I love the cinema. I could sit and watch movies for days on end. As a matter of fact growing up I always wanted to work in film (I did briefly and that’s a whole other story) as a set designer because I am fascinated by the attention to detail that goes into creating a story. The books on a shelf behind the main character, the color of the walls of the house, the type of furniture, these things tell the true story to me and begin to peel back the layers and reveal a little more about each character. It makes the story more personal.
This is the same approach I take to my images. You can call them photographs but I think of them as so much more. I want every frame to tell a story, more importantly your story. I want to capture the subtle details that make your day about you and the things that matter most in your life. I don’t have clients, I make new friends and as with any friendship I spend time to get to know you so I recognize the moments that are important to you, not just the ones that make a good image.
So please, sit back with a big cup of coffee (the more cream and sugar the better I say) and take a look at some of the stories I have had the privilege of telling and if you like what you see feel free to call anytime cause I love making new friends.
Mike asked Jen to be his wife. Jen accepted Mike’s love! Here is there super fun engagement session in my super secret place (ok secret place shared to me by a friend whom shall remain nameless 
so many secret going on here ) in Old Town Orange. Here are just a few of my favorites.
One of my favorite shots of the day…
Thank you Mike and Jen for the joy of capturing your special moments. We really look forward to your fast approaching wedding!!
- LOVE the bright green clovers....SO FUN!!! :)
- ryel! we've already told you before, but mike & i absolutely LOVE the photos you took! thanks for sharing your secret clover field with us. it was our favorite. :]
- awww love the 5th clover field one!!!
- Ryel, these are amazing! I absolutely love the use of light and even more how you captured their relationship. Great location. Beautiful!
- I LOVE this session! Jen came back home and told me all about the magical clover field and we've been obsessively checking your blog waiting for it to appear. It was so fun watching you work at their wedding last weekend. They keep telling us (the wedding elves) how much fun you were!
- LOVE these! Girl, you are the bees knees!! :D
- Ryel, I absolutely love this session you did. My favorite image is the one of them sitting on the tree of their legs and feet and ALL THE CLOVERS!! It's so simple, but composed perfectly, and the lighting is so dreamy. I'm sure they are thrilled with how the images turned out. PS I love your new blog profile pic, so beautiful!
When I met with Mike and Jen I knew instantly that I wanted to be their photographer. I knew this because Mike loves Jen. The way he held her hand, opened the door for her, waited to sit after Jen sat. The way he watched her. These behaviors aren’t what told me he loves Jen but rather how he did them. The love that came out in not so many words is what drew me in. Jen loves Mike. I could tell in the nervous laughter of when she was caught talking about him. The way she rests in Mike’s arms. The way she can’t not touch him while we were talking. The love between Mike and Jen is why I just knew I had to be their photographer. Love Accepted.
Here’s a sneak peek into the engagement session of Mike and Jen.
- Beautiful shot :) Love the colours.
- looooooove this!! can't wait to see the rest!!
- Such a great shot! I am jealous of your greenery :)
Here is the sweet album of Jen and Steve… the Throops!
Steve and Jen brighten any room they enter. You may remember there super sweet engagement session. These two are super important to me because Steve is one of Becca (my sister-in-law) brothers. If you spend any amount of time with Steve and Jen you will feel so inspired and encouraged to go after your passions in life. They have a passion for others. A love that cannot be contained. Before those they love Steve and Jen proclaimed their love for each other. Seal their commitment and begin their lives together. Dancing the night away at Old Richland Schoolhouse was nothing short of stellar. But the night could not be ended without a tribute to their team of choice the San Diego Chargers.
I was so thankful to Megan and my Brother Jeremy there to shoot with me. Here is a look at a few of my favorites from their day.
These two are too cute…
Steve and Jen thank you for the honor of capturing your beautiful day. Many blessings in your marriage!!
- These are awesome! So much emotion...I love them!
- These are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!
The moments and memories that flood through your mind as you give your little girl away are hard to put into words. Often they can’t be expressed in words. A look. A lingering hug. Tears. A smile. I don’t know this from personal experience of giving my daughter away, but from watching the most intimate of moments between Mother and Daughter and Father and Daughter. I feel so blessed to be a fly on the wall during these moments. My hope is when the time comes and you give your little one away, you can look back on your photos and see the love from your parents.
Here is a little sneak peek in to the stellar wedding of Steve and Jen.
- Aww you were down the street from my house and I didn't even know it! :) Love the pics!
by Ryel J Photography
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