Cardas Photography {PhotoBlog}

{Julie and David} Rehearsal and Engagement - Monterey, CA

About once a year or so I am asked to shoot a wedding in Monterey. It is easily one of my top ten favorite places in the world. I love the wharfs, the aquarium, the shops and the history of this beautiful place. As is often the case when I travel for a wedding, I met up with Julie and David the evening before their wedding for double duty of the wedding rehearsal and their engagement session. It's fun for me to meet all the friends and family before the hubbub of the big day.

The ceremony location was the beautiful and historic Memory Garden, located within the walls of the Pacific house in the heart of Monterey's Custom House plaza. 

 

After Rehearsal and before dinner we headed out for a quick Engagement session. I like to shoot these images even if the couple doesn't use them for "official" purposes. It's a chance for me to get to know the couple and how they are in front of the camera, and for them to get to know me and how I work before the big day. Plus - these are usually some of the only "nice" photos some couples have of themselves that weren't taken by themselves with their cameras at arms length. :)   

Then it was off to Julie's parents house for family pictures and dinner. Yum! 

Next up - their beautiful wedding day!

 

Wedding Invitations using your photos!

There are so many fun ways to use your Engagement Session images in your wedding - but have you considered using one for your invitation? Jill and Kevin did! Forget about the stuffy paper/envelope/rsvp card/another envelope/tissue paper (where was that supposed to go anyway??) Simple and to the point, while showing off the bride and groom's personalities as well. Love it!!

{Brittany and Keith} Engagement Session - Portland, Oregon

This is the year of the Oregon Destination wedding!  I'm shooting weddings for couples coming to Oregon to get married from all over the United States!  Ohio, Iowa, St. Louis, Nashville and more!  Brittany and Keith win the award from coming from the farthest away so far however - South Carolina! Their wedding was on Thursday, but we were able to squeeze in an Engagement Session a couple days before. I love being able to meet and connect with couples before their big day.  There is so much going on on a wedding day, that it's nice to not have to add "being photographed by a stranger" to that list.

Although Keith wasn't too sure at first about our choice of locations... I told him that all the best locations smell bad and seem kind of sketchy...

 

 

 

 

 

More adorable-ness from these two is on the way - as their wedding was two days later!

Check out more from their engagement session >>>HERE<<<

{Tara and Dusty} Engagement Session - Bandon, Oregon

Almost every one of my couples this year is making a major move soon after the wedding. Tara is making the move to join Dusty in little Valley Falls, Oregon. Since she was leaving the Oregon Coast to move inland, it seemed perfect to capture their engagement session on the beach in Bandon!

 

I entered this shot into the Coos County fair and it won the "White Award" in its class.

 

 

 

Tara and Dusty's wedding outside of Myrtle Point is coming up soon!

You can always see the latest from our page on Facebook - Cardas Photography

 

 

{Melanie and Tip} Engagement Session - Portland, Oregon

Melanie and Tip have claimed the most popular date of 2011 - 9/10/11!  I am looking forward to capturing their big day on the Northern Oregon coast. I met up with the two of them and their adorable daughters at Mels grandmas backyard. It was a great spot right in the city!

In my opinion - the best sign of a great guy is one that can make you laugh. I think Melanie is set.

 

 

The whole adorable family. You might remember that sweet baby in Tip's arms from her newborn session last Fall.

Sweet sisters!

 

 Check out more from their family/engagement session >>> HERE <<<