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Jenn, Andrew and I met over coffee in a tiny shop in Lincoln Square just before the holidays, where we bonded over a shared love of adventure, the outdoors, and our dogs. They braved the cold and we spent a fun (but chilly!) afternoon on the shore of Lake Michigan to take their engagement photos. Today also happens to be Jenn’s birthday, so here’s to a wonderful day, Jenn! I’m so excited for the chance to get to know these two and be a part of their wedding.
Twelve years ago, San Francisco was the city that made me fall in love with cities. Besides a few layovers in SFO, I hadn’t been back since. When my husband and I decided to start our California adventure in San Francisco, I wasn’t sure how much I could trust my memory of the city. I was young the first time I visited, and my memories have since been jumbled up. We rented a lovely apartment in the Mission District and walked all over the city. We climbed the steps up to Bernal Heights Park, ate at diners and in fabulous Mexican restaurants (thanks, Lo, for recommending our favorites!), explored SoMa, the Tenderloin, and Powell Street, and combed through more fabulous vintage clothing stores than I can count. I wasn’t able to get as many photos as I had hoped, because on our last day in the city the house across from ours caught fire and all access to our personal items in the apartment was cut off. Luckily everyone was okay, and I’m just using it as an excuse to come back sometime soon. We drove down the coast, stopping along at the diners and parks of Big Sur, which is possibly the most breathtaking view I’ve seen, and spent the night in Santa Barbara. I wish we had taken more time there, because I could have explored for longer, but we packed up for Palm Springs the next morning and spent a few relaxing days at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club for their New Year’s Eve celebration. We climbed lots of rocks in the Joshua Tree National Park and then spent our last night in LA, exploring the streets of Silverlake.
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You guys are so California. Wish you’d just move here already! 
I love the tone of all your images. Looks like a dream vacation! I’ve only been to Cali once (and for a total of 24 hours probably!), but I feel the ocean calling me back. And all those glorious palm trees! 
Love your photos. One of my to-do things is to drive down the coast. Hope you enjoyed your New Year. 
Aww.. I wish I knew you were in Santa Barbara, we’re only 30 minutes away. It would have been nice to meet you for coffee! 
Thanks for sharing your vacation with us! Gorgeous!! 
Looks and sounds like you both had a great vacation in CA! We love CA too. Next time you should go to Alcatraz. I would love to see your photos from there if you ever visit it. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!! 
Wonderful artwork. Your scenes complement your analog post processing style well. 
Sounds and looks like it was a lovely time! 
Oh my goodness … I love seeing this trip through your eyes!! I love how adventurous you two are. Come back to Portland sooooonn!!! 
These pictures are gorgeous. I went to San Francisco when I was young too and I’m dying to go back. Sounds like you had a fabulous time!
It’s not quite over yet, but my wedding season is – as beautiful, crisp fall days slip into mitten and scarf weather, I’m blown away by how many fantastic people I’ve met, how many fabulous shindigs I’ve been a part of, and how many miles on the map I’ve logged. I’m so grateful not only to all my couples for being creative and soulful in making their weddings a reflection of who they are as a couple and for keeping in touch even as newlyweds, but also to their families for being so incredibly warm and welcoming, for always making sure I sat down to eat some food at receptions, for welcoming me into their homes, and for letting me be a part of so much love and laughter. Thank you to each and every person I’ve had the chance to work with this year – I had no idea I would get this lucky, and I’m so glad I’ve had the chance to know you.
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These photos are all just so beautiful. I especially love the very first one! Remarkable. 
What a year! These are ll awesome pictures capturing some of the happiest moments. Well done
Nice work; I wonder what 2013 will bring? 
Wow! These photos… Remarkable! I have no words. I hope one day, you’ll be my wedding photographer. <3 More blessings this 2013. 
Such lovely photos to look back on the past year. Happy New Year, Anni!
The other day, I was talking with an incredibly talented friend of mine. We got on the subject of writing, and how difficult it can be to transcribe everything that goes into our work, everything we find inspiring about the people we photograph, and what drives us, in a way that’s both poignant and honest. We talked about how easy it is to say that we’ll share the incredibleness of something, and then to just write a completely nondescript and unidentifiable post. My friend mentioned that he was envious of another photographer we both admire, because this other photographer always writes in such an achingly beautiful way, while he ends up inserting humor into a lot of what he writes.
The thing is, that’s who he is. He’s funny, and that doesn’t make it less poignant when he tells an incredibly touching story.
We don’t trust our own voices, even when we know we’re supposed to. We water ourselves down, because we think that’s what we’re supposed to do.
But stripping away our personalities doesn’t make us more like those we admire. It just makes us less like ourselves.
I spend a lot of time with self-doubt. I’m quick to write and photograph for others, to show off what I think I’m supposed to. What will get the most likes, or shares, or comments. Sometimes, when I find something incredibly beautiful and moving, it feels too different. I keep it all to myself because I’m afraid no one else will see the beauty. I hit publish on things that make me don’t move me, and worry about what makes me feel.
Hiding what’s different isn’t making me more like the people I admire. It’s just making me less like myself.
Inspiration can come from the world around us, from the people who impact our lives and the things that move us. It can come from sources big and small.
But creation, creation comes from inside of us. Creation is unchartered waters, and it’s all that we can genuinely offer of ourselves.
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Beautiful post Anni. Beautifully written. Such a gorgeous family to photograph, Sara and her husband make adorable babies. 
beautifully said anni.
Oh Anni. I know exactly what you mean. It’s really easy to like or post certain things because we see everyone else doing it; but there is really a more secret self that we know we could be true to if we just had the courage! I’m really all about finding the true Dana things right now, and saying “nah” to all the rest. And even if others don’t agree, it’ll feel more right on the deep levels. As for creating, I struggle with the thoughts of my writing…”is it good enough? is it what people expect of me?” and those questions never do any good at all. Let it flow. Good luck =) 
I usually breathe now before I pick up my camera and say to myself…shoot from my heart. I repeat that a few times and get to it. It is the only thing that has kept me going. I love, love, love the last frame shown here. They are all beautiful but those cheeks just melt me!! GREAT work. |
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Dale Lempa - Cute couple, awesome scenery. Wonderful engagement photography. Very fresh and clean, yet subtle and elegant. Nice work.
Pati - Wow, gorgeous photos!!! What a great idea to bring the dog into the photoshoot
Rachel - SO beautiful. Excellent captures lady!
xx.
Pam Jacobs - You two look so cute! Beautiful pictures….almost as good as my own (tee hee)! Can’t believe my little ‘monchichi’ baby is all grown up and has found the love of his life! You are a perfect couple and your love shines in your eyes.
Aunt Geralyn - Your pictures are awesome:) Love the scenery it’s part of both of you. Photo of you both gazing into Lake Michigan–what wonderous experiences await you both. Yes, Brody is part of the engagement.