Michael & Tenielle - Camas, WA

Michael and Tenielle had one of the most touching, Christ-centered ceremonies and wedding days that I’ve ever been a part of. Their whole wedding day was a true testament to what God designed for the institute of marriage. It was important to Michael and Tenielle to use their wedding to glorify God and spread the love of Jesus to others, and that is exactly what they did.

“Our lives should be radically transformed if we understand God’s great love for us. The highest purpose of your marriage is not primarily for you, it’s to glorify God and demonstrate how great He is.” I loved how Todd really focused on the book of Ephesians during the ceremony, pointing out both how much God loves us and how also, in turn, that should effect our daily lives. How a Christian life is a fundamentally changed life. In Ephesians, Paul also talks about how a husband should love his wife much like Christ loved the church, while the wife must respect and honor her husband. I was also inspired by how much Todd talked about grace. That even though you love your spouse and love so many things about them, they still have weaknesses and flaws, and there will be times in their life that they sin, but that’s when they need your love and your grace the most. This is such a hard thing!! But such a wonderful reminder. Anyone single, dating, or married should truly watch their full ceremony film for a good message on marriage, and what we should all be praying for, looking for, and striving to be in our own relationships. Click here for their FULL CEREMONY.

During the ceremony, Todd described Michael and Tenielle as individuals, and then went on to say:

“You both prayed. And that set the stage for God to work and do something to bring your two paths and merge them into one. God has had the individual paths of your life merging together to become one.”

Knowing Tenielle since grade school, and hearing so many stories of Michael growing up, I know how passionate these two were about pursuing Jesus in their own lives. They certainly were on their own individual paths chasing goals, dreaming big, spreading kindness, and pursuing Jesus. Because of this, God gifted them with each other. AND WHAT A GIFT. To see how much light Tenielle brings to this world and how compassionate of a heart Michael has for others, they are unstoppable together. I can’t even imagine how much glory they will be bringing to God’s kingdom as a team!

Yes, God gifted them with each other.

But, their marriage is also God’s gift to us.

Michael and Tenielle, your love truly encompasses the fruits of the spirit.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Your life together is going to be a great testimony of what God intended for marriage. You have already impacted, inspired, and changed the lives of so many. You have set the bar high for intentional pursuit, and have been a beautiful example of what giving and receiving grace looks like. You inspire me and I am honored to be your friend. CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH YOU MOVE MOUNTAINS TOGETHER! I love you, Mr. and Mrs. Monda!

Venue/Bartending/Catering: Camas Meadows

Florals: Copper Blossom Design

Photography: Shelby Payne Photography

Hair/Makeup: Austie Eckley

Videography: RP Imagery

THE G.W.E.D. - Los Angeles, CA

Special thanks to Isaac and Mandy for helping film!

1 night, 1 couple, 3 events, 5 charities, 45 sponsors, 700+ people… Honestly, have you heard of anything like this? The answer is no, because this couple did something that nobody ever has. They hosted a $200k wedding that didn’t cost them $200,000 but RAISED over $200,000!!! Caleb and Tiffany truly have hearts of gold and they are fiercely dedicated to making this world a better place. So much that they donated their wedding! I mean, who does that? Especially in this century, where weddings are so hyped up, so detail oriented, and all about and catered to the couple. This was catastrophically quite the opposite.

Caleb and Tiffany believe that love is about the challenges, heartache, and battles you face in life and being able to fight through those together and come out stronger. AMEN TO THAT. Individually, they both have had their own battles in life to overcome:

“I have overcome childhood trauma from sexual assault, depression, emotional abuse, poverty, first generational living, suicide and pressure of raising my siblings, by turning my focus to helping others.” -Tiffany

“At the age of 1, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called cystic fibrosis. I was told my life expectancy was only 19 years old (I am now 27). Despite the financial burden of doctors and hospital visits, the struggle to overcome sickness on a daily basis, and the unknown future, I choose to take this fight day-by-day. I take pride in being known to live in the moment and for my sincere appreciation of life. Rather than focusing on my fears, I love to follow my highest excitement at every given moment with no expectations of outcome.” - Caleb

It’s true, the amount of positivity and true appreciate for life that these two have is evident in their bright smiles, loving hugs, and compassion for the world.

Their wedding was out of this world! With well-known artists, dancers, musicians, speakers, live auctions, a few surprises, etc. - the whole evening was a hit. They had a short, tear-jerking ceremony in the middle of it all so that we could all remember that, yes… this is a wedding… and a marriage is about to begin! After the ceremony, they had speakers educate everyone on their 5 causes that they were donating their wedding to, all very close to their hearts. Then the party began and everyone danced and drank the night away.

