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

I’ve always heard planning a wedding is one of the hardest and most stressful things you’ll ever do in your entire life… and that always made me sad to hear. About 90% of the time, in asking brides if they’re excited on their wedding day, they respond, “Yes, but I’m so glad it’s going to be over today.” Again… that makes me sad every time. But now, I suppose I’m older and wiser… and in planning my own wedding, I’m realizing why so many brides have a love/hate relationship with their wedding days–making huge wedding decisions SUCKS. I’m sure that if I was a lot easier to please and less informed on all the options there are out there, it would be easier to choose, say, a date and venue… but since I’m neither easy to please, nor un-informed…. it’s been a rough go thus far.

All this to say… I’m not giving up. I’m not letting these mammoth decisions and the weight of this “once in a lifetime event” convince me that mediocrity and settling is worth it. Being older and wiser doesn’t mean I can’t choose to fight for the magic in my wedding day. It will be a day like no other. The magic will be painted perfectly, accenting the intentionality and our hard work of putting together a day to celebrate…. us. After all, my wedding day will be the day I promise to share my heart and my life with my prince…. everything else fades away. It will be about him and me… about us. That’s all that really matters, right? Right.

This is a shot I took after Chris and Chelsea’s wedding on Saturday…. I’ve always wanted to do this… and, as always, Chris and Chelsea were excited and up for anything. More images from their wedding are coming soon! Happy Tuesday.

Today was a day of laughter as well as tears. There was joyful dancing and friends all around. Jon and Gabriella started a new chapter in their story today…. and it was such a beautiful experience to be a part of. Here’s just a small taste for those who could not be here….