Maliah Monica Photo

Val has evolved her statement from "you look like hip Jesus" to "you look like a kind badass" both of which I will take. It's been a while since I've shown my face around here... mainly because I've been a creature of my bedroom (aka the editing cave). I've literally been rolling off my bed into my desk to start my day. anyway, here's my face - happy to be photographing people in love after not shooting for a few weeks! Say hi, maybe leave a dad joke in the comments if you so desire. Happy Monday! pc: @valoryandbenny edit by yours truly #reddingweddingphotographer

*$500 off your wedding giveaway!* No thanks to COVID, Black Friday is coming a little late this year along an update that I’ve been working SO hard on. To celebrate the launch of my BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW WEBSITE (I'm doing a little jig as I type this), I’m doing a $500 giveaway for ONE wedding next year! Along with a giveaway, I’m offering 10% off ALL of my wedding investments and couples sessions until Christmas day! Here are the rules for the $500 giveaway: Sha...re this post to your stories and tell me why you want to win the giveaway! I love seeing your beautiful faces, but if you prefer to type something out that’s 10000% okay! I want to get to know you and how you found love! Send me a message with your names and your wedding date. Each engaged friend you tag in this post gets you an extra entry! The winner will be announced Saturday December 19th! I cannot WAIIIT to get to know you guys!! #reddingweddingphotographer #portlandweddingphotographer #sacramentoweddingphotographer #sanclementeweddingphotographer See more

So funny story, and an update. I’m heading to Texas next week for my LAST wedding of 2020, and my last wedding of my first year in FULL TIME business. Heres the ironic part... In case you missed it, a mother freaking PANDEMIC hit and nearly took out my entire industry... In my first year of business. (*queue nervous laughter*)... I had a small laugh at that this morning. If I’m being really honest, it was accompanied by the urge to take a shot at a bright and early 11am. Instead of taking a shot in response to the hilariously stressful year this has been, tonight I’ll take a shot in celebration of every wedding industry professional and couple that decided stick it to the pandemic in the name of love. I’m going to tag a few of you in this post in invitation to take a shot with me at 7pm PST tag your pals in the wedding industry, or your friends who planned a wedding in this pandemic to join me in CELEBRATION, (cause lets be honest sis, YOU DESERVE IT) With thatttt out of the way, my 2021 season is looking SUPER packed from new couples, COVID reschedules, and the few weeks I’ll be spending in Europe. I did a little counting last night and I only have 12 spots left for 2021. I’ve had to send several emails rejecting incredible couples this week, and its my LEAST favorite thing to do. So if you’ve been waiting to book your dream wedding vendors, PLEASE do it sooner rather than later so you can snag your dream vendors! See more

Yesterday I had a FaceTime call with a friend that got engaged to her beautiful girlfriend (cough cough, FIANCÉ ) this past week. They’re looking into booking their dream wedding venue here in Northern California. We were dreaming up their wedding and she reminded me of something that made my heart sink the possibility of being rejected by their dream venue because they’re an LGBTQ couple. I felt my skin get hot at the thought of it, and it reminded me that I don’t think I’ve ever made this fact clear on my social media (other than my website) So if I haven’t made myself abundantly clear, ALL LOVE IS WELCOME HERE. Every gender, every body type, every skin color, your love is welcome and celebrated here.

Heres 3 ways I capture REAL emotion at my sessions! 1. Ditch posing for ACTION! Walk towards me, but act like you’re a little tipsy you know, the flirty kind! Whisper how to make a peanut butter and jelly and seductively as you can into her ear... Jump on his back.. okay now try to swing her off! These are just a few prompts I give my couples during their session. How do these hot tamales look like they’re having so much fun during their session? It’s because we’re basically playing games for an hour straight, and it IS so much fun! 2. Connection, Connection, Connection We’re all hands on deck around here. If you have a hand hanging around that you don’t know what to do with, just touch your honey in a way that feels most natural to you. (Booty grabs are always welcome) 3. Find a photographer that get to know YOU! I don’t photograph every couple the same exact way. Some couples love the quiet, tender, intimate moments. Some want to climb mountain tops, or roll around the sand belly laughing with their best friend. No one couple is the same as another, and I’m committed to capturing you and bae in YOUR element. Which one of these tips are you going to try at your engagement session? #sacramentoweddingphotographer #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #surreyweddingphotographer #portlandweddingphotographer See more