Caleb and Tiffany, you guys are a light in this world and an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for being a true example of what love looks like when you fight together to overcome life’s greatest battles. Thank you for donating your wedding. Thank you for asking me to capture it! Thank you for encouraging us all to put goodness in the world, and reminding us that it’s not about what we can do alone, but what we can accomplish all together. This is not the end, it is only the beginning. I am so excited to see what you two continue to accomplish together in this life. YOU ARE “MARRIAGE GOALS” AND I LOVE YOU!

LEARN ABOUT THE GREATEST WEDDING EVER DONATED HERE

Watch the video below (created by WoodSnap) to learn more about the vision and love story behind it all:

VIDEO BY: WOODSNAP

Welcome Home Luke

Military Homecoming

There is not much more special in life than a reunion with the one you love. I have been capturing all of the greatest moments of Kaylin and Luke's life since they met... but I tell ya, these military homecomings top everything. Usually we have their girls in tote with us for the big reunion and those moments are so sweet, too, of them getting to see their dad for the first time in 7, 8, sometimes 9 months. This time was a little different, and bit more romantic for them, since we were kid-less this time, and the reunion was just for Kaylin and Luke.

Their marriage of 7 years is even more incredible as their love on their wedding day. It's been an honor to watch them grow as a couple, grow their family, grow in their faith, grow in their careers, grow as a couple, and do it all with God at the center. The amount of months they spend a part because of Luke's job in the marines in unfathomable to me, yet they handle it with so much grace. I have so much admiration for these two.
I love getting to capture these homecomings for them. The reunion is so incredibly special each and every time. I am grateful for how amazing of a husband Luke is to my best friend, and I am even more grateful that he is back safely and in his wife's loving arms. Welcome Home Luke, thank you for your service and you are so, so loved!

Here is a little throwback for fun of another special homecoming I captured of them when Luke came home from a different deployment a few years ago:

It's been 8 months since Kaylin has seen her husband and there have been so many moments, memories, and growth that daddy hasn't been present for, for daughters Gracen (3) and Avery (14 Months). Welcoming husband and daddy home from deployment was such an emotional and touching moment. "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:7 The Debiak family is a true testament to this. They are some of the strongest and most loving people I know. I wish everyone could experience a military homecoming... because I think a lot of people take our freedom for granted. What these men (and women) are doing for us, not only laying down their lives for us, but leaving their loved ones and missing out on so much life with their spouses and babies... missing first steps, first days of school, first words, birthdays, holidays, sometimes even the births of their children. The ultimate sacrifice they make for us is nothing to take for granted. Luke, thank you for all that you do. Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice for us, I am so humbled and grateful. Kaylin, you are one badass mother and wife, and I want to be just like you when I grow up! ;) Seriously though. Love you guys.

Alyssa & Aaron

I love how outdoorsy Alyssa and Aaron are. They had their favorite spot up in the mountains they wanted to go for their engagement shoot, and I'm sure glad we did. The rain went away for the afternoon, and left the most beautiful fog rolling through for us. I loved frolicking around the woods and this cute spot by the river with these two.

They are so fun, flirty, and completely in love. And Lord knows I love a couple that is down for adventure :) I am so excited for their wedding day this summer in good ole Eatonville, WA! 

Brandi & Dustin

Quite literally obsessed with these two!
I am SO excited that they stumbled across my work (through mutual friends, thanks Nicole and Tonicha!) recently and last minute booked me for their San Francisco wedding this September.
I was even more excited when Brandi mentioned that she may be interested in an engagement photo session with me prior to September as well. Mainly excited because it's just such a great way to get to know a couple, get to know their love story and general vibe, and just connect with them. I casually mentioned a couple of my favorite locations to shoot, Rowena Crest being my favorite but also the furthest, and when Brandi agreed to that - I already knew I was going to love them. We all know how much I love adventure and the PNW.

During our photos, when I found out that they were 5 years apart and mentioned "Wow, I had no idea - Dustin, you're so well spoken and mature," I just about died when he looked over and smiled at Brandi, and said "Well, I had to be if I wanted to get her." Gosh, they are the cutest. They met a few years ago, both being super successful in their real estate careers... Although Dustin did mention as a young teenager, he know exactly who the babe was working a couple stores down in the Vancouver Mall... it just took nearly a decade later to meet her through real estate in their adult lives and win her over.

I truly had so much fun getting to know these two. They are such sweet, caring, humble individuals and then you put them together, and they are just serious "couple goals." Everything from the way that Dustin looks at Brandi, to the way she reaches for his hand, to their obvious connection and chemistry together, -- looking at them just makes one want to fall in love. Roses, wine, picnics in stranger's orchards, views of the gorge, it was all so lovely and I am so happy to have been able to capture just a tiny bit of their love story. Plus, it was very difficult to NOT capture a good photo of these two, aren't they just the most stunning couple?! Something out of a fairytale, I'm convinced. Brandi and Dustin, I adore you two, thanks for being so fun!