it's that time of year again!
Time for my favorite blog! I look forward to this season all year, I get to look back and reflect on all the amazing couples and stories I was lucky enough to capture. This year was especially big for a standout two reasons:
I rebranded to Adventure for Love!
I became solo business owner, and after months of planning, mood boards, negotiations for a business name, I got my new logo (thank you Hikingbird Creative!) and became Adventure for Love! I announced the rebrand in September, and was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Thank you all for encouraging me in this change, and choosing to Adventure for Love!
2. I followed a regional schedule.
For years I've had a vision of being in the Southwest for the colder months, and the Pacific Northwest for the hotter months. This year, I finally was able to live my dream Van Life schedule, and only booked jobs in those locations while I was there!
Although I still did not see any international travel this year, I shot in so many of my favorite destinations here in the United States. Little Christina would be so proud that what started with a bus trip at 17 across the country, would end up with 21 year old Christina shooting in places like Yosemite, Arches, Mount Rainier, Joshua Tree, & more!
2022 is shaping up to be an even more incredible year, with my travels taking me to places like Montana & Alaska! Check this link for 2022 travel dates, and enjoy the 2021 recap!
1. Gayle & Wyatt
Started off the year in Big Sur with two of my favorite people ever. I can't imagine a better way to start the year, and the memories I have from this week are so dear to me!
2. Alayna & Choi
Rock climbing in Joshua Tree with fellow van lifers? Count me in! Alayna & Choi had an incredible lifestyle session as they began their vanlife journey as a freshly married couple!
3. Mikayla & Tanner
I didn't find out until I arrived that this was no regular couple session, and was instead a pregnancy announcement! Congrats to these two who had their precious boy in August!
4. Jess & Parker
Two more of my favorite people ever! We had terrible luck trying to find a time that worked for their engagement session due to conflicting van life schedules, transmission blow outs, and more. We finally got to meet in Colorado for a cute snowy engagement session just a couple weeks before their elopement!
5. Jess & Parker
More of these two, and more of their van! Believe it or not, we did get some photos without the van haha, however I chose this photo because these two in their wedding outfits in front of their van was featured on the New York Times! Seeing a photo of mine on such a prestigious platform is one of the biggest high points of the year.
6. Joe & Tiffany
I was so stoked when these two reached out to me about shooting their Colorado intimate wedding! I randomly met them on a trail in Sedona a couple years ago, and asked them to model for me the next day! Who knew that would have led to a long lasting friendship. So thankful I was able to meet up with them in Colorado for their engagement photos, and I am obsessed with the dress Tiffany wore!
7. Bach & Caitlin
When these two originally contacted me, they were considering eloping somewhere in the Southwest on their upcoming road trip. Instead they decided to save the wedding for the summer, and do an epic full weekend of adventuring with me in Moab!
8. Nick & Taylor
I love photographing surprise proposals, and where better than the Grand Canyon as a backdrop to ask the love of your life to marry you? Congrats to these two!
9. Allie & Isaak
We finally meet! These two had to push back their wedding and engagement photos due to Covid, we finally met up in Moab on their trip to Utah to complete to big 5 national parks!
10. Micaela & Ethan
Micaela is a long time friend, and once again I didn't find out until we met up that this session was a pregnancy announcement! They had their baby boy a couple months ago, and are healthily and happily settling into their new routine as a family of three.
11. Gayle & Wyatt
These two back again this time as a married couple! This wedding was one of my favorites of all time, everything I love about my job in one day.
12. Melissa & Frank
These two got married on private property near Visalia, California. We ventured out into an abandoned parking lot for some unique harshly light afternoon couple photos! A wonderful creative challenge.
13. Josh & Whitney
Whitney's family owns the most incredible land in Livermore, California. It's been passed down generations starting in the 1930's, they chose to get married on a small piece of that land.
14. Hope & Matt
These two had the coolest DREAMIEST wedding in Joshua Tree. I've been eagerly anticipating this wedding for almost a year, and I am so stoked to see how it came together! Also these two just announced they are going to have a baby!!
15. Ashley & Blaine
There is the most incredible venue called Nestldown in the Bay, it features a huge grove of Redwoods you can get married in! One of my favorite venue's I have ever shot at for sure. Here's a photo of their kiss as they were leaving the ceremony!
16. Cheyenne & Cory
These two were nervous that the moody sunset weather would make the photos turn out bad, & I was so excited to prove them wrong! Moody weather is nothing to be afraid of, we had an incredible engagement session with them on the beach, they killed it with or without golden light!
17. Jeremy & Kayla
These two got married at Elliston Vineyards in Sunol. It was our first time seeing this venue, and I am excited to be returning here twice again this upcoming summer!
18. Rebekah & Domingo
As I was hiking in Mariposa Grove, I got a call from Rebekah. Originally we planned for the meadows, but Glacier Point Rd ended up opening just a couple days before their vow renewal! This is what Rebekah envisioned all along, so we changed plan and it was the most perfect morning.
19. Cheyenne & Cory
Back to these two for their wedding! These two smiling faces had the cutest camping inspired wedding on private property in Half Moon Bay. Their day was magic beyond belief, and I love their joy captured in this moment!
20. Mason & Kayla
Mason & Kayla got married at a private airplane hanger on the most beautiful property with it's own vineyard! Their wedding day felt very classic California, and they were so cute!
21. Danae & Gavin
It's so hard to pick a favorite from this session! I took my van outside of Seattle, and met Danae and Gavin for this epic hike. We started at the lake below to get the mountain we were going to climb in the background, and then summited Rattlesnake Ridge, and the views were incredible.
22. Bach & Caitlin
My summer wedding season started off with these two adventurers wedding in Bend! We had an amazing time meeting up in the spring for their engagement session in Moab. They had their first look at a private location by the river I scouted, couple photos in this beautiful forest, ceremony at Smith Rock State Park, and reception at a brewery!
23. Emma & Kevin
One of my most successful Instagram photos of the year. Emma's little brother had the most precious reaction to her going down the aisle, I'm so glad I was there to capture this moment!
24. Nick & Stephanie
I got a rare opportunity to see the city I grew up in from above, and get creative with rooftop portraits! We were even able to see all the way to the chapel they got married in from this viewpoint.
25. Kat & Dustin
I returned to one of my favorite engagement photo locations in Columbus for Kat and Dustin's session! I love their joy with each other in this photo.
26. Brooke & Tyler
These two had to push back their wedding so many times to due school, Covid, and other life circumstances. It had been three years since I did their engagement session in Iowa! I am so happy these two finally got to have the wedding they dreamed of.
27. Jose & Fernanda
Jose found me from Chad & Sophia's proposal blog, and asked for a very similar set up which I was able to provide! She said yes, we took sunset photos on the beach, but this champagne moments takes the cake as my favorite!
28. Missy & Tyler
Again, how to choose a favorite! Stevenson is a very underrated area, the ceremony was beautiful with the blue Washington mountains behind, and the wood cabins helped make some amazing getting ready / details shots. These two were so fun loving and silly, such a gorgeous couple and day!
29. Indian & Jewish Ceremony
These two had the most beautiful blended ceremony between Indian and Jewish traditions! Their day was very full and very beautiful, I love this special moment between them during the ceremony.
30. CJ & Jacob
These two are such troopers! We did an epic hike to this incredible secret location, all while CJ was in a boot! We talked a lot about our hometown, their love story, and of course, Twilight! This image is an excellent example of my favorite game, “find the tiny couple in the big landscape!
31. Sara & Wes
I was talking to the planner with my back to the sun, when a guest eagerly ran up to me and exclaimed “LOOK BEHIND YOU” and there it was, multiple hot air balloons!
Sara & Wes's original photographer got Covid just 3 days before the wedding. Luckily, I still had the date available and stepped in to shoot their day!
32. DJ & Kyle
One of my favorite sessions of the year! These two pushed themselves and hiked the longest they'd ever done to see a firetower at sunrise with me. Of course, PNW weather had other plans and we couldn't see any of the views around.
On our way down the hike, Mount Rainier popped out from the clouds and we stopped on the trail to capture her in all of her beauty.
