Candace, remember not to laugh too loud on the first date. Don’t eat all the cookies before your date gets their fair share. Don’t talk too much.

In case, I forget to remind myself of the last one, Vitaliy always does.

Meeting with Amy and Ryan was a typical blind date. We waited for them to arrive and I forced myself to withhold from eating the cookies. We chatted for a bit as we got to know each other and then we asked them to share with us the story of how they fell in love. I remember thinking, as I listened, these two people have the prettiest smiles I’ve ever seen. Then they reached the part in their story when we found out Ryan is a dentist and Amy is a dental hygienist. The more they talked and the more they smiled, I knew we were a match made in heaven. In case you didn’t know, it’s very important that you and your wedding photographer are a match made in heaven. As the meeting came to an end and the cookie plate was empty, I sat there like most girls on a blind date wondering what my date thought of me. Would they be interested in a second date?

And in fact, they most certainly were! Amy and Ryan ended our date with asking us to be their wedding photographers. I told you – we are a match made in heaven!

Amy and Ryan, it has been such a blast getting to know you guys on this journey towards your wedding day. We had so much fun trekking around San Francisco with you for your engagement pictures. Your smiles were as delightful as they were on our first date. We can’t wait for your wedding!

Lots of love to you both!

~Candace and Vitaliy

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We started Amy and Ryan’s engagement session at Crissy Field. I’m so in love with this first picture that I can’t even talk about it. I’m just going to be quiet and go back to enjoying all of its goodness.

Oh the hair, Amy! It’s so long and beautiful and flowing.

See how much fun these two are — always full of smiles.

Nothing like a good ol’ piggy back ride!

Ryan, I told you that you were going to love being photographed. Look at you working that camera! Mr. GQ!

Amy and Ryan love to read together so we had a little fun in a near by bookstore.

I’ll end with this. I love the random guy who walked into our picture. I love the cuddling up with a book. And I love the laughter that it all brings out in Amy and Ryan.

Natalie and Emily, thank you for being you. Vitaliy and I had a total blast taking your pictures! I was amazed at how comfortable and confident you were in front of the camera. In a day where most girls are constantly feeling either too fat or too ugly, it was so refreshing to see two young women happy with themselves. You are both even more beautiful because of it. I want you both to know that your pictures are very special to us. You allowed us to use our creativity in new ways and we are better photographers because of it. So thank you very much! You guys are the best! Keep being you — the world needs it. Sending lots of love your way! xoxo…Candace

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Loving that Vitaliy captured the bird flying through this shot.

Natalie and Emily are best friends. What a great idea to get professional pictures taken with your best friend. Another reason why these two are so fabulous!

This location couldn’t have been a better fit for these pictures.

Emily, check you out! Stunning!

Natalie with the moves! Just lovin’ these!

Natalie and Emily wore these fabulous Jessica McClintock dresses for the session. I loved the dresses and the details.

The employees at Borders started coming around picking up books that were left behind. The announcement rang through the intercom that the store would be closing in five minutes. As every minute ticked by, I became more and more uncomfortable. I almost gave up when the friendly employee came to remind us that the store was now closed. But Vitaliy didn’t budge. He made us sit there and wait until they literally asked us to leave.

That should have been the red flag for me. A big loud warning sign of what my future would hold. Could this have been some kind of initiation with him? I’d think it was except for the fact that I’m still being tested all the time and we’re four years into our marriage.

As often as this leaves me with knots in my stomach, it’s actually one of the things that I admire most about Vitaliy. He is completely free. Some days I’m like a little kid — wishing I could grow up and be like him. I’ve never experienced life the way I have with him.

This past weekend in Tahoe it was about 59 degrees outside. I had three layers of clothing, a hood over my head, and a scarf wrapped around my neck. And this was Vitaliy.

Babes, I’m so thankful that you refuse to allow me to stay wrapped up in all my rules and regulations. You’ve peeled layer after layer off of me the past few years as you challenge me to live each day freely. I’m thankful that today we get to celebrate your birthday because it means I have another year ahead to finally grow up to be like you.

Happy Birthday, Vitaliy. I love you so much.

On our way home, we started reading Creative Authenticity by Ian Roberts. This is what we typically do on road trips. Vitaliy drives and I read books out loud. And in between reading, we discuss, we challenge each other, and then we dream.

In the middle of the first chapter, which was a discussion of beauty, we came across this,

“In the face of beauty, we are silenced, because beauty expresses silence. In lavishing attention on the object of the artwork, the consciousness of the artist can touch something divine, some transcendental quality, and that transcendent element now resides in the artwork. How do we know it? We feel it. We experience it. Our heart responds to the sublime quality the artist infused into the work.”

