Ok this shoot. Where to even start … we’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some pretty incredible collaborations lately. We had no idea how much fun styled shoots could be, especially when the team you’re working with includes the jewelry masterminds behind LITTER, a San Francisco based company that crafts one-of-a-kind head pieces, necklaces, leg/hand chains, and radically sexy body harnesses (you’ll see what we mean). We met Mackenzie, co-founder of the sister duo behind LITTER, on another styled shoot we were involved with (which we can’t wait to share, soon!) where she contributed both her time as our beautiful bride-for-the-day and some amazing jewels (including a gorgeous metal flower crown/headpiece that stole the show). The shoot went better than we could have ever imagined (thanks to such a great team!), that Mackenzie + her sister, LITTER’s other half Rachael, asked us if we’d be interested in capturing some images for their upcoming lookbook to showcase their new bridal line of pieces! HECK. YES. Eileen of E Events Co. (who you’ve seen on our blog several times) styled this amazingness and put together something that the wildest boho flowerchild dreams are made of. Kelly Jones whipped up some to-die-for hair and makeup, and our models Alexis + Sam (who happen to also be in love in real life) rocked our socks off. We were SO FRIGGIN GRATEFUL to be there to capture it all, in all of its glory. The LITTER pieces are just stunning, we found ourselves wondering where the heck they were when we got married. It was tough to narrow down our favorites, but here are some … we can’t lie though, pretty much every photo we took that day was our favorite. AND…

 

The LITTER Bridal Collection will be featured, among some other extraordinary designers, at a pop-up shop curated by the lovely LOHO Bride (League Of Her Own), SUNDAY 3-30-14 (TOMORROW!), in San Francisco!! This will be a unique and fantastic opportunity to try on gowns by some incredible designers (that you WON’T find at your average boutique), try on the beautiful jewels we captured below, and meet the designers! Brilliant dress makers, Daughters of Simone, who designed the long sleeved beauty below, will be there too:

 

LOHO Bride Pop-up  // Sunday 3-30-14 , 9 am – 5 pm // 109 Geary Street, Second Floor // San Francisco, CA … more info, click HERE!

 

Lastly, the credits for this radical collaboration:

Jewels: LITTER // Design + Styling: E Events Co. // Hair + Makeup: Kelly Jones // Long Sleeved Gown: Daughters of Simone // Florals : Bonny Doon Garden Co. // Models: Alexis + Sam // Location: Harley Goat Farm

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Who knew there were such amazing lil gems in Downtown Monterey?! We don’t frequent the beautiful city of Monterey as much as we probably should (except for the obligatory once-every-couple-of-years aquarium visit), so when Karrie suggested Downtown Monterey for their engagement session, we thought, why the heck not? Well, it was totally and unexpectedly awesome … tons of beautiful adobe style buildings, old colorful wood doors, lovely little pocket parks, and this crazy grave-style hole (which we, of course, made them climb into … those who have been on a shoot with us know that it turns into an adventure rather quickly). We gallivanted around Downtown Monterey with Karrie + Jay on a gorgeous evening and had a wonderful time with these lovers. Here’s a few favs from our session!

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Sweet Marie … one of the most amazing facets of this lil business of ours is the ongoing opportunity to meet new people and forge human connections. The trust that strangers-turned-friends put in us to capture them just as they are, in their most precious moments, is a significant and humbling honor. Robert and Margaret’s wedding was one of the first weddings we ever shot- they put all their eggs in our basket, trusting that we could pull it off. It was a wonderful celebration (see it here!) that really solidified our desire to shoot weddings. We were over-the-moon when they contacted us to photograph their new baby, the most precious thing of all. Here’s just a couple from our sweet sweet session together.

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Kristen + Mike! We can’t remember the last time we laughed this hard on a shoot. The jokes and laughter were nonstop, a real dose of medicine for the soul. Mike happens to be a racing instructor, so when they suggested Laguna Seca Raceway for their shoot location, we of course said heck yes. These two are incredibly kind, easy going, and really really funny instant friend types. Its such a pleasure to capture and witness a couple who genuinely has a blast together. We can’t wait for their wedding in June. Here’s a few of our favs from our sweet afternoon at the raceway!

