Jenn | Monterey Bay + Destination Wedding Photographer ✈️

This 50s-Inspired Big Sur Elopement Styled Shoot is finally up on the blog! This whole styled shoot was inspired by Walmer and Cassie’s connection. I knew immediately I wanted to create a shoot just for them and if they weren’t down to do it, I wasn’t going to even try and find a replacement couple because that would be impossible And omggg they absolutely KILLED IT! 🤩 Read and see more on their Blog Post Link in bio 🔗 Please give some love to the amazing vendors below for making this shoot come to life! Models: @walmermartinez & @itscassieee11 Vendor Team: Photography: @jelauphotography Wedding Planner: @jennifercheifetzevents Videographer: @shanagarrettfilms Vintage Car: @montereytouringvehicles Bridal Dress: @epiphanyboutique_carmel Florist: @flowerandforage Hair & MU: @mrs.powersbeauty @PowersBeautyArtistry Invitation Suite: @luckyorchiddesigns Custom Cookies: @dough_pete

Are you KIDDING ME?! For winning The Knot’s Best of Weddings and WeddingWire’s Couples’ Choice Awards four times in a row, I’m being inducted into The Knot’s Hall of Fame!! There’s truly not enough words to thank you guys for this 🥹 Each year gets better and better and the fact that you all 1) choose me to document this part of your lives and journey together and 2) take the time to LEAVE ME A REVIEW and write such kind words about your experience means so much to me I know I know…most of you are like, “It’s the least we could do” but it really does mean so much to me I’ll say it again, Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation are my love languages and that hits both of them at once Your kind reviews help couples find me and know exactly what to expect when they’re researching for their perfect Wedding Photographer fit! And, as always...THANK YOU for being the dope ass genuine humans you are and being the best damn community a photographer could ask for Looking forward to the 2024 season 😎 Read my blog post about more of my feels with winning this award and some of the kind words my couples shared! Link in bio 🔗

🚫DON’T FREAK OUT🙅‍♀️ if it’s overcast during your session! The fog/clouds creates a beautiful layer of atmosphere that naturally diffuses the light Basically, it filters it to make it softer which reduces the harshness of light on your face making the shadows caused by the sun not as drastic Overcast skies also means you have more versatility in which direction you’re posing / what background you have without worrying about sun directly in eyes Sure we love a golden hour moment but do not underestimate the fog!! 😍

You might be cool but are you “kayak in a private lake in Alaska on your wedding day” cool? 🚣

In the words of our veil designer, “The slay is absolutely diabolical!!!!!!!!” Which pic is his ULTIMATE serve, if you haaad to choose?! (Because I clearly cannot with this being a 7 pic carousel 😂) ——— @enhanceworkshops Models: Mykel + Skylar @mykel_apollo + @skiii_ball Attire: @friartux Design and specialty Decor: @jennifercheifetzevents Florals: @wilderflowerssc Hair/MUA: @mrs.powersbeauty , @PowersBeautyArtistry Jewelry: @webergoldsmithgallery Photography: @jelauphotography Rentals: @hensleyeventresources , @chiceventrentals Stationary: @luckyorchiddesigns Venue: @the_brothersranch Veil/Headpiece: @janesserusselnewyork Videography: @josegodinezfilms

Tomorrow’s your wedding day so let’s relive your Santa Cruz Redwoods Engagement Session one more time 😍 1. I love that @pacific_stitch made this dress and also made her wedding dress that I cannot wait to see tomorrow 2. Her ring is a family ring and I love how unique it is 3. The last pic is a M O O D See you two cuties soon!! 😘

When the bouquet is perfect for the bride ✨🤍 Models: chanel.kitandwillowfox @willccondon Venue: @the_brothersranch Design + Specialty Decor: @jennifercheifetzevents Photography: @jelauphotography Videography: @josegodinezfilms Attire: @magnoliamonterey @friartux MUAH: @mrs.powersbeauty @powersbeautyartistry @sam.thebarber_ Veil/Headpiece: @janesserusselnewyork Florals: @expressionsfloraldesigns Jewelry: @webergoldsmithgallery Rentals: @hensleyeventresources @chiceventrentals Stationery: @luckyorchiddesigns

