Category: Destinations

August 21, 2020

Intimate Elopement Package

Intimate Elopement Package in Ventura

This year has turned out to be quite different than we all expected. A lot of people had large weddings planned that are now postponing until next year or even the year after. Many weddings have been canceled altogether. Some couples are opting for small, intimate elopements in lieu of the traditional, big event. And then there’s couples who are having a micro wedding this year, and the large celebration later. There’s also couples that never intended to have a lot of guests at their wedding to begin with. They may have planned to have an elopement on a beach somewhere. Regardless of where you might fall in your wedding journey, this intimate elopement package can be a perfect option for you. Read more

July 13, 2018

5 Honeymoon & 5 Minimoon Destinations

Here’s a list of 5 great honeymoon and 5 perfect minimoon destinations to consider. Now that the wedding is over, it’s time to relax, kick your feet up, and let loose! Pricing will vary greatly between the options, but this will help give you a starting place, that’s a little more sophisticated than just throwing a dart at the map.

One thing you’ll want to do before you get started is make sure you have a current passport. There’s lots of amazing places to go in the US, but there’s also a whole lot of places outside. This world is big. Explore it!

1. Riviera Maya – With so many all-inclusives, many that cater to newlyweds, going to Mexico for your honeymoon is a no-brainer. They have a ton of couples only resorts that are stretched out on gorgeous white sand beaches. A couple of my favorites (and one I’m currently staying at) are: Unico Hotel 20º87º, and several of the Palace Resorts.
2. Hawaii – This is another fairly obvious choice, and rightfully so! Hawaii is beautiful and has so many varied places to go while enjoying the relaxation of the island lifestyle. Pro tip – don’t just go to Oahu! Check out the other islands, Molokai is awesome! It’s very private and you feel like you have the entire island to yourself!
3. The Caribbean – Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua, there are so many islands in the Caribbean. The gorgeous, crystal clear waters, and the beautiful resorts make the Caribbean a frequent choice for newlyweds.
4. Europe – Warm air and sea water is great and all, but a European trip is something every American should do if they can! I haven’t been to all of the countries in Europe, but for my very first trip, I hit up Paris, France, Venice, Rome, & Naples, Italy, London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland. I’d say that was a good start.
5. Iceland – This country is gaining popularity because it’s amazing, and there’s often some really great travel deals there. I loved Iceland! If you go, make sure you plan to check out Jokulsarlon Glacier. It’s about 5 hours from Reykjavik but well worth the visit!

Chances are you just dropped a whole lot of money on an extravagant, but utterly fun and amazing wedding. So spending a few more thousand on a honeymoon might have to wait. But you REALLY want to get away, and I don’t blame you! You should definitely get out of town for at least a weekend!

Here’s a list of 5 perfect little mini-moon destinations to go on until you can plan that epic trip you’ve always wanted.

1. Catalina – Why not go to a much closer and less expensive island? With lots of great little hotels and air bnbs, Catalina can give you that island getaway feel without making you have to getaway too far. And if you go on your birthday, you can get a free ferry ride!
2. Solvang – It’s only about an hour from Santa Barbara and it feels like you flew to Denmark. Plus there are a ton of tasting rooms and nearby vineyards for wine lovers.
3. Yosemite – Get in the car, pack some hiking boots, and check out nature. Go camping or stay at the lodge. Either way you’ll feel amazing being surrounded by so much natural beauty.
4. Big Bear – A bit closer than Yosemite, but still beautiful It’s a great little mountain town that’s only 2 hours or so from LA. Go on a hike, rent a kayak on the lake, or just hang out in town and relax.
5. Ensenada Cruise – There are lots of super affordable 3 day cruises from Long Beach to Ensenada and back. Cruise ships are perfect little getaways. You get the feel of being at a tropical resort, without having to travel as far, and often for much less money.

I always love using Airbnb when I travel since the choices are almost always so much more unique. Here’s a handy little search window for you to be able to find the perfect stay for your honeymoon or minimoon.

If you need help planning your honeymoon or minimoon, contact Julia with Two Nights In. She’ll help you plan the perfect trip.

And if you’re still in the wedding planning stages and you need a photographer, or if you’re planning a destination wedding, let me know, I’d love to talk to you!