Just though you guys would enjoy some joyful tears with your coffee or tea this morning. Lauren's first look with her Dad was truly a special moment to witness. Definitely had to wipe some tears off my camera after this one.#surreyweddingphotographer #sanclementeweddingphotographer

Home for a few days in the middle of a wild travel week + found some time to slow down this morning and holy cats am I thrivinggg. finally got to cleaning my room, had a coffee and my breakfast on my back porch (in sixty degree weather) and now finishing up my morning wrapping up some laundry with my favorite jams on, and dreaming up @blonde_sided and @kyle25's upcoming engagement session. Monday's are what you make them, and I'll make mine peaceful. #sanclementeweddingphotographer

Yesterday Courtney, Spencer and I made the trek from our sweet little Redding, California to Cape Kiwanda up in Northern Oregon. We've spent a good chunk of time talking ourselves down from moving to Oregon, because HOLY COW this state takes the cake for the best fall. The beauty of Oregon is really unparalleled. So thankful for these two, their sense of adventure, love of Taco Bell, and willingness to trust me with crazy location ideas.#sacramentoweddingphotographer #lajollaweddingphotographer #sanclementeweddingphotographer

Surprise, it's a *GIVEAWAY!* I wanted to do something fun an give away a mini session for my last and final round of minis this year! Swipe through to read the rules + happy entering! #chicophotographer #chicoweddingphotographer

Spending the next few days editing my heart away and gearing up for a crazy (but really exciting) next few weeks of travel. also taking recommendations for the best travel snacks + tunes in the comments. #kentweddingphotographer #surreyweddingphotographer

Pro tip: If you want to capture those perfect candid moments during your engagement session, remember this: Find a photographer you trust, don’t put so much pressure on yourself, breathe, crack open your favorite beverage, put on your favorite tunes, and have FUN! I find that the best truly candid moments happen when my couples get lost in a moment and forget that I’m there. ... You shouldn’t feel like you’re taking photos. You should feel like you’re taking an afternoon walk with the one you love, and a friend that just so happens to be a killer photographer. #sacramentoweddingphotographer #surreyweddingphotographer See more

This bad baby turned 21 this week!! Love you so much @sierramcbane_ . How thankful I am for your friendship and for your life! Can’t wait to celebrate you soon! #joshuatreephotographer #sacramentoweddingphotographer

It's these two hot tamales wedding day. heading down to Cameron Park to photograph their perfect day + I couldn't be more stoked. #sacramentoweddingphotographer

In speaking of love, John Mark McMillan once said "In order to get from the novelty of love to real intimacy, you have to be willing to put up a bit of a fight". It's one of my favorite one liners about love and intimacy. It's the gate that we can chose to shut to keep the sting of pain out. It's also the same one we draw down in invitation to say "come and explore me, come and know me." When we let those gates down, we draw down our defenses. We give someone an opportunity to know all that we are without hiding. We give them the simplest opportunity to hurt us - but even more powerfully we give them the opportunity to love, know, and hold in reverence all that we are. The fight for true intimacy doesn't start with bearing arms and preparing for battle. The fight starts with fighting to keep the gates open.

Fall minis are HERE! I'm so stoked to offer these again this year! Please read all of the information before booking your session! LETS PARTY!

I haven't been able to shut up about how much of a party this day was. It's been a while since I felt like I wasn't able to keep with with a crew, but DAMN do you guys know how to throw a party. PRO TIP for weddings during fire season: a lot of venues in California are restricting use of open flames and sparklers, hence: no sparkler exits. Rice paper canons are such an incredible alternative if you want a photo op that literally pops off. *stupid dad joke for the... win* It's environmentally friendly, and it looks iiincredibllle. See more

Some of my favorites from Joelle + Blaines bridal session in Tahoe. These two decided to stick it to COVID and elope with some of their closest family and friends and family by their side. I didn't get to make it to their party, but I was lucky enough to hang out with them for this session and it was so freaking DREAMY. I love how bridal sessions give couples a shot to dress up again and have a moment to run away as married couple. Such a slow and sweet afternoon in the mountains, and I'm 1000% here for more of this. (that last photo is my whole mode @ 2020) #surreyweddingphotographer