233
October 23, 2011
Although it was not until the day I photographed Cat and Terry that we actually met face to face, I've been talking with Cat for a few years now. Cat herself is a talented wedding photographer and we had met online a few years ago through a photography forum.
Cat and Terry are planning their wedding for December 12th of next year in South Africa, and unfortunately it will just not feasible for me to photograph it (although I really wish I could). Instead Cat knew that they had to come visit me in Yosemite so that they could have to same photographs that they have seen me produce over the years.
This trip was Cat and Terry's first time visiting Yosemite and they wanted to make the most of it. They traveled up to the park the day before our scheduled session to explore the beauty. All that day Cat was sending me facebook messages as the traveled reaching each new landmark. Even in those little quick snips of text I could read their amazement of the grand vistas and falls.
When I joined them in the park the very next day I could see that same amazement in their eyes. I took them on a short tour through the valley floor, taking in the start of fall colors and the beautiful afternoon light. Cat and Terry always seemed so content just to hold each other. Once they were in each others arm, little else in the world seemed to matter. This was the perfect backdrop for Cat and Terry's love. With steep granite walls and crashing waterfalls, Yosemite is a humbling place and Cat and Terry's relationship seemed all the more real because of it.
We only spent a short time together that afternoon before they needed to head back home, so it was just after the sun dipped below the valley rim that we called it a day and left the valley. After sharing the afternoon I can't wait for them to visit with them again. They have such a kind and gentle love about them; both playful and caring at the same time. Come back soon!
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213
July 15, 2011
These days the majority of my work is in the Yosemite area. It's a beautiful place that always offers something new each and every day, but it is always invigorating to work in new places. New things to see, new places to experience, new stories to tell.
On a recent trip to Los Angeles with my family, we suddenly found ourselves away for longer than we had originally planned. I had already photographed one dramatic engagement session in at a place I grew up surfing and I wanted to squeeze in one more. With one last minute phone call to Nicole and Jason, who live nearby and are getting married in Yosemite this October, we had everything set up.
Nicole and Jason joined Katie and myself at Abalone Cove in Palos Verdes for an afternoon engagement session. It was a place that Katie and I have ben to many time to enjoy the sunset and hike at the edge of the ocean. Even though they had never been here before, Nicole and Jason looked instantly at home. They are both outdoor athletes, so they fit in perfectly with the hiking and the ocean, but more than that they were with each other. For them it was another new adventure to share together on the road of life.
The entire beach was swallowed in a dramatic light and the dualism of life.The sun beat down on us, but the cool ocean water was refreshing. Crabs ran around our feet as waves crashed into the rocks covering us in a salty spray. There is something magical about the place were land and ocean meet. As I was the one in control of everything, I made sure that we all got to spend some time in the ocean, because how can you not?
The whole time we were there really felt much more like a trip to the beach with friends rather than work. Nicole and Jason are so playful and loving that they made me job ridiculously easy. For me it was something special to be able to create art at these tide pools, a place that I have been enjoying for years.
Comments
Jason says:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Patrick,
These pictures are amazing..... more spectacular than I could have imagined. And the photo shoot was so much fun. You are so right, the shoot was much more like friends hanging out! And Katie is so much fun to be around. You are both wonderful! Thanks for everything.
Nicole Vandevelde says:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Patrick!! Thank you so much! We love your vision and style. And we had the best time with you and Katie! Can't wait for the wedding in a few months.
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212
July 8, 2011
I love meeting new people. The simple fact that my work constantly brings new friends into my life makes my day. I love to hear their stories, to see them together, to relax and share a laugh. So when Ida called me at the last minute to see if Katie and I could join her and Elijah for wine tasting at the Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga, I just knew I had to make it work.
A quick check of the calendar revealed that we could escape for a short overnight trip. Katie quickly packed an overnight bag while I gathered our camera equipment. Minutes later we were in the car, headed for an overnight trip to Napa Valley.
The next morning when Katie and I arrived at the Castelo di Amorosa winery we were blown away by its presence. Standing at the top of the hill, nestled between vines and trees, it stood as a sign of both power and a place of retreat.
We joined Ida and Elijah for a tour of the castle and the winemaking process. The level of detail and artistry here is amazing. The castle was designed to be an authentic Italian castle (complete with dungeon and torture chamber) and even featured various elements of construction, as if it was built piece by piece over serval decades. The four of us took it in through eyes of wonder. The castle is truly a beautiful place.
As the tour concluded, we gathered at a table to sample the castle's wines. As glasses were poured, we talked more and shared stories learning how similar we all are. It is wonderful to hear how two people meet and fall in love, to talk with them about the important things in their lives, and their plans for the future. Ida and Elijah are such sweet and beautiful people wrapped up in love. It also didn't hurt that we were enjoying some very tasty wine. Of course if you're reading this, I brought some back, so make sure you stop my my studio to share some with me!
When the time came, we walked together up and out of the castle into the midday sun. As I grabbed my camera, I realized it was one of the first days this year that I have been outside and really felt hot. Somehow, for Ida and Elijah it didn't seem to matter. Their enthusiasm and love for each other was so real and honest that the photographs just started to flow. I could tell that they were a little bit nervous, but really love does conquer all. They have this amazing passion that pulls them together, but it is tempered with humility.
I do wish that I could have taken more photographs of Ida and Elijah inside of the castle, but we could not disturb the tours that were constantly exploring the castle (plus we didn't want to get lost in the dungeon). The staff at Castello di Amorosa was incredibly gracious with us, and gave us as much freedom as possible to work within the castle and the surrounding area.
