel Dome.
The landscape changes so drastically from the valley almost a mile below. The granite dome seemingly sits on top of the world, with views in every direction. It was the perfect place to create these dramatic photographs and it was from this amazing vantage point that Suzanne and Jon shared their first sunset as husband and wife.
On our way down Sentinel Dome, Suzanne and Jon showed a lot of character. I was driving them back just in time to have dinner at the Ahwahnee's dinning room when we encountered a group of lost hikers. The hikers were not equipped for their hike and through a lack of planning ended up about six miles away from their car. Knowing with certainty that it would mean an end to their dinner, Suzanne and Jon knew that we needed to make sure the lost hikers made it back to their car safely.
Sure enough, when we made it to the Ahwahnee the dinning room was closed. As I left them that night, they were heading into the back to their room with smiles on their faces and arms around each other to order room service.
It's really an honor for me to slip into a couples lives for a few hours and share such an amazing part of their story. It is the turning point when a two individual people become so much more. There was so much love this day between Suzanne and Jon that I felt blessed to have been there to see it. And this was not just the sappy date move kind of love. This was the real kind of love, the love that says I will always be there for you, because of you.
Officiant: Rev. John Paris
Hair and Makeup: Bellissimo
Flowers: Sweet Dreams Wedding Flowers
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146
July 21, 2010
The original plan was to elope in Yosemite. Just Stephanie and Dominick in nature. But when word got out of their plans, their family had to come and be with them on this important day. So instead of just the two of them, it became the two of them and some of the most important people in their lives.
Stephanie and Dominick are outdoor enthusiasts. I think they have tried just about every sport known to man and love to travel together.
They were married just downstream of Superintendents Bridge in sight of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. They stood in the open meadow as the day warmed and shared the vows of their love with each other. It was the perfect place for them, made clear as they embraced for their first kiss.
I doubt Stephanie or Dominick noticed, but during the ceremony a bystander slowly made her way from the bridge closer to us to listen in on the wedding. She patiently watched and waited, only to reveal at the end of the ceremony that she was married in this same place sixty years ago. Magical.
Stephanie and Dominick had a few specific places picked out for photographs, so after the ceremony we embarked on a little safari making our first stop at Lower Yosemite Falls. I have never actually taken a couple up to the base of Yosemite Falls for a shoot. Normally the area is covered in both tourists and spray from the waterfall. But the recent warm weather has already melted a lot of the snowpack and the waterfalls have began to slow down. The crowd however, did not slow down, but thankfully we were able to squeeze in and get the shots we needed.
From here we found our way into a grove of oaks, the riverside and eventually up to Tunnel View. Everywhere we went the scenery changed but the passion between them grew. I think with every passing moment after the ceremony, the reality of their new life together began to sink in a little more
As we continued to travel around Yosemite and spend more time together, the nature of their love became more and more evident. They are at an interesting point in life, as the look forward to the future and all that it has to offer, really certain of only one thing - once you have the love of your life in your life, life is a lot simplier.
Officiant: Rev. Carol Dewey
Comments
Dominick Gluck says:
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thanks so much for working with us in Yosemite, Patrick! I think the pictures are fantastic, do you think I should have worn the suspenders more? I think I should have now that I view these haha!
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144
July 21, 2010
Comments
Carol Cardinale-Ruiz says:
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Beautiful Shot Patrick! I love the way she allowed me to do he hair and make up. Natural and soft!
Patrick says:
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thanks Carol for your hard work! She looked beautiful. I can't wait to share the rest of the pictures, I'm editing them right now.
Stephanie White says:
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Absolutely breathtaking!!! Amazing work Patrick. Suzy & I graduated from high school in WV together. Glad we are able to see pictures since we couldn't be there on their special day.
Looking forward to seeing the rest of the album.
GREAT JOB!!!
Patrick says:
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thanks so much for the kind words Stephanie! Suzy and Jon are such wonderful people and so full of life, they really make the photos.
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143
July 19, 2010
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Stephanie says:
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Patrick, the picture looks amazing! cant wait to see the rest of them. Seeing you work in person, I see your passion and dedication. Happy Anniversary to you and your wife!
Patrick says:
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Stephanie,
Thank you so much for the kind words!! You guys are amazing and I loved working with you - so much personality. I just posted a larger set of photographs and I love the way they turned out. Thank you for the anniversary wishes too!
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142
July 13, 2010
I've said this before, but is something magical about an elopement, especial a Yosemite elopement. Once you strip away all of the fluff surrounding a wedding you are left with nothing but the love between a man and woman. Doing this along the banks of a river and under a grove of trees in Yosemite just feels right, like the way love was meant to be.
Kelly is a preschool teacher, something that you would probably guess after spending a bit of time with her. She is so bubbly and happy about life, it's infectious. Jorge kept his emotions a bit closer to himself, but once they were together it was pure love. You know those romantic movies where a couple can spend an entire day and night on a beach all by themselves, laughing the night away? That's Kelly and Jorge.
After they were married we traveled around the park for a bit stopping by some of my favorite spots. Where ever we went the scenery changed, but the look of love in Kelly and Jorge's eyes stayed the same. It was as if they had already been married for the past twenty years and were looking forward to the next twenty.
After spending the day with them, it's fitting that Kelly and Jorge spent a week traveling for their wedding. They have each other and the world ahead of them.
Big thanks to Dylan for assisting me with lighting all day!
Officiant: Reverend Carol Dewey
Comments
Kelly says:
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Ahhh Patrick...these pictures are so beautiful it makes my heart hurt. This is a beautiful way to remember our day. Thank you for everything.
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OMG such amazing pictures. I love them all. They are great pictures becasue they are of great/wonderful people. Thanks for posting them so soon for us that don't live close can see how happy they are. Congrats Suzy and Jon hope you all will make it home (WV) soon.
Patrick - these are amazing. Great work!!! What a wonderful set of memories for Suzy & Jon.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!!! BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.
YOSEMITE...WHAT A PERFECT PLACE FOR A WEDDING.NOW
WHEN AM I GONNA BE A AUNT? LOL.
LUV, KRISTINA
Patrick I believe you truly have out done yourself on these! They are AMAZING!! Truely Artistic! They capture everything that our area has to offer. They also capture the true genuine personality of Suzanne and Jon ! They were amazing to work with! Thanks for the fabulous work!
Awesome pictures!! Makes me want to get remarried just for the pictures!!
Thanks everyone for the good words! These photographs just seemed to flow out of Suzanne & Jon and right through my camera. I love to create art for people who love the art!
I am mesmerized! Still looking!