Katherine Elyse Photography @lovekephotography - Tumblr Blog

Is it truly winter if you aren't bundled up and buried in plaid? 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ntMnbp7YE/?igshid=yuycbchtlqml

HAPPY SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY! I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving with loved ones and enjoyed a little retail therapy yesterday! Today the holiday shopping fun continues with a spotlight on being a patron of small businesses. When you support a small business, you're directly supporting the family or individual who owns it. You're putting food on the table, socks on the feet, blankies on the beads, and dog cookies in the jar! I've owned my business for over 10 years and I can honestly say that I would not be able to live this life I adore so much if it weren't for the amazing clients, friends, and family that have supported me. In honor of Small Business Saturday, I'm offering 50% off engagement sessions and an additional hour FREE on any wedding booking. Book by December 7th to take advantage of the awesome deal! Of course, there are MANY ways to support a local business without investing your money. If you aren't in need of photos or prints but still want to throw some love my way, here's a list of totally FREE ways to do so. I'm grateful for all of my fabulous supporters, monetary or otherwise! :) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5gMLecJtDo/?igshid=wvv9zd004n1k

I often get asked to help create or give input on timelines for my couples. I've been to a LOT of weddings in the past 10 years, so it's easy for me to line up your day based almost exclusively on your ceremony time and a few other small details. One of the main things people ask is whether or not they should do a first look on their day. My answer is always to let the them decide because it's a super personal choice for a few different reasons. It's got some amazing benefits so I figured I'd take the time to drop some knowledge for all of you who are or will be planning your own wedding! :) ⠀ ⠀ One of the huge pros of having a first look is the time it frees up before guests arrive. If you're able to see your partner prior to the ceremony it opens up time for family and bridal party photos that won't feel rushed or hectic as well as more time for couples photos (the REALLY fun part) after the ceremony is over. It also allows you to start celebrating with your full bridal party earlier in the day and who wouldn't want that??⠀ ⠀ Along with adding a loosey-goosey nature to the timeline, a first look is often preferable to people who are not big on being center of attention and might feel uncomfortable showing their deep emotions in front of all their friends and family. Many of the people who insist they won't cry on their day end up a sniffly mess during their first look because it's just the two of you (and me hovering around quietly, usually also crying). It allows for a lot more honesty and intimacy when you don't have 100 pairs of eyes on you!⠀ ⠀ Lastly, the first look tends to relieve ALL of those pre-ceremony jitters. Spending the night before the wedding away from your partner is sure to cause some undue stress. If you haven't seen them all day and people are starting to arrive and it's all feeling VERY real, the last thing you want to do is stay away from the one person who is your source of joy and stability. A first look is a sure-fire cure to the wedding day nerves. ⠀ ⠀ I say, if you want to be with your partner then buck the "down the aisle" tradition and enjoy an emotional moment and glass of champagne before your guests arrive! :) (at Silverthorn Meadows) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Gz045JZrF/?igshid=o85mjm5mtm47

While weddings are generally focussed on the couple, it's important to recognize that friends are a crucial part of the big day. They go dress shopping, throw showers, run bach parties, make sure the couple is happy, and completely hype everyone up throughout the wedding day. I love taking a moment to do a first look reveal with the bride and her girls because their reactions are always so sweet and genuine. This is their bestie all dolled up and lookin' fierce, it's definitely a moment worth treasuring! :) (at Cedar Creek) https://www.instagram.com/p/B424xAFJXZj/?igshid=1bia77kc1lisx

These cotton candy colored Berkeley sunsets sure are sweet. Almost as sweet as my couple! 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/B40V3GqJTuH/?igshid=11dpqc9sp3kzo

Getting to head to my home town to shoot is one of my favorite things. I've been to Australia, New Zealand, England, Jersey Channel Islands, Iceland, China, and a handful more but there is NOTHING like Fall in Northern California, especially in #applehill . This picture smells like apple doughnuts, warm cider, and firewood. It feels like home. 🍁🍂🍁 (at Silverthorn Meadows) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4i3Qdtpt7D/?igshid=okls0b4msmfg

