152
September 2, 2010
Less than thirty hours before their wedding, Timothy and Rebecca enjoyed the view from Glacier Point by themselves. They had never visited the Yosemite before, so they came to discover the perfect spot to marry. They knew quickly that this place, with it's magical views and sweeping vista was their place. In fact not only would they marry here the very next day, but on that first visit, Timothy proposed to Rebecca as he slipped an engagement ring on her left hand.
Late the next day they gathered again at Glacier Point, this time to exchange their vows as the sun set behind us. Together with Rev. Carol Dewey, we hiked up a trail a little ways from the amphitheater to escape the crowd and suddenly, it was just us and the trees. Together they shared their love and tears for each other, overlooking the granite of Half Dome. It was a beautiful scene, a husband and a wife embracing in a magical place.
As the sun raced towards the horizon I continued to photograph Rebecca and Timothy around Glacier Point while tourists gathered to watch the sunset. They were playfully in love, knowing that they will always have each other. I love how these photographs are not only drenched with late afternoon light, but also soaked with the strong and tender emotion between a loving couple.
Congratulations again to Rebecca and Timothy!
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151
August 29, 2010
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150
August 12, 2010
Sometime shortly after planning their vacation from the Netherlands to tour the National Parks of the west coast of the United States, Pieter and Liselotte decided that trip would be the perfect time to marry. The arrived in San Francisco to drive to the Pacific Northwest, then to Mono Lake and Yosemite. For their elopement they chose the marry at the Mariposa Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in continual use west of the rockies.
Although they are both attorneys by profession, Pieter has a love and respect for fire fighting. Once the decided to marry in Mariposa, Pieter wrote a letter to the Mariposa Fire Department asking if they could possibly provide a fireman as a witness. In a move of unbelievable grace, the fire chief Jim Wilson not only acted as a witness for the wedding, but also created a new friendship. Together Pieter and Liselotte joined Jim Wilson and his wife for the day on a tour through Yosemite and even a celebration dinner after their wedding.
During there ceremony I looked at Pieter and Liselotte and saw something that I have never seen before. Throughout the entire ceremony the had their arms across each other in an embrace. It struck me as both odd and instantaneously right. Why have I never before seen a couple start of a wedding so fittingly?
Immediately after the ceremony ended Pieter and Liselotte embraced in a passionately fierce hold. It was not the look of a couple that has been handed everything and simply expects life to be easy - it was the look of honest love, tried and tested by life. It was beautiful and I doubt I will ever forget it.
From that point on Pieter and Liselotte were entirely focused on each other and little else mattered. We walked through downtown Mariposa a bit longer, taking advantage of various textures and lines. At one point, while shooting on the sidewalks of town, a woman from behind me asked if we would like to come in her art gallery. Who could pass up that kind of opportunity?
We stepped into Riversong Gallery and once again Pieter and Liselotte found themselves making new friends with Barbara the gallery owner. She allowed us to enjoy the air conditioning while shooting in the midst of beautiful works of art. As we were walking out of the gallery, Barbara presented the newlyweds with a bottle of Mount Bullion Vineyard's wine as a present.
Although we didn't spend that much time together, we talked a bit more as the evening went on and I am truly impressed by this couple. Such wonderful people focused on the goodness of life, helping other and enjoying our blessings. They are the kind of people that force you to realize how good life is. Pieter and Liselotte granted us an invitation to see them if our travels take us to Amsterdam and I can't wait for that day when our paths cross again.
Comments
Melissa says:
Saturday, August 14, 2010
It's so simple and lovely.
Linda says:
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Great photographs and a wonderful community in which to marry.
Nancy says:
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I love the passion in the photo of the embrace. Beautiful!
Nils & Lotte from Amsterdam says:
Sunday, August 22, 2010
These beautiful pictures allow us in a way to be part of their wedding day
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149
August 11, 2010
If you have had the chance to work with me before, you know my famous last words are always "just one last shot". At the end of Shanna and Phillip's wedding, we drove them back to their cabin Yosemite West from the Ahwahnee. As we drove, I kept one eye on the road and one out the window, keeping a constant eye on the sky. The moon was just over the horizon casting a faint light across the valley.
We pulled over at river view and I quickly looked to see the possibility that was there. Then I just had to convince Shanna and Phillip to hop out of the car and into the cool dark night air for one last shot.
Comments
Patrick says:
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thanks Dennis! Yes, this is a composite - your'e spotting all of my tricks :)
Suzanne Birnbaum says:
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wow! That's quite shot. It is beautiful. Suzanne
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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"?
Comments
Dennis Pike says:
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
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
Suzanne Birnbaum says:
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What a beautiful family. Looks like you all had an amazing time.
Shanna Leonard says:
Thursday, August 12, 2010
These are so fun! Your son looks just like you!! I love the lightening and those in the water. Really cool.
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totally awesome stuff man! 3rd from the end is my favorite. Great lighting
These are AMAZING. I LOVE the light. You captured her glow perfectly. What a beautiful couple! Congratulations!
Gorgeous work. I love that so many of your weddings are so intimate. Definitely different from the weddings I normally shoot. Also, Love the panoramic portraits you have been doing lately, It actually inspired me to try a couple on the engagement shoot I did yesterday
Thanks Dennis! I think its the nature of an elopement to be so intimate for those who elope - somehow it just feels right. I can't wait to see your panos!
Thanks Mariah, they were a really loving couple. I can't wait until your wedding comes around!
Alec thanks for the good words! The open meadow shots are some of my favorites too.
You amaze me Patrick these are Beautiful!