Mirjam & Thomas /Prague engagement shoot./
Mirjam and Thomas came all the way from Graz to meet up with us in Prague. I love to meet couples before the wedding, I love being able to get to know each other before the big day, and I think it’s so sweet to have the engagement season remembered in photographs. And these two amazing humans were willing to take a trip to another country to do that and I am so glad they did!
We walked the streets of Prague and explored the beautiful surroundings of it as well. We talked over lemonades, and we had a picnic in a meadow. We laughed a lot, and walked a lot. We became friends quickly, we prayed together and shared our hearts.
The incredibly humility, and kindness these two share with the world around them is so inspiring to us, and we are so happy to have met such beautiful souls and have the privilege of capturing a part of their story.
Martina & Zdenek /springtime engagement./
Warm days finally came and spring took over winter in a matter of days. So when the trees started to bloom and the sun filled the hillsides, these two came to meet me in this beautiful part of Czech, where I live, where they both come from, and where they will say their vows this summer. We filled the late afternoon with lots of laughter, and funny stories. And I can't wait to capture their wedding day!
Maja & Niko /intimate home session./
These two made me feel so inspired and grateful. They let me into their story and they were willing to be so vulnerable with it.
Sometimes home session can feel a bit awkward cause you are let into such an intimate part of someone's life. I am so thankful these two let me in so beautifully. I also tend to get really nervous about how I make people feel during shoots because I really want to make them feel comfortable and relaxed despite the fact that being photographed can be quite scary, especially in such an intimate way. But after the shoot they spoke such words of kindness and support about how comfortable they felt, and words of encouragement to keep sharing my life the way I do on social media, with all the pain and mess, and then I left with tears of gratitude in my eyes.
Thank you Maja & Niko, for your sweetness and kindness. And for sharing your story with me.
L & M /Prague in-home session./
When Lucie asked me to take pictures of the two of them I was so excited, and a bit nervous. She is an amazing photographer herself, and I was so flattered she would trust me enough to capture their story.
These two are such beautiful human beings, and I just feel thankful to know them now. I loved seeing their little world through the lens. They danced and laughed in their lovely apartment as the morning sun filled the room, and then we walked through the streets of Prague, stopping for coffee, and searching for pretty places.
This was very easily one of the most inspiring and fun sessions I have done in a long time, and I am so, so happy to share these images with you.
our wedding day.
It was not everything I ever dreamed of, because it was nothing I could ever imagine before.
We were married on a windy Monday afternoon surrounded by the closest family and friends.
Seeing so many weddings as a wedding photographer I knew I wanted nothing more than to take it slow and be able to take in every moment. I didn’t want the wedding to be about me as the bride, because on that day I was promising that life in marriage would not be about me. I didn't need the perfect dress, I found mine online for a few dollars and Donna made me a long slip for it. I didn’t want to stress about things going according to plan. We didn't really have a plan anyway. I didn’t want to worry about every little detail. Planning a wedding from the other side of the world wouldn't let me be in control anyway. After spending most of our relationship apart, the only thing I really wanted was to finally say no more goodbyes to my love. I just wanted to be fully present, I wanted to notice and appreciate those I love, I wanted it to be simple, and meaningful, and intimate.
I didn't stress about making every detail look incredible and pinterest-like, and yet, somehow it all came together. Every little thing, perfect.
Nicole Mason captured our day so beautifully, with honesty and her unique artistic touch.
I love the way she sees stories around her and I am so thankful she was the one to document this day for us. We barely knew she was there all day, and she let us be fully ourselves. Her photographs bring me right back into the precious moments, and I hope you will be able to experience some of it as you scroll through this post.
The morning was slow and peaceful. The first thing I did was walk to the mailbox just like Josh instructed me to, where I found a sweet letter from him to read on the morning of our wedding. Then we all ate breakfast at the big table together just like we did the past few days of staying at the magical Old Edna. That old farm house was such a gift and miracle by itself, I never would have even dreamt of getting ready in a place such as Old Edna that was so perfectly me in every way. There was only my family and Nicole in the house all morning.
I wrote a personal letter to each person and they read it while we were all getting ready. My sister braided my hair just like she has all my life. And the beautiful flowers were dropped off on the porch for us.
I remember walking through the living room at one point during the morning and seeing my dad and future brother-in-law reading some random books they found in the house simply because they had nothing else to do. I just smiled and knew in that moment that this was all I ever wanted, no one was stressing out or rushing anything, and it was beautiful.
We got married on the cliffs of Big Sur, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and overlooking the ocean. It was raining on the drive up but as soon as we reached the spot the sky cleared up.
I walked down through the trees with my parents to our friend Joel singing Arms by The Paper Kites. We said our vows to the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs. Rich spoke words of love and joy and wisdom to us and prayed over us, and made the ceremony just as unique and spontaneous and “us” as we wanted it to be. Nothing was planned out, nothing was rehearsed. We all just let it happen. And Rich would make us all pause to take it all in if he felt like it. Suddenly we were dancing to Joel playing No Fear in Love by Steffany Gretzinger and then hugging our dear friends and family to Jealous Love by Noah Gundersen.
