What really makes it fun though, is that we take the time to build relationship with our couples before their wedding and get to know them. Engagement sessions are the perfect way to capture beautiful photos, AND most importantly….. build relationship with your photographers.

Essentially you’ve just invited two amazing strangers into the most important day of your life thus far… we know that, and highly value the invitation… so we take the time to get to know you and really show up ready to celebrate. Engagement sessions are a FUN ADVENTURE!

Will we get great photos? YES of course.

Will we laugh way more than we should? Absolutely!

Will it be way more fun than either of you anticipate? WE SURE HOPE SO!

That is literally are #1 goal.. we know we’ll get great photos, what we want YOU TO KNOW, is how FUN it can be do to an engagement session.

The post Dreamy Spring Engagement Session appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

It’s been ridiculously HOT here in Northern California. SO I loved that this couple was willing to do a few photos in the lake. It made for some fun photos, and I’m not gonna lie, it was AWESOME going in the water and cooling down for a minute! Enjoy a glimpse into their AMAZING Love Story!

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I’m so glad we had the opportunity to explore Sacramento with this amazing couple! I loved the moody feel we got from a mostly overcast day, and of course anytime we get to meet up and start our session at a coffee shop we know it’s going to be a good day!

The post Katie + Jake – Sacramento, California Engagement Photographer appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

We had such an amazing adventure yesterday in beautiful Northern California. We explored Mill Valley, and Stinson Beach which is located just north of San Francisco, California.

Melissa and JB showed up ready to rock their engagement session! The results highlighted what a fun, whimsical, and romantic Love Story they truly have.

Justin and I are overwhelmed with gratitude to all of the amazing couples inviting us into their story. We feel privileged to have the opportunity to photograph such beautiful memories.

Enjoy a glimpse into this fantastic and adventurous San Francisco, California Engagement Photography Session.

The post San Francisco, California Engagement Photography | Melissa & JB appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

WHEN SHOULD I CHOOSE MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER? | We recommend connecting with your potential photographers as soon as you have a solid wedding date. Even if you haven’t locked in your exact venue. Photographers should be high on your list of things to do. The earlier you choose your photographer the more options you’ll have, and the less stressful the process will be.

These are tips to make wedding planning fun and stress free. It doesn’t mean you won’t find an amazing photographer if you are only planning a few months in advance. However it may mean you have to search a bit harder. TRUST ME as a photographer I hate having to send out the dreaded “We’re unavailable on your date” message, so plan ahead and give yourself time to choose someone you LOVE!

When you do find the photographer you want, be ready to book. Photographers are booking up anywhere from 1-2 years in advance so be ready to lock them in and secure your date.

HOW DO I CHOOSE MY PHOTOGRAPHER? | CHOOSE SOMONE YOU LOVE. I can’t stress this enough. Look through their images, look on their social media accounts, are you in love with what they do? Are you able to see yourself in their photos? This is one half of what you should consider when choosing your photographer. LOVE their work. If you love their work with strangers as the subjects, chances are you’re going to fall in love with their work when it’s of you and your new husband.

Once you’ve established that your head over heels for their work, get to know them a bit. Research their company reviews, what have past clients said? Do your potential photographers talk about themselves on their website? Anything you can do to see if their personality is going to be a good fit. We recommend setting up a FaceTime, or phone conversations to insure your going to get along and be a good fit with your photographers personality.

If you think about it you’re essentially inviting a complete stranger to be with you for the most incredible day of your life. Not only will they be there, they’ll be hanging out with you as if they were a close friend… so wouldn’t it make sense if they truly did become a friend? Justin and I are very candid with our potential clients about our personality and our heart when it comes to serving our clients. Our business is built on relationships and we do everything we can to establish that relationship before your wedding.

In general we feel you should choose wedding vendors that are organized and easy going. You want them to add to the Joy of your day. Trust your vendors, and choose ones you know you can trust. Whether it’s a DJ, cater, florist, cake artist… if they communicate well with you throughout the planning process, you’re way more likely to enjoy planning and your wedding day. Also if it’s in your budget we highly recommend hiring a planner or day of coordinator. If you get a good one they can completely change the feel of a day and make sure all the details are taken care of, so you can enjoy getting married! 

