golden hour

Fairfax Ranch Wedding // George + Allison

sunset ranch newlywed portrait

George and Allison's wedding was the perfect mix of a traditional wedding and representing themselves. Every free moment and weekend that G + A had this past year was spent on transforming the family ranch into their wedding reception venue. The ranch has been in George's family for six generations and they knew this was where they wanted to celebrate with their friends and family! We did their engagement photos in April around the ranch, and the amount of work they did is beyond amazing. They truly put their love, sweat, and tears into transforming the property. These two deserve all the cheers to their hard work! And the ranch created the best soft, glowing light throughout the night. It was heaven for me! ;)

For the ceremony, Allison wore the dress her grandma and mom had worn for their own weddings with a few alterations, like the updated back cut. And then some parts stayed the same, like having to wear a petticoat with the dress. Watching Allison's bridesmaids help with her dress was the true epitome of being their for her and helping with one of the most important parts of her day.

And make sure to not miss their cake cutting below! It's too funny!!

Allison and George, thank you so much for including me in all the fun of your day and I feel truly honored to be able to capture your friends and family celebrating you two and enjoying your hard work on the ranch. 

Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography // Planner + Lighting + Caterer: Mangia Nosh & Marin Event Lighting // Florist: Village Green Floral // Cake: Branching Out Cakes // Band: Mark Heaphy // HMAU: AP LUXE // Photobooth: DNE Events // Limo: Executive Charters // Venue: Private Residence

 

Golden Light Beach Engagement // Black Sands Beach, CA

marin_headlands_golden_hour

Along with getting together to take a non-cheesy pregnancy announcement photo for Jessica and Alex to share (at the end of the post), we took advantage of getting together to take some gorgeous photos! This has to be one of my favorite sessions because it involves the Black Sands Beach and the Marin Headlands during golden hour. I was so excited when they wanted to meet here! I also really love Jessica's gold boots. I liked that they brought a little spunk to her outfit!

We started their session walking down to the beach and trying to avoid getting caught by the waves. These two didn't let the small pebbles in their shoes stop the fun and loving gazes to each other. As the sun was setting we walked up a small path from the parking lot and found the magical hillside that was drenched in the golden sun! It was basically a photographers dream, haha. And look at the magic they helped create!! I can give posing advice and directions, but 90% of the magic created is from my couples' connection to each other. 

Congratulations on your next chapter and thank you for having me along to document it!!

If you're ready for some beachy, golden light goodness, keep scrolling! 

George + Allison // Family Ranch Engagement // Woodacre, CA

Driving past Fairfax and turning down their dirt lane, pulling up to their family's ranch, sipping wine before their shoot, I knew this was going to be a special engagement session. These two have the biggest hearts and are putting so much love into their day. We decided on doing their engagement session on this family land as well, but in different areas than where the wedding is. 

Allison was a champ in jumping over fences in her dress and George didn't mess up his dress clothes (and we weren't trespassing in the fence photos -- all is their land). Nothing can get in the way for these two :) I cannot wait for their wedding in July and see the transformation of their wedding site and celebrate the love and commitment to each other and their families.  

One fun fact! Allison is great friends with one of my past brides of last year, Catie :) Their forest elopement has a special place in my heart too! 

Noah + Hannah // Point Reyes Station Engagement // Point Reyes, CA

When Noah and Hannah suggested Point Reyes for their engagement session, I was super stoked! Point Reyes is their happy place and love to visit when they're feeling a city escape. We started off the evening with ice cream (+10 points in my book, hehe!) and walking around Point Reyes Station. It was still too bright to take their golden hour photos so we stopped in the local pub, that Noah has wanted to visit every time he visits here, but never has, making it the perfect place to wait out the light. After our little beers, we ventured out near this old barn and took some of the most magical, soft light photos. 

Your engagement session is supposed to be YOU, so I love when my couples suggest a place special to them and then have fun with our time together! Ice cream, beer, fire trucks, and the yummiest light, SOLD! 

San Francisco Golden Hour Portraits // Sutro Baths

JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour

OH MY GOSH! My dear friends Joey and Jane modeled for me this past Sunday and I have about died and gone to golden hour heaven. I really wanted to have some classic San Francisco shots in my portfolio, and the Golden Gate Bridge decided to show off and be amazing. Also, Karl the Fog was no where to be seen. We first went to Marshall's Beach, which is just north of Baker Beach (and I believe the nude section of the beach) but we lucked out and only saw fully clothed people. We ended at Sutro Baths chasing the light and it created a moodier, contrasting feel to finish out the shoot with. So in love! And these two are so in love as well!!

JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour
JoeyJaneSanFrancisco_GoldenHour

 Yep, a shoot that dreams are made of <3

I would love to do another shoot or three here and explore more, so send me a "let's do this!" to: hi [at] chelseadier [dot] com