Monthly Archives: November 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

HLR_9182

I am thankful for so many things: my family, my friends, my health, my job – just to name a few. Each day doesn’t always turn out how we want them to – they’re not all sunshine and flowers. But I’m thankful to have a partner by my side who gets me through the ugly days and basks in the warm glow of the sunshine days with me, as well.

Today is one of the many good days and I hope it’s good for all of you as well!

Here’s a picture of that husband of mine – he makes me most thankful. Especially when he makes this face. It’s his, “Aren’t I adorable?” face and it gets me every time. Because he is.

HR2_5388

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography | Melissa + BJ

Melissa and BJ’s lovely Fall wedding at Temecula Under the Oaks was such a pleasure to witness. I was lucky enough to get another invite to shoot alongside the wonderful Heather Kincaid, who happened to go to college with the lovely bride. Neither of us had ever been to this venue, but we were pleasantly surprised at its beauty – the grounds are literally surrounded by massive oak trees so we felt like we were in the middle of a forest. It was amazing and so great for photos! Thanks so much, Heather for bringing me along!

Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

After they were dressed, the ladies toasted to Melissa with some sparkling cider. The flower girl threw a few back to loosen up. ;)

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

I love the sunshine that’s raining on the girls in this one.

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

On the grounds there was this one tree that stood out. It was different than the rest – maybe Maple? All of the leaves had turned so it looked like it was on fire with reds, oranges and yellows emanating from its leaves. Loved it so much.

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Melissa looked so gorgeous and she was so fun to photograph!

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

And BJ wasn’t looking so bad himself!

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

I loved all of the Fall elements of this wedding. Melissa, BJ and their families had been collecting these leaves for months leading up to the wedding. I thought that was such a cool touch!

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

I honestly will never get over the way a bride and groom look at each other during their ceremony. There is something so special about it. Gets me every time.

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Melissa had this idea of their bridal party throwing leaves on them while they shared a kiss. Who doesn’t love playing in leaves!?

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Heather and I got to spend tons of time with Melissa and BJ for portraits. We got to take full advantage of the beautiful grounds the venue provided.

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Heather and I were shocked when the owner of the venue walked over while we were shooting and said that no other photographer had ever utilized the forest area for portraits. It was a MUST for us, we couldn’t believe we were the first!

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

There was an awesome tree swing (of course – with that many trees, how could there not be a tree swing!) and Melissa and BJ were totally down for some tree swinging action. It. Was. Awesome.

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Temecula Under the Oaks Wedding Photography

Congratulations to Melissa and BJ and a big thank you again to Heather for having me along!

Contact Heidi Ryder | Heidi Ryder Photography Portfolio | Heidi Ryder Photography Blog | Southern California Wedding Photography

A Denver Detour

I can’t believe I’m only just barely sharing these photos. They were taken well over a month ago now but things have just been so busy, I haven’t even had time to look at them until now. I promise to never keep adorable baby photos all to myself ever again! Baby Vivien is the newest member of our good friends Alisha and Scott’s family. Vivien’s older brother Sam is probably one of my favorite kids ever to walk the planet.

Chris and I weren’t supposed to meet Vivien when we did. In fact, we sadly had no immediate plans to meet her, which is the saddest story ever told. Alisha, Scott, Sam and Vivien live in Denver and so we don’t get to see them nearly as much as we would like to. But, as luck would have it, we were stranded in Denver for 8 hours one beautiful September day (on our way to John and Dorie’s wedding), after our connecting flight to Memphis was canceled due to mechanical problems. As soon as I found out we had nothing to do in Denver for so long, I called Alisha up immediately. She was still on maternity leave so she literally hopped in the car and raced right over to get us from the airport. It was kismet!

So, I’d like to introduce you to baby Vivien. She looks so much like her brother Sam, which is the highest compliment I could bestow upon another human being. I love this family so much and Chris and I were sooo glad we got to meet Viv while she was still a tiny little thing!

When I hopped into the backseat of the car, Vivien was asleep. She woke up a few minutes later and I found her facial expressions absolutely hilarious. I just had to make a collage out of them. I know her mom and dad will appreciate this because they are hilarious people. The second one in the top row cracks me up so much, I am sitting here by myself laughing like a lunatic.

baby Vivien

Babies are fascinating creatures. They can start crying at the drop of a hat, and then stop two seconds later. This was seriously the only time we saw Vivien cry during our visit, and it lasted for a nonosecond. She’s a good baby.

baby Vivien

baby Vivien

Chris took this one while I was holding Viv. I love it!

baby Vivien

I liked watching Chris interact with her. I think this was the first time I saw him holding a baby that small! She thought he was weird, clearly. ;)

baby Vivien

Speaking of Chris. I’ve mentioned before he’s been learning how to use a camera and taken a real interest in photography. He took the next three shots of the family dogs, Olive and Murphy. They are so good! The student has become the master! I am beaming with pride right now.

