Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Leonardo da Vinci

Creative Direction/Stylist/Everything woman:  Jackie, Mercí New York

Jewelry:  Jupiter Jewelry

Model:  Kira, Fenton Moon Models

Gowns:  Gabriella Bridal Salon

Florals:  AvaFlorals

Hair:  Maysoon, FaceTime Beauty Concierge

Make-up:  Sharon, FaceTime Beauty Concierge

It’s hard for me to believe that three years ago photography was something I only dreamed about.  Little did I know that photography would soon woo me in such a way that it would become my life’s passion.  When I get to take pictures of people, my soul comes alive.  It feels like I’m running, jumping, and dancing barefoot through an endless field.

I feel free, and I feel more me when I shoot than when I do anything else.  It’s such a gift to be able to pursue and do what I love.

When Jackie of Mercí New York approached me last fall to do a Look Book for Jupiter Jewelry in New York I all but ran around the room and danced throughout the office.  (All of this sounds dramatic, but I tend to be on the dramatic side…)  On an early rainy fall New York City morning, Jackie and I left Manhattan all packed for the shoot and ready to go.  The day was over in what seemed like minutes.  Hands down this was one of the most fun shoots I have ever done.

What has come from this shoot is more than I could have dreamed.  I am so honored an privileged to have worked with Mercí New York and Jupiter Jewelry on this shoot.

Ladies, this was a dream come true for me.  Thank you thank you thank you times 10 for allowing me to collaborate with you all.

Now here’s the rrrrreally exciting news:  Utterly Engaged featured our shoot for their Cover editorial for their January Sparkles and Crystals Issue.  Please go check them out and the issue HERE.  Lucia, you are a gem, and I have loved getting to know you and can’t wait to partner again with you and your wonderful team!

Vendors:

Creative Direction and Stylist: Jackie of Mercí New York

Jewelry:  Jupiter Jewelry

Florals:  Ava Florals

Gowns:  Gabriella Bridal Salon, Rent the Runway, and Mercí New York Style Salon

View Utterly Engaged’s Editorial HERE.

View Behind the Scenes images from the day HERE.

PS…Thank you Trent Bailey for assisting me, and for being a bomb friend!

I am thrilled to have collaborated with Mercí New York to shoot the cover for the January issue of Utterly Engaged Sparkles and Crystals.

Check out the issue Here

As I drove up to meet Christa for her Fort Worth Bridals last week, the thermometer in my car read 108 degrees outside. Wait what? Yes. This is a true story. As I surveyed the area where we were going to shoot I was worried that my shoes might actually melt on the pavement. My fears of melting into a pile on the side of the road in Texas quickly dissipated when Christa arrived calm, collected, and ready to go in her absolutely gorgeous, feminine, and elegant Maggie Sottero gown. She was breathtaking.

Christa’s bridals have ended up being one of my most favorite shoots this year, and I’m so excited to share this little sneak peak of a few of my favorite shots from the day. Cassius and Christa I hope you guys are having a fabulous honeymoon…I can’t wait to find out where y’all went (he kept it a secret until they got on the plane the next day after their wedding!!) Crazy right!? Shooting your wedding was a gift, and I’m so so excited to go through your images:)

“Growing up, the Fourth of July was one of my favorite holidays.  From sparklers, to picnics, to running barefoot in fields, to watermelon juice dripping off my chin and down my arms, my memories are deep and rich. To me July 4th is a celebration of fresh new beginnings.  And isn’t it the same thing with marriage?  This is the day that you begin a new life together; in so many ways and for so many reasons it’s a fresh start.

For Rachael and Henry it was about capturing their All-American style and making it come to life.  What better way to make this All-American couple come to life than to celebrate their love on the 4th.  We didn’t want anything to distract from Rachael and Henry so for wardrobe we kept with a neutral color palette, and decided to add our pops of color with the décor.  Red, white, blues, strawberries, blueberries, coca-cola, candied apples, and popcorn gave the finishing touches to a memorable day.

So here’s to staying up late to watch fireworks with the people you love the most, to getting your fingers dirty and your shirts stained with barbeque, to midday picnics, and most of all to love.  To new love, to old love, and to fresh new beginnings.”

Kat, via Style Me Pretty

To check out the Style Me Pretty Feature CLICK HERE.  Also, check out Mike’s images here, and to see our complete portfolio from this shoot CLICK HERE! (Yes…I know…it’s a lot of clicking…but it’s well worth it!)

