My sweet Adi Rose! 5 years old

Before we announce the winner of our Happy Holidays Giveaway…I have put together a little TOP photos of the year blog! These images are not the TOP correct composition images…they are not the TOP “most amazing” images we have shot…they may not even be liked by others…Nonetheless, they are the TOP images that made me feel something this year. Those images that I can go back and look at…and feel something…and smile…and laugh…and sometimes cry. There are many more from the year…but here are some of favorites!

And now…the very lucky winner of our Happy Holidays Giveaway is…….(Adi enjoyed drawing the name out of a very deep bag! Over 120 entries total!)

A three time Facebook sharer!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO DAN JACOBSMA!!!

Dec 9 -”Just wanted to let you know that I liked your page DURING one of your snapshot saturday workshops. I have noT enjoyed any class as much as that one. I would love to win either prize. I would love for my wife to take one of your workshops and I would love to take your advanced workshop. But Kristin and I haven’t had profesional pictures taken of us since our wedding over 7 years ago. I think it’s about time for an update?

Dec 10-”shared again today. Twitter and Facebook!!!!”

Dec 11- “Keep on trying. My facebook and twitter friends are going to love this!!!!!”

THANK YOU to all of you who shared GROVER Style Photography and showed us so much love! We are so appreciative of your kind words and thankful for your support! If you would like to attend a SnapShot Saturdays workshop, we would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have you with us! We have 4 spring dates up on our workshop website! Register soon as they are filling up fast! (Gift Certificates available!) For ALL other photography session inquiries, please contact us!

***Dan, please send us an email and let us know which prize you would like to enjoy! Congratulations!

Happy Holidays GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

We will be giving away a one hour session of your choice* with a high resolution CD of 30 images (a $275 value), OR a gift certificate to our SnapShot Saturdays Photography Workshops! If you have never heard of our workshops, click here! They are SOOOO much fun and such a wonderful learning experience! This would also be a wonderful Christmas gift! The gift of knowledge:)

GROVER Style Photography has not been shooting Family/Children sessions since early spring ….SO, THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO GET AMAZING IMAGES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WANTING ALL YEAR!

Here is how to enter:

1. LIKE us on Facebook

2. Share the link to this blog post on your Facebook page, blog, twitter or email list!

3. Return here and let us know that you LIKE us, Shared this post and then tell us which option you would choose if you win and why!

The giveaway will end Sunday Evening at 11:59 p.m. We will be announcing the winner with our TOP 50 images of the year on Monday morning! You may enter one time a day until then! Happy Sharing!!!

*One hour session must be located within a 20 mile radius of Modesto. SnapShot Saturdays gift certificate must be redeemed by June 2012

OKAY, get ready for another SLOW LOADING blog post! This post is packed with 4 sessions that we had so much fun photographing!

Meet Melissa! She is a senior at Enochs High School!

Meet Anthony and Gina! We are VERY Excited to shoot their May 2012 wedding!

Meet Jennifer! She is an actress and singer and dancer. She is beautiful and fun and smart. And I like her:)

I love finding burned down woodsy areas in Modesto:)

Lastly, Meet Paul and Malory! It was a pleasure to photograph their love for each other!

So, due to the extreme craziness of daily life, I have been a bit behind on blogging lately! I figured the easiest way to catch up is to write a few blogs combining a few different sessions on each post. 3 sessions today. 3 on Friday. And finish it off Monday with a Top 50 images of the year!

BUT, before I do that…In the spirit of giving this Christmas season, we are excited to announce our FIRST giveaway!

Happy Holidays GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

We will be giving away a one hour session of your choice* with a high resolution CD of 30 images. OR a gift certificate to our SnapShot Saturdays Photography Workshops! If you have never heard of our workshops, click here! They are SOOOO much fun and such a wonderful learning experience! This would also be a wonderful Christmas gift! The gift of knowledge:)

GROVER Style Photography has not been shooting Family/Children sessions since early spring ….SO, THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO GET AMAZING IMAGES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WANTING ALL YEAR!

Here is how to enter:

1. LIKE us on Facebook

2. Share the link to this blog post on your Facebook page, blog, twitter or email list!

3. Return here and let us know that you LIKE us, Shared this post and then tell us which option you would choose if you win and why!

The giveaway will end Sunday Evening at 11:59 p.m. We will be announcing the winner with our TOP 50 images of the year on Monday morning! You may enter one time a day until then! Happy Sharing!!!

*One hour session must be located within a 20 mile radius of Modesto. SnapShot Saturdays gift certificate must be redeemed by June 2012

SO without further ado…A few of our recent engagement sessions:)

Meet Jessica and Brett! They are kind, passionate and funny. (And beautiful too!) They are saying “I do” in Brentwood, CA (their hometown) in the beautiful hills at Trilogy at the Vineyards. It is going to be a lovely June day:)

This is when Brett and Jessica were dancing and telling each other their favorite thing about each other! It is SO important for Luke and I that each engagement session is memorable and meaningful! I bet they will never forget what was said in those few short minutes!

