The Sirens - Coastal Bridal Inspiration

The Hybrid Conference ended on such a high note! I attended an epic and oceanic styled shoot called "The Sirens" put on by @jannabrowndesignco, @ashleyraephotography and their amazing team of vendors, assistants and models. I felt transported right into The Little Mermaid as soon as I stepped down onto the beach!


The story of the shoot was to evoke the magical siren song of the sea and the whole creative team poured their hearts and talents into making an unforgettable experience for us attendees. The shoot was so well organized and I was so grateful for the care and thought put into every detail. The team made it a calm, energizing and stress-free experience for all of us 25 photographers shooting at the same time, which is no small feat! I was blown away and my inner Pisces was doing a happy dance the whole time. Thank you thank you thank you!! Vendor list below.

Vendor List:
Creative Direction / Styling / Florals: @jannabrowndesignco
Photographer Educator: @ashleyraephotography
Coordinator: @sarahparkevents
Hair and MUA: @beautybespoken
Calligraphy + Paper Details: @bohoink
Video @Dearloversfilm
Gowns: @carolhannahbridal
Surfaces: @jrd_artshop
Ribbon: @silkandwilllow
Sponsor: @Photovision
Workshop Host: @thehybridco
Model 1: @kattyukhanova
Model 2: @klaudiareidy
Model 3: @olgazhukova.1

Estancia La Jolla Wedding Inspiration

At the lush styled shoot I attended at Estancia La Jolla Hotel in San Diego, we got to photograph a real life couple, which was an absolute dream. I mean, how insanely beautiful are these two together?!? I love how they could always get each other to smile so easily. The whole design and planning team did an incredible job! I was blown away by their attention to detail. Full vendor list below. Thank you so much for the opportunity photograph such beauty!

Styling + Design: @stylishdetails
Host Educator / Photographer: @paulvonrieter
Videography: @currentfilms
Floral: @bloombabes
Rentals: @catalogatelier
Linens: @latavolalinen
Pergola: @morerentals
Stationery Design: @dominiquealba_
Hair + Makeup: @bridesbyjlo
Venue: @estancialajolla
Cake: @cakesbycristin
Gowns: @adamzoharbridal
Engagement Jewels: @trumpetandhorn
Shoes: @dior and @jimmychoo
Models: @t.sarff @posso @paigeluna
Conference: @thehybridco
Film scanning: @richardphotolab

Mission Beach Elopement Inspiration

If you’re looking for inspiration for an intimate and ethereal beach elopement, this styled shoot held in San Diego has it all! Thank you to the Hybrid Co for putting on an amazing conference and giving us the chance to photograph such stunning wedding details and models. See full design credits below the images.

Educator/Host: @alishacrossleyphotography
Creative direction & styling: @jade.magnolia
Florist: @mintdesignca
Gown: @jennypackhambridal from @carriage_house
Ring: @trumpetandhorn
Hair & Makeup: @beautybespoken
Tabletop: @borrowedblu
Paper goods: @margauxpaperie
Backdrop & Mats: @jrd_artshop
Linens: @latavolalinen
Suit: @shoppatrickjames
Welcome gift: @asignaturewelcome
Shoes: @bellabelleshoes
Female Model: @jaydahrobinett
Male Model: @benschreen
Cake: @jade.magnolia
Chairs: @brighteventrentals
Painted bottle: @ruthoneya.illistrations
Etched bottle: @gracecalligraphy
Accessories: @carriage_house
Film scanning: @richardphotolab

Kitsilano Beach Bridal Portraits

Who: Lovely models Sydney and Myra (who also did the hair and make-up)

What: Soft and romantic summer bridal portrait session at the beach

Where: Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, BC

Ever since we arrived in Vancouver at the beginning of July, I’ve been chomping at the bit to photograph bridal portraits at one of Vancouver’s many beautiful beaches. I’ve joined a few meet-up groups for local photographers and just my luck Ronald Lee, who moderates one of the online groups, posted about the possibility of producing a bridal portrait session with professional models and hair/make-up. Perfect! Ronald kindly booked the models and the MUA, provided the wedding dresses and transported us to the beach for a lovely golden-hour shoot. Since I knew I had an ethereal/summery look in mind, I also styled a bouquet with florals from Jem Florist, a flower shop just around the corner from the apartment where I’ve been staying in East Vancouver. The minute we stepped out of the car at Kitsilano Beach I took a look around at the sparkling water and blue-green mountains and said to myself, “Wow, I really live in such a beautiful place now!”. It’s finally sinking in that I’m a West Coaster! I had a great time working with Ronald, Sydney and Myra - thanks so much for the great opportunity to work together! For a little extra styling practice, at home I photographed my bubbah’s vintage rose quartz engagement ring with the bouquet. (I wear her ring every day and always receive compliments on it!). I love how the color palette all came together. My summer boho bridal dreams came true!


Lorentzen Family

Who: The Lorentzens

What: Fun, beachy family portrait session

Where: Repulse Bay Beach, Hong Kong

While visiting my sister in Hong Kong, I also had the chance to do a fun beach session with my sister's teaching partner and her adorable family. Mom Laura is a music teacher and you can tell a love of music runs in their family by how excited their 11-month baby got by clapping and singing! What a cutie!!


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Baby Eloise at Three Months

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Who: Eloise Orlee

What: Springtime baby portraiture of my 3-month old niece

I went to visit my brother, sister-in-law and baby niece in the spring just in time for Eloise to begin really smiling! We figured out that she loves getting her lips tickled as a sure fire way to get these adorable looks! What a cutie!