Vendor Information:

Stylist and Floral Design:  Sussanna Davidson, French Buckets; Mary Lallande, Jays Catering

Creative Direction and Wardrobe Stylist:  Kat Harris, Mike Colón Photographers

Hair & Make-up:  Rachel Burney, Remba Productions

Models:  Henry (Brand Talent); Rachael

Linens:  Dahlia and Veronica, Designer Speciality Linens-OC

Pies & Treats:  Mary Lallande, Jays Catering

Paper Goods:  Amber & Ashley, Typologie & Co.

Assistant:  Matt Cotter

Low-Key.  Relaxed.  Fresh.  New.  Excitement.  Long-awaited anticipation.

These are the words that come to my mind when I think about Camille and Jim’s Palm Spring’s Wedding.  The entire wedding party, family, and friends from all over took over the Horizon Hotel in Palm Springs.  Out of the many weddings I have shot this year, Camille and Jim’s wedding has been my favorite (shhh…don’t tell…I got to do the dougie at the reception).

Camille worked at the library in college.  Jim was not known for hitting the books until one semester when he met Camille while passing through the library.  His roomates noticed he was studying a lot more than usual, and this could only mean one thing…Jim had met a girl (why else would one go to the library on a regular basis to ‘study’).  Well Jim finally asked Camille out, and ever since they’ve become the best of friends, and each others partners in crime.  He makes her laugh in the best of ways, and she brings him life.

Camille and Jim it was a gift to spend the day with you guys and your friends and family.  Aaron Young thank you so so much for letting me shoot this wedding with you.  Your work and who you are as a person inspires me! I had an absolute blast.  (PS Palm Springs might be my new favorite getaway spot).

I cannot get over how classy and elegant Camille is.

Camille and Jim left to ‘Let’s Get Married’ by Jagged Edge. (And no I’m not embarrassed that I still know every word to this song).

The cocktail hour was one of my favorite parts of the day.  A)  This couple has some fabulously dressed friends.  B)  Everyone was so happy.  There was so much fun, laughter, and hugs.  I just wanted to jump in on all the fun.

These tables were so charming and fresh.  Each table setting had a jar of orange gummies.

My mouth still waters when I think of this oh-so-delicious Red Velvet Cake.  I think I ate 2 heaping pieces without any remorse!

And then they danced the night away.  And really what’s a Palm Springs Wedding without people jumping in the pool?  (Aaron got those shots…uh-mazing…and my kind of people!)

New York City really is the city that never sleeps.

Midday walks in Central Park, taking subways into SoHo at all hours, late night dinners on a weeknight, meeting up with friends well past midnight on a Monday…everything about New York draws me in.

Thanks to an awesome boss, Mike Colón, I get the opportunity to travel to New York City several times a year.  In April it was a privilege to partner with Jackie of Mercí New York to plan Mike’s NYC Shooting Workshop.  Jackie is one of New York City’s lead wedding writers and event stylists, and also one of my most favorite people in New York (Trent Bailey thanks so much for the intro!!).

My first time ever to Central Park was the day of the wedding shoot. (After spending a cloudy and quiet day in Central Park with a group of New York City wedding photographers, my love affair for New York was solidified).

Not only did this shoot turn out better than I could have hoped for, I made about 20 new friends, AND the lovely ladies over at Style Me Pretty featured the Central Park Wedding Shoot last week!

To view more of our images from this shoot CLICK HERE.

We had an unbelievable team of vendors that made this day happen!  Thanks so so much guys:)

Vendor Information:

Stylist:  Jacqueline Weppner, Mercí New York

Floral design: Lori Meigel, Merci New York

Models:  Johan, Gabi

Hair & Make-up:  Michelle, Pink Comb Salon

Gowns: Gabriella Bridal Salon (Long dress is Sassi Holford, “fleur” gown.  Short dress is Allison Paris, “short feather dress in white.”

Accessories:  Preston and Olivia:  floral veil.  Sara Gabriel:   hairpiece paired with the Allison Paris feather gown; J Crew:   Nude ballet flats, men’s shirt, bow tie; Club Monaco:   Faux fur cropped jacket.

Jewelry:  Rent the Runway: featuring Miriam Haskell, Nicole Miller, and Erickson Beamon.

Men’s suiting and formalwear: Rothman’s New York;  Tallia:  Pin stripe sport jacket .  Hugo Boss:  Pants .

Today, I feel giddy, excited, and super honored?  Why you  may ask?…because we are featured on Style Me Pretty.  Mike’s NYC Shooting Workshop is live on Style Me Pretty’s Local NYC blog.  Thanks so much Mike for entrusting me with this shoot; it was so so fun to get to collaborate with and make friends with the one and only Jackie Weppner of Mercí New York.  (Not only is she super talented and professional, but she is one of the sweetest girls I’ve met!)

