I’m off to the Dominican Republic until next Wednesday!

I’m really excited about this workshop, Inspire Smart Success taking place in the Dominican Republic. It’s so important to go to workshops and stay inspired, especially after being in business for over 8 years! It’s for wedding professionals, not just photographers. I tend to gravitate toward workshops that are are more business oriented than just about photography. Anytime I go to something like this, I come back energized and inspired with a new fire of creative energy. This workshop also has rave reviews. I can’t wait to give one of my own after I come back! I know it’s going to be amazing.

For the past two years, I’ve gone to Hawaii in January to plan my year and let Hawaii gives it’s magical eneregy to me. Since I couldn’t do that this time, this trip is taking its place! I guess I have a little bit of a travel bug!

I plan on taking tons of photos. Especially with my Holga, Holgaroid and Yashica D. Here’s some images of the resort, Sanctuary Cap Cana.

Hoping to get some more of this kinda thing I shot in Hawaii:

And of course some like this, with my digital camera:

Leslie was in her sister Lindsay’s wedding that I shot way back and so I was excited when she contacted me for her own wedding. It’s so fun to get to be around amazing people again! Tyler proposed to Leslie in Julian, so we decided to shoot there. So I made a day of it, forced my boyfriend to come with (and by forced I mean I asked nicely and he said it would be fun) and we got some Juli-riffic pictures of this nice couple. Of course we ended the shoot with apple pie because that’s a rule. (Leslie + Tyler insisted on treating us!) And then we bought more apple pie and apple cider (hot and cold) because that is also a rule.

That apple thing from Mom’s Pies was delightful!

Things you don’t see everyday: Payphones and mini-horses. Not pictured; a llama.












Oh nothing. Just a chicken with feather feet. Have you ever seen one like this? I haven’t!







Julian Pie Company. They treated us to pie!



And here’s us at the end of a very fun Julian day. Thee end.

2011 was a great year for DGP! When I was looking back, I realized I was out of state for shoots at least once a month. So. Much Fun. It was work yes, but mostly fun. I got to see Hawaii, Las Vegas x3, Arizona, San Diego x2, Palm Springs x2, Santa Barbara, Maryland and DC, Placerville and Napa, New York, New Orleans and Texas. Whew! I’m officially a destination wedding and portrait photographer!

Personally, it’s also been an exciting year. I had my one year anniversary with my amazing/wonderful/special bestboyfriendintheworld. To say I am thankful for this relationship is an understatement. We’ve had way too much fun eating foodie food and having travel adventures together. I’m so happy and madly in love! And I have to mention that I turned thirty! I’m not anywhere where I thought I would be, but I am thrilled with how things turned out in my life. Thirty is my twenty! Plus I still get told I look not a day older than twenty four. I’ll take it! Some visuals to go along…

I can’t wait to see what fun adventures 2012 will bring. One new thing for this year include mentor sessions for photographers. Since I’ve had so many requests from past client-friends, newbie photographers and moms, I decided to start a mentor session program. I think I have something unique to bring to the table that involves my other love; psychology.

Here are some of my favorite images from my 2011 weddings. They are super random, just like me!


Of course, cameras centerpieces would be my fave.



Ponte Winery Wedding
Parker Palm Springs Wedding


Cute details from this Arizona Wedding

Vivienne Westwood Shoes






How often can you say you saw a peacock at a wedding?






I fell in love with the Sinatra House



Ambassador Mansions and Gardens Wedding



Mission Santa Barbara Wedding


Texas Wedding


One of the cutest cake toppers of all time.



Las Vegas Vintage Wedding

New Orleans Wedding







Smogg Shope Wedding


Las Vegas Temple

I’ll also post some favorites from engagement, family and others if I can get around to it!

Kelli’s family flew me out to Texas (by Houston) to shoot this wedding. “It might as well be cute!” is the saying I kept hearing all weekend. As you can see from this sweet handmade wedding, that is completely true. Since Kelli is allergic to flowers, her mom made the bouquets and boutonnieres out of fabric; so adorable!

The theme of their wedding was library books, keys and vintage. So many family and friends pitched in to help put everything together.

Kelli + Mike are a remarkable couple who’s love for God and each other is almost tangible. Thank you all so much for sharing this special day with me. It was truly an honor and a huge blessing to be a part of.

I love shooting a picture of what the day looked like.

This picture was so cute, I had to shoot it!

As I arrived, Shauna was finishing the pictures in the locket of the bride’s bouquet.

Even the name tags of the bridesmaids were cute!


Um, cutest bride’s shoes ever. And the bridesmaid bouquets had lockets too.

Each pin was different and Kelli’s mom made the sash for the Anthropolgie dress.


The garter was made out of the groom’s T Shirt.



Cute pockets in her dress!



Handmade programs in a cute burlap bag.













This is the cutest cake topper I’ve ever seen! Done by the Rebbeca at The Fox Glove:

Check out Lauren + Ryan’s wedding in New Orleans! What a fun experience it was to shoot this wedding there. The best thing about destination weddings in that everyone that flies all the way there is ready for a fun celebration of the couple! It makes the day extra special.

Ceremony: Immaculate Conception
Reception: Lowes Hotel
Dress: Saison Blanche Couture
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Flowers and Decor: 5th Element Decor
Lighting: Solomon Group
Band: The Boogie Men

Ryan’s bow tie and suit felt very Mad Men…

Getting ready at the Cafe Adelaide, in the Lowes Hotel.