Ever since I was a child, I always had a camera in my hand.  I have books and bins full of photos that I took throughout my entire life.  Yes, I do love taking pictures and finding beautiful places, things, and people to incorporate with that.  But more so above it all I have this extreme need to capture moments in time and accurately and deeply tell the story so it is possible to relive it.  It’s hard to explain in words, but it’s just something that is so deep down in me.  

As far as schooling, I did take photography for fun in college.  Those were film days so I spent those years living in a dark room.  It was there that I learned the technical part of how a camera operates, lighting, developing, etc.  But even then it was just a hobby.  I would have never guessed I would be doing something that I deeply love as my job!

So to bring it to the present, in my early 20’s I was majoring in accounting when I started working for a photography company.  I began second shooting, editing, and I eventually ventured out on my own.   And here we are…nearly 15 years later still loving every second of it.

That’s my history of photography, but now let me discuss with you weddings.  How can I even describe my love for wedding days!  Weddings to me are so sacred and tender.  I live for the moment of the doors opening and getting to photograph a groom looking at his beautiful bride as he fights back all his emotions not to cry.  For me at that moment, all of the world stops and heaven meets earth.  And then to watch two people say vows to each other committing for a lifetime…what can be more precious than that?  I’m so lucky to regularly be inspired by the love I get to see and feel on those days.  My goal on a wedding day is simply tell your beautiful story.  I love all of the emotion that surrounds a wedding day, and it’s my mission to capture those moments for you to look back on and feel again…forever.

I love yoga, crossfit, surfing, the beach.  I share my life with Kyle, who is a firefighter and his two beautiful children, Lila and Knolan  I feel lucky and honored to do life with them.  I’ve spent the last year on a personal mission to live with more purpose and meaning of vulnerability and love…to feel as much as possible.  I was (and will always be on) a mission to live whole hearted, and it was the biggest game changer of my life.  It’s made my relationship stronger, friendships more meaningful, and my photography more inspiring.  

I can’t wait to hear from you and hopefully be a part of your life’s moments as well.

Xoxoxo

Tonya