SOOOO gorgeous Jessica. Seriously.

I have to throw this last one in the bunch! Jessica walked all the way up a vineyard hill IN HIGH HEELS to get to the top of the vines (so I could get the hills in the background!). Now that is what I call a trooper!

Next up!!! The beautiful Bryan and Alison! I have known Alison for quite some years now. She is spunky and fun and so very sweet! It was so cool to see how Bryan brings out even more of her personality and beautiful spirit! We are super excited to shoot their June 2012 wedding at the lovely Pageo Lavender Farms.

Bryan is an ATHLETE. All the way. Alison and Bryan love to bike together, so we had some fun riding around the park! (Bryan built Alison’s bike especially for her:)

I had such a great time with you two! Looking forward to your pretty lavender filled wedding day:)

Adam and Braeden are two of the sweetest people I have ever met. (I could say that about all of my clients!!!)  Braeden has such a beautiful heart and spirit. Her and Adam are clearly best friends and compliment each other so well! We are excited to be a part of their Sept 2012 wedding!

Oh the fun things you find in alleys!!!

You are SO beautiful!

They love a nice warm cup of coffee;) Especially when snuggled up next to each other!

The lovely bride preparing for her day.

You are beautiful Trisha! (Inside and out…)

and the groom preparing as well…

Jose and Trisha’s ceremony was performed at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. (We love shooting at St. Stanislaus. It is so reverent and grand.) The full mass ceremony was so beautiful. The reading of scripture, communion, praying, blessing from friends and family…

I adore this little exchange of smiles I caught happening:)

After the ceremony we headed outside for few formal pictures. It was a gorgeous November day. Couldn’t have asked for better weather!  This wedding party picture was right before I started pretending I was a monkey. That changed everything!

Mr and Mrs Navarro

And then off to the reception at the California Ballroom to CELEBRATE!  DJ George, owner of Sound In Motion sure knows how to get a party rocking. There was dancing, and eating, and throwing, and laughing, and chasing and singing….It was a fun night!

It was obvious on their wedding day that this amazing friendship has only grown and deepened over the years; resulting in the beautiful matrimony of two wonderful individuals who truly know and respect each other.

Luke and I were honored to document their most special day. It was a wonderful day of laughter, love, and commitment as they vowed their lives to each other. Kieth and Andrea’s wedding was held at the gorgeous Wine and Roses in Lodi, CA.
A special thank you to makeup artist Rikki Degough for making Andrea look EXTRA stunning! …and to stylist Joselyn Serrano for working her “hair” magic! 

You just CAN’T go wrong when you purchase your dress from Mira Bridal Couture. Not only do they carry the most amazing bridal wear, they have customer service like no other. They will make you feel like you are the most important bride in the world, from start to finish!

Well, hello handsome!

Keith and Andrea really wanted to wait until the ceremony to see each other. However, they also really wanted gorgeous pictures on their wedding day. Because the sun set 15 minutes after the ceremony was scheduled to be over, they opted to see each other for a first look. I think they will be pretty happy that they did! (and of course this made the timing of the wedding day so very smooth!)

…he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her!

You are stunning Andrea!

A simple, yet beautiful ceremony on the cellar room patio.

I loved the details of the day. Black lace wrapped around her bouquet, tissue paper flower place cards, hanging guest notes, personalized wine bottles, a cake stand that her father made….everything was unique (and super cute)!

…A little fun on the dance floor! (It was a pleasure to work with Joe from Elite Entertainment. He was an excellent DJ.) 

To happily ever after….

Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for trusting us to capture your wedding day. It was truly a lovely day! We hope you had a blast on your 10 day Hawaii honeymoon!

(Cake created by Wine and Roses. The Florist- The Country Shelf in Modesto, CA)

Josh and Alexis met at his sister’s wedding. That’s how his sister had planned it…she thought Alexis would make a great sister! He thought Alexis would make a stunning bride. Now, three years later on a beautiful overcast morning in Tiburon, CA, Josh and Alexis woke up joyfully anticipating their wedding day.

Their friends and family were right by their side as they prepared at The Lodge at Tiburon. The men relaxed outside, telling stories on the patio as they enjoyed the cool morning air. The ladies were up in a suite getting pretty…drinking mimosas…giggling…reveling in friendships at their finest.

A special thank you to Kelly Carraway for making Alexis look extra g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s on her wedding day.

This gorgeous Allure dress was found at a trunk show. The designer hand picked it off the rack for Alexis. It was love at first sight….

