Category: Destination

Mini Honeymoon pt. 2 – San Francisco! | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I was tempted to title this with “San Diego Wedding Photographer” since we were in CA for that reason and then decided to make it into a mini-honeymoon, but oh well. You get the point.
Part 2 of our mini-honeymoon (see part 1 HERE) was spent in San Francisco, a city Chris and I had never been before. We stayed in Japantown (my fav!) and we were able to quickly explore many parts of the city thanks to Uber! We ate and drank our way through the city – after all, the wedding was over so we didn’t have to worry about calories. 😉
You may not know this, but I lived in Japan for 4 years so staying in Japantown was like being home. I ate lots of Japanese treats and spent money on lots of Japanese stuff to take home to Haley, who essentially grew up there. The coffee was amazing, the cocktails were amazing, the pizza was amazing… and waking up on the last day there to enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge together before anyone else got there was perfect.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Steph
Erin + Ben || Snowy Minnesota Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

When I first met with Erin + Ben, their excitement for planning their wedding was contagious. I absolutely love that our consultation turned into feeling like we formed a friendship!

They flew me and my best makeup artist friend Cult Beauty by Liv up to their family cabin in Northern Minnesota where we spent a few days shooting (and eating and drinking allllll the wine). The airport was so small, it was completely vacant when we flew in. Side note: when we left, a plane had crash landed and the airport was shut down for 24 hours – pilot Bob made sure we took off and made it home. LOVE pilot Bob!

This snowy Minnesota engagement session was just one of a few that I can’t wait to show you. Erin + Ben had some amazing ideas for their engagement session and we were thrilled they all worked out so perfectly. The cabin is absolutely beautiful – it sits on Woman Lake and the view is breathtaking. We woke up to the most amazing sunrises and after spending a few days there it was so hard to leave! Their style and connection with one another made my job so easy. Julie and I can’t wait until May to shoot their wedding at the stunning TPC Deere Run in the Quad Cities!
Cozy Venice Beach Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I headed to California for a few reasons: Heck Yeah! photo camp in Joshua Tree AND to take engagement photos for Andrea + Matt’s engagement session. So why wouldn’t I shoot a few more while I’m there?
(Before you read much further, this is the engagement session that was featured in The Knot!)

How did they meet?? By chance! Darren left his phone number at a bar (Melyssa admitted she was definitely doing some heavy flirting!) and she called him! After three years of dating, Darren decided to use Melyssa’s daughters dance recital as a way to propose. She says, “We were getting ready to take pictures, and he lowered himself to the ground. It turns out he was getting down on one knee to propose to the both of us. My daughter was jumping up and down, and I was speechless.”
Matt + Andrea Dominguez | Andaz Hotel Wedding Highlights || San Diego Wedding Photographer

Photographer – Stephanie Marie Photography

Dress – Scala, Prevue San Diego

Flowers – DIY

Venues – Andaz, San Diego (A Hyatt boutique hotel)

Catering – Andaz, San Diego

Cake – Edelweiss Bakery, Rancho Bernardo, CA

Hair & Makeup – Jackie Maness

Event Planning – Holly Kalkin, Holly Kalkin Weddings
A peek into my honeymoon | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

Being able to shoot Andrea + Matt’s wedding at the Andaz Hyatt in San Diego was probably one of the highlights of my career. It was the 5th anniversary of the first wedding I worked and I even wore fake eyelashes to celebrate the occasion! But turning it into a mini- honeymoon with my hubby, who hasn’t been able to take a vacation in over a year, was even better. I even talked him into assisting me at the wedding (the first time ever!) and it was one of the best times. I missed my partner Julie a TON, but having a man assist me and get along with the guys on a different level was the best! I even snapped a photo of how dapper he looked that day. I married up!
After we shot the wedding, we met up with one of my best friends, Diana, and her honey Ryan. They surprised us with a two night hotel stay right by the beach in Carlsbad. I seriously have the BEST FRIENDS EVER. She even snapped a few photos of us on the beach!
We roamed around Encinitas and Carlsbad for a few days (I rarely had my camera on me – this was VACATION.) and we fell in love with that area – I love any culture where not doing your hair and makeup, and wearing ripped jeans is totally acceptable. Then we headed up to Venice for a night and stayed in the most ADORABLE AirBnB near the beach. After that we headed up the coast through Big Sur (HOLY AMAZEBALLS) where I’m surprised Chris didn’t kill me… I’m not good with heights and with curvy roads… and stopped in Monterey – where we had the most epic meal at Montrio Bistro. We ended the trip in San Francisco – I’ll save the San Francisco photos for a later post. As much as I put my camera down, I still have a lot of photos to share! Comment if you’ve ever been to any of these places! Chris is plotting his move to Encinitas! haha

xoxo,

Steph
Sunny Santa Monica Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I’m celebrating the fact that I’ll be back in California in a week, so I figured now would be a great time to show off some of my work from an engagement session I shot this year in Santa Monica.

