I've known Mikael since the day she was born, and I truly think the world of her. She is kind and happy and determined. We share great-grandparents, as well as a love of travel, Israel and the Near-East. She's never been the type of person to be told what to do, and I appreciate that about her.
Ronnie is unbelievably funny, and has overcome huge obstacles in his life. Seven years ago, he was serving a mission for our church in Mexico. One day he went hiking with a group of friends and ended up falling a long way, breaking his back, ribs and a leg. He and his family were told, in no uncertain terms, that Ronnie would never walk again. The fact that he is, indeed, walking says much about his determination and outlook on life. He's not just "surviving"-- he's THRIVING, and will always be a wonderful example to me that we can do hard things!
I asked Mikael how they met. I'll put it in her words::
We met at a party. Our first conversation was about our common love for antiques and green chilis. He truly was a man after my own heart. While Ronnie was telling my roommate the story of his accident, I listened in on the conversation. He glanced over and saw me deeply enthralled in everything he had to say. As Ronnie likes to say, "I looked and saw Mikael looking at me with those big eyes of hers, and from that moment on, I was going after her whether she liked it or not."
Their wedding is going to be gorgeous with vintage-inspired goodness all around. When you consider Mikael's love of all things antique (her wedding ring was purchased at an antique store and hails from the 1930's!) and Ronnie's love for all things old-school (can you say Converse and straight-razor-shaves?), it's bound to be good, and I'm thrilled to be able to be a part of it all.
We met up in Temecula last weekend for their engagement shoot. I'm excited to say, it ended up being a "beloved" session as well. There will never be a shortage of love or laughter in their home!
R & M, I can't wait for June. It's going to be amazing. xo
This is one amazing couple, and I can't wait to share the rest of their images with you.
February 16, 2011
John and Austyn are like old friends. Really. When we left their engagement session, I nearly blurted out, "So, when are we going to see each other again??", like I expected to make a dinner date with them for the following week. They are genuine and friendly, and I enjoyed every minute of our evening together. Their wedding is scheduled for June in Nebraska (they're a couple of cornhuskers, and even though KU and Nebraska are rivals, somewhat, I'm totally endeared to the fact that they're Midwesterners and I sort of wish I were moving to Nebraska with them this summer!).
As John is just ending his time serving our country in the Infantry, and as he comes from a family of Servicemen, it was only appropriate to start our session with a more formal look with John in his Blues.
Austyn had asked me early on if I'd mind if they brought their two pups. As I am very fond of dogs, I was excited and asked what kind of dogs they had. She answered, "A Great Dane and a Bull Mastiff..." Perfect!
They were a little confused at first and couldn't figure out who the crazy chick was with the black box that kept clicking...........
(One thing that has struck me as I've gone through all of their images is the way John looks at Austyn. I caught many moments like the one following, where he's looking at her, and you can absolutely feel how crazy he is for this girl.)
So after a number of unsuccessful tries at getting the dogs to give me a good attentive look, John said, "Try saying t-r-e-a-t-s. See if that works." So I did. "Hey guys! Want a treat?? Huh? Want a treat?" Worked like a charm!
We wandered without the dogs for a little bit before hitting the beach ::
And I'll end with my very favorite image of the night. Perhaps one of my top 10 favorite images ever. Can you feel the love?!
That last shot Rach......oh my goodness.....BEAUTIFUL!!! LOVE them all!
(02.17.11 @ 03:46 AM)LOVE the photos Rachel and isn't young love a thing of beauty. Wishing this gorgeous young couple the best of married life. A great start getting you to do the engagement photos!! And that last one is divine!!
(02.17.11 @ 04:27 AM)Oh Rachel! That last one took my breath away. They are all beautiful and sweet but there are just those images that are like magic. That is definately in the magical catagory.
(02.17.11 @ 09:00 AM)They're so cute! And yes, I can feel the love. Very nice.
(02.17.11 @ 10:14 AM)Oh yes! Love that last one so much :) Beautiful session Rach!