Alexis’s ring was perfect. She spied her dream engagement ring at Tiffany’s. However, it wasn’t her dream price. With diamonds her mother gave her, Josh and Alexis had this ring designed to be exactly what she wanted!

Their first look was pretty sweet. Big eyes, huge smiles, lots of little kisses, tenderness and laughter. Lots of laughter.

I keep coming back to this image. I don’t know exactly why I love it so much…but the little old lady in her wedged heals just makes me smile!

After some time with just Josh and Alexis, we rounded up the wedding party for some group shots. Luke shot this amazing image. I have to say…I am a little jealous it came from his camera.

…my angle wasn’t too shabby either!!!

HELLO SAN FRANCISCO….

Josh and Alexis’ wedding day was made extra special by the fact that the ceremony and reception was hosted and performed by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Alexis spent 6 years working for the Senator in Washington D.C  where they formed a special bond. It was the Senator’s pleasure to bless Alexis and Josh by welcoming their friends and family into her home for such a joyous occasion.

What good looking people…(Josh, thanks for all your “blue steel” looks!)

The ceremony was intimate and beautiful. The stringed quartet was made up by students from University (a high school in San Francisco) and played so eloquently as Alexis and her father entered the room.

A very traditional, yet beautiful portrait.

They toasted to love, commitment, friendship, respect and passion. They were truly beautiful and touching toasts, so thoughtful and personal and real.

Everyone was having a fabulous time. The Senator made sure every single detail was thought of. She and her amazing staff (Mac, Renee, Bryer, and Gloria) poured their heart into making everything perfect for Josh, Alexis and their guests.

Your love for each other is so very sweet.

One of the last images that Luke took that night. What a beautiful view from the window where they vowed their lives to each other.

The James wedding took place at the lovely Viaggio Winery in Acampo, CA.  They girls prepared for the day in the Viaggio Mansion, while the men hung out in the Man Cave!

Many thanks to Amanda Bertram for her amazing makeup artistry…

All of this “beautification” was happening while Jonathon was hanging out with the guys doing this….

Once again, we LOVE when brides and grooms decide on a first look. The whole day flows so smoothly and the formal photos of the day are relaxed and enjoyable! Katie and Jonathon agreed that the top of the stairs would be a wonderful place for a romantic first look!

The light was simply gorgeous coming in through the large windows…

After the first look, we ventured outside for some individual and couple shots. There are so many pretty little places around the venue…

Some details of the day…(Beautiful floral design by Embellish Floral Design)

These necklaces were handmade for the girls. They were absolutely perfect with their dresses.

This wedding party was fabulous! Such beautiful and fun girls… and handsome and outgoing guys!

Jonathon and Katie’s son Casen. He is such a doll and quite the entertainer (as we found out on the dance floor!)

The ceremony took place on the grass in front of the river bend. It was a warm day, but there were perfect little fans with the wedding day program on it to keep each guest cool.

“We are family!!!”

The reception was simply stunning. Everything from the candy/cake bars and the kids table with gift bags and chalk board place mats… to the flip flops on the dance floor and vintage books dressing the tables. The details were exceptional!!! (Thank you Luke for shooting all the details of the day!!! You,  my handsome hubby, are amazing!)

The first dance…

Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. James!!!!

Loved this little field of sunflowers (or are they weeds…sunflower weeds???) Denae looked absolutely stunning with her floral dress and high heals. (What a trooper walking out in the thick dirt with heals on. I kept telling her..”It will be worth it!” I hope she thinks it was!

…I would wear leggings like these if I had legs like hers! (a girl can dream right????)

Daniel and Denae, we are SO looking forward to your wedding in the spring!  Thank you for a great evening. You were a pleasure to photograph!

Thank you Jenny and Jarred for inviting us to be a part of your most special day. We pray many blessings on your marriage, as you seek to serve and give yourself up for one another. (…and thank you for being so patient with me as I took 4 weeks to get a blog up. Baby Ezra’s arrival delayed me a bit:)

Yes. You are gorgeous Jenny!

…and yes. You are handsome Jarred!

As you know….we LOVE the “first look!” (and this reaction as he sees his lovely bride for the first time that day.)

Not the best lighting (Thank you 3 o’clock sun!)…but it wouldn’t be complete without this other angle!

(this next image is one of my favorites from Luke’s perspective)

The Wedding Party! This was a great group of friends!

The wedding and reception were both held at The Reata in Oakdale, CA. It is a beautiful venue...check it out!

…..This image was taken immediately before Jenny and her dad started walking down the isle. I love the way Jenny’s father is proudly looking at her. With his eyes he is saying…”I am letting you go..but you will ALWAYS be my little girl…”

…and the two shall become ONE.

Some lovely reception details…

And now a little reception fun!!!!