Rachel and Matthew reached out to me about scheduling a Venice Beach session and I immediately said YES. These two have been in front of my camera before for their Capitol Reef National Park Intimate Wedding. We had such a beautiful time that day a few years ago, I was really pumped to see them again. I absolutely love keeping up with my couples after their big days and this was such a treat to spend the evening photographing them again.
This Venice Beach session was everything a destination photographer dreams about.
Glowy golden light, two people in love, cresting waves and running in the sand. I was grinning while editing these because we just had such a fun time.
Any couple that wants to camp under the stars the night before they get married, and then elope in the National park like Rachel and Matthew did a few years ago… I know we’ll get along just fine. That day we met up with just a few close friends and family (and their adorable dog!) and they said “I Do” on a cliffside. The sun rose as they exchanged their vows, and honestly, it all made me cry! It was so beautiful! Afterward, they shared breakfast with their people, and it was such a heartfelt day.
This Venice Beach session was the exact same kind of energy.
We started photographing in the canals in early sunset. Highly recommend this location if you want something a little different, almost European looking, for your session. These two looked amazing with their neutral outfits, coordinating perfectly with the environment for a cohesive look. Rachel wore a warm rust sweater with black jeans. And Matthew wore a simple white patterned button-up and maroon pants.
It was so easy and effortless the whole evening. They laughed and shared inside jokes with each other. It had been a few years since their elopement, and you can tell their love had only deepened and seasoned with time.
We moved from the canals to the beach once the sun started setting. And spent the last few minutes of the day splashing in the pink-tinted waves and playing on the beach. The sunset looked so good on them, and I loved the shots we got of them sitting in the sand together. Holding hands, looking out over the ocean in the last purple hues of the day. California glittering behind them. Photographing moments like this is why I do what I do. Life and love are mysterious and beautiful and grand… getting to reach out and capture little meaningful moments like these… well that’s everything.
