Heidi Ryder Photography: The Blog » Heidi

A Traveling Heart: Em the Gem

Heidi — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:23:02 +0000

As I mentioned in my previous post, I spent some time in Joshua Tree recently with some of my favorite ladies, otherwise known as The Traveling Hearts. It was an amazing time, as usual, and the perfect opportunity to reflect, recharge and relax. Normally when we all get together for our trips, we spend at least a full day shooting each other. It’s usually a free-for-all where you grab a girl, photograph her for a while, and then grab another girl who’s not being shot by someone else, and so on and so forth until you’ve photographed everyone. It’s always fun, but we decided to do it differently this year and just pair up with one girl.

We drew names out of a hat and I got paired up with the lovely Emily, or Em, or Em the Gem. I’m pretty sure she answers to all three. She’s cute as a button and a tall drink of water so I was excited to get to spend some quality time with her in front of my camera. We spent a couple of hours in the “backyard” of the house we rented, which is basically just Joshua Tree National Forest as we were on 5 acres. It was wonderful.

Here are some of my favorite shots of Em. Though, they’re all good, she’s just one of those people who can’t take a good photo. If only we all were so lucky! Thanks for being so sweet and fun and adorable, Em! See you in July! <3

Out of the Office

Heidi — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:19:47 +0000

Just a quick note that I’ll be out of the office for the rest of the week, spending some quality time with several of my favorite ladies! If you’ve followed my blog for a while then you know I take a trip every six months with some great girl friends, all of whom also happen to be wedding photographers. It’s a time for us to recharge, renew and relax. These bi-annual trips have quickly become my favorite tradition and I can’t wait to get there!

We’ll be in Joshua Tree this time and you can follow our shenanigans over at the Traveling Hearts blog!

Thanks to Ala for this collage of all the girls! See you ladies soon! xoxo

Published in Claudia Noivas Magazine!

Heidi — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:02:04 +0000

I’ve never been to Brazil. Heck, I’ve barely been out of the country. But I’ve been published in Brazil (and in Australia – a country I have been to) so that makes me feel like a world traveler!

A few months ago I received an email from a lovely editor at Claudia Noivas Magazine, a wedding magazine out of Brazil. They saw Desiree and Rich‘s wedding on Style Me Pretty and loved it. They were doing a feature on wedding fashion for groom’s and wanted to feature a shoot showcasing Rich’s awesome bow tie and tux. I was happy to oblige and they were kind enough to send me a hard copy, which I received a couple of weeks ago.

I can’t understand a word of what’s written inside, but I’m honored to have one of my images showcased among amazingly beautiful photography by some of my favorite photographers. Check it out!

Katie + Steve = Married!

Heidi — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:59:07 +0000

Katie and Steve were my last wedding of 2011 and they couldn’t have helped me end the year any better! Their wedding day was heartfelt and beautiful from beginning to end and I left feeling really great about what it is I do for a living. That’s how I know I just left a really great wedding.

Their day started out with the ceremony at one of the loveliest churches I’ve had the privilege of shooting in so far, St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. The interesting wood beams and large windows that let in tons of natural light had me swooning through the entire ceremony. If I’m going to shoot in a church, I love one that has lots of windows, and that’s hard to come by. The reception was held at Malibu West Beach Club, and had a lovely wintery theme, perfect for a December wedding.

Katie’s mom really put this wedding over the top when she surprised everyone (including me!) with an appearance from the USC Trojans marching band. Katie is a die-hard Trojan and comes from a long line of Trojans, so needless to say, this got the party started. It was an amazing night for an amazing couple and I’m so happy I got to be a part of it! Congratulations, Katie and Steve!

PS: Don’t forget to check out their feature on Elizabeth Anne Designs. I love that blog and am so thrilled to be featured there again!

Coordinator: Whitney Wing-Drake, Wish Wonder Dream // Florist: Greenwich Floral Design // Ceremony site: St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church // Videography: Jakfoto Productions // DJ: M&T Entertainment // Reception Design: CFS Design // Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals // Catering: Monrose Catering // Reception site: Malibu West Beach Club

Featured in The Knot Magazine!