We’ll be doing a full post on this shoot next week…get excited folks:)

Shout out to all the amazing vendors who helped make this NYC Shooting Workshop happen:

Mike Colón NYC Shooting Workshop

Vendor Information:

Stylist:  Jacqueline Weppner, Mercí New York

Floral design: Lori Meigel, Merci New York

Hair & Makeup:  Michelle, Pink Comb Salon

Models:  Johan, Gabi

Gowns: Gabriella Bridal Salon (Long dress is Sassi Holford, “fleur” gown.  Short dress is Allison Paris, “short feather dress in white.”

Accessories:  Preston and Olivia:  floral veil.  Sara Gabriel:   hairpiece paired with the Allison Paris feather gown; J Crew:   Nude ballet flats, men’s shirt, bow tie; Club Monaco:   Faux fur cropped jacket.

Jewelry:  Rent the Runway: featuring Miriam Haskell, Nicole Miller, and Erickson Beamon.

Men’s suiting and formalwear: Rothman’s New York;  Tallia, Pin stripe sport jacket:  Hugo Boss, Pants.

When Rosanna asked me to shoot a wedding with her in Wisconsin I had 2 thoughts:

1)  Duh…I’ll totally go anywhere to shoot a wedding with my fab friend.

2)  Will I make it back alive or die of frost bite?

This is what goes through the head of a Texas turned So-Cal girl that gets cold at 71 degree weather.  (I know…you feel really bad for me right about now).  Thankfully, we braved the weather, and I still have all 10 toes.

Onto Caleb and Laura.

Laura was so calm; it was like she was getting ready for any other day, but this one just so happened to be her wedding day.  As she got her hair and make-up done she laughed and told stories about growing up with her sister and family in Wisconsin.  There was no drama, just ease and an eager readiness for a day she had been waiting so long for.

Now you could hear Caleb and his groomsmen laughing from down the hall.  There was a nervous excitement as the guys put on their tuxes.  Caleb was a little jittery, and so anxious to see his bride.

…When the doors opened to the church and Caleb saw Laura beaming confidently towards him, he melted.   Their ceremony and their day was intimate and real, and the friends that rallied around them cared so deeply for them as a couple and as individuals.  It was a gift to be able to be a part of it.

Rosanna Marie:  thanks so much for letting me be your sidekick (Check out her images from the wedding HERE).  Not only are you a phenomenal photographer, but girl you can break it on the dance floor.  (Can’t wait to do the Dougie with you again soon!)

I love this moment between Caleb and Laura.

Just in case you were wondering…this is what freeeezing cold looks like.

Laura is my kinda girl…she owned it on the dance floor!

July 17, 2010 could not have been a more beautiful day in Santa Barbara. As Mike and I drove up to The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara the sky was clear, and there was a tiny little breeze.  In short; it was perfect.  We met Sabine and Peter for the first time the day of their wedding, but by the end of the weekend (they had an amazing Sunday brunch on a yacht) we felt like family.  Every so often you meet those people that you instantly connect with, and this was the case with the entire Dahl family.  You see this was not just a marriage celebration; it was a celebration of combining two families and 6 kids.  It was the beginning of the intermingling of not only 2 people, but of 2 families.

Sabine and Peter have so much genuine love for each other.  There were moments when I just wanted to go up and hug them both (which I actually did).  There ceremony included all 6 children. During part of the ceremony I had to just put my camera down and soak in the moment as tears were coming down my cheeks.  Yes, this is a marriage and a family committed to one other and committed to love.

Since this lovely Santa Barbara wedding is featured on Grace Ormonde Wedding Style’s ‘Real Weddings’ we can now share it with you.  To check out more of the story go to Mike’s blog, and to see the Grace Ormonde Feature CLICK HERE.

So many favorites from this day…but this series I love (The below shot made it on Grace Ormonde’s Blog….which I’m honored and absolutely jump-up-and-down giddy about).  During Sabine and Peter’s last dance feathers starting swirling all over the room; it was the perfect way to end a day of sophisticated elegance!

Vendor Information:

Photographer:  Mike Colón Photographers

Wedding Coordinator:  Ava Carroll-Brown; Brownstone Place, Thousand Oaks, CA. & Incline Village, NV.

Location:  The Four Seasons Biltmore, Santa Barbara, CA.

Floral Designer:  King Dahl Event Design; Agora Hills, CA.

Linens:  Roberta Karsch-Resource One, Inc.; Reseda, CA.

Lighting:  The Right Lights; Agora Hills, CA.

Custom Jewelry:  Christie & Co.