#applehill

Sometimes magic happens in the most unlikely of places... like a parking lot behind a building in downtown Orinda. 😂 Patrick and Stella were so much fun to work with! (at Orinda, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gwcWuJD5b/?igshid=h8hb6c890wfz

The rain cleared up just in time for Laurel and Mike to walk back down the aisle. There’s so much happy happy joy joy in this photo, I could barely stand it. 😍 (at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4fTwfXJwKS/?igshid=1hw1uxk945c6q

When I saw my clients often become great friends, I'm not kidding. I met Laurel and Michael about 4 years ago at a wedding I was shooting. Laurel helped me escape a rogue folding chair disaster (BEAR TRAP) and drunkenly told me that when she got married she'd be calling me. Little did I know that she wasn't messing around and that I'd be joining her and her fabulous fiance in China for their incredible wedding! I am eternally grateful for the kind, silly, loving, sweet, ridiculous couples that come into my life. I would not be the same person without my beautiful lovebirds. Cheers to love and friendship gang, these are the memories worth immortalizing. <3 (Hysterical photo by the ever incredible @dakarai ) . . . #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #theknot #stylemepretty #weddingphotoinspiration #lookslikefilm #shootandshare #dearphotographer #clickpro #greylikesweddings #napaweddingphotographer #junebugweddings #photobugcommunity #wedphotoinspiration #greenweddingshoes #theknot #radlovestories #utterlyengaged #stylemepretty #buzzfeedweddings #huffpostido #loverly #engagedlife #eastbayweddingphotographer #Friends #AmazingClients #LuckyGirl #LuckyPhotographer (at Zhangjiang, Shanghai, China) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4eAk_CJEAu/?igshid=14rh5e40cqvg

Holly and Dylon are one of the most romantic couples I’ve ever had the pleasure to shoot. 🖤 . . . #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #theknot #stylemepretty #weddingphotoinspiration #lookslikefilm #shootandshare #dearphotographer #clickpro #greylikesweddings #napaweddingphotographer #junebugweddings #photobugcommunity #wedphotoinspiration #greenweddingshoes #theknot #radlovestories #utterlyengaged #stylemepretty #buzzfeedweddings #huffpostido #loverly #engagedlife #eastbayweddingphotographer #Missouri #NewHavenMissouri #Sunset #GoldenHour (at New Haven, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4dQ5aVpSBJ/?igshid=f4k8t5mdek0d

BEHIND THE SCENES: It took me about three minutes to get @sonic_su ‘s gorgeous ring to balance on the lip of this tea pot. (Good thing Da Karai was by my side documenting my struggle the whole time! lol) I was totally in love with this stunning jade tea set and I have to say, I think the effort was worth it! 😍 . . . #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #theknot #stylemepretty #weddingphotoinspiration #lookslikefilm #shootandshare #dearphotographer #clickpro #greylikesweddings #napaweddingphotographer #junebugweddings #photobugcommunity #wedphotoinspiration #greenweddingshoes #theknot #radlovestories #utterlyengaged #stylemepretty #buzzfeedweddings #huffpostido #loverly #engagedlife #eastbayweddingphotographer #WeddingRing #RingShot #China #ChineseWedding #teaceremony (at Harmona Resort & Spa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4QMSIWJlDn/?igshid=1dphhc2eonxkr

So... let's talk about @thelovelygeek and Joshua’s DARLING daughter Lily and how insanely baby crazy she makes me. 😂 . . . #babycrazy #babyblues #ohmygodmyovaries #canikeepher #Baby #Babies #BabiesOfInstagram #Adorable #SweetBaby #Love #Cute #BabyLove #FamilyLove #HappyBaby #BabyPhotography #FamilyPhotography #CuteBaby #igbabies #infant #instakids #parenting #bayareaphotography #Kids #Family #Newborn #InstaGood #Happy #Mom #MomLife #InstaBaby https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Lve0xpHaE/?igshid=1q6tkq6j1p4bn

