148
August 2, 2010
Almost every year in past memory our family has taken one vacation a year all together. This year we joined Katie's parents, sister and her husband for a week in Puerto Vallarta for a much need time of relaxation.
Before we left I had been going back and forth on what camera to take with me. This of course went hand in had with the idea of hiring a model in Mexico for a photoshoot as I have done in the past. My first camera choice would have been to only bring my smaller pocket sized Sigma DP2. It takes up next to no room and I've used the camera for little personal projects, even a few weddings over the past year, and love this little machine. In the end, I had extra room in my bag and brought way too much gear (underwater housing?) but still I was on vacation and no shoots were scheduled.
The flight there was the most difficult part of the trip. Just as we taxied to the runway, the pilot came on to notify us that there was problem with the plane. Instead of taking off on time, we had the chance to entertain our little ones on the plane for an extra hour - thankfully everyone nearby us seemed to love little kids.
Once in Mexico we stayed at the Grand Luxxe, a lavish luxury hotel. It was wonderful to be pampered all week, with dedicated workers offering to clean my sunglasses at any time. We spent the majority of the week chasing Tyler and Sophie through the pools and waterslides. They were on a strict schedule of playing all day and crashing out from exhaustion only to wake up early the next morning for another round.
One morning my brother in law John and I woke up early to head up to Sayulita for a little surf trip. When we go there, the water was warm and the waves were waist high, which made for a good long boarding session followed by tacos and beer on the beach.
Despite these great conditions, the highlight of the day was when the rest of the family showed up; as soon as they got there, I paddled Sophie out into the lineup on the nose of my board to catch her first wave. It was a very cool moment to be able to share with my daughter, and she handled it like a pro. Not bad for a girl that isn't even two yet.
All week long we enjoyed excellent food where ever we went. From excellent ceviche to home made tacos and margaritas that are just too big it was truly vacation. In one restaurant, the waiter even remembered my my sister in law Shannon and John from their honeymoon there one year before and gave them their anniversary tequila shot!
The last night there, the kids went to bed early and Katie and I enjoyed dessert on the deck as the sun slipped below the horizon. They sky was simply gorgeous and I happened to bring a camera out to snap a shot of the colorful sky. It wasn't until few hours later that the weather turned and lightning crashed. Luckily my camera was still outside and I was able to capture a few strikes.
It was a much needed family vacation. Is it any wonder that on multiple occasions during the trip, Katie looked at me and said "I think we should move here"?
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147
August 2, 2010
It's fairly odd to write the title of this post as "The Glowacki Family" looking at the photographs in this set. Here we have John and Melinda, along with their new-born daughter Savera. But for most of my life, "The Glowacki Family" was John, his two sisters, and his parents - Mr. and Mrs Glowacki to me.
I was so young that I really don't even remember the very first time I met John, but it was a long time ago (I still have a photograph of us together at Halloween in Kindergarten). We both have older sisters who were friends, so it seemed destined that we would be friends, and so it was. Many of my early years were spent with John and it's amazing to still be a part of each other's lives. We played little league together as kids and have enjoyed Dodger games together as adults. At my own wedding, I was honored to have John stand by my side as a groomsman. Now as we have children of our own, it's downright crazy.
I first met Melinda shortly after they had started dating and it was obvious that they would spend their lives together. She balances him out perfectly. They have such a healthy reality about them in the way the approach life. Well almost seven years after they married, they had their daughter Savera and now we have the next Glowacki Family.
We all got together one afternoon near where we both grew up in Souther California. It was incredibly special for me to watch this family hold each other from my viewfinder. After all, this man holding his wife and daughter is the same kid I grew up biking around the neighborhood with. Now their daughter is the start of a whole new generation.
When we were done taking photographs, we all met up with Katie, Tyler and Sophie back at the beach. Then the Glowacki's treated us to some tasty mexican food. John and I sat and talked about the good memories of old times, how parenting is changing us, and the challenges of the future. It was a great night. I firmly believe that good friends are one of life's greatest blessings and I look forward to seeing Savera and the Glowacki's grow. Thanks again!
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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
Comments
Jamie White says:
Friday, July 23, 2010
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.
Stephanie White says:
Friday, July 23, 2010
Patrick - these are amazing. Great work!!! What a wonderful set of memories for Suzy & Jon.
KRISTINA LENTZ says:
Friday, July 23, 2010
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
Carol Cardinale-Ruiz says:
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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!
Sarah Montoya says:
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Awesome pictures!! Makes me want to get remarried just for the pictures!!
Patrick says:
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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!
The Landmans says:
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
So happy to be able to view these pictures and share your celebration! The pictures are beautiful, as is the bride!!! Hope your life together is as wonderfrul and happy as you both look!!!!
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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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ahhhhh, northing like a good tropical vacation. I only got back from one about 3 months ago and I'm ready for another. Love the sunset and lightning shots
What a beautiful family. Looks like you all had an amazing time.
Fabulous!
These are so fun! Your son looks just like you!! I love the lightening and those in the water. Really cool.