Engagement · Crystal + Steven

Taking pictures near/during sunset is among the top of my list of favorite things to do, primarily because the finished products never cease to disappoint. This time around, on a chilly Friday evening in Sacramento (yes -- mid-70's is "chilly" in Sacramento), I had the honor of taking Crystal and Steven's engagement photos!

Despite a rigorous 3 hour commute (which was originally supposed to take no longer than 2 hours) that resulted from Bay Bridge construction in San Francisco followed by other numerous traffic incidents on I-80, everything was justified right as I stepped out of my car. Parked along Sacramento's Capitol park, Crystal, Steven, and I were immediately greeted with beautiful golden light and immediately transitioned into taking photos. To finish off the shoot, we took advantage of the soft light that the setting sun brought at none other than old-town Sacramento, where both rustic and modern-styled buildings meshed truly well. Crystal and Steven were awesome, and it was clear how much love they had for each other simply by taking their engagement photos. This only makes me more excited for the coming year, where I'll have the pleasure of photographing their wedding!

Personal · Weekend Trip to Yosemite

Even in the midst of a busy schedule, every once in a while, I feel that it's always necessary to unwind a bit and catch up with some good friends. This time around, I had the pleasure of making a short trip out to Yosemite National Park with a couple of my best buddies from USF. Not only has it been some time that I've last been to Yosemite, but it was even one of my friends' first time in the park! Sure enough, there were many photo opportunities to be had (primarily during sunrise, sunset, and night time -- good thing there was a new moon out so we were able to photograph some dark, night skies!), but we even spent the majority of one day playing football, skipping rocks by the river, hanging out in the lounge areas, and simply enjoying good conversation and company. Those were the moments that really made the trip worthwhile, reminding me why we planned this short trip in the first place.

Wedding · Jennie + Jason

Weddings are not only a time for friends and family to experience the love and growth shared by a couple, ultimately leading to their wedding day, but likewise for friends and family to experience growth in themselves. What hit home the most for me during Jennie and Jason's special day was their ability to be completely open and themselves with not only each other, but their guests as well. School had clearly played a big part in their lives leading up to this day, and they made it apparent in the corny jokes and games that were played out throughout. All in all, Jennie and Jason's wedding was a truly fun-loving filled day, and having been a student in science myself, I definitely came to enjoy the jokes, games, and lessons learned.

Wedding · Marcie + Chris

One thing that I love so much about weddings is that as a visual storyteller, I don't need to know a couple too well to accurately tell their story - I simply allow them to let it unfold in a beautiful, candid manner. As soon as Marcie tapped Chris' shoulder during their first look, his eyes immediately filled with tears, and the amount of love that these two had for each other was immediately apparent. Chris said, "I've been saving these tears for a long time", and with Marcie being the loving, playful person she was, continued to tease him -- even during their actual ceremony! From the beautiful and reclaimed (previously abandoned) 16th Street Station ceremony venue, to the beautifully curated and personalized cocktail hour, to the shots that were handed left and right during the reception, Marcie and Chris surely knew how to throw a party -- definitely "nguyening" on their special day.