Claire + Matt
If you are getting married with a small gathering of family, or eloping in Mendocino County - Chelsi is your girl! She is so friendly, and easy to talk to. She made us feel totally comfortable and knew what she was doing, which is what you want on your wedding day! The photos she took are beautiful, not overly edited like you sometimes see on instagram. They also not only reflect the "mood" we so love and associate with the Mendocino coast, but also the love we share with each other and the importance to us to have a small, intimate type of wedding. She even made sure our two dogs made it into the collection! Thanks Chelsi, our photos will be cherished forever!
“If you are getting married with a small gathering of family, or eloping in Mendocino County - Chelsi is your girl! She is so friendly and easy to talk to. She made us feel totally comfortable and knew what she was doing, which is what you want on your wedding day! The photos she took are beautiful, not overly edited like you sometimes see on Instagram. They also not only reflect the "mood" we so love and associate with the Mendocino coast, but also the love we share with each other and the importance to us to have a small, intimate type of wedding. She even made sure our two dogs made it into the collection! Thanks, Chelsi, our photos will be cherished forever!”
Cypress Grove Elopement | Mendocino, California | Rachel + Josh
Have you ever thought of running away to Mendocino, California to get married? Did you know that many of the local inns offer elopement packages? I had the pleasure of working with Brewery Gulch Inn for the first time over the summer. My favorite part of working with local inns for elopements is that they always suggest the most wildly beautiful locations for our couples to exchange wedding vows.
Have you ever thought of running away to Mendocino, California to get married? Did you know that many of the local inns offer elopement packages? I had the pleasure of working with Brewery Gulch Inn for the first time over the summer. My favorite part of working with local inns for elopements is that they always suggest the most wildly beautiful locations for our couples to exchange wedding vows. Cypress Grove is located on the northern bluffs of Mendocino Headlands State Park and boasts beautiful cypress trees as well as a breathtaking ocean view. I love photographing couples there because the trees offer some shelter from the wind but also because of the beautiful natural backdrop that the headlands provide. No wonder it’s a local favorite right?
Going only by the suggestion given to them by their coordinator, Rachel + Josh chose to tie the knot beneath the scaping cypress trees and then adventure with along the rest of the headlands for some fun photos. I could tell you all about it, but I think the photographs tell the story better than I ever could.
Nye Ranch Intimate Wedding| Fort Bragg California | Claire + Matt
Claire + Matt’s Intimate Wedding at Nye Ranch in Fort Bragg, California was one that seemed to come straight out of a storybook. High school sweethearts who both went off to college, made long distance work until one of them finally made their way back to the other. The last few years have been a journey for them both and all they wanted to be reunited in California with both their families to celebrate their wedding day.
On the day of their wedding, Claire was upstairs in the farmhouse getting ready, while matt was downstairs in the living room trying to figure out how to properly tie his necktie. Meanwhile, their two puppies were following them around and being adorable. When it was time for Claire to put on her dress, all of the women who were closests to her and Matt circled around her in her dressing room. It was one of the most endearing moments I have witnessed on a wedding day. One of my favorite things about the farmhouse was that every room was a little small and little dark and moody. One of the things I loved most about Claire and Matt is that they understood my inner weirdo and wanted to create art with me. Claire and I played with some shadows while she was getting ready and the photos are some of my favorites of all time.
When it was time for the ceremony, their dogs followed them down the aisle too. After they exchanged vows, we headed out to the bluff overlooking ten mile beach for some photos of the bride and groom. When we returned to the ranch, their family was there cheering them on. Their celebrating went on through the evening, family members told stories about them and shared their best marriage advice.
Thank you both for allowing me the privilege of spending time with your family and capturing your love story! Words really can’t do this day justice, so please, grab your favorite warm beverage and sit down and let’s play a game how many photos can you spot with Claire and Matt’s puppies in them?
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!
Crystal + Dominic | Fort Bragg, California Adventurous Bridal Session | adventurous destination California wedding photographer
Crystal + Dominic met in high school chemistry. The first thing she told him was "to move his fathead" so she could see the board. It was so romantic, wasn’t it? Well, apparently Dominic forgave or forgot because they started dating a couple of years later, right before she left for college. Despite the fact that she lived several hours away, he visited her every week on his days off.
He said "I love you" on her 18th birthday and then waited 6 years to propose. He says it was worth the wait because he wanted to do it after they climbed the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu together. The trail took 4 days living outside, sweat, and even some tears. He (romantically?) hid the ring in a sock in his backpack the whole way up. It was the most physically demanding and emotional thing Crystal had done up to that point but Dominica cheered her on the whole way.
When they got to the tippy top overlooking Machu Picchu, he got down on one knee. Then on June 1st, surrounded by family and friends at Yokayo Ranch in Ukiah, California. Like most wedding days, things seemed rushed and Crystal didn’t feel that we had enough time for photos of them during their bridal session. She had been craving some beach time and wanted epic photos of she and Dominic frolicking on the beach. So, several months later we made her dream a reality. Enjoy Crystal + Dominic’s Bridal Session at Ten Mile Beach in Fort Bragg, California!
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.
The Inn At Newport Ranch Engagement Session | Leslie + Lejf | Part I
He was a wild hair metal rock ‘n’ roll radio DJ who worked a second job in Special Education classrooms. She was a show-stopping singer who inspired the world around her through teaching and her own non-profit foundation (Peter Pan Foundation). Leslie’s mom was a teacher at a school that he frequently helped in. One day, she said you should really meet my daughter. He thought to himself, this isn’t a hook up, I mean, what’s she going to do, have Leslie come to the school for a blind lunch date? YES!! That’s exactly what happened. They were introduced on a random Tuesday during a lunch period. Lejf who was sitting at a lunch table with his students was caught completely off guard by this blond bombshell. She sat down and immediately stole his heart. The universe had spoken, then were meant to be.
Lejf describes it like this: “Some loves are like a golden brick road or a carriage ride to a castle in the sky. Others find a more appropriate metaphor in a sports car raging full-throttle down a long clear stretch of highway. Still, others wind across deserts of time and through thickets of fate to emerge with hands and hearts stronger forged from the journey. This was the latter, yet from the very first moment, the destination was always to be together."
We spent several hours together frolicking around The Inn at Newport Ranch creating magic with their vibrant personalities and beautiful love story. My favorite part was when they dressed up like rockstars. Don’t take my word for it though, you must see for yourself. So I’ll stop talking and let ya scroll through these awesome photos!
Oh, and part II of this series will come out next week. Stay Tuned!
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.