I keep saying changes are coming. There has been a lot of behind the scenes planning and work going on as we prepare for this years weddings and I am super excited! Some of the changes have started to make their way to the forefront over that past few weeks, some are a ways off, but today I'm letting another cat out of the bag.

One of the things that I have wanted to do for quite a while is provide free engagement photos. Seriously, I mean free. And none of this "I just got this camera and I think I know how to take a picture" stuff either. I'm talking free shoot and free prints free - the whole enchilada. The only commitment on your part is a commitment to each other (and killer engagement photos)! Expect to visit a few locations over a few hours.

What about the red tape? There are a few guidelines. If you already have another photographer booked for your wedding have them do your engagement photos. I'm not trying to steal clients away from my friends and colleagues. "I like the idea of free photos, but I'm not engaged... can I bring my boyfriend along?" Nope, sorry. This is for couples who are getting married. Finally, there are a limited number of spots available for free engagement photos, only one free session per month.

So if you just got engaged and want to tell the world with some amazing photos give me a call or click here now to set it up. I've got lots of amazing ideas for engagement photos if you're willing!

engagement photography

engagement photographyengagement photographyengagement photography
Comments
Matthew Saville says: Tuesday, February 2, 2010

LOVE that fisheye shot of the lake! Just amazing...

=Matt=

Dennis Pike says: Tuesday, February 2, 2010

great stuff, and great idea.

Patrick Pike Photos says: Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Thanks guys!

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November 20, 2009

It's been a few days since the wedding day, and I've had time to recover from the wedding experience. I spent nearly the whole day with Aria and Levi in Yosemite. Recently I changed all of our packages over to include an unlimited timeframe because it just works better. Seriously, I hated when we were in the photo-groove, making some killer shots, only to realize that we were out of time. Thankfully Aria and Levi took full advantage of this and made the full Yosemite wedding tour and got some rocking photos.

One of the weirdest things about my photos from this side of things, is that my favorite photos change as often as the weather - and right now the weather is changing. One day I like this about that photo, and the next day I can't stop looking at a different photo. All of that to say, that had I written this entry a five days ago, I would have had chosen different photos than I did today. And now without further interruption, we return to the main story...

Aria and Levi married last Saturday in Yosemite. The wedding was blessed by nature with great weather, sneaking in between the rain and snow. The sun was out, the trees showing their last hint of fall color and the waterfalls were still flowing. Surrounded by all of this, two families gathered to celebrate the foundation of a new family. Normally when I talk about weddings here, I focus on the love between the bride and groom. But this day it was so much more than that, it was the love between everyone at the wedding.

I met up with Levi first thing in the morning as he was getting ready for the wedding. Since I had not previously met with Aria or Levi, I take everything in pretty quickly to get a feel for the day. Something about these shoes said a lot as to where the day was going.

Meanwhile, just a few doors down Aria was busy getting ready. Amy and Marilyn from Bellissimo Brides started off their day (insanely early) by glamorizing Aria. I think it is pretty clear they know how to do their job.

When I asked Aria and Levi what Yosemite meant to them and what locations the wanted photos of, they knew Half Dome was near the top of that list. Knowing this, we headed up to Tunnel View to get a great sunset shot of the valley, but nature had a different plan. Clouds how moved into the valley, obscuring Half Dome but casting El Capitian in a beautiful warm glow. I love the changing place the Yosemite is.  Thanks again Aria and Levi and enjoyed your well-earned honeymoon!



Comments
D.J. Ellis says: Friday, November 20, 2009

Freakin' sick brotha! Love this set. Glad you switched over to unlimited time.....lots of play time I see. You're gettin' pretty crazy with that there flashlight too. LOL!

Scott says: Saturday, November 21, 2009

Wow! You've really outdone yourself here. The shots with the valley and El Cap in the background make me want to get married so I can have you shoot my wedding in Yosemite. Amazing.

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A little while ago I joined Sarah and Robert for their wedding day. I say that lightly, but in truth it was a heavy experience. They came to Yosemite and marry by themselves, just the two of them, myself with a camera, and Rev. Autrey Nassar as the officiant. As I have said before, something magical happens when you strip away all the fluff surrounding a wedding and just bring the focus back to the bride and groom, and that's exactly what happened. With no distractions, the love between them was thick, I just tried my best not to get in their way.

For the majority of the day while we traveled through the park to create photographs, it was just the three of us. After we met up at the Ahwahnee, and I drove through the park pulling over anytime I saw the light working (which was basically everywhere).  Although they gave me complete artistic freedom, there were a few spots that Sarah and Robert knew they wanted a photo at, and you can't beat Tunnel View! As a side note, I am always amazed by how cool tourists are with us taking over a popular spot like this. While most are hustling and shoving to get a chance to snap a photo, everyone moved aside to give the bride and groom their chance. I love Yosemite!

During the ceremony, as they exchanged their own heartfelt-unscripted vows with each other, both Autrey and I stepped away and suddenly it was just them. No microphones, no band, no crowds. Just them and Yosemite. It was a beautiful sight to see them stand by themselves and profess their complete love for each other.