Pizza Cutting🍕 > Cake Cutting🎂 Thinking of ditching wedding traditions / adding your own twist to them? My faves @brizzzle___ + @zdgardner did a pizza cutting instead of a cake cutting and 10/10 recommend because I’ve never seen a reaction to cake like their reaction to pizza 🤌 Plus like…who doesn’t love pizza?! 😋 I want to hear what traditions you put a twist on or have seen at other weddings 😍 Please tell me in the comments I WANNA KNOOOW! P.S. they still had cake but wanted this moment captured 😘 Couple: @brizzzle___ @zdgardner Vendor Team: Photography: @jelauphotography Venue: @perryhousemonterey @eventsbyclassic Preparation Hotel: @ictheclement Wedding Planner: Stacey Mulholland Makeup Artist: Brittyn Cohoon Hair Stylist: Devyn Jensen Officiant: Danielle Wagner DJ: @dj.jkixx Tan: @australiantan Dress: @janenesbridal @essenseofaustralia Suit: @hiveandcolony Custom Suit Rings: @verragio Forge from @rottermondjewelers Shoes: @louboutinworld Florals: @karlasfloralkreations Secondary: @lelalovephotography Assistant: @ohokayyleslie

The absolute HUGEST shoutout to all of our vendors / friendors / models who participated in this workshop and made it possible 🫶 We are so so grateful for you and are so incredibly lucky to have you as part of our lives You all so excitedly were down to help us bring this workshop to life You supported us in our vision You supported us in our values You supported us in date changes You supported us in early start times You supported us in every way we needed I have so many amazing images to share but to start, here’s some sneak peeks from the Bali Chic Tropical Setup 🌿 Swipe to the last slide…how’d we do bringing this inspo to life with our own twist to it?? Vendor Team Workshop: @enhanceworkshops Models: @pearl_pen @orange_wolf Venue: @the_brothersranch Design + Specialty Decor: @jennifercheifetzevents Photography: @jelauphotography Videography: @josegodinezfilms Attire: @magnoliamonterey @friartux MUAH: @mrs.powersbeauty @powersbeautyartistry @sam.thebarber_ Veil/Headpiece: @janesserusselnewyork Florals: @expressionsfloraldesigns Jewelry: @webergoldsmithgallery Rentals: @hensleyeventresources @chiceventrentals Stationery: @luckyorchiddesigns Food Truck: @christinastacos831

Employers, take care of your Employees Employees will take care of the Customers Profits will take care of themselves One of the most important takeaways from business school that’s molded and shaped how I run mine I always want those who choose to work with me to feel respected, appreciated, and cared for Because it’s a choice every single time (also they’re independent contractors so it really is a choice) Even down to the language I use… Nobody works FOR me, they work WITH me I’m so grateful to have so many friends in this industry who align with me on values, customer service experience, and weirdness levels and who continue to choose to work with me over and over and over again Now my biggest piece of advice to you: When you focus on PEOPLE, the profits really do take care of themselves Focus wisely 🔍 Fun Fact: My degree is in Marketing and I’ve never taken a photography class 😅 📸 @jojolegnittophotography @geneva_rico_photography Edits by me

It was just supposed to be a mini session but then these MODELS showed up 😍 Things that are perfect in this session… - Their coordination of outfits, choosing colors that go together and also match the landscape of the location - They trusted my guidance and followed my posing directions beautifully - Rain? They didn’t let that ruin the vibes - Most importantly, Kyren’s curls @karinalgreene + @kaiadon I had so much fun working with your beautiful family. Thank you for trusting me to capture this time in your lives and smiling through the very dramatic weather 😂

Motion // Emotion // Whimsy Slow Shutter Speed is fun for showing movement in your images There’s just something different about them It’s like they’re perfectly imperfect, like we are as human beings, and they’re beautiful in a unique way I like to use Slow Shutter Speed for certain times of the day, and always intentionally It’s fun for… - A runaway couple moment - Celebrating and being silly with your Wedding Party - Dance Floor Photos 🕺 …just to name a few While slow shutter speed moments aren’t for every couple nor is it for every photographer, I just love when couples enjoy the “imperfect” beauty of them In a world that stresses perfectionism (which is a total myth by the way), it’s nice to see the beauty in the perfectly imperfect ✨ But this couple is absolute perfection so let’s not get that mixed up 😎 CONGRATS Mr. + Mr. Marderian-Davis! Vendor Team Photography: @jelauphotography Venue: Memory Garden Suits: @menswearhouse @express Shoes: @dsw Florals: @janinemardnich Rings: @holdenrings Officiant: Megan Ryan DJ: @beckygram Live Music: @mirandaperl Videography: @thomas.francis.ryan Taco Truck: @rr_tacos Rentals: A2Z Rentals Cake: Colleen Bousman Secondary: @geneva_rico_photography Assistant: @ohokayyleslie