Santa Cruz engagement photography- Stephanie and Mike!

Santa Cruz engagement photography!  I am so thrilled to post images from Stephanie and Mike’s engagement photo shoot!  Stephanie and Mike took me to one of their favorite places. A beautiful open field that is also the home to their favorite Oak tree.

I am loving photographing in California, it’s so exciting to go to so many new places!  There is nothing like fresh eyes on a place allowing all your senses to come alive! And then a couple madly in love amongst it, perfection!These two were nothing but laughter, hugs and kisses and needed zero direction!  The sun was setting and casting it’s golden light upon them, everything was just stunning!On the other side of the field the view opened up onto the Santa Cruz Harbor.  Can you believe the gorgeousness of this tree? A couple hundred years of glory and still growing strong. Oh the stories it must have!Just down the road is the Santa Cruz Lighthouse, again a new place for me! Is this really where we live now? Oh the magnificence of the cotton candy sunset with the pristine sail boats and iconic structure of the lighthouse……and this dynamic duo! So much love I can hardly wait to photograph them on their wedding day, which is by the way happening in a Redwood Grove!!!!Tetrapod fun!  That is the name of these cool abstract structures surrounding the lighthouse.There was no end to the amazing series of beautiful landscapes as Stephanie and Mike headed down the beach with the historic Santa Cruz Boardwalk in the distance!We ended the photo shoot back at the lighthouse but as we walked back to the cars I saw one more photograph with my eyes. It’s hard to ignore that feeling of wanting to create a photograph in my camera once I have seen it in my mind. Stephanie and Mike willingly ran down to the docks and stood really still while I took this slow shutter night time exposure of them!

Stephanie and Mike thank you for being such much fun, I can’t wait to photograph your wedding!