You know you’re in for something special when a wedding referral comes from two of the most talented wedding photographers I know—Darshan and Alex. When they sent their bestie my way, I knew it was the highest compliment. And wow, was I ever lucky to be a part of Hayley and Wade’s intimate backyard celebration.
These two have the kind of “meant-to-be” story that feels straight out of a movie. They met in a lineup at the passport office, both expecting a long and tedious wait. Instead, they found each other—two therapists/counselors who couldn’t stop talking. The lineup stretched on, but the time flew by. A few texts, some emails, and one very fateful date later… and the rest is history.
Fast-forward to now: a shared home, two seamlessly blended lives, and a backyard that they completely transformed together. They didn’t just renovate it—they reimagined it, creating a mindful oasis filled with Indigenous plants, a space that feels like an extension of their love: intentional, warm, and full of life.
Their wedding was exactly like their story—easy, meaningful, and deeply connected. Hayley and Wade weren’t about a big production or a strict timeline. They wanted to stay present, celebrate with their closest people, and have their wedding day unfold as naturally as their love story did. To Hayley and Wade—thank you for trusting me to capture such a heartfelt, effortless, and perfectly you celebration. And thank you to Darshan and Alex for the introduction—your friends are as wonderful as you are.
Some details about my approach:
We took exactly five minutes for portraits—just the two of them, soaking in those first moments as newlyweds while their crew set up the dinner tables. The rest? Candid, real, and completely unscripted. A backyard filled with laughter, hugs, clinking glasses, and a whole lot of joy. And because I couldn’t resist, I brought along my 35mm film camera and my Lensbaby trick lens to capture some dreamy, vintage-feeling detail photos—because if there was ever a love story that deserved a little extra magic, it’s this one.
If you’re wondering how many images you might receive for two hours of coverage—let’s just say it’s more than enough to tell the whole story. Hayley and Wade received over 250 storytelling images, packed with emotion, movement, and all the little moments that made their day uniquely theirs.
Here are some more detail photos from my 35mm analog film camera:
