I decided to switch things up on my blog a little bit and share one of my favorite locations to shoot at! I will be including a few of my favorite shots as well as sharing some of my equipment with all of you!  

Location:  Goleta Butterfly Reserve 

Time of Day: 5-5:50 pm

 Gear: Canon 6D with a 50mm f/1.2 lens

The Butterfly Reserve is one of my absolute favorite locations to shoot at.  It happens to be very green at the moment because of all the extra rain California has gotten this year.  I always choose to shoot here around golden hour so that I’m getting that soft, dreamy light.

As you can see, I love to play with my depth of field. I’m generally shooting at 1.2-2.5. While you’re shooting it’s important to keep an eye out for contrast, strong colors, and where that dreamy sunset light is falling. 

Also, be sure to check out a new camera by Light.Co! ( https://light.co/camera ) The L16 is a compact camera that uses multiple lens systems to shoot photos at the same time, then computationally fuses them into a DSLR-quality image.  It seriously looks incredible! 

  I’ve known Katie since I was seven years old.  We’ve grown up together, and I consider this gorgeous lady my little sister.  It has been so sweet to see her meet Chase and fall madly in love with him. 

 These two first met at an honors banquet where they ended up sitting at the same table together.  Shortly after meeting they ended up going on a group date where your roommate had to ask someone to go with you.  Katie’s roommate, Colleen, ended up asking Chase to go with Katie.   Katie + Chase continued to talk on and off for the rest of the year.   The following year they were both RA’s and Chase (FINALLY ;) ) asked her out around Easter. 

Katie is a beautiful, intelligent, woman of God.  It is so wonderful to see her with such a kind, Christ-centered man! 

Their engagement session took place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  These images were taken in February.  Normally February’s in South Dakota are freezing with snow.  Thankfully the weather was above 55 degrees while I was home!  I loved the energy these two had during their session.  It was full of laughter, love, and adventure. 

 <3

K + C:  I am SO happy that the two of you have found each other! I can’t wait to photograph your wedding. 

  I was so excited when Rachel reached out to me to photograph her and Kevin’s wedding!  I went to school with Rachel for a little bit before she transferred high schools.  It was wonderful to be able to spend some time with the two of them during their engagement session! I loved getting to see how they interacted with one another. 

It was obvious from the start that these two were so in love.  Their session was so full of laughter!  When I asked each of them their favorite thing about one another, I could see that they truly cherished and appreciated each other.

I love the parks in South Dakota! Full of old bridges, tons of trees, and that dreamy sunset light.

Enjoy!

xoxo