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Kate and Nate glow by a single spotlight as they dance the night away during their wedding reception at the luxurious Ventana Inn perched on California's Big Sur coastline.

“I first found Katherine and Doug through the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association website.) I was looking for someone with an artistic vision who didn’t take silly posed fake photos.  Our wedding was more nontraditional and unscripted than most and we wanted someone who could capture our story as it unfolded.  We weren’t posing for a magazine shoot, but wanted to be in the moment and feel like ourselves.  Being slightly nervous as the center of attention, we were also looking for someone that we felt comfortable with.  I contacted probably 15 other photographers during the same time, but I knew we had found our photographic match when I saw Katherine and Doug’s website.  I instantly loved their style and was surprised to find out they had made a similar move from New England to California.  Not only had we lived in the same neighborhood across the country, but they had photographed a wedding at a Connecticut venue where I had recently been a bridesmaid.  After speaking to Doug on the phone, the coincidences only further convinced me that we HAD to have Katherine and Doug as our photographers.  It couldn’t get much better when their suggestion to meet for the first time was at a French bakery.

Throughout all of our communications over phone and email, I felt a pleasant blur between friendship and a detailed, professional commitment to service. Katherine has the rare ability to richly express her vision in words.  I loved her warm communication style and think she really went out of her way to make sure we were both on the same page before our wedding drew near.  Doug has the perfect mix of experienced professional confidence, offset by a quiet humor that puts anyone at ease.

During our wedding day Katherine and Doug were everywhere, yet completely seamless with the environment. I’m afraid we kept trying to distract them to chat, as they also felt like our guests.  I was unprepared for what a physical workout they had, running all of the place.  We were joking they were like our photo ninjas, dressed all in black, crouching, running, and silently ducking throughout the night.  I was also unprepared for the competing “paparazzi” they silently battled during the evening.  I’m not sure I would have been as good-natured as they were with the other photo-snapping guests distracting from their job!

One of my favorite moments was all 55 guests lighting sparklers and gathering for a group photo. I got as far as buying the sparklers, but couldn’t really imagine how or what we were going to do with them.  Katherine and the hotel’s staff immediately took over to organize the moment.  Looking tiny standing on a chair, Katherine commanded the group’s actions to make the photo work.  She really connected the crowd in a fun way.

So many of my guests commented on “how great the photographers were” – which was a testament to their easy-going personality and hard physical work throughout the night, since these comments all came before anyone saw the actual photos!  From joking with our family and guests, to scoping out the venue beforehand and meeting the hotel staff, Katherine and Doug spread a little wave of joy and sweetness wherever they went.

I can honestly say that we both had complete blind faith in Katherine and Doug’s skill and had no doubt they were going to provide us with amazing photos. We didn’t have a single worry during our wedding day, confident that they were expertly carrying out our shared creative vision.  I could hardly stand the anticipation after the wedding to see the result.  When we received the photos, we couldn’t be happier.  I wish Katherine and Doug could follow us around forever, documenting all the mundane moments of our life and making them appear special and emotive.  My absolute favorite photos of our wedding are the black and white evening shots of us dancing.  They captured the feeling of a slow motion dream-like romance movie.

Katherine and Doug embody the term artist and I admire their aesthetic vision and ability to create their own creative path in life. They are the type of genuine, original people that I am glad to support, and I wish them all the success in the world!”

- Kate and Nate