debbie + andrew: wedding | bishop, california.

crowley love. there's something special and sweet about it. it's that indescribable sense of community and support found in and through those that grew up or live in this small mountain town. it's so real that it's nearly palpable and it is such that marks crowley lake as a hometown worth coming home to. crowley love goes beyond hilton creek. it's portable because it's not merely about the aspens, or the lake days, or skating ojai. it's about a community of people that cares for it's own (and those who come and go) and cherishes moments of togetherness. and of course opportunities to celebrate.

yesterday was just that. a celebration. and a day filled to the brim with crowley love. it was tom jackson's homemade lasunaga. it was tight squeezes from longtime friends. heartfelt toasts to a long and happy marriage. it was a tear-filled exchange of vows. it was a father marrying his son. a dad walking his baby girl down the aisle of a one-hundred year old church. debbie + andrew's wedding was the personification of crowley love and that my friends was a beautiful thing and a day worth remembering. so i hope this helps...and i hope you get a sense of that precious crowley love. (for the complete wedding editorial, you can view their wedding day slideshow here).

to start the day off, i met up with the ladies at american beauty salon as they were being pampered and primped for the big day. part of the fun was getting to hang out with some childhood friends who are strewn about the country but all came back to town to stand by debbie's side.

check out debbie's fabulous raspberry heels by nina.

the bridesmaid's shoes by steve madden. one of debbie favorite details.

beautiful hydrangea bouquets by valley florist.

the beautiful bride.

debbie and andrew opted for a first look, and it was a beautiful and intimate moment and it gave us a bit more time to get some epic photos in crowley before the ceremony.

we stumbled upon an awesome aerostream trailer. vintage. and groovy. love.

the groom.

the ladies. i seriously had a blast spending the day with this crew. they are fantastic.

the boys.

the guys were all up for anything. so since we had a few extra minutes before we headed south, we went up to the hills opposite crowley for some awesome album cover inspired shots.

i love this moment.

i just about died when i saw this church. it was gorgeous and that light pouring in through the stained glass? wow! not to mention debbie's chic lo boheme birdcage veil.

debbie and andrew collected vintage bottles and glassware to adorn the tables. yes please.

i love me some sparklers. they make for some awesome photos.

for the rest of the story, view their wedding day slideshow here. special thanks to my family for taking turns assisting me throughout the 12 hour day. you're the bestest. i've never been so hydrated in my life thanks to my mama. :-)

karin + gary: wedding | san francisco, california.

karin and gary are the types of people you can't help but respect, admire and simply enjoy. they have a level of sophistication and class that is just plain magnetic, and they are deeply committed to caring for those around them. so it was no surprise that their intimate wedding at the palace hotel in san francisco was full of beautiful moments, rich conversations and wonderful people. i loved the simplicity and intimacy of this wedding. the venue was gorgeous and unique and had that old san fransisco charm that was so inviting.

before i arrived to met-up with the bride, i got lost in the streets surrounding the venue and along the way captured this little nugget of the palace hotel from afar.

stunning floral designs...

i got to spend the morning with karin and let me tell you she is an absolute delight. and gorgeous to boot.

check out her hair... a hair stylist's dream to be sure. this shot on the top is one of my favorites from the day.

the tying of the sash was quite complicated but with some perseverance and some collaboration we finally figured it out. and karin just smiled all along the way.

i just love this shot...

my fav shot of the day taken in the grand atrium. swoon.

it was a bit chilly outsite but karin was willing to brave the wind to get some fun shots in the city.

they must have thought i was rediculous when i was directing with wild gestures from way across the street. but hey, you do what you got to do.

another fav...mmm. buttery backlight and a city bus. AND those authentic smiles. yes please.

after we combated the wind, we sneaked up to their amazing honeymoon suite for some more portraits.

and now, it's time to celebreate...

and finally, some fun dancing shots from the reception. let me tell you, this crew had some moves. hilarious and wildly entertaining. my favorite? the mother of the groom. she's awesome and was smiling the entire time. love her!

and i'll end with this. because really, there is no better way.

gary and karin, thank you for inviting me to capture your wedding day. it was such an honor and pleasure.

alana + mike: their wedding | del mar, california.

"how shall we begin?!" she asked and we, a few dozen wide-eyed communication studies scholars, stared blankly at her and shifted in our seats--uncomfortable with the silence and her question in and of itself. we thought to ourselves, "who is this woman? how in the world should we know where to begin? it's your class, you should tell us where to begin". but i was intrigued. excited. i liked this woman. this dr. nicastro. she was different. and well i like different. little did i know that this woman (and this course) would change my life in a profound and surprising way. little did i know that i would walk away empowered, emboldened and confidant. little did i know that she--that unconventional professor--would turn out to be one of the most remarkable women i had ever met. little did i know that i would end up photographing her wedding day.

but she knew something i didn't. she saw something in me. (in us). and probed and prodded in that special way that alana does until that something was uncovered. in that short semester, i found my voice. my voice as an artist, as a writer, as an orator and as a person. she believed in the person that i was, and the person that i would become. and she helped me believe too. that i was gifted. that i was talented. that i could write well and make connections. that i was insightful and articulate. that i could see. that i could notice. and that i could find a way to marry my passion for people and art together in a way that was unique to me and true to my heart and my vision. for the first time, i truly believed that i could do it, that i could become the man i wanted to be, that i had something to contribute, that i could be a photographer.

for those of you who know me, you have likely heard me speak of this elusive character who changed my life and never really understood how and why it was that spoke so fondly of her. well, that's why. that's how. she is an incredible mentor. and friend. and i am so incredibly blessed to have learned from her, to have her in my life, and to have photographed her wedding as you can imagine it was an emotional experience for me. one that i am deeply blessed to have had. i would not have have missed this day for anything, and i'm so thankful i got to be the one to document all that it was...and now, this is the story of alana + mike's wedding day...

he uncovers artifacts and fossils and studies the days and peoples of old. she uncovers the talent, voice and passion within people and calls out the best in them. they both work hard and discovering the buried, the hidden, the unnoticed, the forgotten. he's an archeologist, she a consultant and professor. their inquisitive spirits make for colorful conversation and deep connection between them. they enrich each other's lives in a way that is unique, intentional and honest. he is her beloved. and she is his.

two of my favorite photos from the day...

the photo of the right makes me laugh. still. i asked alana to relax and just hug mike and she gave me a hard time about it. "jeffrey, i can't relax. i'm trying not to fall over. you have me standing in bark in my heals. haha." and then that moment happened. see it's all for the shot. my brides put up with so much from me.

all drama. i love it.

one of most intimate and emotional ceremonies i've witness. i had the channel the inner professional and keep shooting so that i wasn't a hot mess crying in the corner.

"the girls"--alana's group of friends from grad school---shared a beautiful piece of prose. so special.
i found me a cool flower to shoot through. oh yes.

and finally some details shots...simple elegance.

to view more of their day, watch their slideshow here.