I'm a lover of color, family, love, laughter + sunshine.
I also live on coffee + tacos, but what mom of toddlers doesn't?1
-Candice
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Earlier this year I met up with Justine + Jonathan in my old stomping grounds, Downtown LA. 🙂 They planned a beautiful session around two of their favorite short films: Paperman + Blue Umbrella.
This August they are having a down to earth, nerd-tastic, wedding at a private estate in Los Angeles! I cant wait to see what they come up with!
They met on the set of Bates Motel, she was the point person for the location, and he was a cinematographer. After being pushed together by the director of the project, they fell for each other. It was completely unexpected and but so perfect. Things tend to work out like that, right? On the wedding day, I heard that Michael originally had a 10 year plan, but it’s not often that the universe plans the same way we do.
Krista plans events in her 9-5, so it was only fitting that she would do the same for her wedding. And one look at this wedding and you know they have serious style. The Lombardi House is in the heart of Hollywood, only 10 minutes from the location they met. Krista + Michael wanted their friends and family to experience all that Los Angeles had to offer, and a little white barn in Hollywood helped them do just that.
During the ceremony they also had a very special performance by Gavin James. Hearing the Book of Love Live during the ceremony was one the “pinch-me” moments I don’t experience too often. Gavin, you have a new fan and the canny ability to make people “feel”.
Thank you Krista + Michael for being so open, loving, and making me feel like I was in your inner circle. You two are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. <3
Venue: Lombardi House | Coordinator: Mandy Philp | Florist: Modern Flora | Makeup Artist: Dottie Palmer | Hair Stylist: Molly Shriver | DJ: Red Shoe | Wedding Dress: Lovely Bride (Nicole Miller) | Video: The Adventures Of | Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals/Designer 8 | Custom Bridal Shoes: Sam Edelman | Suits: J. Crew
Ashleigh + Shannon are Colorado locals that love music, craft beers + nature. Basically, all of the best stuff Colorado has to offer. So when we met up for their engagement session out here in Fort Collins, we tried to make their engagement session filled with those three things. Well, the beer part was after the shoot, but that still counts, right?
So the crazy thing about Colorado is that weather can change every 5 minutes. We started the shoot with thick clouds, then a few minutes later we were blessed with a perfect clear sky for a good hour. It’s kinda exciting if you ask me. By the end of the shoot we were running back to our car to dodge a HUGE thunder/lighting storm that was passing over the Horsetooth Reservoir.
These guys are actually getting married tomorrow in Monument Hill, Colorado so I wanted to share their session before the fun day!
It’s not very often that I can have the honor of shooting the wedding of multiple family members, let alone twin sisters! A few weeks ago I was able to spend the day with a wonderful family I photographed just a few years prior for Sarice + Josh’s Wedding day.
I met Shaina + Doug at her sisters wedding, and even then I could see that Doug made Shaina glow. During cocktail hour I made sure to take a photo of the two of them together. Secretly, I knew it was just a matter of time. Being around love all the time gives you this sixth sense about these types of things. Doug always knew the right moment to throw in a joke, and Shaina would shine that big smile that would show the world how happy she was. So last year when Shaina reached out to me and told me they were engaged, I was over the moon happy to see their family again and be a part of such an important day.
Thank you Shaina + Doug for having me feel like a part of the family, and my only regret is that you guys don’t have more siblings! 😉
Venue: Skylinks Golf Course || Florist: Blooming Hill Florist || Hair + Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy || Cake: Pacific Patisserie || Wedding Dress Shop: Mary Me Bridal – Maggie Sottero || Bridesmaid Dress: Mariposa Boutique || DJ: After Dark Entertainment ||
It’s been 3 years since I got on a plane without my camera gear, and while I love being able to travel to so many unique places in the name of love, my heart yearns for sandy toes and a light carry on bag. So this Sunday Jay and I are going just that. We...
I knew Val + Kellen’s wedding day was going to be a fun one! After our gaming engagement session last year, I was excited to see what they would come up with for the wedding day.
Valerie has this smile that is just lights up the room, and her and Kellen are so well matched, he is just as warm and welcoming. Everything about the wedding day reminded me of the excitement of childhood. About 10+ times though out the day I wanted to give everyone around me a big hug. I know it might be strange, but when I’m surrounded by love I’m in my happy place. It might of helped that Jay and I even had time to check out the aquarium during dinner and squeal over the cute fishes… okay, maybe the squealing was just from me.
Venue: The Birch Aquarium at Scripps || Coordinator: Maryssa Stovall of Hannah Smith Events || Florals: Jennifer Yang of In Flower || Hair + Makeup: Ammi Hsu of Beauty Creator || Singer: Mason James || DJ: Chris of Vario Productions || SlowMo Booth || Invitation: Patrick Ballesteros || Video: The Adventures Of || Cake + Catering: Culinary Concepts ||
Leslie + Gal met though a Jewish socializing event, but after no time at all they realized that they were more than friends. During the session I found out that the first location was a very important spot for them. It’s not only where Gal proposed, but also the location of their first kiss. I don’t know about you, but I think that makes this session just a little extra special.
