Maria and I would normally post portrait work like this on our individual portrait sites- me dogs, her kiddos- but this session was special. It was for Kristen Jensen, event planner extraordinaire of Sugar Rush Events. Kristen is one of our favorite people to work with in the wedding industry (and just one of our favorite people period) and we worked wither her a bunch last year so she wanted to have both of us come do a family session for her. So, we figured this was a good place to share what we got.

So, her and the hubs grabbed some beers, headed to their favorite hangout spot- the backyard- kicked their shoes off and enjoyed the 70 degree late fall weather, while we just followed all the little members of their adorable family around, including their hermit crab, Bill.

Maria and I are so excited to be shooting these guys' wedding. We met Michelle a couple years ago working on the Union Street Wedding Ring together and were instantly in awe of her!! And then we recently met Jody and were equally impressed!

So for their engagement shoot, Michelle was pretty set on NOT doing one of those stylized typewriter-in-the-field shoots, which we are of course always happy to hear since, if you hadn't noticed, that's not really our cup of tea. (read: "they kinda annoy us" :) But of course, no offense to our super talented photog friends who do them :)) We just tend to prefer to focus on the couple and whatever places or things might actually mean something to them. So you might be skimming ahead and going, "yeah, but you took these photos in a wine country vineyard- not exactly all that unique" . . . Except for the fact that it's Jody's vineyard- like honest-to-goodness his- passed down from grandparents, gets out there on the tractor everyday, dirty jeans, grows, harvests, the whole package! In addition to wine, they (Caspar Estate) also make their own honey and olive oil from their very own bees and olives! All of which we got to take home with us- score! And then they took us out to dinner on top of all that- I think we might have had a better date than they did! But they still look like they had a pretty good time- and Brody too! (their Chocolate Lab)

There really are only two words we can say and that is HOLY CRAP!! 

This was our last wedding of the season back at the end of September, and what a fabulous wedding to end the season with! After photographing their engagement session, we could hardly wait to do their wedding because 1) they clearly had good taste in food, and 2) Those smiles! They make our cameras happy.

And we were not disappointed. Madrona Manor makes their own butter! 'nuff said. And there was such a great vibe at their wedding- it was a wonderful mix of little kids and little grandmas! And everyone smiled so much (although Albert still wins for the best smile there!)

And then there was the exquisite gardens, their gorgeous invitations (hand-printed on vintage handkerchiefs bought one at a time on ebay!), and the overall super lovely laid-back feel of the day. It was wonderful!

Anyway, here's to registering 15 years of love with the state!



Venue- Madrona Manor