33. Traci & Bill
One of the biggest privileges of the year and honestly my lifetime, was being able to capture my bestfriends elopement. Traci & Bill are extremely special to me, they've been my van life buddies since day one, and the conversations Traci and I have about photography are some of my favorite (although admittedly probably very boring for those around us haha).
34. Celeste & Levi
Since I work in national parks frequently where drones are not allowed, it's a rare opportunity that I get to take it out! Celeste & Levi got married on his parents Lakehouse backyard, and I was so excited to see they had a canoe! I put a lot of work into this particular shot and am so happy with how it turned out.
35. Kate & Nate
I've shot in Hocking Hills so many times, but this time was special! We talked about all the places they've lived and visited, and starting discussing their wedding in Big Sur this spring!
36. Kyla & Cory
As I'm writing this, I am three days away from seeing these two again! These two are my first wedding of 2022, so excited to see them this weekend!
37. Tori & Johnny
Three Septembers in a row I've been lucky enough to photograph these two! First for their engagement session, then their small elopement last year, and finally their big wedding this year!
38. Allie & Isaak
Best day ever! These two pushed back their camping Sequoia wedding to next year, and instead got married this year with just their parents present in Yosemite. I was lucky enough to spend some of Christmas with them and Isaak's family, so thankful for their friendship and trust with capturing their elopement day!
39. Jacque & Mathangi
We arrived plenty early to watch the sunrise on the Maroon Bells, and we got such incredible alpenglow. To top it off, we came at the perfect time to see the aspens changing colors! One of my most colorful sessions of the year.
40. Joe & Tiffany
HELLO COLORADO COLORS! Can you believe this is real? These two had such a cute and beautiful backyard Airbnb wedding with their families, but it was the reflection of the autumn leafs on the lake that left such an impression on me.
41. CJ & Jacob
Hands down one of my proudest photos of all time. All done in camera, 4am, at the start of an incredible elopement day.
42. Danae & Gavin
These two had such a cute Airbnb farm wedding in Ohio. As I was driving up, I noticed to long windy driveway was completely covered with these autumn leafs, it was straight out of a fairy tale. Mix in the joy of being newlyweds, and you get this perfection!
43. Brooke & Austin
Brooke has been my hair lady ever since I shot her wedding three years ago, and it was time for some updated photos of these two!
44. Aaryn & Nick
I've also been lucky enough to shoot these two three years in a row, this time for their wedding! They did private first vows together that really stood out to me from their day. They laughed, they cried, they held each other, they're the cutest and I am so glad I know them.
45. Aletha & Izzy
Another fall mini session, this time just for Aletha and her son! These two were so cute, and the colors turned out perfect!
46. Kat & Dustin
Mixing it up with a detail shot! One of my favorite pieces of this venue was the stone fireplace and chandeliers, it reminded me of medieval inspired movies. I hung up Kat's dress, and loved how this image turned out!!
47. Abby & Ben
The snow came in the morning on Abby and Ben's wedding day, but sadly it wouldn't stay until after their ceremony for couple photos. I decided to get creative, and take them for their no look outside. They got couple photos in the snow without ever seeing each other!
48. Nieves Family
Liz let me plan an entire adventure day for them in Page, starting with sunrise at horseshoe bend! Although there's many beautiful photos from the day, something about this mother daughter moment in black and white really stood out to me.
49. Elizabeth & Josh
These two had an adorable second wedding in her parents backyard under the tent. I loved the rose bushes outside the side door, and in our few minutes for couple photos after the ceremony I decided to take them here.
50. Taryn & Michael
Taryn & Michael had the idea strike them a few months ago, and after saying it out loud they knew it was right for them.
They decided on that on Christmas Day, they would gift their families Save The Dates that had the current date, and surprise them with the news they were eloping RIGHT then!
Tears were shed, everyone was so surprised. Taryn went upstairs with her mom to put on the dress, Michael's mother helped him with the tie, and they got married right in the living room.
Afterwards we walked to a nearby park and took couple photos right on the basketball court! It was such a unique elopement, and I'm so glad I was apart of it.
Thank you for another incredible year!
I can't believe 2021 has come and gone. I have high hopes for 2022, I think it could be the best year yet.
See you next year!