(02.18.11 @ 06:52 AM)Rachel - breathtaking! I love the last one and the one where they are walking with the houses in the background - THAT's my favorite! A work of art!
(02.18.11 @ 07:57 PM)eek. gotta say the "no lifeguard on duty" shots are my fav. s t u n n i n g.
(02.18.11 @ 10:47 PM)HOLY COW! my face totally hurts, too! cannot even pick a favorite, although...ok, that last one is absolutely to die for. you completely and utterly ROCK, sister! :)
(02.23.11 @ 11:23 AM)Rachel, I agree with everyone else- the last one is great! It is like they are alone & you are far away with your camera and really good zoom in lense. It is a great picture.
(10.05.11 @ 02:22 PM)Laura and I had chatted about where we'd like to go for their session, and decided Laguna would be easy for all involved (there was a dog-sitter in the mix as well). I didn't know until we were there that Main Beach at Laguna was where Tim and Laura had their first date! So, it was totally appropriate that we shot there. The evening was lovely, and I'm looking forward to Tim and Laura's upcoming 4th of July wedding!
Beautiful. I especially LOVE the ones on the rocks by the ocean! Love that they brought their first "baby" to be part of their session.
(02.11.11 @ 02:43 PM)January 21, 2011
The one thing I noticed, during the entire time we spent shooting their engagement photos, is how Chris made Ashley laugh. It was constant, and it was real.
We met up for their engagement session in an old, overgrown, avocado orchard. It was the perfect picture (no pun intended) of relaxation and romance- old quilts, a picnic, and Scrabble. Perfect.
At one point, Ashley showed me a little bag that she keeps all of her love notes in- letters and cards from Chris over the years. It was too sweet!
I can't wait for their June wedding at the Temecula Creek Inn. With Ashley's good taste, it's bound to be outrageous!
Beautiful work -- I love the scrabble images! And that last image is absolutely divine!
(01.21.11 @ 09:01 PM)Swoon. What a fantastic session. GORGEOUS images. Can't get enough of the Scrabble shots. And the location, my goodness we must go at my next visit. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
(01.21.11 @ 10:36 PM)These are awesome! I have kept all of the cards and love notes that Kevin and I have exchanged over the years also. Congratulations and cant wait for the wedding!
(01.22.11 @ 09:34 AM)Beautiful session Rachel...love it! Love the scrabble board...will have to try it for a family session ; )
(01.22.11 @ 01:39 PM)LOVE this set Rach....love all of the detail shots and LOVE LOVE LOVE the ones of them lying opposite...faves! You are fabulous at this! xo
(01.22.11 @ 02:25 PM)beautiful. amazing. stunning and beautiful light. you rock Rach.
(01.22.11 @ 06:25 PM)So so beautiful Rachel! I can feel the love and I absolutely adore the details you captured in the session. Can't wait to see their wedding photos!
(01.25.11 @ 11:09 AM)
I love these! Big huge congrats to Mikael and her handsome soon-to-be husband. They are a gorgeous couple- and you got some great shots!
(04.23.11 @ 01:18 PM)Great pictures, and great people...
(04.23.11 @ 05:50 PM)Rachel, I couldn't have asked for a better photographer. You let my sweetheart and I just have fun with it and guess what...WE DID! Thank you so much for making this whole experience of marrying the woman of my dreams even better!
(04.23.11 @ 11:55 PM)Congrats. We love you. Can't wait for the wedding. If someone comes knocking on your door on your wedding night, watch out for the bogeyman. WOOOOOOOO!
(04.24.11 @ 12:05 AM)Ronnie, that was the nicest blog comment ever. :) You're quickly becoming a favorite.
(04.25.11 @ 07:20 PM)Beautiful! What a lovely couple & such gorgeous images. Can't wait to see their wedding photos!!
(04.27.11 @ 11:49 AM)How super sweet and sentimental this shoot is. Love it!
(04.27.11 @ 01:12 PM)