What had started out as just an engagement session turned into so much more. Katie and I were able to take a mini-vacation by ourselves for a night; we sipped fine wines and dined on delicious food. And to top it all off, we were able to make two new friends. I can't tell you how much we needed that.
It's going to be a while before we see Ida and Elijah again. Their wedding will be this November in Lake Tahoe. Of course, I am hoping that they make it up to Yosemite to come visit before then; November is just too far away!
Comments
Ida says:
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thank you so much Patrick! You certainly delivered, and the photographs are a true testament to your mastery behind the lens. Of course, I cannot forget Katie, as she definitely had her share in all of this, too! I'm sure sometime in the middle of that sweltering heat, you both wished you hadn’t traded swimming lessons for Napa ;-) We hope to see you both soon, and are actually planning a trip up on the 19th!
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211
July 1, 2011
In just a few months, Jessica and Ricky will marry in a church in Fresno. They have family in that area, but they currently live in Southern California. Right now they are in the midst of the last bit of wedding planning, working out the details and ensuring the day will be just right for everyone. But before that September day can come, Jessica and Ricky really wanted to meet up with me for an engagement session.
They knew they wanted to have an engagement session, but they did not have a strong preference as to where or what we did to create the photographs. They trusted me. Since I was given complete creative freedom I planned to take us to one of my favorite places on earth; the ocean. We headed to a place that I have spent countless hours and days, the rugged coastline of Palos Verdes with it's sharp contrast between land and water.
Jessica and Ricky have an incredible passion about them that I wanted to capture in these photographs. They share a healthy relationship of give and take, a relationship that is built in strength. As we went along, they held onto each other not as a couple that has been together for fifty years, but as that couple fifty years earlier; looking forward to sharing every moment of life's adventures and joys.
Hiking the rugged coastline of Palos Verdes is not the easiest thing; loose rocks litter steep, narrow goat trails above the ocean below. Together Jessica and Ricky climbed up and down as if they had been doing it all of their lives. We visited some incredibly beautiful places together in a day that I am sure they will never forget. This session held a special importance to me as well, we visited many of the areas that I spent exploring and surfing throughout my early life. The interplay between land, sky, and water is always humbling to me; the smell of salt in the air, the spray of water from waves crashing onto rocks, the ocean teeming with life all remind us how blessed we are in life. Even more than that, Jessica and Ricky have found each other in the midst of all of this.
Comments
Jennifer Movey says:
Saturday, July 2, 2011
WOW! Beautiful pictures! We would like a copy of each please! Great job!!!!!
Tony Eng says:
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Congrats again!! The pictures came out really nice and you both look so happy...Best wishes to you guys.
Sarah says:
Monday, July 11, 2011
I love the first one - such lovely silhouettes!
Jessica says:
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Patrick! Thank you for picking out an awesome spot in beautiful Rancho Palos Verdes. We had a really great time, one which we will remember for many years to come. Your love and passion to capture life in a photo lens is evident and amazing. We get positive responses whenever we show these pictures to family and friends. We look forward to having you with us on our wedding day. Much Thanks!!!
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185
March 8, 2011
If I had known before we set up this session that both of them were rock climbers, I would done things differently. Those people are crazy...
Emily and Justin are two of the most fun loving people I have met. Add to that, their love of the outdoors is only slightly less than their love for each other. They told me that before they met, Emily had always enjoyed rock climbing and Justin had always enjoyed snow skiing, but neither had tried the other sport. A deal was quickly struck where Emily would take up skiing and Justin rock climbing. Both are still learning and loving their new sports, but of course was really matters is that both of them found new ways to enjoy sharing life together.
With a love for the outdoors like this, it was pretty easy for them to decide to get married in Yosemite. Their wedding isn't until August, but we decided to take advantage of a completely different season and shoot some engagement photos in the midst of winter.
Not knowing how they would react to having a camera pointed at them, we stopped by an open meadow to create a few photographs. It was immediately obvious to me how relaxed they were in each others arms. They just seemed to be perfectly at home wherever we went no matter if it was in hiking across a snowy meadow or scrambling across rivers.
On the way up to a waterfall the rock climbers in the group quickly left the trail behind and began to scramble up some rocks and eventually ended up in a small cave. Of course, leave it to the rock climbers to find a super narrow crack to wedge themselves into. Somehow, despite the contorted body positions required to get into this crazy space, they seemed perfectly relaxed with each other. I love it.
For the second time in a week, I finished an engagement session with a couple that couldn't believe how much fun having their picture taken could be. Do they all know that I am having just as much fun?
Comments
Emily says:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I love all of these! I'm so happy the crack one turned out. That was fun. I can't get over how amazing these are.
Dan says:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Yosemite Valley - The real "happiest place on earth"
Kristine says:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I love the unique locations and loving looks. You are adorable. :)
Patrick says:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thanks Emily! It was so much fun working with you guys and I can't wait until August when we get to do it again!
Dad (T) says:
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
These are great!!
derek lapsley says:
Thursday, March 17, 2011
ok, so that kissy, squished between rocks, black and white picture intrigues me. where's the behind the scenes shot on that one, it looks fun :)
Tracey Hedge says:
Sunday, April 10, 2011
I love these Patrick!
The rock climbing would have been cool!
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Patrick, your work over the years has always impressed me, and my own engagement session w/ Terry is no exception! I'm in awe of these photographs, they're all seriously amazing! Terry and I had such a great time hanging out with you and getting to take all of these and will definitely be sure to let you know next time we come visit Yosemite so we can hang out again :) You rock!
hawtttt!!
Great photos guys.
Amazing photos of Cat and Terry! I met Cat 2-ish years ago. I'm so glad i met her and those pictures rock!
all I can say is
WOW! Double Rainbow Awesome!