VALLENTYNE WEDDINGS

During our trip to Costa Rica, we were lucky enough to be able to meet up with some of our friends who live on the Big Island, Hawaii and are from Doug’s hometown in New Jersey. It was so nice to stay with them, thanks so much for the hospitality, we had a great time! CJ, Nina, their daughter Ella, and their cousin rented a house in Dominical for a month and a half just to take a little break and spend quality time with their daughter. I think this is such an amazing thing for a young family to do. Those first years with a new baby are some of the most precious and they go by so quickly. The house they rented was up on top of one of the peaks overlooking the Dominical coastline and was surrounded by Costa Rican jungle. It was truly peaceful. Here are a few of the pictures I took of Ella, she is a very sweet and happy baby and I am sure that their upbringing is the reason why.

My husband Doug and I love to travel. Surfing together is one of our favorite hobbies and strongest bonds. In the past year or two, we have both become increasingly busy with work obligations so travel has been moved further and further to the back burner. Doug is a surfboard shaper and my career in photography means that we both have the same busy seasons. Sometimes it can be hard to schedule down-time (ha! scheduling down-time!) but it is so important to keeping our attitudes, work, and relationship fresh. A few weeks ago, he spotted a swell moving into one of the surf spots we have always wanted to visit, Pavones, Costa Rica. We booked tickets on Sunday and left on Wednesday. Luckily enough, a few of our friends happened to be renting a house in the area for a few months so we were able to visit them too. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the trip:

While we were visiting with our friends and their 1 and 1/2 year old daughter I got to take lots of cute pictures of her…what a great way to grow up! In the next post I will put up a few pics:)

On April 12th 2008, I photographed the wedding of Caroline and Scott Smith in Rancho Santa Fe, California. It was a beautiful warm day and the entire family cam out from Texas to see the two tie the knot. On my first meeting with Caroline and Scott and their families, I was so impressed by how straight-forward and easy going they were. I knew it would be a fun day and everyone had a great time. Caroline and Scott are one of those couples who really fit together perfectly and you can see it in the way they treat each other and in how close they are with their families.

The reception at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe was beautiful. Trena Lozano was the coordinator and Kathy Wright did the flowers so they really had the dream-team for San Diego weddings. Here are a few of my favorite photos:

I just got home from a wonderful 10 days in Costa Rica with my husband. It was probably one of my favorite trips so far and I can’t wait to post pictures…coming soon!

Last week I had the honor of photographing baby Townsend, first son of Kelly and Jeremy, who are also good friends of mine. It is so exciting to meet a friend’s new baby for the first time. Townsend is so sweet and full of personality. I love all the little faces he makes. It was really easy for me to get adorable photos of him. And, his nursery is so cute and modern! Here are a few of my favorite photos of the morning: