Katie Beverley » blog

This was maybe the craziest meeting I’ve had with a couple to date. Vonique and I were friends in grade school and before this shoot I hadn’t seen her since…well I can’t even remember! Grade school days, I guess. I was honestly a little nervous–it was like a mini reunion, and who doesn’t get nervous for reunions? They arrived on a Saturday evening, when the light was golden and beautiful at Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach–I looked up and there Vo was, years after I had seen her last, now with her husband-to-be.  It was so surreal and awesome to see her again and to meet Ty. We have so many crazy memories from going to St. James school in Torrance together and I am so so SO stoked that I get to be her photographer!! And also to catch up after all of this time…

This is my first beach shoot…I think I may be hooked.



Loving all of the color here…

Vo is still the same… she has the same expressions and laugh! I love it!

Ty likes her…

He likes her a lot…





Vo and Ty, I can not WAIT for your wedding next summer!! xoxo

Samantha and Ryan are no strangers to this blog…they were married a while ago in Lake Bluff, IL. I love them a ton! Samantha has been so sweet ever since we’ve moved to CA–They, like me, have a love of both Southern California and the Chicago area–they grew up in IL but now live here. We talked long ago about someday doing a shoot of just the two of them at home, with their furry children, if I ever made it out here. Well, I was so happy to show up on their doorstep and see their faces again, and shoot them just being themselves. First we hung out at home for a bit–then we went to the Griffith Observatory. I have awesome memories from my childhood of the Observatory so it was a treat to be there again.
Toby! Toby was an alley cat before Sami and Ryan brought him home to live with themYou can see evidence of this in his right ear and in his love of eating any food he finds…

The whole family! Maya is their other cat (who looks like she just wants to get away in this picture) and Cody is their dog…

In their cute kitchen!



I died laughing at how Toby rests in Sami’s arms just like a human baby!


Cody and Maya’s favorite spot…

When we made it to the Observatory we found the best light…


Sami’s laugh is contagious!




Thank you both so much for inviting me to your adorable home and for letting me shoot the two of you again!!

You’re 26 today and I love you!!! Today Johnny gave you batteries for your birthday…you know, so that you can fix all of his toys that have been needing batteries for a while. His idea completely. Matthew gave you a tortilla warmer, because of the love of Mexican food that you share. Even today he was talking about Mexico, how he wants to go there because that is where there are lots of rice and beans. And the girls? Well, we gave you a new waffle maker since you’ve been craving waffles ever since I ruined our old one when I cooked bacon in it. Alton Brown said it was a good idea and I listened to him. But even better than all of this, we go on a date night tonight in downtown San Diego-our first real date night since we moved. I know, everyone in internetland, this is a disgrace. But we haven’t found a babysitter yet and family is all up North! Our dear friend Andrea is going to take care of our kiddos while we wine and dine. By the way, this is you, helping me test my light at a wedding. You are very handsome. xoxo Katie

I arrived at their rehearsal on the eve of their wedding, and there was such a great energy about the room. I normally don’t attend ceremony rehearsals, but since I was traveling and in town early, I wanted to come, chill in the back, and have some time with Ryan, Amber and their families. You see, Ryan was a groomsman for a past wedding that I shot and I had only talked to him and Amber on the phone and in e-mails over the past year as they planned their wedding–so this was our first real face to face time. And I have to tell you, Ryan and Amber were just BEAMING. I love that this is my first memory of them as a couple. I think I even told Ryan how much he looked like he was on cloud nine–and he simply confirmed that he wasAnyway, Ryan and Amber are such a positive and upbeat couple–in fact, I think I have found a new obsession and that is Ryan’s blog. His posts are awesome for me both as a person and a business owner-check it out!

The intimate ceremony and reception were both held at the top of The Embassy Club in downtown Des Moines, IA, but first I started out with Amber in her home…

Ryan and Amber decided to have some time alone before the ceremony…and we got some pretty pictures like these…



The bridal party in downtown Des Moines! They were rad.


Amber with her dad!


Ryan and Amber said private vows to one another as a close friend played the guitar and sang in the background.




Married!

mmmmmm…..



I love this shot of their first dance together…

The crazy view from the room…

Thank you so much Ryan and Amber for letting me in on your day! You and your families are wonderful and gracious and I loved that my first time in Des Moines was with you two!