...to my blog. Here you'll find the latest news about me (YAY), recent photos, ramblings, projects, and hopefully some humor. If you're new here, please feel free to poke around, search my categories, and post any comments. If you are returning, welcome back, I hope I have something new to show you!
Just in case you're wondering, who is Terra? What makes her tick? Okay, you're probably not wondering all that, but still I'd like to let you know that for me photography has led me to the best career ever. I feel so blessed to have been let into such intimate moments of peoples lives, to have the power to cause them to shed tears of joy, to have been hugged by so very many of them, it's beyond words. So although (of course) I love photography, what really drives me are the moments the camera records, and the drive to catch more than an image, but the texture of your skin, the way even the air felt that day. I hope, in the end, my images live up the reality. Please enjoy.
T
You may remember this couples engagement session with me in Lake Tahoe. It was so much fun! So it was good to see them both again on such a fabulous day in their lives. Ruthie did such a fantastic job, her hair was amazing, the guys suits were fab, and the bouquet was truly unique. I hope you enjoy the photos and slideshow!
- T
Ceremony and reception: Eagle Ridge Golf Club
Hair, Makeup, and even the beautiful hair piece!!: Giao Nguyen
These two were married in the same chapel I graduated in… well, at least part of the day was spent there. I guess technically I graduated outside on the fields. 
In any case, this location was special and close to my heart. I believe that in the end life circles round, and it really is a small world. There is so much I see on the day a couple get’s married, but in reality, there are so many things that I will never know about them. The little quirks, the little nuances, and that’s what makes capturing one of their biggest moments such an interesting challenge. I am continuously asking, who are you?
If I had to guess I would say Rosangel is the ship on Mikes sea. And although that makes sense to me, I think I’m not going to elaborate, but instead let you fill in the blanks. Enjoy.
- T
Ceremony: Saint Mary’s Chapel
Reception: Contra Costa Country Club
Isn’t Rosangel’s niece just the cutest?
A friend sang their first dance song for them, and it really was beautiful.
You may remember these two from their engagement session.
Well, they’ve gone and done it! I sometimes wonder if the walk to the altar feels a bit like this:
What do you think? Ha.
Amy and Bret were married at a beautiful location under the sun and surrounded by hills. There are so very many images that I won’t take you time with too much text other than to say this, barns, sparker exits, and beautiful cadillacs sure do make a pretty mix. Enjoy!
- T
Fabulous coordinator: Kate Miller
Venue: Taber Ranch
DJ: In The Mix 916
Or, ‘This is Going to be One of Those Posts’. You know what I mean. The posts that go on and on with photos. Blame it on Ben and Mary. Blame it on their adorable bridal party. Blame it on their beautiful venue, the wonderful day, whatever you want to blame it on (probably me!), go ahead. But this is still going to be one of those posts.
Ben and Mary hired me for their wedding day over a year ago, and I’ll tell you a secret. Until they sent me their signed contract I had no idea their wedding date was the same as my birthday. My thirtieth birthday to be exact. For some reason I had it in my head that they were to be married in June. I searched through my email and found that for some strange reason the date had never come up.
I don’t know what is about birthday’s, but if you are related to me, or are me, then it is pretty much a guarantee that I will be working on your birthday. Or Father’s Day. Or Mother’s Day. I’ve missed all of these dates the past few years, and sometimes it is hard.
Mostly it’s hard for my sister, who didn’t understand why I wouldn’t be attending her 13 birthday this past May. Sigh. That one made me sad. And I don’t know what to say except to say this: all things under the sun have some sort of rider attached. A compromise that takes the bitter with the sweet. I love my career. I love what I do.
It leaves me bone tired and sometimes MIA, but it also brings me great joy and happiness. I was so happy to share in Ben and Mary’s beautiful day. It was a blessing. And no worries, because the next day? I sat bone tired in a bowling alley surrounded by friends and family as I laughed and they sang Happy Birthday.
Congratulations to you both, I hope you love the photos!
- T
Ceremony and Reception Location: St. Vincent’s School for Boys
There is one thing that is super unique to my relationship with Danae and Ian, which is until I met them the evening of their Rehearsal Dinner, all conversations had been conducted via Skype. It was in this way that I met not only them, but their kitty cat as well!
Also, ahem, they may have met my kitty this way as well. What can I say, cats are curious creatures when it comes to computers!
