




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!
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!
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.
this wedding is pure heart, love the tones and the great vibe of the couple.
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.
wow, you KILLED it. amazing compositions and light. beautiful work
Gorgeous work Patrick. Love your outside around the Ahwahnee at night shots.
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.
These are fantastic! Amazing lighting. Beautiful.
the photos were beautiful, you did a wonderful job capturing my sister's life altering moment. Thank you!
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
Nice photos!! I think the cake-in-the-face action shot is the best
My goodness! Amazing photos! What a wonderful couple. I laughed and cried and I don't even know them. Thanks for sharing!
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.
WOW! Congrats and truly great pics. Best wishes to your entire family in the future. Jon Boring
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!
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
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.
Wooonderful photos! Love all your recent sets, just very, very pretty!
is the picture with the white ring around them anamated?
That picture was taken with a flashlight moving around the couple.
LOVE that fisheye shot of the lake! Just amazing...
=Matt=
great stuff, and great idea.
Thanks guys!