YOU HAVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, NOW WHAT? | Start planning! Work together with your photographer to set up a timeline for your wedding day. Talk over details and provide as much information as you can (Most photographers will provide you with a questionnaire to insure all the important details are included). Start a pinterest board and invite your photographer, that way you’re both able to start dreaming and envisioning for your day!

If you’re booking an engagement session make sure you start planning that as well, which brings me to my next point, preparing for your engagement session!

BOOK YOUR DATE | Book Your engagement session 2-6 months in advance. Remember weekends are often very busy for your photographer, so be prepared to do your engagement session on a weekday. Again working out the details and clearly communicating in advance with your photographer will insure the process is smooth and enjoyable.

PICK YOUR LOCATION TOGETHER | Creating a fun and romantic photo shoot requires a bit of planning. Start thinking early about the backdrop you want to tell your story. Communicate clearly your desire, whether it’s a whimsical engagement on the beach, or a fun and adventurous shoot in the city talk to your photographer about their recommended locations. Work together when planning outfits, props, and locations and you’re sure to have a successful and beautiful engagement session!

STYLE & OUTFIT TIPS | When booking your make up artist for your wedding find out if they offer a trial before the big day. If you have the opportunity to do a make up trial with your artist plan it for the same day as your engagement session. Not only are you being efficient with your time and money, you’re also giving yourself an opportunity to test the make up look before the big day. Make up often photographs differently than it appears in person, so having photos of your make up before your wedding allows you the opportunity to adjust the look to your liking before your wedding. It also helps bring together a cohesive and styled look for your Engagement session.

PROPS & SIGNS | Bring props and signs that will make your engagement session unique, and thoughtful. Talk before hand with your photographer about any props you may want to incorporate. While photographers rarely provide the props, they can usually point you in the right direction as to where to find something special to add into your shoot.

I truly hope that all these tips help as you plan for your big day! If you need more detail or advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here to help in anyway I can!

The post Planning and Wedding Photography appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

The Wedding took place in beautiful Loomis, California at the Loomis Flower Farm & Inn. The weather report leading up to the day was not looking fantastic, and we had really prepared ourselves for lots of rain and wind. However as the day progressed we got a little pocket with no rain, and no wind, and it just happened to perfectly align with when we needed to do photos. It ended up being a beautiful day for a January Wedding.

I was slightly obsessed with the abundantly filled orange orchards on site. It’s not everyday you get to photograph a wedding near an orange orchard!

The house where the bride got ready was perfect, warm and cozy. A very welcoming house to get ready in, especially on a cold January day.

It was such a stunning day, filled with joy, and love. Celebration and laughter, and even a little hint of sunshine just as we wrapped up their photos.

The post Shelby & Justin – Loomis, California Wedding Photographers appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

We traveled a TON this year, and we loved every minute of it. We started the year with this incredible wedding located in Trinidad, California. On the Northern California Coast.

This cliffside image was taken in Jenner, California.

The sunlight is always on point at Gover Ranch located in Anderson, California

Old Sacramento California ended up providing a unique and romantic backdrop for this beautiful Love Story!

This skyline was out of this world at Ponderosa Ridge Ranch in Anderson, California

Breathtaking garden backdrops at the White House, located in Redding, California

Sacramento, California was perfect. We loved photographing at Arden Hills Golf Course.

We always enjoy capturing the beauty Mt. Shasta, California has to offer

The Palm Event Center located in Pleasanton, California was FANTASTIC! 

The romance at TBS Ranch in Palo Cedro, California is just out of this world.

Alameda, California was the perfect backdrop for this engagement session. SO MUCH so that it landed us in an ELLEdecor Blog!

Helwig Winery located just outside of Sacramento, California in beautiful Plymouth, California was amazing. We hope to go back there again soon!

The U.C. Davis campus located in Davis, California provided a stunning backdrop for this Love Story!

We loved exploring Half Moon Bay with this amazing couple!