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We recently had the absolute pleasure of working with the astonishingly creative and talented Brooke of Porter Gulch Designs and her stunning new collection of fine, handmade jewels! Brooke’s story is incredibly inspirational and one that I have personally drawn from many times with regards to leaving ye ol’ office job behind and pursuing what is in your heart. While grinding the hours away at her Wall Street finance job, Brooke started taking jewelry making classes during the little free time she had left in hopes of adding some much needed creative energy to her life. A real knack for metal-smithing revealed itself and before she knew it, she was churning out beautiful designs and falling in love with jewelry making. Her jewels first went to friends and family, and it wasn’t long till others wanted a piece of Brooke’s lovely handmade work. With the startup of an etsy shop, Brooke started selling her pieces and gaining notoriety. The insane thought of leaving her salaried position to cultivate her growing little business started to take root. And with a gigantic leap of faith and trust in herself, Brooke did exactly that. She now owns and operates her jewelry business based in San Francisco, and even with the inherent challenges associated with self employment, Brooke has never been happier. A journey near to my heart … during the countless hours I mulled over whether or not to leave a career I had worked so hard for (one of the toughest and scariest decisions I’ve ever made), I thought about my dear friend Brooke and her journey A LOT, and found solace and genuine inspiration in her story. It was the simplest of concepts – identify what makes you happy and do more of that … throw your whole self into it and find a way to make that sh*t happen – a concept far easier daydreamed about than done. But holy moly, there are few things in life as powerful as when you follow your heart in the pursuit of what truly makes you happy. Thank you from the bottom of my happy heart, Brooke, for being the inspirational lil powerhouse that you are!

 

So, do yourself a favor and head on over to her etsy shop, Porter Gulch Designs! In addition to her brilliant necklace, bracelet, and stacking ring designs, Brooke also makes stunning engagement rings and wedding bands! We’re honored to have been a part of this project!

 

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  1. Brooke said:
    Marina, you summed up perfectly what's it is like to daydream about quitting your job to pursue your passion versus the actual act of doing it. In daydreams the transition is so easy but when it came time to actually make the leap for me it was mostly stomach aches and wondering if I was having a quarter life crisis! Luckily I was (and am now) surrounded by friends and family who encouraged me to take a risk and go for it. I think of the small business owners who inspired me and am SO thankful for them for showing me that it can be done -- with lots of hard work. I'm so happy my story could be part of what inspired you to take the leap because look what came from it!

    You photography is gorgeous and brings a whole new life to my jewelry. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I already have ideas for our next shoot. xo, b
    March 9, 2014  4:56 pm
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  2. Brooke's aka julia said:
    Marina,
    What fun watching my girls and their childhood friends grow and prosper! Your photography is just beautiful. You know exactly how to bring out the best; in this case Brooker's jewelry designs. Congrats on taking that leap of faith. You are hugely talented.
    Brooke's mom aka Julia
    March 9, 2014  5:39 pm
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  3. Em said:
    How funny things line up. :). I know what your saying and I'm hoping to do the same. Eek! :) Keep it up, it's beautiful!
    March 10, 2014  4:48 pm
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When we head out on an engagement shoot, we like to treat it as a lil mini-adventure with our couples … the great outdoors, at little hike maybe, wildflowers, the ocean … or in this case, scaling coastal cliffs and climbing some pretty epic dead trees. Jenny + Erik were quite literally up for anything and I can’t tell ya how much we appreciated their willingness and gusto. These guys are incredibly kind, hilarious, and very beautiful together and we all made each other laugh the entire time (nothing is better than some good, honest laughter).  We hope you enjoy this photosynopsis of our lil adventure up north with Jenny + Erik (we can’t WAIT for their Russian River wedding in September!)

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