creative

Rossi + Paulo | Wedding Photography

December 17, 2013

It was several years ago that I remember Rossi (who is an amazing artist – www.rossitza.net – BTW) telling me about her dream wedding.  I remember thinking at the time that I couldn’t wait for her to get married because I couldn’t wait to be there to photograph it.  Yes, I’ve been waiting years to photograph this wedding and earlier this year when Rossi and Paulo announced they were engaged I was both completely excited for them and anxious.  I was anxious because I was pregnant with my little Lorelai and I was afraid that the dates wouldn’t work out.  Being pregnant or post-partum and photographing a wedding isn’t really that big of a deal, but when the wedding involves summiting a mountain in a 10.6 mile hike it is a big deal!

The date worked out.  Lorelai would be old enough (4 months) that she would do fine staying with grandma all day and I was far enough post-partum that I would be ready for the physicality of this wedding. There’s no way I would have made it if I didn’t do some training in preparation.  But I just kept reminding myself that if I could run a half marathon (which I did in Dallas in 2010), then I could summit a mountain with a pack full of camera gear not long after having a baby! I drove myself and the girls from Ukiah to Reno (5 hour drive) a few days before.  I’m so thankful for my parents and in-laws for letting us stay with them and watching my girls.  Especially my mother-in-law who watched them from 6am to 6pm on the wedding day!

Wedding day everyone was up bright and early.  We planned to meet at the Mt.Rose trailhead at 7am, we didn’t get started hiking until closer to 8am.  Nonetheless, the hike was beautiful and I enjoyed getting to spend time with everyone as we headed towards the summit.  I’m not going to lie though a few miles in and several thousand feet from the summit my back of gear started to more closely resemble a bag full of rocks.  Thankfully, Paulo’s brothers very generously carried my bag the last and steepest stretch.

I am so excited for Rossi and Paulo. This wedding is truly one of the most extraordinary and unique weddings I’ve been blessed to be part of.  Both of their families were just overflowing with joy and excitement and it was so wonderful getting to visit with Rossi again.

They really are the best couple and they really did get married on top of the world!