Comments
Ted says: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Awesome!

fer juaristi says: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

this wedding is pure heart, love the tones and the great vibe of the couple.

The Memory Journalists says: Thursday, November 12, 2009

I love that they ran of by themselves. Just their love, a photog and officiant. Too cool! Amazing and beautiful shoot. I have chills! Congrats to the lovely couple.

Coarsegold Flower Shop says: Friday, November 13, 2009

Amazing as all ways!!!!

Dennis Pike says: Saturday, November 14, 2009

wow, you KILLED it. amazing compositions and light. beautiful work

shawnreeder says: Friday, December 4, 2009

Gorgeous work Patrick. Love your outside around the Ahwahnee at night shots.

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September 21, 2009


Somehow, despite all of the stories of the crazy bridezillas, I am blessed to work with the most amazing couples. Last Saturday's wedding with Savanah and Chris was no exception. With two of the happiest, luckiest-to-have-each-other, best-friends, all around beautiful people - plus and amazing wedding venue (lakeside ceremony and reception) and great friends and family, it was an awesome day. Katie and I joined them on their wedding day and had a blast.

Savanah and Chris have known each other since their high school days. They are both incredible athletes and are driven through life. Savanah looked stunning. Chris (whose nickname is goofy) is a romantic who continued to surprise everyone - including his wife - throughout the night - with his personal touches on the wedding.

Savanah had the help of her best friends before the wedding.  Their ceremony was short, only about ten minutes. It was stripped down to the purest part, their personal vows to each other.  After the ceremony we all enjoyed dinner courtesy of Savanah's father and the Kelly Brothers Brewing Company.



Comments
Scott says: Tuesday, September 22, 2009

These are fantastic! Amazing lighting. Beautiful.

morgan says: Thursday, September 24, 2009

the photos were beautiful, you did a wonderful job capturing my sister's life altering moment. Thank you!

estephenson@clarion.edu says: Friday, September 25, 2009

The pictures are absolutely gorgeous and they actually even capture some of the feelings during the events at the wedding. Everyone here in Pennsylvania will surely enjoy seeing them as a remembrance of the wedding or for the first time if they were not able to be there in California for the most special day.
Aunt Liz

Kristin says: Sunday, September 27, 2009

The first dance shot is a forever shot. Gorgeous!

Michael says: Sunday, September 27, 2009

Nice photos!! I think the cake-in-the-face action shot is the best

The Memory Journalists says: Monday, September 28, 2009

My goodness! Amazing photos! What a wonderful couple. I laughed and cried and I don't even know them. Thanks for sharing!

shawnreeder says: Thursday, October 1, 2009

Beautiful images Patrick. You do stunning work.

Anonymous says: Friday, October 16, 2009

Patrick and Katie you are the best!!! I think my Aunt said it the best.. you captured true feelings through those photographs. We can't wait to see more.
Thanks for being so amazing and have a true passion for what you do.

Anonymous says: Sunday, November 1, 2009

WOW! Congrats and truly great pics. Best wishes to your entire family in the future. Jon Boring

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Samantha and Geoff traveled from Sydney Australia to marry in Yosemite. As far as I know, that's just about as far as someone can travel to get married. They were joined by Samatha's longtime friend Lindessa who drove up from Palm Springs just for the wedding (and back down after it was over)!

After finalizing a time and location, we decided on having the wedding in a meadow just behind the Yosemite Chapel as the sun set behind El Capitan. We met for the first time Tuesday afternoon and she looked stunning, just ask Geoff! Earlier in the afternoon Samantha had gone to Bellissimo Brides to have have her hair done and it looked amazing. Reverend Carol Dewey officiated the ceremony which was simple and beautiful.

I have really come to love elopements--they are like a full blown wedding stripped down to the core, the love between a husband and wife. There was absolutely nothing to distract from the love of these two. But in this case, there was another little girl present, their soon-to-come daughter Winter who held her own special place in the ceremony. Have I mentioned I love what I do?

Samantha took a little longer to arrive than planned, but that just us more time to hang out and get to know Geoff. In case you are wondering, Geoff = very cool guy.  Once we got rid of all traces of daylight, things got interesting :) Shooting in the forest in complete darkness is not the easiest thing to pull off, but I always enjoy a good challenge. Fortunately, Samantha and Geoff ROCKED these shots!



Comments
Dennis Pike says: Thursday, August 27, 2009

great stuff, love the light

Sambo says: Thursday, August 27, 2009

Patrick!!! You did SUCH an awesome job!!! Cant wait to see them all, please don't delete any!! Thank you again for your effort, it was so nice to meet you! xox Sam

Anonymous says: Friday, August 28, 2009

I have never seen anything like this. Amazing beautiful bride and groom. I am not just saying that because I am their Aunt Mary. i am so happy the wedding was everything they wanted and deserved. God Bless them.

Agnieszka says: Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Wooonderful photos! Love all your recent sets, just very, very pretty!

Anonymous says: Thursday, April 8, 2010

is the picture with the white ring around them anamated?

Patrick says: Friday, April 9, 2010

That picture was taken with a flashlight moving around the couple.

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