Lands End located in San Francisco, California has the perfect view of the Golden Gate bridge.

We love the ocean, and this spot located in San Francisco, California was just perfect.

We ended our incredible wedding season nestled in the beautiful redwoods at Deer Park Villa located in Fairfax, California.

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I thought it would be fun to share some words from the Bride’s perspective. So my lovely bride Katie wrote up a bit about how she was feeling the day of her wedding. Enjoy a glimpse into this beautiful Love Story!

Shout out to an amazing team of vendors!

The to die for, out of this world stunning Floral by: Katie | The Floranthropist

Cake | Sweet Spot

DJ | Stay Gold Productions

Venue | Gover Ranch | Anderson, CA

“If I can sum up my Wedding Day with one word, it would be; Heavenly.

After all the stress of planning my wedding by myself and making sure everything went to plan, it couldn’t have turned out better. That morning I didn’t have a nervous bone in my body, I was ready to finally marry the man of my dreams. After getting into my wedding dress and looking into the mirror I felt the most beautiful I have ever felt. I was surrounded by my family and best girlfriends, and realized the day was finally here!”

“I told Betsy that we decided to not do a “First Look,” but we did want to do a personal vow exchange before the wedding and say a prayer. As I turned a corner of a bush there he was standing facing away from me! It was so wonderful to see my soon to be husband dressed up and handsome. We exchanged our vows that we wrote to one another and said a prayer.”

“After that moment, I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle! It seemed like it took forever to make sure everyone was seated so we could head to the barn, but once the girls told me it was time, I was excited!!”

“I waited for my song to come on. As I heard it start playing, my Dad walked me to the barn and as we turned the corner, there he was, standing there! Ricky had the biggest smile on his face! And I loved that all of our family and friends were in one room ready to celebrate this day with us! As I walked down the aisle, I heard people gasp and say, “Awe, How Beautiful! How Gorgeous!” Afterwords Ricky told me he almost cried seeing me walk down the aisle. The ceremony was beyond amazing, thanks to my long time best friend Nick who got ordained to marry us. And the reception was even greater.”

“I believe that if Heaven was on earth for one day, it would have been my wedding day! It was such a surreal moment being around so much Love and so much Happiness! The Lord definitely was surrounding us with open arms that day! Love was everywhere and in everyone! I cannot thank the Lord enough for blessing me with the best husband ever and the best day of our lives.”

Katie Delaney

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This was our first time working at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax, CA and we just fell in love with this magical venue. It’s tucked amongst a majestic redwood tree grove and the lighting it over the top romantic. Katie the bride really had a strong vision for what she wanted and her vendor team beautifully brought it to life. We were truly inspired by this incredible wedding, and phenomenal couple! Enjoy a glimpse into this beautiful Bay Area California Love Story!

{VENDOR TEAM}

Venue | Deer Park Villa 

Catering | Fork Full Of Earth

Floral | Home Sweet Flowers

Photo Booth | The Booth Bus

Coordinator | KAI Squared Events

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We’ve been so busy this year. (Thank you for all the love, we are so thrilled to be meeting such great couples and photographing so many beautiful love stories). But today I am taking a minute from this wild wedding season to blog this beautiful engagement session.

We were originally going to meet Lexi and Jon on the coast to photograph their Engagement session where Jon proposed.  However the weather was being super tricky, threatening to crash our plans with thunderstorms and rain. So last minute Lexi and Jon picked a beautiful location a bit closer to their home. It was all for the best though, as it turned out Davis, California was the perfect place for an Engagement Session.

The weather ended up being PERFECT, and the location was filled with incredible backdrops. We had so much fun chatting with this couple, and exploring the extremely cool and electic UC Davis campus. Enjoy a glimpse into this beautiful Love Story!

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We not only got to photograph their amazing wedding day, but we also had a special romantic couples session, a few days after their “I DO”. This allowed for two different looks, and a bit more spontaneity, since our couples session didn’t have any time constraints, we were able to just be creative and soak in the emotions they display as a couple. The day of their couples session was pretty windy, however we were able to use that to our advantage, and what we ended up with were some incredibly romantic images. ENJOY this glimpse into the Love Story of Rachel + Kris!                 