Heidi — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:49:02 +0000

Here it is, my first post of 2012! And I think we’re starting the year off nicely with a print feature – nothin’ wrong with that! This feature is actually from last month, but it’s a Spring/Summer 2012 issue, so it’s still timely.

Justine and Steve‘s awesome wedding got lots of well-deserved attention online, so I wasn’t surprised when the lovely editors over at The Knot asked if they could feature it in their winter issue. I loved shooting Justine and Steve’s wedding day and I’m so glad so many others appreciate the hard work that they put into it.

Hopefully 2012 will bring new print features my way – it’s one of my goals for the year, so I’m going to do my best to make it happen!

Thanks For A Great 2011!

Heidi — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:39:42 +0000

When I think about this past year, I start to get pretty emotional. Calling it amazing would be a serious understatement. I’ve been privileged enough to be a part of many amazing weddings this year and have gotten to know the best couples whom I proudly consider friends. This job just keeps getting better and better, and it’s because of my wonderful clients that this is so.

I hope you all are reading this and know how much I appreciate you and how grateful I am to have been included in your wedding days. I look forward to capturing many more of life’s amazing moments for you in the years to come!

I’ve put together a slideshow of some of my favorite images from the past year’s weddings and engagement sessions. Hope you enjoy.

Happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2012…

Happy Holidays + Out of the Office

Heidi — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:03:03 +0000

Just wanted to wish you and yours a happy holiday season! We’re off to snowy (hopefully) Colorado for the next 8 days to spend Christmas with the Ryders. It’s what we do basically every Christmas and it’s my favorite time of year, something I look forward to all year long!

I’ll be out of the office until the 29th, at which point I will answer all of the emails I’ve received while away. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Here’s a couple of awesome family photos that my friend Mary took of us for our holiday cards this year. I just love them so much!!

Marcella + David = Married!

Heidi — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:01:27 +0000

Marcella and David both grew up in Southern California. It’s where they met and fell in love, but when work took David to Pennsylvania, Marcella soon followed. It’s where they live now, but they returned to to So Cal, the place it all started, in order to promise themselves to each other forever. They had planned on a private civil ceremony, but when Marcella’s mom offered to host something a little more special at her home, the wedding turned into something a little bigger, but still very sweet and intimate.

I was honored to get to document this day for them, and was thrilled when I got this awesome couple alone to myself for portraits at the Arboretum, before the ceremony that was held at Marcella’s mom’s house. It was a beautiful Autumn day and we actually found some trees with golden leaves fit for the season! Here are just a few of my favorites from their day, hope you enjoy them.

Congratulations, Marcella and David!

Emily + Perry = Engaged!

Heidi — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:23:16 +0000

Life is unexpected. We all know this. But Emily and Perry had an extra dose of the unexpected a few months ago when they where hit by a drunk driver while riding their motorcycle. It was a terrible accident that left both Emily and Perry in the hospital. They’re both lucky to be alive, but the fact is even the worst type of unexpected that life threw at them could not derail their love and commitment to each other.

I’ve actually known Emily since she was super young. She’s my best friend’s little cousin so this shoot was kind of surreal to me! It was beautiful to see the two of them together, so full of love for each other. I’m so happy these two found each other and that they’re safe, healthy and together.

Congratulations, Emily and Perry!

Janelle + Dan = Engaged!

Heidi — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:04:08 +0000

Before I sign off for the rest of the week to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family and friends, I wanted to put up a new post of a recent engagement session that I love. I got to hang out with Janelle and Dan at the Viceroy in Santa Monica, a place I’ve always wanted to shoot in but haven’t had the chance to until this shoot. It was worth the wait!

At the start of the shoot, Janelle and Dan told me they were a little anxious about having their photos taken. I can say with certainty that they could have fooled me, because these two seemed as comfortable as can be in front of my camera. Though, I’m sure the fact that I just made them stare into each others’ eyes while cuddling the whole had something to do with it. Love can do that to a couple.

After we rocked it out at the Viceroy we headed to the Santa Monica Pier, which happens to be the site of their first official date. Perfect!

Bubba Gump was where they ate dinner, so it had to get its own little shout-out during the session.

Thanks so much for being so awesome, Janelle and Dan! Seriously cannot wait for your wedding next year!