In the middle of discussing beauty and reflecting on what the author had to say, we looked up and saw a little patch of light which had a rainbow reflection to it. I pointed it out to Vitaliy because I had never seen anything like it. However, as we continued driving, an entire rainbow was painted onto the sky right before our eyes. Immediately, we could feel that sublime quality of beauty discussed in the book. We were humbly reminded that there is no greater source, to learn and understand beauty from, than the Creator Himself.

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Here are a couple other works of art that belong to Him that we got to enjoy this weekend.

After getting ready, we drove off in the sunshine and warmth of the summer heat to meet for the First Look. The First Look is one of my favorite parts of a wedding day so I’m always thrilled when I bride and groom opt to have one. For those who may not know, a First Look is when a bride and groom meet at a secluded location to see each other for the first time on their wedding day. I find it to be one of the most romantic and intimate moments of the day. Vitaliy and I took our “fly on the wall” kind of positions and waited as Claire walked with excitement to reveal herself to her soon to be husband. Matt waited with his back turned to her. His hands relaxed to his sides, but I could see his fingers fluttering with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Surely more excitement than nerves! As she tapped him on the shoulder, both of their faces filled with emotion and happiness. Hiding behind a bush, I tried harder to keep my hands balancing the camera, as I fought back the tears.

After Matt and Claire’s time alone taking pictures, we swept the happy couple off to get married and the day just flowed from there. It was filled with wedding vows that had everyone laughing one moment and in tears the next. As the day moved into the evening, everyone took their seats for dinner. The sun was poking through the trees as Claire began to sing a song to Matt. And that was the start to a beautiful evening celebrating two beautiful people.

Matt and Claire, we had such a blast at your wedding! We love your spunk, your personality, your creativity! We wish you the very, very best for your marriage. Keep making each other laugh!

Love,
V&C

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You can also view Matt and Claire’s slideshow to see more pictures.

I love what this picture makes me feel. I just want to be in a room with my closest girlfriends when I see it.

Effortless beauty.

The First Look

This is not the location where they got married, but it was too cute not to get a picture by it.

Ladies, is Matt lookin’ good or what!

It’s all about the little details. Claire actually made those earrings herself the night before.

We had a little extra time before the reception started for some pictures. The light was gorgeous!

Beautiful flowers created by the sweet Joanna of Floral Ornament. I love the colors!

Yummy, yummy dessert bar by Danielle Steed. And this cute cake was done by Sugar, Butter, Flour.

The First Dance

Best picture to describe Matt and Claire. It speaks for itself. Love you guys!

I’ll end with this because I’m a sucker for romance.

I thought I’d stop in and say hello to you first. It’s Wednesday. We’re halfway through the week. How is everyone doing?

Vitaliy and I are having some fun over here. We’ve had two full days of summer heat finally. We’ve recently started watching Bones from Season One. Does anybody watch this show? We’re really enjoying it. I don’t know why, but we’re kind of obsessed with detective type shows. We’re also immersed in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” series. I’m on the second book of the series and Vitaliy just started the third. Loving it! So tell me about you!

We have a beautiful wedding to share with you this week that we’re getting ready. Until then, here is a sneak peek of what’s in store for next week. I’m so excited to share this session with you!

Have a great day everyone!

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This past weekend I had an amazing weekend with Vitaliy. Saturday morning we sat across from each other, munching on our old fashioned pecan pancakes with fruit compote at a local Alana’s Café that has become a new favorite spot. In between mouth fulls of sweet syrup and pancake, I opened up and updated him in on all the happenings of my heart and mind. He listened intently and compassionately as he always does. He digested all I had to say and our conversation turned out to be just as good, if not better, than the pancakes our stomachs had craved all week.

I sipped on my Mimosa and looked my husband in the eyes. His hazel eyes have always romanced me and I never tire of getting lost in them. The warmth of his eyes and the compassion of his voice opened up my heart to accept the encouragement he had to offer me. He shared a lot with me, but one simple truth stood out and I’ve been hanging on to it.

Candace, we need to wake up each day and say, “Lord, thank you for all that you’ve given me.”

I do have everything I need. There is absolutely nothing that I need to fear. Contentment really is a choice.

God used Vitaliy, as He often does, to give me the strength to continue battling. Fear lost a major battle on Saturday. And to continue the plundering, I laughed my to-do-list in the face yesterday, took Vitaliy’s hand, and spent the afternoon laying on the beach. On a Monday afternoon. Now, that’s what I call winning!

However, since this is the case for the time being, I was so excited when Debbie purchased a gift certificate at the Christmas With A Mission last year because she wanted to get some pictures of her doggies. It was everything I dreamed of! Vitaliy photographed while I snuggled with the doggies in between his snapshots. I could squeeze these two forever. Look at that fur!