Olive

Olive

Murphy

And if the day wasn’t already awesome enough – Sam came home from school! Sam is amazing. He adores Chris. Chris adores Sam. They get along so well, it is awesome to watch.

Sam and Chris

It was sooo amazing to see Alisha, Scott, Sam and Vivien – and our friend Dave, who we got to have lunch with. There is absolutely no other city we could’ve been stranded in which would have equaled us having a really great day. Hooray for Denver!

Los Angeles Observatory Engagement | Emily + Free

When Emily and Free first contacted me about photography for their wedding, they already had the location for their engagement photos picked out – The Griffith Observatory. Usually couples who contact me need a little help picking out the location for their engagement session, but Free proposed to Emily at the observatory, so it was a no-brainer! I was very excited because even though I’d been there before, this was my first time shooting a couple at the famous Los Angeles landmark, and I’ve wanted to for a very long time.

These two have only been engaged for maybe about a month or so and they are getting married in January. For those trying to do the math, that’s a very short engagement! I’ve decided this is the way to go – they only have to deal the stress of planning a wedding for a few months and then they’re done! They get to live in wedded bliss and never have to plan another wedding again. I think many of us can definitely see the appeal in that. ;)

It was a beautiful day for an engagement session when we met last week. I was just coming down with what I would find out later was the flu, but I was having so much fun with these two that I really forgot how crappy I was feeling. That’s how you know you’ve had a successful shoot. Free is a graphic designer and is using several of the photos from this session for their wedding invitation – he even sent me the mock up already and it looks fantastic! I love, love, LOVE when couples use their engagement photos in creative ways and I can’t wait to see the printed version of the invite suite.

Here are a few of my favorites from our time spent at the observatory.

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

In this next one, they are standing in the same exact spot where Free proposed. Cute!

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

After a while Emily and Free changed into something a little more casual, after which I promptly made them roll around in the grass.

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Griffith Observatory Engagement Photos

Thank you Emily and Free for a fun couple of hours! I am so looking forward to your wedding day!

Contact Heidi Ryder | Heidi Ryder Photography Portfolio | Heidi Ryder Photography Blog | Southern California Wedding Photography

La Cañada Wedding Photography | Lara + Erik

Lara and Erik’s wedding at the La Cañada Country Club was truly perfect for those many reasons. In my book, a perfect wedding is one where the bride, groom and all those in attendance have a truly enjoyable day that is filled with laughter as well as tears of joy, and ends with a super fun dance party, which is exactly what happened with this one. I was invited to shoot this wedding alongside Jenny Smith of Alders Photography and I think it was halfway through the day that I realized how much fun Jenny and I were having capturing this day. Lara and Erik appeared to be free of stress or worry, their families clearly enjoyed each other’s company and everyone was having a really great time. Just how a wedding should be!

I met up with Erik and his guys at a nearby hotel while they were getting ready. I think Erik was nervous, but his buddies distracted him with jokes and fake mustaches to relax him a bit.

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

When we got to the venue, I joined Jenny in the bridal dressing room while Lara got ready. Lara was a gorgeous looking bride and paid attention to every last detail – the dress, jewelry, birdcage veil – it was all amazing!

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

Lara made sure her ladies were dressed to the nines, as well. I adored the necklaces she gave them as a gift. Gorgeous!

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

Love this shot of Lara and her dad trying to sneak a peek at Erik waiting at the altar.

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

One of my favorite parts of a wedding ceremony is the way the bride and groom look at each other. Almost like they’re seeing one another for the first time again.

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

And then there’s that “Married!” moment – that’s always a good one…

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

I think this first dance shot is one of my favorites ever. Such a sweet moment.

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

La Canada Country Club wedding photography

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding with a gorgeous bride and beaming groom. Thanks to Jenny for having me along and a heartfelt congratulations to Lara and Erik!

Contact Heidi Ryder | Heidi Ryder Photography Portfolio | Heidi Ryder Photography Blog | Southern California Wedding Photography

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