Doreen + Josh | Sea Ranch California Engagement Session | Mendocino Coast Couples Photographer
Doreen was out with her girlfriends visiting an up and coming local restaurant when she spotted Josh from across the room. They started talking to each other but by the end of the night didn't exchange numbers. She left with her friends, disappointed. The next day, as she and another friend were walking to dinner, they ran into each other again! The rest is history, but Josh says they're meeting was serendipitous and I couldn't agree more.
I'm a sucker for a good old fashioned love story. Aren't you? If so, you're going to want to keep reading because I'm about to tell you how Doreen & Josh met!
Doreen was out with her girlfriends visiting an up and coming local restaurant when she spotted Josh from across the room. They started talking to each other but by the end of the night didn't exchange numbers. She left with her friends, disappointed. The next day, as she and another friend were walking to dinner, they ran into each other again!
The rest is history, but Josh says they're meeting was serendipitous and I couldn't agree more. Their friend Sammy of Bloomade hired me to follow them around on an adventure in Sea Ranch, California. It was so windy that day, but Doreen’s dress and hair flowed so beautifully in the breeze, none of us could possibly have been upset about it.
Thanks for letting me tag along on your adventure Dorreen and Josh!
Ten Mile Beach Engagement Session | Fort Bragg, California
Devin had never been to Mendocino. Mara loved it there. So she took him on a little road trip in August to celebrate their five year dating anniversary. She also graduated from college shortly before, so they had many things to celebrate. Little did Mara know, Devin had plans to celebrate something else too! On the third day of their trip, they went exploring in Greenwood State Park and hiked around for a while until they found a good spot, ignored some caution tape, and sat down together for a picnic on the bluff. They sat together enjoying the view when suddenly, Devin proposed! Mara describes it as private, serene, and sweet. A few minutes later, overlooking the ocean, they saw a whale. They will both remember that moment forever.
Shortly after he proposed, they started dreaming and planning and decided to hire me to photograph their wedding in July. Did you know that each of the wedding packages I offer includes an engagement session in Mendocino County? For theirs, we headed to a secret local spot on Ten Mile Beach (one of my favorites) where they enjoyed a tasty adult beverage together and frolicked on the beach, and snuggled together as the sunset. These two chose to switch gears part way through their session into a more comfy laid back look, and you guys, I’m smitten with them! They followed my style guide to the letter and came up with two completely different looks that complimented the location we chose. It was AMAZING! If you want to get your hands on my style guide after seeing their photos, sign up for my newsletter HERE or book a session with me and I’ll send it to ya!
Thank you Mara + Devin for being so sweet and allowing me the privilege of being your wedding photographer! I seriously can not wait for your wedding in July!
The Inn At Newport Ranch Engagement Session Part III
They rocked out at The Inn At Newport Ranch, frolicked in the redwoods, and then headed to the beach (after the sun had almost completely set) for some fun in the waves. This part of the evening is by far my favorite. What I thought would turn out to be grainy photographs that I wouldn’t share anywhere on the internet, turned out to be some of my favorite black and white images, ever! It was foggy and the sun had set completely, leaving us very little time to capture the essence of our time on the beach. BUT, Leslie insisted on getting in the water and somehow ended up tackling Lejf, leaving them both completely drenched and covered in sand. I’d tell you the rest of the story, but I’m going to let the photos do the rest of the talking!
I give you the third and final part of Leslie & Lejf’s engagement session at The Inn At Newport Ranch!
Ok, so what did you guys think? Weren’t they hot? Lemme know in the comments!
The Inn At Newport Ranch Engagement Session | Leslie + Lejf | Part II
Remember Leslie & Lejf? They quite literally rocked their engagement session at The Inn At Newport Ranch. Since I didn’t really give you much information about the inn in Part I of their story, I thought I would share now. The Inn at Newport Ranch is a working cattle ranch, so if you are planning a trip, please leave your kiddos and furry friends at home. Located on the Mendocino Coast, the inn sprawls 2,000 acres of the coastline and forest. Most impressive is the three miles of redwood forest and a mile of ocean views. Not to worry, if you stay at the ranch, there is plenty to do. You can take a hike, bike or horseback ride down the coast or through the redwoods. Or, you could even book an ATV tour through the inn. Make sure to pack boots, because your high heels will have seen better days if you wear them on the ranch! The weather on the coast is unpredictable so bring a sweater because you won’t want to miss the BBQ cauldron at Council Bluff.
Speaking of Council Bluff, that’s where Leslie & Leif will say their I-dos in November. To say I am excited would be an understatement. Anywho, take a gander at their photos and prepare to be awestruck!
I mean gaaaaah, aren’t they the best? Can’t get enough of them? Head over to see part I of their session in which they dressed up like rockstars!
CHELSI IS A DESTINATION WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN FORT BRAGG, CALIFORNIA. SHE LOVES TO TRAVEL AND WILL GO ANYWHERE TO CAPTURE YOUR LIFE'S SWEET MOMENTS. SHE LIVES FOR SEEING THE WORLD, CAPTURING AUTHENTIC LOVE, AND MAKING PEOPLE FEEL FABULOUS. HER STYLE IS AUTHENTIC, REAL, AND EMOTIONAL. SHE BELIEVES IN LAUGHING TOO MUCH, SINGING TOO LOUD, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND PREFERS CAPTURING EVERY SINGLE AUTHENTIC BEAUTIFUL MOMENT THAT EVOKE EMOTION OVER PERFECTLY POSED PHOTOS.
