Hello! And Happy New Year! It’s 2012, which means lots and lots of NEW is happening. January is such a fun time…. it’s a time for reviewing the highs and lows of the previous year, taking notes on how to make the new year better than the last, and my favorite… dreaming. It’s an exciting thing to witness evolution of thought, being, and goals. Where I was, I am no longer.

I’ve been listening to Elevation Worship’s “All Things New” a lot lately…. and I’ve adopted it as my mantra for 2012. Last year was intense in both amazing… and not so amazing ways. But looking forward at the open road ahead, I can’t help but have hope and peace that whatever comes, He is near and deeply involved in the world around me. Hope is an exciting thing.

And with that, I’d like to share my ALL NEW website!! This has been a work in progress for quite some time… involving lots of soul searching and self-realization. It’s been almost 4 years now that Kate Noelle Photography has been in existence. Whoa…. (having a moment)

So, while my dream and vision have remained the same, my website’s look and feel has changed to reflect the changes I’ve undergone in the past couple of years. I’m excited at the unending spectrum of possibility this year holds, and I hope you’ll continue to journey with me on this crazy adventure of living life to the fullest.

Here’s a shot Christopher took of me at a shoot recently…

And here’s the all new look of Kate Noelle Photography’s Website! Head on over to www.katenoelle.com to check it out!

There are all new galleries featuring some oldies, but mostly new images…

There’s a new “Connect” page where you can find every possible way to connect with me via social media…. I hope you’ll find me so we can be friends!

And I’m also excited about an all new “Word on the Street” section where past clients have laid out their experiences with me as their photographer…. I love my clients!!

The whole town of Solvang was buzzing the morning of the wedding. People in traditional Danish garb lined the streets and parade music filled the crisp morning air. As I loaded my gear into the car, I saw my family leaving their hotel to partake in the Danish excitement before the wedding began later that afternoon. The excitement was, in part, due to the annual Danish festival the town was throwing that weekend, but for myself, I think the excitement was more for the wedding day that was about to start. Scott, more affectionately called “Scotty” by his family, was about to tie the knot with his gorgeous fiance Kate. (Fun Fact: Kate’s new married name is now, my old single name… Kate Akamine. I’ve passed the baton and become a Kernutt, but I leave my beloved name in good hands.)

We arrived at Hotel Corque, seriously the nicest hotel in Solvang, and spent a good part of the morning with the ladies as they got ready for the day. The suite was full of activity and smiling faces, bridesmaids arriving and finishing makeup and hair, flower girls coloring and running around, and the two mothers happily chattering away about final details that needed attention. Kate’s details were breathtaking…. truly the epitome of gorgeous! From her amazing dress, to her glittering Kate Spade peep toe pumps, I was in HEAVEN photographing everything! The ladies of Team Hair & Makeup did an amazing job that morning with Kate and the girls as well! Here is a taste of the morning…..

The girls finished up and headed to Gainey Vineyard to await the boys’ arrival, and my very talented 2nd shooter Hanssie accompanied them to get some extra shots in. Christopher, my trusty and very official 3rd shooter, and I spent some time with Scott and the boys as they got ready to go.

A quick word about Scott…. he’s my older cousin. But more than that, he’s one of my biggest supporters and encouragers. So, to have the privilege of photographing his wedding was the greatest honor and joy I could ever wish for. With that, here are a few photos with Scotty and the boys….

This is definitely my favorite groomsmen shot of the day…

Fun Socks!

When we got to the wedding site, I got a few quick shots of the beautiful bride on her way to see her groom for the first time! Kate, you were STUNNING!

And the beautiful wedding party….

Another quick note: Everytime I’ve gone through these ceremony photos, I’ve gotten a little teary-eyed. It might be because I’m just so darn happy for my cousin and his bride, but it was also a very intimate and personal ceremony. Even though there were quite a few people there, it was a very close knit group.

As the ceremony ended, I snuck away with the bride and groom while the cocktail hour ensued.

We wandered through the beautiful vineyards, and took some romantic shots of the newest Mr. and Mrs. Akamine.

This is probably my favorite of these two….

The reception, and pretty much the entire day, was made beautiful by Ashley of Agape Planning, and the pretty flowers were all created by Amanda Crawford Designs. Everything ran so smooth and the reception was so beautiful!

Check out this intense cake made by Kate’s sister Jill! How stinkin’ amazing is she?!!!!

They had a fabulous live band called All Star Trio. They ROCKED!

Overall, this was the happening place that weekend in Santa Ynez and I felt SO blessed to be able to document it all. Scotty and Kate, I love you two to pieces and I’m still so excited you picked me to be your wedding photographer. I had so much fun with you two and your wedding was a perfect reflection of the fun and love you share. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

Venue: Gainey Vineyard

Event Planning and Coordination: Agape Planning

Catering: 24 Carrots

Band: All Star Trio

Florist:  Amanda Crawford Designs

Lighting: Ambient Event Design

Officiant – Brian Marsh

Harpist – Laurie Rasmussen

Hair/Makeup – Team Hair & Makeup

Hotel – Hotel Corque

Cake – Jill Fox

Last week, I photographed Century High School’s Holiday choir concert. I’ve been present at most concerts with my camera ready for the past 3 years or so…. to help document the evolution of Century’s choir program and to show support for my dad. It’s really cool watching the students grow up and gain confidence with their voices as they move through the program.

This past year, my dad had the opportunity to write the Alma Mater for the high school…. and it’s been exciting for him to hear it sung at football games and pep rallies. How cool is that?! He wrote the song that will tie all alumni to each other throughout their lives…. the song that promotes unity and pride for a school. What an amazing tradition to be a part of…

I thought these few shots were really amazing from the concert… shots of my dad leading the choirs and the audience in the alma mater…. and students actually getting into the spirit of it…. I’m proud of you, Dad!

Last year, November marked the time of year when Christopher decided to sport a mustache. (You can view last year’s mustache here.) I thought maybe it had gotten out of his system, but one morning early in the month, I walked into the kitchen to find a mustached man eating Christopher’s breakfast. “Wonderful,” I thought. “Here we go again.”

Well, I’ll have you know that he was encouraged by our friends Jeff and Trevor, who spent the month of November “mustache-edly” clad in support of our dear friend John Riedl as he continues to battle cancer. “It’s for a good cause,” I told myself. And it was. These three endured many awkward stares, pesky leftover food crumbs, and repulsed wives…. and to celebrate the end, they decided to take some “gross mustache photos.” And they were indeed gross…. here’s the results of the shoot …. (Please Note: This is not normal attire for any of these men. They’re usually very respectable…..)

Once we were done with the gross mustache shots, we moved onto a more serious and pretty family photo of the Clinard Clan.

And then we got crazy again….

I’m sorry to see November already far past, but I’m glad to have a mustache-less husband for another year. Way to go boys… you did good.