I don’t know how many people know this, but I’m a master scuba diver, and being by (or in) the ocean is my happy place. (Living in Iowa definitely makes diving difficult!) So when I flew out to L.A. to photograph these two gorgeous people, I was thrilled we had sunny, warm weather and could shoot at Venice Beach. This adorable little modern AirBnB was the perfect setting to start off the session. Laura and Ray were so gracious with their time, driving down from the valley, and I’m so SO happy to have photographed them!

xoxo,

Steph
Seal Beach Engagement | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

It was SO much fun reconnecting with Andrea & Matt to for their engagement session at the Seal Beach Pier. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and in true Andrea & Matt style, they were joking around and grabbing each others asses. (My ideal clients!) I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love them and I’m thrilled to be photographing their wedding next week at the beautiful Andaz Hyatt in San Diego, California!
Published in the Knot! | Iowa City Wedding Photographer

I am so thrilled that one of my favorite wedding magazines contacted me to publish a session of mine. I have to admit, I’m terrible at submitting to publications, (who has that much time on their hands when they’re running a business?) so when an editor reached out to me asking if I’d send them images, I squealed with excitement!!
Melyssa & Darren’s cozy pillow fight engagement session, shot in Santa Monica and Venice Beach, California, is featured on The Knot!!
Adam + Denise Miller | Cantigny Gardens + Stonegate Banquet Centre Highlights || Chicago, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Two words come to mind when looking back at some of the highlights from Adam and Denise’s wedding ceremony: VIBRANT and FUN! The red florals against the gorgeous garden backdrop gave the perfect pop of color and the bride was absolutely stunning. And just looking at everyone’s faces, you can clearly see that they are all having the BEST time! The celebration kicked off with their ceremony at the Cantigny Gardens in Wheaton, IL. It truly looked like a fairytale wedding!

Venue: Wedding ceremony – Cantigny Gardens, Reception – The Stonegate Banquet Centre

Event Planner: Janet at Stonegate Banquets

Dress Boutique: The Crystal Bride | Geneva, IL

Jewelry: Bride: Etsy – Treasures by Agnes 570, Bridesmaids: Broaches – CrystalItzy, Earrings – Sweet Melodie’s Shop

Menswear: Men’s Warehouse

Florals: Fabbrini’s Flowers

Catering: Stonegate Banquets

Cake: Sweet Madeline’s

Harpist: Renee Wilson | Chicago, IL

Hair: Ashley + Michelle at Zazu’s Salon | Hinsdale, IL

Makeup: Simona Render, Jesika Gouge

DJ: Timmy – DJ Outtacontrol

Videographer: Randy

Transportation/Bus: Signature Transportation Group

Accomodations: Hampton Inn & Suites
NSFW – Aliah Amsterdam Boudoir Session || Iowa City Wedding Photographer

Boudoir is about body confidence and showing off your feminine and sexy side (whether you think you’ve got it or not). There is a fine line between trashy boudoir and tasteful boudoir. I wholeheartedly believe there are very few women who believe holding props or wearing fishnet tights and stilettos makes them any sexier than being barefoot and nearly naked. We discuss this when we meet for your session, so don’t be afraid to tell me what you want – and I promise you I will create some of the most beautiful images of yourself that you’ve ever seen.

We had WAY too much fun in Amsterdam shooting Aliah’s in-home boudoir session. This walkup apartment is stunning and I wish I could go back! I definitely felt the moodiness of the light and edited a little bit darker than I normally do, but I’m obsessed. I love when clients want to use their own homes to help customize their boudoir session. I am also a huge fan of going more natural for photos. Aliah did her own hair and makeup for this! Her wardrobe was purchased in Ireland and Amsterdam and is available to use in my studio!