Sierra + Jon in Los Angeles Hills

Sierra and Jon met at their church and quickly bonded over skateboarding dates, adventures as a couple, and their mutual love of style. The two quickly fell in love and were planning a wedding when COVID hit and everything shut down. Undeterred, the two lovebirds decided to plan an intimate elopement ceremony in Sierra's grandfather's backyard and take photos in the Chatsworth hills nearby afterwards. Her one request was that I come and capture the affair on my trust analogue film camera. This was the first time I'd ever shot something as important as a wedding and I was both nervous to get it right and equally thrilled she had asked me!

Sierra's beloved grandmother had recently passed away, yet she was able to get ready in her grandmother's former bedroom, surrounded by fond reminders of her enduring presence as she was still made part of her wedding day in a small way. Taking photos of Sierra looking out over the backyard from her grandmother's bedroom window in her wedding gown felt timeless, serene and peaceful as she prepared to meet Jon down by the gazebo. With only twelve people in attendance, Sierra and Jon's ceremony was intimate, family members sitting on dining room chairs pulled outside as they gathered before the gazebo to watch the couple exchange their vows. Jon's face was absolutely priceless as he beheld his bride for the first time in her dress - pure joy and ecstacy!

The ceremony was brief and family photos even quicker as they gathered in the garden to snap some memories of the day before the couple went off to the hills for their personal portraits. We drove to a nearby trailhead and explored the trail, stopping here and there to take photos of ther couple together and individually. The California hills were in full bloom and we had the blessing of cloud coverage too, lending a dreamy, romantic vibe to their photos. You always remember your first time, and this wedding was my initiation into wedding photography during those early COVID days. I'll never forget how excited I was to get my film scans developed or how pleasantly suprised I was with the results. Something about the whole experience called to me and I knew shooting weddings on film would become a passion of mine.