Some of you may have seen that Michael and I traveled to France to photograph a gorgeous wedding last week! It was a dream come true! After the wedding, we hit the road with our good friends Jordan and Amy Demos and we started a 5 day adventure to three different countries! This road trip would have been epic if it was just that… a road trip….but it was so much more than that! We stopped in Marseille on the second day of our journey and the next day, we did something that we have been looking forward to for a long time!
Ever since we realized that our calendar and our travel plans were going to align, we have been planning this surprise!! That means that this secret shoot has been in the works for months and months! Before I continue, you need to know something about Amy and Jordan. Most of you already know that they are amazing photographers. As of this past Sunday they have been married for seven years and even though their wedding day was one of the best days of their life, they have very few pictures that truly capture their joy. So, it has been a dream of theirs for quite some time to do a vow renewal and this trip seemed like the BEST opportunity to make it happen!!
Amy had a gown custom made for her and it was inspired by certain aspects of both of their mother’s and grandmother’s wedding dresses! I loved this idea and you definitely have to read their blog today to hear the full story! I helped curl Amy’s hair and Jordan helped her into her gown and we got in the car and started driving towards the countryside! We were in search of the infamous french lavender fields and we knew of one location that was super popular with tourists. However, when we stopped to pick up Amy’s incredible bouquet from Laetitia C. Fleurs d’Atelier, she told us of a secret lavender field that we would have all to ourselves!! We followed her directions and we pulled our rental car over on the side of the road at the most perfect location.
Not only did we find a secluded lavender field, we found one with a TREE right in the middle of the field and it served as a PERFECT diffuser!!! Michael officiated their ceremony and read the words directly from their actual wedding. We both got a little teary and choked up because it really felt like we were getting to be a part of their wedding day even though we didn’t even know them 7 years ago! As they shared their vows Jordan threw in some extra jokes and Amy somehow laughed and cried at the same time. I was worried that their little ceremony wouldn’t be special or that it would be hard to take it seriously because it was just us standing in the dirt in the middle of a field… but that was not the case at all. Michael did an amazing job and you could tell that this wasn’t just about getting some pretty pictures…. these two honestly wanted to experience their wedding day and their commitment to one another all over again… and it was beautiful.
As they kissed and we started to do some portraits, I started squealing because I really couldn’t believe what I was capturing. We had rushed and sped all the way there because we had gotten a late start but God’s timing with the light was absolutely perfect. As soon as we finished their ceremony, the glowy light was in its’ prime!! It was a day that we’ll never forget! Michael and I feel so honored that we were the ones who got to witness and capture this for our sweet friends! We left the field at sunset and headed to one of the best dinner’s of the trip and everyone stared at Amy because she was the most beautiful bride!
Today I have blogged WAY too many favorites but I hope you enjoy them!!! Jordan and Amy we love you guys and we’ll never forget this incredible day!!!
Dress | Katherine Bignon Design
Florals | Laetitia C. Fleurs d’atelier
Thanks for reading!
— Katelyn
MORE RECENT POSTS
This is going to go down as the wedding day were we got lucky over and over again. Blair and Ashley heard that there was a chance of rain on their wedding day but we all wrote it off as nothing and kept moving on with all of our original plans.
In the fast-paced world we live in, finding purpose and intention in everyday life can feel like a distant goal. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, a creative, or simply someone searching for more meaning, this probably resonates with you! If you’ve been a longtime follower of the Katelyn James podcast, you know it’s always been about authenticity, growth, and family. So, we wanted the podcast to represent just that. Welcome to Doing Life Differently!
Who doesn’t love the sparkler exit photo as the couple is sent off after their wedding?! It’s a classic! However, the traditional sparkler exit can often lead to challenges that can easily be avoided. This is where the concept of a controlled sparkler exit comes in!
It’s hard to believe that I upgraded to the Canon R6 four years ago! It’s the backbone of my photography, and while it’s been a loyal companion, I’m at a point where I have to ask: is it time for an upgrade? This question comes up a lot, especially from photographers who bought the R6 when it first launched, and many are wondering if the Canon R6MkII is worth the investment.
I am so excited to share today’s Podcast with you!! You will get to hear a powerful conversation I had with my good friend Graham Cochrane!
Some images are good, but others really DRAW you in and make you say WOW! But what are the factors that make an image stand out so much?
Top Personal Posts
Have a little time to read?
"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”
"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”
"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”
"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”
"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”
"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"
The KJ blog
must-reads
YOUTUBE
The KJ Learning roadmap
