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Arlene + Presley’s Livermore Engagement Session

Livermore Fine Art Photography

Arlene + Presley’s sunset engagement session at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore, California

The hills of Livermore, have truly felt alive this past month.  Verdant and fresh, rife with wild mustard, California poppies, and the ever-present ground squirrel.  Last week I had the pleasure of photographing Arlene and Presley’s engagement session amidst the rippling green hills just east of San Francisco, and underneath one of the most breathtaking skies Livermore has seen in the last month.  We held our photo shoot up at Del Valle Regional Park where we could make the most of the last light of the day, and boy did we ever.  A light layer of cloud cover provided optimal diffusion for a portion of the shoot, but then just before sunset, the sun’s rays burst through and served up some golden hour finery.  Here’s a sampling of the light and love I was able to capture last week for Arlene and Presley.

Livermore Engagement Photography
Jaime Lauren Photography
Portrait Session east of San Francisco
golden hills of San Francisco Bay area
Fine Art Wedding and Engagement Photography
Livermore natural light photography
couple holding hands with ring details
Arlene and Presley
Couple holding hands at sunset in Northern California
natural light engagement photography
Sunset at Del Valle Regional Park
natural light fine art photography
Del Valle Regional Park at sunset
Couple holding hands at Del Valle in spring
Arlene and Presley
vibrant jewel-toned bouquet with a kiss
A Portrait of Presley at Del Valle in spring
portrait of Arlene at Del Valle in spring
wild mustard growing in the hills above Livermore
Arlene at Del Valle in spring
San Francisco area fine art photography
sunset over a live oak tree in the San Francisco bay area

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Can’t find Friday’s Favourites?

  • Friday’s Favourites has moved!  Every Friday one of my favourite photos is now posted on the Facebook page.  Head there every Friday for some photo inspiration.
admin - May 16, 2012 - 12:43 pm

Thanks Shipra! Your work is outstanding by the way :-) I loved your site…let me know if you’re ever in the SF Bay area so we can grab a coffee and talk shop!

Shipra - May 14, 2012 - 11:27 am

She’s gorgeous and the mood here is so absolutely dreamy!

Vernon Harvest Wedding Shoot | Alison + Mark

Jaime Lauren Photography | Fine Art Weddings

Alison + Mark in a post-wedding photo shoot on the outskirts of Vernon at sunset

This past fall one of my dear friends got married and I couldn’t be there.  I was booked, and I was bummed.  She and I traveled the Trans-Siberian railroad a few years back–an epic adventure that took us around the world, where we braved one of Moscow’s most famous banyas, dipped our toes into chilly Lake Baikal, rode the rails across Mongolia’s vast steppe, and clambered over 20 kilometres of China’s biggest wall.  After all we’d experienced together, I think we each thought we’d see each other get married, but she was in England when I got married, and I was in California when she tied the knot.

So it was a real gift to have the pleasure of photographing Alison and her new husband Mark just a week after their wedding, a week after Canada celebrates Thanksgiving, back in our hometown of Vernon, British Columbia.  Some say spring is synonymous with new love, but I think I appreciate the symbolism of harvest time more in Alison and Mark’s case, as it is a time to reap the bounty of hard work and celebrate the provision that comes after having remained steady in faith through seasons of uncertainty and struggle.  I love that this collection of photographs highlights Alison and Mark’s deep-rooted love for one another, set amidst the last light of a Canadian harvest.

Alison and Mark
Okanagan autumn sunset in Coldstream, British Columbia
Post-wedding photography shoot near Vernon, British Columbia

I absolutely love shooting in late afternoon light.  It’s romantic and warm and, in my humble opinion, awfully beautiful.

Groom

Isn’t Mark’s jacket perfect for this shoot?  The material and stitching really suit the natural setting and warm light.

Okanagan bride walks down a country road at sunset

How RADIANT is she!?  And check out the softness of the light on the fields and Alison’s dress in contrast to the vibrancy of the trees.  Fall photo  sessions really allow for both softness and warmth which I love. 

Okanagan groom on a country road at sunset
Alison and Mark reach out to pet a cow in a field near Vernon, British Columbia
Okanagan bride and groom
Vernon bride photographed on a country road at sunset

The long part of this veil is stunning…and has a sentimental aspect as well.  It was the veil worn by Alison’s sister Becky, whose wedding I photographed only a few months before.  Touches like add so much to an already special shoot. 

Vernon bride and groom photographed at sunset near a field
Jaime Lauren Photography | Fine Art Weddings
Alison and Mark hug near a country road and corn field in Coldstream

Who doesn’t like gettin’ a hug like this!

I may have missed Alison and Mark’s wedding day, but I feel privileged to have witnessed the beginnings of their marriage and the fruit of their hope, faith, and love.

To view a sampling from Alison + Mark’s collection on the website, view the new and improved PORTFOLIO

Vintage Inspiration Shoot in Sonoma | Rustic Wine Country Stylings

It’s been in the works for quite some time, and I’m pleased to announce that it’s come to fruition.  Gorgeous, gorgeous fruition!  I’m talking about the vintage-styled wine country photo shoot I’ve been planning with Erin from Allora Event Designs.  Set in Sonoma amidst the grape harvest, (I could SMELL the crush just driving up the valley!) our rustic/vintage shoot brought together the collaborative efforts of some fabulous Bay Area wedding professionals.  Here for your viewing pleasure is a little sneak peek at some wine country wedding inspiration…

Vintage Shoot in Sonoma | Jaime Lauren Photography
Vintage Shoot in Sonoma | Jaime Lauren Photography
Vintage Shoot in Sonoma | Jaime Lauren Photography
Vintage Shoot in Sonoma | Jaime Lauren Photography

Like I said, this is just a sneak peek of what’s to come.  I’m so pleased with how everything turned out and was so blessed by the creative gifts and hard work of everyone involved.  But before I say anything more, let me roll the credits!

  • Venue: Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, California (Many thanks to PJ + Robert Rex, and Bill)
  • Planning + Decor: Erin with Allora Event Designs
  • Floral Arrangements: Rachael with Absolutely Wild Flowers
  • Bridal Gowns + Accessories: Allison at Starlet Bridal
  • Makeup: Jessica at jessgould_8@yahoo.com
  • Models: Janice Jentz and Rachael Cumrine

And here’s one parting shot of Janice in Deerfield’s tasting room set inside the most fabulous cave!

Vintage Shoot in Sonoma | Jaime Lauren Photography

Before signing out, I think it would be appropriate to thank readers/viewers for your patience with me this fall.  I’ve missed a few Friday’s Favourites posts, and that’s because I’ve been a) working on all my clients’ collections and b) traveling so much.  At the moment I’m getting ready to head out for another couple weeks, first to take part in Jose Villa’s photography workshop in Mexico and then to shoot Andrew + Brooke’s wedding in Jamaica.  Unfortunately I won’t be posting during my travels, but tune back in December for a few fun, colourful updates!

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family, and a special thank you to all those who have served both of my countries in the military.  I wear my poppy proud.

Jaime

Anna Dyke - November 10, 2011 - 12:15 pm

this is really cool Jaime, and awesome as always!