Danae and Ian first met on a beach in Southern California. He was walking past her and noticed how cute she was. He walked past once, he walked past twice, and (okay I forget how many times he walked past her!) then he walked up to her and struck up a conversation. I’m so glad I’m not a guy! That must be a little nerve racking don’t you think? But of course it all worked out, because here are Danae and Ian’s wedding photos.
This is the start of their married life, and I wish them all the luck as they start their journey together. I am so lucky to have been able to share their special day!
Enjoy!
T
Reception: Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
Natasha and Ray are getting married in November. One thing I know, well, almost everybody knows, is that relationships are about compromise. When I met them Natasha and Ray were just moving in together under one roof, and so when I met them I was curious how this had went. What had the compromises been? How had they met them? When I asked this question they laughed. They said starting a life together they had decided to get rid of all things acquired previously and furnish their home with object chosen together. Now everything has a story behind it. And when they are especially proud of something? They disagree over who chose it first.
They laughed while telling me this, and I couldn’t help but think, isn’t love grand?
Enjoy,
T
When I was little I believed I was destined for greatness. Most specifically I knew, absolutely one hundred percent in my heart, that I would write stories that would sit on bookshelves, and when you brought them down, opened their pages, the words I wrote would cause you to laugh, to cry, to hold that book in earnest to you heart. I have written stories that have done all of those things, but what I discovered much to my dismay was that I didn’t believe I had what it took to really make it. I didn’t have an abundance of stories within me. I didn’t have the fortitude to sit in front of a computer day in day out, typing and retyping. I entered contests, I won some, I lost most, and then, sometime in-between I gave up my dream.
I write this because when Anabel hired me to do this family session she mentioned her faith, how it has pulled her through some of the toughest times, and what she wanted these photos for was to remind her and her family how blessed they are. Life gets so busy with your day to day tasks of simply living that sometimes you lose sight of your many gifts.
The day I met Anabel and her children in the park they were running this way and that. They were up slides, roping imaginary monsters, wishing their mom would allow them to have a facebook profile, and wondering what happened to their snacks. No, not this snack, but another one. And I was struck how very lucky I was to be there, in the middle of life happening, rather than in front of a computer screen.
Looking at these photos I see just how lucky Anabel and her family is. I love them all. From the happy moments to the crying ones (I know I’m not the only one who loves those types of photos!!), I hope it portrays their family in an accurate and endearing way. I hope, that one day, they pull one of these photos down off of a shelf and hold it close their heart.
Enjoy,
T
There’s something about meeting a couple. In that first interview I often ask questions of how they met, got engaged, fell in love, that always just sticks with me. David and Maria met in high school. They went to college together. I imagine that during that time life took them on roads that sometimes diverged, and then met once again. Perhaps unexpectedly. Of course then there’s the engagement session, where the real fun begins! We laugh, I make them do silly things, and during the course of those few hours we get to know each other more. Since I met this couple I learned how quietly loud David can be, how softly strong Maria can be. In the end, they both seem to be the one in charge, which I found funny and endearing. David and his friends surprised my second shooter, Krissy, the day of with their crazy antics. And then they treated her to pizza. Maria surprised me with a gift when I arrived. Their first dance was crazy loud and fun. Their photos are as beautiful and stylish as they are. David hugged me on my way out, and as I followed Maria through packed dance floor she reached back to grab my hand.
I think they have a wonderful life ahead of them with so many family and friends, it is sure to be joyful even during the chaotic unexpected moments. I thank them for allowing me to capture a part of it. Please enjoy.
T
Ceremony Location: Santa Maria Church
Reception Location: East Ocean Restaurant
These are beautiful Terry!
Terra! The pictures you took of my wedding are absolutely amazing! I am so happy right now! Thank you for capturing every moment and detail!
Hey… Love your work! they will LOVE these photos!
Who did the hair and makeup? Beautiful!
My hair and make up artist was Giao Nguyen out of San Jose, CA. I never felt so beautiful!
absolutely beautiful couple and photos - I love their natural smiles in the first look photos - and that last one is just killer! Great work Terra!
LOVE these! And LOVE the gray and purple - what a great combination!
What a beautiful bride - you totally captured her glow!
These are hawt! The 2 last images are my favs. Good job.
Awesome pictures. I am the makeup artist and hairstylist for the bride and the BMs. I am glad we get to work together at their wedding.
Wow! Ruthie and Justin look amazing!! The pics are beautiful!!
Beautiful!
those three photos with the groom holding the flowers are sooooo cute! i love the purple details and the flowers are gorgeous. beautiful bride, cute couple!