Natasha and Michael

Have you ever had this “connection” with a group of people with whom you had never met? You walk into their home for the first time and everything just seems right? The peace that you feel is overwhelming….like your own house. You could head to the fridge and grab a snack, plop down on to the nearest cozy seat in the house, kick your shoe’s, relax and never think twice about where you are. Peace I’ve found to be a difficult thing to find on a continuous basis in my life, but when it overwhelm’s you, there is nothing like it. I was overwhelmed by this couple and their family.

Typically we spend a lot of time with our clients prior to their wedding day, including our absolute must engagement sessions so we all get used to each other. I always know so much about our clients before the big day that we end up just as an extension to their family. When we arrive on wedding day, were just family. This time is was different.

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a wedding in Citrus Heights, CA with designers/Photographer’s Ross and Lesya Tanner with Flo-sites and You +We Photography straight from Moldova. Yes Moldova…just next to Romania. These are two of the hardest working young people I have ever met. Both with extreme multi-talents, getting to finally spend some lengthy time with these two people really blessed me.

With their family roots deep in Russia, we met up at Natasha’s family home in Citrus Heights where I met her and the soon to be groom Michael. There where cousins, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles to be met as well. Again as described above…it was so peaceful. I Felt at home within 5 minutes of arriving. I had never met with Natasha or Michael nor talked with them other than one brief email 2 weeks before the wedding date. Either way …there family was amazing.

Natasha and Michael were a privilege to photograph. Ross had the boys and I had the girls in the morning and then we met up for all the group shots, heading straight to the California Capitol, Sacramento, to do some pic’s down town. They both agreed to do ALL picture BEFORE the ceremony. This saved so much time and gave the bride and groom lots of time to be with their guests at their reception.

As you’ll see by the photos and slideshow below…Natasha was all a 4’-10”, 85lb, porcelain doll!! Blue eyes and milky white skin she was effortless to photograph. Michael, about as cool and collected, peaceful and integris of any man of his age I have seen. Natasha & Michael, I miss you both dearly and it was such a privilege to be a part of your wedding day. Each and every one of your family members touched me in a special way. Thanks for making me feel like a real Russian!! You are both so special!

There are so many beautiful pictures from this wedding that we had trouble choosing a few for this blog post! If you would like to see our favorites and enjoy the love that these two share, be sure to click on the video at the bottom!






































Can't decide which is more beautiful....



















A kiss for Dad....