April | 2017 | Blog for Cortney Kelley Photography

Spring weddings are just so pretty, with a color palette that is soft and hopeful. The sudden rain showers, followed by bursts of bright sunshine, the freshness so desperately needed after long, grey winter months, the perfect transition as we navigate towards the vibrancy of summer.

I love it when a couple knows who they are–not just who they are individually, but who they are as a couple, and incorporate that stylistically into their wedding theme. Jeff and Shelby nailed it. Starting with the quintessential PNW wedding venue, Alderbrook Resort, to their vintage/nautical decor, having their beloved furry faced Luna in attendance, and the delicious menu–the entire celebration was a sublime reflection of their laid back demeanor and understated elegance. Shelby was a vision in her Tadashi Shoji wedding gown, and the whimisical succulents in her bouquet by Fleurae was a flawless background for the special shell as an homage for Jeff’s Mom. It was an absolute honor to spend the day with them capturing the lovely celebration. Cheers to many happy years together, both lakeside and beyond. xoxo

Sometimes you just need to warm yourself to the core, to fill up those vitamin D stores, to fill your heart and mind with deep conversations, with thoughtful beauty, and a hearty dose of laughter. I didn’t even know how much I needed the trip until I was there. A bit of work and some solid soul quenching sun, just what PNW’ers need in the middle of a rainy winter.

It’s so interesting to discover niche worlds, like the world of traveling art gallery shows. Talk about visual inspiration. The Spectrum at Indian Wells http://spectrum-indianwells.com was a new world to me. The international juried art show featured an incredible range of work from paintings, sculptures, glass work, photographic art, and even some wild steam punk creations. It was incredible to wander through, champagne in hand, lounge on the swank white leather sofas, and take it all in. Thank you to Essence Arts, and Tom and Anna Boatright https://www.tomboatrightoils.com, for inviting me along. I loved being part of this journey with you.

I was also lucky enough to steal away to Joshua Tree for the day, spending time with radiant humans and capturing their portraits for Erin Jane Illuminations www.erinjaneilluminations.com/ and Essence Arts. I lingered a bit longer meeting up with dear friends for lunch at the infamous www.pappyandharriets.com/ before venturing back to the park to capture sunset images in Joshua Tree. Let it be known when your story begins with “So we were drinking tequila in the desert as the sun was setting…” is always a solidly hysterical tale. Ask me about it next time you see me : )