What can I not say about Jessica & Nick? When Jess & Nick first contacted me, we immediately clicked on the phone and it felt like we’ve been best friends ever since. From their engagement shoot at Coppa, to multiple talks over the phone, and even an invitation to join them for their cake tasting (which oh em gee, it was amazing) I was so ecstatic to finally be able to photograph these two amazing people on a day where we celebrated them and their love.

I get close to my couples. But every year or so there’s always one couple that I tend to become bff’s with, the couple that not only hires me because I do great work, but because they know we’d make best friends. The couple that actually doesn’t mind getting together for dinner or drinks as a matter of fact, they’re excited too. They don’t just think I’m their photographer. They’re just as invested in me as I am with them. This year Nick & Jess was that couple.

I can go off for hours and tell you how their love story went but, I think the photos will speak for themselves. Instead I’d rather tell you what these two mean to me: I’ve never felt more cared for or loved by a couple. Jessica & Nick, you both are the most loving, selfless, and caring people I know. Throughout our whole process you loved hearing more about Jenn & I’s adventures than about your wedding. You sat with me and helped me plan out our engagement, you comforted me when I was worried to call Jenn’s mom, and you were there for us as soon as we got back from our trip, excited to hear about our adventures even though your wedding was a week away. You have cared more about me than any other couple has in all my years of photographing. You made me feel loved. You made me feel special, and you made me feel like your best friend. To be honest, I needed you more than you needed me. I cried when you were reading your vows to one another, during your first dance, and during your toasts. Your family and friends agree that you two are the most selfless people they know as well. You are always there for everyone around you and never questioning it. In this past year, I have seen it over and over again. So instead of you two thanking me for documenting your story, let me be the first to say thank YOU for allowing me to get to know such amazing, genuine, beautiful people. Thank YOU for allowing ME to capture and document this journey together. And thank you for always being there for me. Even if we’ve only known each other for a year now…I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends for a lifetime.

I seriously am honored for you all to meet this beautiful couple: Jessica & Nick.

Boy do I have a treat for you all today. Back at the beginning of this year, my goal was to photograph my couple's in a more candid, storytelling way. Not every wedding presents itself like this, but every so often you get to photograph everything as it happens and you just sit back and smile through the camera. 

May I present to you: Whitney & Tyler
Whitney is a actually an amazing blogger & graphic designer. When I got the call from LA, I honestly thought it was some advertising company trying to sell me something. I had no idea that this couple from LA wanted me to be their wedding photographer. When I found out that Whitney was a blogger, I had this cool idea for her to guest blog on my site. After all, who better to tell her story. I hope you all enjoy this special sneak peek of Whitney & Tyler's big day at Newport Vineyards. These images are definitely some of my favorite thus far. I can't wait for you to see them. But first, take it away Whitney!

Hello everyone!

My name is Whitney Eshleman, a graphic designer and blogger based in Los Angeles, California. I went to art school at Suffolk University in Boston and lived there for a few years before moving to Los Angeles in 2007. I created my lifestyle blog, hoopLA, on a whim after a layoff in 2010 and it just took off. Since then I have been designing and writing and hoopLA has me all over California, and now expanding across the US.

I've lived in LA for nine years, and anyone who has been here for some time knows dating in Los Angeles isn't easy. It's the land of the online dating. I was lucky enough to have a herniated disc injury and needed surgery because I met my now husband, Tyler. Tyler was my physical therapist after my surgery and it was love at first sight. From the moment we saw each other, we were together. I am originally from Glastonbury, CT and Tyler is from Binghamton, NY so we both have the east coast mentality. Plus, we both went to school in Boston and are huge Red Sox fans. 

Tyler now works for a company where he visits four high end hotels in Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica, and teaches ergonomics to their employees. I am a freelance graphic designer, so our flexible schedules allow us to have "adventures" (as we call them) and hike, bike, camp, and travel as much as we can. We want to experience as much as life has to offer.

When it came to wedding planning, I was planning 3,000 miles away from where we were getting married. My mom helped me plan everything after we were engaged. We wanted something rustic, yet elegant and Newport Vineyards was the perfect venue. Tyler and I are huge winos, so when we heard it was a vineyard, we were sold. I visited 3 months later to seal the deal and Tyler and I fly out the May before so he could see it too. In terms of finding our DJ, caterer, Ryan, hair/makeup, and flowers, I had to just trust my gut. My mom found a few through word of mouth recommendations and I found some on theknot.com and did a little research on my own. In May we met with everyone and felt confident in our choices and they all turned out to be rock stars. One word of advice for your wedding is to find a photographer who you enjoy being around because they are with you all day. I not only enjoyed Ryan and his team, but I loved them. On a day where emotions are running high, they knew exactly how to take control and pose us. They can really read people and made sure Tyler and I were happy, comfortable, fed, and liquored up.  Ryan is a joy to work with and he always has a smile on his face. More than anything I loved that he checked in with Tyler and I right up to the day and he was always accessible. I am in absolute love with what I've seen so far and hope you love them too!

Follow along with my more recent adventures on my blog! I hope to see you there!

XOXO,
Whitney

Whitney & Tyler's full gallery will be available soon.
For now, let's give a special thank you to all of those who worked hard on their special day:

Photographer: Ryan DeVoll Photography
Venue: Newport Vineyards
DJ: DJ Valentina
Hair & Makeup: Lynda Williams Beauty
Florist: Flowerthyme

Cheers for the weekend being right around the corner! This weekend we have ourselves a triple header. That means we're photographing a couple Friday, Saturday and Sunday! It's going to one heck of a weekend but we're most excited to return to this beautiful venue pictured below: Newport Vineyards.

Amanda & Dan both grew up in Rhode Island, so it was only fitting that they celebrated with all their family and friends in true Rhody style. This included a beautiful, rustic Newport vineyard wedding complete with "chowda", and an amazing clambake that had fresh lobster, mussels, potatoes, corn on the cob, and even portuguese sausage! It was an absolutely perfect day. 

Here's a sneak peek!

Venue: Newport Vineyards
DJ: DJ T-Rex
Caterer: McGrath Clambakes

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