Hosted by Two Oaks River Ranch in Lemoore, CA
This past Sunday, on August 2nd, I had the honor of collaborating in a wedding styled shoot. The Two Oaks River Ranch is a new venue located in Lemoore, CA. The property is peaceful, full of greenery, and even has highland cows!
While I have photographed countless weddings, being part of a styled shoot was a first for me. Working alongside fellow local wedding vendors seeking to enhance their visibility was such a refreshing experience. I personally loved meeting each of the vendors, learning their stories, and seeing their talents shine.
We had two wonderful couples as models for the shoot. One of them, Kalissa and Axel, are actually already married! I loved hearing their story. These high school sweethearts have been married for almost two years this October. Their wedding day was an intimate ceremony, attended by just a few loved ones. When I asked if they had a photographer at their wedding, they said no—they only took photos with their iPhones. Learning this made my heart soar; I was thrilled not only to be documenting them during the shoot, but also to have two additional photographers joining us. Can you imagine going from having no photographer at your wedding to having three? I sincerely hope these images bless Kalissa and Axel and beautifully capture the love that already exists between them.
Just before the first look, I asked Kalissa and Axel if they were feeling nervous. With smiles on their faces, they both replied yes and laughed. It was heartwarming to witness the way they looked at each other, as if it were their wedding day all over again!
Kalissa grew up around horses, which are still a big part of her life. I thought it was very sweet that we even took photos with a horse. Fun fact: the horse’s name is Beef Jerkey!
Our other couple, Kassidy and Jack, are engaged with a beautiful family of their own. They each brought lots of laughter, which helped everyone power through the extreme Central Valley heat. Kassidy modeled a gorgeous wedding dress from Annabelle’s Bridal Boutique. The beautiful flower arrangements were done by the talented Susie Arkelian! Both brides had their hair done by Hannah and their makeup done by Raigen. It was truly so amazing to see everyone’s talents come alive.
Collaborating with other vendors who are also passionate about the wedding industry reminded me the importance of community, especially in our professions. What if we changed our perspective of others in our professions? Instead of seeing them as competition, view it as an opportunity to build a friendship with someone who is passionate about the same thing you are. Learn from them, collaborate with them, and encourage them. I sincerely hope for more opportunities like this styled shoot, not merely for more exposure to my work, but for the opportunity to build relationships with people who love what they do, just like I do!
With Gratitude,
Elana Joy
Photographers: Elana Joy Photography, Madison Lee Photography, Captured by Christine
Content Creation: Content by Karina Sky, Little Blue Keepsake
Venue: Two Oaks River Ranch
Florist: Susie Arkelian
Dress: Annabelle’s Bridal Boutique
Makeup: Makeup by Raigen
Hair: Hair by Hannah
Ice Cream: Nevaeh and Monroe Cart Co.
Coordination: Maddasin Toews
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