I’m a lagger, but only when it comes to this blog. The way I figure it, as long as my clients/friends are receiving their photos on time, it’s okay to skip out on blogging to catch up in other facets of life once in a while. In my case, my focus has been spending time with my Husband, getting in shape, and hanging out with people who inspire me…people like my friend Anne.

When I got married, certain life situations happened in the months before our wedding outside of me and Dave’s relationship that caused me to eat my way through the emotional stress. The day of our wedding was lovely because we were surrounded by the people we love, but putting on my gown was a different story. I had gained over 20 pounds in 3 months.

A year and a half later, I’m happy to announce that I’ve turned my life around and I’m stronger than ever, physically and emotionally.

One day, I pulled my wedding gown out of the preservation box and put it on. Yes, I even tightened my own corset (although it was pretty heinous looking). Much to my own shock, the gown was pretty large. I called Anne up and begged her to shoot a session with Dave and I. I wanted to put my gown on once more before it was more than 3 sizes too large!

So that’s what we did this afternoon. Anne will reveal more at a later date, but I can almost guarantee you’ve never seen a trash the dress session quite like this one….

A couple that skates together, stays together!

These images are straight out of the camera, with no retouching or special effects. I have to mention this because I’m absolutely thrilled and thankful that Anne would give us a sneak preview within ONE HOUR after the end of our session. Anne, you never cease to amaze me!

This next shot is for my sister, Bubba. No, that’s not her real name but I’ve been calling her that for so long it may as well be. She was an amazing gymnast when she was younger (she’s all growns up now) and I kept thinking about her throughout the day whenever I wanted to laugh (outside of Anne or Dave initiating it!) or give Anne a smile that only my little sister could draw out of me. Bubba played such an integral role in helping me turn a new leaf and she was so supportive every step of the way. In the face of adversity, our relationship grew stronger than ever. Sisterhood is a powerful thing. I felt it appropriate to honor her, and push myself to try something I couldn’t do when I was feeling unhealthy. Not my most graceful moment, but I know she’ll love it.

p.s. Bubba, I landed it!

*All images copyright Anne K. of The Paper Stylist, don’t copy them!

Julieann and I have a special friendship. Over the years, we’ve drifted in and out of each others lives but recently we’ve done a lot more and have spent a lot of time chatting. Even more recently, she and I have been shooting together. I love that I can geek out with her and her husband Erik for an entire day and talk shop.

Over the years, Julieann had asked a few times to do a session with me but always found a way to put it off. When she and I were having coffee together one day, she mentioned that she would be going on her annual camping trip to El Capitan State Beach with Erik. My eyes lit up and I told her it was time. It was.

Camping at El Capitan has been a tradition in Erik’s family for years. Julieann is not new to the outdoors either. She and her family are also expert campers. When the two of them met back in 2001, one of the instant attractions they had to each other was because of their mutual appreciation for nature. A typical vacation for these two is one that enables them to surf everyday or takes them out of the busy city to enjoy the company of each other while soaking up the sun. These two were even married on the sand. Instead of a typical reception, their post-nuptual celebration came in the form of surfing. The prize gift to the Bride and Groom? A set of matching surfboards.

This year during their annual trip to El Capitan, Erik and Julieann would be celebrating their 2nd wedding Anniversary and I couldn’t wait to shoot it. I’ll admit we had ulterior motives. When these two got married, they had the misfortune of receiving wedding photos that were not exactly what they had paid for and not something they could be proud to display in their home. Part of the purpose of our session was to try and recapture the essence of their wedding day while tying in the present. It wasn’t difficult seeing as how these two keep each other on their feet. Erik is the one that keeps calm on the surface but has been known to burst out with even the most random of comments. Julieann, she wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s honest and loyal, and you always know what she’s thinking. She’s strong, she heals people (she’s a Nurse), and she’s been known to burst out into song and dance if the moment calls for it. One of my favorite memories of the two of them was a time when Erik asked Julieann to “Keep the crazy on the inside”, his wife lovingly glanced over at him, threw her head in the air and exploded into a fit of laughter. That’s what I love about these two. They bring balance to a chaotic world, but not without a sense of humor and kindred spirits.

Here’s Julieann’s take on our session:

“When Pamela came up with the idea of trashing the dress @ El Cap, it instantly made sense to the both of us! We both looked at each other as if to say “DUH why had we not realized the COMPLETE SENSE of that IDEA?”
This photo session meant more to us than pretty pictures. This meant a lifetime of memories. It meant taking a piece of us that means forever, and making it whole by emerging it into a place and an event that simply describes us. Erik and I could not live without nature, our camping trips, the outdoors, and just being free spirited. These elements are so deeply in our veins, so true to who we are. The fact that we were able to capture OUR LIVES and pieces of us as a couple means MORE than just amazing photography to display.”

So last Wednesday we met up at their campsite, bustled a 2 year old wedding gown, played in and around the ocean and shared some laughs over the proper way to fall off a tree. Here are my favorite images from the day:

… I found myself driving past Santa Barbara to meet a woman in a dress and her handsome husband for a 2 year Anniversary celebration during their annual camping trip. Who says weekdays are boring?

I’m going to leave you hanging for a few days while I play catch up.