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@kengelphotography

Go ahead and try to look at this photo of Sam and

Go ahead and try to look at this photo of Sam and Paul without absolutely smiling. I dare you.

Here’s the thing about wedding blogs and Pintere

Here’s the thing about wedding blogs and Pinterest boards - they’re really about the details, clever ideas, and cute decor. That idea of a perfect wedding that doesn’t actually exist. They’re not about the small, quiet moments or the tenderness of a wedding, the simple gesture of wiping away tears because seeing your person walk down the aisle towards you fills your heart to the point of overflowing. The way that Taylor and Mike looked at each other during their ceremony was nothing short of THAT magic. That kind of magic can’t be captured by a shot list or mood board, it has to be felt.

To this day, one of my favorite moments and photos from my own wedding is when my grandmother stopped by to say hello. She wasn’t dressed up yet, so she was wearing one of her little Nannie Goat shirts. I had just finished getting ready. We opened the door and there she was and she saw me and she burst into tears. She is not a crier. My mom held her and we were all crying. It wasn’t planned - she was just standing in the door, but it was perfect.

What are your favorite photos from your wedding? What perfectly imperfect moments do you cherish?

You know what I hate about taking photos at sunset

You know what I hate about taking photos at sunset on top of a parking garage overlooking the city? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I couldn’t love it more. If photos had sound then you could hear me and @katherinebrackmanphotography running around yelling about how magical the light was and how perfect Taylor and Mike were. This is what you can expect from your #sunsetphotos too.

As the time for @thehybridco got closer, signing u

As the time for @thehybridco got closer, signing up for a conference on the other side of the country felt kind of overwhelming. September was really busy (which was amazing, don’t get me wrong) so I was feeling anxious about all the editing I had yet to accomplish, all the weddings still to come, and all the Covid cases on the rise. I honestly started to regret my decision because I had even booked my flight to go out early and spend a few extra days exploring since it was my first time in Utah.

But boy does the universe really deliver exactly what you need even if you don’t realize you need it. And this trip was exactly what I needed. A reset. A refresh. It was an opportunity to be creative, simply for creativity’s sake, for myself, and it was a reminder that nothing beats authenticity and a genuine focus on human connection. Pretty is pretty of course, but purpose is powerful.

Now I know you might be thinking, how can an editorial with models who aren’t even a couple be authentic or purposeful? I won’t lie, as a photographer I struggle with that very question myself. It’s part of the reason I chose each of the editorials I did - there was a clear story and purpose behind them. It also challenges me to keep my eyes trained to seek out the small moments of joy and laughter and connection because those are the images that speak to my purpose. At the end of the day, we’re storytellers and there is always a story if we’re looking close enough.

Editorial Host: @alishcrossleyphotography
Photography: @kengelphotography
Floral Design: @sheanstrong
Venue: @drinkhighwest
Rentals: @wild_eventstudio
Silks and Ribbons: @cocoonsilkribbon
Cake: @sweetcravings12
Calligraphy: @calligraphy.by.amanda
Paper Suite: @alishcrossleyphotography
Handmade Deckled Paper: @paperjourneysshop
Bride's Attire: @weddingangelsbridal
Dress Designer: @martinalianabridal
Hair + Make-up: @kcwitkamp
Models: @thejasmyngina @kaydenhoss
Floral Farm: @artisanalblooms
Bride's Shoes: @maisonvalentino
Earrings: @brackish
Groom's Shoes: @prada

I've been making my way through Robin Wall Kimmere

I've been making my way through Robin Wall Kimmerer's work Braiding Sweetgrass. In it, she shares Potawatomi stories, indigenous wisdom, and her own research and experiences. In it, she describes how “The most important thing each of us can know is our unique gift and how to use it in the world… in order for the whole to flourish, each of us has to be strong in who we are and carry our gifts with conviction, so they can be shared with others.”

As part of my time at @thehybridco , I had the privilege of experiencing @mandaweaver’s editorial "We Are Here", inspired by and in honor of her tribe @choctawnationok. What a gift it was. In honor of Indigeneous Peoples’ Day today, I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible indigenous talent that went into this. Because indigenous voices, talents, and contributions are so often erased in our larger society and the wedding industry specifically, it was important to Manda to counter stereotypes with truth and amplify indigenous people, voices, and traditions that are very much still here. Our model Beckah shared with us her passion for stickball and taught us the meaning behind each part of the traditional dress, including the rattlesnake pattern that is such an important symbol representing the Choctaw people.

As Robin encourages, “Our work and our joy is to pass along the gift and to trust that what we put out into the universe will always come back.” Thank you Manda for giving us the opportunity to showcase this power and beauty in the universe.

Host Photographer: @mandaweaver for @thehybridco
Planning + Design: @array_creative_design
Venue: @riverbottomsranch
Tribe: @choctawnationok
Floral Design: @thepottedpansy
Choctaw Model: @beckahboykin
Model Agent: Mother Fox Management
HMU: @sandracfernandez
Indigenous Artisans: @sovernlyshop @onlychildhandicrafts @byellowtail and Leona Rivers
Poet: Phillip Carrol Morgan
Gowns: @ephemerl_ @shopgossamer and Choctaw Dress Maker
Paperie: @sophialovesletters
Ring Box: @thestylingreserve
Videography: @saltrock.studios
Backdrop: @mandaweaver
Styling Surface: @ultravioletbackdrops

📍Kumeyaay land

The more weddings I photograph, the more my bigges

The more weddings I photograph, the more my biggest advice remains: make it a priority to enjoy each other. Take it from these two, soak up the moments together. Take time away for just the two of you. Laugh a lot. Let things go. Roll with whatever happens. It might sound obvious, but weddings can be hectic and sometimes (okay often) people feel an obligation to please others and put themselves on the back burner. I loved seeing the way that Kat and Chidi looked at each other - such a deep love and pure excitement to be together.