The post Rachel + Kris – Romantic {Love Story} California Wedding Photographers appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

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After photographing this incredible Love Story, we received one of the sweetest and most thoughtful review  from this incredible bride. THANK YOU Miya + Marco for choosing us to capture your day!

“To me…the most important part of a wedding comes after, it is the photos. The most important thing in life, is photos. That is largely due to the fact that I only remember bad things, and I struggle to keep any memories that are joyful. Life is nothing but moment after moment and I needed someone who would help me always remember.

I knew that I would search and search and I would find a way to get the money together to pay for my photographer, whoever they may be. I searched every photographer in California and Nevada. But it is was always Essence. As soon as I saw their site, I knew. Everything about their photos are timeless and quiet, and lovely. If photographer soulmates was a thing, I swear they would be mine!

My husband and I were never able to meet Betsy or Justin till the wedding. While Betsy was nothing but kind and wonderful in her emails, I was still a little apprehensive. Mostly, because my husband hates taking photos and I get anxiety from photographer appendage placement instructions! Haha
Our wedding, originally in Georgetown, CA, switched to Foresthill, CA, both locations hours from their home, but they didn’t mind! Betsy was so understanding and reassuring when I told her of the venue change 4 days before the wedding! (Yeah some madness happened LOL)

Come the day of the wedding and Justin and Betsy are sweet, relaxed, fun, and totally in control of the situation! They both provided polite helpful instruction and kept us laughing and smiling the whole time. They really became part of our wedding. They mingled with all of our guests! And all of our guests had nothing but the nicest things to say about them!

I don’t want to say how quickly we received our photos, in case they can’t always achieve that, but holy cow, it was fast! I have heard horror stories of brides getting photos 6-12 months later, but not Essence! 🙂

I didn’t cry on my wedding day (hubby didn’t want me to and kept making funny faces), but looking back at our beautiful photos I finally get a chance to reflect all the love we have for one another and get a good cry going!

I have never encountered a business that I wanted to keep for the rest of my life! We cannot wait for maternity photos and family photos later down the road!

So, in short…hire Betsy and Justin, the dream team! They will not disappoint!” – Miya & Marco

The post Miya + Marco – Woodland Wedding | Auburn, California Wedding Photography appeared first on Essence Photography | California Photographer | capturethestory.com.

Every year we’re overwhelmed with the clients we encounter, and every year we think WOW that was an amazing year, how could we ever top that?! YET somehow every year, it happens, we meet new wonderful clients, catch up with old ones. This business, our life continues to grow in richness and joy. I don’t want to sit here and pretend it’s all easy all the time, in fact it’s often hard, owning a business will test your character. Choosing what’s right, not what’s easy, choosing to invest in something you never know if you’ll see a return in. But it’s one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve ever had. SO to celebrate the start of what we KNOW will be another incredible year, I’m listing a few of my favorite things (Betsy here). AND We’re going to be giving away a few as well. THANK YOU everyone who made this an incredible year, and THANK YOU everyone who will be a part of 2016 being an incredible year. HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you in 2016 your California Photographers Justin + Betsy Erickson.

1. Starbucks Coffee YUM (I’m not going to lie here, I bought an espresso machine a year ago and have had little need to make frequent runs to Starbucks, however in the realm of coffee they are still my favorite, and coffee in general just makes me happy! PLUS we use only Starbucks beans at home, in honor of my #1 I will be giving away 1- $10 Starbucks card.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
2. Music, specifically Coldplay’s NEW ALBUM “Head Full Of Dreams” (If you haven’t heard it yet, your missing out, “Adventure of a Lifetime” is the perfect jam to get me through my long editing days while keeping me optimistic about the future. I’ll be giving away a $10 iTunes or Amazon card, your choice. To use on YOUR favorite music.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3. Photography (as if you didn’t know that would be on the list! We love photographing all the special chapters in your story, and this final giveaway will be for your choice of a family session or an engagement session valued at $350.)a Rafflecopter giveaway

A few of my favorite photos from 2015! 

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