A classic beauty never disappoints. 🖤 . . . #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #theknot #stylemepretty #dirtybootsandmessyhair #weddingphotoinspiration #lookslikefilm #shootandshare #dearphotographer #clickpro #greylikesweddings #napaweddingphotographer #canon #junebugweddings #photobugcommunity #heyheyhellomay #wedphotoinspiration #greenweddingshoes #theknot #radlovestories #utterlyengaged #stylemepretty #buzzfeedweddings #huffpostido #loverly #divorce #engagedlife #eastbayweddingphotographer (at Silverthorn Meadows) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BYjvXJTK2/?igshid=1vmoolgfuyukr

I love to throw my clients more intimate prompts while we’re shooting. One of my favorites is to tell them to close their eyes and just think about who they are marrying and why. Not only does it give them a chance to reflect on the day thus far, but it inspires truly emotive moments based on deep and meaningful emotions. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes smiles and giggles, and sometimes, like Valerie and Travis, they just settle in to a place of contentment and peace upon realizing how beautiful their love truly is. I love being able to capture these moments. 🖤 . . . #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #theknot #stylemepretty #dirtybootsandmessyhair #weddingphotoinspiration #lookslikefilm #shootandshare #dearphotographer #clickpro #greylikesweddings #napaweddingphotographer #canon #junebugweddings #photobugcommunity #heyheyhellomay #wedphotoinspiration #greenweddingshoes #theknot #radlovestories #utterlyengaged #stylemepretty #buzzfeedweddings #huffpostido #loverly #divorce #engagedlife #eastbayweddingphotographer #2019 #weddinginspiration #elopement (at City Hall San Francisco California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B39-enOp2m7/?igshid=juyaq7ch1fxv

I love giving mamas some one on one time with their kiddos during our family sessions. Sonali‘s bond with Her daughter is so darling. There’s no doubt that her sweet girl looks up to her and takes after her in so many ways. 🖤 . . . #Fam #Family #FamilyPhoto #FamilyPhotos #FamilyPhotography #FamilyPhotographer #CuteFamily #Kids #Kid #CuteKid #CuteKids #Adorable #Love #FamilyLove #LovingFamily #HappyFamily #SanFranciscoPhotographer #SanFranciscoFamilyPhotographer #ThatsDarling #SoDarling #BayAreaFamilyPhotographer #FamilyInspo #familyphoto2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/B399jA8J_Ae/?igshid=1k4xtlwbx4jxl

Now that I’m back from China, I’m basically in full family session mode. These gorgeous California sunsets are looking super snuggly this time of year. Bring your cuddliest blanket and your squishy’s little ones and get your holiday photos out-of-the-way early and in this lovely Fall weather. 🍁🍂🍁 . . . #Fam #Family #FamilyPhoto #FamilyPhotos #FamilyPhotography #FamilyPhotographer #CuteFamily #Kids #Kid #CuteKid #CuteKids #Adorable #Love #FamilyLove #LovingFamily #HappyFamily #SanFranciscoPhotographer #SanFranciscoFamilyPhotographer #ThatsDarling #SoDarling #BayAreaFamilyPhotographer #PicoftheDay #FamilyInspo (at Newhall Community Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B353hy4JSgC/?igshid=4bftxmbgoi10

One of the coolest things at Laurel and Michael's wedding was the epic lion dance at the rehearsal dinner. Experiencing an elite team of acrobats/artists performing this long standing Chinese tradition was a once in a lifetime event I won't soon forget. The colors, textures, music, and coordination all flowed seamlessly into a dazzling display of incredible skill. Oh, and also, THIS DUDE DID A BACKFLIP! . . . #laurelgetsherjohnson #china #sanfranciscoweddingphotographer #theknot #stylemepretty #dirtybootsandmessyhair #weddingphotoinspiration #lookslikefilm #shootandshare #dearphotographer #clickpro #greylikesweddings #napaweddingphotographer #canon #junebugweddings #photobugcommunity #heyheyhellomay #wedphotoinspiration #greenweddingshoes #theknot #radlovestories #utterlyengaged #stylemepretty #buzzfeedweddings #huffpostido #loverly #divorce #engagedlife #eastbayweddingphotographer #liondance https://www.instagram.com/p/B3xK_gBp82k/?igshid=gtoumehdkue1

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