Jay and I’s first kiss was in a parking lot in front of a restaurant…so good job having such a photogenic location to work with! 😉
I first met Leslie + Gal at Leslie’s brothers wedding, and soon after I was so excited to hear that they wanted me to photograph their wedding as well! It will be a great family centered event since her sister-in-law, Carly, started her own wedding planning business! Carly’s wedding was seriously one for the books, so I just know how much of a fantastic job she will do!
I can safely say that it was the first time anyone handed me a whole olive branch the morning of their wedding, and it was a great indication of how the day played out.
Rina + Juan’s beautiful day started with a relaxed first look, and when we arrived at the ceremony venue I was blown away with how they transformed the space. After the God-Centered ceremony, they enjoyed Cocktail hour with their friends and family before following me out for sunset photos. As soon as the sun set, the rest of the night was one big party. And when I say party, I mean it! The dance floor was packed till the very last song.
Venue: Los Coyotes Country Club || Coordinator: CCL Weddings + Events || Hair + Makeup: Kristina – Susie Chhuor Professional Hair & Makeup Team || DJ: Flawless Entertainment DJs || Flowers: Amazing Blooms Studios || Cake: Frost My Cake || Sweets: Merely Sweets || Video: Shuttered Light || Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo (it had pockets!) ||
It’s been hard to keep this one a secret! Last November I flew up to San Jose, California for a very special + secret elopement! We made our way up to the Lick Observatory (my dream spot since I’m a space nerd) and played in the California golden light and ended the day in front of the Great Lick Refractor. (The name makes me giggle a bit)
Kyle + Mike found me and the rest of the vendor team from the fun Doctor Who Styled Wedding shoot we did a few years ago. I loved how Kyle + Mike incorporated little nods to the BBC show.
Venue: Lick Observatory (AMAZING staff) | Coordination + Florals: First Pick Planning | Video: The Adventures Of | Hair + Makeup: DIY |
In just a few weeks, Krista + Michael will be tying the knot at The Lombardi House in Hollywood, California! The engagement session was extra special since we worked in two very important locations: the spot they first met and the city they call their home.
Starting at the Universal Studios Backlot was such a unique experience, I would have to say it was one of the coolest “pinch me now” moment’s I’ve had. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, we managed to make our way to the Santa Monica Beach just in time for the perfect California golden light that I love so much. Congrats you two, and I will see you guys in just a few short weeks!
Jennifer + Andrew flew down to Colorado for a mini vacation and lucky for me they wanted to explore Estes Park for their engagement session! We spent the afternoon checking out a few beautiful Colorado spots in Estes Park and even stopped at the Stanley Hotel since it’s such a (creepy) landmark. Thank you guys for being down to walk around in the snow, laughing at my bad jokes, and picking such a beautiful location for your engagement photos! I can’t wait to fly out for your wedding this August!
Marissa + Andrew’s wedding day – what can I say? Not only do these two people have smiles that could soften the heart of anyone, but they designed their wedding day to a “t”. A relaxed timeline, sunset portraits, a fantastic venue and the sweetest bridal party that helped the day be one giant party.
We started the day in Pismo Beach at Cliffs Resort, and then made our way to The fabulous Dana-Powers House and Barnin Nipomo, California.
Venue: Dana-Powers House and Barn || Coordinator:Judi Powers || Rentals: Embellish Vintage Rentals || Hair + Makeup: DIY || Florals: Jodi Bloom of Bloom n Grow || Cake Artist: Amber – Enjoy Cupcakes || Video: Karl Stelter || DJ:Anthony – Epic Entertainment || Wedding Dress: Tara Keely for Lazarro || Bridesmaid Dresses: Mon Amie Bridal ||
Hello and welcome!
A Northern Colorado and Fort Collins Wedding Photographer for couples that love color, laughter and relaxed moments. Candice Benjamin Photography
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© - Content and images in this blog are copyright Candice Benjamin Photography, LLC. unless stated otherwise. Feel free to repost or share images for non-commercial purpose, but please make sure to link back to this website and its original post.
Northern Colorado Photographer located in Greeley, CO
I love The Blue Umbrella! What a cool concept for an engagement shoot. The paper airplanes on a wire were a cute concept too.
Adorbs, Candice! I love your use of space in all your photos!
OH MY GOSH! This is amazing. The couple is so photogenic…and I loved how they laughed through out this session. Your photography is beautiful. Just amazing composition. Beautiful work.
Love the urban feel to this–this shoot is fantastically whimsical and so awesome 🙂
WOW and HoLY COW! I adore these all. Crisp, clean, clever!
OMG so much fun!!!! I love this whole post! The colors, location, emotions between the couple. GREAT!
Everything about this session is just 100% adorable! Amazing photography, cute couple and a perfect backdrop 🙂
LOVE the angles, very creative!!!
Beautiful engagement session! I can tell you captured their personalities to a T. Well done!