Nichole and Jason | Volcano, California Wedding Photographer | Heidi Morgan Photography

Meant to be, these two were. Making eyes over the Casino counter years ago, during Nichole’s pre-college job, the two felt the spark. Off they went — he to work with his beloved BMWs and she in culinary arts. Fast forward a few years and a lot of life lessons. The two were smashed together by her broken down VW (since replaced with a convertible she quickly snapped up from Jason). They were so shocked to be put together by the universe that she nearly fell! Not just any man could handle Nichole’s strong spirit, her new-found skills for working with cars herself, nor those powerful swimmer’s arms and shoulders. Looking at Jason, he’s got it covered; he kills her with his jovial smile.

Speaking of falling, these two are gone. It was my honor to shoot their engagement session. My two fabulous second shooters — Kaitlin and Rhonda — felt the same. Look at those eyes, the embrace, the love, the light. These are a few of the many reasons that I enjoy being a wedding photography. I don’t do wedding photography; I breathe it.

When I look forward to my daughter Kaitlin’s wedding in two decades or so, I hope that she is embraced with worldliness, unconditional love, and the undeniable chemistry that I see between Nichole and Jason. You can tell that this is another extra special couple. Affirmed, but because of more than the aforementioned qualities. Nichole is my cousin, and I haven’t seen in her in nearly a decade. Once again, photography has restored another relationship!

We shot for hours, beginning with the hot sun of the afternoon in rustic Volcano, California. This small town reveals a warm spirit, emphasis on the arts, and rustic charm that evokes my love for nostalgia. Fear not, hot sun haters — I am armed with the brilliant training of one Bob Davis, Canon Explorer of Light. Through Bob and Dawn’s careful mentoring, I learned how to shoot in full sun and full darkness. I am not afraid of flash, nor of throwing my lens hood and allowing all of the sun to bathe itself in my images. I have also been asked about how I produced these backlit shots. This is Bob’s specialty and, being a photographic descendant of his, I was able to replicate it. Love it!!! Love THEM!

Join me on a walk through Volcano, as this is a preview of what is to come this fall; I am shooting Nichole and Jason’s September wedding and I can’t WAIT To share more. It is my honor to be asked to shoot a family’s wedding. I am told that t is not because I am a cousin; it is despite it! Again, thank you for the honor. I hope to do you right, loves.

Again, a very special thank you to my daughter — Kaitlin, and my cousin — Rhonda Thorne, for collaborating with me on this blast of an engagement session! Working with others is not “necessary” on engagement shoots, but always fabulous!