Baby Nova aka Peachy

Who: Nova Joy

What: Baby portraiture

Where: Hong Kong

This is my adorable baby niece! Her family nickname is Peachy since she has a beautiful peach complexion and what is looking to be red peach fuzz hair. We couldn’t resist putting together this peach and flower basket photoshoot while I was visiting them in Hong Kong!

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Solan Rath Family

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Who: Danielle, Rob and baby Nova Joy

What: In-home newborn session

Where: Repulse Bay, Hong Kong

Allow me to introduce you to my sister’s beautiful family! My niece Nova Joy was born in Hong Kong (where my sister has lived and worked for the last five years) and I got to visit them when Nova was a month old. I love her to pieces and am so proud of my sister and my brother-in-law for being amazing new parents!

Beau + Sam's Wedding

Who: Beau and Sam

What: Fun, fabulous wedding in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Where: McCarren Hotel, the Williamsburg piers and Brooklyn Winery

I’ve been lucky enough to know Beau for many years through mutual friends in the NYC indie music scene (my husband’s band shared a practice space with Beau’s band Robot Princess for many years and I even photographed Beau’s band there!). Beau is an exceptionally talented and sweet guy and so when he and Sam approached me about photographing their wedding I knew it would be a fun and special day to capture! The couple lives in Greenpoint so it was a fitting choice for them to tie the knot on their home turf. They got ready at McCarren Hotel then we took some portraits in front of an amazing nearby mural of gummy bears (upon Sam’s request). Then we hopped in an uber to the piers at N 5th street for portraits with the NYC skyline and Williamsburg Bridge behind us. After that we headed to Brooklyn Winery for the ceremony and one of the most rockin’ dance parties I’ve witnessed at a wedding. It was incredibly clear throughout the day what a perfect match these two are. Biggest congrats!! And thanks so much to my 2nd shooter Karen for helping me capture the day.

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Seattle Family Photography

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What: Bookish in-home family and baby portrait session

Where: Seattle, WA

Lauren and I have been friends since 4th grade and I couldn’t be happier to photograph her family for her. She and her husband and baby live in beautiful Seattle and I was so excited to visit them and meet her baby when she was about three months old! Jo (short for Josephine) shares a name with one of our favorite literary heroines – Jo March from Little Women – so it was only fitting that we incorporated the book into their portrait session. Jo loves to listen to reading aloud, be it a picture book or book for grownups. What a little smartie!



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Czuba Tobin Family

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Who: Kim, Nathan and baby Vera

What: In-home newborn family portrait session

Where: Chicago, IL

Kim and I were assigned to be roommates our first year at Oberlin College back in 2002. Little did I know we would still be friends 16 years later! Now she is a mama - I'm vkelmpt! I feel so lucky that we’ve got to share the big moments in life together. Here she is with her husband and the adorable Vera in their home in Chicago. Vera is such an even- tempered baby – I barely heard her cry at all during the four days I stayed at their house. I can’t wait to visit again soon!


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Solan DeBoinville Family

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Who: My brother, sister-in-law and new baby niece

What: In-home newborn family portrait session

Where: Washington, DC

I got to meet my baby niece Eloise for the first time when she turned one month old. She is a tiny bean and we all love her very much!

Invitation and Ring Styling: New Goodies!

I recently purchased a bunch of new styling goodies for my wedding styling kit after reading this great post on Brklyn View Photography’s Tea With Jaine blog. I decided to do some styling practice using my own wedding invitation and engagement ring. Can’t wait to use my new goodies this wedding season!

Here’s my new kit ready to go! Doesn’t she look lovely?

Dani + Rob's Maternity Session

Who: Danielle and Rob (my sister and brother-in-law)

What: Hometown maternity session

Where: our parents’ backyard and the train station in Newark, DE

My sister and her husband live in Hong Kong, where my sister teaches music at an international school. While they were back in the states over the winter break, we snuck in a maternity session in our hometown. The first location was our parent's’ back yard — you could never tell these were taken in January because the bamboo in my parents’ yard is so leafy and green year round! The second location was the historic Newark train station. Gotta love my home town! Congrats to my beautiful sister!!!







Lee Huang Family

Who: Jen, Lawrence and Ava

What: Outdoor family portrait session

Where: Gantry Plaza in LIC, Queens

I’ve known Jen since we were kids and I’ve been lucky enough to capture her wedding and newborn photos! Now she and her family are planning to move to California and they wanted some photos capturing the NYC skyline. Gantry Plaza in LIC is a great option since it offers great views and isn’t as touristy as DUMBO. I will miss this family a lot! Good luck on your next big adventure!



Lauren + Scott's Maternity Session

Who: Lauren and Scott

What: Autumn maternity session at a pumpkin patch and park

Where: Portland, OR

My bestie Lauren is expecting a little girl so when I went to visit her on the PNW we did a maternity session during our weekend getaway to Portland, OR. I’ve been photographing this lovely lady since we were teenagers and she looks especially beautiful and radiant as an expecting mom! I can’t wait to meet her daughter in a few months!

Soukup Family

Who: Maita, Jake and toddler Liam

What: Outdoor summer family portrait session

Where: White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, DE

Maita and I have been friends since we were kids and both grew up in the same home town. I was so happy to photograph her adorably rambunctious toddler Liam in one of my favorite local parks. Liam had energy to spare and certainly didn’t mind running around in the mid-summer’s heat! We ended the session by getting custard and water ice (a Delaware summer dessert speciality) at Rita’s Water Ice. What a fun summer afternoon!