Santa Cruz California Adventure Session at Shark Fin Cove

So… I’m not exactly known for being an extrovert.

I am super comfortable and outgoing around the people I already know and love, but when it comes to meeting new people, ESPECIALLY approaching strangers, I’m usually so shy. I’ve been trying to get more out of my comfort zone, because hello - breaking into a new market across the country and getting your business re-established means you have to be uncomfy sometimes. So when I saw this adorable couple on the beach in Santa Cruz and they asked me to take a photo for them with their camera, I decided to face my fears and ask them if they would like a little beach sesh with me.

I am SO glad that I did, because Kristen & Cisco were so sweet and so fun to work with - I wish we’d had time for a full session, but we wound up with only 5-10 minutes and it was still amazing.

Santa Cruz is a place I’ve wanted to visit for years, and it was an absolute out-of-body experience to be able to shoot at Shark Fin Cove. It’s unreal. I could’ve spent the entire day there (and I really wish we’d been there to catch a sunset, although we actually caught sunset that night at Steamer Lane, which was another bucket-list experience for me. Maybe I’ll share some surf photos sometime?)!

Please note that this location is rocky, the walk down from the parking lot is pretty steep, and the tide can be sketchy and dangerous at times. As always, if you choose to visit, please follow all Leave No Trace principles and be respectful.

Many thanks again to Kristen & Cisco for taking a chance on a stranger and letting me spend some time with them that afternoon!

Springs Preserve Las Vegas Family Session

Well here we are, one month into living in Las Vegas! I can’t believe that it took us so long to get out here, but I’m so glad that we did it. We’re absolutely loving it, even though we’re still living in a sea of boxes and figuring out how to navigate our new neighborhood.

Recently, my dear friend Jaymie and her sweet family came out to visit while her husband is working here in Vegas. I was able to do a family session for them one morning at Springs Preserve, and I am absolutely obsessed with them (and the photos)! Springs Preserve is such a beautiful little spot right in the city, and I can already tell that I’ll be back all the time. There are so many cool desert plants, rocky landscape details, a playground, and a museum. Also, their staff members were so helpful when I inquired about booking a shoot. You can also book engagement sessions and weddings at Springs Preserve, and it would be so stunning. It’s a great desert photo location in Las Vegas that’s super easy to access without even having to hike!

I loved getting to check everything out with Jaymie, Kyle, and their kiddos. Elsie was a big help keeping everyone laughing and entertained, and even though she spilled my emotional support iced coffee, I think I’ll probably keep bringing her along every now and then. She’s pretty cool.

Arabia Mountain Sunset Engagement Session

Abhish & Nishita. I don’t even know where to start. These two have to be one of my all-time favorite couples - they’re fun, gracious, down for a good time, and they ADORE each other. Their engagement and wedding were an absolute blast, and I’ll never forget it. I can’t wait to share some from their 3-day wedding weekend, but first let’s take a moment to appreciate this ridiculously beautiful engagement session at Arabia Mountain in Atlanta.

In my opinion, Arabia Mountain is one of Georgia’s best kept secrets. I don’t know how in the world it took me as long as it did to go, but I am so stoked that I made it out there! It has this totally otherworldly feel, and I highly recommend scoping it out for a hike if you have the chance. As always, please remember to Leave No Trace if you choose to do this hike! There’s an abundance of unique and fragile plant life, and we’ve got to make sure we take good care of it.