June 27, 2018

Favorite Things – Travel

It’s Friday so here’s another Favorite Things – Travel! I love getting out of my bubble and exploring the world. My favorite areas tend to be where the nature is breathtaking, but visiting unique and fun cities can be pretty amazing. I’ve been super lucky and have traveled to over 20 countries.

Walking through the canals in Venice was like a time warp. Amsterdam had such a cool vibe to it. I loved how so many people traveled the city on bikes. They had entire parking structures dedicated to the two wheeled vehicles. Some of my absolute favorite adventure was backpacking through Iceland and Switzerland. Looking up at the sheer cliffs and the green rolling hills of Swiss Alps is a memory I hope to never forget. When we went to Iceland, we were there for summer solstice. That was such a unique experience to stay in a world that doesn’t darken.

This year I’m planning a trip Poland with my boyfriend, and hopefully a couple of the surrounding countries. My best friend lives in Prague, so I’m sure I’ll probably go there again. I’ll be backpacking Havasupai Falls in a month with several friends. My boyfriend just booked a backpacking trip for us on Santa Rosa Island, which is a part of the Channel Islands National Park. We’ll also be going camping at Yosemite National Park sometime this summer.

I really love traveling!

Last couple of years I was living on the east coast in Pittsburgh. I had to travel with all my camera gear back and forth from there to California. I also photographed a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya. Are you planning a destination wedding? Get in touch, I’d love to work with you, and depending on the location, the travel cost may be included in your wedding.

June 27, 2018

Backpacking Havasupai

Last month I took a break from wedding photography for a week and went backpacking to Havasupai. It’s a tiny little village on the edge of the Grand Canyon, tucked about 10 miles down. I went with a large group of friends. We got to the site the night before and set up camp at the trail head, then the next morning, dark and early at 4am, we got up, packed our gear, and began the hike. The weather said it was going to be in the high 90s which is why we left so early. We really wanted to get ahead of the heat since the first several miles have almost no shade. There’s also no water on the hike until you reach Supai, which is 8 miles down so we had to carry about 3 liters of water with us in addition to our gear.

The hike itself was easy, nothing technical or too extraneous. It was just long and hot which were the only challenges. Once we got down to the camping area, you are greeted with an amazingly tropical and gorgeous oasis.

This was such a cool experience, being able to swim in the crystal clear water after a long hike was the perfect reward. I kept seeing all these beautiful spots that would be perfect for someones wedding or engagement photos. That’s what happens when I go on vacation now. I think of how cool the area would look as a backdrop for wedding photography. I brought my camera with even though I really didn’t want to add the extra weight, but I got some pretty photos from the trip. No brides or grooms in them, but waterfalls, happy faces, and beautiful scenery instead.

Here are some of my favorites from backpacking Havasupai…

A few of my good friends and fellow wedding professionals were also able to join me on this trip. Here’s me with Tim and Monica from In The Mix Events, and Scott from Good Times Entertainment, and our friend Vivienne!

Now I’m not a landscape photographer, and I’m newer when it comes to taking night photography shots like this… but one of the guys that came on the trip showed me a photo he had taken and I tried to get my own since I thought it looked so cool! Here’s my attempt at a night waterfall shot.

If you want to have your engagement photos or wedding photography taken at some amazing location that requires a bit of hiking and sweat to get there, contact me! I’d love to go on some crazy adventure with you and get some epic photos together!

June 27, 2018

Wedding Elopement in Oxnard Shores – Jacquie & Melanie

Wedding Elopement in Oxnard Shores, Channel Islands.

A couple months ago I photographed a last minute wedding elopement in Oxnard Shores, Channel Islands area. Jacquie & Melanie are from Canada and they had planned a long vacation exploring California. When they got to the airport, they decided this trip would be the trip where they’d finally get married. They decided to tie the knot in Ventura at the Courthouse, and then have their wedding photos taken back at their hotel in Oxnard Shores. They stayed at the Mandalay Beach Resort, and we took photos there and on the beach right in front of the property.

Melanie and Jacquie got to experience some of California’s breathtaking sunsets during their session. They’re a beautiful couple and their love for each other really showed in the photos! I had a great time working with them!

Elopements are a great idea for those that don’t have the time or money to plan a full wedding. I love photographing wedding elopements. I usually get more one on one time with the couple since theirs usually a lot less people involved. Also, elopements tend to have more focus on just the couples photos, which is my favorite part of all weddings. Contact me for special rates on elopement or destination weddings.