Tanya & Jacob’s Wedding at Los Willows Wedding Estate in Fallbrook: A Day Full of Love and Happy Tears
 
 

As a photographer, I get to witness a lot of love, but some weddings stay with you forever. Tanya and Jacob’s was one of those.

One especially moving part of the day was the presence of Jacob’s mom, who is currently battling stage 4 cancer. Her strength, grace, and love made everything feel even more meaningful.

Tanya and Jacob are two incredibly kind, quiet souls who met at work back in 2017. These two love the simple joys - nights at home watching TV, trying new foods, sipping boba, and playing board games like Catan. Their dog, Joseph, is a huge part of their life! He’s three now, full of personality, and absolutely adored.

And duh, Joseph was the ring bearer! He walked down the aisle like a total pro, tail wagging the whole way, as if he knew exactly how special this day was.

Jacob teared up multiple times throughout the day, and those emotions spoke louder than words ever could. Tanya stood by his side, calm and loving, holding space for every one of those feelings. It was such a beautiful thing to witness.

Jacob proposed in September 2023 after dinner at Seneca in San Diego. He waited until they were outside in a quiet spot; he knew Tanya didn’t like too much attention. It was simple, thoughtful, and so them.

This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a powerful reminder of what truly matters: love, family, and showing up for one another through it all.

I’m so grateful I got to be there to witness it. 💕

And just for fun, here are some photos of them when Joseph turned 3 earlier this year.

 
Double the Love: Chey & Mitch’s Surprise Proposal + LA County Fair Engagement Shoot
 

Okay, this one’s gonna hit you right in the feels. 💍✨

Chey thought she was just showing up for a sweet little photoshoot with their pet (who’s getting older - cue the tears already). Mitch said he wanted to capture some memories. Innocent enough, right?

What Chey didn’t know was that Mitch had a whole plan up his sleeve - complete with a surprise proposal. That’s right. In the middle of a cozy, sentimental shoot with their beloved pet, Mitch dropped to one knee and turned a simple session into a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Spoiler alert: She said yes! ❤️

But wait - there’s more!

Fast forward to Part Two of their engagement adventure: the LA County Fair. This shoot was all about fun, laughter, and full-on arcade chaos. These two weren’t afraid to let their playful sides shine. They rode the ferris wheel, won giant Pikachu (which was 100% on their bucket list), and lived out their carnival dreams. It was cute, chaotic, and perfectly them.

From a surprise tearjerker to cotton candy, fair lights, and stuffed animal victories - Chey and Mitch’s engagement story is proof that love can be both emotional and epic fun.

These two? Total goals.

 
Climbing to Forever: Carina & Darren’s Epic Engagement Adventure with Maple
 

Meet Carina and Darren, two adventure-loving weirdos who bonded over climbing holds and friendly competition. After 13+ years of climbing under their belts, they met at a climbing gym in Madison, WI - and it was game on from there. With a shared love for the outdoors, travel, and the occasional wine tasting, these two are the perfect match despite their opposites-attract tastes.

 
 

They’ve been calling sunny San Diego home since 2020, along with their adorable dog, Maple Donut (or just Maple for short). Maple’s basically the third musketeer on their many outdoor adventures.

The proposal? Oh, it’s epic. Darren popped the question on top of a Hawaiian peak at sunrise during their 5th anniversary trip in July 2024. Picture this: breathtaking views, the soft glow of dawn, and two souls ready to climb the next big peak together - marriage.

Carina is currently transitioning from her time in the USMC into a faculty role at a local college, while Darren’s busy crushing code as a senior software developer from their home office. Together, they balance the chaos and calm of life beautifully - with a whole lot of laughter and love.

What makes their love story so special? Their “go with the flow” vibes, their passion for climbing, and that sweet competitive spark that keeps things exciting. Two happy weirdos who found their forever climbing partner - and we’re here for it.

Here’s to many more climbs, travels, and game nights for Carina, Darren, and Maple!