A big thank you to Tony and Joselyn Serrano for modeling for the workshop! I teach all about bringing out emotion and documenting a couples real relationship during a shoot and this amazing team did not disappoint! Tony and Joselyn are not only beautiful people, but they are fun and crazy and bursting with personality! I enjoyed seeing so much of who they are come through during the model session! Enjoy! 

Continuing with my 15 blog posts that I would love to have posted in the next 2 weeks…this beautiful couple are making their appearance on the blog tomorrow! Can’t wait to share their love story with you all!

Danielle will be dancing at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles next year!  Her favorite form of dance is hip hop, so we thought it would be fun for her to show me some moves!

You are beautiful Danielle! Thank you for the opportunity to document this exciting and special time of life for you!

****

I am working on getting through about 10+ blog posts in the next few weeks! Stay tuned for this beautiful couples model session (during our Advanced Snapshot Saturdays Workshop) up on the blog tomorrow!

Daniel and Denae opted for a first look in order to have more time for pictures before the ceremony. It was so sweet to watch their excitement as they turned around and saw each other for the first time that day. They are so in love!

A quick stop downtown Ripon for some wedding party pictures!

The ceremony took place at the Calvary Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Waiting to walk down the aisle. (Denae…your dress is absolutely amazing!!!)

The reception was held on the beautiful property of Denae’s uncle.  After  hors dourves in the backyard, the guests made their way into the beautiful two story barn for dinner and dancing.

(Daniel welded these cake stands. Yep, pretty amazing and impressive in my book!)

I was more than ecstatic when Kim called to tell me that Dominic proposed. He was perfect for her. An amazing friend, support and constant in her life. I could always hear the joy in Kim’s voice when she talked about him. A voice of confidence and belief that their relationship was good and right and true.

Their relationship started 15 years ago when he passed a note to her in the hallway. It read: I like you a lot but you are just too difficult for me! 13 years later, when she was 25 and he was 28, their lives came together again at a nightclub. He asked her to take a picture with him and then pulled her to his side and gently kissed her. Determining then and there that he had to have her….no matter what.

2 years later, they shared the most loving and personal vows standing on a beach overlooking the gorgeous Catalina harbor. The ceremony was intimate and perfectly simple. Family gathered around and tourists stopped to watch as the two became one. What a lovely site to behold.

It was an absolute pleasure to spend 5 wonderful days with Dominic and Kimberly for their beautiful wedding weekend. I was honored to be by their side on the most amazing day of their lives.

Congratulations Dom and Kim! We love you guys and pray many many years of happiness for your marriage. xoxox

The ceremony was conducted by Dominic and Kim’s best friend Steve. His words and heart for Dom and Kim were so beautiful, touching and personal.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Burns!!!

…and then they hopped in this beauty!

I must include the little story about this car. Kim came to the island about a 2 months before the wedding to scout out the location for her wedding ceremony. She saw this beauty parked on the street but was not able to find the owner of it. She knew that this was 1 detail that she had to have! Fast forward 2 months. Kim was walking to her hair appointment about 4 hours before her ceremony. Down the road comes the rolls royce golf cart! From 2 blocks away, I see Kim running after the driver. Next thing you know she is being picked up by the owner to escort her and her dad to the ceremony. Not only did the owner of this sweet little ride escort her, she also allowed Dom and Kim to use it for pictures after the ceremony. We were SO thrilled that Kim was blessed with one of the details she dreamed for her big day! Made my heart extremely happy!

Kimberly, you are SO stunning…

After some time for pictures, we headed across the street for a lovely reception at the Ristorante Villa Portofino. Here is a little peak into the fun times and celebration had by the entire family!

Not only were we very blessed to document this day for Dom and Kim, we were very blessed to spend time relaxing and enjoying the Island. We brought Ezra with us and he just blew us away with how calm and perfect he was. He braved off roading in a golf cart, a simi submergible boat ride, early morning sunset photography adventures, late nights with friends, long days with no naps, a lot of strangers in his face, and a sun burn:) Thank you Jesus for a good baby!

We were blessed to spend an afternoon last weekend with Bobby and Jenny for their engagement session! The air was crisp and clean in La Grange…and the town was very quiet (except for the occasional sound of children yelling while riding go carts down the road!) We truly couldn’t have asked for a more lovely February day!

We are excited to document their friendship, love and commitment to one another on their wedding day this early October! Enjoy a few of our favorite images from their Engagement session.

Oh my goodness…our brides ares SO stinken beautiful! (and sweet, kind, loving…the list goes on;)

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!