There are many reasons I try to meet with couples long before their wedding. One of the biggest is so that I can get to know their personality, and so that I can learn what their expressions mean, and which ones to watch for during the day.

When Koby and Tricia and I did their engagement shoot, I learned that Tricia really doesn’t like people taking her photo. It took some work from all of us, but we eventually got some really great shots.

So when I arrived on their wedding day, I expected her to be really nervous. Brides usually are, at least a bit, and if you don’t like being photographed, that just adds to it. But much to my surprise, Tricia was quite calm and relaxed. Which told me several things: 1. She trusted me, 2. She and Koby were so ready to be married, and 3. Her nervousness was overshadowed by her joy.  It was beautiful to see!

As usual, they both glowed around each other!

My favorite groomsmen photo ever… the guys on Kob’s truck!

There’s no place like home.

For those of you who think of Santa Clarita as the desert, are you looking at these trees?

The ceremony was right by the pool. How cool is that?

Koby watching his bride-to-be come down the aisle.

Now we know where all the candy went.

Koby and Tricia, it’s been a treat to get to know you, and watch the changes that came over both of you as your wedding day drew near.  Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your engagement, your wedding, and your life.  I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of you. Blessings!

View all of Koby & Tricia’s photos here.

Some of the weddings that I shoot are for people that I’ve known for years.

Ryan and Rachel don’t fall into that category, but I really wish they did. Not only is Ryan an incredibly gifted and creative musician (check out Enfield on iTunes to see what I’m talking about), but he’s incredibly humble, and if you spend 5 minutes with him, you notice how effortlessly he puts others above himself. Rachel is tender, patient, and (as you’ll see below) a great match for Ryan.

While I couldn’t capture the amazing music of this wedding in the traditional sense (Ryan wrote an original score for Rachel to walk down the aisle to!), I hope that the photographs below can convey some of the rhythm and tone woven through every bit of it.

Ryan’s first time seeing Rachel in her dress:

Sisters!

I love the way their vows were written like lyrics.

Ryan with his brother and dad.

Thanks for letting me borrow your guitar, Patrick!

Like I said, they’re made for each other.  🙂

First dance…

This jazz band was fantastic!

My absolute favorite photo of the day…

Ryan and Rachel, just because of what I know of you, I’m certain that your first few weeks of marriage have been beautiful (and far better than all those years of dating).  It was fun running into you at random concerts and the Old Town Newhall 4th of July pancake breakfast, and I can’t wait to see where the months ahead take you both!  Much, much grace to both of you.

View Ryan and Rachel’s entire wedding here

The story started in 2006, during a mission trip I took to South Africa.  Melissa was part of our team, and that’s where she met Ruan, a South African friend of mine.  He was quite smitten with her, and once she returned to the US, he tried sending subtle messages of interested.  They were a bit too subtle, though, and she was confused about who liked her.  She thought it was another guy, and did not reciprocate the feelings.  However, she finally learned the truth about her suitor, and their trans-continental romance began.

There are so many cool touches to this wedding; like little bits of South Africa culture mixed with American.  The park they held the wedding in was where Melissa had grown up, and she had many fond memories of a lot of the places we took photos.  My favorite part was that they didn’t feel limited by anybody’s idea of what a wedding should be: they created their own traditions from the ground up, and it was beautiful.

If you want to get to her, you’ve got to go through her brother and her dad.

This wedding (and the new couple’s last name) is sponsored by the letter “P”


Ruan’s family came all the way from South Africa to be there.

Proteas are the South African national flower.


A Scripture reading – in Afrikaans – from Ruan’s brother.



Austin approved of the kiss.

Melissa had her photos taken here when she graduated from high school…

…she learned to drive here….

…and now all those places are memorable in a totally different way.





Go Jill!!!

Ruan & Melissa, I can’t believe you’re moving to South Africa this Friday!  I wish I could have had more time to spend with the two of you as a couple… so we’ll have to make it a point to meet up for some boerwors next time we’re in South Africa.  You are both such amazing people, and I am dying to see where God takes you in the years ahead!  Blessings!

Order prints of Ruan & Melissa’s wedding here.