I first met Elena and Kris in St. George, Utah for some engagement photos in Snow Canyon State Park. There was an immediate connection I felt with them. Such genuine, lovely people. So naturally I was ecstatic when they later reached out to me about photographing their wedding. I was so excited to work with them again.

You guys, this wedding was chalk full of meaningful details. The ceremony took place at the Presidio Chapel in San Francisco. Both Kris and Elena’s grandfathers served in the US Army and had connections with the Presidio Army Base. I loved strolling through the cemetery and seeing the American flags blowing in the wind, with the Golden Gate Bridge within view and the Chapel just up the hill. After the ceremony, we headed to Trattoria Contadina (which was founded in 1984 by Kris’s family) in North Beach for the dinner. It remains a family-run Italian restaurant and was the perfect venue for Elena and Kris’s wedding celebration.

As a sidebar: THE FOOD, you guys. I cannot even begin to explain how much food they fed me that night. It was so good I literally had to stop myself from eating myself sick. (San Francisco travel tip: EAT AT TRATTORIA CONTADINA. You will not be disappointed.)

THE TOO LONG, DIDN’T READ VERSION BUT IS STILL TOO LONG YOU PROBABLY WONT READ IS: I am glad I’m finally getting around to blogging some of my 2019 weddings, because this was a favorite. There is no substitute for being in the company of sincere people who are comfortable in their own skin and just fully leaning into the joy of the moment. That is all I can think of when I revisit this wedding. The gorgeous location, the beautiful florals, all of that is nice. But what I think really gives these photos life is the people in them. Enjoying a moment. Allowing themselves to be seen. I will never get over what a privilege it is to witness such important moments in the lives of others. They are special and sacred to me. Complete strangers become people I truly love.

Elena and Kris, thank you for reminding me why I love what I do. Thank you for treating me as a guest and not just another vendor. Thank you for your trust. I freaking love you guys.