Navarro River Redwoods Engagement Session || Danielle + Morgan
Like most modern day couples, they met online. After a few weeks of talking on the phone until the wee hours of the morning, they decided to go on their first date. Ya’ll, it last 16 hours because they just couldn’t say goodbye. They didn’t live near each other for the first year but then decided it was time to move in together.
Every day feels like a slumber party with your best friend and we get through life's ups and downs with our ridiculous silliness and constant laughter. Even the average grocery run is an adventure when we are together.
In just a few short weeks, these two will tye the knot and continue their adventure to infinity and beyond. I can’t wait to celebrate with you both Danielle & Morgan, it’s going to be so much fun!
Navarro River Redwoods State Park Engagement Session| Albion, California| Amy & Jimmy
One of the first things I ask my couples to do before we head out for a photo session is to tell me their love story. Amy and Jimmy’s response started like this: “We met in prison”.
Whhhhhuuuuuutttt?!? Were you as worried reading that as I was? I bet you were, but not to worry. They work there. So their love story began like many others, at work. Amy is a pretty reserved girl and doesn’t like a lot of attention drawn to herself, so Jimmy proposed to her by their fireplace in their home.
We began our adventure beneath the redwoods in Navarro River Redwoods State Park and then took a drive back towards Mendocino to finish up at Spring Ranch in Van Damme State Park. On our way back, I had a tire blow out. Without skipping a beat, Jimmy was out of his truck and putting my spare on for me.
These two could be any sweeter and I can not wait for their wedding day. I could tell you why, but I will let you see for ourself. Enjoy Amy & Jimmy’s engagement session in the Navarro Redwoods State Park!
CHELSI IS A DESTINATION WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN FORT BRAGG, CALIFORNIA. SHE LOVES TO TRAVEL AND WILL GO ANYWHERE TO CAPTURE YOUR LIFE'S SWEET MOMENTS. SHE LIVES FOR SEEING THE WORLD, CAPTURING AUTHENTIC LOVE, AND MAKING PEOPLE FEEL FABULOUS. HER STYLE IS AUTHENTIC, REAL, AND EMOTIONAL. SHE BELIEVES IN LAUGHING TOO MUCH, SINGING TOO LOUD, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND PREFERS CAPTURING EVERY SINGLE AUTHENTIC BEAUTIFUL MOMENT THAT EVOKE EMOTION OVER PERFECTLY POSED PHOTOS.
Interested in booking a session?
Amy & Raul | Fort Bragg, California Engagement Session
I met Amy and Rual at a little coffee shop in Fort Bragg a few weeks before their engagement session. It was kismet. We had so many things in common with each other. Amy's love of tacos and margaritas. Raul's gypsy soul. I just couldn't get enough of their fun and adventurous personalities. Needless to say, they ended up booking their wedding with me.
All of my wedding and elopement packages come with a complimentary engagement session. I feel it is important for both myself and my clients that we have a chance to get to know each other prior to what will be the most significant day of their lives together. I NEVER want my clients to feel like they have a stranger at their wedding putting a camera in their face and directing them in a way that makes them uncomfortable. Enter the engagement session.
Amy and Raul chose the location, which was their coastal residence that will also serve as their reception site. Just a days prior to their session it had been pouring down rain. God showed up big and gave us a beautiful day! The coastal views in Fort Bragg rarely disappoint, and our day together was no exception. We spent a couple of hours together exploring the property (which is littered with beautiful trees and foliage), whale watching, and viewing one of the most beautiful winter sunsets I have seen in my lifetime.
As we sat and watched the end of the sunset together, Raul admitted to me that he had planned on proposing to Amy while they were in Alaska. His ultimate plan was to propose to her on a glacier. Weeeelllll, that DID NOT happen. He had the ring and was terrified to propose while they were in Alaska. So, instead, he proposed to Amy at the red bench that are in these photos. Fort Bragg's coastal views are an awesome consolation prize to Alaskan glaciers if you ask me! Obviously Amy wasn't disappointed and these two love birds are due to be married this summer, so, way to go Raul!
Enjoy this beautiful couple, the beautiful views, and the love these two share!
Do you love photos that capture laughter and love? Wanna have some fun on the coast, get wild and adventurous for some photos? You can book your engagement session with me, or shucks, it can be just because, I'm game! Let's have some fun together on the coast, or anywhere for that matter! You can book with me here .
Chelsi is a destination wedding and elopement photographer based in Fort Bragg, California but loves to travel and will go anywhere to capture your life's sweet moments. She lives for seeing the world, capturing authentic love, and making people feel fabulous. Her style is authentic, real, and emotional. She believes in laughing too much, singing too loud, and most importantly living life to the fullest and capturing every single authentic beautiful moments that evoke emotions over perfectly posed photos.