In February Brady and I loaded up our little sedan and hit I-5 South for San Francisco. I had a meeting with one of my wedding couples– so we decided to turn the week into a full-fledged road trip. On our way down we hit snow (surprise!) in Grant’s Pass, and pulled into blanketed Ashland, Oregon at 3 in the morning, teeth chattering, eyes tired, but excited to lay our heads at the quaint Peerless Hotel. The next day we drove through Northern California’s rolling hillsides, our eyes scanning the road for grape fields, pine trees, and coyotes. When we made it to San Francisco our friend Josie opened her townhouse up to us and we explored the city from there. I shot in that beautiful, honeycomb, Cali-light I go ga-ga over, opted for twilight hikes around the city in sandals over the bart, and consumed more delicious food & coffee in a 72-period than I ever thought possible (tartine, flour & water, mission chinese, outerlands, sight glass, four barrel, ect). On our way back to Seattle we hit up Petaluma to stay with our friend’s Jazzmyn and Dennis. Jazzmyn (one of the most talented baker’s on the west coast) had four different kinds of cookies ready for our tummys, including lavender lemon shortbread (melt). We hiked through point reyes, making imprints in the sand with our toes, peering out into fog so thick, the ocean disappeared before our eyes. And then we went home.
I keep coming back to these images. It was a small moment in this grand life. But so supple & telling.
These dear friends let me take them to one of my favorite places on Earth– the San Juan Islands– for their destination engagement session. We spent the day exploring Lopez Island, snapping photos along the way. I brought them to some of my favorite secret spots on the island, and we ran around in the foggy mist, climbing over moss, drinking in views of the sound, and running through hydrant yellow wildflowers. Best day ever. After our adventures we went to the Lovedog Cafe for bread pudding and then hit the ferry home.
After I delivered the photos to Natalie here’s what she wrote me:
“Ahh, Chantal they are gorgeous!!!! Once again, I am just so floored by you and your work. So incredible. Some of them capture such beautiful sentiments that go so far beyond words. I can’t wait to display them in our houses for the rest of our lives! You are such a huge blessing, thank you for capturing such incredible scenes. I can’t wait for you to photograph our wedding. Best investment EVER!”
She made my week with her sweet note. I feel humbled that I get to do this as my job. Hang out with people I totally dig, capture moments from their awesome lives, and then get thanked like that. Gee whiz.
Side note: Natalie & Ty also asked me to shoot Polaroids during their session (which I LOVE to do). There’s seriously nothing like snapping a Polaroid, slipping it into your bag, and 15 minutes later huddling around it to examine the unexpected toning and beautiful imperfections that continually make me fall more in love with instant film.
Wanted to send my thanks to the folks at Rare Medium & The Impossible Project for working to save this art form. You guys rule.
A few weeks back, I hooked up with my friends Mark & Amy to take some adorable & whimsy anniversary photos around Seattle’s crumbling Georgetown neighborhood (check those out below). Aren’t they seriously the cutest couple on the face of this great Earth?! It’s been three years since these two got married and they’re as giddy and sweet as two people who just fell in love.
After we finished our sunset session these two were gracious enough to model for an Editorial Engagement Party at Via Tribulani planned by some seriously talented ladies.
That incredible editorial shoot was designed (flowers, decorations, ect) by the lovely Rachel at Finch & Thistle, with the coolest engagement party invites I’ve ever seen (“He put a ring on it”) by Sally at La Happy, and the most mouth-watering (and hippest) vegan ombre cake I’ve ever laid eyes on by Kerissa bakes. Today Design*Sponge (the go-to blog for all things design) featured photos from that styled engagement party.