Debbi and Joe, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to photograph you and your sweet doggies. They were so sweet I think they moved me one step closer to convincing Vitaliy we need one ourselves. It was so special getting to photograph the two of you, as well, in celebration of 19 beautiful years of marriage. Vitaliy and I wish you many, many more together!

Oh my heart!

These two absolutely love to play with each other. They are best pals!

19 years and they still have sweet smiles for each other. I love it!

And they knew how to work the camera!

Sarah and Sebastian met each other while working side by side for a missions organization in Lima, Peru. Though the sign had been “no” on the wall for some time, that didn’t prevent Sarah and Sebastian from really getting to see each other for who they really are. They were able to see each others’ strengths and weaknesses as they ministered to the people of Peru. So it didn’t take long before these two developed a deep love for each other. The seeds had been planted years ago and now it was simply time  for them to grow. It would take deep roots of love to get them through the journey they’d face early into their relationship.

A short time after they started dating seriously, Sarah was diagnosed with cancer, a very aggressive cancer that would need surgery and bouts of chemo immediately. Before flying back to the U.S. for treatment, Sebastian asked Sarah if she would marry him. And I don’t think he would have accepted “no” for an answer, if you know what I mean. In reality, they were already living out their wedding vows. For better or for worse. Through sickness and in health.

Sarah came back to that states to battle her cancer. But Sebastian had to stay in Peru and battle immigration. They both fought for each other. And they both won. They’ve proven that their love is strong and will endure. I look forward to watching them continue to live a victorious life together.

Sarah and Sebastian, your love is simply beautiful. It’s courageous and inspiring. It’s all together wonderful and we feel so honored to have had the opportunity to photograph it. We absolutely must continue this friendship! You are two people we definitely want in our life. Congratulations! Our hope is that you will keep making each other smile the way you do in these pictures.

Love, Vitaliy & Candace

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You can also view Sarah and Sebastian’s slideshow.

Kara Diaz did a beautiful job on Sarah’s hair and makeup. She looked gorgeous!

Quite possibly my favorite from the day. Sarah has a quiet inner strength that makes her absolutely beautiful.

Sarah and Sebastian opted for a “first look” and it was such a sweet moment and gave us extra time for pictures.

They were married at the Foothill Covenant Church in Los Altos. Nothing like a father/daughter moment before walking down the aisle.

This was such a sweet idea. They had a live feed of the ceremony for all of their friends and Sebastian’s family in Peru.

Sebastian’s favorite car is a Mini Cooper so a family friend arranged for them to ride off to the reception in one.

Just love you guys!

If we had to pick only one picture from the day to post, it would be this one. Vitaliy has gone back and looked at this picture so many times. It’s one of his favorite he’s ever taken.

This was the speech I referenced above. Hilarious!

The mother and father of the bride had their own wedding reception at this same location (Sunnyvale Community Center) 20+ year ago. I love this moment!

And we’ll end with this because it makes me smile and I hope it will do the same for you.

He always calls me when he has the kids, my two nieces and nephew. Today he was taking them for a trip to the zoo, Mom’s Deli, and Ted Drewes. I was fine until he mentioned Mom’s Deli and Ted Drewes. Then not only was my heart missing St. Louis, but my stomach was grumbling at me too.

First, he put Bella on the phone. But knowing Bella, she demanded to talk first. “Hi, CC!” she says. CC is the name I was given ever since Bella’s older sister Kyah was first born. “We’re going to the zoo today!” Since I’m only talking through the phone, I picture her in my mind talking to me. Her big smile is stretched from ear to ear and, if I were there, she’d be jumping up and down as she spoke. Everything is a party to Bella. We chat about this and that and I can hear my dad in the background telling her to be quick because I’m at work. Then she does it. With the sweetest five year old voice you can imagine, she says, “CC, when you get off of work, can you meet us at the zoo? We’re gonna be there for a half an hour.” She melts my heart every time.

I’m laughing and I can hear her siblings in the background laughing too. She is still too young to understand how far away I live. I hear Ashton, her big brother, say, “Bella, she can’t come to the zoo. It’ll take her two whole nights to get here.” Kyah, the oldest of all three who prides herself with how smart she is, snaps back, “No it won’t Ashton! It will take like 4 hours.” Bella starts to process it all and I explain to her how both of them are right. She gives up and knows its time to pass the phone to the other two, but before she goes she has one more thing to tell me. “CC, can you tell Uncle V that I miss him?”

And then it happens again. My heart melts into a big puddle beneath me and all I can think about is “Christmas can’t come soon enough!”