SLOtography

For a fortnight, @serenajade_ and I have been blessed by the company of a sweet, healthy, strong & passionate little girl...whom we created with our combination of love, heartache, traumas & triumph...this fragile beast. I cannot explain just how perfect she is (the curse of all parents). She came into this world when it had finally spun off its axis. Fear & hatred took center stage in our nation’s capital. But she came out screaming ~ and you parents know, that noise is (str...angely) so comforting. ’Twas apropos. I wanted to scream, too. But, in an instant, she was enveloped in the love of her mother & me. Her entry, made possible by the incredible @dr.christinapyo, the warm & wise @tawnysterios and the support of her fantastic nurses at Sierra Vista. These first two weeks of parenthood: a blur (a blessing under the circumstances). But today, we were awakened by the words of @amandascgorman’s inaugural poem: We are striving to forge a union with purpose To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another We seek harm to none and harmony for all Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: That even as we grieved, we grew That even as we hurt, we hoped That even as we tired, we tried That we'll forever be tied together, victorious Not because we will never again know defeat but because we will never again sow division.... @amandascgorman And I’m crying. But unlike two weeks ago, there was no screaming today. Today, I feel brave, I feel the light. And when darkness returns, I know that we’ll be OK with Serena by out side. She is fierce despite all of her compassion. She is the mother of my child, and NOTHING brings me more pride & comfort! We are so grateful for everything she has endured to complete this family. Welcome Juniper Lane. benevolent but bold, fierce and free. You are loved. And you have landed in a pretty special place surrounded by incredible people. -Dad See more

Remember when you could call a number to find out what time it wasPOPCORN! At least that’s the number I would dial. And nowwell, time doesn’t matter so who needs POPCORN? And speaking of popcorn, my microwave is beeping...anyway, here’s a throwback picture from an especially sweet wedding last summer :) Wedding Management: Amanda Holder Events Venue: 4 Deer Ranch Photography: SLOtography + 2nd: Heraldo Family Photo... Videography: Slotography Rentals: All About Events Floral Design: Lori Boe Floral Design Catering: Fire and Wine Catering Desserts: Daisy's Delights Bartending: Copper & Crystal, Bar Service Live Music/DJ/MC: Come Alive Entertainment Beauty: Blush & Bangs Officiant: Marriage with Meaning Transportation: SLO Safe Ride @kristenmariecunningham See more

Yo! James here (@jlest). My last wedding of 2020 is now on the blog (link in bio). Couldn't be more stoked on this one. Such an elegant gracious couple with the most timeless vibe to their wedding. Loved every minute of it! Looking forward to what comes next this year. Hope you're all doing well!

Just when she thought her wedding day was going flawlesslythis beautiful bride gets stuck in a fisherman’s net at Golden Hourtragic. @storiestoldbyfilm rushed to her aid. I just stood by to capture the magic. Stories Told By Film Queens Bees Camp Ocean Pines

lest we forget that there were so many things that were unchanged in 2020. Love was at the center of the universe and its gravity grew. Love - Laughter - Stress - Setbacks. A fairly typical year in the grandest of schemes. And (if you’re on this side of the equator), the days are getting brighter-longer. That’ll do 2020. See ya next year <3 Shout out to Rex+Jorena ~ my final couple of the year. Their story goes like this: destiny <3. Of note: I love this shot because they ar...e mimicking the two trees in the background ~ growing together in a lifelong kiss. Keep that in mind newlyweds, as you grow, becoming more magnificent and only closer together :) Side note: From myself, from all of the SLOtographers, thank you for supporting us thru an exceptionally difficult year. 2021 will no doubt bring more unexpectedness ~ but if we’ve learned one thing, it is that you can’t contain the love in this world. And we are ever-so-grateful for these love stories that we’re fortunate to capture (and the lovely people starring in them ;)). VENUE La Lomita Mission SLO La Lomita Ranch FLORAL Flowers by Kim Flowers By Kim PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY SLOtography SLOtography CATERING Phil's Catering @philscateringcentralcoast BAR Bottles & Ice Bottles & Ice, Bar Service RENTALS All About Events @allaboutevents SOUND + TECH Kramer Events Kramer Events COORDINATION Amie Bri Events for Kramer Events Amie Bri Events Kramer Events Tinderbox Bakery @tinderboxbakery Anna Grimes @makeup_by_anna_grimes HAIR @nichole.hair

Hot wedding tip: pick a wedding day that is an unseasonably warm fall day, so your beautiful bride’s red hair pops in the autumn goodness of the surrounding vines! While we’re at it ~ hot tip #2: pick a day with glorious-cloudy skies. Bonus points: get married at a castle. I can’t say enough about how wonderful this wedding was. A diamond in the rough that is 2020. That’s what Sam & Thomas are. ... Planner: Megan Brady | @toothandnailwinery DJ/MC: @ccpremierentertainment MUAH: @thequeensbees Floral: @brookeedelmanfloral Magician: @austinjanik Transportation: @elegantimagelimousine Dessert: https://www.facebook.com/thesugarshoppe805/about/ #californiaweddingday #sloweddings #dvlop #weddingday #thatsdarling #loveauthentic #loveislove #justmarried #weddings #weddingphotographer #californiaweddings #darlingmovement #weddingideas #lovewins #samesexweddings #socality #bride #visitslo #bridesmagazine #theweddingchicks #weddingdetails #moodygrams #communityovercompetition #vscogood #theknot #portraitkillers #darlingdaily #canon #california_igers #visitslo See more

When a wizard and a sorceress get together...oh ho ho it’s magic #abracadabra (don’t worry, along with sorcery, these two practiced fire safety).

Chelsy & Brian 12.3.2020. Our final wedding of 2020 was one that really filled our hearts. It’s always a treat to film friends and especially in such a special place as Ojai. Venue: @ojaivalleyinn Photo: @elliekoleen Video: @slotography ... Coordinator: @whitesagearkansas Floral: @ojalafloral Rentals: @amigopartyrentals H&MU: @roguestyling Design: @amandahoustondesign Linens: @latavolalinen Rentals: @theonicollection Live Music: @nataliegelman Song Credit: @black_match See more