Seattle Garden Wedding at Center for Urban Horticulture

Nathan and Malia planned their wedding during a cross-country move during a pandemic. For that alone they should win an award. They should also win an award, however, for pulling together one of the most heartfelt, artful, meaningful and essential weddings of all time. The day was so beautiful (much due to some talented contributions from the vendor team), but it wasn’t “about” the details. Nathan and Malia were so focused on each other and their guests, and were fully immersed in each moment. It was a joy to be part of it.

The UW Center for Urban Horticulture is a gem of a Seattle wedding venue. It’s right in the mix of things for ease of traveling guests but its pastoral reaches are vast and lush, surprising for a venue so proximate to the city. The garden for the ceremony is just far removed enough from the reception area that it feels like you’re transported to another little plane. Chanel from Elevine Field did the most beautiful arrangement for their ceremony space. She also created one of the most fragrant and dreamy bouquets ever, filled with fresh geranium leaves. Kirstie from Simply Wed kept the whole day running smoothly and made everyone feel right at home.

For their wedding, Nathan and Malia decided to put their trust in me to capture a good deal of it on film. Shooting film is my favorite way to capture weddings. It helps me stay present moment to moment because I’m not checking the back of my camera. It makes me more conscious of my compositions since I can’t shoot a thousand frames and it helps me feel so connected to a tangible art form. And your wedding photos should feel artful, not just document the day! I’m also drawn to the natural texture and colors inherent in film. The only editing I do is a little exposure correction here and there, maybe a crop. Otherwise it’s a real piece of the day physically created in the moment. I think that’s really cool.

Vendor Team:

Wedding Planner Simply Wed - Kirstie Warren simplywed.com

Photography Emily Keeney emilykeeney.com

Catering & Cake Table Catering Co. - Brooke Perez tablecateringco.com

Florist Elevine Field & Flora - Chanel elevinefield.com

Band Blue Wave Band - David Dawda info@bluewaveband.com

Hair & Makeup Katherine Esque

Gown Veka Bridal (Brooklyn, NY) vekabridal.com

Alterations Jill McGowan (Portland, Maine) jillmcgowan.com

Groom's Attire Suit Supply suitsupply.com

Rentals Cort Party Rentals - Renee Eddy cort.com

Farm Tables Seattle Farm Tables - Mike seattlefarmtables@gmail.com

Towncar Seattle Elite Towncar seattleelitetowncar.com

Seattle Newborn Family Photography Session In-Home

I love when I get to witness couples become parents. It’s one of the most mystifying, exciting, terrifying and magnificent life transitions we can experience! I captured their maternity sessions a month or so before getting to meet their sweet baby Henry for this newborn session. This session was shot entirely in my home studio (and living room) and back yard. I love being able to host families here for sessions when I can! Otherwise in-home sessions where you live are always possible and really great. Most people think their house isn’t beautiful, styled, clean or modern enough for a successful shoot. It couldn’t be further from the truth! In-home photos are some of the most personal and relaxed. No complicated parking or trekking around a park, GPS freakouts, nap timing, etc. Home is a great place for your family photo session, especially in Seattle where our weather is so unpredictable!

I loved Emily’s styling for this session. Her breezy Doen dress was so beautiful and soft, and sweet Henry’s little outfits were cozy and simple. The less fuss the better — there are no baskets and props here!

Seattle Maternity + Family Photography Session in the Mountains

This is a family I adore and have worked with several times (always the best!). We met through good old Instagram and I’ve been able to capture their growing family over the last year and a half. We’ve done sessions in-home and out in parks, and today I wanted to share the very first session we did together set just outside of the city in a meadow by a mountain. Something about the magnitude of that place feels so right for expecting a new baby — it’s a big unknown and also thrilling! (Fun fact: I found out that I was pregnant with our second the week that this session occurred!)

Capturing family photo sessions in Seattle is so close to my heart. I love that we chose this city to live in and that we’re growing our family here, and sharing that with my clients is really special. My journey through photography has changed in the years, from focusing on weddings to photographing families as my life shifts in that direction. Enjoy this beautiful mountain maternity + family session!

Corson Building Wedding | Seattle Photographer

Getting to the place in my career where a great deal of my work comes from referrals is the most rewarding thing. Good old Google is always welcome, but there’s something about a line stringing through all of these people from different areas of life and being able to tell their stories. And then their loved ones’ stories. This was one such wedding where a friend introduced me to Nicole and Noah, and it was just a joy from start to finish.

I’ve always had such a love for the Corson Building and its unique urban garden setting (driving by it you wouldn’t even believe its there, it’s basically underneath I-5!). It’s family owned and operated which gives it such an amazing feeling. Not to mention the food was the best I’ve ever had at a wedding (and I’ve tasted some dang good dishes!). My favorite part of the day is when the light starts to go down and the garden lights begin to glow, all of the guests laughing and spending time together underneath.

Noah and Nicole’s family and friends were the warmest and most loving and joyful, and everywhere I looked there was a smiling face and someone to chat with. When I can enmesh myself in the night, and not just witness it as an outsider, it really is magical and I always love those photos the most. I hope it comes off on the couple’s side too — like it was a friend taking the photos and seeing them through warm eyes.

I could go on, but I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking.

Florist (bouquet & boutonnière): Villanelle Floral

Hair: Jamie Taylor at Salon Bella in Bellevue

Officiant: David, “Forever, Together”

Engagement ring: Joseph Jewelry

Bride’s wedding ring: The North Way Studio

Cake: Deep Sea Sugar and Salt

Dress: Carmen Marc Valvo