After the ceremony we drove up to a small picnic area right by a beach. My family set it up in a matter of minutes and I honestly don't know how it turned out to be so incredibly beautiful. We made all these little decorations and sandwiches the day before with my sisters and Veronika. Josh's mom had all sorts of amazing decorations we used. Annie baked her wonderful cupcakes, Donna brought her delicious salad, my dad barbecued hamburgers, Josh's parents brought delicious hot apple cider. It all just came together beautifully and simply. I was amazed and so thankful.
As it started getting colder and darker we couldn't believe how quickly it went by. But after many hugs we drove into the dark of Big Sur with grateful hearts. Quietly sitting in the car holding hands and knowing there was no more goodbyes now.
Tomicovi /fall family session./
Photographing families is always such a unique experience. Each family is so different, and you never know what they come with to the session, especially the kids. But that's what I love about it, you can't really prepare for it, you just have to let it happen, and capture the moments. I'm all about letting the kids run around wild and not forcing them to pose. When Petra reached out to me to capture their family I was so happy because I knew she shares the exact same approach to photographing families in her own work. So even when nothing went as planned with the kids, we were able to enjoy it and capture this beautiful family just as they are. <3
Martina & Banjo /iceland adventure./
Iceland is such a unique and wonderful place and getting to take pictures there was such a dream.
Martina & Banjo braved the wind and the cold for me one evening, and chased the sun with me. It was beautiful.
Daniela & Martin /wedding./
I met Daniela & Martin only about a week before their wedding, when their photographer had to cancel last minute and gave them my contact. But somehow this unfortunate situations turned out to be such a blessing. We just got along so well and connected so easily when we met and took their engagement pictures. They were so easy going and fun to be around that I couldn't wait for their wedding day.
Every little detail was so beautiful and delicate. There was no rush or hurry in the morning as everyone got ready and decorations were being finished. I have never seen a wedding with so many friends willing to help, and the bride being able to trust them completely to fulfill her vision, while she enjoyed the morning. Everyone was so friendly to us, making us feel right at home, and welcomed. The whole beautiful day was carried in such a fun atmosphere and we were having fun. Josh even had a little dance party with the bride.
But most of all, I loved capturing the connection these two had. It's something you don't see everyday. They were so genuine and sweet, and the love they had for one another only reflected in the friendships we saw. I was holding back tears when their friends circled around them and sang to them. It was beautiful! I am so thankful we got to capture this special day.
Veronika & Petr /summer sunset in the hills./
Running around the fields barefoot on one of the last warm evenings of the summer.
Running into the golden sunlight hand in hand, making memories worth keeping.
Agi & Dan /wedding portraits in the mountains./
Two weeks after their wedding they came to visit me again. They put on their beautiful wedding attire (that incredible dress made by Sara Prostejovska) and they danced on the mountaintops and in the fields.
Agi & Dan /Prague wedding./
I've known Agi through instagram for quite some time as one of those people that you know you would get along with so well in real life. I felt like we were friends before we even met in June when she and Dan came to visit me in my land of hills and forests to have their engagement pictures taken. Knowing they were adventurous I took them on a hike to a waterfall where they jumped barefoot over the rocks, and then up to the hills where they frolicked in fields full of wildflowers. Their tender love was so obvious and so easy to capture. And their personalities just simply fun to be around.
They were going to get married in a month, and they just wanted something simple and laid-back, and they weren't even going to hire a photographer (to my disappointment). But then I sent them the gallery of their pictures and they were so excited that they asked me to come to the wedding as well!
YES, I am so, so glad they did.
Their wedding really was simple and laid-back. But also beautiful, focused on the important part of the wedding day, the commitment of the two. From the nice and slow morning, having breakfast at Agi's apartment with her girlfriends, to the families and friends rejoicing with them at the church as they said yes to a forever side by side. And because I simply couldn't let such a beautiful bride have only a couple of quick portraits from the rooftop and attic of the church since there was no time for more, I convinced them to come visit me again, to put on their wedding attire and dance on the mountaintops with me two weeks later.
Katka & Jiri /maternity session./
One of my most favorite parts of this job is when I get to capture different chapters of someone's story. And even more so when they are my dear friends. Jira and Kata got married two years ago and I got to photograph that beautiful day. Now they are about to grow into a family of three and it's so beautiful to see their story unfold.
We drove up into the hills and with a storm rolling in we enjoyed the incredible views in the last evening light. I can't wait to see them as parents and to meet their little human!
Butterfly Chase. /fashion design/
When Natalie asked me to bring in my vision and photograph her school project - clothes she designed and made - I was absolutely overjoyed. We have been followers and admirers of one another's work for a while now and bringing our creativity and passions together was a dream come true. We met at a camp when we were kids and now we were finally able to reconnect as the new people we have grown into and share our hearts with one another as if we knew each other all along. Before we went on to search for places in bloom to photograph at we went to a small Prague coffee shop. On a hot sunny day, over a pitcher of homemade ginger lemonade, we talked about the joys and pains of life and about creativity that comes from all of it.
About learning self-love, and honesty. About bringing in a little more light into this world. And about this sweet project.
The theme of her project is called "Hon na motýly" (Butterfly Chase), and I feel like it resembles simplicity, lightness, fragility, and subtle connection. So much of this is exactly who Natalie is. She is a beautiful and graceful soul and I feel like these designs have so much of her soul in them and I love that. The same way I hope people can know piece of my heart from my photographs, you can know a piece of hers through her work.
